South Temple Wash sits at 5,315 feet along the San Rafael Reef, the dramatic 75-mile monocline that forms the eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell. The campground provides vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables on flat gravel sites. It's a base for hiking slot canyons and exploring uranium mining remnants near Goblin Valley State Park.
The site is described as a fee campground with individual campsites that have flat gravel surfaces, fire rings, and picnic tables. There is no mention of hookups, designated RV facilities, cabins, glamping, or formal group sites in the provided information.
Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the most comfortable daytime temperatures (typically highs in the 60s–80s°F, nights dipping into the 30s–50s°F) and lower heat stress for long canyon hikes like Little Wild Horse and visits to pictograph panels. Red rock colors are rich and contrasts are crisp, making photography and scrambling along the San Rafael Reef especially rewarding, while crowds are generally moderate—busier on weekends but far less congested than summer. Fall storms are rare compared with monsoon season, so
Peak months: October, September, April, May
Avoid: July, August
Elevation5315 ft above sea level
Natural Features and SceneryThe San Rafael Reef dominates the landscape here. A massive uplifted spine of stone that rises up to 1,000 feet above the surrounding desert. Temple Wash itself cuts through layered red and white rock, creating narrow passages and tall walls. The area features slot canyons tight enough to touch both sides at once, plus scattered spires and twisted formations. Sunrise and sunset light up the rock faces in deep oranges and reds. This is classic San Rafael Swell terrain: exposed, sculptural, and bone-dry.
Programs & ActivitiesVisitors can explore the Temple Mountain Mining District to learn about Cold War–era uranium mining history; interpretive/educational opportunities are available via site visits.