South Temple Wash sits among the stunning landscapes of San Rafael Swell Recreation Area in Utah . With 10 campsites (RV-friendly up to 30 feet feet) , restrooms, great hiking, it's a favorite for rural adventurers.
Reservations are required year-round , and the best times to visit are May-jul, Sep when the weather is most comfortable .
🌈 PurpleTents helps LGBTQ+ campers discover welcoming outdoor experiences here and across America.
🏕️ At a Glance
💳 Booking & Fees
Cancellations made 3+ days before arrival typically receive a refund minus service fees. Check Recreation.gov for specific policies and deadlines.
💧 Water Access & Features
📸 Discover the Beauty of San Rafael Swell Recreation Area
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
Plan your trip during the optimal season for this campground.
🦅 Peak birding: Apr, May, Sep
🦌 Recent Wildlife Sightings
Recent wildlife observations near this campground from the iNaturalist community.
South Temple Wash located in Utah, offering 10 camping sites.
South Temple Wash
A Rural campground in Utah
Overview
After About Seven Miles, the Road Narrows to a Maximum Vehicle Width of 50 Feet. One of the Most Distinctive Geologic Features of Central Utah, the Reef Is a 75-Mile-Long Rocky Spine That Reaches Up to 1,000 Feet High and Forms the Eastern Edge of the San Rafael Swell. the Temple Mountain Area Provides Acces to Many Scenic Slot Canyons, Hills, and Spires Cut From Red and White Rock.
Temple Mountain Mining District: the Townsite Is in the Heart of the Historic Temple Mountain Mining District.
South Temple Wash Is a Fee Campground in the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area.
South Temple Wash Campground Is Located Along the Temple Mountain Road on the East Side of the Reef. a Short Distance Back to the East of the Campground Is the Turn to Go to Goblin Valley State Park. Turning West Before the Entrance of the State Park Will Lead to Little Wild Horse Canyon, a Popular Hike for Many in a Slot Canyon. From the Campground and Driving West on the Temple Mountain Road Will Lead to the Temple Mountain Pictograph Panel, a Short Drive Further Is Temple Mountain Townsite. Here Visitors Can Hike to Reclaimed Uranium Mines. Opposite Temple Mountain Townsite Is the Behind-the-Reef Road and It Is Accessible to Most Vehicles for Six Miles, Accessing Several Trailheads for Hikes Into the San Rafael Reef Wilderness. Two of These (Chute Canyon and Wild Horse Canyon) Are Accessible for Horseback Riders. the Road Continues for Another 14 Miles Requiring High Clearance and Four-Wheel-Drive As It Follows the Rugged Base of the Reef Against a Backdrop of 500-Foot Cliffs and Jagged Canyons. More Wilderness Slot Canyons Hikes Can Be Accessed From This Road. Motorized Vehicle Use Is Not Permitted in Wilderness.
South Temple Wash Has Two Vault Toilets and an Information Kiosk. All Campsites Have Fire Rings, Flat Gravel Surfaces, and Picnic Tables.
the Campground Is at the Eastern Mouth of a Short, Steep Canyon (Temple Wash) Which Cuts Through the San Rafael Reef.
Nearby Attractions
Goblin Valley State Park (Fee Area), 2 Miles East: the State Park Entrance Is Two Miles Up the Temple Wash Road Going Back Towards Highway 24. the State Park Is Famous for Its Unique Landscape of Sandstone Hoodoos (Goblins) and Buttes. the Park Has Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails As Well As a Fee Campground and Yurt Rentals.
Little Wild Horse Canyon: the Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon Is the Most Popular Hike in the San Rafael Reef. Visitors Can Appreciate Sculpted Sandstone Walls and Narrows Through the Three-Mile Canyon. Paired with Bell Canyon Via the Behind-the-Reef Road, This Makes for an Eight-Mile Moderate Day Hike with Varied Scenery. the Canyon Bottoms Are Gravel and There Are Some Obstacles Requiring Straightforward Scrambling. Visitors Can Visit Sites and Learn About the History of Cold War-Era Uranium Mining by Foot or Vehicle.
Contact Info
for Facility Specific Information, Please Call (435) 636-3600.Managed by: Bureau of Land ManagementSite Details
Campsite Information
- Total Sites: 10
- Hookup Types: Electric
- Max RV Length: 30 feet
Amenities
- 🚻 Restrooms: Available
- 🚿 Showers: No
- 🗑️ Dump Station: No
- 💧 Potable Water: No
- 🛝 Playground: No
- 🧺 Laundry: False
- 📶 WiFi: False
- 🏊 Swimming: No
- 🎣 Fishing: No
- 🛥️ Boating: No
- 🥾 Hiking: Available
Map & Location
Address & Coordinates
Address: Temple Mountain Campground East
City: , Utah
Coordinates: 38.656807, -110.661184
Area Type: Rural
Phone: (435) 636-3600
Activities & Attractions
Popular Activities: Hiking|biking|picnic|fire-ring|trail|rv|yurt
Available Activities:
- 🎣 Fishing: No
- 🛥️ Boating: No
- 🥾 Hiking: Available
- 🏊 Swimming: No
Regulations & Permits
🔥 Stay Limits & Fees
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Nightly Fee: $20-30
Federal Pass: Yes (50% discount)
🌤️ Weather & Climate
Summer High
Winter Low
Annual Precip
Hottest Month
Coldest Month
Best Visit Time
📱 Connectivity
Verizon
Fair Signal
LTE
AT&T
Fair Signal
LTE
T-Mobile
Poor Signal
4G
📺 Television Reception
Major Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS
Signal Quality: Fair
Total Stations: 9 stations
Nearest Market: SALT LAKE CITY
Notes: Signals FROM SALT LAKE CITY MARKET
📻 Radio Reception
Total Stations: 18 stations (5 AM, 13 FM)
AM Quality: Good | FM Quality: Fair
Major Formats: Country, ADULT Contemporary, NEWS/TALK
Local News: KSL 1160 Am
Market: SALT LAKE CITY
Notes: 5 AM, 13 FM Stations from Salt Lake City
🔌 EV Charging
⚡ Green River Coffee (Green River, UT)
Distance: 35.7 miles away
Address: 25 East Maint Street, Green River, UT
Network: electrify-america
Charging Type: Fast-charging-available • CHAdeMO-J1772
Plan Your Visit
Essential Information
- Facility ID: 10283414
- Managing Agency: Bureau of Land Management
- Agency Email: blm_wo_webmaster@blm.gov
- Agency Website: https://www.blm.gov/
- Parent Park: San Rafael Swell Recreation Area
- Park Website: /parks/san-rafael-swell-recreation-area/
Park System Information
Park Classification & Structure
- Park Type: Other
- Parks Post Name: san-rafael-swell-recreation-area
- Parent Park Name: San Rafael Swell Recreation Area
- Correct Park Type Mapping: san-rafael-swell-recreation-area
System Statistics
- Total Campgrounds in System: 3.0
- States Covered: Utah
- Managing Agencies: Bureau of Land Management
System IDs & References
- Parent Organization ID: 126.0
- Parent Recreation Area ID: 2187
- Parks Parent Org IDs: 126.0
- Parks Parent Rec Area IDs: 2187
URL Slugs & Navigation
- State Slug: utah
- Agency Slug: bureau-of-land-management
- Park Type Slug: other
- Parent Park Slug: san-rafael-swell-recreation-area
Additional Park Information
Data Reference Notes
Managing Agency Slug: bureau-of-land-management
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