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.
The Moab Exchange lands were acquired by the State of Utah in 1965 in an exchange for sovereign lands within the newly-designated Canyonlands National Park. The Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is responsible for the management of 829-acre Prairie Dog Haven Unit and the 4,350 Dalton Wells Unit in Grand County, Utah.
In 2015, the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands completed the Moab Exchange Lands Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). The CMP was designed to facilitate the management of the exchange lands under multiple-use, sustained yield principles and accommodating public and private uses to the extent that the uses do not substantially impair the public trust resources.
Primitive camping is available in certain areas outside of Moab (see map) https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Moab%20BLM%20Visitior%20Guide_pub_2019_all%20vertical%20pages.pdf
11 Miles south of Moab, free dispersed sites along Yellow Circle Road. BLM signage designates the area within which you can camp. Many RVs and tent sites. Good for 2wd.
Legend
The Mineral Point Road is a sandy graded road that goes way out to the west past Horsethief BLM developed CG. The BLM seems to have closed a couple of side spurs past Horsethief CG, and at about 1.2 miles from Hwy 313 the first side spur seems open to free dispersed camping. This side spur is about .6 mile past the Horsethief Group camp sites pod. Side spurs are sandy native surface, ungraded and can be rocky in sections. Most sites are suited to the overlander crowd but there are TT and RV sites out there also if you recon. Cell signal comes from the interstate north, so if you are higher up you may get cell signal. No water, toilets, or designated sites. Try to use previous camps if possible.
Legend
This is the second of several free dispersed camping pod areas along Dubinky Well Road. This area is a large open flat area and good for large TTs and RVs. Access road spur looks scary as is a narrow sandy road but seems ok as many large campers had accessed the open area. No water, trash, toilets or cell signal.
Traveler
No clear signage indicating that this is BLM land or that dispersed camping is allowed. In fact, there are lots of private property signs, tho (I think?) Those only pertain to what's on either side of the road. Parked overnight in a pullout with no problems, probably the only one around for miles. Overall, a little uneasy that I was going to get busted but worked out great!
Legend
This free dispersed camping area is on Spring Canyon Road and overlooks the rim of the impressive Hell Roaring Canyon (HRC). The Kachina Rocks are also a scenic attraction. The access roads are narrow sandy two tracks. Some sites can be accessed by TTs and RVs but most are best for the tent/van/ truck campers. No amenities and no cell signal either. But the views into HRC make up for it. Note that Special Rules apply, camp only in designated previously used areas and have a poop mgmt....that means a bucket for you tenters and others without a toilet system in your camper.
Guide
Indian Creek is awesome. It’s BLM dispersed camping about 2-3 miles from the Canyonlands Needles entrance. Dirt road in leads past Hamburger Rock Campground. Keep going and you’ll start seeing sites on the sides of the road. There are several pull thru and sites big enough for RVs. Lots of walk in and drive in tent camping sites.
You must camp where there is an established site evidenced by a fire ring.
This is no water, no toilet, primitive camping. You must pack out your own waste they do not allow it to be buried.
If you do not have four wheel drive be careful of the site you choose. The red sand is no joke and you will get stuck. It gets pretty busy from Thursday on but earlier in the week and day you have a lot to choose from.
An awesome primitive or boon-docking experience.
Legend
Got into Moab later than expected on a Friday night around spring break time, so there were no campsites available at the BLM sites along the Colorado river. After looking around for an hour, we looped back up around the 128 to I-70 and got off at Thompson springs and got on BLM 144 which was a dirt road heading southwest. We settled camp around 9pm. In the morning we were able to pack camp and drive to highway 191 and go south into Moab and get a campsite first thing in the morning.
This is dispersed camping/boondocking, so no services or facilities whatsoever.
Despite the setbacks, the sunrise in the morning was beautiful
Ranger
This is a cool wilderness area. It is state land in between BLM land. This is an area between the Temple Mt. Campground East and the Temple Mt Campground a few miles NW. We reconned up and down Temple Mt rd. and the campgrounds. The dispersed camping seemed to be the best option for us. The two CG's in the area do have pit toilets but that seems to be the only plus. The East CG is super open and seemed like a staging area. The other CG had some ruins but was also open with no cover. We found a little space on the northeast side of the road back in a canyon that was nice. Only bad thing were the gnats. Last part of May and early part of June apparently is a bad time for gnats in the Utah desert.
