Red Cliffs Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Red Cliffs Recreation Area stands out for its rounded hills, shaded canyon, and soaring cliffs of Navajo sandstone. Anyone who enjoys camping, desert exploration, or learning about history will love it here. You must pass through two narrow tunnels beneath the I-15 freeway to access it. RVs need to be under 11 feet 9 inches and no more than 12 feet wide. Vehicles with trailers must park at the White Reef Trailhead. Once you arrive, this area does offer a small campground with 11 paved sites. Reservations are required.
Quick Facts About RVing in Red Cliffs Recreation Area
• RV Friendly: Yes • Max RV Length: 25 feet • Camping Type: Developed campground • Reservations: Yes • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None onsite • Potable Water: Available • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Yes, but they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet • Roads: Paved main roads with gravel access roads • Best Season: Spring and fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Stunning Navajo sandstone backdrops • Proximity to Zion National Park • Small rig friendly • Potable water available • Access to vault toilets • Picnic tables and grills • Paved campsites
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Red Reef Trail
Red Reef Trail is divided into two distinct parts. The lower section of the trail follows a small stream into a narrow section of Cottonwood Canyon. The first part of the trail ends at a waterfall. Many hikers hike over this small hurdle so that they explore the upper section of the canyon and the nearby swimming hole.
Length: 5.74 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Silver Reef Trail
The Silver Reef Trail is a short, easy trek that leads to a scenic outlook. The relatively easy course features multiple dinosaur tracks. This makes it a popular exploration site for families with young children.
Length: 0.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
White Reef Trail
The White Reef Trail is a scenic trek with very few inclines. It is a popular spot for horseback riding and biking. Keep in mind that the lack of nearby trees leaves hikers exposed to the elements.
Length: 3.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Anasazi Trail
This Red Cliffs Recreation Area trail serves as a short, scenic pathway to a treasured archaeological site, a well-preserved Virgin Anasazi Puebloan village.
Length: 1.1 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
The Cottonwood Canyon’s Quail Creek drains into a reservoir at the nearby Quail Creek State Park. Here, campers will find ample opportunities for fishing and boating. The reservoir is regularly stocked with fish, including rainbow trout, bullhead catfish, and crappie.
Climbing
Red Cliff Recreation Area offers ample rock climbing opportunities, including several bolted sandstone routes. Moe’s Valley features several bouldering routes. Spots like Chuckwalla and Turtle Wall boast plenty of built-in pockets. Southwest Utah is a climbing mecca with routes to please athletes of every skill level.
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife is abundant throughout the Red Cliffs Recreation Area. Common sightings include hawks, eagles, coyotes, lizards, snakes, mule deer, and raccoons. Bobcat and mountain lion sightings are rare but are not unheard of. Remember to respect the animals while they roam their natural habitat.
Picnicking
The Red Cliffs Recreation area offers a shady cottonwood-lined picnic area. There are a few picnic tables, fire pits, and grills. Bathrooms, water, and dumpsters are located at the nearby ranger’s station.
Stargazing
Southern Utah is one of the best places to stargaze. The conditions are just right for viewing the night sky. Bring along a telescope, and you’ll be sure to get a glimpse of the Milky Way in all its glory.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
There are multiple Bureau of Land Management Campgrounds within the Red Cliffs Recreation area. There are a total of 11 official campsites, including three with pull-through parking. If you’re looking for even more amenities or weren’t able to score one of the first-come-first-serve BLM sites, you’ll want to check out the nearby Quail Creek RV Park. They offer 43 hookup sites and two luxury pull-through sites. The Zion West RV Park, Leeds RV Park & Motel, and St. George/Hurricane KOA Journey also serve as excellent launch points for any Red Cliff vacation. There are plenty of RV campsites in and around Red Cliffs for those looking for BLM camping near me.
Developed Campgrounds
The Red Cliffs Recreation Area has 11 paved campsites. Two are accessible for disabled visitors. There are no hookups, but potable water is available. These campsites vary in size and can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet in length. Each site includes a picnic table and a grill or fire ring. Reservations are required and can be made by visiting www.recreation.gov or calling 1-877-444-6777. Camping fees are $15 per night plus a reservation fee.
Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping is not allowed in Red Cliffs Recreation Area. RV camping is only permitted at the 11 developed campsites in the campground. While primitive backpack camping is allowed in certain areas of the Upland Zone within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, vehicle access is restricted.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
Red Cliffs Recreation Area is best suited to smaller RVs because of its strict height and length restrictions. Travelers with larger rigs will likely have a better experience staying at a nearby commercial campground or in the Zion National Park area and visiting Red Cliffs for the day. • Camper Vans: Camper vans are an excellent choice for Red Cliffs Recreation Area. Their compact size makes it easy to navigate the area, and the campground sites include shaded structures. • Travel Trailers: Most travel trailers are not recommended here. The area's height and length restrictions, along with the small campsites, limit access for many trailers. • Fifth Wheels: Most fifth wheels are not recommended because they typically exceed the tunnel and campsite size limitations. • Class A Motorhomes: Class A motorhomes are not a good fit due to the area's height restrictions on the tunnels. The tunnel floors are made of dirt and gravel that shift. Uneven ruts will further reduce your actual clearance. • Class B Motorhomes: Class B motorhomes are an ideal choice thanks to their compact size and maneuverability. • Class C Motorhomes: Smaller Class C motorhomes under 25 feet can be a good option, while larger models may exceed the area's size limitations.
