Dispersed camping options near Cisco, Utah provide tent campers, RVers, and horseback riders with varied terrain across public lands. Located in the high desert at approximately 4,500 feet elevation, the area experiences extreme temperature fluctuations between seasons, with summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F and winter nights below freezing. Most dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles due to unmaintained access roads with sandy washes and rocky sections.
What to do
Mountain biking from camp: The area surrounding Cisco offers direct access to mountain biking trails right from several dispersed campsites. At Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites, campers report excellent trail connectivity. One visitor noted, "Centrally located between arches, Canyonlands, and downtown Moab. It was so fun and private."
Stargazing opportunities: The remote nature of dispersed sites around Cisco creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A camper at Salt Valley Dispersed Camping shared, "We were the only ones there. Camped right on the rim. Limited AT&T service."
Explore ghost towns: The Cisco area contains historical mining sites and abandoned settlements. Near Sego Canyon Campsite, one visitor observed, "Beautiful area just past a slightly creepy near-ghost town with lost of buildings in shambles. Incredible view of the stars at night."
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Many dispersed sites offer significant distance from other campers. A guest at Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab - Sovereign Lands appreciated that "Finally a BLM road that I can actually camp on! This road has so many camp spots. No shade, gravel road, lots of dust but wide open spaces and amazing star gazing!"
Accessibility to national parks: The strategic location between multiple national parks makes Cisco area camping convenient for day trips. One camper described Courthouse Rock as having "Great access to bridle and atv trails, and lots of enthusiastic, friendly atv'ers, mainly in huge rvs. Rugged access road, including a sand wash section that caught a few vehicles in its grips...Close to Moab, Arches and Canyonlands."
Diverse terrain options: Campers can choose between mesa tops, canyon bottoms, or open desert landscapes. A visitor to Lone Mesa Group Campground reported, "Great spot in the desert close to Arches, Canyonlands and Moab to camp. We very much enjoyed our time here...we were able to find level spot. Had one bar of cell phone reception."
What you should know
Limited water access: No reliable water sources exist at most dispersed sites near Cisco. Pack in all water needed for drinking, cooking, and horse needs. A camper at Mud Springs noted, "Update Aug 2024 visit..water system is working," but this is unusual for the area.
Weather extremes: The desert environment brings rapid temperature changes, high winds, and occasional flash floods. A visitor warned about Lone Mesa: "BE MINDFUL OF WIND! These group sites are very exposed and have little to no cover and can be extremely dangerous on a windy day/night."
