Top 10+ Dispersed Free Camping near Arches National Park

The Mineral Point Road is a sandy graded road that goes way out to the west past Horsethief BLM developed CG. The BLM seems to have closed a couple of side spurs past Horsethief CG, and at about 1.2 miles from Hwy 313 the first side spur seems open to free dispersed camping. This side spur is about .6 mile past the Horsethief Group camp sites pod. Side spurs are sandy native surface, ungraded and can be rocky in sections. Most sites are suited to the overlander crowd but there are TT and RV sites out there also if you recon. Cell signal comes from the interstate north, so if you are higher up you may get cell signal. No water, toilets, or designated sites. Try to use previous camps if possible.

This free dispersed camping area is on Spring Canyon Road and overlooks the rim of the impressive Hell Roaring Canyon (HRC). The Kachina Rocks are also a scenic attraction. The access roads are narrow sandy two tracks. Some sites can be accessed by TTs and RVs but most are best for the tent/van/ truck campers. No amenities and no cell signal either. But the views into HRC make up for it. Note that Special Rules apply, camp only in designated previously used areas and have a poop mgmt....that means a bucket for you tenters and others without a toilet system in your camper.

Indian Creek is awesome. It’s BLM dispersed camping about 2-3 miles from the Canyonlands Needles entrance. Dirt road in leads past Hamburger Rock Campground. Keep going and you’ll start seeing sites on the sides of the road. There are several pull thru and sites big enough for RVs. Lots of walk in and drive in tent camping sites. 

You must camp where there is an established site evidenced by a fire ring. 

This is no water, no toilet, primitive camping. You must pack out your own waste they do not allow it to be buried. 

If you do not have four wheel drive be careful of the site you choose. The red sand is no joke and you will get stuck. It gets pretty busy from Thursday on but earlier in the week and day you have a lot to choose from. 

An awesome primitive or boon-docking experience.

Got into Moab later than expected on a Friday night around spring break time, so there were no campsites available at the BLM sites along the Colorado river.  After looking around for an hour, we looped back up around the 128 to I-70 and got off at Thompson springs and got on BLM 144 which was a dirt road heading southwest.  We settled camp around 9pm.  In the morning we were able to pack camp and drive to highway 191 and go south into Moab and get a campsite first thing in the morning.

This is dispersed camping/boondocking, so no services or facilities whatsoever.  

Despite the setbacks, the sunrise in the morning was beautiful