BLM gives visitors advance reservation option at Virgin River Campground

Online option will be available May 1

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

Media Contact:

Rachel Carnahan, Public Affairs Specialist

ST. GEORGE, Utah — Starting May 1, 2022, visitors will be able to better plan their trips to the Virgin River Campground as the BLM Arizona Strip Field Office adds an advanced reservation option for some campsites at this popular recreation area. “The recent uptick in visitors to public lands has made obtaining a campsite at popular recreation areas like these more challenging,” said Lorraine Christian, Arizona Strip Field Manager. “We are excited to provide the public with this benefit, as having the option of advanced reservations will give visitors peace of mind knowing their vacation plans are in place ahead of time.”

Multi-day sites (up to 14 days) on the upper loop provide visitors with 18 reservable campsites that can be secured in advance with online payment at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10086109. The upper loop also includes 54 campsites that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for adventurers who are looking for campsites while traveling through the area.

The reservable sites, signed as “Recreation.gov reservation only campsites,” on the lower loop must also be reserved through the advanced online system on https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10086109. Day use and one-night stay sites are also available on the lower loop and allow more members of the public to enjoy day use activities from family and group activities to camping, hiking, fishing, scenic viewing, and boating.

All reservable campsites will become available May 1, 2022, for camping on June 1, 2022, and after, and can be secured online at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10086109.

Visitors will also benefit from the added convenience of paying either through the cash envelop method on site at the fee collection station, or by using the new scan and pay system with a mobile device and debit or credit card. To use the scan and pay option on site, land managers recommend visitors install the recreation.gov mobile app prior to their visit.

Visitors to the recently renovated Virgin River Canyon Campground enjoy amenities such as paved access, drinking water, flush toilets, and vehicle parking. Some campsites may also include pull through RV sites, grills, picnic tables and shade structures. As of the sites’ reopening on April 8, 2022, the public now benefits from numerous site and infrastructure improvements including renovation of the restrooms, upgrades to the water system and electrical system, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible sites, resurfaced roads and new or refinished picnic tables.

The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is in Mohave County, Arizona, within the Virgin River Gorge approximately 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah. The area provides opportunities for camping, picnicking, nature and geology viewing, and hiking. It also provides recreational access to the Virgin River corridor, the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness and Paiute Wilderness. This scenic area, which is surrounded by colorful canyons and rugged cliffs, is a natural attraction for thousands of visitors every year due primarily to its location along the high traffic volume Interstate 15.

For additional information, go to https://www.blm.gov/visit/virgin-river-canyon-recreation-management-area please contact the Arizona Strip Field Office at 435-688-3200.

Picnic table, grill, and fire pit in a desert landscape with mountains in the background.
Recently renovated campground site at the Virgin River Canyon Campground
A very large compass surrounded by a stone wall with interpretive displays. Joshua trees and mountains are behind it.
Virgin River Canyon

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.