Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Virgin River flowing next to the Lower Loop
ADA Site 94
Sheltered Site with the Paiute Mountains
North Restroom
Inside of the flush toilet restrooms

Featured amenities

River Access River Access

Available sites

25 total sites

About Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is located along Interstate 15 approximately 20 mi southwest of St. George, Utah and approximately 20 mi northeast of Mesquite, Nevada. It's accessed from the Cedar Pocket Exit (mile post 18). The overnight-use fee is $8 per site per night and the day-use fee is $2 per vehicle. Overnight use is limited to 14-night stays. The recreation area currently has 25 of the best sites only available through recreation.gov reservations. The remaining 83 sites are first come, first serve (FF) payable by using the Scan and Pay feature on the recreation.gov app. Please come prepared by either making a reservation here before arrival OR having the recreation.gov app installed with login setup to pay onsite with the scan and pay option. 

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Birding

Birding

Year-round
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Nov 30

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

River Access River Access
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

25 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 103, Loop: Lower Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 13, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 19, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 20, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 24, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 25, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 28, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 34, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 36, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 38, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 46, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 62, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 65, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 69, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 70, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 71, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 72, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 73, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 74, Loop: Upper Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 89, Loop: Lower Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 92, Loop: Lower Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 93, Loop: Lower Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 94, Loop: Lower Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 96, Loop: Lower Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 97, Loop: Lower Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade

Reviews (328)

What Guests Are Saying

The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area offers a beautiful and well-maintained campground with clean facilities and stunning views, making it a great stop for travelers. Many appreciate the easy access to the river and hiking trails, as well as the reasonable pricing. However, some issues were noted, including outdated signage, limited water access for RVs, and occasional noise from the highway. Overall, it provides a peaceful, scenic experience, especially in cooler seasons.

Review Summary

4.3
328 reviews
5
53.7%
176
4
30.8%
101
3
7.9%
26
2
4.6%
15
1
3.0%
10

Vincent T

Verified

November 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: Upper Loop

5

Stayed at this site on our way to Utah only one night. Bathrooms were very clean and well kept. Site was very clean and beautiful scenery. If I could recommend one thing it would be that the site should have canopy’s at every site. Ours didn’t have a covering over our picnic tables. But other than that I give it 5 stars.

Jane R

Verified

November 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: Upper Loop

4

Nice campground with folks who were respectful of noise from their parties (or camping). The highway can be heard in the campground, but it's just a low rumble, not a loud noise. The campsite was far enough away from others so it was an enjoyable time and the view was fantastic. Plenty of trash cans and bathrooms. Clean.

Gayle R

Verified

November 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: Upper Loop

5

Even though the RV/trailer campsites were all on asphalt, the sites still felt private and had nice grounds connected to them with spectacular views. Only suggestion would be better signage to find the numbered spots for each section.

Jason B

Verified

November 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: Upper Loop

2

I arrived in the evening to find my “reserved and paid for” spot taken. The people either weren’t there or asleep (probably asleep). Tried calling the Recreation.gov number which said they were open, but they really weren’t. So I drove around trying to find another available site. Ended up paying for another site. Luckily it was only $16 wasted.
Another annoying thing is that if you are there in person, you have to logon to their website to reserve a site…. We’ll, better cell/data service would be nice to do that.
Took forever to logon. Otherwise, Virgin River Canyon is a nice campground, with great views - even though it’s right off the highway.

Luis H

Verified

November 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: Upper Loop

2

Beautiful campground with clean restrooms. A nice stop if you are coming from UT or NV. This makes an excellent stop to rest overnight and get moving the next day. There is no camp host or rangers on-site so this is where things get interesting. I made a reservation and got there around 10 pm (check-in is 12pm) and there was an RV that not only had overstayed an extra day of their checkout but also stayed on my arrival date. I did not want to confront them so I ended up camping at an open spot that was available that night. They woke up around 5 am and took off as I am sure they saw me pulling in the night before.

There's a trail sign by site 34 and there were a lot of people parking anywhere there was an open spot but this belongs to campsites. The guy that was camping next to me was maybe half of the day in one spot then move to a different camp spot without paying the fees.

By Friday afternoon this place is overrun by RVs and Vans so get there early.

William L

Verified

October 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 69, Loop: Upper Loop

5

Dark skies, clean restrooms, distance between camp sites. Location

Erik S

Verified

October 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: Upper Loop

4

Great location. I wish there were more tent sites with covered picnic areas, but I will definitely stay here again.

Linda J

Verified

October 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 73, Loop: Upper Loop

5

Virgin River Campground is a wonderful place to stay. It is dry camping, but there are clean restrooms. The spaces have beautiful views, are level, with picnic table and grill. Some spaces have a covered pavilion. We loved the setting and night stargazing.

Daniel M

Verified

October 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: Upper Loop

5

Stayed one night while driving through on I15. Quite close to I15. Had some road noise, but not enough to detract from our visit or keep us up; however, we were in the upper loop, and lower loop is closer to I15. Arrived mid afternoon in Oct, and temps were in high 80's, but not uncomfortable in the shade, but there isn't much shade here. Took a pleasant short hike down to the river. Bathrooms were very clean. Would definitely use this campground again, as an overnight stop, but definitely only in cooler months.

Rory B

Verified

October 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: Upper Loop

4

Nice, clean campground

Location & Directions for Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

X624+67, Littlefield, AZ 86432 United States

Elevation: 692 ft

Getting There

Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is located along Interstate 15 approximately 20 mi southwest of St. George, Utah and approximately 20 mi northeast of Mesquite, Nevada. The recreation area is at the Cedar Pocket Exit (Mile Post 18).

Nearest town

Littlefield, AZ - 10 mi

About 12 min to downtown

Highway access

Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is accessible via Interstate 15, located at the Cedar Pocket Exit (Mile Post 18), approximately 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and 20 miles northeast of Mesquite, Nevada.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 19, 2026

Message us

Need help?

Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

Message us

Replies within minutes

Explore Littlefield, AZ

Population: 70

Nearby larger city

St. George, UT

Approx. 16 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,857 ft

Bureau of Land Management Logo
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management