When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Warm, bright, and increasingly busy as water and OHV season ramp up.
Pack Sun protection, water, and an early plan for shaded beach spots.
Summer
Very hot and crowded, with the water as the main relief.
Pack Maximum water, sun shirt, shade setup, and a heat-aware riding plan.
Fall
Cooling to comfortable, with warm water lingering and lighter crowds.
Pack Sun layer, warm evening layer, and headlamp for shorter days.
Winter
Cool and quiet, better for riding and red-rock scenery than swimming.
Pack Warm layers, wind protection, and flexible timing.
Top things to do
Sand Hollow Reservoir
The warm, blue centerpiece for boating, paddleboarding, fishing, and scuba diving against a red sandstone backdrop.
Sand Mountain OHV area
A large dune system that draws off-highway riders. Treat it as a serious, permit-aware riding zone, not a casual walk.
Red sandstone shoreline and beaches
Sandy and slickrock shorelines for swimming, lounging, and sunset photography, with West Beach offering drive-up beach access.
Anchor the day around Sand Hollow Reservoir
Put the access rule first: shuttle, parking, timed-entry, or reservation windows should decide the order of the day. For one day in Sand Hollow State Park, make Sand Hollow Reservoir the non-negotiable, add Sand Mountain OHV area only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Red sandstone shoreline and beaches as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Sand Hollow Reservoir: The warm, blue centerpiece for boating, paddleboarding, fishing, and scuba diving against a red sandstone backdrop.
- 2Add Sand Mountain OHV area: A large dune system that draws off-highway riders. Treat it as a serious, permit-aware riding zone, not a casual walk.
- 3Use Red sandstone shoreline and beaches as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Sand Hollow's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around access
Plan the transfer before the trail list.
Plan your trip
2 quick tools, already seeded for Sand Hollow State Park. Tune the route, pack weight, weather margin, and overnight setup after the access plan is real.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Sand Hollow State Park packing list
0 of 16 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Sand Hollow State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, Electrolyte mix, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, 4 more
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
- Season checkLayers for conditionsMoisture-wicking base layers
Checklist mode
16 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Sand Hollow
For a first campground setup, a fast pitch and real rain coverage matter more than premium materials.
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THE CAMPGROUND PICK
Coleman Skydome 4-Person Camping Tent with Full Fly Vestibule
- Capacity
- 4 person
- Floor
- 8 x 7 ft (56 sq ft)
- Peak height
- 55.2 in (4 ft 7 in)
- Weight
- 13 lbs
- Wind rating
- Frame tested to 35 mph
- Setup
- Pre-attached poles, under 5 minutes
The Skydome's pre-attached poles fold out and lock into corner sleeves without guesswork, making it one of the most foolproof setups at any price. Nearly vertical walls add 20% more headroom than a traditional Coleman dome, and the full-coverage rainfly version includes an 8 x 3.5 ft vestibule for gear storage.
- Pre-attached, color-coded poles make solo setup genuinely foolproof
- Full-coverage rainfly with integrated 8 x 3.5 ft vestibule for gear storage
- 55-inch peak height means most adults cannot stand up inside
Best for
Beginner couples or small families who want a reliable, fast-pitching shelter with solid rain coverage without spending more than $200.
Gear for Sand Hollow
The buying guides that match what Sand Hollow asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Camp inside the park for the best water access, choosing the Westside campground for hookups and views or the more open beach and Sandpit areas for a closer-to-the-water feel. St. George and Hurricane offer the nearest hotels, restaurants, and rentals, and they make a practical base when the campground is full or you are pairing the trip with Zion.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Book Sand Hollow camping early for warm-season beach weekends.
Sand Hollow is one of Utah's most popular state parks, and its campsites and beach sites fill fast in warm months. The park entrance fee is included with a camping reservation, so a campsite doubles as your access.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Utah State Parks uses ReserveAmerica. Individual campsites generally open on a four-month rolling window, with group sites available farther ahead.
- Standard non-hookup sites have a two-vehicle limit, and extra vehicles are charged a per-night fee at the park entrance.
- Camping peaks alongside boating and OHV season, so spring and summer weekends should be treated as high-demand windows.
- Bring shade and a heat plan, since the beachfront sites are exposed.
Where to book or verify
Official park page with conditions, fees, boating notes, and camping details.
Official ReserveAmerica portal for Utah state park campsites.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Westside Campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve through Utah State Parks and ReserveAmerica.
- Sites
- Developed sites with hookups and reservoir views.
- Best first check for RVs and campers who want hookups and the most amenities.
Sandpit and West Beach areas
Details- Booking
- Reserve through Utah State Parks and ReserveAmerica.
- Sites
- Primitive and beach-style sites closer to the water.
- Good for tent campers and beach-base trips, with a more open, exposed feel.
Getting there and practical info
Make the transfer plan before the trail plan.
Weather windows, boat schedules, flight buffers, and backup days shape what is realistic.
Getting there
Get to Sand Hollow State Park by solving the transfer first.
- Access rhythm
- Transfer time matters
- Region
- Utah
Car strategy
Sand Hollow sits east of St. George, about 15 miles from town and roughly a 45-minute drive from Zion's western gateway.
Car strategy
A car is required, and most visitors pair it with St. George, Zion, or Snow Canyon.
Transfer plan
Boaters and OHV riders should plan for trailer parking and check current fire and boat-ramp conditions before arriving.
Pair this with lodging: the best base is the one that protects the departure window, pickup point, or weather buffer.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
The Utah Film Commission assists but does not permit; cities, counties, BLM, and Utah State Parks each permit their own ground, and the Mighty 5 gateway state parks all require Special Use Permits for commercial work.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; individual state parks publish their own drone restrictions
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
What is the entrance fee at Sand Hollow State Park?
Sand Hollow charges a Utah state park day-use entrance fee per vehicle, which is included when you book a campsite. Annual Utah day-use passes are also accepted. Check the official park page for the current rate, since Utah adjusts fees periodically.
Can you ride OHVs at Sand Hollow?
Yes. The Sand Mountain area within the park is a large dune system popular with off-highway vehicle riders. It is a dedicated, permit-aware riding zone separate from the swimming beaches, so review Utah's OHV rules before riding.
Is Sand Hollow good for camping near Zion?
Yes. It is about a 45-minute drive from Zion's western side, with reservable beachfront and hookup campsites. It works well as a warm-water base, though it is busy in summer, so book early.