Cook’s Messa Trailhead Dispersed Camping Site 2

This dispersed camping area provides a free place to stay right outside of Capital Reef. Just 12 minutes from the visitor's center, it served us as a great alternative to paying for a site in the Fruita campground (as beautiful and well-maintained as that campground is). We arrived at night and had to find a spot far enough from people as to be courteous, since there were many other vehicles occupying different corners of the area. This seems to be a busy and well-known spot.

Other than the landscape itself, there’s nothing glamorous about this dispersed camping location, and it's pretty wide-open; we had to hike a few minutes up the hill just to find a place to use the bathroom. That said, there was a family of 8 who had set up tents next to their big Econoline, so clearly this is a family-friendly location with room to run the dogs.

Has fire pits which is great and easy spots for RVs and such. Lots of tent camping sites too. There is some city light in the distance but still great spot for the night sky. Close to Capitol Reef so day trips were easy. Would recommend besides road noise during the day. Not much at night.

Great views, easy access, plenty of spots, and right next to the entrance of Capitol Reef! Loved it.

Right off highway but a very short rocky road, be careful if in a car but should be okay. Good cellphone signal and close to the park and right outside town so from a location perspective ita an A+ for proximity. But this is a pile in spot. The main area here is not secluded its a large oval with some little branch offs, nothing is very defined. At night people juat pile in where they can fit and go to sleep. If you venture around and have 4x4 you might be able to find some better spots but dont try it in the dark. Its VERY dark out here. Overall no issues even with others very close by maybe I was lucky but on my night everyone just wanted a safe place to sleep and we all were respectful