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Best Dispersed Camping near Boulder, UT

533 Reviews

Dispersed camping on public land surrounds Boulder, Utah, primarily within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and nearby Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas. Free primitive camping is permitted at several established dispersed areas including Spencer Flat, Haycock Ranch Road, Slick Rock Overlook, and Burr Trail Road. These sites are typically located along dirt roads and high desert plateaus, offering access to the region's dramatic sandstone formations and nearby trails. Most sites remain undeveloped with no facilities, making them suitable for self-sufficient campers seeking solitude within the monument's boundaries.

Access roads to dispersed sites vary considerably in quality, with many requiring careful navigation. Routes like Hole in the Rock Road feature washboard surfaces and potential for becoming impassable when wet. Most dispersed areas have a 14-day camping limit and accommodate both tent and RV camping, though vehicle size restrictions apply at some locations. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching more remote sites, especially during spring runoff or monsoon season. No drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities exist at these locations, requiring visitors to pack out all waste and bring adequate supplies. Fire restrictions are common during summer months when conditions are dry.

The dispersed camping areas provide exceptional stargazing opportunities and convenient access to hiking trails throughout Grand Staircase-Escalante. Campers appreciate the isolation and scenic views, particularly at Spencer Flat and Slick Rock Overlook where the landscape showcases red rock formations. Cell service is available at many sites despite their remote nature, allowing visitors to stay connected. "Super convenient with easy access off Route 12. Lots of level, open spaces short distance from entrance," noted one visitor about Hole in the Rock Road dispersed camping. Another camper described Haycock Ranch Road as having "great spot to camp at. The sites were spread out, and there were lots of sites to choose from. Night sky was AMAZING. Perfect spot for those who don't want neighbors."

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Detours Nearby

Slick Rock Overlook Outside of Boulder

Slick Rock Overlook Outside of Boulder

7 min away

Posy Lake Campground

Posy Lake Campground

1 hr 6 min away

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Boulder, Utah (106)

    1. Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping - Grand Staircase Nat Mon

    17 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 644-4300

    "Stayed in a tent, very soft sand, plenty of small dry trees, easy to access and find. Found a beautiful spot overlooking the canyon."

    "Spencer Flat Rd well marked. You may need to drive two or three miles down the dirt road to find an open site, but keep going there are some nice sites further in."

    2. Haycock Ranch Road BLM

    18 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    15 miles

    "Had a pull behind camper. Night sky was AMAZING. Perfect spot for those who don't want neighbors. No water, toilets etc... good Verizon cell service. Would stay here again."

    "It’s hot down there and not really any shade. However, it was a good distance from everything. The town of Escalante was only a 12 minute drive. 10 minute down the dirt road is the Devil’s Garden."

    3. Slick Rock Overlook Outside of Boulder

    5 Reviews
    Boulder, UT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 335-7382

    "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."

    "There’s a big open group site and a few tucked away single sites."

    4. Burr Trail Rd Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Boulder, UT
    8 miles
    Website

    "This spot is just before you head down into Long Canyon on the Burr Trail Rd. Approx 30 to 45 min from Boulder. There are various sites scattered around."

    "40+ foot 5th wheel, 4x4 Ram After a conversation with the Info center in Cannonville, we chose to drive through Long Canyon, past the Long Canyon overlook (Overlook #2) to Wolverine Loop Road."

    5. Hole in the Rock Road Dispersed at Utah 24

    12 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    15 miles

    "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."

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

    6. Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed

    45 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 896-1500

    "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."

    "Easy drive in, wide, dirt roads. Must be at least a hundred different sites."

    7. Upper Creek Falls Trail

    3 Reviews
    Boulder, UT
    3 miles

    "The access is close to the main road. It is steep but then is very flat. The campgrounds are in a circle and looks like people like doing donuts here you can see the tracks."

