Bureau of Land Management · Arizona Strip Field Office · AZ

Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

ReservableBookable through November 16; today opens November 17.
Book on recreation.govWe make nothing when you book
Right now
Taking bookingsSites offered on 30 of the next 30 nights read 15:22 UTC
A night
$8From, per site
Sites
111109 on recreation.gov
130 ftLongest rig
2,260 ftElevation
976 ftWater · Virgin River
6.4 miNE of Beaver Dam, AZ
0%Tree cover

The place

the agency’s own description · what’s there · 2 notices

In the agency’s own words

The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is located along Interstate 15 approximately 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and approximately 20 miles 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 onsite 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. Keep reading

Recreation

The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area provides many recreational opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, water play, and more. It is surrounded by two designated wilderness areas. The Paiute Wilderness east of Interstate 15, and Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness to the west. The Sullivan Canyon Trail starts within the recreation area and heads into the heart of the Paiute Wilderness. The campground and day-use areas also both have scenic trails leading to the Virgin River. The Virgin River is occasionally runnable to small whitewater boats during spring runoffs. Please check for information on the fish barriers and flow conditions prior to running. Additional hiking opportunities are available. A short drive on the Cedar Pocket Road (directly across the interstate from the campground) leads to the Cedar Pocket Wash Trailhead. This trail leads down a steep path to the narrows of the Cedar Pocket Wash and is a nice short stroll through a Joshua Tree forest. Several other trails can be accessed along this road or from hiking trails within the recreation area. A trails map is viewable on the site's restroom kiosks or can be downloaded as a PDF map or to the Avenza app . The Virgin River Gorge is also frequented by rock climbers and canyoneers. Additional information about recreation available in the area can be obtained by calling the visitor center at 435-688-3200.

Facilities

Campsite Amenities (108 overnight sites) - 14-night stay limit Paved access road Pull-through parking Drinking water Flush toilets (ADA compliant at middle restroom) Picnic table Grill and/or fire pit Vehicle or RV parking 8 sites that are ADA compliant 12 sites with shade shelters ** The campground has no electrical or waste dump hook ups. ** Day-Use Amenities - daylight hours only Paved access road Pull-through parking Drinking water Flush toilets Shade shelters ADA compliant sites Access to Sullivan Canyon Trail in the Paiute Wilderness Access to interpretative trail Trail access to the Virgin River Natural Features The Virgin River Gorge, where the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area resides, was cut by the Virgin River. Though the Virgin River is relatively small, it is incredibly steep, dropping an average of 70 feet per mile - 10 times steeper than the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This steepness, caused by the uplift of the Colorado Plateau, has given the Virgin River the ability to cut through sandstone and limestone canyons. The gorge provides a stunning and colorful mountain desert setting. The gorge mimics, on a smaller scale, the colorful layers and striking depths of the Grand Canyon. In fact, many of the very same geologic formations are present in both areas. The gorge connects the southwestern rim of the Colorado Plateau and the northeastern part of the Mojave Desert. The climate of the gorge is typical of the Mojave Desert with hot summers and mild winters. This desert climate allows for some of the most northern Joshua Tree populations. The canyon is usually about 5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than St George, Utah, however the canyon can occasionally amplify winds. Many species depend on the water of the Virgin River. The Virgin River directly supports hundreds of wildlife species including, woundfin, Virgin River chub, Virgin spinedace, flannelmouth sucker, desert sucker, speckled dace, and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Many of these species are endangered or are considered sensitive species within the State of Arizona and Utah. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (435) 688-3200.

Nearby Attractions

Hiking Trails The most popular hike is a simple 0.1 mile hike down to the Virgin River via the River Trail . This is easily accessed from the lowest parking in the lower loop. The easiest trail is the 0.4 mile Canyon Overlook Trail . This trail begins at the fee kiosk. It is a paved, ADA trail leading to an overlook and interpretative compass display. The best hike is the Narrows hike. This is a steep, 1.4 mile hike leading through a Joshua Tree grove down to a limestone narrows punching through a geologic fold. The best starting point is a short drive up to the Cedar Pocket Wash Trailhead . A full of views hike is the Ridgeline Loop . This is a 1.1 mile loop starting at the I-15 trailhead. The trail follows the ridgeline up about 1000 ft above the start and loops back. For the more adventurous, Greyhaven Pinnacle is a exposed scramble up a limestone peak with wondrous views from the middle of the Virgin River Gorge. This 1.8 mile trail is accessed from I-15 Trailhead . A trails map is available as a PDF or for the Avenza app .

