Best Dispersed Camping near Fremont, UT

The landscape surrounding Fremont, Utah features extensive dispersed camping opportunities, particularly on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands near Capitol Reef National Park. Popular areas include Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping and Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed, both offering free primitive camping with stunning red rock views. These sites accommodate both tent campers and RVs, with many locations accessible via dirt roads off Highway 24. The region's camping options range from easily accessible pullouts near main roads to more remote sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Most dispersed sites lack amenities but provide proximity to Capitol Reef's hiking trails and natural features.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with many sites requiring careful navigation on unpaved surfaces. As one camper noted, "The first camping areas off of UT-24 get crazy busy, but make a right just past the cattle grate and you can go several miles back in search of solitude." Weather presents important considerations, with strong winds common on exposed ridges and temperature swings between day and night often dramatic. Summer brings intense heat while winter can deliver snow at higher elevations. Most BLM sites enforce a 14-day stay limit and follow strict pack-in, pack-out policies. Cell service is surprisingly good at many locations, particularly at Beas Lewis Flat, where both Verizon and AT&T signals are reported as reliable.

Campers consistently praise the area's spectacular scenery and night skies. The dispersed sites near Capitol Reef receive high ratings for their accessibility and views, with many visitors noting the dramatic sunrises and sunsets. "We camped on the edge of the canyon rim and had beautiful views looking down into Capitol Reef and the mountain range on the other side," reported one visitor to Beas Lewis Flat. While the closest developed campground is Fruita Campground inside Capitol Reef National Park, it frequently fills early. The nearby town of Torrey provides basic supplies, though larger grocery options require driving to Loa, about 18 miles west. Wildlife sightings in the area include deer, bighorn sheep, and occasionally bears in higher elevation camping areas like Polk Creek Road.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Fremont, Utah (98)

    1. Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping

    50 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 425-3791

    "We had not dabbled into BLM (Bureau of Land Management) camping before, but this experience would encourage us to utilize it throughout the rest of our year-long trip to the national parks."

    "We were not planning on going to Capitol Reef on our Utah trip but we got some unexpected snow at Canyonlands so we headed out early. So glad we made the trip!"

    2. Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed

    45 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 896-1500

    "We spent a week along Beas Lewis Flat Road just outside of Torrey, to explore Capitol Reef National Park. This is free BLM dispersed camping with a 14-day stay limit, no sites or services provided."

    "Easy drive in, wide, dirt roads. Must be at least a hundred different sites."

    3. Route 24 Dispersed Camping - Capitol Reef

    24 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 836-2800

    "Just to let folks know, this is not a BLM site. BLM sites have a pay station right when you pull into the campground."

    "Most spots are obvious with back in or pull through parking, but other areas are more open and just up for the taking."

    4. Overlook Point Dispersed Site

    10 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 896-1500

    "Very quiet and right off the highway. Plenty of spots mostly level. Can be very windy. Good t-mobile coverage"

    "Got firewood from the gas station about 2 minutes away. Lots of spots to choose from with amazing views!! Plenty of room to spread out with trees for a little privacy."

    5. Capitol Reef Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 896-1500

    "Cool dispersed spot with great views. There’s a canyon that you can park pretty close to the edge. Some spots probably need 4x4 with decent clearance, but most are accessible if you drive slow."

    "This dispersed campsite is great if you’re looking to spend the night before or after visiting Capitol Reef National Park."

    6. Polk Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Fremont, UT
    9 miles

    "Some are very well shaded while others have lots of sun.

    This spot is large and shaded. Rock fire pit."

    7. Cooks Mesa Trailhead Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 836-2800

    "If you’re someone who hasn’t upgraded to 4x4 yet, you won’t have issues accessing this site. Can’t speak for spots not directly in the entrance."

    "We stayed 2 nights due to its proximity to town and capitol reef NP. The trailhead is right there, so it’s perfect! Probably 10-15 sites if you look around and get deep towards the hills."

    9. Sand Creek Road Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Torrey, UT
    14 miles
    Website

    "Stayed right next to the reservoir. Easily accessible with a low clearance vehicle. Parked right next to the trail (hiking/OHV). Beautiful views and lots of birds."

