Looking for the best dispersed camping near Dixie National Forest? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a developed campground. Dispersed camping is free, therefore no services or facilities are provided; such as trash removal, tables, and fire pits. In some popular dispersed camping areas, camping is limited to designated sites only. Some visitors stay in a primitive style by setting up camp outside of any designated campsite area, sometimes referred to as “boondocking”. It is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy parts of Bryce Canyon Country that not many people see. Plus, it’s free camping. Dispersed camping is not permitted in all areas. If you’re going to set up a primitive camp in this way, please be sure to adhere to the following guidelines: Only camp on public land Keep your campsite minimal so as not to disturb the natural environment Remove any waste you produce, and Leave No Trace Be respectful of other visitors and wildlife in the area Keep track of your location so as not to get lost, and stay away from potentially dangerous areas.
Sorry! We have not entered information for this camping area yet. Information will be coming soon. In the meantime, please contact the Cedar City Ranger District at (435) 865-3200 for information on this trail. Thank you.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a developed campground. In some popular dispersed camping areas, camping is limited to designated sites only. Dispersed camping is free, therefore no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you go camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Rules for Dispersed Camping Motorized vehicle use for the purpose of dispersed camping is only allowed 150 feet from any designated route to limit resource damage. Use existing campsites. Groups of over 75 people, who wish to use the forest, need to obtain a special use permit. There is no fee and permits can be obtained at the nearest Forest Service Office. You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided; such as water, restrooms or trash cans. You may camp in a dispersed area for up to 16 days. After 16 days, you must move at least 10 miles for camping in another dispersed area. Please place your campsite at least 200 feet from any stream or other water source. Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Follow Leave No Trace principals. Contact a local Forest Service office to see if any fire restrictions are in place.
Legend
This is an area of free dispersed camping along the FS Rd #117 (Tom Best Spring Rd). It is midway between Bryce NP and Red Canyon Recreation Area on the Dixie NF. The dispersed camping is along FS RD #117 ( good graded gravel road) for about the first 1.1 miles, after that camping restrictions are posted. Some of the side roads are dirt two track and also have many camping spots but beware wet weather on side roads. Cell service is very good for all providers. This area has no designated sites (yet) and there are no tables, metal fire rings, garbage dumpsters or toilets. However, at the main hwy across there is a rest area with a vault toilet.
Traveler
This is no longer a free dispersed camping area. Reservations now must be made and the sites are $50 a night with no services.
LegendBryce Canyon campgrounds were full, as well as the nearby designated campsites at Red Canyon. We showed up at the nearby forest ranger's office who directed us to some nearby dispersed camping on the edge of Dixie National Forest.
This is dispersed camping, so no:
Although since there is a designated campground just down the road, you can easily go there for water, restrooms, and trash.
This CG provided a good alternative to getting to Bryce Canyon without the mess of trying to get a reservation. Red Canyon is also in between this site and the national park, which had some nice hikes and views of the hoodoos
Traveler
When our original dispersed camping spot didn’t work out we drove down the road and found this little gem, right outside the entrance to Bruce Canyon National Park. There are a bunch of designated USFS camping spots. They’re level-ish, fire rings, and pretty easy to get to. We have a 1992 (renovated!) motorhome and we got to spot 17 no problem. We could have gone to 17-19, but then the road got to rough for our old girl. Lots of quads and sideXsides riding on the dirt road, kicking up dust till about 8:30PM but was not a big deal. Solid free camping right near the park!
Legend
Dispersed camping in the beautiful Ponderosa pines of Dixie National Forest. The Forest Service road is easy to navigate. There are many dirt roads branching off of it with sites to choose from. Chose a site relatively close to the forest service road. If you're sensitive to dust may want to choose a site further off the access road as there is lots of dust kicked up every time someone drove in or out on the gravel. Convenient location to Bryce (about 15 minutes). Cell service for Verizon.
When the rigs pulling in and out stopped, the only sounds were the braying of cows (the herd wandered into the site) and the wind blowing.
Views! Peaceful! Free!
Legend
Upon entering Bryce National Park last year we discovered all of the campgrounds were full. We decided to ask a park ranger where else we could camp, he handed us a map (in the pictures) and sent us on our way. About 5-10 minutes outside of the park there is a series of dirt roads on the left hand side that offers free dispersed camping. Forest road 090 or 1173, the main road in the area is called The Great Western Trail.
