Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Ivins, UT has a lot to offer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Ivins. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Utah camping adventure.
"Fun place to drive on the dirt roads "
"This location takes you to the beginning of the road into this area. Right off, there are large pull-through campsites with fire pits. As these were all taken, I pushed further in."
"This site was immediately accessible off I15, yet still offered various camping options.
Its basically a large lot with scrub brush access at the back. No trash visible. Quiet and low key."
"No frills, dispersed camping location just off the highway at the Arizona / Utah border. Great sunset/sunrise views."
"We camped in a tent and it was really flat which made sleeping easy! The roads were a little rough from previous rain fall but not too bad! We were able to go to a site pretty far in, in a Kia forte."
"Recommend driving in and finding your spot with daylight versus at night like we did."
"The first night we had people riding around until about 2 am.
The area is absolutely beautiful. Red Utah desert and very sandy. Your gear will be pink by the time you go home."
"Lots of room for camping great access to ohv trails"
"There’s of shade from the trees and a beautiful creek.
We arrived at around 3pm and no one was around. By 5pm a good amount of people started driving in a picking their spots."
"Went to the right from the entrance all the way to end next to a private property. It’s really quiet and more secluded. You see other campers but you have privacy and your own place."
"There are no fees but also no amenities. So please, if you pack it in then you need to pack it out. Bring plenty of water for drinking and cleaning."
"Great camping close to Zion! There are some shaded spots but they get taken quick. There were lots of spots out in the open and we ended up at one of those."
"Leeds Canyon Dispersed camp sites are on the Dixie NF. Lower dispersed sites 1-6 are easiest to get into with a TT. Camp in designated spots, camping free for 16 days. No water, no trash, no toilets."
"It was only a 1-2 block walk to Leeds Creek to sit on a rock and soak feet in creek. “Children’s Forest at the Kiln” maybe 1/4 mile down from site. A sweet little trail leading to a historical kiln."
"Some gunfire in distance. Said permit may be required on sign. Even with rain roads were ok."
"Fair bit of trash around hillsides where people are shooting."
"At the far corner of an unassuming neighborhood, there’s a dirt road with a couple signs saying no shooting and no camping. They’re referring to the first three miles of that road."
"just 1 night allowed big and flat ground for rv"
"Quiet, decently dark (a commercial spot across the highway but not too much light, and good pull off."
ScoutAt the far corner of an unassuming neighborhood, there’s a dirt road with a couple signs saying no shooting and no camping. They’re referring to the first three miles of that road. It’s a narrow road with unusually high walls but easy to drive. Make sure you go all 3 miles until you reach the big classic BLM Public Lands sign after which is the start of your options. There’s a few quite large turnoffs with fire pits
LegendLeeds Canyon Dispersed camp sites are on the Dixie NF. Lower dispersed sites 1-6 are easiest to get into with a TT. Camp in designated spots, camping free for 16 days. No water, no trash, no toilets. Sites are along a well maintained FS gravel road so dust may be a concern. Only a few miles outside of Leeds and Interstate 15.
Leeds Canyon #2 is behind #1 a hundred yards but requires high clearance and 4wd to access....no TT or RVs. Nice big open area with views for the overlander types
GuideI stayed in dispersed camping spot #5 arriving on August 31st, 2020. There are 11 or 12 designated spots here. There is a sign on the right side once you enter the Forest Service Road that maps all the hiking trails and dispersed camping sites available in the Leeds Creek dispersed camping area. No 4x4 is necessary to get to spots 1- 5. I didn't go all the way up the mountain and see the other spots. The entrance to spot 5 is a horseshoe shape big enough and convenient for an RV. However, for tent campers, you will want to go beyond the bushes for wind coverage and privacy. The space opens up with trails, amazing views, you can here the creek burbling below the canyon. Spectacular stargazing at night and pretty quiet aside from some road traffic. NOTE: tent campers; park your vehicle with visibility in the horseshoe drive in to avoid unbeknownst camp crashers. The coverage is good enough for tent campers that someone could easily believe the campsite was not taken. Also, bees like your trashbag. So, keep it in your vehicle rather than hanging it. Lastly, sadly there was A LOT of litter when I visited. I did my best to clean some of it up while I was there. Please remember to pack in/pack out and leave no trace!!
LegendIll start off by saying that you should probably have an AWD or 4WD high clearance vehicle for the upper campsites. There are campsites lower on but are right next to the road. Getting there you'll want to follow Dalton Wash Rd all the way to the plateau, staying left the whole way unless its private property.