There are quite a few spots on either side of the road that are kind of established with fire rings made from rock that people have put together. You can scramble over the rocks and hike through the washes. Some attractions near by are the pictograph panel, Temple Mt. ,Wild Horse Window, and Goblin Valley SP. There are also antelope in the area. This is a good place to stage out of if you can't get a spot in the Goblin Valley CG. Remember there is no trash bins so pack it in and pack it out. Bury your poop.
Scout
BLM land. Close to highway. No amenities. Dirt road.
Guide
I drove through Arches National Park on Salt Valley Road, until it exited the park onto BLM Land. Took an immediate right and followed the fence of the park. The campsite is hidden behind a hill and is flat, with an existing stone fire pit. Plenty of dry firewood laying around and coyotes and antelope all around!
Scout
We were plagued by noisy ATV and motor bike traffic. Also human waste.
People don't seem to understand requirement to possess and use a portable toilet when camping on BLM land in this area.
Scout
A sedan was stuck in sand when we pulled up to the entrance to where you can camp. A van and an SUV also got stuck. All had to be winched out. You can't stay overnight in the area before the entrance to BLM land.
Guide
We found the dispersed camping spot by fluke after reading reviews of the hamburger rock BLM camp just down the road. Wow. What a gem.
Plenty of pullouts / drive in spots of big RVs and a heap of camping spots. We shared the space with 20 climbers who were climbing the mesas during the day. We have a 28ft RV and easily found a camp spot at 3pm on a Saturday. Road is gravel but very manageable/smooth -ish for a large RV.
Pullouts start from 200m off thr main road and continue as you head north past the formal hamburger rock campground. Stunning views of the stars and sunrise photo ops!
Can’t recommend enough.
Legend
There were other people here, but not a lot and everybody was spread out. Hard to find a decently flat spot to set up. Hammock camping is doable but difficult as there are very few trees/bushes. Overall nice place to camp if you are trying to budget and want to be close to Arches NP. BLM lands so no fee for camping.
Saw tents, hammocks, and some campers/RVs using the spot. Even saw some hot air balloons in the morning!
Traveler
About a 45 min drive from downtown Moab. Probably want 4WD. Bumpy road and a few tight turns but not too bad. Free camping spots up at the campground were great. We got there at 5 pm and found plenty of good places. Bathrooms available (not bad). Beautiful spot to watch the sun rise over the rim!!!
RangerAnywhere on potash road is the perfect free camping. Very close to amazing climbing. Hot during the summer like everywhere in southern Utah. No signs that day free camping but, it is fact free. Dispersed great for big groups or all alone. Dogs allowed. Bring lots of water. Don’t forget to look at the stars at night.
GuideThis worked as an overnight option, but was probably more work than it was worth. This area does not have typical pull out spots like BLM land, it had a limited number of large group sites where 4-5 campers were all right next to each other. We drove at least 3-4 miles back on a bumpy road for a travel trailer and had to turn around and share a space with another van. Very windy and exposed as well, but beautiful sunset/sunrise! Not mad, just not the most convenient public land option in our opinion.
Guide
One of the best dispersed camping spots I’ve experienced! The trail is about 30-45 min in and bumpy, so I’d say 4x4 is required.
Definitely recommend entering and exiting during daylight hours as part of the route is along the side of a [gorgeous] cliff. Make sure to bring plenty of water and firewood if you’re into campfires!
LegendRoad is known as the So Klondike Bluffs Road. Dispersed camping sites are all along this road first couple miles from hwy 191. Lots of big spots for big rigs or groups. Free dispersed, this is NOT BLM, it is Utah State Lands. 14d limit. Portable toilets are required. No water, no designated sites, no trash. Cell signal is very good. This area has become very popular in recent years. However the State of Utah is proposing this entire block of land as a future State Park..."Utah Raptor State Park".
Traveler
My wife and I camped with another couple bringing a race car trailer and pickup truck and car hauler with our Jeeps onboard. We found this spot here that was amazing. AFTER CLEANING UP A HUGE MESS THAT SOME A HOLE LEFT, we arranged our gear and set up camp. Best time I have ever had camping. We were even greeted with 4" of snow our last day there! Coming from Houston that was cool. There is no water or restroom so be prepared with your own water and port a poty. Maverick gas station down the road GAVE us potable water access and allowed us to throw our trash there. Our port a poty can be dumped in any toilet so...was not bad. We wheeled the local trails, camped and cooked all our meals, and never had any incident or visit by any sketchy people or authorities. I believe if you are taking care of the area "treading lightly" you will have no problems here. The stars and views are the best you can expect...especially for free camping. Please Please Please leave the site better than you found it unless you want to lose the luxury of this type of dispersed camping. We will be back as we did not do all the trails yet.
