Best Dispersed Camping near Ferron, UT

Dispersed camping near Ferron, Utah occurs primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands throughout the San Rafael Swell region. Several free primitive camping areas exist, including Wedge Overlook, Little Grand Canyon, Rochester Rock, and Buckhorn Draw. These sites typically feature undesignated camping spots where visitors can set up along canyon rims, in desert clearings, or along maintained dirt roads. Most areas permit camping for up to 14 days, following standard BLM regulations for public land use. Many locations provide dramatic views of geological features, particularly at Wedge Overlook which borders what locals call "The Little Grand Canyon."

Access roads vary significantly between sites, with many requiring careful navigation on unpaved surfaces. Most routes to dispersed camping areas consist of graded gravel roads suitable for passenger vehicles when dry, though some secondary roads may require high-clearance or 4WD capability. The Wedge Overlook road extends approximately 20 miles from pavement but remains navigable for most vehicles. Several areas, including Lone Tree Road and Miller Canyon sites, feature dirt roads that become hazardous when wet—particularly those with bentonite clay that turns slick during rainstorms. Amenities are minimal or nonexistent, with only select locations offering vault toilets. Campers must pack in all water and pack out all waste.

The camping experience centers around isolation and dramatic desert landscapes. Visitors frequently note exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Wedge Overlook sites are particularly sought after for their canyon-edge positioning that showcases sunrise and sunset views. Cell service varies by provider and location, with some areas maintaining surprisingly good connectivity despite remote settings. Weather conditions demand preparation, as the region experiences significant temperature fluctuations and wind, especially near canyon edges. "The wind picked up around dusk and almost destroyed our camp and sent it into the canyon. Tie everything down," reported one camper at Wedge Overlook. Another noted, "The ground is hard for tent stakes," highlighting the importance of appropriate camping equipment for the terrain.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Ferron, Utah (68)

    1. Wedge Overlook

    22 Reviews
    Castle Dale, UT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 636-3600

    "Around dusk the wind picked up and almpst destroyed our camp and sent it into the canyon. Tie everything down or be in camp for the show! The ground is hard for tent stakes."

    "This is a free campground on public lands (BLM) in Utah’s San Rafael Swell. There is one vault toilet and a few campsites along the edge of a beautiful canyon carved by the San Rafael River."

    2. Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Castle Dale, UT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 636-3600

    "Dispersed camp spots, some REALLY primo ones on edge of canyon with dramatic views. Juniper trees create some privacy between spots. Pit toilets are new and nice. No water or tables."

    "We grabbed a dispersed site near the east Goldwater rim trailhead. Excellent pit toilets at the three trailheads. Bring plenty of water as there is none available. The views are unbelievable."

    3. Rochester Rock Camping

    1 Review
    Emery, UT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 636-3600

    "There's a trail out to a petroglyph site which was really neat. We hiked out in the morning and didn't encounter anyone else. The gravel road to the parking area is really smooth."

    4. New Joe's Bouldering Area Campground

    2 Reviews
    Orangeville, UT
    15 miles
    +1 (435) 636-3600

    "    This BLM campground now has designated campsites, a picnic table, large deep fire rings, pit toilets and no trash service. Also no water.  "

    "Free camping and plenty of activities to do in the area. 

    Climbing (Bouldering) 

    Site seeing (Not far from The Wedge)

    Beautiful area"

    5. BLM Dispersed Exit 108 Lone Tree Road

    4 Reviews
    Manti-La Sal National Forest, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 636-3600

    "It's a good graded gravel road going south, but as you get further in there are some dry-creek crossings that can need high-clearance. If they're real sandy or  muddy than plan on 4WD."

    "I arrived at the campsite around 5pm in my Mazda CX-5 on a Tuesday, not a single person in sight."

    6. Miller Canyon Exit #99 Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Emery, UT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 636-3600

    "Yes, it is close to 70, but noise is not bad. Open land all to ourselves."

