Dispersed camping near Central, Utah includes free sites primarily on BLM land and Dixie National Forest with elevations ranging from 4,500 to 8,000 feet. The terrain consists predominantly of red sandstone formations and juniper woodlands. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F during daytime hours, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with occasional strong winds.
What to do
Explore creek areas: North Creek Dispersed Camping offers access to a small stream where visitors can cool off. "The stream is a great place to put some chairs and cool off. I will definitely be coming back here on my next Zion trip!" notes Kristin M. about the refreshing water access during hot days.
Hike nearby trails: Leeds Canyon Dispersed #11 provides access to local hiking paths. Jenny H. reports, "Leeds creek runs behind it, nice sound of water. Only saw a few people drive by the days we were there." The trails offer moderate terrain suitable for day hikes.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We ended up by a little stream that made for a nice way to fall asleep," shares Daniel P. about his camping experience, where many campers report seeing deer and various bird species.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Leeds Canyon Dispersed 12-13 offers more secluded camping options. "This was a lovely experience - we got in quite late and were afraid there were no spots left - we'd almost given up, and likely would've, if we'd found a place to turn around before we finally came to site 12 which was approximately a mile past site 11," explains Stacey S.
Accessibility to national parks: The proximity to Zion makes these sites popular alternatives to crowded park campgrounds. "This site has numerous spots, most are close together but the campground was not full at all allowing plenty of space and privacy. The drive to Zion is around 20 minutes," reports Kristin M. about North Creek.
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "The star gazing is incredible. Gorgeous sunrise over the valley- Beautiful treat to wake up to," writes Erin V. about her experience at Leeds Canyon.
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Road quality changes seasonally and after storms. "Road is suitable for 2 WD cards, but large campers might have some issues with tight turns," notes Leah W. about Dixie National Forest access roads.
Limited facilities: North Creek Dispersed Camping and most sites have no amenities. "Rolled in around 8pm after hiking Angels Landing. It was about a 20 minute drive from the Zion Canyon Visitors Center. By the time we got here there were many campers (RVs, vans, tents) already set up but we didn't have any issues finding a site along the creek," shares Morgan L.
Cell service variability: Connectivity depends on specific location. "Road in was just a little tough but short. Did fine with a 25ft travel trailer. Riverside spots are mostly for vans/tents. Wind and heat were rough for my stay but this was a better move than out in the open as there is some tree cover," reports Connor M., who noted sufficient cell signal to work remotely.
Tips for camping with families
Shade considerations: Leeds Canyon Dispersed #4 offers some tree cover. "After driving through the desert all day I was glad to find this campsite wich offered a tiny bit of shade. The others I was going past didn't," shares Iris A. about the importance of finding shaded areas when camping with children.
Creek access for kids: Sites near water provide natural entertainment. "Great flat sandy sites. Easy to set up! Creek was dry but trees were lovely!" notes Peaches E. about North Creek, where many families enjoy the sandy areas for play when water is present.
Campsite selection timing: Arrive early for best spots with children. "Really easy, good roads, quiet and by creek. Here on a Saturday night and there are a lot of folks here, tons of tents. Got here mid afternoon and found a flat site by creek. Feeling pretty lucky!" advises Jenni I.
Tips from RVers
High clearance needs: Most dispersed sites require careful vehicle consideration. "My husband and I were looking for a long term (14 day) spot to move to when the weather changed at our high-elevation spot, so we jumped on The Dyrt and found this one on Gubler Rd," explains Francisco F. at Blake Gubler Road BLM, noting that only one spot worked for their 36' Class A RV.
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for most sites. "The site is bare bones but it was perfect for our pop up camper. It's a wrap around site so we could easily pull through," writes Lauren S. about Leeds Canyon Dispersed #4, which offers pull-through options.
Water conservation: With no water sources, RVers must bring adequate supplies. "This has been a great spot with lots of places to camp. Along this road there are several dispersed camp sites but this ground has some trees with shade if you go further in," notes Tyler D., who stayed for three nights and emphasized the importance of bringing sufficient water.