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations*: *cancellation becomes a "late cancellation" at 12:01 am EST on the day before arrival. • $10.00 fee if reservation is changed/cancelled earlier than the day before arrival. • $10.00 plus first night's camping fee is charged if reservation is cancelled the day before or the day of the arrival, except when the reservation is only for 1 night (in which case only the first night's camping fee is charged). No Shows: customer does not arrive and/or does not cancel reservation by check out time (11 :00am) the day after the scheduled arrival date. $20.00 service fee charged and forfeit the first night's user fee • If requested before the late cancellation window: NRRS will handle • If requested during the late cancellation window (day before arrival, or day of arrival): Customer will be charged first night's use fee, and refunded rest • If requested after arrival, during or after departure from site: recreation.gov processes and field office has to approve

What the agency tells you

Rule

Cell Coverage The Recreation Area has spotty Verizon and T-Mobile cell phone coverage. There is no AT&T coverage. Due to the cell towers being remote and off grid, long outages can occur.

Rule

Supplemental Rules - You must not remain or camp within the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area for more than 14 consecutive days in a 28-day period. After the 14th consecutive day, campers must move beyond a 30-mile radius from the boundary of the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area. - Quiet Hours are from 10 pm to 7 am Arizona Time. No person shall operate noise-producing devices or by other means create noise enough to disturb other visitors during these hours. - Campfires allowed only in fire rings and grills. No campfires allowed during high winds. Follow the summer fire restriction orders that usually limit fire use to properly operated stoves. Fire restrictions will be posted around the entrance to the recreation area.  - No shooting allowed within the recreation area.  - Dogs, and other pets, must be on leashes. - No person shall dispose of any waste water, including that commonly called “grey water,” from a vehicle or container onto the ground or into a body of water. - Cutting firewood and damaging or removing vegetation is prohibited.  - Leaving personal belongings unattended for more than 72 hours is prohibited.

Tents and rigs

Sites
111 · 29 tent-only, 2 group, 2 cabin
Hookups
None
Longest rig
130 ft
Accessible sites
8
Pets
Allowed
Campfires
Allowed, barring fire bans
Shade
Every site
Source: Recreation.gov campsite records · Aug 23, 2026

Facilities

Toilets
Flush Toilets
“…road Pull-through parking Drinking water Flush toilets (ADA compliant at middle restroom) Picnic table…”
Drinking water
Yes
“…Paved access road Pull-through parking Drinking water Flush toilets (ADA compliant at middle restroom)…”

Around the campground

On the water
River
Hiking
Picnicking
Night sky · 187th darkest of 262 in AZ
Bortle 4
Source: Recreation.gov activity records · Aug 23, 2026

4 of 54 site-nights open this Friday and Saturdayread 15:22 UTC

recreation.gov lists 109 of the 111 campsites the agency files here. The rest aren’t on its booking system, so a reservation won’t get you one.

OpenBooked

Booking window1 month outBookable now through November 16, 2026. Today at 10 AM ET, availability opens through November 17, 2026.recreation.gov
A night$8plus $8 to reserve, once per bookingthe agency’s rate schedule
A weekend$24DerivedFriday and Saturday, everything includedours, from the lines above
If plans change$10 to cancel$10 to change a reservation; this campground publishes its own terms toorecreation.gov’s schedule
Runs itBureau of Land ManagementBooked through recreation.govthe agency’s record
Watch for a cancellation

Full? Watch it.

One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.

We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.

Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.

Free forever, no booking kickbacks.
Tell me when the season opens

Watch for the season to open

One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.

We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.

Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.

We’ll write once, when the season that starts Tue, Dec 1 2026 is open for booking.

Free forever, no booking kickbacks.
Book on recreation.gov

We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.