    7. Buckhorn Draw Wickiup Site Dispersed Camp

    10 Reviews
    Ferron, UT
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 781-4400

    "Right off the highway has dozens of good sites all levels with good views. Fire ours built in most."

    "Lots of flat ground, highway noise wasn’t too loud but also wasn’t too far away from the road."

    8. Wedge Rim Overlook Campground

    1 Review
    Castle Dale, UT
    20 miles

    "The area west of the entrance road junction has plenty of space and sites, but the road is rough/rocky. Some sites are literally right on the edge of the canyon, as is the access road."

    9. Lone Warrior Canyon Camp

    2 Reviews
    Manti-La Sal National Forest, UT
    24 miles

    "San Rafael Swell is a large area full of dirt roads, trails, and camping and Lone Warrior Canyon Camp is one of many great locations. This specific location has more space than it seems at first."

    "It’s just off the highway but you drive further and can’t see the highway or hear traffic so it gives it a more real experience."

    10. Buckhorn Draw Designated Campsite #17

    2 Reviews
    Cleveland, UT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 636-3600

    $8 - $15 / night

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ferron, UT

184 Reviews of 68 Ferron Campgrounds


  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2022

    East Dispersed Area — Goblin Valley State Park

    Beautiful Area

    It costs $35 to camp in the State Park or $20 entrance fee, but there are so many dispersed spots in the BLM area right outside the state park boundaries. 

    Before you turn onto the road to take you to the state park there are several wide open flat areas to stay in. This area is pretty busy with boondockers but we found a secluded spot 1/2 mile from the Wild Horse trail head at 38.5815894,-110.7954139. There are several spots that are reachable by RV, but further back you’ll need high clearance and possible 4x4. 

    The dirt roads off the main road close to the state park are very rutted and washed out. The roads were doable in our 26’ class C but not really worth it when there are so many other easier options. 

    There is no water here and no trash service so pack in and pack out including your digested food.:) 

    There are pit toilets at the Wild Horse Trailhead, and there appeared to be some overnight campers at the trailhead as well. 

    No cell service from any carrier, and our cell booster did not help.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2023

    New Joe's Bouldering Area Campground

    This camp is now halfway between an organized campground and dispersed camp

        This BLM campground now has designated campsites, a picnic table, large deep fire rings, pit toilets and no trash service. Also no water.  The actual site now in October is 

    somewhat overgrown with tumble weeds. Ground is very rocky but there are quite a few tents pitched.  

         Views are 7 on a 10 scale.

         Camp fee is now $15 per night. We used a senior pass and paid $7.50

          There also appears to be true dispersed camping on BLM land just to the NE of this organized camp and more about a quarter mile south on a dirt road.  There don’t appear to be any picnic tables, fire rings or toilets.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2022

    Black Dragon Pictograph Panel Dispersed

    Great Hiking

    First off do not pay attention to google directions as it will take you out of the way through a wash. There is quite an easy turn off right off of highway 70 (whether heading east or west, you can turn north off the highway). Once you turnoff of the highway there is a gate that may or may not be closed so once you go through leave it how you found it. 

    Follow the very manageable dirt road and there will be multiple pull out areas to camp in. The closer to the highway the more busy it is so keep driving. We found a small pull out between the two trails that take you on hike to the Spirit Arches and Petroglyphs and the other up through the wash to the pictographs. 

    The hike to the pictographs is much more interesting as you enter the narrow canyon. There are several spots that are reachable by RV, but further back you’ll need high clearance and possible 4x4. 

    There is no camping allowed within the canyon. At the trailhead though there are a few large areas for camping but probably easier with higher clearance. There is no bathroom, trash or water so pack in and pack out even that which you have already digested.;) 

    No cell service from ATT, Verizon or TMobile, but was able to get a bar or two on Verizon with the cell booster.  Oddly we did have cell reception on the hike within the canyon.