    "Several sites mostly flat with fire rings. No one here but me."

    10. Black Flat Cua Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Fremont, UT
    15 miles
    Website

    "This is a first come first serve camp area and there is no picnic tables and few out houses so please pack out your garbage and keep this area beautiful."

    "No water available, Restroom is Vault toilet

    Directions:

    The Black Flat CUA Dispersed camping area is approximately 27.4 miles northeast of Loa."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Fremont, UT

280 Reviews of 98 Fremont 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.

  • SwitchbackKids
    Jun. 26, 2017

    Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping

    Free and easy access to Capitol Reef National Park!

    After visiting two very popular Utah parks -- Zion and Bryce Canyon -- Capitol Reef was a breath of fresh air. And one of our favorite parts about visiting this park is that it was almost totally free!

    When we arrived at the visitor center, they informed us that their only developed campground, Fruita Campground (first-come-first-served only, not reservable) was full for the night, and rangers were ready with a handout full of alternative camping areas. We had not dabbled into BLM (Bureau of Land Management) camping before, but this experience would encourage us to utilize it throughout the rest of our year-long trip to the national parks.

    This “campground” is located about a mile outside of the national park, which allows great access to everything inside Capitol Reef. Usually free camping like this is harder to discover, but this pull-off is just off the road.

    Benefits of camping in BLM land include the cost (free!), solitude (you can be as far away from people as you’d like), and easy access to the national park (in fact, most national parks are surrounded with National Forest Service or BLM land!). Downsides, of course, include the lack of amenities, the sometimes uninspiring scenery, and the feeling of uneasiness (can I really just camp here? For free?)

    Capitol Reef’s BLM camping is plentiful, but this site was definitely the best. We were able to drive up on a high ridge of the pull-out area that the RVs could not easily access, so we felt alone and watched the gorgeous sunsets from our campsite each night.

    During our five days in the park, we had some favorite activities: backpacking in Upper Muley Creek, hiking to Cassidy Arch, picking and eating fruit right off the trees in the historic orchards, hiking the tough Navajo Knobs trail, and, most of all, the Sulphur Creek trail through a narrow beautiful creek with three waterfalls to climb down.

    You can read much more about our four days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Capitol Reef)

  • Marc G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2021

    Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed

    Beautiful boondocking between Torrey and Capitol Reef NP

    We spent a week along Beas Lewis Flat Road just outside of Torrey, to explore Capitol Reef National Park. This is free BLM dispersed camping with a 14-day stay limit, no sites or services provided. The first camping areas off of UT-24 get crazy busy, to the point that it looked more like a crowded RV park than a peaceful boondocking area; however, make a right just past the cattle grate and you can go several miles back in, in search of solitude. Just after making that right there's a small dry wash to cross that requires some clearance and decent approach/departure angles, but other than that the condition of the road is superb. Views stretch to the red rock cliffs north of UT-24 from Torrey to the National Park, including Capitol Reef itself and the Henry Mountains beyond. Cell service was solid on both Verizon and AT&T, and we had no issues working on VPN from our location or streaming HD video. There's a small general store in Torrey with a few staples and even a laundry available, but the nearest small-town supermarket is in Loa, 18 miles west of Torrey. We found the prices there to be reasonable given the location. You may get water and dump at the Fruita Campground inside the National Park for $5.
    Watch our full-length video on both the camping and the National Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=296k\_D3AZIE

  • Megan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed

    Easy drive in dispersed camping

    Easy drive in, wide, dirt roads. Must be at least a hundred different sites. Some are group sites with multiple fire pits all close together and there are several other roads leading to many other spots. Not much shading due to the short trees and shrubbery. Temps when I stayed were 60⁰s during the day and low 20⁰s at night. No dumping, no connections, this is off grid camping/boondocking.

  • Shay F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2019

    Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping

    Free camping, beautiful scenery. Is this heaven?

    We were not planning on going to Capitol Reef on our Utah trip but we got some unexpected snow at Canyonlands so we headed out early. So glad we made the trip! Capitol Reef had lots of wildlife like Deer and Bighorn Sheep and petroglyphs that were really cool to hike to and see.

