Searching for the best camping near Castle Valley, UT? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Utah camping has to offer. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Castle Valley and user-submitted reviews.
"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."
"We tent camped here in mid December and it was cold at night, but nothing too terrible if you have the right sleeping bags."
"Dispersed camping with the best view I've ever seen. Even had clean vault toilet. There is a strict fire ban most of the time."
"We went to Porcupine Rim Campground (Dispersed) on Oct. 15, 21 - Oct. 17, 21. The road to get yonder is uphill and bumpy, rocky."
"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."
"There is a roofless pit toilet and no water available but there are a few elevated tent pads."
"Primitive camping but plenty of space for parking. No amenities but absolutely beautiful. Hiking was wonderful. The canyon/waterway leading to the tower is a really excellent hike."
"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."
"Easy access. Many spots. Gas pipeline marked near road. You can hear road noise. 14 day camping limit. Large camping areas. Can't beat free."
"A car with some high clearance and 4WD is probably necessary for this."
"Per Greg’s review, this road would be very difficult to navigate without a 4 wheel drive with adequate ground clearance. My Subaru Outback managed nicely with X mode."
"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"
"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"
"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."
"I chose this site for proximity to the parks, as well as the lovely geological backdrop."
"Some areas would require high clearance, but there a few different options and plenty of space to choose from depending how close you want to be to neighbors."
"The location was great for a stop overnight after Arches NP. A few other campers, firepits and no trash at all."
"We found this campsite as our back up plan which did not disappoint. It’s somewhat close to the road; however, we only had one vehicle pass by during the night."
"Great location! It’s right off the road and there’s two fire pits."
LegendThis 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.
LegendThis 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.
GuideIndian 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.
ScoutA 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.
LegendThis 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.
GuideSlightly 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.
TravelerWe arrived to this campsite at sunset as the plan was to camp at Porcupine Ridge; however, it was closed. We found this campsite as our back up plan which did not disappoint. It’s somewhat close to the road; however, we only had one vehicle pass by during the night. We chose this campsite due to it being more remote compared to the other busy campsites near the entrance of Sand Flat Recreation. This campsite also offers gorgeous views with never ending large, flat rocks and juniper trees. To get into this campsite we would recommend having high clearance and off roading tires. The campsite was clean and all around a wonderful experience for our first time boondocking in Moab!
LegendWe found this spot from our Gaia app. Go past the established Horsethief paid campground and there are plenty of sites on both sides of a nice gravel/dirt road. Some deep sand on the road in places but easily passable with our Chevy van. Plenty of other folks camping here but we easily found a spot with some privacy. Dry camping. No water, trash or bathrooms. Pack in Pack out. Great spot for easy access to Canyonlands or Arches!
LegendThis campground is about 11 miles south of Moab, and one of the only FREE places in camp in the area. 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. When you drive in, make sure you are far enough to be in the designated camping area (0.6) miles from the mail road (past the cattle guard). There are several options once you pull in, (the road splits 3 ways), all are good! The one furthest to the left has a little shade and goes up a slight canyon where we saw some people using hammocks.
We camped here for 3 days during our stay in Moab, with three cars and about 8 people and had no issues finding a spot. We set up tents in a slightly "grassy" patch. There is little shade. We packed up every night and did not leave our stuff while we were gone, however- other people did, and had no issues with theft.
GEAR REVIEW
Renology Water filter
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-portable-outdoor-water-filter/
As a Ranger, I occasionally get the chance to test out gear for The Dyrt!
I collected water from a slightly moving canyon stream along one of our hikes in a canyon, and brought it back to camp to filter. I usually do this when filtering water rather than filtering at the source (I've dropped too many things, and it's hard balancing along muddy creekbeds).
What I loved about the Renogy Water Filter, was it's size. It's nice and small and comes with a little carrying case. It was pretty easy to put together (via the photograph/instruction card). I pumped a liter of water in about 2 minutes with set up and balancing. My arm didn't get tired at all, and I could have easily done another 2 L! It was also awesome that the intake tube is so long - for when you are collecting at the source, you have a little more leeway with your set up. I only ran into one problem - my output tube popped out of the clean water nalgene and landed on the ground once, thankfully it didn't get muddy or gross.
A couple cons about the filter include the carrying case and tube storage. It's suede, which is aesthetic and nice, but possibly not the most durable or waterproof for long backpacking trips. Also- all filters I've had in the past came with baggies to keep your intake and output tubes separate to prevent cross contamination. This filter didn't stress that at all, but I brought my own baggies just to be safe.
Final conclusion - This filter is a nice size for backpacking and easy to use. I'll be taking it on all my trips this summer, but might find a different carrying case for it.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Castle Valley, Utah, where stunning landscapes and serene environments await outdoor enthusiasts. This area offers a variety of options for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Castle Valley, UT is Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab - Sovereign Lands with a 4.4-star rating from 52 reviews.
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