Camper submitted image from Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites - 3
Roads
Camper submitted image from Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites - 4
People
Camper submitted image from Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites - 5
Activities

Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites

Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites, near Moab, Utah, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some peace and quiet in nature. This area is perfect for tent camping or parking your RV, with plenty of pull-offs to choose from.

Visitors rave about the stunning sunsets and the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. One camper mentioned, “Stars were popping,” highlighting the clear night skies that make for excellent stargazing. While there are no amenities like water or toilets, the freedom to have a fire and the ability to bring your pets make it a cozy spot for a night under the stars.

Getting to Cotter Mine can be a bit tricky, especially if you rely on Google Maps, so keep an eye out for the right road. It’s just a short drive from Arches National Park, making it a great base for exploring the park’s iconic rock formations and hiking trails. Some campers found the road a bit rocky, but it’s manageable for most vehicles, especially if you take it slow.

With a friendly vibe and a sense of safety, this location is ideal for those looking for a quick getaway or a longer stay. Whether you’re here for the scenery, the solitude, or the proximity to Moab’s attractions, Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites offers a refreshing escape into the great outdoors.

Description

Bureau of Land Management

Suggest an Edit

Location

Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites is located in Utah

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

38.70658420961228 N
109.71827918673834 W

Open in Google Maps

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • WiFi
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

77%
16%
10%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

13 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 12, 2024

Love this spot!

We took our small tow behind camper here and it worked out perfectly. Centrally located between arches, Canyonlands, and downtown Moab. It was so fun and private

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Elise S., October 12, 2024
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Oct. 10, 2024

PERFECT SPOT!

This campsite was AWESOME! the road getting in was a little rough, but with AWD you should be good. Beautiful views, spread out spots, and easy access to arches. this campsite was a major win!

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Grace S., October 10, 2024
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Grace S., October 10, 2024
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Grace S., October 10, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 22, 2024

Off the highway, but secluded

Slightly rough road to get into the campsite plenty of places to choose from. Got there at like 6 o’clock on a Friday night with a camper van and had no trouble. It was the perfect stop for the night able to have a fire and had enough privacy. The stars were phenomenal. Verizon had full bar coverage and you’re close to Arches and Canyonlands.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Paige M., September 22, 2024
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Paige M., September 22, 2024
Reviewed Sep. 13, 2024

Excellent

I chose this site for proximity to the parks, as well as the lovely geological backdrop. I'm sure this holds similarly true for all the nearby public land, but it did not disappoint as far as sunset/sunrise/stargazing/scenic views and a sense of isolation.

The GPS coordinates in our apple map app brought us into the main entrance which crossed the RR tracks, and shortly thereafter there was an established camping lot where you can reserve spots for a small fee. I appreciated the lot for a couple of reasons - there was a bathroom and trash dumpster, plus, a spot where we were allowed to park our trailer while we went into the park for a few hours.

Anything past that lot is pretty rough terrain. Take it slow. We got our trailer back there for our overnight stay, but let me advise you if you have a big rig - take one of the first available spots and go OUT the same way you came IN. After we set up camp, we were headed to Arches and our map directed us to continue north on the same road we came in. Thankfully we'd already unhitched our trailer, because the road became extremely treacherous before eventually meeting back up with the highway. There's a generously sized parking area at that access point, which seems to be where day use/ATV users like to access the land.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Christine B., September 13, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2024

nice view, rocky road

Phenomenal sunrise and sunsets, train did go by at night but was cool. I have not idea how my corolla made it up such the rocky and gutted road but she did

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2024

Good

Pretty good campsite. Road is pretty rocky leading up to it. Verizon service is good

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 14, 2024

Scenic, quiet

Sunsets are amazing. Easily accessed with fire pits. Verizon service is decent.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Zack L., July 14, 2024
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Zack L., July 14, 2024
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Zack L., July 14, 2024
Reviewed May. 7, 2024

Nice free spot close to Moab

Very close to Arches, but we followed Google maps with the coordinates and it gave us wrong indications for the road, the one google gives is closed. Coming from Moab you need to enter by the road that is just on the right of a large pull off, maybe 1.5 miles before the one google indicates. Easy to go in, ok for minivan and basic cars

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 1, 2024

Perfect

Easy to find a spot. Only one neighbor so many pull offs. Mid size suv okay! Stars were popping. No amenities. Very quiet felt safe

Month of VisitApril
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Apr. 23, 2024

Close to Arches

About 15/20 minutes to Arches. I had checked this website on two separate camping sites, and each gave a different entry. We came in the south entrance which was just labeled as a BLM road, and terribly hard to find in the dark ( we came through right at 9pm) that was the only negative thing. Otherwise campsite was adequate for a quick overnight. Plenty of space. The road was in decent condition, no issues there.

Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Apr. 9, 2024

Not bad for a quick nights sleep

Looked like there were better spots than ours but they were taken. Ours was pretty decent, out of the wind, fairly quiet. Not a bad drive in, little bumpy but doable. Atvs/ dirt bikers ride a lot around the area but we got there around sunset and left pretty early so wasn't too bad.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Anwyn P., April 9, 2024
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Anwyn P., April 9, 2024
Reviewed Apr. 8, 2024

Was perfect

There is a bit of a dip in the road so be careful on that but was fine to drive, go slow

Site2
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Chrissy B., April 8, 2024
Reviewed Mar. 25, 2024

Great camping site in Moab!

awesome first camping site on a road trip in Moab. Challenging drive up, but should be fine with an SUV, AWD or 4WD will be helpful. beautiful view of an arch and the natural landscape with amazing sunset.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Thomas W., March 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Thomas W., March 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites by Thomas W., March 25, 2024
  • (6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites have wifi?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites does have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is available.