Best Dispersed Camping near Bicknell, UT

After visiting two very popular Utah parks -- Zion and Bryce Canyon -- Capitol Reef was a breath of fresh air. And one of our favorite parts about visiting this park is that it was almost totally free!

When we arrived at the visitor center, they informed us that their only developed campground, Fruita Campground (first-come-first-served only, not reservable) was full for the night, and rangers were ready with a handout full of alternative camping areas. We had not dabbled into BLM (Bureau of Land Management) camping before, but this experience would encourage us to utilize it throughout the rest of our year-long trip to the national parks.

This “campground” is located about a mile outside of the national park, which allows great access to everything inside Capitol Reef. Usually free camping like this is harder to discover, but this pull-off is just off the road.

Benefits of camping in BLM land include the cost (free!), solitude (you can be as far away from people as you’d like), and easy access to the national park (in fact, most national parks are surrounded with National Forest Service or BLM land!). Downsides, of course, include the lack of amenities, the sometimes uninspiring scenery, and the feeling of uneasiness (can I really just camp here? For free?)

Capitol Reef’s BLM camping is plentiful, but this site was definitely the best. We were able to drive up on a high ridge of the pull-out area that the RVs could not easily access, so we felt alone and watched the gorgeous sunsets from our campsite each night.

During our five days in the park, we had some favorite activities: backpacking in Upper Muley Creek, hiking to Cassidy Arch, picking and eating fruit right off the trees in the historic orchards, hiking the tough Navajo Knobs trail, and, most of all, the Sulphur Creek trail through a narrow beautiful creek with three waterfalls to climb down.

You can read much more about our four days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Capitol Reef)

Maybe we’re scardy cats. But there was no one else around us, and after the sun went down a spooky vibe took me and my 2 friends over. We ended up sleeping in the car and leaving first thing in the morning. Is 9 miles down a road, away from civilization. Definitely back country camping, and not for the faint of heart. Camp at your own risk. crazy beautiful views tho!!

When the Fruita campground is full an alternative is to camp for free on BLM land. We chose a spot 9 miles East of the historic district. As you approach the park heading West on UT24 turn left onto Notom Bullfrog Road. The first pullout in the left has several areas to park, some with rock fire rings. We chose the highest hilltop and pointed our window SW for the expansive view of the water pocket fold. For restrooms we used the NPS orientation point vault toilets located on the corner of UT24 and Notom Bullfrog Road, just a few seconds drive.

Bumpy dirt road going in. Large area with plenty of private dispersed camping spots.

Wide open area south of Freeway exit 99, Miller Canyon Road. Going to the south the pavement ends and you are in a grey moonscape BLM land. Bentonite clay likely so do not be here if wet or rain in forecast. This primitive road goes for miles to the south into the north end of Capitol Reef Nat park, overlander types only!. Amazing that on the ridge to north is a nice cell tower, so couple bars LTE on ATT and TMobile, but not Verizon. Great spot if dry for a overnite stop.

We spent a week along Beas Lewis Flat Road just outside of Torrey, to explore Capitol Reef National Park. This is free BLM dispersed camping with a 14-day stay limit, no sites or services provided. The first camping areas off of UT-24 get crazy busy, to the point that it looked more like a crowded RV park than a peaceful boondocking area; however, make a right just past the cattle grate and you can go several miles back in, in search of solitude. Just after making that right there's a small dry wash to cross that requires some clearance and decent approach/departure angles, but other than that the condition of the road is superb. Views stretch to the red rock cliffs north of UT-24 from Torrey to the National Park, including Capitol Reef itself and the Henry Mountains beyond. Cell service was solid on both Verizon and AT&T, and we had no issues working on VPN from our location or streaming HD video. There's a small general store in Torrey with a few staples and even a laundry available, but the nearest small-town supermarket is in Loa, 18 miles west of Torrey. We found the prices there to be reasonable given the location. You may get water and dump at the Fruita Campground inside the National Park for $5.
Watch our full-length video on both the camping and the National Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=296k\_D3AZIE

There are three (3) signed areas designated as Goblin Valley St Park dispersed camping area. This is the first one you see on left heading to little Wildhorse TH. Roads seem very rough, some deep sand and could be muddy if wet?, but RVs and TTs seem to get out there. No services, no cell signal. This area used to be BLM but seems Goblin Valley St Park has gobbled it up. See pic of map I got at visitors center (red sections added). Goblin Valley St Park charges $20 per vehicle just to do a day pass. $45-$65 for camping,!! use the free dispersed or the BLM CGs close by.

Wow! I love dispersed camping...especially in Utah. The red cliffs and astounding. It is pretty easy finding a nice place to make home right outside of the park. Most of the roads aren't paved when you leave the highway to find a spot, but I drive a Corolla and it wasn't a problem. Camping out here was an amazing experience. The stars at night are incredible!! I've never seen so many--there's hardly any light pollution. There were a few other people camping nearby but overall it was relatively isolated and quiet which was nice. The park was only a few minutes away and fun to explore during the day. I would highly recommend camping this way here! It's amazing.

