Best National Parks Near Richfield, UT
It's just over 130 miles from Richfield to Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. Come to Zion to marvel at the high, multicolored cliffs of Navajo sandstone and to tackle one of a number of challenging hikes, like Angels Landing and the Narrows. Zion caters to the adventurous, with other activities that include river trips, canyoneering, backpacking, and rock climbing. The park's two main campsites include the South Campground and the Watchman Campground, both offering RV spots but with no electrical hookups. Zion gets quite busy, so the park has a shuttle bus system with a number of convenient pickup and drop-off stops along Zion Canyon. The only way to get around the park during the peak travel season is via the shuttle buses.
Bryce Canyon National Park is about 100 miles south of Richfield. The park is also just over 80 miles from Zion, making it possible to visit both parks in a (long) day, if you're short on time. Bryce Canyon's primary attraction is the amphitheater of eroded sandstone hoodoos. You can get great views of the amphitheater from above on the Rim Trail. You can also hike down into the hoodoos on trails like the Queen's Garden or the Navajo Loop. Bryce has an 18-mile main road that runs the entire length of the park, with pullouts and parking lots at a number of viewpoints. Some of the most popular stops along the main road include Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point. Bryce has a couple of campgrounds, with the North Campground open year-round and the Sunset Campground open from April 15 to October 31.
Capitol Reef National Park is roughly 70 miles to the southeast of Richfield. Similar to Zion, Capitol Reef has towering cliffs of multihued sandstone. The park's most impressive feature is the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long buckle in the Earth's crust. The park's Fruita district has the developed Fruita Campground as well as sites like the Petroglyph Panel, which you can see on a short hike, the Schoolhouse, a one-room structure dating back to the late 19th century, and the orchards. At the orchards, you can pick fresh, ripe fruit in season right off trees with “U-Pick Fruit” signs. Choose from fruits like apples, peaches, pears, and cherries.
Popular State Parks Near Richfield, UT
Richfield is just over 20 miles northeast of Fremont Indian State Park. This park preserves petroglyphs, pictographs, and artifacts left by the Fremont peoples many centuries ago. The park consists primarily of an on-site museum where you can learn more about Fremont history and culture. There are also some short trails on the park grounds as well as two campgrounds. The Sam Stowe Campground has seven full-hookup RV sites while the Castle Rock Campground has 31 sites but none with hookups.
Fifty-two miles north of Richfield is Yuba State Park. Go boating and fishing on the large Yuba Reservoir, or just sit on the beach and relax. This park has several campgrounds, although most close during the off-season. Unique among state parks in Utah, Yuba also has a couple of zip lines near the Oasis Campground, at 850 feet and 650 feet.
Palisade State Park is 41 miles northeast of Richfield. Palisade has an 18-hole golf course. You can also go OHV riding nearby here, take your boat out on the reservoir, hike around the reservoir on a few short trails, and fish for rainbow and tiger trout. The campground has both full-hookup sites and spots with no hookups; each site comes with a grill, fire ring, and picnic table.
Must-see Monuments and Landmarks Near Richfield, UT
Cedar Breaks National Monument is a large, deep natural amphitheater sitting about 10,000 feet above sea level over 100 miles southwest of Richfield. Cedar Breaks has eroded fins and hoodoos like those at Bryce Canyon. The monument has a few short trails, like the 2-mile Sunset Trail and the 2-mile Alpine Pond Loop Trail. Come winter, you can go skiing or snowmobiling. The lack of light pollution in the region makes Cedar Breaks a prime spot for stargazing. Due to the altitude here, it's smart to acclimate your body a day or two at a lower-elevation area before heading out to Cedar Breaks.
The Mormon Pioneer Historic Trail runs through several states, including Utah, and commemorates the route early Mormon pioneers took on their journey to Utah in 1846-1847. The trail terminates in Salt Lake City, over 160 miles north of Richfield. While in Salt Lake City, check out several sites dedicated to Mormon history and culture, including Temple Square, the Brigham Young Monument, and the Ensign Peak Memorial Garden and Ensign Peak Nature Park.
The Timpanogos Cave National Monument is in American Fork, just under 140 miles north of Richfield. This monument protects a series of cave systems in and around Mount Timpanogos of the Wasatch Range. The only way to see the caves is on a guided tour led by a park ranger, so reserve your spot in advance. The interior temperature of the caves stays around 45 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, no matter the temperature outside, so bundle up for your cave tour. Note that the caves close for the winter.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
The Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park, 70 miles from Richfield, has 71 total sites. There are no hookups, but each site does have a fire pit and/or grill and picnic table. There's potable water and a dump station near Loops A and B. You must reserve your spot from March 1 to October 31, but it's first-come, first-served from November 1 to February 28.
Also in Capitol Reef, the Cathedral Valley Campground offers a more rustic and rugged experience than the Fruita Campground. Sites here are more primitive, each with a picnic table and fire grate. There are also pit toilets. You don't need a reservation to camp here as sites are first-come, first-served. Note that it might be difficult to take an RV to this location; check with park rangers before attempting the journey to Cathedral Valley.
Cedar Mesa Campground is also in Capitol Reef. The first-come, first-served sites here have pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates but no other amenities. Like with Cathedral Valley, the route to Cedar Mesa can be rough, so check with the park beforehand for road conditions.
RV Dump Stations Near Richfield, UT
The Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef has a dump station. Check with the park on dump station rates.
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, 145 miles southeast of Richfield in the town of Escalante, charges $8 to use its dump station.
Nielson RV, in St. George, 167 miles southwest of Richfield, offers free dump station access to all. This site also sells RV parts and supplies.