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If you’re looking for a unique camping destination that offers breathtaking views of water, sand, and otherworldly rock formations, you’ll love Lone Rock Beach Campground on Lake Powell in Utah.
This popular camping spot, located near the town of Page, Arizona, offers a unique camping experience perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
I van camped there during a lively May weekend after the Flagstaff Overland Expo a few years back, and BFT contributor Linda stayed at Lone Rock Campground earlier in the Spring and loved how quiet, expansive, and remote it felt. It’s the perfect spot to camp if you’re road-tripping through Southern Utah or northern Arizona (or both!).
In this blog post, we share everything you need to know about Lone Rock Beach Campground including how to get there, fees, facilities, camping regulations, and things to do during your stay.
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About Lone Rock Beach Campground
Lone Rock Beach is a day-use and primitive camping area with beach and lake access to Lake Powell.
It’s unique because there are no designated campsites, and you can drive right up to the edge of the lake and set up camp while looking out to the beautiful red and white cliffs of Utah.
You’ll also see Lone Rock – a large monolithic rock that the beach is named after – jutting out of Lake Powell.
No matter where you camp on Lone Rock Beach, you’ll have beautiful views of the lake, Lone Rock, and the surrounding red rock cliffs since the entire camping area slopes down to the lake.
There is plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the peace and quiet and the views.
Who should camp at Lone Rock Beach?
Lone Rock Beach Campground is great for truck camping, RVs, camper vans, rooftop tents, and regular old tent camping.
As far as your vehicle, it’s important to know that there are no paved roads through the camping area. The entire area is sandy with some deep pockets, where without the proper equipment and driving skills, there is potential for getting stuck.
Having 4×4 is recommended if you want to get closer to the lake shore. If you don’t have 4×4, you’ll want to stick to the rocky areas higher up and further away from the lake where you’ll still have beautiful views.
I camped there in my very first Sprinter Van, while BFT Contributor Linda stayed at Lone Rock on a big southwest road trip in a Storyteller Overland Van. Both of us had 4×4 and didn’t have any issues driving around the camping area.
When water levels are high, this is also great place to camp with your family as you can access the lake for swimming and paddle sports directly from your campsite – keeping your kids entertained for days!
Bring Proper Recovery Gear
Even if you are an experienced off-road driver, you’ll want to be prepared in case you get stuck in the sand. I’d recommend carrying some MAXTRAX traction boards and a shovel, so you can easily get yourself unstuck.
Weather Conditions
It can get very windy on the shores of Lake Powell at times. Both times I camped in my van at Lone Rock, I encountered serious sand-blasting wind. My van was full of sand, and I felt like I spent a good part of the day vacuuming and sweeping out the inside.
A CGear Sand Free Mat – which I didn’t have at the time – will help minimize sand being tracked into your rig on your feet (use the code BEARFOOT15 to get 15% off).
If you plan on tent camping, make sure you are prepared for wind with ways to adequately stake down your tent in the sand since normal stakes may not work. There was a group of guys next to us trying to set up a tent, and they were having a hell of a time. We had to go help stake their tent down so it wouldn’t fly away.
There is no shade at Lone Rock. You will be camping in an open area completely exposed to sun, which means it can be extremely hot in summer. While summer is prime for water sports and swimming, the average high in July is 97 degrees.
You’ll want to bring some sort of shade structure (like the Moonshade) or awning to hang out under so you don’t overheat.
Water levels
What the beach at Lone Rock looks like changes based on water levels. Both times I’ve been there (in 2017 and 2019), the water levels were high enough that you could camp right on the water.
During Linda’s visit in March 2023, the water levels of Lake Powell were very low, so low that Lone Rock was not surrounded by water like it usually is as you’ll see in some of the photos here.
Lake Powell’s water levels constantly change, which will affect how close you can camp to the water. Lone Rock itself may or may not be surrounded by water during your visit as well.
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Car Camping & Van Life Resources
Where is Lone Rock Beach Campground?
Lone Rock Beach Campground is located on the shores of Lake Powell on the Utah/Arizona border, near the town of Page. The nearest airports are Page Municipal Airport (13 miles away) and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (140 miles away).
The campground is very easy to get to and is just a short drive outside of Page. The proximity to Page makes it a convenient homebase if you are looking to explore the hikes and other outdoor adventures around Page or to go into town for dinner in the evenings.
The campground is also only 65 miles east of Kanab, Utah and 35 miles from the famous Wave Trailhead – making these easy day trips from Lone Rock.
Driving north on Hwy 89 from Page, you go across the Glen Canyon Dam, and you’ll see the turnoff for Lone Rock Beach right after you cross the Utah state line. About halfway down the road, you’ll reach the fee booth.
After passing the fee booth, the paved road ends and you’ll drive a short distance on a sandy road to reach the camping area.
You’ll reach a large open area of sandy shoreline and dunes where you can choose where you’d like to camp (there are no designated spots).
Lone Rock Beach Fees and Reservations
Lone Rock Beach Campground is open year-round and offers dispersed camping on a first come, first served basis – reservations are not available.
There are no designated campsites, rather, primitive camping is on the beach or in the sand dunes and you can choose where you’d like to camp.
Fees
As of 2023, the campground offers two types of camping fees:
If there is no ranger on duty, there is an automated fee machine available where you can purchase the pass you need.
All fees go toward projects that benefit visitors, so consider the fees you pay a donation to maintain and improve this beautiful recreational area.
Save with an America the Beautiful Pass
If you plan on visiting additional National Parks and federal recreation sites, it’s worthwhile to purchase an America the Beautiful Annual Pass. For $79.99 you get access to all sites managed by the Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Army Corps of Engineers for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle for an entire year.
How busy does it get at Lone Rock?
When BFT Contributor Linda camped at Lone Rock Beach Campground in late March there were only a few other groups camping and there was plenty of space, so it was easy to find a nice secluded spot to camp.
During peak season when things warm up (April to October), Lone Rock Campground can get very busy, especially on the weekends, so it’s recommended to arrive early in the day to secure a good spot.
When I was there in May during the middle of the week, the entire shoreline was packed with campers. I was surprised to even see big rigs and RVs down there. We didn’t feel too cramped, but we also didn’t have much privacy.
Holiday weekends at Lone Rock are nutty, and I’d recommend avoiding Lone Rock on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day unless you like being crammed in like sardines.
If you have 4×4, you’ll have more options to drive further away from the entrance in an attempt to find more space.
Facilities at Lone Rock Beach Campground
Lone Rock Beach Campground offers basic facilities including the following:
Note that there is no boat launch ramp at Lone Rock Beach Campground and there are no hookups for water and electricity.
Some facilities may be closed in the winter off-season so come prepared with everything you need.
Camping Regulations at Lone Rock Beach
Lone Rock Beach Campground has a few basic camping regulations:
And of course, be sure to Leave No Trace and leave the area better than you found it.
Things to do at Lone Rock Beach Campground
There are a number of ways to keep yourself occupied while camping at Lone Rock Beach Campground. Here are a few ideas:
Planning a road trip to the Southwest? Use these guides to help make the most of your adventure:
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Have you camped at Lone Rock Beach Campground? What was your experience like? What questions do you have about camping here? Leave a comment below!
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