Sand Hollow’s newest campground, views and amenities already a hit

Written by Stephanie DeGraw
March 25, 2023

ST. GEORGE — The expansive desert views of Sand Hollow State Park reflected off the reservoir’s water as a yellow Jeep drove through a ribbon at Thursday’s celebration for the reservoir’s newest campground.

Local dignitaries at the Sand Hollow State Park ribbon-cutting ceremony include (l to r) Corey Cram, associate general manager Washington County Water Conservancy District, Scott Strong deputy director Utah State Parks, Rep. Walt Brooks, Sen. Don Ipson, Rep. Joseph Elison, Jeff Rasmussen director Utah state parks, Sand Hollow, Utah, March 23, 2023 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

“Overall, it’s really been well received by the visiting public so far,” Sand Hollow State Park Manager Jason Both told St. George News. “The campground is currently on our reservation system; we are actually booked out through the summer.”

The $4 million Lakeview campground has 127 sites, with eight full hookup sites and 22 partial sites. The campgrounds are currently under a reservation system provided through Reserve America. The sites feature views of both the reservoir and Pine Valley mountain.

Sand Hollow has held the top spot in Utah as the most visited state park for three years. One million people visited the park last year. Both said that visitation continues to increase for all of Utah’s 46 state parks.

He said to manage the demands of visitation, local communities, Utah State Parks and the Legislature work together to expand the parks. The Sand Hollow improvements have been in the works for a few years. Both said the overall construction phase took a little under a year.

“The Lakeview campground sites are very, very spacious,” Both said. “You can fit truck and trailer combinations up to 75 feet long. It has a really nice full-service restroom to accommodate a lot of the users that don’t have hookups in their trailers. So overall, it’s a great campground.”

Sand Hollow is a “unique situation,” hosting many large events such as off-road competitions, fishing tournaments and the Ironman international competition.

“We really are fortunate to have the infrastructure to host those large events and we’re looking at opportunities to expand,” Both said.

Jeff Rasmussen, director of Utah State Parks, discusses the new Lakeview campground that has 127 sites with eight full hookup sites and 22 partial sites, Sand Hollow, Utah, March 23, 2023 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

Sand Hollow State Park is also near an off-road highway vehicle staging area. Sand Mountain is one mile from the new campsite. Additionally, a quarter-mile east of the site there is a 75-stall parking area with a large kitchen/shelter pavilion and bathrooms complete with showers.

Utah Division of State Parks Director Jeff Rasmussen said that outdoor recreation is “exploding” and this investment is to address the great demand for recreation. He said the public is outspoken in their need to get out and recreate. 

“Tourism supports local economies and we are proud to be able to do that,” Rasmussen said. “And we want to continue to work together to drive tourism.”

According to a news release, improving and expanding park amenities also creates more jobs for contractors, park staff and private concessionaires, among others. 

Brittany McMichael, Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office interim director, joined the ribbon-cutting ceremonies. In her opinion, the Southern Utah area is one of the most beautiful in the country.

“We’re always encouraging people to come out and enjoy it and please take care of it,” McMichaels said. “Thank you for the opportunity to be here today and to be partners with the State Parks and Recreation and to our legislators for all that they do for us and tourism and the parks. It’s greatly appreciated.”

Ed. note: A previous version of this article erroneously stated the new campground has 230 sites, which has been corrected.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie DeGraw is an award-winning journalist. For 25 years, she engaged in journalism, broadcasting and public relations. DeGraw worked for the Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press and The City Journals. She was a reporter for a CBS television station in Twin Falls, Idaho. She graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Broadcasting.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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