Best Dispersed Camping near Canyonlands National Park in Utah

Looking for the best Canyonlands National Park dispersed camping? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Canyonlands National Park, UT (101)

Showing results 1-10 of 101 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Canyonlands National Park

370 Reviews of 101 Canyonlands National Park Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt ADMIN User
    Camper-submitted photo from South Klondike Bluffs / Road 142 Dispersed
    Oct. 28, 2024

    South Klondike Bluffs / Road 142 Dispersed

    Convenient, free camping spot near Moab and Arches

    Quite a few campsite options with lots of wide open space, although this means you can see other sites and have little privacy or coverage from the sun. On a clear night you can see a breathtaking amount of stars. Close to the highway so there's some noise throughout the day, but it does quiet down overnight. Road is a little rocky and bumpy but nothing too crazy, most vehicles should be fine.

  • Kim S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed
    Oct. 27, 2024

    BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed

    Gorgeous views but....

    Stayed one night in early Oct 24 before making my way into Canyonlands NP on a Sunday night. Absolutely stunning campground. Probably one of the most gorgeous sites I've stayed at. It wasn't too hard to get into or anything on the road and seemed to have tons of sites. 

    The big BUT is that there was a lot of toiletry waste around the area tho and when it became nighttime tons of people started coming in and that place echos. Please leave no trace, it's such a gorgeous place.

  • EThe Dyrt ADMIN User
    Camper-submitted photo from Abajo Flat Camp
    Oct. 25, 2024

    Abajo Flat Camp

    Pretty location, quite a bit of noise

    We stayed here during hunting season, noticeable amount of noise in the very early hours of the morning due to this. On a clear night you can see an amazing amount of stars!

  • Andria R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellow Circle Crossing
    Oct. 22, 2024

    Yellow Circle Crossing

    Crowded, shady & grimy

    Flat space, but crowded (already a bunch of RVs, vans and even a semi). Unfortunately, when we found a spot the fire pit was filled with glass beer bottles and trash and the whole area smelled gross. Also, pretty shady and not ideal for solar. We didn’t stay

  • Andria R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Behind the Rocks Road Dispersed
    Oct. 22, 2024

    Behind the Rocks Road Dispersed

    Beautiful, but booked

    Rough road, 2WD is fine. Flatter spaces, good for RVs, are farther back. Only stayed one night because organizers of some Mad Moose race kicked us out to prep (we drove in the dark and missed any signs). Seems like a popular event space, so probably a good idea to check for happenings in advance (and plan ample time for prep!)

  • Cassie R.
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed
    Oct. 13, 2024

    BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed

    Great Scenery, Lots of off roading traffic

    First time camping here! Rolled up during the day and it was quiet with breath taking views of the canyon. Set up camp and once night fall came so did all the off roaders (who seemed young) rolling up to our campsite trying to find a place to camp. This went on until almost 12am. This must be a really popular and well visited disperse camping. Great place to camp if you don’t mind people camping on top of you.

  • Elise S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites
    Oct. 12, 2024

    Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites

    Love this spot!

    We took our small tow behind camper here and it worked out perfectly. Centrally located between arches, Canyonlands, and downtown Moab. It was so fun and private

  • Tami H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Athena Slabs at Green River
    Oct. 12, 2024

    Athena Slabs at Green River

    Got slabbed in the face

    We got there after dark and we couldn’t find any slabs. They had all been torn up. It’s a dirt field with slab piles and rebar in the dirt. Be careful driving in the field. We still found a nice flat spot to camp.

  • G
    Camper-submitted photo from Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites
    Oct. 10, 2024

    Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites

    PERFECT SPOT!

    This campsite was AWESOME! the road getting in was a little rough, but with AWD you should be good. Beautiful views, spread out spots, and easy access to arches. this campsite was a major win!

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South Klondike Bluffs / Road 142 Dispersed
    Oct. 9, 2024

    South Klondike Bluffs / Road 142 Dispersed

    Good overnight stay

    As is most of this area, full sun exposure, but also means great sunset/sunrise! Good safe spot right off the highway. Made it in my front wheel drive 21’ van. Just go slow. Lots of rocks sticking up and little rivets in the road. I was able to get around them. Other campers spread apart far enough for me

  • Marne F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Klondike Bluffs Trail Camp
    Oct. 9, 2024

    Klondike Bluffs Trail Camp

    Moab trip to MTB

    7 yrs ago this area was dispersed BLM camping, but is now $20/day. We were surprised to see all the improvements made to the area, including campsites big enough for our 6x10 trailer and Nissan truck. Nice picnic table and fire pit. Several pit toilets that were clean and well stocked. The ground was too hard and rocky to drive in tent stakes though. Weather was warm during the day, comfortable at night. Road to campground is a little wasboard, but not to terrible for us and don't see needing too much extra clearance.

  • Bryan P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gemini Bridges Campground
    Sep. 30, 2024

    Gemini Bridges Campground

    This location should be called Bride's Canyon dispersed camping

    These campsites are located in what is called Bride's Canyon, off of the Gemini Bridges Road. Also note that it is currently listed on Google Maps as Poison Spider Trail. Not sure why. 

    The Pros: 

    This location is stunningly beautiful. The campsites are spacious (so you could fit several vehicles in each. And the campsites are relatively secluded so you aren't right on top of  your neighbors. You have copious amounts of shade in the canyon from the red rock canyon walls on each side (depending on time of day) while still having clear night sky viewing. 

    The Cons: 

    This is NOT an easy place to access. 

