Rebecca M
April 21, 2026
Loved it there. Campsites clean. The train is very clean. They will train door at the entry to the campground will not lock. So great to see the petroglyphs and they walk down a along the river is great
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Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
River Access
About Sand Island Recreation Area
Sand Island Recreation Area is a good camping option for visitors launching San Juan River float trips, or wishing to camp close to the town of Bluff or the Cedar Mesa area of Bears Ears National Monument. The campground provides 21 campsites that each feature a tent/trailer space, a picnic table, a fire ring, and vault toilets. Drinking water is available seasonally (typically March through October). Each campsite can hold 8 people and 2 vehicles. Reservations are not available for camping at this location. Individual campsites are available on a first come, first served basis upon arrival at the self-register kiosk at the site. The Sand Island Group Sites are available for larger groups, and may be reserved here.
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Paddling
Spring
Summer
Fall
Spring
Paddling
Nearby
Summer
Paddling
Nearby
Fall
Paddling
Nearby
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
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Apr
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Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
365 Days
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
River Access
Water Access
- River Access
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Missing information?
Reviews
30 reviews
Summary
Sand Island Recreation Area offers clean, well-maintained campsites and is conveniently first-come, first-serve, making it easy to secure a spot. Visitors appreciate the accessible petroglyphs and the tranquil riverside setting, perfect for outdoor activities. However, some minor issues include highway noise, payment difficulties, and occasional disturbances from neighboring campers.
Based on guest feedback
4.2
Overall rating
Based on 30 reviews
5 stars
40.0% (12)
4 stars
46.7% (14)
3 stars
6.7% (2)
2 stars
6.7% (2)
1 star
0.0% (0)
Showing 30 reviews
Sort by: Newest First
Rebecca M
April 21, 2026
Loved it there. Campsites clean. The train is very clean. They will train door at the entry to the campground will not lock. So great to see the petroglyphs and they walk down a along the river is great
Helpful
Eric M
April 19, 2026
A clean, well-maintained campsite. The best part is it’s first-come, first-serve, so i was able to get a spot without reserving 6 months in advance. We need more campsites like this.
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Eric M
April 19, 2026
A clean, well-maintained campsite. The best part is it’s first-come, first-serve, so i was able to get a spot without reserving 6 months in advance. We need more campsites like this.
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Jason N
April 11, 2026
Great stop for the night with some interesting sites to view. Very quiet.
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Jason N
April 11, 2026
Great stop for the night with some interesting sites to view. Very quiet.
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john c
April 1, 2026
So it was tricky to pay for the campsite, on the app it would not go thru, so I paid cash, then later I got charged again for the site, when I had better coverage, after I paid I saw the sign explaining this would happen. Tough for seniors!
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john c
April 1, 2026
So it was tricky to pay for the campsite, on the app it would not go thru, so I paid cash, then later I got charged again for the site, when I had better coverage, after I paid I saw the sign explaining this would happen. Tough for seniors!
Helpful
Joe M
March 31, 2026
Nice location but a bit of highway noise.
What’s the deal with the 1.50$ service fee to use recreation.gov?
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Joe M
March 31, 2026
Nice location but a bit of highway noise.
What’s the deal with the 1.50$ service fee to use recreation.gov?
Helpful
Location & Directions for Sand Island Recreation Area
Blm Monticello Field Office, Monticello, UT 84535 United States
Elevation: 1,309 ft
Getting There
The recreation area is located off U.S. Route 191 approximately three miles west of Bluff, UT and approximately one mile east of the junction of U.S. Routes 163 and 191. It is accessible by all passenger vehicles.
Highway access
The Sand Island Recreation Area is accessible via U.S. Route 191, located approximately three miles west of Bluff, UT, and one mile east of the junction of U.S. Routes 163 and 191.
Policies & Rules
General
- A permit is required in advance for floating on the San Juan River.
- Drinking water is seasonal and is typically available March through October.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 7, 2026
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Monticello, UT
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Managed by the Bureau of Land Management