Free Camping 
While no dispersed camping is permitted in the Red Cliffs Recreation Area, Bureau of Land Management free camping is widely available throughout southern Utah. Sand Cove is a free yet permit-restricted primitive camping area located 20 miles from St. George. Dispersed camping is also allowed in parts of the Upland Zone of Red Cliffs; however, vehicle access is very limited here. There’s also ample dispersed camping available on State Trust Lands along the Arizona border. Campers must not stay in one spot for more than 15 consecutive days.
RV Rentals Near Red Cliffs Recreation Area Plan your next adventure
Planning your Red Cliffs Recreation Area BLM trip
The Red Cliff Recreation Area offers a unique and varied landscape, but the intense desert conditions can be a bit of shock. Be sure to bring plenty of water, food, and layered clothing. Keep in mind that access to the main park is restricted by a series of narrow tunnels. Vehicles must be less than 12 feet wide and 12 feet high. Moreover, vehicles with trailers are not permitted to travel beyond the White Reed Trailhead. Parking is limited, especially during fall and spring.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
Red Cliffs Recreation Area does provide trash collection and waste disposal receptacles on-site. Potable water spigots are found throughout the campsites, with accessible water between sites 5 and 7. The nearest dump stations are in Leeds or Hurricane. Leeds is only a 10-minute drive away and also has fuel stops and grocery stores available. Your cell service while visiting will range from limited to non-existent, so be prepared. You'll also want to keep up on the current weather conditions. This area experiences extreme summer heat and flash floods from seasonal storms.
Leave No Trace 
The Red Cliffs Recreation Area is ecologically fragile. BLM expects visitors to leave no trace as such behavior helps protect native plants and animals. Camps must be left as they were upon arrival. Waste can be carried out or disposed of up in the proper on-site receptacles. Visitor compliance helps ensure that the BLM can preserve this beautiful park for years to come.
Red Cliffs Recreation Area Location
To reach Red Cliffs from St. George, Utah, get on I-15 North. Continue to I-15 N to Hurricane. Then travel to 5300 West/SR-318 until you see the sign for your destination.
Address: 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790
Ready to visit Red Cliffs Recreation Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night. There, you'll be able to enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Red Cliffs Recreation Area
• Morning: Enjoy an early breakfast in your RV. Next, beat the heat with a morning walk on the Silver Reef Trail. It's a 0.2-mile trail that starts in the campground. Later, take an interpretive walk on the Anasazi Trail. • Afternoon: Head back to the RV for lunch, and take advantage of the shaded picnic tables. Afterward, hike a portion of the Red Reef Trail located between campsites 2 and 3. • Evening: Grill dinner at your campsite and eat while watching the sunset cast deep red and orange hues across the Navajo sandstone cliffs.
Nearby Attractions
Red Cliffs Recreation Area is near many beautiful and historical locations. If you're looking for a nice day trip while visiting, there's no shortage of things to do. You can also stop at these attractions on your way to or from the area. • Red Hills Desert Garden: Red Hills Desert Garden is only 18 minutes from Red Cliffs Recreation Area. Here, you'll find 5 acres of water-efficient plants, trees, and shrubs. There's also a stream with endangered fish in it. • Pioneer Park: Pioneer Park has gorgeous red rocks you can explore while hiking. This area is only 21 minutes from Red Cliffs Recreation Area. • Brigham and Amelia Young Home: Tour the former home of LDS President Brigham Young, who lived here from 1870 to 1877. Learn about his life and his role in the construction of the St. George Utah Temple. It's about a 20-minute drive away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are generators allowed? Yes, generators are allowed at Red Cliffs Recreation Area. You can use them between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., but they have to be turned off outside of these hours to observe the area's quiet hours. You also need to ensure they are not too loud during the day to keep from disturbing other guests. Can I have a campfire? Yes, you can have a campfire in the designated campground. The campfire has to be inside one of the provided fire rings or grills at each campsite. Gathering firewood from the area is prohibited. Bring your own wood with you. How long can I stay? You can stay at Red Cliffs Recreation Area for up to 14 consecutive days within a 60-day period. You must have a reserved campsite for the entire length of your stay. Day-use visitors must leave by sunset each day. Is there cell service? Cell service is very limited, variable, and unreliable in Red Cliffs Recreation Area. Don't expect or rely on a consistent signal, especially on remote sections of the trails or in the canyon. Your chances of getting a signal improve slightly on higher ground or on the ridgeline outside the deep canyon. Can I bring a pet? Yes, you can bring a pet to Red Cliffs. All pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when outside of your RV. Pick up and pack out their waste. Bags are available at the trailheads. Also, keep pets away from local wildlife and protected habitats. Don't forget to bring plenty of water along on walks.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
To fully enjoy your trip to Red Cliffs Recreation Area, choose the right size RV. The 2 tunnels you pass under when entering the area can only accommodate vehicles that are under 11 feet 9 inches. Your RV needs to be 25 feet or under in length and only 12 feet wide too. Small motorhomes, such as a Class C, or camper vans are best suited to this area. Larger motorhomes and travel trailers are often too large for the area's requirements, and they have a hard time turning around in the tight areas of the campground. Browse RV rentals near St. George, Utah for your visit to Red Cliffs Recreation Area.