There are no bathrooms or amenities here so either come prepared or take care of business before heading up or inbetween excursions. The good thing from that is you'll be pretty secluded! (Cant speak for the peak months as we visited in May) The upper campsites are ~45 minutes from Zion with the lower sites being only 30 minutes away! Summer may not be the best time to visit as the sites are kind of exposed and theres not a ton of shade
GuideSandy and shady free Campground near Zion Natl Park. Easy access even with a car for the most spots. Crossing the creek there are more spots but not recommended without high clearance and 4x4. Beautiful sunset and shady in the morning. No highway noise. No fires permitted. Max stay 14 days. Love this place and the murmurs of the creek. Fills up very quickly around 6pm in the summer.
LegendLeeds Canyon Dispersed camp sites are on the Dixie NF. Lower dispersed sites 1-6 are easiest to get into with a TT. Camp in designated spots, camping free for 16 days. No water, no trash, no toilets. Sites are along a well maintained FS gravel road so dust may be a concern. Only a few miles outside of Leeds and Interstate 15.
Dispersed #3 is a large back in spot next to the parking for a trailhead, so activity and noise is possible during weekends.
ScoutAfter seeing how crowded hurricane cliffs were, camped on the left fork after the Windmill trailhead. Gooseberry mesa biking is incredible. The road to the mesa is very washboarded and will rattle the daylights out of your car. The sites are fairly spaced out and have great views. vault toilets at both trailheads but no water. Very strong (20mbps) cell reception on both ATT and T-Mobile. You will need to come from the apple valley side unless you have a very high clearance 4wd car. Smithsonian butte is no joke, I did it in my SUV with 8.5 inches of clearance and I would not repeat it.
ScoutFirst of all, these GPS coordinates take you to a place called Kolob Gate Gardens, which you can also find on the Dyrt. Kolob gate gardens is private property, but on the outside of Kolob Gate Gardens, it is BLM land. The people squatting there who identify themselves as “hosts” want you to think it’s all private property and pay between $31 and $50 a night for their place, which is a complete dump. There there are several dogs on the loose who will come running at you. Mind you, we are staying on the BLM portion of this property. But you can’t tell other than that no one is staying on the private property - the outside edges of the property, where it is BLM, are full of campers and tents. Steve, the person who runs the Kolob gate gardens part, is nice enough but the place is run down. In addition, there is a guy who has been squatting on the BLM property ( by his own admission) who wanted us to leave because he thought we took too much of his space. We are parked prob at least 300-400 yards from him. I thought the coordinates given here would take us to Kolob dispersed site # 2 as advertised on this app but it is not clear. Do not pay no matter what they try to tell you unless you are on one of their numbered ugly sites. Their site says they offer toilets but they are portapotties that haven’t been emptied in years prob- and they tried to make a shower by diverting water from the creek near by. The shower is not functional now. Either way, this place is no good, whether you are on BLM land or not
TravelerThis site was immediately accessible off I15, yet still offered various camping options.
Its basically a large lot with scrub brush access at the back. No trash visible. Quiet and low key. No amenities, of course.
Lots of RVs and an 18-wheeler or two. For tent camping, there was more seclusion offered towards the back of the site.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ivins, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ivins, Utah?
Several free dispersed camping options exist near Ivins. BLM Navajo Rd Dispersed is accessible via a dirt road about 3 miles past neighborhood signs. For those seeking proximity to Zion National Park, BLM Dispersed N Kolob Terrace Road offers sandy, shady spots with easy access for most vehicles. Other notable options include Dalton Wash Dispersed (best with 4WD), Black Rock Road Dispersed (easily accessible from I-15), and Gooseberry Mesa. Most BLM sites in the area allow stays up to 14 days and provide no amenities, so come prepared with water and waste disposal plans.
What seasons are best for dispersed camping in Ivins?
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal conditions for dispersed camping around Ivins with moderate temperatures and manageable crowds. Dalton Wash Dispersed provides good upper plateau camping options during these milder seasons. Summer brings intense heat, regularly exceeding 100°F, making camping challenging without shade. Black Rock Road Dispersed and other lower elevation sites can become unbearably hot in summer months. Winter offers solitude and mild daytime temperatures in the 50-60s, though nights can drop below freezing. Higher elevation areas like Leeds Canyon may have snow and limited access in winter.
What are the regulations for dispersed camping around Ivins?
Dispersed camping regulations around Ivins typically include a 14-16 day maximum stay. At Leeds Canyon Dispersed in Dixie National Forest, camping is free for 16 days and allowed only in designated spots along the Forest Service road. Gooseberry Mesa and similar BLM areas often prohibit fires, especially during dry seasons. Most dispersed sites operate on a pack-in, pack-out basis with no trash services, toilets, or water. Motorized vehicles must stay on established roads, and camping should occur in previously used areas to minimize environmental impact. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip as they change seasonally.
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