Dispersed camping areas near Escalante, Utah offer alternatives to established campgrounds throughout Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. With elevations ranging from 5,500 to 6,500 feet across this region, camping conditions vary significantly through the seasons. Sand can be a particular challenge at many sites, especially when winds pick up in spring and fall.
What to Do
Hiking to waterfalls: A 6-mile round trip hike at Calf Creek Campground rewards with stunning views and swimming opportunities. "Lower Calf Creek hike is located in Grand Staircase Escalante, 5 hours away from Las Vegas, Nevada. The hike itself is 6 miles round trip with beautiful scenery and a beautiful waterfall at the end. Go during the summer time when the water is warmer so you take a dip in the waterfall," notes Alex B.
Petrified forest exploration: The short but steep Petrified Forest Trail at Wide Hollow Campground offers unique geological features. "We loved the hiking. Unhooked and drove to Devil's Garden and then 6 mile hike to waterfalls. Did hike in campground next day," shares Carol J. Another camper advises: "I followed signage in a counterclockwise direction and it was very well marked until I reached the top and then…it wasn't. I got lost twice and ended up backtracking the way I came. If you hike this, I recommend taking a map."
Slot canyon adventures: Several slot canyons accessible from Hole in the Rock Road provide memorable hiking experiences. "Plenty of spots. It's accessible by low clearance vehicle. Dumpster is the only amenity. A little hard to find private place to relieve yourself in the desert. Hole in the rock road gives access to several slot canyons. We did Zebra Canyon," explains one camper.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: At Haycock Ranch Road BLM, campers appreciate the spacing. "Lots of spots and lots of tall shrubbery around for privacy when car camping!" notes Peyton M. Another visitor shared, "Great view. Lots of choices. This was a great place. Some had fire rings, some didn't, but not much else. Just how I like it. Not far from escalate if you need supplies."
Clean facilities: Canyons of Escalante RV Park maintains exceptional cleanliness. "This family run business knows what travelers need and will do whatever possible to accommodate them. Super clean bathrooms and showers, with ample washers and dryers, too. All of this and a great location," writes Kate B. Another camper adds, "Sweet little camp. This is a cute little campground with a family feel. There is a community fire pit and when we got here the hosts had a nice fire going."
Wildlife sightings: Camping spots near creeks often provide wildlife viewing opportunities. "We stayed at camping spot 6 which is right next to the creek. We were visited at night by a baby owl and in the morning we were visited by some yellow birds. Dark enough to see a show of shooting stars," shares Geraldine G. about her experience at Calf Creek.
What You Should Know
Weather extremes: Winter camping requires preparation. "We were planning on staying at this campground the night before but a ranger at the BLM visitor center in Escalante told us that the access road to the campground was likely not plowed and since we just had a major snowstorm we decided to stay in Escalante instead," reports Emma A.
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require caution with vehicle selection. At Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping, "Spencer Flat Rd well marked. You may need to drive two or three miles down the dirt road to find an open site, but keep going there are some nice sites further in. Road was very passible in our 2WD RoadTrec 190 van," explains Brendan B.
Wildlife caution: Be prepared for local wildlife. "Beware of mice! Have some traps on hand, just in case," warns Meghan B. Another camper noted, "We were nervous about mountain lions as we noticed a lot of tracks when we arrived, and saw even more next to our car in the morning as we were leaving."
Tips for Camping with Families
Water activities: Wide Hollow Campground offers reservoir access perfect for kids. "I love all of the near trails, it is very private and clean. The reservoir is great to cool down from the heat, it offers options for fishing, Kayaking and swimming," shares Lea S.
Easy trails: Choose family-friendly hikes for younger explorers. "The Visitor Center was not open while we were there, it's a new building and I don't believe it was completed yet, but it looks really nice. The trails around the park were a great way to start our morning and they were well taken care of," notes Ashlee W. about camping with a toddler.
Playground access: Escalante Cabins & R.V. Park provides designated play areas. "We enjoyed two nights at this park with our travel trailer. The washrooms and laundry facilities were kept very clean and wash shower had a cloth and bath mat. The office staff were friendly and helpful when planning our trip to the local gulches. There was a small playground for the children as well," reports Ian S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose RV sites carefully at Wide Hollow Campground. "I originally booked spot 12, which was listed as not suitable for larger rvs. I have a 18' travel trailer and assumed we could fit but I misunderstood the description. It's really only suitable for very small travel trailers (like 8' long) or vans," cautions Jen B.
Driving strategies: For dispersed camping near Escalante, scouting helps. "Amazing views of the cliffs from this area. All campsites have a fire pit and you do need a free permit to camp here. We acquired ours at Devil's Garden just down the road. We brought our 26ft Class C motorhome with a Nissan Altima and while we did do some scouting of the road paths that we should take, we found an accessible route for our vehicles," explains Bethany W.
Hookup limitations: Understand utility constraints when boondocking. "Super convenient with easy access off Route 12. Lots of level, open spaces short distance from entrance. Great basic dispersed camping in a 34 ft Class A motorhome with towed vehicle. Had decent cell service with AT&T. There are, of course no amenities or even pit toilets, although there are two dumpsters for trash and the town of Escalante is nearby with groceries and other necessities," notes Tim H.
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