Temple Mountain Townsite Campground
4.4646 reviewsTemple Mountain Townsite Campground
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Check Site
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Check Site
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Temple Mountain Townsite Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
This is a fee campground in the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider(435) 636-3600
What Campers Say
4.46
Recommended
Based on 46 reviews
59 Google reviews
Most mentioned
viewsquietcleanlocation
"Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Temple Mountain Townsite Campground, consistently giving it 5-star ratings. They highlight the beautiful desert and canyon scenery, proximity to Goblin Valley and other attractions, and the fun, open area for exploring, hiking, riding, and family or group trips."
About Temple Mountain Townsite Campground
Nestled at the mouth of Temple Wash where ancient rock meets desert sky, Temple Mountain Townsite serves as your gateway to the San Rafael Swell's most dramatic landscapes. This fee campground puts you within reach of hidden slot canyons, historic uranium mines, and the legendary Behind-the-Reef Road, where every turn reveals soaring cliffs and the raw beauty of Utah's canyon country.
Historical SignificanceStep back into Cold War history at this campground situated in the heart of the Temple Mountain Mining District, where uranium fever once gripped this remote corner of Utah. The surrounding landscape still bears witness to the atomic age, with reclaimed mine sites accessible by foot or vehicle, offering a fascinating glimpse into the miners who carved their fortunes from these colorful hills during America's nuclear dawn.
ElevationYour camp sits in the shadow of the magnificent San Rafael Reef, a towering wall of stone that climbs nearly 1,000 feet into the desert sky. Nearby cliffs rise approximately 500 feet, creating a dramatic amphitheater of rock that shifts in color and character as the sun traces its daily path across the horizon.
Natural Features and SceneryTemple Wash carves a short but spectacular path through the San Rafael Reef, creating the dramatic entrance to your desert basecamp. The Reef itself stretches for 75 miles like a prehistoric spine of rock, its layers of red and white stone reaching skyward in a display of geological grandeur. Beyond your tent, a wonderland of slot canyons winds through sculpted hills and stone spires, each formation telling a story written in sandstone over millions of years.
Geological RegionThe campground lies within the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, pressed against the eastern ramparts of the iconic San Rafael Reef. This 75-mile-long rocky barrier forms the dramatic eastern boundary of the Swell, standing as one of Utah's most recognizable geological features and serving as the gateway between the high desert plateau and the carved canyonlands beyond.
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Campsite details
Total Campsitesnull campsites
Recommended CampsitesThe townsite is at the intersection of Temple Mountain Road and Behind-the-Reef Road and is located on the north (right) side of Temple Mountain Road seven miles from Highway 24. Use a suitable vehicle for unpaved roads; Behind-the-Reef Road is generally accessible for most vehicles for six miles, with further sections requiring high-clearance/4WD.
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Reserving a campsite
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutCampground is situated at the intersection of Temple Mountain Road and Behind-the-Reef Road on the north (right) side as the canyon opens up.
Activities you can enjoy
Recreation opportunities center on hiking and scenic driving; nearby attractions add mountain biking and slot-canyon exploration. Motorized vehicle use is prohibited in designated wilderness areas.
Hiking
On-site and nearby hikes include routes to reclaimed uranium mines, the Temple Mountain Pictograph Panel, the North Temple Wash loop, and multiple slot canyons (including Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon via the Behind-the-Reef Road). Trailheads such as Chute Canyon and Wild Horse Canyon are accessed from the Behind-the-Reef Road; some routes are suitable for straightforward scrambling.Biking
Mountain biking opportunities are available at nearby Goblin Valley State Park (about 2 miles east); the campground provides access to area roads and trails used for mountain biking in the region.Cultural and Educational Programs
Visitors can explore the Temple Mountain Mining District and learn about the history of Cold War-era uranium mining by foot or vehicle; interpretive or formal programs are not specified.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
Hazards
General hazardsReclaimed uranium mine sites are present nearby. Access roads beyond six miles on the Behind-the-Reef Road become rugged, requiring high clearance and four-wheel-drive; after about seven miles the road narrows to a maximum vehicle width of 50 feet. The campground is at the mouth of a steep canyon (Temple Wash).
Weather at Temple Mountain Townsite Campground
43
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 45%
Wind: 3.4 mph
Clear sky
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Good to know
Proximity to water featuresLocated at the mouth of Temple Wash; visitors can drive a short distance down the wash to the Temple Mountain Pictograph Panel.
Campground Map
Temple Mountain Townsite Campground
Driving directionsFrom Highway 24, turn west onto Temple Mountain Road (signed for Goblin Valley State Park). Continue past the state park turnoff as the road turns from pavement to gravel and enters a short canyon. Temple Mountain Townsite is on the north (right) side of the road as the canyon opens up, seven miles from the highway turnoff.
Access from Highway 24 via Temple Mountain Road; campground is seven miles from the Highway 24 turnoff. Road changes from pavement to gravel and enters a canyon.Reviews from booking and map sources
4.5
46 reviews
Temple Mountain Townsite Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Temple Mountain Townsite Campground, consistently giving it 5-star ratings. They highlight the beautiful desert and canyon scenery, proximity to Goblin Valley and other attractions, and the fun, open area for exploring, hiking, riding, and family or group trips.
Review Summaries
Based on 46 reviews
What Campers Love
Campers love the stunning landscape with canyon views, “killer rock walls,” nearby buttes, abandoned mines, and a gorgeous trail around the base of Temple Mountain. The location is praised as...
Based on 46 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
A few reviewers note environmental and etiquette issues: rocky ground that can make it hard to find a smooth tent spot, and noise/disturbance when motorcycles or ATVs are ridden around the campground...
Based on 46 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Arrive early—possibly a day earlier than planned—if you want a spot on busy weekends, as the campground can fill up quickly. Bring your own water; the nearest fill-up point is Goblin Valley State...
Based on 46 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
“Great free, first come first serve campsite that is close to Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wildhorse Canyon.”
“Beautiful place. But seriously, if you bring motorcycles or ATVs PLEASE don’t...
Based on 46 reviewsShow more
Accessibility Features
One reviewer notes “even surfaces,” suggesting some sites or areas are relatively level, which can help with setup. No other details are provided about road access grade, ADA-compliant features, or...
Based on 46 reviewsShow more
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Last updated December 10, 2025
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