    "Nice big gravel lot right off highway 12. Great for bigger rigs. Drive through the lot though, into the p and j forest and find several quiet spots in the trees. Canyon rim views if you’re lucky."

    8. Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping

    50 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 425-3791

    "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."

    "We were not planning on going to Capitol Reef on our Utah trip but we got some unexpected snow at Canyonlands so we headed out early. So glad we made the trip!"

    9. Head of the Rock dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Escalante, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 644-1215

    "We were the only ones at this dispersed site. A bit windy. It’s a great site for camper vans, outs is 21 foot. Won’t accommodate large vehicles. Good cell service."

    "Up a dirt road you end up just below the radio tower. Very private and quiet"

    10. Deer Creek Lake Trail

    2 Reviews
    Boulder, UT
    7 miles

    "There are campsites near the trailhead and many roads going deeper into the forest that we did not check out. Could easily go deeper into the forest with a high clearance 4WD."

    "Near trailhead for hiking tomorrow. Spooked a few deer as I drove up. Quiet!"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Boulder, UT

252 Photos of 106 Boulder Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Boulder, UT

533 Reviews of 106 Boulder Campgrounds

  • SwitchbackKids
    Jun. 26, 2017

    Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping

    Free and easy access to Capitol Reef National Park!

    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)

  • Susan L.
    Jun. 25, 2022

    Toms Best Spring Road - Dispersed Camping

    Great location in a piney woods!

    Dispersed camping in the beautiful Ponderosa pines of Dixie National Forest. The Forest Service road is easy to navigate. There are many dirt roads branching off of it with sites to choose from. Chose a site relatively close to the forest service road. If you're sensitive to dust may want to choose a site further off the access road as there is lots of dust kicked up every time someone drove in or out on the gravel. Convenient location to Bryce (about 15 minutes). Cell service for Verizon.

    When the rigs pulling in and out stopped, the only sounds were the braying of cows (the herd wandered into the site) and the wind blowing.

    Views! Peaceful! Free!

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2021

    Cabin Hollow FS #121 Dispersed Camping

    Primitive road access dispersed

    This dispersed camping area is to the west of the more well known Tom Best Road Dispersed area. Still on Dixie NF but access road is native dirt one lane and no gravel or graded...so if very wet or rain could be sketchy access ( hence 3 stars). Sites are along the road upland side in flat spots and alcoves for about first mile or so. There are TT spots and also good overlander sites up higher. I would recon first before pulling a TT up there to make sure you can get a turnaround. No designated sites, no trash, tables, water or toilets. 14d limit. However cell signal is good if a clear line to Wilson peak antennas. Posted map screenshot shows my recon of campsites...trailer icon are sits with trailers, tent icon is more suited to overlander type setups with high clearance vehicles or smaller rigs.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Tom's Best Spring Road Dixie National Forest

    Lots of spots off this road!

    Plenty of spots (though we were here on a weekday) and SO CLOSE to Bryce NP! The stars were beautiful at night - even got some photos with my phone. There were some cows but they mostly stayed clear of the road. Road was pretty level and easy for cars to get back (and there were spots right off the road). I already want to come back!

    There was a fire ban in July so bring your camp stove and leave no trace!

  • Marc G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2021

    Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed

    Beautiful boondocking between Torrey and Capitol Reef NP

    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

  • Will M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2021

    Hole in the Rock Road Dispersed at Utah 24

    Basic but free with cell phone signal

    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.

  • Brett T.
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Dave’s Hollow Designated Dispersed Camping

    Nice USFS Dispersed Camping Right outside Bryce Canyon NP Entrance

    When our original dispersed camping spot didn’t work out we drove down the road and found this little gem, right outside the entrance to Bruce Canyon National Park. There are a bunch of designated USFS camping spots. They’re level-ish, fire rings, and pretty easy to get to. We have a 1992 (renovated!) motorhome and we got to spot 17 no problem. We could have gone to 17-19, but then the road got to rough for our old girl. Lots of quads and sideXsides riding on the dirt road, kicking up dust till about 8:30PM but was not a big deal. Solid free camping right near the park!

