Sarah W.
Ranger
RangerNewspaper Rock Campground
This is not a campground but just a parking lot for the historic landmark. There are pit toilets here though and great hiking access.
Camping near Blanding, UT
5 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Blanding sits in the southeastern corner of Utah at around 6,000 feet, with access to BLM canyon land and the Manti-La Sal National Forest both within driving range. Camping runs from free BLM sites on dirt roads to developed Forest Service campgrounds with vault toilets and designated sites. Blanding's dispersed camping options cover the BLM corridors heading west and south, where no reservation and no fee apply but self-sufficiency is required.
Monticello is about 20 miles north and has a slightly higher elevation set of forest campgrounds. Bluff sits about 25 miles south along Highway 191 and puts you closer to San Juan River canyon country. The roads into BLM dispersed areas west of Blanding range from well-graded gravel to rough 4WD tracks depending on how far out you go. High clearance is a practical advantage for most of the better spots. Water is not available on-site at any dispersed location, so pack in your full supply. The 14-day stay limit applies.
Monticello-area dispersed sites are an easy fallback if you want more elevation and cooler nights. Spring is the best season here, with lower heat and drier roads. Summer brings more consistent weather but temperatures climb fast at lower elevations in the canyon areas.
Best Campgrounds near Blanding (127)
1. Devils Canyon Campground
"I wanted to explore southeastern Utah. Great campsite but a little far from Moab—about 60 miles."
"If you're looking for tons of ATV trails this is a great spot. Nice friendly camp host.
Lots of spots open mid-Sept. Only giving it 4 out of 5 because there is ZERO water for your rig."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 / night
2. Blue Mountain RV Park
"Nicely landscaped around edges and very clean."
"We looked around for other potential options and found that Blanding had decent Verizon, so we went back up(about an hour away from Mexican Hat)."
3. Recapture Reservoir
"Everything is in the title 😉 GPS point is not correct, we were looking for a small road but in fact it s at the end of the main road,on the right, just behind the park place."
"No signal but there is some at the bottom of the entrance. WARNING: if you don't have an off-road capable vehicle don't listen to the GPS, it took us down a super sketchy back road."
4. Comb Wash Dispersed Camping Area
"this spot was awesome. somewhat far away from amenities-Blanding is about 25 minutes away be prepared with water and let people know where you are-it can feel pretty isolating just because it’s dry and"
"So it was a great experience to get away from everything. I'm also pretty sure a Coyote was in my immediate vicinity in the evening."
5. Manti-LaSal National Forest Nizhoni Campground
"This beautiful, shady campground is at the end of a 9-mile County Road going north out of Blanding, Utah, but is well worth the trip."
"We were right next to the vault toilet which the hosts keep extraordinarily clean. By the group sites there was another bathroom."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $50 / night
6. Recapture Reservoir Dispersed PullOff - Blanding Utah
"Several spots on N Radio Hill Rd E off the 191 a few miles north of Blanding Utah. Paved road. Very quiet. Perfect for an overnight stay on your way to Moab. Some spots are very spacious."
7. Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping
"Best place to camp near blanding/Mexican hat. Will say the road was relatively rough and is not suitable for large rvs and maybe some RWD/low clearance vehicles."
"Bathrooms are located next to one campsite but are easily in walking distance of all campsites. Good amount of space in between neighbors so one can choose whether to be private or socialize."
8. Cottonwood/Elk Mountain Road Dispersed Campsite
"So we headed up the road toward blanding until we saw a camping sign and drove a short ways up the road and found a turn out.
This is basically a convergence of several old roads."9. Views from Black Mesa Dispersed Site
10. Blanding Dump Station
"Right off the highway as soon as you pull into the rv lot. There is a sign with instructions and fees. You have to pay next door at the 7/11."
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 8 min from Farmington, NM
- 2 hrs 49 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 42 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 4 hrs 14 min from Provo, UT
Recent Camping Photos near Blanding, UT
138 Photos of 127 Blanding Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Devils Canyon CampgroundA
Devil's Canyon Dispersed Site
Manti-LaSal National Forest Nizhoni CampgroundI
Comb Wash Dispersed Camping Area
Cr 0083
Old West RV Park - UtahL
Mountain View RV ParkK
Butler Wash Dispersed - Bears Ears
Burch Canyon Road near Natural Bridges National MonumentJ
Campground at Sand Island
Indian Creek Recreation Area
Natural Bridges CampgroundC
Recent Reviews near Blanding, UT
664 Reviews of 127 Blanding Campgrounds
- EElizabeth W.
GuideBurch Canyon Road Camp
Nice packed road into the area. Lots of fairly level sites. Elk and deer roam nearby. No facilities but a beautiful view of Bears Ears.
- EElizabeth W.Guide
Cannonball Mesa
We drove further down the BLM road past the gate. I would recommend staying at the first spot to the right after the BLM sign. The view was better and the site was flatter than what we found.