The spots here are your typical dispersed camping, with no official marking for sites. No picnic tables or restrooms and there a no fire rings. We found a nice clearing with a rock fire ring already made. While driving down the dirt road we did see a few RV's and trailers, i would say you could comfortably take any vehicle down this way to spend a night camping. The road was fairly well maintained, a few bumps and holes along the way but nothing major. Id say all in all we drove about 10 or 15 minutes to find a camp spot.
The distance back to the National Park was about 10-15 minutes from our camp spot, well worth it to stay outside the park and save some money as well as have a nice quiet and private area. The directions we were given by the park ranger had us take an immediate left after the Bryce Canyon NP sign onto rd 090. We eventually found a spot about a mile or so down that area.
Note on the map, if you follow road 087 down towards the reservoir, the Park Service recommends this as the best place to view wildlife before dusk. Next time you are down in the area, try out these spots. You will not be disappointed.
Ranger
Take the exit from 89 and cross the remnants of the old 89 road. You will find several spots with previously used fire rings. We took our 30ft RV up the hill right on top of what seems to be a sand pit of some sort. You could also follow the old 89 and find some spots in between the trees. We chose to stay up too with the view. Obviously there are no amenities of any sort here as this is BLM land for dispersed camping. We will stay here for one night on our way to Zion.
Guide
Such a beautiful spot. Right next to Mammoth Creek surrounded by Dixie National Forest. Lots of sites and pull offs. No hookups or water but there are pit toilets. New favorite campsite!!
Ranger
It was like back country camping without all the hiking!
Guide
I loved my stay at Yankee Meadows. After passing through Parowan it’s about a 20 min drive into Dixie National Forest. My T-Mobile & Verizon signal dropped completely as I entered the NF. Gorgeous drive in along the windy roads and red rocks. A creek runs alongside the road too. Last .3 miles of the road is gravel but any car would be fine traversing it AWD or not. Dispersed sites are abundant, free, and spacious, clearly marked. Sites 7-11 back up to an adorable babbling brook. When I arrived I waited a few minutes for the open range cattle to clear out of my spot, site #6 haha. Would stay again for sure :) (FYI I had clear weather but could foresee mud posing an issue after rain/snow)
Guide
The spots are on the Hollow Road close to the Red Rock Canyon in the Dixie National Forest. Road and site are easy to access but the most sites are uneven. The view of the red rocks is amazing. In the summer it fills up very quickly. You can stay 16 days. It's a good place to hike, bycicle use your atv and visit Red Rock Canyon or Bryce National Park. You'll find plenty to do there.
Ranger
I loved waking up to this view, after driving in our pro master 3500 during the night.
This is BLM land so you can park where ever (for free) there are turnouts or at this kiosk.
A nice walk through this canyon will prove worthy. Views, solitude, and stunning ecosystem... the sage and wildflowers were beautiful.
Traveler
Perfect level spot with a small rock fire ring & great sunrise & sunset views. On BLM land. T-Mobile cell service
Guide
What a fantastic experience. The road is paved except the last mile. The climb is 13% grade for about 8 miles so be prepared, but it is all paved. Two camps were closed so the only one open was busy, but quiet. At about 8300 feet altitude it does get cold. Much of the Dixie National Forest is burned but the immediate area has ample trees of many colors. This is remote so no amenities at all. We have a small rv and made the .trip no problem. No cell reception until you are in the town of Parowan
Scout
Small turnout, maybe 3 cars and an RV. Not much to do or see except a nice small river. Met a local that told me it is okay to stay overnight. Not sure if it is BLM land though.
Guide
This area is great for dispersed camping near Red Canyon and before you get to Bryce Canyon NP. Plenty of dispersed camping spots. There are no restrooms, water or electricity. Ponderosa Pine trees. Have stayed here several times.
Travelerthe most beautiful blm land i have stayed on! gorgeous views, highly recommend! you need a 4WD to reach the camping section. i was able to drive my 2WD sedan but it bottomed out the whole way. you will not be able to drive if it is wet or raining.
Traveler
Bumpy dirt road going in. Large area with plenty of private dispersed camping spots.
Guide
So close to Zion this is a great free camping spot. The access road is a bit bumpy as the pavement is potholed but no trouble in our Class C. Lots of spots to choose from and some great views to be had. Highly recommend
GuideRight off of Hwy 12. If you take the first left turn off the main road, there are some awesome spots with great views. Nice level spots with fire pits. Roads are decent. Very quiet first week in Sept.
