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Looking Glass Road (Dispersed)

4 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Free dispersed camping near Looking Glass Rock comes with a key logistical caveat: no camping signs are posted within one mile of the rock formation itself, so site selection requires some navigation. The access road off Route 179 is dirt and well-maintained along the main corridor, but side cutoffs can involve uneven slickrock and moderately deep sand, making high-clearance or 4WD vehicles necessary for some spots. There are no amenities of any kind. Pack everything in and pack it out.

Campers who do find a workable site get dark skies and relatively low noise, with one reviewer noting you can "barely hear 191" from camp. The area sits within an agate collecting zone, and Looking Glass Rock itself draws climbers, including those interested in the East Rib Route, which tops out with a free-hanging rappel through the arch window. Free-range cattle are present in the surrounding terrain, and fences and gates reflect that. Verizon cell coverage is described as extremely spotty.

The dispersed sites around Route 179 tend to work best for self-sufficient campers comfortable with route-finding on unmarked terrain. Wilson Arch Road (CR 179) Dispersed — BLM Moab sits nearby as another BLM option in the same corridor, and Flat Iron Mesa Road dispersed camping provides additional BLM access to the northwest. Bring more water than you think you need, as there are no sources on site.

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Map & DirectionsLooking Glass Road (Dispersed) is located in Utah near La Sal

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

38.28175424196003 N
109.40185140323126 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 14 users
    Last on 8/7/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 14 users
    Last on 8/7/26

Access

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

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol

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.

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Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Looking Glass Road (Dispersed)

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4 Reviews

A primitive dispersed camping area near Looking Glass Rock with challenging access requiring 4WD vehicles and no amenities. Recent camping restrictions have limited available sites significantly.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2024

Looking Glass Rock? Yes please

Well maintained but also well traveled dirt road.  No camping signs are indeed posted, including not within 1 mile of the Rock.  Barely can hear 191, dark dark skies, next to an arch, within an agate collecting area, yes please!  But limited places to set up, free range cattle have fences up and gates closed.  If you don’t feel like roughing it, a $500 per night glamping site is on the other side of the Rock.

SiteNorthwest of the Rock
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Scott W., June 28, 2024
  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Scott W., June 28, 2024
  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Scott W., June 28, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 27, 2021

Poor camping IMO

Not sure if this site is accurate...the actual Looking Glass area has No Camping signs everywhere...new development? Other side rds look marginal deep sand two tracks.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Greg L., September 27, 2021
  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Greg L., September 27, 2021
  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Greg L., September 27, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Rt 179 in for a few dispersed spots

This area has a few spots. The ones that seemed best to us in terms of access were off of 179. Coming in from the south about a mile in, there was a pull off to the right. Going further on 179 there was a bare rock spot on the left. Fine for sleeping, and others did end up joining us. Nice to walk around, pretty quiet at night.

No amenities. Service extremely spotty Verizon.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Danielle , August 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Danielle , August 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Danielle , August 1, 2021
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Oct. 27, 2019

Dispersed Camping w/ Amazing Views!

If you don't plan on spending some time exploring, climbing or doing some photography on or around Looking Glass Rock, then there's not much reason to take the dirt road out to this spot.  The road is dirt and well maintained until you take a cutoff to your left right as you're getting to the western boundary of the rock form.  There are primitive campgrounds scattered all over the area surrounding the butte.  There are some sites that do require a high clearance/4WD vehicle in order to get to as you'll be driving over uneven slick rock and some moderately deep sand.  There are no amenities so bring everything you need and then pack it out!

As for adventures we did while in the area, we visited the always popular Wall Street climbing area to the west of Moab on Potash Rd.  If that's too busy for ya you can also go a little further up the road and explore around Day Canyon where we also climbed the tower in the pictures, Boognish Tower.  And of course if you're looking to just spend an afternoon or a night around the arch then the East Rib Route on Looking Glass Rock is an amazingly easy beginner climb (albeit slightly run out) that has a  spectacular ~120' completely free hanging rappel through the window at the top of the route.  Certainly the best arch rappel I've done in the area and definitely one of the more unique beginner climbs in the Moab area.

Month of VisitOctober
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  • Review photo of Looking Glass Road (Dispersed) by Alan B., October 27, 2019
  • (7) View All
Showing results 1-4 of 4 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see Looking Glass Arch from Looking Glass Rock Campground?

Yes, you can see Looking Glass Arch from the general area, though camping directly at the arch is prohibited. The arch is part of the Looking Glass Rock formation. While you can't camp within 1 mile of the rock itself due to posted restrictions, you can still set up at an appropriate distance and then walk to view the impressive arch. The area offers excellent opportunities for photography of this unique geological feature.

Is a 4WD vehicle required to access Looking Glass Rock Campground?

A 4WD vehicle is not strictly required to access the Looking Glass Road dispersed camping area. The main dirt road (Road 179) is generally well-maintained but well-traveled. However, some side roads and tracks leading to specific camping spots have deep sand and may be more challenging for low-clearance vehicles. If you plan to explore beyond the main road or access some of the more remote camping spots, having a vehicle with higher clearance would be beneficial, especially during wet conditions.

How do I get to Looking Glass Rock Campground near Moab?

Looking Glass Rock dispersed camping area is located off Highway 191 south of Moab. Take the dirt road (Road 179) that leads to Looking Glass Rock. The dispersed camping spots are found along this road before you reach the actual Looking Glass Rock formation. Some spots can be found about a mile in from the south entrance, with pull-offs to the right, and further along there are bare rock spots on the left. Be aware that there are now No Camping signs posted in the immediate vicinity of Looking Glass Rock itself, so you'll need to camp at a proper distance from the formation.

What activities can you do near Looking Glass Rock Campground in Moab?

The area around Looking Glass Rock offers numerous activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular options include rock climbing on Looking Glass Rock, photography of the unique arch formation, hiking the surrounding terrain, and agate collecting in designated areas. The location also provides exceptionally dark skies for stargazing. Many visitors enjoy exploring the rock features and arches in the vicinity. If you're not planning to engage in these activities, there's limited reason to venture out to this remote spot.

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