    Along with the petroglyphs, there is the historic hike to the site of the Pioneer Register.  Mormon pioneers signed their names on the cliff walls as they were traveling though.  Some signatures are over 125 years old. https://utahsadventurefamily.com/pioneer-register-hike-capitol-reef/ does a nice description. 

    Me made a stop at Goblin Valley State Park so we arrived to Capitol Reef a bit later than we would have liked. All the standard campgrounds were full but the ranger at the visitor center told us to head out of the park towards the town of Torrey and almost immediately on our right there was free BLM camping land.

    Totally free, no amenities, but what a beautiful night!! It was cold! But so quiet even though we had many neighbors on their own Utah adventures. Our neighbors were a single girl in a truck and cab over camper from Alaska, and a couple in a blue school bus. Quite the assortment. Obviously, a variety of vehicles will make it our there.

    No toilet, leave no trace, no fires. Totally a park, sleep, and go spot. There is so much to see and do in Utah, that is ok by me! We woke up, drove into Torrey, picked up a cup of coffee, and started hiking down Capitol Gulch with no one else around.

  • Josh G.
    Jun. 23, 2021

    Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed

    Great spot on BLM lands

    This is a not so hidden gem of a camping spot for you and your family. Miles of trails leading to sites. Many very dispersed. Obviously no hookups but some of the beat views, sun rises, sun sets in or around Capitol Reef. Plus the lack of crowds made this very enjoyable. With a pass like America the beautiful, you may stay for 14 days. Enjoy!

  • Evan
    Apr. 20, 2022

    Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping

    Nice spot, a tad crowded

    Camped here while doing some hiking in the park, can’t beat how close it is. it’s a decent spot, not exactly the prettiest, but lots of sites though. There’s also a nice little hike (cooks mesa) that’s trailhead is nearby.

    I was here during easter weekend so there were a dozen RVs and a group of somewhat noisy car campers, but maybe it’d be more peaceful another time.

    The area is literally right off the road, however the dirt road that goes through it is a bit rugged so i’d be careful without high clearance/awd, should be okay though.

    Free, but no bathrooms so bring a trowel and some tp ;)

  • Richard M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2025

    Capitol Reef Dispersed Camping

    Awesome scenery

    Cool dispersed spot with great views. There’s a canyon that you can park pretty close to the edge. Some spots probably need 4x4 with decent clearance, but most are accessible if you drive slow. Also, the ground is solid rock and it can be windy, so tents might have a rough time. Perfect for car camping and vans. No water/trash/bathrooms, fully dispersed.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2024

    East Dispersed Area — Goblin Valley State Park

    Peaceful

    Free site even though now part of Goblin Valley SP. Paved road until turn off to sites. The dirt road to the sites was in good condition and no problem for Tahoe pulling 24 ft camper. Stayed at site2. Plenty of room to turn around and mostly flat site. Right next to the rocks which helped block some wind. Very quiet. No services or cell phone coverage for ATT. Very close to state park which sells ice. Rode bikes from site into park for MTB bike trails which are very nice


Guide to Fremont

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Fremont, Utah, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different camping styles, from tent camping to RV setups.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Fremont

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Route 24

  • For a convenient location close to Capitol Reef National Park, Route 24 Dispersed Camping - Capitol Reef offers numerous spots with fire pits and easy access to hiking trails.
  • If you prefer a quieter experience, Overlook Point Dispersed Site provides a peaceful environment with beautiful views and a variety of camping options.
  • Those seeking a more secluded experience can find great spots at Sand Creek Road Dispersed, where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature while being surrounded by stunning landscapes.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Fremont, Utah

  • Always be prepared for changing weather conditions, especially at Cooks Mesa Trailhead Dispersed, where winds can be strong and unpredictable.
  • Bring your own water and supplies, as many areas like Capitol Reef Dispersed Camping do not have facilities or amenities available.
  • Respect the environment by packing out all trash and following Leave No Trace principles, especially in popular spots like Black Flat Cua Dispersed, where maintaining the natural beauty is essential for future visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Fremont, UT is Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 50 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 98 dispersed camping locations near Fremont, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.