There’s a gas station 2 miles down the road. Very close to Bryce Canyon. Great free camping spot.
GuideOctober 15, 2020
We wanted to be close to Bryce Canyon but not in all of the hub and chaos of people. This location is about a 10 minute drive away from Bryce. This is the perfect location to get away from it all. When you first arrive, you will see plenty of spots for RV's and travel trailers. We traveled 1.8 miles and took a left turn on a small dirt road and found 5 or 6 campsites that were level and far away from each other. (We were the only one down this road).
The site was level with a lot of space to spread out. There was a firepit but no other facilities, so come prepared with everything you need. Due to fire restrictions, we didn't have a fire, and enjoyed seeing the Milky Way and shooting stars! There is a pit toilet across the highway before you turn into the BLM land.
We thought we would only stay for one night, but ended up there 2 nights since it was so beautiful!
GuideThis was our very first dispersed camping spot and we loved it! It was only 20 minutes to Zion. We stayed 2 nights next to the Virgin River. It rained hard our second day in Zion and when we got back to camp the area was a thick, red mud that stuck to our shoes & the Virgin River rose quickly. But, it stayed well within its banks and we were able to easily pull out the next morning.
Scout
i read that toms spring is closed on another site, and red canyon only has a couple sites so decided to come here since lots of sites along 12 miles of blm land! super easy to find a spot. just drive up the road til you find a dirt area that is available! we got lucky and found one with a fire pit made from rocks within the first mile or two. we played music and danced til 4 in the morning but nobody could see or hear us because the campsites are located so far from each other along the road. we went past 3 or 4 areas w campers before we found ours. we arrived late around 11:45pm. lots of stars out! was SO beautiful to wake up there in the morning! trees, seclusion, rock walls, quiet. lots of ppl did drive by in the morning to leave so if you are in a spot where you are camping somewhat close to the road, maybe bring ear plugs to pop in in the AM if you are sleeping there late. or park further off toward the other side of the spot away from the road. perfect spot! definitely stay here! ground was firm and easy for our van to travel on at least can say for the first few miles was. idk bout past that since didnt go that far.
Ranger
We slept in our van which worked well because it seemed like most spots were on a hill or incline. The sites closer to the road are certainly bigger and more flat, but we had to drive a half-mile up the dirt road to find a spot away from others. Still, it worked as adequate secluded free camping outside of Bryce.
GuideMy expectation was dispersal camping but it’s more like a planned campsite for free, first come but plenty of other dispersal camping in the area so if you don’t get a spot you will have a easy time finding another location. The creek is gorgeous but the flow was extremely fast and very loud. I opted for a campsite further from the creek and it was still loud at night. There was a large amount of RV’s camping in the area, for the most part they were respectful about not running their generators constantly, just be aware that you can be close to one another if you choose to camp right next to the creek. There is several toilets, one near the campsites and one near the day use only sites. There is fire pits available but still need to check if fires are permitted during the time you camp. Wonderful little free campground, I’m definitely coming back again.
TravelerWe lucked out. Arrived on Wed, left Fri. The actual campground is closed, but we were looking for dispersed camping. The dispersed camping is still numbered campsites though, at least by the creek, so not what we view as dispersed but oh well. There is more actual dispersed camping in the meadow before you get to the yankee meadow signage. We lucked out by finding spot 2. The other spots by the creek are all close to each other with minimal privacy. The spot we found was completely separate and next to creek. Wed was pretty empty but then it filled up on Thursday. People were even making there own spots next to the numbered spots (which the signage says is not allowed, but the people we talked to said “no one comes to check.”) Annoying, but what can you do. Takeaways: if you want peace and minimal people, come during the week. Very gorgeous area by the creek. Also, lots of flies this time of year.
RangerSo this is the dispersed camping area in a beautiful location. It is only about a quarter of a mile off Utah 24 on hole in the rock road. There's no water there no pit toilets there are no fire rings there are no picnic tables. But it's free. And there's a cell phone signal.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Dixie National Forest in Utah, where nature lovers can enjoy a serene escape amidst stunning landscapes. With a variety of options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Dixie National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Dixie National Forest is Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest with a 4.8-star rating from 70 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Dixie National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 95 dispersed camping locations near Dixie National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