Every line of the receipt · 19

What you actually pay

The sign priceBureau of Land Management
A night$8
RV Site$8
Small Camper Site (No area for tents)$8
Tent Site$8
Group area, a night$8
Rates for the season the campground is in now, Oct 1, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026.
Overnight Use is $8/night (for up to two vehicles).
Discount of 50% with Senior or Access America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
Day Use is $2/vehicle.
Day Use is free when you display in your car's dash any America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
The booking feerecreation.gov
Reservation fee, booked online$8
One fee per reservation, however many nights you book, and it’s non-refundable. $9 if you book by phone, $3 in person.
Pass discounts only apply to the recreation (or use) fee for the facility. Other charges such as electricity or water hookups, reservation or other fees are not eligible for a discount.
What a stay costs
One nightDerived$16
A weekend, Friday and SaturdayDerived$24

Derived by CAMPANAC: the agency’s published rate for this season, $8 a night, plus one $8 recreation.gov reservation fee for the booking. A weekend here means Friday and Saturday night, booked once. Optional charges (an extra vehicle, a second tent, a dump-station fee) are listed separately and aren’t in this total.

If your plans changerecreation.gov
Change fee, moving to dates outside your booking$10
Cancellation fee$10
Cancelling the day before, or the day of$10 + your first night
No-show$20 + your first night

“Cancellations*: *cancellation becomes a "late cancellation" at 12:01 am EST on the day before arrival. • $10.00 fee if reservation is changed/cancelled earlier than the day before arrival. • $10.00 plus first night's camping fee is charged if reservation is cancelled the day before or the day of the arrival, except…” · this campground’s own no-show terms

Who keeps the booking fee

The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →

How we know this receipt · 6

recreation.gov availability, read 15:22 UTC · rules read Oct 1, 2026 · rates Oct 1, 2026 · How we know all this

Seen something wrong here? Tell us.

The sites

111 sites · which ones have room · the site map

The sites, ranked

from 81 mapped sites
55 ftbetween you and the next site, typically
Least roomUpper Loop 5 20 ftUpper Loop 6 20 ftUpper Loop 22 20 ft

All 111 sites

111 of 111 sites located
Tent only29RV / electric50Group2Type not stated30
Up to

Toilet distances are OpenStreetMap’s, measured for 111 of the 111 sites listed. A site with no reading is unknown, never far.

The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 111 of the 111 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.

