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Hikers and slot-canyon explorers get the most out of this spot: Little Wild Horse Canyon, Bell Canyon, and the Temple Mountain loop are all within easy reach, and fall days in the 60s and 70s make those miles genuinely pleasant.
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Price
$15 - $50/night
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Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
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Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$15 - $50/night
Booking
Check Site
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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38.6674, -110.6862
Hikers and slot-canyon explorers get the most out of this spot: Little Wild Horse Canyon, Bell Canyon, and the Temple Mountain loop are all within easy reach, and fall days in the 60s and 70s make those miles genuinely pleasant.
No water on site and rocky ground that may need clearing before your tent goes up are real friction points; if you're not prepared to haul all your own water from Goblin Valley, this setup will frustrate you fast.
Context for the broader area surrounding Temple Mountain Townsite Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
As part of the John D. Dingell. Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019, congress designated San Rafael Swell Recreation Area (approximately 217,000 acres). The San Rafael Swell Recreation area features magnificent badlands of brightly colored and wildly eroded sandstone formations, deep canyons, and giant plates of stone tilted upright through massive geologic upheaval.<p> The "Swell" features endless amounts of recreational experiences including: hiking, biking, four wheel driving, horseback, canyoneering, and river running. Don't miss the Little Grand Canyon and Buckhorn Wash Pictograph Panel. For an overview of the "Swell" make sure to check out Cedar Mountain Day Use Overlook. You will be able to discover Petroglyphs and Historical areas throughout the 'Swell".<p> The following Wilderness areas were congressionally designated around the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area as part of the John D. Dingell. Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act and are currently closed to OHV use: Big Wild Horse Mesa, Cold Wash, Devil’s Canyon, Eagle Canyon, Horse Valley, Little Ocean Draw, Little Wild Horse Canyon, Lower Last Chance, Mexican Mountain, Middle Wild Horse Mesa, Muddy Creek, Red’s Canyon, San Rafael Reef, and Sid’s Mountain.<p> Off Highway Vehicle use will continue to be allowed on the following four identified routes: 1) The wash bottom of Coal Wash, including the short dugway from west which enters this wash, and North Fork Coal Wash south until it exits the Wilderness over "Fix-it-Pass", 2) The wash bottom of South Fork Coal Wash from its junction with the North Fork to and including the "Eva Conover" way, 3) The "Devils Racetrack" way and 4) the Justensen Flat access way, including lower Eagle Canyon southeast from the junction of this way.
The San Rafael Swell Recreation Area is close to 217,00 acres in size. To enter the Swell travel west from Green River, UT along interstate 70 or east from Richfield,UT. Wayne County forms the southern boundary, and Cedar Mountain forms the northern boundary.
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Best season: fall. Fall offers the best balance of mild daytime temperatures (roughly mid-60s to low-70s°F) and cool nights (30s–40s°F), making long hikes and bike rides far more comfortable than the hot summer months. Trails, the Behind‑the‑Reef Road, and slot canyons are usually dry and stable, so travel is easier and safer, and the low humidity brings clear, dramatic light for photos. Crowds are moderate — weekends can be busy but weekdays are quiet — and risk from summer monsoons and intense heat is much lower Peak months: October, September, May, April Avoid: July, August
Likely pleasant shoulder season for hiking and biking, though less explicitly described than fall.
Fee campground located at the mouth of Temple Wash in the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area. Facility contact phone: (435) 636-3600. Access detail: Behind-the-Reef Road is drivable by most vehicles for six miles then requires high clearance/4WD for about 14 miles; after ~7 miles the road narrows to a maximum vehicle width of 50 feet.
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