Primitive Campsites At Cedar Mesa Campground
4.068 reviewsPrimitive Campsites At Cedar Mesa Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
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
The campground is a no-fee primitive site.
Share this campground
Recreation.gov
Provider435-425-3791
About this campground
Escape to the untamed beauty of Cedar Mesa Campground, where five pristine sites await adventurous souls seeking solitude in Capitol Reef's backcountry. Tucked away 23 miles south of Highway 24 via the rugged Notom-Bullfrog Road, this hidden gem offers free camping with the essentials: a sturdy picnic table, fire grate for evening campfires, and basic pit toilet facilities. Each site welcomes tent campers year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, promising an authentic wilderness experience far from the crowds. Here, you'll trade modern amenities for star-studded nights and the raw magnificence of Utah's high desert.
The Cedar Mesa Campground offers primitive camping options, with no fees, reservations, or modern facilities. It is best suited for campers seeking a rugged, backcountry experience.
Weather and SeasonsCedar Mesa reveals different personalities throughout the year, from crisp autumn days that draw solo adventurers to peaceful October getaways, to winter's stark beauty when temperatures hover between bone-chilling 20°F nights and brisk 36°F afternoons. Light dustings of snow occasionally transform the red rock landscape into a photographer's dream, while gentle rains bring the desert's subtle fragrances to life. Smart campers come prepared for the high desert's mood swings, knowing that four-season adventure awaits those willing to embrace nature's rhythms.
ElevationPerched at 5,500 feet where the air grows thin and crisp, Cedar Mesa Campground offers a high-desert sanctuary that feels worlds away from civilization. This elevated outpost in the remote reaches of Capitol Reef provides cooler temperatures than the valley floor and expansive views that stretch to the horizon, making every sunrise and sunset a memorable performance.
Natural Features and SceneryAt 5,500 feet elevation, Cedar Mesa unveils Capitol Reef's spectacular theater of stone, where ancient rock formations tell stories written over millions of years. By day, explore a landscape painted in impossible shades of red, orange, and cream, where hardy desert plants cling to life among sculpted sandstone. As darkness falls, the absence of artificial light transforms the campground into one of nature's finest observatories, where the Milky Way blazes across the sky in all its glory, reminding visitors why this remote corner of Utah remains a coveted secret among stargazers and solitude seekers.
Geological RegionCedar Mesa Campground rests within the geological wonderland of Capitol Reef National Park, where 5,500 feet of elevation places you among some of Earth's most dramatic rock architecture. This remote desert sanctuary showcases the park's signature formations - ancient reefs turned to stone, colorful cliffs carved by time, and a landscape that shifts from sparse high desert flora to towering sandstone monuments. Here, campers witness firsthand the powerful forces that shaped the Colorado Plateau over countless millennia.
Campsite details
AccessibilityNo specific information is provided regarding accessibility features for disabled campers.
Sites SizeThe five campsites are suitable for tents and small vehicles such as trucks or vans. "All are sized for truck, van tent campers," according to user Greg D. Lind.
Sites PrivacyPrivacy levels at the campsites are not explicitly mentioned, but the campground's small size and remote location suggest a fairly private experience.
Total Campsites5 campsites
Recommended Campsites"Sites are sized for truck, van, or tent campers. No turnaround space for trailers or RVs."
Reserving a campsite
Guests Allowed Per Site
"Each of the five sites is suitable for tent camping and features a picnic table and fire grate."
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutCedar Mesa Campground features five primitive campsites designed for tent camping. Each site includes a picnic table and fire grate. Reviews indicate "no turnaround space for trailers or RVs."
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round, but "visitors should check with the Capitol Reef Visitor Center for road conditions prior to planning an overnight stay."
Reservation PlatformsNot applicable, no reservations are available.
Walk-in Availability"No reservations; first-come, first-served." User reviews indicate visitation patterns: "Got there at 1130 AM, all five sites were filled by 1 PM" during Memorial Day weekend, while on a weekday in October, "there was only one other group there at the time."
Cancellation Policy"No reservations are available; this campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis."
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
The campground offers nearby hiking opportunities and serves as a good base for exploring surrounding trails. Activities are generally self-guided due to the primitive nature of the site.
