Temple Mountain Townsite Campground
Open year-round, first-come-first-served. No advance reservations available. Sites are nonelectric with no hookups or potable water.
Red Flag Warning issued June 10 at 10:07AM MDT until June 10 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 484 Tavaputs Plateau, Fire Weather Zone 489 San Rafael Swell, Fire Weather Zone 493 Central Utah Mountains, Fire Weather Zone 494 Henry Mountains, Fire Weather Zone 496 Color Country Mountains and Fire Weather Zone 498 Grand Staircase. * WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.
About
Temple Mountain Townsite Campground occupies a striking location at the mouth of Temple Wash, where a short, steep canyon cuts through the San Rafael Reef. The Reef is a 75-mile-long rocky spine reaching up to 1,000 feet high that forms the eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell. The surrounding landscape features red and white rock formations, scenic slot canyons, hills, and spires. The campground serves as a basecamp for exploring the historic Temple Mountain Mining District, a Cold War-era uranium mining area. Visitors can hike to reclaimed mines, drive to the Temple Mountain Pictograph Panel, or tackle the longer North Temple Wash loop. The Behind-the-Reef Road provides access to wilderness trailheads including Chute Canyon and Wild Horse Canyon, with the first six miles passable by most vehicles and the remaining 14 miles requiring high-clearance 4WD. Goblin Valley State Park lies just two miles east, famous for its sandstone hoodoos and buttes. Little Wild Horse Canyon, the most popular slot canyon hike in the San Rafael Reef, can be accessed nearby and paired with Bell Canyon for an eight-mile loop.
Directions
From Highway 24, turn west onto Temple Mountain Road (signed for Goblin Valley State Park). Continue straight past the state park turnoff as the road turns from pavement to gravel and enters a short canyon. The campground is on the north (right) side of the road as the canyon opens up, seven miles from the highway turnoff.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 - $50 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| utprmail@blm.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (435) 636-3600 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| BLM Temple Mountain Townsite |
Availability
Photos
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