Cedar City sits at 5,846 feet in southern Utah’s high desert, right where the red rock country meets the mountains. Two national parks (Bryce Canyon and Zion) are each about an hour’s drive. Cedar Breaks National Monument is 30 minutes up the mountain, Brian Head Ski Resort is even closer, and every summer the Utah Shakespeare Festival fills the town with live theater, street performers, and visitors from around the world.
It is a rare combination. Most RV camping towns in Utah give you either national parks or culture. Cedar City gives you both. One day you are standing on the rim at Bryce Canyon watching the hoodoos turn orange at sunset; the next you are in a 400-year-old Shakespearean play at an open-air theater. The town itself runs along Main Street, where local restaurants and shops sit within walking distance of most campgrounds. Southern Utah University keeps the town lively year-round, and because Cedar City is a stop between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City on I-15, it catches travelers heading in every direction.
The Shakespeare Festival and Cedar City's Cultural Scene
The Utah Shakespeare Festival runs from late May through October in Cedar City, and it transforms the town. The festival operates three stages, including an outdoor theater modeled after Shakespeare’s Globe, with productions ranging from the Bard’s classics to contemporary plays and musicals. It has won the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. For RV campers, this is an unusual perk: you spend the morning hiking a slot canyon, grab dinner on Main Street, and spend the evening watching Hamlet under the stars. Beyond Shakespeare, Cedar City hosts the Sheep Heritage Festival in October, a Renaissance Fair, the July Jamboree, and the Summer Games, and SUU brings lectures, concerts, and athletic events throughout the academic year.
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Cedar City RV Resort by RJourney
Cedar City RV Resort sits right on Main Street on the north end of town, close enough to walk to dinner and central enough to use as a base camp for half of southern Utah’s national parks. The Utah Shakespeare Festival is on Southern Utah University’s campus a short drive away. Zion is 60 miles south, Bryce Canyon is 80 miles east, and Brian Head Ski Resort is 30 minutes up Highway 143. The resort is the only RV park in town with a swimming pool, which earns its keep when summer afternoon temps push past 90 degrees. General Manager Maria Chauser was named RJourney’s GM of the Year, and her team keeps the property clean and welcoming.
Sites & Hookups
Full hookup RV sites include water, sewer, and electric with 30-amp and 50-amp service. Pull-through sites accommodate big rigs, so you can roll in without backing into a tight spot, and the resort is big-rig friendly across the board. Tent sites are available for lighter travelers, and cabins (1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and deluxe) handle guests traveling without a rig. Monthly RV rates at $650 attract traveling nurses, construction crews, and remote workers who want a season in southern Utah without breaking the budget. Propane and firewood are sold on-site, and WiFi covers the property. GPS warning: do not exit at Kanarraville. Use Exit 57 from the south or Exit 62 from the north off I-15. There is also a dip at the resort entrance, so drive slowly and enter at an angle.
What's On-Site
Cedar City RV Resort is the only RV park in Cedar City with a swimming pool, and that single fact explains a lot of the summer reviews. When afternoon temperatures push past 90 degrees in July and August, the pool earns its keep. Beyond the pool, the amenity list runs deep: a fenced dog park, a playground for kids, a covered pavilion, recently upgraded laundry, a coffee cart on site, an on-site restaurant, WiFi throughout the property, and on-site propane and firewood sales. Outdoor games like cornhole and horseshoes round out the social side. Long-term residents and traveling workers describe a park that runs cleanly and welcomes them by name, and Maria Chauser was named RJourney’s GM of the Year.
What Guests Say
Cedar City RV Resort holds a 4.2-star rating across 1,017 Google reviews. The themes that come up most often: cleanliness, staff, and friendly service. Guests passing through on a national-parks trip mention the central Main Street location and the walking-distance dining. Long-term residents and traveling workers talk about the team knowing them by name and a steady, well-run operation. The pool gets a separate mention in almost every summer review, since it is the only one in town. Negative-theme clusters point to pet-friendly policy specifics, shaded sites, and bathhouse condition, none deal-breakers in volume.
Other Camping Options Near Cedar City
Cedar City RV Resort is the only in-town option with full hookups and a pool, but the surrounding national forest and state parks offer rustic alternatives. Availability and policies change, so call ahead.
Quail Creek State Park
A warm-water reservoir in red rock canyon country. The campground has electric hookup sites and basic tent spots, and water temps stay warm enough for swimming well into October. If you want lake recreation alongside your camping trip, Quail Creek delivers. No full hookups. Visit website.
Day Trips from Cedar City
Quail Creek State Park, about 35 miles south near Hurricane, is the closest warm-water swimming and boating option, with a reservoir that holds summer temperatures well into October. Duck Creek and the lakes along Highway 14 in the Dixie National Forest add high-elevation fishing within an easy drive of the resort.
