Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument Hotels

White House Campground: the beauty of the lack of modern convenience

Camping at White House doesn't sound so amazing when you read about it. Sure, five bucks is cheap but the idea of no running water and pit toilets doesn't generally excite any but the most robust. Still, we had a ten liter water container that we'd not really gotten to use. We'd been lugging it around for a few months and many thousands of miles. It would be nice to say we did need it after all.

The drive out from White House ranger station isn't far but it's down a very rough dirt road that one big rain could make unserviceable for all but a high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle, which we were not in possession of. The road ends at a beautiful canyon though campground is a very generous word for what you find. There are two pit toilets at the end of the parking area and some scattered picnic tables seeming to litter the hills of sand that rise up from it. That's it.

Of course, the spots close to the parking lot and hence toilets were occupied when we arrived so I scurried up the hill and only by doing so discovered paradise. Sure, it was a lot of work schlepping all our gear up there as I'd chosen the furthest spot to ensure an uncluttered view. It was pretty much like backpacking in the desert except our car was a mere eighth of a mile away. Our primo spot looked out into the canyon for miles but the best view of all was of the life around us. Jack rabbits darted about at dawn and lizards made love on the rocks at dusk. Us? We basked in the silent beauty, enjoying being part of our amazing universe.

• Opinion of Price: least expensive
• Related to: Backpacking, National/State Park, Camping
• Written June 20, 2009

blue tent at white house

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