Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed, near Bryce Canyon, Utah, is a fantastic location for those seeking a bit of solitude in nature. This area offers a variety of sites that are well-spaced and provide a good amount of privacy, making it perfect for a peaceful camping experience.

Visitors rave about the beautiful surroundings, with many sites nestled among trees and offering stunning views. The gravel road leading in is easily accessible, and you’ll find plenty of options for setting up camp, whether you’re in a tent or an RV. As one camper noted, “The sites felt far enough apart and had good views!”

While there are no bathrooms or water hookups, the trade-off is the chance to enjoy a truly immersive outdoor experience. Campers appreciate the freedom to have fires and the fact that it’s free to stay here. Plus, you’re just a short drive from the entrance to Bryce Canyon, making it easy to explore the park’s breathtaking landscapes.

If you’re looking for a place to unwind and soak in the natural beauty, this area is a great choice. Many campers have expressed their desire to return, highlighting the lovely atmosphere and the chance to connect with nature. Whether you’re stargazing by the fire or hiking nearby trails, Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed is a memorable spot for your next adventure.

Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest

Join the fun near Tropic. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Tropic campgrounds just for you. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Tropic. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Tropic

The Best Camping Near Tropic, Utah

Bryce Canyon campgrounds were full, as well as the nearby designated campsites at Red Canyon.   We showed up at the nearby forest ranger's office who directed us to some nearby dispersed camping on the edge of Dixie National Forest.

  

This is dispersed camping, so no:

*   Restrooms
*   Water
*   Trash
*   Hookups/dumps
*   Shops

Although since there is a designated campground just down the road, you can easily go there for water, restrooms, and trash.

  

This CG provided a good alternative to getting to Bryce Canyon without the mess of trying to get a reservation.  Red Canyon is also in between this site and the national park, which had some nice hikes and views of the hoodoos

Convenient Dispersed Near Bryce & Red Canyon

Nice spot a little past Red Canyon across the road from Thunder Mountain Trail head. Easy access even though there was a sign reading "rough road". Got a good verizon signal here as well.

Nice dispersed camping

Good variety of spots. Easy road. Very quiet except for the cows waking us up in the morning. 

Lots of camping spots

Great area, there are cattle in the area, but the place is open and quite Travel Trailer friendly. Very flat, people more than 100 yards away weather cool due to altitude. 7700’ 

Clean with 16 days stay limit. Easy access to the road. 9 miles to Bryce Canyon NP. 

Cattle and solitude. 

Plenty of free camping opportunities as you drive down the dirt road. Space between sites is ideal so noise isn’t a problem. Flat ground makes it prime for tent camping with lots of pine trees for hammocks if desired. 4x4 not necessary but would make your drive a lot smoother. There is a lake close by as well as a stream that runs through the camp sites. 

Fanastic Site

This place is great! I was planning on camping at Bryce Canyon but all the tent spots were taken. It looked super crowded and there was barely any space between the tents. I went on this app and found this hidden gem of a camping spot. It is secluded and the camping spots are pretty far apart from each other, really gives you a sense of solitude and privacy. Each spot has a fire site too. Fire levels were high when I went so I was unable to start a fire but I'm sure it's nice in the winter. No hookups, no restrooms. There is a rest area about 2 miles east on the highway so that's where I went to use the restroom. Camping up to 16 days is allowed. I would come back to this spot if I ever find myself going to Bryce Canyon again. I also had full bars with Verizon so that was a plus.

Free and plenty of space, no hookups

Loved this spot. Very quiet and easy to get to. There is some road noise, but not enough to distract. We also had decent cell service. 

Quiet campsite close to Bryce Canyon  

Lots of spots if you turn onto Toms Spring Road.  I found one about a mile or two in.  Lots of pines to hang hammocks.  There was a fire ban when I was there, DNR came around to chat and make sure we knew.  About 20 minutes from Bryce Canyon.  Would love to return!

Dispersed camping in Dixie

Took the FR117, ran into a ton of rv setups. Pushing further back on the dirt roads yield many more less crowded options. Was able to set up right on the edge of a ravine in an improved campsite. 

No trouble finding a spot! 

Lots of spaces available with fire pits, beautiful views, neat rocks. Quiet. Close to Bryce Canyon. 