Lower Loop100rv nonelectric60 ft76 ft2,117 ft1,431 ft$8
Lower Loop101rv nonelectric60 ft76 ft2,095 ft1,447 ft$8
Lower Loop102rv nonelectric60 ft127 ft2,194 ft1,576 ft$8
Lower Loop103group shelter nonelectric30 ftyes115 ft2,245 ft1,564 ft$8
Lower Loop104type not stated30 ft2,262 ft1,573 ft$8
Lower Loop105type not stated30 ft2,269 ft1,571 ft$8
Lower Loop106type not stated30 ft2,268 ft1,562 ft$8
Lower Loop107type not stated30 ft2,281 ft1,512 ft$8
Lower Loop108type not stated30 ft2,285 ft1,508 ft$8
Lower Loop109type not stated30 ft2,282 ft1,496 ft$8
Lower Loop110type not stated30 ft2,267 ft1,478 ft$8
Lower Loop111rv nonelectric60 ft99 ft2,223 ft1,445 ft$8
Lower Loop75rv nonelectric60 ft79 ft2,339 ft1,678 ft$8
Lower Loop76rv nonelectric60 ft60 ft2,414 ft1,732 ft$8
Lower Loop77rv nonelectric60 ft60 ft2,411 ft1,705 ft$8
Lower Loop78rv nonelectric60 ft52 ft2,535 ft1,825 ft$8
Lower Loop79rv nonelectric60 ft52 ft2,509 ft1,784 ft$8
Lower Loop80type not stated30 ft2,586 ft1,857 ft$8
Lower Loop81type not stated30 ft2,582 ft1,868 ft$8
Lower Loop82type not stated30 ft2,567 ft1,865 ft$8
Lower Loop83type not stated30 ft2,558 ft1,855 ft$8
Lower Loop84type not stated30 ft2,534 ft1,838 ft$8
Lower Loop85tent only nonelectric30 ft38 ft2,520 ft1,832 ft$8
Lower Loop86type not stated30 ft2,517 ft1,817 ft$8
Lower Loop87tent only nonelectric30 ft38 ft2,528 ft1,798 ft$8
Lower Loop88rv nonelectric60 ft50 ft2,528 ft1,740 ft$8
Lower Loop89rv nonelectric60 ft50 ft2,489 ft1,715 ft$8
Lower Loop90rv nonelectric60 ft59 ft2,442 ft1,624 ft$8
Lower Loop91rv nonelectric60 ft59 ft2,415 ft1,618 ft$8
Lower Loop92rv nonelectric60 ft66 ft2,364 ft1,523 ft$8
Lower Loop93group shelter nonelectric60 ftyes66 ft2,318 ft1,498 ft$8
Lower Loop94rv nonelectric60 ft86 ft2,246 ft1,413 ft$8
Lower Loop95rv nonelectric60 ft56 ft2,116 ft1,311 ft$8
Lower Loop96rv nonelectric60 ftyes56 ft2,129 ft1,347 ft$8
Lower Loop97rv nonelectric60 ftyes81 ft2,037 ft1,280 ft$8
Lower Loop98rv nonelectric60 ft62 ft2,038 ft1,339 ft$8
Lower Loop99rv nonelectric60 ft62 ft2,075 ft1,348 ft$8
Upper Loop1type not stated30 ft1,093 ft207 ft$8
Upper Loop10type not stated30 ft1,096 ft135 ft$8
Upper Loop11type not stated30 ft1,091 ft136 ft$8
Upper Loop12tent only nonelectric30 ft60 ft1,076 ft129 ft$8
Upper Loop13rv nonelectric60 ftyes64 ft965 ft192 ft$8
Upper Loop14tent only nonelectric30 ft22 ft1,023 ft221 ft$8
Upper Loop15tent only nonelectric30 ft21 ft1,031 ft243 ft$8
Upper Loop16tent only nonelectric30 ft21 ft1,028 ft263 ft$8
Upper Loop17tent only nonelectric30 ft22 ft1,014 ft279 ft$8
Upper Loop18tent only nonelectric30 ft22 ft993 ft285 ft$8
Upper Loop19rv nonelectric60 ft65 ft931 ft315 ft$8
Upper Loop2type not stated30 ft1,117 ft213 ft$8
Upper Loop20rv nonelectric60 ft66 ft847 ft288 ft$8
Upper Loop21type not stated30 ft863 ft332 ft$8
Upper Loop22tent only nonelectric30 ft20 ft844 ft348 ft$8
Upper Loop23tent only nonelectric30 ft20 ft825 ft353 ft$8
Upper Loop24rv nonelectric60 ft45 ft751 ft374 ft$8
Upper Loop25rv nonelectric60 ft45 ft757 ft404 ft$8
Upper Loop26tent only nonelectric30 ft60 ft683 ft429 ft$8
Upper Loop27type not stated30 ft656 ft447 ft$8
Upper Loop28rv nonelectric60 ft55 ft648 ft487 ft$8
Upper Loop29tent only nonelectric30 ft23 ft594 ft521 ft$8
Upper Loop3tent only nonelectric30 ft29 ft1,131 ft209 ft$8
Upper Loop30tent only nonelectric30 ft23 ft572 ft536 ft$8
Upper Loop31type not stated30 ft557 ft541 ft$8
Upper Loop32type not stated30 ft555 ft532 ft$8
Upper Loop33rv nonelectric60 ft56 ft596 ft475 ft$8
Upper Loop34rv nonelectric60 ft64 ft523 ft512 ft$8
Upper Loop35tent only nonelectric30 ft21 ft577 ft464 ft$8
Upper Loop36tent only nonelectric30 ft21 ft582 ft450 ft$8
Upper Loop37tent only nonelectric30 ft23 ft573 ft438 ft$8
Upper Loop38rv nonelectric60 ft67 ft515 ft402 ft$8
Upper Loop39rv nonelectric60 ft49 ft541 ft285 ft$8
Upper Loop4tent only nonelectric30 ft29 ft1,129 ft192 ft$8
Upper Loop40rv nonelectric60 ft49 ft494 ft294 ft$8
Upper Loop41type not stated30 ft439 ft193 ft$8
Upper Loop42tent only nonelectric30 ft21 ft422 ft189 ft$8
Upper Loop43tent only nonelectric30 ft21 ft414 ft178 ft$8
Upper Loop44tent only nonelectric30 ft23 ft416 ft158 ft$8
Upper Loop45rv nonelectric60 ft57 ft404 ft128 ft$8
Upper Loop46rv nonelectric60 ftyes57 ft458 ft73 ft$8
Upper Loop47type not stated30 ft404 ft115 ft$8
Upper Loop48tent only nonelectric30 ft21 ft399 ft122 ft$8
Upper Loop49tent only nonelectric30 ft21 ft407 ft120 ft$8
Upper Loop5tent only nonelectric30 ft20 ft1,051 ft106 ft$8
Upper Loop50tent only nonelectric30 ft22 ft423 ft111 ft$8
Upper Loop51rv nonelectric60 ft77 ft499 ft72 ft$8
Upper Loop52rv nonelectric60 ft106 ft553 ft164 ft$8
Upper Loop53rv nonelectric60 ft56 ft657 ft187 ft$8
Upper Loop54rv nonelectric60 ft56 ft648 ft148 ft$8
Upper Loop55type not stated30 ft696 ft180 ft$8
Upper Loop56type not stated30 ft710 ft192 ft$8
Upper Loop57type not stated30 ft729 ft211 ft$8
Upper Loop58type not stated745 ft242 ft$8
Upper Loop59rv nonelectric60 ft102 ft789 ft271 ft$8
Upper Loop6tent only nonelectric30 ft20 ft1,036 ft86 ft$8
Upper Loop60rv nonelectric60 ft124 ft917 ft109 ft$8
Upper Loop61rv nonelectric60 ft55 ft793 ft200 ft$8
Upper Loop62rv nonelectric130 ft55 ft780 ft243 ft$8
Upper Loop63rv nonelectric60 ft83 ft680 ft220 ft$8
Upper Loop64rv nonelectric60 ft61 ft618 ft137 ft$8
Upper Loop65rv nonelectric60 ft60 ft569 ft152 ft$8
Upper Loop66tent only nonelectric30 ftyes60 ft557 ft93 ft$8
Upper Loop67type not stated30 ft537 ft83 ft$8
Upper Loop68type not stated30 ft518 ft92 ft$8
Upper Loop69rv nonelectric60 ft56 ft904 ft125 ft$8
Upper Loop7type not stated30 ft1,030 ft71 ft$8
Upper Loop70rv nonelectric60 ftyes56 ft875 ft107 ft$8
Upper Loop71rv nonelectric60 ft48 ft792 ft217 ft$8
Upper Loop72rv nonelectric60 ft48 ft765 ft219 ft$8
Upper Loop73rv nonelectric60 ft52 ft684 ft328 ft$8
Upper Loop74rv nonelectric60 ft52 ft655 ft335 ft$8
Upper Loop8tent only nonelectric30 ft37 ft1,039 ft75 ft$8
Upper Loop9tent only nonelectric30 ft56 ft1,090 ft125 ft$8