    Option 1: drive in 9.3mi of dirt road, the last 5.3 of which is pretty rough

    Option 2: you drive in 4.3mi of pretty rough road from the hiqhway along a dugway on the side of a cliff. 

    Note: we made it in via option 2 and out via option 1 with our lower-clearance pickup truck. I'm an experienced off-road driver. However, we pulled in our off-road overland squaredrop trailer. While the road is such that even a pickup with lousy clearance can do it if you take your time, I DO NOT advise trying to pull a trailer, even one with good clearance into this area. There are lots of tight corners, dips that bottom out your trailer hitch, and uneven areas that could cause your trailer to roll. We blew out a tire going around a particularly rocky curve about 1 mile in from the highway and spent the night stranded on the side of the road dug into the cliff. We also had the trailer slip sideways in a sandy curve where we ended up wedged against a post. Fortunately a guy with a decked out jeep and a winch came along and help extricate us. 

    Bottom line, I would DEFINITELY camp here again, but I would DEFINITELY NOT take my trailer in.

  • Maddy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellow Circle Crossing
    Sep. 30, 2024

    Yellow Circle Crossing

    Cute and Cozy

    The area for camping is surrounded by hills & mountains so its actually pretty quiet even though its not terribly far off the road. You also cant see the road because of the hills. There were a few other people there but not too busy, close to Moab which was great as it allowed us to get to arches in the morning before the 7AM cutoff for timed entry.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Flat Dispersed Camping Area
    Sep. 24, 2024

    Pine Flat Dispersed Camping Area

    Pine Ridge Flat free dispersed

    Nice large area, lots of spur roads going to many dispersed camps. Roads have clay so some low spots can be mud holes after rains. Area is at 8850 elv, seems popular for hunting in the fall so be aware from Sept on. Vegetation is mostly oak brush and scattered pine trees and aspen. Cell signal on T-Mobile was almost useless for downloads. This area has a paved road all the way from Monticello, about 8 miles back to town. No toilets, no dumpsters and no water. Two developed FS CGs are close by but seems to have an aggressive approach to dispersed campers using the dumpsters.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed
    Sep. 23, 2024

    BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed

    Awesome spot!

    Just here for a night but one of my favorite spots yet! Seemed a little crowded (might have been a big group) but it wasn’t an issue. The road is a little rough (but fun). Had no issues in an Outback Wilderness.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Another Behind the Rocks rd Dispersed Spot
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Another Behind the Rocks rd Dispersed Spot

    Great views, busier road

    Our second night on this road we stayed at this exact site. The way in was much easier than the previous site. The neighbors are louder, playing music and sounds travels, but no biggie. The stars and sunset were amazing.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Behind the Rocks Road Dispersed
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Behind the Rocks Road Dispersed

    Off the beaten path, panorama views

    There are a few different camps to choose from with a long driveway to make it more private. We got here early about 3 o’clock on a Saturday however, most of the sites were already taken so the site that we ended up staying at the driveway was a little washed out and parts of the actual camping area were washed out. The views were 360 panorama views mountain ranges desert and red rocks. Overall, I would stay here again, but preferably at a different site.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites

    Off the highway, but secluded

    Slightly rough road to get into the campsite plenty of places to choose from. Got there at like 6 o’clock on a Friday night with a camper van and had no trouble. It was the perfect stop for the night able to have a fire and had enough privacy. The stars were phenomenal. Verizon had full bar coverage and you’re close to Arches and Canyonlands.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed
    Sep. 20, 2024

    BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed

    Really sweet

    You should have high clearance 4x4 though I saw a Subaru (don't recommend). The road in is rutted in spots, sandy in spots and rocky in spots. If you can get past all that, you are in for a treat. Most spots have incredible views.

  • Alissa D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Bartlett Flat Camping Area
    Sep. 20, 2024

    BLM Bartlett Flat Camping Area

    Private and Convenient

    We stayed two non consecutive nights during our trip. The first we stayed on a Thursday and we were able to drive in a bit more and get a private site close to the rock. We set our chairs up on the rock to watch sunset, it was super windy. Others were there but it was quiet and some space. The second night was Saturday night, we knew we were going to be back late so we stayed here in the open area. There were three others in the open area but we were all spread out so felt private enough for our late arrival and early morning departure.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites
    Sep. 13, 2024

    Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites

    Excellent

    I chose this site for proximity to the parks, as well as the lovely geological backdrop. I'm sure this holds similarly true for all the nearby public land, but it did not disappoint as far as sunset/sunrise/stargazing/scenic views and a sense of isolation.

    The GPS coordinates in our apple map app brought us into the main entrance which crossed the RR tracks, and shortly thereafter there was an established camping lot where you can reserve spots for a small fee. I appreciated the lot for a couple of reasons - there was a bathroom and trash dumpster, plus, a spot where we were allowed to park our trailer while we went into the park for a few hours.

    Anything past that lot is pretty rough terrain. Take it slow. We got our trailer back there for our overnight stay, but let me advise you if you have a big rig - take one of the first available spots and go OUT the same way you came IN. After we set up camp, we were headed to Arches and our map directed us to continue north on the same road we came in. Thankfully we'd already unhitched our trailer, because the road became extremely treacherous before eventually meeting back up with the highway. There's a generously sized parking area at that access point, which seems to be where day use/ATV users like to access the land.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Canyonlands National Park?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Canyonlands National Park is Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab - Sovereign Lands with a 4.4-star rating from 51 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Canyonlands National Park?

    TheDyrt.com has all 101 dispersed camping locations near Canyonlands National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.