If you are heading to Capital Reef National Park, and I highly recommend you head there, then Wonderland RV is a good place to park your RV while you visit. It’s best qualities are its location, about 15 minutes drive from the park entrance on the west side, and the very well kept and attractive grounds which make for tranquil viewing.

Nights: 7
RV Park Cost: $225 ($32/night)
Discounts Used: Good Sam
Address: 420 North Main Street Panguitch, Utah 84759
GPS: 38°17’55.7″N+111°24’10.5″W
Website: www.capitolreefrvpark.com

Pros

• Close to Capital Reef National Park
• Full hookups including water, sewer, electrical.
• Well kept grounds

Cons

• Iffy wireless internet
• Highway noise
• Barnyard aroma

I’m not sure I’d rent this cabin but it sure is cute.

Wonderland RV park is as close as you can RV park to Capital Reef on the western side, only about a 15-minute drive away. Despite this ideal location the prices are right around what I would consider average. For most of the big national parks, the closest parks can be as much as $80 a night so we tend to park an hour or so away to save money. Capital just isn’t as popular as places like Zion or the Grand Canyon so there is much less a premium. While it is less iconic, it still has jaw-dropping landscapes and absolutely stunning hikes and without all the crowds and noise.

The first thing we noticed is the grounds are very lovely. The gardening is well done and there are many attractive trees and lawns on the site. The care that goes into it is obvious and extends to the facilities which are cleaned thoroughly every day and are nicely appointed. This is one of the best-maintained RV parks we have yet encountered. Not only is the caretaker thorough, he’s a really nice guy eager to make you feel at home and take care of any problems you may have.

A view of the main area of the park, it’s quite lovely due to the trees and lawns.

This is a park, rather than a resort so there is no pool. They do have a small half-court basketball hoop and there are small cabins and tent areas, as well as a cute covered wagon style cabin you can rent. There is wireless internet, but it only works well when the park is half full or less. Many seem to park here overnight only, and so it tends to be good in the morning when everyone is gone and drops off as the park fills up for the night becoming useless around 7pm or so. It does get the award for cheapest laundry. We did a week’s worth for about $5.

The downsides of the park are that it backs a highway, which during the day provides a bit of road noise, and on the other side abuts a pasture for cows and horses which can blow in the smell of ungulate poop. I’ve never found the aroma especially displeasing and I’d describe it as “faint” but it’s there if you take a big whiff. The tent spots are right next to the pasture so I imagine they have the worst of it.

Lots of pretty horses and some less pretty but friendly cows wander near by.

Also of note, there is a gas station and a convenience store across the street, as well as a treat shop. Down the road, just a few miles, is the town of Torrey which has a lot of useful stores and restaurants for travelers and tourists. We found the “sheriff” of Torrey especially amusing. They have a police car with an inflatable sheriff behind the wheel parked at the road side. It took us a couple times into town before we caught on. A great way to get folks to pay attention to the town speed limit.