25 of 111 listed

Getting there

the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Coordinate36.95112, -113.79346
The phone435-688-3200
The agency’s pageOfficial page ↗

Where it is

Getting there

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

The weather

the next four days · the thirty-year normal

Next four days, and the thirty-year normal

Forecast

Overnight56°Mostly Clear
Saturday78°Mostly Sunny1% rain
Saturday Night59°Mostly Cloudy9% rain
Sunday73°Partly Sunny9% rain

NWS forecast for Littlefield, AZ

Typical weather

Typical October night 53°F, day 86°F.

Coldest month of the year: typical December night 32°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.

120°32°20°

Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more

A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.

Measured at: BEAVER DAM, AZ (USC00020672), 9 miles away and 329 ft lower

The land, and who answers for it

who answers for it

Who answers for this land

Paul Gosar, official portrait

Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is in Arizona’s 9th congressional district. Its representative, Paul Gosar (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →

Seen something wrong here? Tell us.

How we know

every fact on this page, and where it came from
Right now: recreation.gov is offering sites on 30 of the next 30 nights, which isn’t something a closed campground does.
Cell signal: the BLM’s own campground description, read as text by CAMPANAC. None of this is a measurement. It’s what the land manager published about the place, and phones, carriers and weather all disagree with each other; treat it as a warning, not a promise.
Nearest place of any size: Littlefield, AZ, 4.4 mi NE (a census designated place). Straight line.