Bryce Canyon National Park is about 80 miles east (1.5 hours), a series of natural amphitheaters filled with thousands of red, orange, and white hoodoos; the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trails make a 3-mile loop that takes about two hours. Zion National Park is about 60 miles south (1 hour), with Angels Landing, the Narrows, and the Emerald Pools, plus the quieter Kolob Canyons section only 40 minutes from Cedar City. Cedar Breaks National Monument sits 23 miles east at over 10,000 feet, a 3-mile-wide amphitheater that rivals Bryce in color and holds International Dark Sky Park status.
Brian Head Resort is about 30 minutes from Cedar City, Utah’s highest-elevation ski resort at 11,307 feet, with winter skiing and summer mountain biking across the Giant Steps trail system’s 100-plus miles of singletrack. Cedar Canyon and Duck Creek along Highway 14 climb into the Dixie National Forest at 8,000-plus feet, a different world from the valley floor, with aspen and spruce, vault-toilet campgrounds, and fall color drives.
Seasonal Guide for RV Camping Near Cedar City
Summer (June through August)
Peak season with the Shakespeare Festival in full swing and warm weather for national park hiking. Valley afternoons regularly hit the mid-90s, so the pool earns its keep and strenuous hikes are best done early. Cedar Breaks and Brian Head stay cool at elevation. Popular Shakespeare shows sell out weeks ahead; book online before your trip.
Fall (September through October)
Cooler temps, fall color in the mountains, and smaller crowds. Cedar Breaks stays accessible through mid-October, the Sheep Heritage Festival runs in October, and the Highway 14 drive peaks for color. One of the best windows for combining park trips with comfortable camping.
Winter (November through March)
Brian Head ski season drives the traffic, and the resort makes a workable ski base 30 minutes down the mountain at $650/month for long-term sites. Valley nights drop below freezing, so winterize for high-desert cold. The pool closes, but the parks and dark skies stay open.
Spring (April through May)
Shoulder season with mild days and cool nights. Zion and Bryce trails reopen fully, the Shakespeare Festival ramps up in late May, and crowds stay lighter than summer. Cedar Breaks opens late May depending on snow. A strong window for park hiking before the heat.
Practical Tips for RV Camping Near Cedar City
Cedar City sits at 5,846 feet, with day trips to Cedar Breaks (10,000-plus) and Brian Head (11,000-plus). Stay hydrated, especially coming from sea level.
The road east to Cedar Breaks and Duck Creek is a gorgeous alpine drive, but steep grades and switchbacks require careful driving with a tow vehicle. Maria recommends it for a steak dinner at one of the mountain lodges.
Maria's top recommendation: the monument holds International Dark Sky Park status, and stargazing from 10,000 feet is some of the best in Utah.
July and August afternoons regularly hit the mid-90s in the valley. Plan strenuous hikes early and save the pool for afternoons.
Popular shows sell out weeks in advance during peak summer. Book online before your trip if you want specific performances.
Use Exit 57 from the south or Exit 62 from the north off I-15; do not exit at Kanarraville. There is a noticeable dip at the resort entrance, so take it slow with a long rig.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Cedar City RV Resort from Bryce Canyon and Zion?
Bryce Canyon is about 80 miles east (roughly 1.5 hours). Zion’s main entrance near Springdale is about 60 miles south (1 hour). Kolob Canyons, Zion’s quieter section, is only about 20 miles south off I-15.
Does Cedar City RV Resort have a pool?
Yes. It is the only RV park in Cedar City with a swimming pool. The pool is a popular spot during summer afternoons when valley temperatures push into the 90s.
What types of camping are available at Cedar City RV Resort?
Full hookup RV sites (30/50 amp), tent sites, and cabins. The cabins are available in 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and deluxe configurations, with monthly rentals under $700. Nightly RV rates start at $40. Call (435) 767-0318 for current availability.
When is the best time for RV camping near Cedar City?
May through October offers the best conditions. Summer is peak season with the Shakespeare Festival and warm weather for national park hiking. September and October bring cooler temps, fall color in the mountains, and smaller crowds. Cedar Breaks is only accessible late May through mid-October.
Is Cedar City RV Resort pet-friendly?
Yes. The resort has a fenced on-site dog park, and pets are welcome at RV and tent sites with no fee. Select designated cabins are pet-friendly with a $25 fee. Service animals are welcome everywhere at all times.
How do I get to Cedar City RV Resort from I-15?
Take Exit 57 if you are coming from the south or Exit 62 from the north. The resort is on Main Street (1121 N Main St). Do not exit at Kanarraville. There is a dip at the entrance, so approach slowly if you are towing.
Book Your RV Campsite Near Cedar City
Cedar City RV Resort by RJourney puts you on Main Street with full hookups, the only pool in town, a dog park, cabins, and an on-site restaurant. Bryce Canyon is 1.5 hours east, Zion is an hour south, Cedar Breaks is 30 minutes up the mountain, and the Shakespeare Festival is right down the road. Rates start at $40/night.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Cedar City RV Resort page.
Reserve Your Site (435) 767-0318