  • Pat S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2020

    Temple Mt. Rd. Dispersed

    Dispersed campimg along Temple Mt. Rd

    This is a cool wilderness area. It is state land in between BLM land.  This is an area between the Temple Mt. Campground East and the Temple Mt Campground a few miles NW. We reconned up and down Temple Mt rd. and the campgrounds. The dispersed camping seemed to be the best option for us. The two CG's in the area do have pit toilets but that seems to be the only plus. The East CG is super open and seemed like a staging area. The other CG had some ruins but was also open with no cover. We found a little space on the northeast side of the road back in a canyon that was nice. Only bad thing were the gnats. Last part of May and early part of June apparently is a bad time for gnats in the Utah desert.  

    There are quite a few spots on either side of the road that are kind of established with fire rings made from rock that people have put together. You can scramble over the rocks and hike through the washes. Some attractions near by are the pictograph panel, Temple Mt. ,Wild Horse Window, and Goblin Valley SP. There are also antelope in the area. This is a good place to stage out of if you can't get a spot in the Goblin Valley CG.  Remember there is no trash bins so pack it in and pack it out. Bury your poop.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Buckhorn Draw fee designated Campsites 23-24

    Double Designated fee site

    Two fee designatef campsites in a scenic alcove in towering sandstone walls. Access road is sandy so recon first. Tables and fire rings but no water, no toilet, no trash and no cell signal

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2023

    Goblin Valley Lower Wildhorse Dispersed Camp

    Easy access dispersed area

    This area is accessed by 4 double track dirt roads on right as you pass the new but uncompleted sign for the expanded Goblin Valley St Park. This area used to be BLM dispersed camping but was made part of goblin a year or so ago. Goblin still allows free dispersed on these sites as of 9.2023 but that could change in future? These two track roads go to the trailhead signs for Wildhorse Window and Wildhorse Canyon hikes. Nice level sites with good views but no shade and exposed to winds. Cell signal is dependent on line of sight to Hanksville cell tower. Goblin entrance station has wifi and a water stand pipe they let dispersed campers use. No garbage dumpsters unless you pay to access goblin park at $20 vehicle.

    There is also more free dispersed past the Goblin entrance station going out to Little Wildhorse slot canyon, but those areas have longer very rough access roads to get to camp sites and would likely be a problem with loose sand in spots or mud if wet. Plus no cell since on lee side of big Mesa feature.

    Note the two BLM developed fee CGs on Temple wash do not have water or trash.

  • Doc P.
    Apr. 18, 2024

    Lone Warrior Canyon Camp

    Even if it is busy, there is ample room to find your solace

    San Rafael Swell is a large area full of dirt roads, trails, and camping and Lone Warrior Canyon Camp is one of many great locations. This specific location has more space than it seems at first. There are campsites and pull offs in the trees and in the alcoves of the rock. Given that there weren’t any reviews for this spot yet, I expected to be the only one there. It is 12 miles down a dirt road that intersects many other dirt roads. However, there must have been an event of some sort because it was packed. Even so, I still had my own space and wasn’t crowded.

    Camping There are a ton of pull offs. Most are side roads like driveways to areas that have a lot of space. One area had 3 campers over 30’ each and several trucks and ATVs - a lot of the areas are like that. So you can come out and set up a city, basically, which would be admittedly awesome. It is a bit crowded (I stayed mid-April on a Wed-Thu) but there is enough space to spread out. I would have stopped earlier but I wanted to come to the exact point listed here to give a good idea of what you’d find if you followed those coordinates. It’s deceptively remote. There are sections of the road/trail that are maybe 400m from I-70 but there is “no access” from the dirt roads to the interstate. Not legal ones anyway. So it’s about 12 miles to this campsite on the dirt road then when you get to I-70, it’s about 45 miles to the next town and it isn’t a big one. Thus it may feel like you’re right there in site of civilization, but you aren’t. Civilization may come to you, though. I chose to just pull off on the side of an unused loop of trail because all the alcoves and treed areas around this location were packed with tents, trailers, and vehicles. Those big adventure tents - one even had a 20’ flag pole. I think it was a waypoint for a trip, I don’t know if this is the norm.