Beautiful, accessible, dispersed

October 15, 2020

We wanted to be close to Bryce Canyon but not in all of the hub and chaos of people. This location is about a 10 minute drive away from Bryce.  This is the perfect location to get away from it all.  When you first arrive, you will see plenty of spots for RV's and travel trailers.  We traveled 1.8 miles and took a left turn on a small dirt road and found 5 or 6 campsites that were level and far away from each other. (We were the only one down this road).  

  

The site was level with a lot of space to spread out.  There was a firepit but no other facilities, so come prepared with everything you need. Due to fire restrictions, we didn't have a fire, and enjoyed seeing the Milky Way and shooting stars!  There is a pit toilet across the highway before you turn into the BLM land.  

  

We thought we would only stay for one night, but ended up there 2 nights since it was so beautiful!

Fabulous - lots of space, quiet and solitude.

This boondocking area was pretty good

Lots and lots of space 

Drive down for about 3 minutes after entering the road and you’ll start seeing pull offs or roads to go down and those are fair game

I would def. recommend arriving in the day because and can be a little confusing in the dark trying to find a spot

The road was mainly fine, maybe a washboard here or there

I have a 24 ft van that’s not high clearance and made it down totally fine, just had to be picky where I pulled off into since some of the pull outs are high clearance needed or really rocky but there are so many places to choose from 


Pretty good spot for a few nights !

Just 12 miles from the crush of people at Bryce Canyon, but a world away. In late October, we were the only campers within site or earshot. A little trickle of a stream on one side and an amazing view of the stars. We chose a location, just off FR117 about 4 miles up the road. Walked across the stream and saw a few more remote sites up that little hunting and horse road. Main road is in good shape (save for some washboarding).

Leave no trace.

Happily Away From The Crowds of Bryce

Plenty of room and spaces available. Great cell service. 

Great Location 

Great dispersed camping close to Bryce Canyon (15 minutes away). No amenities but vault toilets across the street at a trail head. Miles of road to find a spot with small rock fire pits. Great ATT cell service and plenty of space for the dog to run. 

Amazing spot!

We found this on The Dirt app and it was a great option. It is just a few minutes outside Bryce and there are a lot of pullouts off the main forest road 117. We saw some people camped when we scouted the place in the morning but by the time we came back after visiting Bryce in the late afternoon there was no one else anywhere around us. It may have had something to do with the fact that it was snowing heavily and a winter storm was on its way. We camped in our van and stayed cozy and warm until morning.
There is an outhouse directly across from FR 117 highway on highway 12 that was open. Great cell signal for both AT&amp;T and Verizon. Once again, great spot for dispersed van camping found on the app. Thanks!

Great dispersed camping spot near Bryce Canyon 

A great dispersed spot! The sights were a little hard to find in the snow but the rock fire pits made them easier to spot, we couldn’t go very far down the snow covered road due to only having a two wheel drive but it would be cake for any four wheel drive while there is snow. The road seems easy to navigate for a two wheel drive if there was no snow. Lots of space between sites and surrounding areas 

Great spot!

Great Spot during the winter (Temp 3-35°F). Basically have the whole area to yourself. Most people we saw only stayed the night due to the cold. Quick 10 min drive to Bryce city or 5 minutes to the Red Rock visitor center. Will definitely come back to this site when it a bit warmer.

Great Spot but Cold

We came here while visiting Bryce Canyon. Location was super close to the park! We stayed at the first spot because the road was snowy and we were in a van with low ground clearance. May need something a bit higher to get further back. Great cell service in the area 

Great dispersed camping spot!

The dispersed camping here is awesome. Flat spots for tents, developed fire pits, some good tree cover as well. Only about 20 minutes from the park entrance. My only complaint is that there was some road noise but other sites here may not have that issue.

Beautiful free camping

About 12 minute drive to the entrance to Bryce Canyon. The road and campsites were adorable and easily accessible. There was literally no one else here - probably because the temperature got down to 21 degrees and snowed over night. Would recommend on a warmer night. There were fire pits also. 

Freezing but very nice

Loved staying here as my pup and I traveled through Bryce Canyon area. Lots of great trails close by and super close to the park entrance - all for FREE! Couldn’t ask for more!

