Established Camping
Hardscrabble Bottom Backcountry Campsites — Canyonlands National Park
About
National Park Service
Canyonlands National Park
You must have an overnight permit for all overnight trips along the White Rim. Obtain permits here: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675315
Hardscrabble Bottom has two designated campsites: Hardscrabble A This medium site is composed mostly of sand and packed dirt. There is one large tree that provides some shade and some smaller scrub brush provides slight shelter from the wind. During the summer months, sites along the river are very buggy.
Limits: 15 people and 3 vehicles
Toilets: The site has a private toilet.
River Access: Thick vegetation prevents river access from Hardscrabble A, but it is accessible from Hardscrabble B.
Hardscrabble B This is a medium site composed of mostly sand with some patches of packed dirt with plenty of scrub brush. There is no shade and slight shelter from the wind. The two Hardscrabble sites are approximately half a mile apart and out of sight of each other. During the summer months, sites along the river are very buggy.
Limits: 15 people and 3 vehicles
Toilets: The site has a private toilet.
River Access: The Green River can be accessed from this site. Drive Carefully! A high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle (low range) is required for the White Rim Road. Towing charges are very expensive. People caught in the backcountry with disabled vehicles can expect towing fees in excess of $1,000.
Come Prepared. The White Rim Road has long rocky stretches, deep sand, and little shade. Bring at least 1 gallon (4 L) of water per person, per day — more if you'll be active. Plan for a minimum of 10-12 hours of driving or cycling.
Keep off the Arches. To promote visitor safety and the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed, climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rappelling off any arch is prohibited in the park.
Water There is no potable water along the White Rim Road. For mountain bike trips, we highly recommend a four-wheel-drive support vehicle to carry water and equipment.
The 100-mile White Rim Road loops around and below the Island in the Sky mesa top and provides expansive views of the surrounding area. Four-wheel-drive trips usually take two to three days, and mountain bike trips usually take three to four days.
Under favorable weather conditions, the White Rim Road is moderately difficult for high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. The steep, exposed sections of the Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Mineral Bottom switchbacks make the White Rim loop a challenging mountain bike ride, and require extreme caution for both vehicles and bikes during periods of inclement weather. During high water conditions on the Green River, sections of road on the west side can flood, making a complete loop impossible.
No potable water is available along the White Rim Road. For mountain bike trips, a four-wheel-drive support vehicle to carry water and equipment is highly recommended.
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Site Types
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Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Fires
Gorgeous sunset river camp. Terrible swarm of bugs!
First of the road to get there is pretty sketchy. Some gnarly long long hefty climbs and holes. We took our time slowly and on 4 LO. Plus the views, we took to long and had to drive into the place as it was getting dark. So it got dangerous. a good portion of the road was a long stretch of cliff edge.. scary as it was getting dark. However, the sunset glowing over the canyons and the mighty colorado river was majestic. Stunning Stunning stunning views. Camp in the evening was great. Large clean vault toilet restrooms near the river. Amazing.
however..... the morning... the river makes for a nice view, but also a good home for bugs. I literally woke up to bugs, mosquitos, tiny ones, gnawing at the screen of my tent ready to take a bite of my flesh. We had all different types of bug spray, candle repellents.... none of which worked. We we're almost being eaten alive, and as soon as the sun came up, it was baking our skin. Bug biting burning sun rays, really hit us... we quickly packed up and left before the temperatures got to a hundi...
well only come back in cooler temperatures..and large netted tents.. and netted head mask...
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Location
Hardscrabble Bottom Backcountry Campsites — Canyonlands National Park is located in Utah
Coordinates
38.452613403659136 N
110.00918554375525 W