Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area
Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area (P)
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 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.
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
Need to Know
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.
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 firerings 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.
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.
Nearby Attractions
- The recreation area has an easy, short paved trail accessed near the fee instruction station. This trail goes up to a Joshua Tree grove and a nice developed viewpoint of the Virgin River Gorge.
- The recreation area also has a trailhead to Sullivan Canyon. This trail crosses the river and traverses 3 miles through wilderness to Sullivan Canyon.
- Follow the high clearance road about 2 miles northwest across from the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area, you will reach the Cedar Pocket Wash trailhead. Here, there is a short trail to a Joshua Tree grove and plenty of views. A side trail leads steeply down to the wash where you can hike through a limestone slot canyon.
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 Willderness.
The campground and day-use areas also both have scenic trails leading to the Virgin River. The Virgin River is occassionally runable to small whitewater boats during spring runoffs. Please check for information on the fish barriers and flow conditions prior to running.
Additional opportunities for recreation are available outside of the recreation area. 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. A local trails map is available here.
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.
Changes & 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
Contact Information
Mailing
Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area Arizona Strip Field Office 4001 East Aviator Dr St George UT 84790
Physical
X624+67 Littlefield AZ 86432
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 435-688-3200
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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).
Available Campsites
- Site 25, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 38, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 95, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 79, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 57, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 64, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 86, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 27, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 10, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 53, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 30, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 98, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 37, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 5, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 68, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 34, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 82, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 12, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 59, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 2, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 106, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 84, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 16, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 49, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 83, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 78, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 52, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 45, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 23, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 110, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 109, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 54, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 69, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 104, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 20, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 63, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 108, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 62, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 4, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 47, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 24, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 103, Loop Lower Loop, Type Group Shelter Nonelectric
- Site 44, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 102, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 26, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 28, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 40, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 89, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 33, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 100, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 61, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 8, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 43, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 51, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 70, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 87, Loop Lower Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 65, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 42, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 46, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 39, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 36, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 41, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 55, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 111, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 96, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 85, Loop Lower Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 35, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 80, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 72, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 88, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 75, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 74, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 105, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 66, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 81, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 67, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 90, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 9, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 77, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 50, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 76, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 6, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 73, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 107, Loop Lower Loop, Type Parking
- Site 48, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 97, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 31, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 91, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 92, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 29, Loop Upper Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 93, Loop Lower Loop, Type Group Shelter Nonelectric
- Site 99, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 71, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 101, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 32, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 60, Loop Upper Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 56, Loop Upper Loop, Type Parking
- Site 94, Loop Lower Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
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