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Best Dispersed Camping near Canyonlands National Park

471 Reviews

BLM lands surrounding Canyonlands National Park offer several primitive camping options with dramatic canyon views. Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed features multiple sites along the canyon rim with exceptional vistas, though reaching them requires high-clearance vehicles. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "The road to the campsites was a bit questionable. A 4x4 would have been nice, but be sure to have a high clearance vehicle." Other nearby options include Potash Road, Mineral Bottom Road, and Behind the Rocks Road dispersed areas.

Access to most sites requires navigating unpaved roads with variable conditions—sandy stretches, rocky sections, and occasional technical spots. Most dispersed areas have no facilities whatsoever: no toilets, drinking water, or trash service. Campers must pack out all waste and bring adequate water supplies. Sites generally accommodate both tents and smaller RVs, though big rigs should stick to designated areas like South Klondike Bluffs. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and the 14-day camping limit is standard on BLM lands throughout the region.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Canyonlands National Park (107)

    1. BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed

    41 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    13 miles
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "A car with some high clearance and 4WD is probably necessary for this."

    "The best in Utah. The layout of this area is amazing and unique. We had the place to ourselves aside from some guy who was looking for his friends and ended up car camping."

    2. BLM Mineral Bottom Road Dispersed Camping

    15 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    18 miles
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "The farther you drive the sketchier the road gets - but we made it in our camper van without too much of an issue. It’s very quiet and the stars are incredible. Nice views in every direction"

    "A long drive down a dirt road, but without 4WD we made it easily and found a spot about 1 mile away from the main road. Amazing sunset views and no neighbors."

    3. Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab - Sovereign Lands

    53 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 538-5418

    "Super convenient location for visiting nearby Arches & Canyonlands National Parks, as well as Moab. Little to no natural shade available, so it does get hot during the afternoons."

    "high clearance vehicle recommended. Low clearance vehicles can access sights closer to highway. Lots of camping spots tucked away if you continue down the road."

    4. Hamburger Rock Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Canyonlands National Park, UT
    15 miles

    "Canyonlands National Park is such a treat and the Needles District is a quieter area at least for Fall Break."

    "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."

    5. Potash Road (Dispersed)

    4 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    12 miles
    Website

    "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?)"

    "Anywhere 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."

    6. Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area

    33 Reviews
    La Sal, UT
    27 miles
    Website

    "There are no amenities (with the exception of occasional fire pits), but plenty of space for campers, large RVs, tents, etc. We were fine with a 2WD car."

    "This was our second night boondocking near Moab, and it was peaceful. We were the only ones out in this area camping with not a single car driving by while we were here."

    7. BLM Mineral Point Road Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "Great remote spot. Easy access via dirt road. Durwood around. Just past the paid camp site. Camped here twice now, will go back."

    "Great spot off a well maintained dirt road."

    8. South Klondike Bluffs / Road 142 Dispersed

    38 Reviews
    Arches National Park, UT
    30 miles

    "Good spot just off the highway close to Arches and Canyonlands. Arrived at around 6pm and could only see about 2 other vehicles further down the road - so plenty of space."

    "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."

    9. before entrance np

    3 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "Large flat Site with fireplace, suitable for big rings but you need high clearence."

    "Driving to the campsite was mildly intense for the subu outback in x mode and no off-road tires."

    10. Behind the Rocks Road Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "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"

    "All of the campgrounds on UT 128 were full during our late night drive way out that direction; easy enough to find Behind the Rocks, pulled in late, found an open spot, still some people up at early morning"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Canyonlands National Park

304 Photos of 107 Canyonlands National Park Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Canyonlands National Park

471 Reviews of 107 Canyonlands National Park Campgrounds

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2022

    East Dispersed Area — Goblin Valley State Park

    Beautiful Area

    It costs $35 to camp in the State Park or $20 entrance fee, but there are so many dispersed spots in the BLM area right outside the state park boundaries. 

    Before you turn onto the road to take you to the state park there are several wide open flat areas to stay in. This area is pretty busy with boondockers but we found a secluded spot 1/2 mile from the Wild Horse trail head at 38.5815894,-110.7954139. There are several spots that are reachable by RV, but further back you’ll need high clearance and possible 4x4. 

    The dirt roads off the main road close to the state park are very rutted and washed out. The roads were doable in our 26’ class C but not really worth it when there are so many other easier options. 

    There is no water here and no trash service so pack in and pack out including your digested food.:) 

    There are pit toilets at the Wild Horse Trailhead, and there appeared to be some overnight campers at the trailhead as well. 

    No cell service from any carrier, and our cell booster did not help.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 7, 2022

    BLM Intrepid Well Road Dispersed Camping

    Seven-Up Overlook Dispersed

    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.