Secluded and peaceful!

We were planning on staying at the forest roads directly outside of Bryce Canyon entrance but they were closed due to fire watch. Arrived here later than we wanted but it was a great find. Easy in and out and pretty well maintained roads. Plenty of space and spots. And the trees made an amazing back drop of the sunrise in the morning. 

Close to Bryce! 

I stayed here for two night in March and it was great. There are many sites near the highway but if you keep going you can get a little ways away from the hustle and bustle. I opted to camp near the highway because the weather called for snow. 

It’s within 15 minutes of Bryce Canyon and there’s a gas station right down the road.

Close Yet Secluded Dispersed Sites Near Bryce Canyon National Park

This area is the Tom Best Spring road- FS road #117.  The first mile or so has many campsites along the road and off on side spurs.  Trailers and larger RVs should stick to sites along FS #117 road. The sites out to the west with views of a red canyon are best for overlander types as the side roads are narrow, windy, rocky and have overhanging tree branches.  Be aware that all the roads are very dusty and parking close to FS #117 road will be dusty. Cell service is very strong for all the major providers.  16 day camping limit. Red canyon is only a couple miles west and Bryce NP is a few miles east. 

Large Dixie NF dispersed area

Lots of large spots throughout this area, all with trees, fire rings and privacy. Super dusty! Plenty of solar. Road not bad for our 20’ Winnebago Hike. Several fifth wheels in here too. Approx 15 min from Bryce and also some awesome trails in Dixie for the doggie to get some exercise too. 

Perfect spot between Bryce and Dixie Ntl Forest trails

Stayed here 4 nights first week of April. Easy access. Multiple widely dispersed sites. Great access to Bryce. Will definitely return.

Multiple options 

Super awesome interface and the amount of data is unreal 

Great !

Such a great area.  We stayed several nights.  Several roads and campsites to choose from.  Would definitely come back here again.

Close to Bryce Canyon

Camping off of FR 117 was just that right off the road, tons of spots and also very popular especially with people staying a week or so.  We ended up finding a nice secluded spot off one of the dirt roads a little over a mile in.  Spots are a little more spread out off the main drag and more in the trees which was nice for shade and hanging a hammock.  Close to Bryce Canyon and easy access to Thunder Mountain trail loop, awesome moderate mt biking trail.

Social or secluded

FR117 is the main road you pull off of for clear camp sites, or you can drive down one the dirt roads to look for a spot further down. If you drive a few miles in you’ll reach an open gate, I camped at the spot directly next to this. Had some noise from cars going passed but that stopped as it got later. There are a lot of spots I found with more privacy but I was looking for something that felt safe camping alone. If you go past the spot next to the gate you can take a curvy road down a bit and when you go past another gate there will eventually be more spots. I was at one of these initially but it felt too remote for me. Some much more private spots out past the second gate if you take a left on a gravel road uphill. Great place to stay if you’re hiking in Bryce Canyon or escalante.

Great free camping 

Plenty of space among the beautiful evergreens. It’s a secluded spot. The stars are so big and numerous out here. It has everything you need. 

Best Campsite

The only reason my husband and I gave this four stars is because of the chainsaws this morning. We are hiking through Bryce Canyon today and around 0530/0600 the chainsaws were just a going. We were also under a wind advisory which was blowing all throughout the night. But our tent is a champ and we made it through. Great spot. There are fire pits and tons of spots! 

Legit spot

super awesome campground, tons of spots, really easy to find space away from others 

gorgeous and easy access! 

Stopped here for a night while visiting Bryce Canyon and Red canyon. It’s right in the middle of both red and Bryce Canyon so great location. No hook ups, water or bathrooms so come prepared. Very quiet and peaceful here. We enjoyed our stay.

Awesome disperses camping

The only downside is that it’s kind of close to the freeway so you hear the cars passing in the distance but it’s not bad. The road is easy to travel in a front wheel and lots of isolated locations. 

Isolated and easy to get to

Great off grid sites (kinda...still had cell service) and huge sites!!! Plenty of room and no noise. General store right past entrance if you are coming from Zion. Wish we would have known that! Lol!

