Dean Gardner Campground

Star0
5 reviews
Pine Valley Recreation Area, East on Forest Route #035, Pine Valley, UT

Quick Facts

6,800 ft

Price

$19 - $38/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

24 campsites

Season

Open May 11 through ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Public Lands Information Center site

Official Website
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Dean Gardner Campground
$19.00 - $38.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Single sites cost $19 per day, while double sites cost $38 per day. Discounts are available for 'America the Beautiful' pass holders for single sites...
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Standard Site Fee$19.00
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

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Provider
(435) 688-3200
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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

Based on 5 reviews

5 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanhikingsites

"User reviews praise the Dean Gardner Campground for its cleanliness, beautiful scenery, and friendly camp hosts. Comments highlight the starry skies, convenient trails, and well-maintained facilities."

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Campground Map

Pine Valley Recreation Area, East on Forest Route #035, Pine Valley, UT

Dean Gardner Campground

Pine Valley Recreation Area, East on Forest Route #035, Pine Valley, UT

Driving directionsFrom Veyo, UT, take State Rt. 18 north 6 miles to the Pine Valley sign (Pine Valley Rd.). Turn right onto Pine Valley Rd. and go 8.2 miles to the 'T' intersection and Pine Valley Recreation Area sign (Main St.). Turn left and go 1.5 miles to the Pine Valley Recreation Area's entrance gate. In 0.1 miles past entrance gate, turn right and follow directions to the campground. NOTE: The Pine Valley sign and turn off of State Rt. 18 onto Pine Valley Rd. are not well marked. Watch closely for sign.
The roads leading to the campground include a paved interior road and campsite parking aprons that are mostly level. Seasonal closure applies; open from Early May through Late September.
Nearby places
St. George (approximately 37 miles, 45-minute drive)
Central (approximately 7 miles, 15-minute drive)
Pine Valley (approximately 3 miles, less than 10-minute drive).
Nearby supplies
The nearest locations for groceries, fuel, and camping supplies are found in St. George, approximately 37 miles away from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Dean Gardner Campground

From early May through late September, Dean Gardner transforms into a high-country paradise where crisp mountain air and endless blue skies create ideal camping conditions. The dry climate means you'll wake to golden sunrises and spend evenings under star-filled skies. As autumn fades, winter wraps the campground in a blanket of snow and frigid temperatures, making this truly a warm-season destination where summer memories are made.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Open mid-May–Sept; described as peak season with ideal high-country conditions and activities.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open through Sept 24; early fall pleasant but season ends relatively early.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Opens May 11 so late-spring window is short; weather can be crisp but favorable after opening.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 11–Sept 24; winter not available.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Mid-May through September.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 11 through September 24.

About Dean Gardner Campground

Dean Gardner Campground offers an intimate escape into nature with 21 single campsites and 3 double sites nestled alongside the serene Pine Valley Reservoir. Each thoughtfully positioned site comes complete with picnic tables, fire pits, and dedicated tent pads, creating the perfect basecamp for your mountain adventure. Nearly a third of these coveted spots rest along the water's edge, where glimpses of the shimmering reservoir peek through a natural privacy screen of towering trees, offering both seclusion and scenic beauty.
Dean Gardner Campground offers single and double campsites for tent camping, with no RV-specific sites or pull-throughs beyond two paved parking aprons. The campground does not cater to group camping, cabin lodging, or glamping.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Not specified in authoritative content.
Check-out
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Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 14 days per season.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Dean Gardner Campground include horse riding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Nearby trails such as Whipple, Brown's Point, and Gardner Peak lead into Pine Valley Wilderness area. The Pine Valley Reservoir offers fishing for rainbow trout and has a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier. Boating (non-motorized) is permitted. User experiences emphasize the beauty of the area and the starry skies. One review noted: 'So gorgeous, great walks, bike rides, fishing, beautiful starry skies.'
HikingThere are 18 trails available, including Whipple (6 miles, foot only), Brown's Point (4 miles, foot and horse), and Gardner Peak (3 miles, foot only). Trails lead into the Pine Valley Wilderness area.
FishingFishing for rainbow trout is available in Pine Valley Reservoir. A wheelchair-accessible fishing pier is provided.
BikingBike riding opportunities are available nearby, though specific trail details are not provided.
BoatingBoating is allowed but limited to non-motorized watercraft. The reservoir spans approximately 5 acres.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSeasonal dryness may result in dry snow-fed rivers during late spring thaw. Wildlife interactions are possible due to proximity to wilderness.

Weather at Dean Gardner Campground

Reviews

0.0
5 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Dean Gardner Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews praise the Dean Gardner Campground for its cleanliness, beautiful scenery, and friendly camp hosts. Comments highlight the starry skies, convenient trails, and well-maintained facilities.
Review Summaries
Based on 5 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects mentioned by users include cleanliness of campsites, approachable camp hosts, beautiful views, and availability of hiking and biking trails. One user described it as 'Our most...
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Based on 5 reviews

Common Concerns

No specific complaints have been documented in the user reviews.
Based on 5 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend reserving campsites in advance due to limited availability. One reviewer stated: 'Camping très agréable mais il n’y a pas beaucoup de place alors n’hésitez pas à réserver à l’avance.'
Based on 5 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews were overwhelmingly positive regardless of the season, with emphasis on cleanliness during peak camping months. However, no explicit seasonal distinctions were made by users.
Based on 5 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Our most favorite place to camp!!! So gorgeous, great walks, bike rides, fishing, beautiful starry skies and the camp hosts are always so nice and keep the campsites so clean!' - Ashley Hume. 2....
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Based on 5 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific site reviews are unavailable, though comments indicate that campsites are clean and well-maintained.
Based on 5 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are positively highlighted, such as the wheelchair-friendly paved walking trail and accessible fishing pier.
Based on 5 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Dogs are required to be on a leash at all times; no additional reviews related to pets were provided.
Based on 5 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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