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

    Sunset Pass Dispersed Camping — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

    Very Basic but beautiful

    So first of all it was difficult for me to accurately locate this campsite on the map. This campsite is actually located in Glen Canyon National recreation area but it is the southernmost campsite that is permitted from the Maze district of Canyonlands National Park. I drove into it from the south side roughly from the location of Hite Marina. The road was not too bad and fairly easy to drive. There is no water there is no cell phone service there is no trash pickup and there are no pit toilets.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    BLM Mineral Point Dispersed Camping Area

    Nice free dispersed close in.

    This BLM two track sandy road is first open road on left past Horsethief BLM fee campground. Road goes about .6 mile and ends. About 10+ nice free dispersed spots, nothing designated but areas are obvious. Rock fire ring is all you get. No tables, no water, no trash. But cell signal is not bad. This area is best for high clearance tenters or Overlander types...the farther down the road it gets more slick rock ledgey bumpy. I would not haul a TT or drive a RV down there but sure some will.

  • Summer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Indian Creek Recreation Area

    The Best Dispersed Camping

    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.

  • Ruairi K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2023

    BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed

    Insane views

    A car with some high clearance and 4WD is probably necessary for this. The road in is just dirt and not labeled, but you just turn right into one of the paths breaking off the main dirt road and head towards the canyon. There were multiple available campsites when we went with no one remotely near us. Views of the canyon are next level.

  • Pat S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2020

    Temple Mt. Rd. Dispersed

    Dispersed campimg along Temple Mt. Rd

    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.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2022

    BLM Tibbetts Arch Road Dispersed Camping

    Overlander types only

    This area is on a narrow entrenched sandy two track road and some sections are rough slick rock..so high clearance overlander type rigs are the best to access these sites. TTs and RVs are NOT recommended. Camping is allowed at 1/2 mile distance from Hwy 313 and Special Regulations include required portable toilets. Cell is iffy depending on straight line to north. No amenities, pure boondocking. Cows share the area.

  • P
    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.

Guide to Canyonlands National Park

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.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Canyonlands National Park in Utah

Scenic views while free camping near Canyonlands National Park

Adventure activities for dispersed campers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free BLM camping available near Needles district of Canyonlands?

Yes, free BLM camping is readily available near the Needles district of Canyonlands. BLM Mineral Point Dispersed Camping Area offers approximately 10+ free dispersed sites about 0.6 miles down a sandy two-track road, which is the first open road on the left past Horsethief BLM fee campground. These sites are undesignated but obvious, featuring only rock fire rings with no tables, water, or trash services. Another option is Hamburger Rock Dispersed Camping, which provides sites suitable for various camping setups. Most areas are accessible via dirt roads, and while primitive, many offer beautiful desert vistas and reasonable cell service.

Where can I find dispersed camping areas near Canyonlands National Park?

Numerous dispersed camping areas surround Canyonlands National Park on BLM land. Near the Needles district, Indian Creek Recreation Area offers multiple dispersed sites along a dirt road past Hamburger Rock Campground, with options for RVs and walk-in tent camping. For the Island in the Sky district, BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed provides secluded canyon-edge sites accessible via high-clearance vehicles. Additional options include dispersed camping along Temple Mountain Road, Mineral Point Road, and Intrepid Well Road. Most sites are primitive with no facilities, so pack out all trash and prepare for self-sufficient camping with ample water supplies.

How far is it from Arches National Park to Canyonlands dispersed camping sites?

The distance from Arches National Park to Canyonlands dispersed camping sites varies depending on which district you're visiting. For Island in the Sky district dispersed sites like BLM Intrepid Well Road Dispersed Camping, expect about a 40-45 minute drive (approximately 30 miles) from the Arches entrance. These sites are accessible via Highway 313, with spots located about 1.7 miles from the highway. For the more remote Needles district, Abajo Flat Camp and similar dispersed areas are roughly a 2-hour drive (90-100 miles) from Arches. Most dispersed sites require some travel on dirt roads, so factor in additional time if you're in a larger vehicle or if weather conditions are poor.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping around Canyonlands National Park?

Dispersed camping around Canyonlands National Park follows standard BLM regulations. At BLM Tibbetts Arch Road Dispersed Camping, camping is only permitted at least 1/2 mile from Highway 313, and special regulations include requirements for human waste disposal. Most areas require campers to use established fire rings only and practice Leave No Trace principles. At Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites, campfires are permitted but must be fully extinguished. Typically, the 14-day stay limit applies to all BLM dispersed camping. No permits are required for most dispersed camping, but visitors should avoid camping in designated day-use areas or within boundaries of developed campgrounds.

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