San Rafael Swinging Bridge Campground

These campgrounds are located just outside the south end of Buckhorn Draw, where Buckhorn Wash converges with the San Rafael River, uniquely in the heart of the Northern San Rafael Swell and part of the San Rafael Recreation Area. The San Rafael River is adjacent to the campgrounds and separates Swinging Bridge North and the Equestrian Campground from Swinging Bridge South. The historic San Rafael Swinging Bridge, Utah's oldest intact suspension bridge, is a 160-foot-long suspension bridge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937; it was once the only bridge over the San Rafael River and was used until 1990, when the bridge next to it was constructed. There are three campground loops at this location: Swinging Bridge North, the Equestrian Loop and Swinging Bridge South. All three loops have tent pads, picnic tables, toilets, parking areas and fire rings. Swinging Bridge North consists of 1 large group site and 8 individual campsites, and has a few cottonwood trees, which are good for shade in the hot summer months. Swinging Bridge South has 11 campsites and some shade structures. The Equestrian Loop has 6 campsites as well as corrals at each site and a central corral area. There is no drinking water or trash removal service at these campgrounds; please pack it out. The campsites sit atop the banks of the San Rafael River and are bordered by the lofty escarpment of Buckhorn Draw to the north and large buttes such as Assembly Hall Peak and Window Blind Peak to the southeast, which can be viewed from all three campgrounds. Bottle Neck Peak is a few minutes' drive south along the Buckhorn Wash road, on the west side. Also visible from the campgrounds is the end of the Little Grand Canyon of the San Rafael River; campers who journey to the Wedge Overlook are rewarded with stunning views of it. Common wildlife sightings are mule deer, antelope, and bighorn sheep, which may be seen in the morning or evening hours. Recreation opportunities nearby include OHV trails, rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking. The southern trailhead for the Little Grand Canyon hiking trail is accessible from here, a 17-mile point-to-point route with numerous river crossings; this trail is not maintained. Mexican Mountain Road, the entry road for the North and Equestrian campgrounds, is a 30-mile out-and-back semi-primitive dirt road (4WD and high clearance advised) leading to primitive hiking trails, rock climbing routes and technical canyoneering routes. Buckhorn Draw contains Native American rock art; the Cow, Calf and Pine Canyon hiking trails; the Buckhorn Dinosaur Track; Furniture Draw, a non-technical entry-level slot canyon; numerous rock climbing routes; and the MK Tunnels, 1950s Cold War explosive test sites. Other nearby attractions include Jurassic National Monument and the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, open seasonally April through October, Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm; the Wedge Overlook, looking over the Little Grand Canyon of the San Rafael River corridor; and the Good Water Rim Mountain Bike Trail, a 17-mile non-motorized single track. Cane Wash Road intersects with Buckhorn Draw Road several miles south of Swinging Bridge Campground and can be used to access Fix-It Pass, Coal Wash and the Devils Race Track.