Deer Creek Campground

4.58

28 reviews

Featured in:Camping Near Capitol Reef National Park

Quick Facts

5,800 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

7 campsites

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens BLM (Bureau of Land Management) site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

5,800 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

7 campsites

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens BLM (Bureau of Land Management) site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Deer Creek Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fee is $10 per night payable at the entrance. No additional reservation service fee since the campground is not reservable.

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(435) 826-5499Escalante_interagency@blm.gov

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.58

Top-Rated

Based on 28 reviews

26 Google reviews

Some mention

small

"Overall sentiment among users is positive, with an average sentiment score of 4.375. Reviewers highlight the campground's scenic location and tranquility but also note its small size and lack of potable water."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Deer Creek Campground

37.8547, -111.3554

Driving directionsFrom Boulder, travel east on the Burr Trail Rd. for 7 miles, turn left into the Deer Creek Campground.

The campground is located along the scenic Burr Trail Road, which is accessible and appears to be paved. No mention of seasonal closures or extreme terrain challenges.

Nearby places

null

Nearby supplies

null

Best Time to Camp at Deer Creek Campground

Experience the dramatic beauty of high desert seasons at Deer Creek, where crystal-clear skies dominate throughout fall and winter months. Winter temperatures dance between crisp 37°F days and brisk 17°F nights, creating perfect conditions for cozy campfires and morning frost that sparkles on canyon walls. The arid climate means rain and snow rarely interrupt your adventures, with predominantly dry conditions year-round. These clear, moisture-free nights transform the campground into a natural planetarium, where the Milky Way stretches brilliantly from horizon to horizon.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Cottonwood shade helps in summer but mosquitoes and no potable water are drawbacks.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Autumn leaf color and clear skies praised; users found it peaceful in October/November.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Likely pleasant spring hiking; no specific mentions of spring wildflowers or conditions.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Clear winter skies noted but cold temps and limited amenities reduce comfort.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: null
Current Alerts: null

About Deer Creek Campground

Tucked away in the enchanting Deer Creek Canyon, this intimate campground offers a genuine escape into the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Seven thoughtfully designed campsites await beneath a canopy of ancient cottonwood trees, each featuring raised tent pads and fire pits perfect for evening gatherings under star-filled skies. While the campground embraces a back-to-basics approach without potable water or trailer access, it rewards adventurers with unparalleled tranquility and some of the darkest night skies in the Southwest. Here, the rustling cottonwood leaves and distant canyon walls create a natural amphitheater where solitude and scenic beauty converge.

Deer Creek Campground caters primarily to tent campers with no options for RVs, group camping, or glamping.

Historical Significancenull

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic beauty of high desert seasons at Deer Creek, where crystal-clear skies dominate throughout fall and winter months. Winter temperatures dance between crisp 37°F days and brisk 17°F nights, creating perfect conditions for cozy campfires and morning frost that sparkles on canyon walls. The arid climate means rain and snow rarely interrupt your adventures, with predominantly dry conditions year-round. These clear, moisture-free nights transform the campground into a natural planetarium, where the Milky Way stretches brilliantly from horizon to horizon.

ElevationPerched at 5,800 feet within the dramatic folds of Deer Creek Canyon, this high-desert oasis offers a refreshing retreat from lower elevation heat. The elevation creates a unique microclimate where desert and mountain ecosystems intertwine, fostering rare plant communities and providing naturally cooler temperatures that make summer camping particularly delightful. Morning mists often linger in the canyon depths while afternoon breezes carry the scent of sage and wildflowers across the campground.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a painter's paradise where crimson sand meets emerald vegetation in stunning contrast. Majestic cottonwoods spread their protective branches over each campsite, their leaves shimmering gold in autumn and providing welcome shade in summer. The understory bursts with life as native buckthorn, graceful willows, and delicate wild roses create natural privacy screens between sites. Deer Creek meanders nearby, its gentle waters supporting this desert oasis while occasionally bringing mosquitoes during warmer months—a small price for such verdant surroundings in this otherwise arid landscape.

Geological RegionDeep within the geological wonderland of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Deer Creek Campground sits at 5,800 feet where ancient forces carved intimate canyons from layered sandstone. The campground's distinctive red sandy surfaces tell stories of prehistoric seas and windswept dunes, now adorned with ribbons of green where buckthorn, willows, and wild roses follow hidden moisture. Towering cottonwoods mark the presence of Deer Creek, their massive trunks testament to decades of growth in this protected canyon sanctuary where water, rock, and sky create an ever-changing tableau of natural artistry.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

14 Day limit

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

There are no group campsites available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground consists of 7 campsites featuring raised tent pads, fire pits, and parking spaces. Sites are small and may not accommodate travel trailers.

Reservation PlatformsNot reservable.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come, first-served. User reviews suggest availability even during October weekends.

Cancellation PolicyNot applicable as the campground is not reservable.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not specified.

Site SizeSites are described as small with a parking spot, a table, and a tent pad. One reviewer mentioned that some parking areas are not flat, while others are.

PrivacyPrivacy levels are moderate. One camper remarked on the privacy of their tent being tucked away amidst soft sand but cautioned about cacti.

Total Campsites7 campsites

Recommended SitesUser reviews suggest choosing sites with flat parking spaces as not all sites have even surfaces.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground provides opportunities for hiking, stargazing, and wildlife observation. As one camper shared, "You can camp here and there is great hiking in any direction from camp. I hiked for three days and never went the same way twice." The site also offers access to a creek for wading, as mentioned in another user review.

HikingHiking opportunities are abundant, with trails in every direction around the campground. One reviewer stated, "I hiked for three days and never went the same way twice."

Wildlife viewingThe campground offers opportunities to observe local flora and fauna, as noted in user reviews describing the surrounding natural beauty.

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUser reviews mention mosquitoes due to the proximity of the creek and the presence of cacti near campsites.

Active Alertsnull

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Deer Creek Campground

Reviews

4.6

28 reviews

Top-Rated

Deer Creek Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall sentiment among users is positive, with an average sentiment score of 4.375. Reviewers highlight the campground's scenic location and tranquility but also note its small size and lack of potable water.

Review Summaries

Based on 28 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include the elevated tent pads, fire pits at each site, and the scenic beauty of the surroundings. One user described it as "a lovely pay site in Grand Staircase Escalante," while...

Based on 28 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of potable water and occasional issues with mosquitoes due to the nearby creek. One user described feeling uneasy due to unwelcome visitors at night.

Based on 28 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing plenty of water due to the lack of potable supply and being cautious of cacti while choosing a campsite. A camper suggested, "The tent bases are elevated so you don’t have...

Based on 28 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is less crowded in the off-season, as noted by a user who visited in October and found plenty of open campsites. Another visitor in November highlighted the peaceful setting ideal for...

Based on 28 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Ample fire pits. Red sandy surface surrounded by buckthorn, willows, and wild roses." - Craig England Jr. "Incredible spot to observe stars and Milky Way." - Rémi Julien. "I hiked for three days and...

Based on 28 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsites are small, consisting of a parking space, table, and tent pad. One user commented, "Pretty nice. Sites are very small, basically a parking place, table, and tent pad." Another noted that...

Based on 28 reviews