Hiking
Several trails are accessible from the campground. Venture X recommends the Red Canyon Trail, describing it as "pretty moderate" and worth the effort. Other reviewers also highlighted the campground as a good launching point for exploring nearby trails.Winter Activities
No specific details about winter recreation opportunities are provided.Water Sports
Non-motorized water sports are not applicable to this site.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Campfires are allowed within designated fire grates at each site.
Hazards
General hazards"The Notom-Bullfrog Road is paved for approximately 15 miles south of the highway then it turns to dirt. The road condition varies and a high clearance vehicle is usually needed." "Most of the road is a very bumpy dirt road. So only drive out there if you’re comfortable with that. Getting to the campground requires you to traverse about 5 mi of fairly rough road consisting of sand rocks and a lot of washboards and some potholes."
Active alerts"The Scenic Drive is closed just south of the C loop of the Fruita Campground into August. There is no access for vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians. Expect heavy truck traffic and drive carefully through construction zones." "Annual/Seasonal Canyon Closures: Sensitive resources protection: Headquarters Canyon, heads of Burro Wash & Fivemile Wash descending east 2 miles, Shinob Canyon + routes descending into Shinob, including Na-gah, Nighthawk, & Timpie."
Weather forecast
77
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 36%
Comfortable humidity levels
Wind: 8.9 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Overcast
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
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Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Good to know
Trash and recyclingThere are no trash or recycling facilities on-site. Campers must pack out all waste.
Common complaints"No water or trash bins." "No cell signal out there." "Sites are too small for RVs or trailers." "Access road is rough and requires high clearance vehicles."
Campground Map
Driving directionsApproximately 23 miles south of Utah State Highway 24 on the Notom-Bullfrog Road. "The Notom-Bullfrog Road is paved for approximately 15 miles south of the highway then it turns to dirt. The road condition varies and a high clearance vehicle is usually needed. Call 435-425-3791 for current road conditions."
"The Notom-Bullfrog Road is paved for approximately 15 miles south of the highway then it turns to dirt. The road condition varies and a high clearance vehicle is usually needed." "Most of the road is a very bumpy dirt road. So only drive out there if you’re comfortable with that. There’s a toilet out there as well as each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table." "getting to the campground requires you to traverse about 5 mi of fairly rough road consisting of sand rocks and a lot of washboards and some potholes I wouldn't want to try it with anything less than about 3 inches of clearance on the vehicle so sedans are pretty much out I definitely wouldn't try to take an RV down there."Nearby places
Torrey is the closest city.
Camper Reviews
4.1
8 reviews
Primitive Campsites At Cedar Mesa Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews highlight the campground's scenic beauty, remote location, and quiet atmosphere. Campers appreciate the clean pit toilet and the availability of picnic tables and fire grates at each site. Visitors generally agree that the site is ideal for those seeking solitude and backcountry experiences.
Review Summaries
Based on 8 reviews
What Campers Love
- "Absolutely beautiful" with no light pollution for excellent stargazing (Richard Reid). - Free and first-come, first-served with stunning views from the campsites (Katie Fiola Jones). - Clean pit...
Based on 8 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
- Accessing the site requires navigating a rough dirt road; high clearance vehicles are recommended (Richard Reid, Katie Fiola Jones, Greg D. Lind). - No water or trash facilities, requiring campers...
Based on 8 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
- Arrive early, especially during busy seasons, as all five sites can fill up quickly (Venture X). - Bring a high clearance vehicle for the rough road conditions (Richard Reid). - Pack sufficient...
Based on 8 reviewsShow more
Seasonal Insights
The campground appears to be less crowded during weekdays and off-peak months, as noted by visitors in October and November. Summer visits may require early arrival to secure a site, especially on...
Based on 8 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
- "We thought this was a gem of a campground. It's primitive so pack it in and pack it out." - Venture X. - "It was absolutely beautiful there was no light pollution so the sky was gorgeous it was...
Based on 8 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
All reviews focus on the campground as a whole, with no specific feedback on individual campsite numbers.
Based on 8 reviewsAccessibility Features
There are no specific reviews addressing accessibility features.
Based on 8 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
No information or reviews regarding pets are provided.
Based on 8 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025