So this is the dispersed camping area in a beautiful location. It is only about a quarter of a mile off Utah 24 on hole in the rock road. There's no water there no pit toilets there are no fire rings there are no picnic tables. But it's free. And there's a cell phone signal.

Cool dispersed camping right off the road. It's beautiful the only thing is you can here cars on the highway from your campsite and there's only like 4 campsites. Not busy at all though I was the only one there. easy to get to with 4 wheel drive car

Just to let folks know, this is not a BLM site. BLM sites have a pay station right when you pull into the campground. This one does not, and I believe it is Utah state land that is managed by SITLA . (Google that if you want.). Anyway it was Wednesday October 21, and we pulled in here about 2 PM. I would say the campground was about half full and we did manage to find a spot that was pretty level. There were several spots that had small trees near them and those were all taken for obvious reasons.

We were traveling on Highway 24 South going west, and about 5 miles past the northernmost entrance to the park, is the dirt road that leads to the campground. Past the first dirt road there’s another dirt road with other campers, but we did not go down there.

The best part of this free camping ground is that the Internet is working great! We are not on Wi-Fi, but we have unlimited data and are very happy with our reception.

It is a little close to Highway 24, but as I write this at 11 PM, I don’t hear a thing on the road.

I highly recommend this free campground!

It costs $35 to camp in the State Park or $20 entrance fee, but there are so many dispersed spots in the BLM area right outside the state park boundaries. 

Before you turn onto the road to take you to the state park there are several wide open flat areas to stay in. This area is pretty busy with boondockers but we found a secluded spot 1/2 mile from the Wild Horse trail head at 38.5815894,-110.7954139. There are several spots that are reachable by RV, but further back you’ll need high clearance and possible 4x4. 

The dirt roads off the main road close to the state park are very rutted and washed out. The roads were doable in our 26’ class C but not really worth it when there are so many other easier options. 

There is no water here and no trash service so pack in and pack out including your digested food.:) 

There are pit toilets at the Wild Horse Trailhead, and there appeared to be some overnight campers at the trailhead as well. 

No cell service from any carrier, and our cell booster did not help.

Decent dispersed camping with room for any sized camping rig.  Okay area for star gazing except toward Escalante to the northwest.

Dispersed camped here because goblin valley sp was full. Very quiet other than someone running their generator. Kinda far from route 24.

Awesome dispersed camping with stellar cell service, close enough to Escalante that you can drive in quickly for groceries or water. Just mind the cows!

Great dispersed camping right outside the west side of the park in a beautiful area next to a small canyon. Plenty of room, accessible with low clearance car. There are porta potties on site that we’re cleaned the morning we got there! I also had service which was nice.

We were hoping to camp in the Fruita Campground but was full, so the park rangers recommended dispersed camping, Just outside of the park gates, about 10 minutes from the visitor center. Plenty of campground spaces with fire rings. No amenities. Awesome dark sky views and wonderful hiking at capitol reef.

The location of this pin is on tiny corner of a section of Fishlake NF land, there is NO dispersed camping on the National Park in this area.. This site is likely In wrong location and is actually the area at top of rise on the hwy where the cell signal comes in from Torrey.

No water available, Restroom is Vault toilet

Directions:

The Black Flat CUA Dispersed camping area is approximately 27.4 miles northeast of Loa. Head north on N Main St toward W 100 N St 0.6 miles. Turn right onto UT-72 N/E 500 N and stay on UT-72 N 9.6 miles. Turn right (east) onto FR015 for 5.6 miles. Turn left (west) on FR43F for 0.5 miles.

Take your fly rod, always remember to pinch your barbs. This includes meat-casters unless you are fishing to eat. 

Not crowded at all.

We came here because the campground inside the park was full, and were so glad we did. It’s a smallish area with many many sites designated by a rock fire pit. Normally we avoid dispersed camping areas with so many other campers in sight, but for being so close to the park with such incredible views, and so many nearby hikes, it’s completely worth it. Besides, we are further away from neighbors than we would have been at the campground, and for free.

 Amazingly there was no generator usage, and it was nice and quiet other than the road noise, which wasn’t too bad. Easy access, right off the road, and there were many spots accessible to larger RVs. Just watch for the ruts and bumps and rocks, and good luck finding a level spot. 

Zero amenities, no trash service or toilets, so please handle your waste and help keep this area clean so we can continue to enjoy it. 

Dump station available at the campground in the park for a $5 fee. There’s also trash dumpsters and plastic and aluminum (no glass) recycling there. 

Most amazing of all, there was great cell reception here, even for T-Mobile.

Super convenient with easy access off Route 12. Lots of level, open spaces short distance from entrance. Great basic dispersed camping in a 34 ft Class A motorhome with towed vehicle. Had decent cell service with AT&T. There are, of course no amenities or even pit toilets, although there are two dumpsters for trash and the town of Escalante is nearby with groceries and other necessities. Would absolutely stay here again. Also- if you have a smaller vehicle that you can take down the main dirt road (washboarded, but otherwise not bad) you can get to several good hikes. We really enjoyed the Zebra slot canyon (gets VERY narrow) and also the tunnel. Amazing lighting near midday as the sun is directly overhead. Both are moderately strenuous hikes. Bring plenty of water.