The La Sal Mountains rise dramatically behind Castle Valley, reaching elevations over 12,000 feet and creating a stark contrast to the red rock desert below. Primitive camping near Castle Valley, Utah requires preparation for temperature extremes, with summer days reaching 100°F while nights can drop below 40°F. Most dispersed sites in this area sit on exposed terrain with minimal natural shade.
What to do
Hike to the rim: From Porcupine Rim campground, access stunning views via a short hike. "We camped on a Friday night there seemed to be tons to choose from. Views for miles. Mountain biking for miles. Must camp if you're in Moab area," notes camper Mal O.
Mountain biking access: Numerous trails connect to campsites along Gemini Bridges Road. "Nice dispersed site. Easy access to great mtb trails," explains Jeff B. who stayed at the area outside Moab.
Off-road adventures: The terrain surrounding Castle Valley supports various vehicle types. According to Brian R., "I ride an adventure motorcycle so I can hit all the trails from here!" The rugged landscape offers routes for both beginners and experienced off-roaders.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear desert skies make this area ideal for astronomy. "The stars are unbelievable!" reports Ben at Shafer Canyon. Another camper at Yellow Circle Road Dispersed adds, "If you are a star gazer then this would be your 5 star place. With no light noise you can see every star in the night sky!"
What campers like
Solitude options: Despite popularity, finding secluded spots remains possible. "We got to this campsite on a Saturday night around 5:30 first weekend in May and there were a good amount of spots taken already but we found a great spot," shares Brittany P. about Middle Fork Shafer Canyon.
Varied terrain: The region offers camping experiences from canyon rims to mountains. At La Sal Loop Road Dispersed, Tyler R. describes, "The panoramic vistas of Moab valley and the La Sal Mountain range were absolutely breathtaking, especially since the site is perched above the winter snow line."
Easy access to parks: Many sites provide convenient proximity to national parks. "This spot is literally 15 minutes from Arches and is a great spot to post up if you want to explore Moab for a couple days," explains Cody S. about a nearby camping area.
Clean facilities: Some primitive sites feature basic amenities. "All of the campgrounds are well maintained. The toilet is located maybe less then 100 yards from where we camping, and it's clean!" reports Alfire S. from Porcupine Rim.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Many sites require careful driving. "There's 2 ways to get here from Moab, take the longer road that only has about 5 miles of unpaved road. We learned the hard way, still doable in our Ram FWD," advises Ethan B. about Porcupine Rim.
Changing regulations: Always check current rules before arrival. At Castleton Tower, some visitors have reported confusion: "A lot of signs saying no camping, not sure where the actual blm camping area is, we just found a little spot behind some trees but could still see castle town."
Limited flat areas: Finding level ground can be challenging. "Super rocky so you'll have to use rocks to weigh down your tent corners since you can't stake them down," warns Brittany P. about Middle Fork Shafer Canyon.
Weather extremes: Be prepared for sudden changes. "We had an amazing time until around 10pm when a massive wind storm hit and definitely would have blown away our tent if we hadn't been standing there," reports one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed sites: For families with young children, Behind the Rocks Road offers more structure. "Flat, a few trees... Everyone was cool when we were there," notes Julie K., though she adds there's "not much privacy."
Watch for hazards: Some sites present natural dangers. Michael H. reports about Porcupine Rim: "The view is worth the 40 minute drive from town and the campsite is very well taken care of, highly recommend! There were a few large groups of people that were getting rowdy late into the night, so it was not ideal for camping with 2 kids."
Plan for noise: Highway proximity affects some locations. At Yellow Circle Road, Jeff K. notes: "Good roads but many camp spots are subject to road noise from the highway. Has potential to fill quickly as it's pretty close to town."
Bring portable toilets: Most sites lack facilities. "Bring a WAG bag to protect the desert," advises Julie K., highlighting the importance of proper waste management when camping with children in sensitive desert environments.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RVs, early arrival improves options. "If you come after 3pm a lot of the good spots are taken and then you have to squeeze in so get there early to grab a spot!!" advises Tris W. about dispersed camping near Moab.
Clearance considerations: Many access roads have challenging sections. Jim C. from Willow Springs Road cautions, "Exactly what it is. Off main road camping. Be careful some access roads are rough but depending on Rv very cool views and places to boondock."
Levelness issues: Finding flat parking can be difficult. "It is a bit bumpy all around, so finding level ground is a challenge but not impossible," explains Alisa P., adding that despite this challenge, "If you want to visit Arches or Canyonlands this place seems to be the best base camp for that!"