    The Approach and Ace Test I used exit 131 Temple Rock/Sinbad Rd which go well together, it would seem. Pavement gives way to gravel gives way to sand at the very end. It is mostly dirt/gravel road and definitely passes the Ace test (for those who don’t know, Ace was my VW Jetta (2wd sedan) that I often took overland). There are some blind hills and a lot of cattle so don’t be mislead by the easy road and fly down it. Speed limit is posted 25 and I’d stick to that. If you follow the coordinates on here, the last probably 400m is deep sand and I would not attempt that unless you have clearance. You may not need 4x4, but definitely clearance. NOT Ace friendly. There is a good parking space at the turn before the final approach, so you could park there and walk the last bit and set up camp in the trees. That would be better for the wind and sand anyway. If it’s raining, then I’d stay away from this area - at least this last 400m stretch - without 4x4 and a friend to pull you out with their vehicle or get covered in mud helping push and dig. Makes for a good story either way.

    Activities Hiking is great around this iconic rock. Not hard to get to, as I’ve mentioned, but it’s a process. The people you meet on the rock and have earned the right to share with you so no huffing that it’s crowded or that you’re “in their space.” Y’all know who I’m talking about. So, there must have been a convention because in the space under the rock and the alcove next to it were more than 20 4x4 vehicles. I saw some markers on the way in so it might be this was a waypoint for over landing. Which is awesome. Just caught me off guard as there weren’t any reviews for this spot and it’s pretty full today. Other than hiking, it’s great for photography. Spires and rock formations everywhere.

    Weather Mid-April the weather was good. 75 during the day and about 55 at night. It was pretty gusty when I was there which would have been great except that the sand all around the camp is what we call “moon dust” which puffs out and up to your knees just walking through it let alone gusts of wind throwing it around. If you don’t have dust in your car/gear yet, you will - and there’s nothing you can do about. So embrace it and enjoy the extra texture in your food and exfoliating effect on your skin.

    Cell service Said I had 1 bar Verizon LTE but could not send iMessages. Can’t access anything so make sure you do your research before you come because you can’t do it out here. I have a Garmin I use to text - mainly for updates on campsite coordinates to my safety people as well as emergency stuff. Water No water, creek dry

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 9, 2023

    Horse Canyon Road - Dispersed Open Area

    Nice dispersed camping

    Great secluded spot. If you go a mile or so down and take the dirt road to the right you can find tons of camping. Suggest a 4x4 with high clearance. We saw one other camper, but just kept driving to find our own spot.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2023

    Crack Canyon dispersed n Goblin Valley

    Dispersed free

    Several dispersed sites along this dirt two track to Crack Canyon TH. One steep step toward top that may stop large RVs or low clearance vehicles. The loop at the actual TH is tight and camping there is not rec due to need for a turnaround area. This area was BLM but is now part of the expanded Goblin Valley St Park. Still free dispersed but no water, no tables, no toilets, no fire rings, no cell signal.


Guide to Ferron

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ferron, Utah, where stunning landscapes and serene environments await outdoor enthusiasts. This area offers a variety of spots for those looking to escape into nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Amazing Views for Dispersed Campers

  • The Wedge Overlook provides breathtaking views right on the canyon edge, making it a perfect spot for those who appreciate scenic vistas.
  • If you venture a bit further, the Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping offers numerous campsites with stunning night skies, ideal for stargazing.
  • For a more secluded experience, check out the Buckhorn Draw Designated Campsite #17, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the canyon while surrounded by impressive rock formations.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Ferron, Utah

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Buckhorn Draw

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ferron, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ferron, UT is Wedge Overlook with a 4.5-star rating from 22 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ferron, UT?

TheDyrt.com has all 68 dispersed camping locations near Ferron, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.