Temple Mountain Townsite Campground
Open
— Open year-round, first-come, first-served. Limited to 14 consecutive days.
About
Temple Mountain Townsite Campground is located at the mouth of Temple Wash where it cuts through the San Rafael Reef, one of central Utah's most distinctive geologic features. This 75-mile-long rocky spine reaches up to 1,000 feet high and forms the dramatic eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell. The campground sits in the heart of the historic Temple Mountain Mining District, where visitors can explore remnants of Cold War-era uranium mining operations and reclaimed mine sites.
From the campground, the Behind-the-Reef Road provides access to several wilderness trailheads. The first six miles are accessible to most vehicles, reaching popular hiking destinations like Chute Canyon and Wild Horse Canyon (both open to horseback riders). The road continues for another 14 miles requiring high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, following the rugged base of the reef against a backdrop of 500-foot cliffs and jagged canyons. After about seven miles, the road narrows to a maximum vehicle width of 50 feet, accessing more remote wilderness slot canyon hikes.
The campground is just two miles from Goblin Valley State Park and provides an excellent base for exploring the southern San Rafael Swell. Nearby attractions include the Temple Mountain Pictograph Panel (a short drive down the wash), the North Temple Wash loop, and Little Wild Horse Canyon, the most popular slot canyon hike in the San Rafael Reef. The area's red and white rock formations create a striking landscape of sculpted canyons, hills, and spires.
Directions
From Highway 24, turn west onto Temple Mountain Road (signed for Goblin Valley State Park). Continue straight on this road past the state park turnoff as it turns from pavement to gravel and enters a short canyon. Temple Mountain Townsite is located on the north side of the road as the canyon opens up, seven miles from the highway turnoff.
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