- BBrandt L.Guide
Lock Hart Road
Beautiful location! We loved this site. Sadly had to move after one night due to flash flood warnings as a result of severe storms moving through from the Pacific. Lovely spot!
- PPenny M.
Scoutour Moab hideaway
Great hideaway surrounded by red rocks and coyotes!
Mandy B.ScoutCadillac Ranch RV Park Utah LLC
great park, wonderful staff, perfect location
From the moment we reserved our site with Suzy to our arrival, we were treated like we were truly valued as customers. Suzy was so friendly and helpful. They even gave us a binder with information on local attractions, dining, hikes, and the history of the area. The park is perfectly situated along a 10 mile trail that takes you to the San Juan river, through beautiful river bottom lands. We even extended our stay because it was such a great location. Perfect spot to take day trips to local areas like Hovenweep, Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park, and many other area attractions. Bluff is a hidden gem of a town, steeped in history and very friendly locals. Will definitely stay here again.
- GGabrielle J.
TravelerRecapture Reservoir Dispersed PullOff - Blanding Utah
No problems, pulled in late last night and got a cool view of the moon. Good place for just a night
- MMichael R.Scout
Goosenecks State Park Campground
Parking right next to cliff. Came in at night. Just pulled up and parked. Epic view. 25 mins from monument valley.
- MMike P.Traveler
The Needles Campground — Canyonlands National Park
10/10 views
Peaceful with incredible views
Guide to Blanding
Blanding, Utah provides camping access across a mix of dispersed public lands and established RV parks within the red rock landscape of southeastern Utah. The area includes several camping options, from Blue Mountain RV Park with full hookups near town to primitive dispersed camping at Recapture Reservoir about 7 miles north. Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping, located approximately 40 miles south near Mexican Hat, offers remote desert camping amid dramatic rock formations. Comb Wash Dispersed Camping Area provides primitive sites west of Blanding with minimal facilities but scenic canyon views.
Camping availability follows seasonal patterns, with most developed campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Devils Canyon Campground typically opens from early April to late September, while Nizhoni Campground in the Manti-LaSal National Forest operates from mid-May through September. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, while winter brings potential snow at higher elevations around Blue Mountain. Fire restrictions often apply during the dry summer months, particularly in dispersed camping areas. Cell service varies significantly, with stronger signals near town and minimal coverage at more remote locations. Several visitors mentioned the trade-offs between convenience and solitude: "Perfect for an overnight stay close to Blanding Utah. Paved road. Very quiet. Access to the reservoir with boat landing."
Waterfront camping at Recapture Reservoir receives consistently positive reviews for its scenic setting and relative tranquility, though seasonal conditions affect the experience. The reservoir area provides several primitive sites with views of both water and surrounding mountains. Campers report varying experiences depending on water levels and time of year. "Beautiful view on the mountain. Quiet despite the proximity with the road above," noted one camper, while another mentioned, "We stopped here in the off-season. Very, very quiet with great views of lake and mountains." Blue Mountain RV Park, while more developed, earns praise for its maintained facilities and proximity to regional attractions. Visitors particularly value the central location for exploring nearby archeological sites, Natural Bridges National Monument, and other regional landmarks within day-trip distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dispersed camping allowed around Blanding, Utah?
Is dispersed camping allowed around Blanding, Utah?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in several areas around Blanding. Comb Wash Dispersed Camping Area offers spacious sites about 25 minutes from town with flat terrain and some large trees for shade. It's suitable for tents and RVs with established fire rings, though you should bring all necessary water. Another option is Recapture Reservoir Dispersed PullOff, located a few miles north of Blanding off Highway 191 on N Radio Hill Rd E. This area offers several spacious spots on a paved road with access to the reservoir and boat landing. Both locations are free but have no facilities, so practice Leave No Trace principles and be prepared with supplies.
What amenities are available at Blanding, Utah campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Blanding, Utah campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Blanding offer varying levels of amenities. Blue Mountain RV Park provides full hookups in a well-kept, nicely landscaped setting. This RV park is very clean and offers good cell service, making it ideal for digital nomads or those needing connectivity. Similarly, Devils Canyon Campground provides a peaceful, forested environment about 60 miles from Moab with standard amenities. For those seeking more developed facilities, some campgrounds offer restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, while dispersed camping areas typically have no amenities. Be prepared to bring your own water, waste disposal solutions, and other necessities when opting for dispersed sites around Blanding.
Where are the best campgrounds near Blanding, Utah?
Where are the best campgrounds near Blanding, Utah?
The Blanding area offers excellent camping options for different preferences. Manti-LaSal National Forest Nizhoni Campground is a beautiful, shady site at the end of a 9-mile county road north of Blanding. Though located high in the Abajo Mountains, it features level sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. For those seeking stunning landscapes, Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping offers gorgeous views in every direction with quiet, peaceful surroundings. The moon illuminating the rock formations at night creates an almost otherworldly experience, though note the road is relatively rough and not suitable for large RVs or vehicles with low clearance.
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