A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

Nizhoni

Forest Service campground in Manti-La Sal National Forest, San Juan County, Utah. 11.1 miles from Blanding.

Managed by
Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest
Sites
23 21 standard non-electric, 2 group standard area non-electric
Longest rig
53 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

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

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

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • hiking
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Nizhoni

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in. The federal record’s point for it sits at a very different height from the one the agency describes, so the pin may be off: trust the directions above over the map.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.