U.S. Forest Service · Manti-La Sal National Forest · Utah

Nizhoni

Nizhoni Campground sits in the Manti-LaSal National Forest in southeast Utah, at the foot of the Abajo Mountains.

More like this: reservable in Utah · big rigs in Utah · pets allowed in Utah · group sites in Utah

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Fall colors in the Abajo Mountains near Nizhoni CGNIZHONINIZHONINIZHONI
Photos courtesy of FS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups21
group standard area nonelectric2
Host/management6
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

23 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFires
NORTH GROUPGROUP SITESGroup50GravelPartial50 / 25Yes
SOUTH GROUPGROUP SITESGroup50GravelPartial50 / 25Yes
1MAINStandardBack-in45GravelPartial8 / 2Yes
2MAINStandardBack-in47GravelPartial8 / 2Yes
3MAINStandardBack-in47GravelPartial8 / 2Yes
4MAINStandardBack-in42GravelPartial8 / 2Yes
5MAINStandardBack-in45GravelFull8 / 2Yes
6MAINStandardBack-in25GravelFull8 / 2Yes
7MAINStandardBack-in51GravelPartial8 / 2Yes
8MAINStandardBack-in40GravelPartial8 / 2Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length53 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

The campground contains two group sites that each accommodate up to 50 guests. Several single-family sites are available as well. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water seasonally. Firewood may be collected in and around the campground. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. There is a 14 day stay limit at this campground.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

SeasonMay 15 to September 30
ForestManti-La Sal National Forest
BookingThis site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at Nizhoni, Manti-La Sal National Forest - Recreation.gov
Fees$20 per night for each campsite. $50 per night for each group site.

Manti-La Sal National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Nizhoni20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.14 inches of precipitationFebruary: 1.48 inches of precipitationMarch: 1.31 inches of precipitationApril: 1.10 inches of precipitationMay: 0.89 inches of precipitationJune: 0.50 inches of precipitationJuly: 1.62 inches of precipitationAugust: 1.93 inches of precipitationSeptember: 1.67 inches of precipitationOctober: 1.49 inches of precipitationNovember: 1.17 inches of precipitationDecember: 1.39 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 27.0°F averageFebruary: 30.4°F averageMarch: 38.2°F averageApril: 44.6°F averageMay: 53.2°F averageJune: 63.7°F averageJuly: 69.8°F averageAugust: 67.5°F averageSeptember: 59.9°F averageOctober: 48.8°F averageNovember: 37.1°F averageDecember: 27.7°F average0 in0.5 in1 in1.5 in2 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Monticello #2, 12 miles from the campground at 7,086 feet, station USC00425807 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 16 inches a year. The shaded span is the published season, May 15 to September 30.

Getting there

From Blanding, Utah, travel north on Highway 191 approximately two miles. Turn left on E. Pinion Ridge Road (National Forest Access sign: Dry Wash Reservoir) and proceed 3/4-mile to the stop sign. Turn right on Forest Road 079 and continue approximately 10 miles to the campground on the right side of the road.

Coordinates37.7817° N, 109.5397° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • The byway is suitable for passenger vehicles from late spring through fall but is not recommended for large RVs.

Explore

Video

Video of Manti-LaSal National Forest Nizhoni Campground, UT from Ignacio R.

Worth a stop

Other attractions in the area include Canyonlands, Arches and Mesa Verde National Parks, Dark Canyon Wilderness, Edge of the Cedars State Park, Lake Powell and numerous archaeological sites.

  • 1.1 mi
    Cliff Dwellers Trail
    0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
  • 1.3 mi
    Lost Scout Trail
    0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike and 1 more
  • 1.8 mi
    Johnson Creek Rim
    1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 4 more
  • 2.2 mi
    Fr 55215 Trail Spur
    0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
  • 2.7 mi
    Allan Canyon East Slope Spur
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 2 more
  • 2.9 mi
    Skyline ↗
    5.3 mi trail · hiking, horse

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Manti-La Sal National Forest.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Towering Ponderosa pines forest the site, offering partial shade. Gambel oaks and sagebrush dot the landscape. The campground sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet, and summer temperatures range from 80-90 degrees during the day and 55-65 degrees at night. Mule deer, wild turkeys, Abert's squirrels and the occasional black bear may be seen in the area.

Recreation

Popular activities include hiking, wildlife viewing and off-road vehicle riding. Several trailheads are nearby, including Shay Ridge, Aspen Flat and Red Ledges. The Abajo Loop State Scenic Backway passes by the campground. It leads from the desert floor and red rock canyons to steep mountains over 10,000 feet high, with overlooks and panoramic views.

Guidebooks for Utah

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Nizhoni?

Sites at Nizhoni are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at Nizhoni, Manti-La Sal National Forest - Recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Nizhoni?

$20 per night for each campsite. $50 per night for each group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Nizhoni?

Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Nizhoni have?

29 sites, including 21 standard sites without power and 2 group standard area nonelectric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Nizhoni?

The longest site here provides 53 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Nizhoni?

Yes, pets are allowed at Nizhoni. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Nizhoni?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Nizhoni?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Nizhoni?

Popular activities include hiking, wildlife viewing and off-road vehicle riding. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What if Nizhoni is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Devils Canyon (7.7 mi), Buckboard (8.4 mi), and Foy Lake Fishing/Camping Site (8.5 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby