Dispersed camping around Bluff, Utah sits at approximately 4,300 feet elevation in the high desert landscape of southeastern Utah. The region experiences dramatic temperature swings between seasons, with summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F and winter nights dropping below freezing. Campers can access numerous undeveloped sites on Bureau of Land Management lands where they'll find barren, rocky terrain punctuated by juniper trees and sagebrush.
What to do
Trail riding options: For those interested in horseback riding near Bluff, Snow Flat Camp in Bears Ears provides suitable terrain for equestrian activities. One camper noted, "Wildflowers were blooming at the site. Site was well off the road. There were a handful of offroaders passing by on their way to/from Comb Wash. Otherwise, very quiet & peaceful."
Petroglyphs viewing: Sand Island Recreation Area offers excellent cultural opportunities. "Popular BLM spot next to river where there's rafting. Spots are ok and small. Interesting rock art," reports one visitor. Another mentioned, "Gorgeous rock art panel in campground. Nice 6 mile trail to town of Bluff."
Stargazing: Valley of the Gods Dispersed provides exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. A visitor shared, "Second time camping with my kids here. This time we got the remote site we were hoping for... Amazing views and no light pollution or sound at night." Another camper reported, "Dope view of the milky way at night!"
What campers like
Riverside camping: Campers appreciate the water access at Sand Island Recreation Area. One reviewer mentioned, "Easy access and right on the San Juan River. water and Vault toilets. Two camp areas A &B. B is larger as are the sites. A is for nothing longer than 22 ft and no trailers."
Desert solitude: Butler Wash Dispersed offers quiet camping options away from crowds. A visitor noted, "Way up there where it's hard to breathe! Had to do things slowly and deliberately but a beautiful setting. No way to get to Bears Ears National Monument unless I had a 4x4 and I have a Subaru outback. Found a great spot that was completely quiet and perfect for stargazing."
Wildlife viewing: CR 0083 provides excellent opportunities to observe local animals. "We watched two separate flocks of turkeys and a large head of deer with our morning coffee and breakfast," reported one camper. Another visitor mentioned, "The hill was teeming with life. When I pulled up there were two mule deer drinking from a small runoff. They stayed within 50 ft of us for over an hour. Also saw several turkeys wander through the same water."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The area experiences extreme weather patterns. At Valley of the Gods Dispersed, one camper advised, "It is hot in July, but cools off at night. Constant breeze, no bugs. Bring shade as there are no trees except for a couple of spots by dry river beds."
Road conditions: Many dispersed sites require careful driving. Butler Wash Dispersed campers noted, "The ride on Lower Butler Wash Road to reach this site was no problem for our campervan. Crossed 2 dry washes; took it slow."
Limited services: Sleeping Bear Campground has minimal amenities. "This campground is pretty primitive. There was a picnic table and fire ring at the site I stayed at. There is also an outhouse on the grounds, but that's as far as it goes for amenities. You'll need to pack out your trash and bring your own water," advised one visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Space for activities: Valley of the Gods Road offers room for children to explore safely. "Super beautiful spot. The first spots at the beginning of the road were meh, best for an RV not my taste for tent camping as they are super open with little privacy from the road," noted one camper. Another mentioned there are "ample places to camp."
Educational opportunities: For equestrian camping near Bluff with families, CR 0083 provides learning experiences about local wildlife. A visitor shared, "We have a small RV and it made it up the dirt road with no problems. There would be plenty of room for any sized RV to park and turn around. Gorgeous mountain views, and lots of wildlife. We saw probably 30 deer, multiple cows, a whole group of wild turkeys, and lots of different kinds of birds."
Best times to visit: Monument Valley KOA offers a more structured environment for families. A visitor commented, "Every night a spectacular sunset. Every morning a fabulous sunrise. This is a low light campground, so a star filled night sky not tainted with mercury vapor lights."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers at Sleeping Bear Campground recommend specific sites for the best experience. "I absolutely love this primitive campground. The views are spectacular, it is quiet and secluded. (Some road noise, but it dies down later) I would highly recommend site 7 for the views. We were in a 33ft toy hauler and had no problems with the dirt road and room to pull thru. Dirt pads but fairly level."
Elevation concerns: Horse owners camping at higher elevations should prepare for thin air. At Butler Wash Dispersed, one camper noted they had to "do things slowly and deliberately" due to the elevation, which would affect horses as well.
Hookup availability: Monument Valley KOA provides essential services for RVers with horses. "We were able to stay on the short pull through row & got a view to die for! Those with small class c, truck camper & tent sites got the front row, which is completely unobstructed. Road noise at night was not an issue. There are big rig sites too."