Legend
This area is accessed by 4 double track dirt roads on right as you pass the new but uncompleted sign for the expanded Goblin Valley St Park. This area used to be BLM dispersed camping but was made part of goblin a year or so ago. Goblin still allows free dispersed on these sites as of 9.2023 but that could change in future? These two track roads go to the trailhead signs for Wildhorse Window and Wildhorse Canyon hikes. Nice level sites with good views but no shade and exposed to winds. Cell signal is dependent on line of sight to Hanksville cell tower. Goblin entrance station has wifi and a water stand pipe they let dispersed campers use. No garbage dumpsters unless you pay to access goblin park at $20 vehicle.
There is also more free dispersed past the Goblin entrance station going out to Little Wildhorse slot canyon, but those areas have longer very rough access roads to get to camp sites and would likely be a problem with loose sand in spots or mud if wet. Plus no cell since on lee side of big Mesa feature.
Note the two BLM developed fee CGs on Temple wash do not have water or trash.
Zs
LegendScattered sites above and below main road after it turns to gravel. Sites uphill more tenters, sites downhill more TT and RVs. No cell signal, no designated sites, no trash. These designated sites are in between two developed BLM fee campgrounds and likely to be shut down in future as BLM tries to maintain. 1 mile buffer of no free camping around developed cgs
Legend
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.
Traveler
Without 4WD, there are less dispersed camping spots in Moab compared to the past. Many popular spots are now charging fees. This one remains free and is located just south of the city. You have to drive on this road until you see the signs allowing camping. From there, there are many pull offs. We chose one of the first ones we found as it was cold and dark when we were looking. Not much privacy, but easy to find! I read that the farther you go down the road, the more private walk in spaces you’ll be able to find. Even though it was snowy when we were there, the view was gorgeous! There was a fire pit set up at the site, and we were able to find restrooms/showers in town early morning at Dowd Flats RV Park on our way back into Moab.
Traveler
Scenic views of Valley floor, mountains and visible changes of weather from all directions. We arrived during a week long Jeep convention and even though the town was packed with people, this specific location was remote enough few people visited.
BLM has recategorized most dispersed camping locations to be 2 miles outside the highway with clearly marked signs stating Camping 14 Day Limit or NO Camping.
This is a recent change the BLM and two counties initiated due to the amount of garbage and human waste that gets discarded at camp sites along the routes. Pack your waste back to town and dispose of it in garbage bins.
127 traffic is fast so beware when walking, running or riding along it and expect to be passed. Shoulders are soft when moisture is present.
Legend
The Mineral Bottom Road leaves hwy 313 and goes west for 10 miles or so and is the exit road for the white rim multiday trips. Vehicles are parked at the hwy jct for white rim trips to finish the 100 mi loop. However the Mineral Bottom Road also has dispersed camping along the road. The road is a wide graded native surface road. Camping is on the side spurs which tend to be two track sandy or rocky roads that are better suited to overlander types. There are some RV or TT sites but a recon is advised before going down a narrow sandy road. The BLM has special rules for dispersed camping here and camping is prohibited for first .75 miles from Hwy 313. Cell signal is limited to none as the cell towers are up by the I70 freeway.
Legend
This free BLM Dispersed area is at the end of the easy access road to the Intrepid Well Road. Do not enter the two oil gas pad areas. Signs at 313 note no camping for 1/2 mile, these sites are 1.7 miles in. Only 3-4 sites on rim of overlook above Whirlwind MTB trail. Cell signal is good. Sites are best for overlander types...no big RVs or TTs is advised due to rough access roads and small camping spots. No amenities, no water, no trash, no tables. Special rules are in effect for portable toilet use.
TravelerDispersed camping just off the road. Room for 5 or more tents. 38.48069 -109.68732.
This is near potash mine/processing. The mine property has no trespassing signs. Many dispersed camp sight near this one, but I think this one has the best views.
Dispersed camping near Canyonlands National Park in Utah offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning landscapes while enjoying the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and explore the great outdoors.
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.
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