  • Meg G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2020

    Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest

    Fabulous - lots of space, quiet and solitude.

    October 15, 2020

    We wanted to be close to Bryce Canyon but not in all of the hub and chaos of people. This location is about a 10 minute drive away from Bryce.  This is the perfect location to get away from it all.  When you first arrive, you will see plenty of spots for RV's and travel trailers.  We traveled 1.8 miles and took a left turn on a small dirt road and found 5 or 6 campsites that were level and far away from each other. (We were the only one down this road).  

    The site was level with a lot of space to spread out.  There was a firepit but no other facilities, so come prepared with everything you need. Due to fire restrictions, we didn't have a fire, and enjoyed seeing the Milky Way and shooting stars!  There is a pit toilet across the highway before you turn into the BLM land.  

    We thought we would only stay for one night, but ended up there 2 nights since it was so beautiful!

  • Megan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed

    Easy drive in dispersed camping

    Easy drive in, wide, dirt roads. Must be at least a hundred different sites. Some are group sites with multiple fire pits all close together and there are several other roads leading to many other spots. Not much shading due to the short trees and shrubbery. Temps when I stayed were 60⁰s during the day and low 20⁰s at night. No dumping, no connections, this is off grid camping/boondocking.

Guide to Boulder

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Boulder, Utah, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of stunning landscapes and unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts.

Scenic Views for Nature Lovers

Adventure Awaits with Nearby Activities

  • Explore the rugged terrain and hiking trails around Horse Canyon Camping, where you can embark on exciting hikes and discover hidden gems in the landscape.
  • The Lower Calf Creek Falls Recreation Area is perfect for those looking to combine camping with a refreshing hike to stunning waterfalls.
  • For a unique experience, check out Dispersed at Hell's Backbone, where you can enjoy off-road driving and access to various trails that lead to breathtaking viewpoints.

Ideal Spots for Peaceful Retreats

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need permits for dispersed camping on Boulder Mountain?

Most dispersed camping areas on Boulder Mountain within Dixie National Forest don't require permits. This region operates under a 14-day stay limit but generally doesn't require formal permits or reservations. Areas like Cabin Hollow FS #121 Dispersed Camping follow standard Forest Service regulations. For BLM lands near Boulder, such as Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed, permits aren't typically required, but the 14-day limit is enforced. While permits aren't needed, it's always wise to check with the local ranger district office before your trip, as regulations can change seasonally or during high fire danger periods. Camping in designated dispersed areas only and following Leave No Trace principles is essential regardless of permit requirements.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Boulder, Utah?

Numerous dispersed camping options exist near Boulder, Utah. Slick Rock Overlook Outside of Boulder offers free camping with impressive views. Along Burr Trail Rd Dispersed Camping, you'll find multiple pull-offs suitable for camping. Many dispersed sites are available in Dixie National Forest, particularly along forest service roads. For those exploring Capitol Reef, dispersed sites along Highway 24 provide convenient access. The area around Boulder Mountain features numerous dirt roads with established dispersed sites. When selecting a spot, remember to camp only in previously used areas, stay at least 200 feet from water sources, and be aware that road conditions vary significantly, especially after rain.

What facilities or amenities are available at Boulder Mountain dispersed camping sites?

Dispersed camping sites on Boulder Mountain offer minimal to no facilities, staying true to their primitive nature. At Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest, you'll find established fire rings but no other amenities. Similarly, Dave's Hollow Designated Dispersed Camping provides level-ish spots with fire rings but no services. Most dispersed sites lack water sources, toilets, trash collection, or picnic tables. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with better reception closer to main highways. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including plenty of water, portable toilets or waste disposal systems, and pack-out bags for trash. The trade-off for this lack of amenities is beautiful surroundings, solitude, and cost-free camping in spectacular landscapes.

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