Can you reserve a site at Sand Island Recreation Area?

Yes, Sand Island Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Sand Island Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sand Island Recreation Area.

Are campfires allowed at Sand Island Recreation Area?

Campfires are allowed at Sand Island Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Sand Island Recreation Area, Utah — 23 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Sand Island Recreation Area is a good camping option for visitors launching San Juan River float trips, or wishing to camp close to the town of Bluff or the Cedar Mesa area of Bears Ears National Monument. The campground provides 21 campsites that each feature a tent/trailer space, a picnic table, a fire ring, and vault toilets. Drinking water is available seasonally (typically March through October). Each campsite can hold 8 people and 2 vehicles. Reservations are not available for camping at this location. Individual campsites are available on a first come, first served basis upon arrival at the self-register kiosk at the site. The Sand Island Group Sites are available for larger groups, and may be reserved here.

Recreation

Sand Island is the primary launch point for multi-day San Juan River float trips. San Juan River trips provide boaters with access to spectacular canyons rich in scenery, geology, archeology, history and wildlife. A river permit is required in advance. The Sand Island Petroglyph Panel site is located on the sandstone walls on the north side of the recreation area. There are many nearby hiking and scenic driving opportuites in the Cedar Mesa area of Bears Ears National Monument.

Natural Features

Sand Island is located along the San Juan River. Cottonwood trees line the banks of the river and are scattered throughout the campground, providing shade at many of the sites. The north side of the campground is lined with red sandstone walls.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (435) 587-1500.

Nearby Attractions

Bears Ears National Monument
San Juan River
Cedar Mesa
Valley of the Gods
Goosenecks State Park

Charges & Cancellations

No refunds are available.

The facts

23 bookable sites
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: Loop B

Site types

23 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available
Sewer hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

23 campsites at Sand Island Recreation Area

Check-in 00:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
1	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
10	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
11	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
12	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
13	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
14	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
15	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
16	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
17	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
18	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
19	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
2	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
2	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
20	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
21	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
3	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
4	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
5	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
6	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
7	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
8	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
9	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾
23	Loop B	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	8	🐾

Getting there

The recreation area is located off U.S. Route 191 approximately three miles west of Bluff, UT and approximately one mile east of the junction of U.S. Routes 163 and 191. It is accessible by all passenger vehicles.

37.26256, -109.61034 · 37°15'45.2"N 109°36'37.2"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 96°F in Jul, down to 43°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	43	51	63	71	81	92	96	93	84	70	55	43
Low °F	20	25	32	39	48	56	64	62	52	38	27	20
Precip in	0.8	0.6	0.5	0.3	0.5	0.2	0.6	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.5	0.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

The campground at Sand Island Recreation Area is first come, first served and payment must be made upon arrival at the self-register kiosk at the campground using cash, check, or the Scan & Pay feature on the Recreation.gov mobile app. You must have the Recreation.gov app installed on your mobile device to use the Scan & Pay payment method. There is no fee for day use.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Sand Island Recreation Area

Can you reserve a site at Sand Island Recreation Area?: Yes, Sand Island Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Sand Island Recreation Area have?: 23 sites.
Are pets allowed at Sand Island Recreation Area?: Yes, pets are allowed at Sand Island Recreation Area.
Does Sand Island Recreation Area have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Sand Island Recreation Area?: Campfires are allowed at Sand Island Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Sand Island Recreation Area

Sand Island Group Sites 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hovenweep Campground 30.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Natural Bridges Campground 31.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Devils Canyon 34.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Nizhoni 36.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Valley of the Gods 17.7 mi · Facility
Butler Wash Interpretive Trail 18.2 mi · Facility
Mule Canyon Interpretive Site 20.5 mi · Facility
Kane Gulch Ranger Station 23.9 mi · Facility
Hovenweep Visitor Center 30.6 mi · Facility
Natural Bridges Visitor Center 31.3 mi · Facility
Dark Canyon Wilderness Recreation Area 42.3 mi · Facility

Contact

Email blm_ut_mt_mail@blm.gov
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Sand Island Recreation Area