Utah is home to five national parks, collectively known as the “Mighty 5”: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. These parks offer stunning landscapes and various recreational opportunities, but their camping amenities, reservation policies, fishing facilities, and e-bike regulations differ. Below is a detailed table summarizing each park’s camping options, amenities, reservation details, fishing facilities, e-bike policies, and Google Maps links to their primary visitor centers or main entrances for RV access. The information is based on official National Park Service (NPS) data and Utah tourism resources, ensuring accuracy as of May 15, 2025.
Table: National Parks in Utah - Camping, Amenities, Reservations, Fishing, and E-Biking
| National Park | Camping Amenities | Advance Reservations | Fishing Facilities | E-Bike Facilities | Google Maps Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arches | Devils Garden Campground |
: 51 sites, flush toilets, potable water, fire rings, picnic tables, no hookups, RV length up to 40 ft (some sites). No showers or dump station. Open year-round.|Yes, reservations required March 1–October 31 via
, bookable 6 months in advance. First-come, first-served November–February.|No fishing; no significant water bodies in the park. Nearby Colorado River (outside park) offers fishing (license required).|E-bikes allowed on paved roads (e.g., Scenic Drive) and designated OHV trails, treated as bicycles. Not permitted on hiking trails or off-road.|Arches Visitor Center|
|Bryce Canyon|North Campground
: 99 sites, flush toilets, potable water, dump station, fire rings, picnic tables, no hookups, RV length up to 45 ft.
Sunset Campground
: 100 sites, similar amenities, no dump station. Both open spring–fall. No showers.|North: First-come, first-served (Loop A for RVs). Sunset: Reservations via
, bookable 6 months in advance (May–October). Check
for exact dates.|No fishing; no significant rivers or lakes in the park. Nearby reservoirs (e.g., Tropic Reservoir, ~15 miles) require Utah fishing license.|E-bikes allowed on paved roads (e.g., Scenic Drive) and shared-use paths. Not permitted on hiking trails or off-road.|Bryce Canyon Visitor Center|
|Canyonlands|Island in the Sky (Willow Flat)
: 12 sites, vault toilets, no water, fire rings, picnic tables, no hookups, RV length up to 28 ft.
The Needles (Needles Campground)
: 26 sites, flush/vault toilets, potable water (seasonal), fire rings, picnic tables, no hookups, RV length up to 34 ft. Both open year-round. No showers or dump stations.|Reservations for both campgrounds via
, bookable 6 months in advance (spring–fall). First-come, first-served in winter. Limited sites; book early.|Limited fishing; Green and Colorado Rivers require permits and Utah license. No facilities in campgrounds. Backcountry fishing challenging due to access.|E-bikes allowed on paved roads and designated OHV trails (e.g., White Rim Road with permit). Not permitted on hiking trails or off-road.|Island in the Sky Visitor Center|
|Capitol Reef|Fruita Campground
: 71 sites, flush toilets, potable water, dump station, fire rings, picnic tables, no hookups, RV length up to 50 ft. Open year-round. No showers.|Reservations via
, bookable 6 months in advance (March–October). First-come, first-served November–February.|Fishing possible in Fremont River (near campground) with Utah license. No specific facilities; bring own gear.|E-bikes allowed on paved roads (e.g., Scenic Drive) and designated OHV trails. Not permitted on hiking trails or off-road.|Capitol Reef Visitor Center|
|Zion|Watchman Campground
: 176 sites, flush toilets, potable water, dump station, some electric hookups (30/50 amp), fire rings, picnic tables, RV length up to 40 ft.
South Campground
: 117 sites, flush toilets, potable water, no hookups, RV length up to 40 ft.
Lava Point Campground
: 6 sites, vault toilets, no water, no hookups, RV length up to 19 ft (remote, summer only). No showers.|Watchman: Reservations required year-round via
, bookable 6 months in advance. South: First-come, first-served (check status). Lava Point: First-come, first-served, no reservations. Campgrounds fill nightly March–November.|Fishing in Virgin River with Utah license. No specific facilities; bring own gear. Access near campgrounds.|E-bikes allowed on paved roads (e.g., Zion Canyon Scenic Drive) and Pa’rus Trail (shared-use path). Not permitted on hiking trails or off-road.|Zion Visitor Center|
Additional Notes:
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Camping Amenities: All campgrounds are designed for dry camping or minimal amenities, suitable for RVs with self-contained systems. No national park campgrounds in Utah offer showers, and hookups are rare (only some sites in Zion’s Watchman). Bring water, solar power, or generators (check quiet hours, typically 10 p.m.–6 a.m.). Nearby towns (e.g., Moab, Springdale) have private RV parks with full hookups and showers.
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Advance Reservations: Reservations are highly recommended for all parks during peak seasons (March–October) due to high demand. Book through Recreation.gov as early as possible (6 months out). First-come, first-served sites are limited and often unavailable. Check NPS websites for real-time availability or cancellations.
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Fishing Facilities: Fishing is limited within park boundaries due to scarce water bodies. Capitol Reef and Zion offer river fishing (Fremont and Virgin Rivers), but no dedicated facilities like docks or cleaning stations exist. A Utah fishing license is required (available online or at local outfitters). Nearby reservoirs (e.g., Sand Hollow, Fish Lake) provide better fishing with facilities.
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E-Bike Facilities: E-bikes (Class 1, pedal-assist, up to 20 mph) are treated as bicycles and allowed on paved roads and designated multi-use trails (e.g., Zion’s Pa’rus Trail). No parks permit e-bikes on hiking trails or off-road to protect natural resources. Charging stations are not provided; bring extra batteries or charge at your RV.
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RV Access: Ensure your RV meets length restrictions (e.g., Canyonlands’ Willow Flat limits to 28 ft). Roads like Zion’s Scenic Drive or Arches’ Scenic Drive are paved but narrow; check for restrictions (e.g., Zion tunnel requires a permit for RVs over 11’8” tall).
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Drone Use: Drones are prohibited in all national parks to protect wildlife and visitor experience. Use nearby BLM lands (e.g., near Moab) for drone activities, checking local regulations.
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General Tips: May weather is ideal (70s°F days, cool nights), but flash floods are possible; check forecasts. Cell service is spotty; bring offline maps or a satellite communicator. Follow Leave No Trace principles, especially for dry camping.
If you need specific trail recommendations, fishing license details, or real-time campground availability, let me know, and I can search for updates or provide further guidance!