Hidden Gem

Huge sites, privacy from other site and off grid with Verizon cell service. Our family was here for 4 nights with easy access to Bryce, Escalante and kayaking at Tropic Reservoir. We had a blast and enjoyed the site.
Very dusty! And loud cicadas.

One of our favs in UT

We had such a good experience with this site! 

About 15 mins outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. Located on a gravel road off of route 12. 

There are camp/park bathrooms located at a separate trailhead across the road from the entrance to these camping sites.

There is also a gas station (connected to a paid campground) with bathrooms, showers ($4), gas, and supplies about 2 miles up route 12 towards Bryce from the campsites. 

Lots of campsites available! Keep driving back if you don’t see one because there are many. Some right off the main road and others further back on the right. I would suggest going off the main road to avoid dust from cars passing.  There were quite a few people camping but we still had room to spread out and have space between campsites.

Our spot was shaded and cool in mid June. We stayed here longer because it was such a good spot for us. 

Definitely a good, free find! 

Best Dispersed Camping site I’ve found! 

Amazing views, road easier accessible made it in my 1998 volvo sedan 

Spent two nights in late june

Nice spot with trees! Physically cooler than other Utah spots due to the trees. Could even set up a hammock if you wanted. Wifi (Verizon) was decent. Easy road in.

There was a rock you could climb up (the only high point you see) for a pretty good sunset and better views of the land!

No amenities.

Arrived ~6pm on Wednesday and there were still a few spots left.

Close to Bryce and Red Rock.

Nice shaded spot

Just stayed in Bryce for 2 nights, it was beautiful everyday and Thunder and lightning every night. Stopped here to enjoy some more of the storm out in a more private and secluded spot, but not too secluded, there are plenty of spots but there’s also lots of trees! Good shade! Bumpy gravel road to get in but it’s not bad if you make it In the daylight:) also good service so I was able to work from my computer! 

Private quite & near Bryce 

Campsite loop roas is the first right after turning off the main road. Fire stone pits in most. Not much shrub/trees for coverage in between sites but there is a decent amount of distance. View is not bad at all from site to site. Gets the job done and it's enjoyable while at it. 

Better than I thought 

This is an area of free dispersed camping along the FS Rd #117 (Tom Best Spring Rd).  It is midway between Bryce NP and Red Canyon Recreation Area on the Dixie NF.  The dispersed camping is along FS RD #117 ( good graded gravel road) for about the first 1.1 miles, after that camping restrictions are posted.  Some of the side roads are dirt two track and also have many camping spots but beware wet weather on side roads.  Cell service is very good for all providers. This area has no designated sites (yet) and there are no tables, metal fire rings, garbage dumpsters or toilets.  However, at the main hwy across there is a rest area with a vault toilet.  

Great free camping

Found a great meadow about 2 miles in on 117. Reasonably level, and room for a group. Big rig friendly! The 117 area was more crowded than expected mid-week and after Labor Day. Still, it's quiet. 3-4 bars of 4G Verizon cell.

FR-117 Dispersed

Easy access nice gravel road. Many sites. Verizon service is good. 

Great spot

Easy to find a secluded campsite! We could drive all of the dirt roads in our Chevy Trax. Not much of any views where we stayed but lots of trees and privacy. Very close to Bryce Canyon National Park-only 15 minutes away! We would stay here again!

Great place!

Off the highway a few miles lots of pine trees. Close to Bryce Canyon. 

Nice Dispersed Camping 

Great location, cell service, and site options. Only 15ish minutes from Bryce Canyon NP entrance. Will absolutely stay again!

One of the best dispersed camping experiences yet!

T Mobil service not a lot going on people wise.

Beautiful spot

The road to this site off the 12 is currently closed. 3/13/22 I assume because of the snow and mud.

Road to sites are currently closed as of 3/13/22

Winter closed

Plenty of space with spots scattered down various roads off of Tom's Best Spring Road. We had no trouble navigating the road in a 2WD vehicle. Cell coverage.

Road access was open in late March despite patches of snow on the ground. 

Great boondocking near Bryce Canyon / Red Canyon

We decided on this camping spot as our first camping trip out in Utah, and we could not have picked a better place! The location is everything. Super close to Bryce Canyon, with the view from our spot having the red rocks right on the horizon. 

