Salt Lake City, the state’s capital and largest metropolitan area, will probably be your first stop when you get a camper rental in Utah. While it’s most well-known for the opulent Mormon Temple at its center, the city is also one of Utah’s more diverse communities. You should definitely include a tour of the temple grounds (the actual temple is not open to visitors), but breweries, bars, and nightclubs can all be found here, along with fantastic attractions like the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum and the Leonardo Museum, which focuses on the evolution of science and technology. Usually, when you stay in a big metropolitan city, the only campground options are located far from downtown. That's not the case in SLC. The Salt Lake City KOA is just west of Temple Square and has loads of great amenities. There are full hookups for your RV rental, spacious sites capable of handling up to 80-foot rigs, and there’s a camp kitchen for whipping up gourmet meals. Need a place to relax at the end of the day? There’s a large swimming pool and a hot tub/sauna set up for post-adventure lounging.
On the other side of the Wasatch Range from SLC is one of Utah’s most popular ski destinations, Park City. Sitting at the foot of the famed Deer Valley Resort, Park City is loaded with apres-ski activities, including gourmet restaurants, trendy bars, and luxury brand stores. But even if you’re not thinking about hitting the slopes when you get an RV rental in Utah, Park City has some serious sight-seeing potential. In 2002, the city hosted several winter Olympics events, and you can visit the spectacular facilities leftover from the games. Park City’s historic core is also one of the most walkable downtown areas in America, with all sorts of tasty restaurants and good shopping. Park City RV camping options can be found a short drive out of the city. River’s Edge RV Resort is conveniently located next to Highway 189 and on the banks of the Provo River. Sites are large, with full hookups, and they have showers, laundry facilities, and a play area for the kids.
For most people taking a road trip through Utah, Moab is just a basecamp for outdoor adventures. Canyonlands and Arches are just minutes away, but you actually don’t need to leave the city to have fun. The Moab Food Truck Park serves up delicious meals ranging from beefy burritos to donuts slathered in a milky sweet glaze. There are also tons of events in town that capitalize on the adjacent landscapes, like star parties with the local astronomy club or guided mountain bike rides through the red sandstone plateaus. With so many national parks near Moab, finding a good campsite can be a challenge. As such, you should make reservations early, and if you want to camp in comfort, there is no better place to do it than the Moab KOA. Like most KOAs, it’s big on amenities like a swimming pool, a dog park, and a sauna. Campground staff can help you set up amazing day trips, too, including ATV and horseback rides or a hot air balloon adventure.
On the opposite side of the state is the town of St. George, the gateway to Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. In addition to its stunning natural features, St. George has all the amenities of a first-rate resort town, like delicious international cuisine, a fun brewery, and several popular shopping centers. If you’re bringing the kids on this motorhome camping adventure, be sure to stop at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Center, which has some impressive skeletons and informative displays. You need only take a short drive outside of St. George to find a good place to camp while renting an RV. St. George/Hurricane KOA Campground offers full hookups along with a swimming pool, mini-golf course, and a snack bar. It’s near to Red Cliffs Recreation Area and Quail Creek State Park, so there’s no shortage of outdoor recreation opportunities.
If you’re someone with an adventurous spirit, you are going to fall in love with Utah. Each of its cities has something different to offer, and its national parks and monuments are some of America’s most beloved. The single most important thing to remember when staying in a campground in Utah is to always budget enough time. Don’t rush the Beehive State; you just might miss something great.
