There’s a certain kind of beauty in simplicity, especially when you’re on the road. Sometimes you don’t need all the bells and whistles. You don’t need a swimming pool, a clubhouse, or a full slate of planned activities. Sometimes, all you need is a quiet, no-fuss place to take care of business so you can get back to the real adventure. That’s the exact role that Sportsmen Country RV Park in Parowan, Utah, fills. For a straightforward ten-dollar fee, it offers a peaceful, easy place to empty your holding tanks, a welcome alternative to the noisy, crowded truck stops you’ll find along Interstate 15.
Parowan proudly calls itself the “Mother Town of Southern Utah,” and it has the charm to back it up. Situated at nearly 6,000 feet in elevation, it’s where I-15 meets the stunning Scenic Byway 143, the road that takes you up to the powder of Brian Head Resort in the winter and the wildflower-filled meadows of Cedar Breaks National Monument in the summer. It's a gateway town in the truest sense. Before you make that climb up the mountain, it’s your last best chance to get organized. You can explore the ancient petroglyphs at the Parowan Gap or just enjoy the slow, small-town pace before heading into the wilderness.
Pulling into Sportsmen Country RV Park feels like taking a step back in time, in the best way possible. It’s a small, locally-owned park with a distinct small-town vibe. You’ll check in at the office, where cash is often the preferred method of payment, and they’ll direct you to the dump station. The whole process is low-stress. There are no long lines of semi-trucks with their engines rumbling, and no frantic rush to get in and out. The lanes are wide, with pull-throughs that can accommodate rigs up to 70 feet long, so even if you have a big fifth-wheel with a truck, you’ll have plenty of room to maneuver without feeling squeezed.
Now, it’s crucial to understand what this place is and what it isn’t. This is, for all intents and purposes, purely a dump-and-go stop. The most critical piece of information you need is that there is no water available on site. No potable water to fill your fresh tank, and no non-potable water for rinsing your sewer hose. You must come prepared. This is a non-issue for seasoned boondockers who are used to carrying their own supply. I always have a few gallons of rinse water in a dedicated container, and this is exactly the kind of situation where it comes in handy. If you’re out of fresh water, you can plan a stop at the spigot at Parowan City Park after you’re done here.
Similarly, there are no other amenities to speak of. No gas, no propane, no trash disposal, and no public restrooms or showers. The ten-dollar fee is purely for the use of the sanitation lane. So, you’ll need to pack out your own garbage and plan your fuel stops elsewhere. The value here isn’t in a long list of services; it’s in the peace and quiet. It’s in the ability to do a necessary chore without an audience and without the pressure of a line forming behind you. For someone who is new to RVing and still getting the hang of the dumping process, this kind of relaxed environment can be priceless.
The pricing is on par with many full-service parks, which might seem strange given the lack of facilities. But what you're paying for is serenity and easy access. You’re paying to avoid the chaos. You can pull in, do the job at your own pace, and be back on the road to Brian Head in a matter of minutes. That’s a trade-off I’m often willing to make.
A few tips to make your visit as smooth as possible: plan to arrive during daylight hours. The park is in a quiet part of town where street lighting is minimal, and the dump station itself is not lit. Trying to handle sewer hoses in the dark is a recipe for a messy disaster. Because the pad has a bit of a slope, a sewer hose support will be your best friend, ensuring a good, consistent flow. I’d also suggest combining your stop with a visit to Dixon’s Market on Main Street. It’s a great little local grocery store where you can stock up on snacks and maybe even some of their famous local cheese curds before you head up the mountain.
The bottom line on Sportsmen Country RV Park is that it’s a perfect example of a utilitarian gem. It does one thing, and it does it well. It offers a simple, quiet, and stress-free place to empty your tanks. If you’re a self-sufficient RVer who has been enjoying the incredible boondocking opportunities around southern Utah and you just need to hit the reset button on your tanks, this is an ideal spot. It’s not fancy, but it’s effective. It lets you take care of the dirty work quickly so you can spend more of your time chasing powder days at Brian Head or photographing the ancient art at Parowan Gap.
492 N Main St, Parowan, UT 84761
(435) 477-3714
Cost: $10
Category: RV park
No Water