When you first enter the campground, the spots are easy to pick out. There were quite a few other campers in rvs/campers/tents, but there were still plenty of spots left to choose from! The spots are far enough from each other to feel the sense of seclusion, but close enough to feel the sense of community (if you’re into that kind of feeling). 

I could not recommend this spot any more. We found our camp spot on top of a little hill, let the dog run around and explore, and just had the best time ever. 

Toms best is the best!

Nice spot about 30 minutes (depending on where you land) from Bryce. We were in a high wind warning so were nervous about ensuring we had coverage from the wind, this spot was excellent for that. Constant 20 mph with gusts in the 40s and I bet we only get 15 max come through the trees. Woke up to snow!! Be prepared!

Great area!

We stumbled upon this site and couldn’t have been happier. We found a spot with beautiful views, no other cars in view from where we parked. Primitive but we did have decent cell service. Would recommend for sure! 

Beautiful

Nicely spaced out, clean spots with fire pits. Excellent proximity to Bryce Canyon National Park. 

Clean and Easy to Find

Spent 3 nights here while exploring Bryce Canyon on our trip back to Alaska from Arizona. Lots of spots with plenty of space for camping. Able to do day trips at Bryce to hike all the park trails. Thumbs up camping location. 

Great spot to explore Bryce Canyon 

I have a 42’ motorhome towing a Jeep and found plenty of spots able to accommodate my needs.  Plenty of shade, but there are also wide open spots available.  Occasional ATV’s but I never found them to be a nuisance.  I stayed the full 2 weeks.  
You can dump your trash at a rest area just 3 miles towards Bryce Canyon.
You can also dump and fill your tanks for $10 at the Red Canyon RV park 6 miles the other direction.  

Peaceful

Turn right off Highway 12 nearly 6 miles west of the Bryce City Round About at the Red

Canyon Trail Road sign. The Tom Best Rd sign is hard to see going by on the highway. In the first mile and a half there are scores of campsites for anything

from tents to 50 foot rigs.  Sites available just off the main road, back in the forest a bit or out in the open with views.  Tom Best Springs is a very long 12 miles down FR117.  Didn't see a reason to go that far when camping so close to Highway 12 but there are campsites all along this road and OTVs seem to go further back in.  Campsites are pretty flat and clean. Most side roads to the sites have a fine rock base and don't get too muddy, easy in and out.   Hardly any noise from people or the highway.  Might look at FR3626 0.9 miles from the highway.  Good Verizon service.  8 miles to Bryce Canyon City and groceries.  Boondocking at its finest minus a swimming pool.

Boondocking at its finest, near Bryce Canyon City

We just camped for two nights, but it was absolutely lovely! The road was super easy to find and in pretty good condition. I pull a teardrop trailer and got it in and out no problem. Many sites were open and clean! You get to see and hear all the cows in the field. Super easy drive to Bryce Canyon as well. Would totally stop back again! 

Lovely!!

Love this area. Plenty of sites. Good T-MOBILE, AT&amp;T &amp; Verizon service.

Pine forest oasis

Beautiful campsite, wish I could've stayed longer! Lots of spots &amp; while busy, campsites are quite spaced out to give you ample space to stretch out on your own. There's a nice little hike behind the campsites you can go on to get a view of Bryce too which is absolutely stunning! 

10/10 will stay here again. 

fantastic spot in the wood. many flat usable site. definitely we'll be back soon.

so good

Very pretty spot right off the highway outside of Bryce Canyon. 

Beautiful !

We camped here in a 30 foot RV on a Monday in late June.  Tons of amazing available sites.  This is the best free camping we may ever experienced.

The Best!

Awesome campsite with super close access to Bryce Canyon. Sites felt far enough apart and had good views! Weather was great

Awesome Campsite

Dispersed camping 

This place was awesome! The road is gravel and easily accessible and there were plenty of options for sites. Sites are spaced out and private, most are shaded too. Sites on the left side were right next to a beautiful meadow which is where we stayed. No bathrooms or anything but pretty close to the Bryce Canyon entrance! 

Amazing Camping!

Great location , a good amount of traffic but we had a fire and a good view. Not much to complain about . Will be back

Photos of Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest

Real photos from real campers