Cedar Mesa Campground

Overview

Cedar Mesa Campground is the park’s quiet, backcountry-style base in the Waterpocket District, about 23 miles south of Highway 24 along the Notom–Bullfrog Road at roughly 5,500 feet. It’s simple and remote by design—perfect if you want big skies, classic Capitol Reef geology, and a peaceful camp far from the Fruita buzz.

Campsites and Amenities

There are five first-come, first-served sites here, each with a picnic table and fire grate. A single pit (vault) toilet serves the campground. There’s no fee, no reservations, and no hookups. Plan to be fully self-sufficient: there’s no potable water, store, gas, or trash service. Standard site limits apply (up to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site), and pets must be leashed.

Getting There

The Notom–Bullfrog Road is usually manageable in 2WD when dry, but it turns to dirt after the initial paved stretch and can rough up quickly with washboards, potholes, and mud. After storms, high clearance may be advisable. Check the park’s road report before you commit, and give yourself extra time for the last miles.

Why It Stands Out

Solitude is the draw—this is the antidote to crowded camp loops. The setting brushes the edge of the Waterpocket Fold, with pinyon-juniper woodlands and views toward the Henry Mountains. It also doubles as a trailhead: the Red Canyon Trail (about 4.5 miles round-trip) leaves right from camp and slips into a scenic box canyon for a crowd-free hike at dawn or dusk.

Nature and Night Skies

Expect a high-desert cast of characters—lizards skittering over slickrock, songbirds in the junipers, and occasional mule deer—especially around dawn and dusk. With no nearby development, nights can be wonderfully dark for stargazing when skies are clear.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring and fall bring the friendliest temps for camping and hiking.
• Arrive before midday to snag a site; with only five spots, the campground can fill on weekends and holidays.
• For photography, morning and late-day light warms the sandstone; nights reward patient stargazers.
• Open year-round, but winter and post-storm periods demand extra attention to road conditions.

Know Before You Go

• Bring all the water you’ll need (drinking, cooking, cleaning), plus a plan to pack out every scrap of trash.
• Fires are allowed only in provided grates; bring your own firewood.
• Sites are tight and best for tents or small vehicles; trailers and large RVs will struggle with the access and turnarounds.