Best Dispersed Camping near Joseph, UT

Great spot for camping with a group. Quite a few spots accessible by car. A couple fireplaces here and there too. A fair amount of fallen pine and juniper wood there to use for building fires. Just remember to drown out your fires with water (there’s a sign).

I do not recommend tent camping here solo though. This wasn’t my first time tent camping solo either. As I was laying in my sleeping bag inside my tent around 11pm, some creature started stalking me around midnight. I could hear it moving and breathing outside my tent. I managed to scare it off by hitting my car’s “panic button” on the keys. I then packed up immediately and left.

If you’re looking for a fun backpacking camping trip where you’re guaranteed to see tons of wildlife, this is it. Not only will you avoid the crowded campgrounds, but you’ll be able to do it without hiking a million miles from your vehicle.

You can park at the trailhead and hike up only 2 miles before you start seeing deer and elk everywhere. You simply follow the river up the canyon, and choose from any of the small flat locations for tent camping, or pick a couple trees to hang a hammock. Choices are abundant. In the summer months, water is scarce so bring water. If the creek is full and running you can simply filter water.

There is a beautiful meadow area at the top of the trail before you begin to descend down the other side (another beautiful area).

Was able to hike in with my 8 year old, and he loved it. Great secluded dispersed spot for wildlife watching.

Numerous spots along the road. Some are very well shaded while others have lots of sun.

This spot is large and shaded. Rock fire pit. There’s currently fire restrictions so we didn’t have a fire but we set up a nice little sitting area around the fire with logs we found in the forested area.

There is a mama bear and cub in the area although we didn’t see her.

Weather is cooler than in Capitol Reef so it’s a nice place to recharge and escape the heat.

Lots of firewood in close vicinity so no need to bring any in with you (check for fire restrictions before).

Would definitely come back here.

If you follow the road all the way up you can access Cathedral Valley Campground (great views from up there)

Remember to pack out your garbage.

Stayed here after missing exit for Castle Rock Campground. Access dispersed area by taking Clear Creek Rd exit. There are some spots right after exiting hwy. We keep going back under the underpass and then took the left at the Y. Little rough dirt road if you have a car. We found a previously used spot with a rock fire pit. Surprisingly very clean. Thanks everyone for packing it out! Several ATVs further down the road. Although close to hwy we could barely hear anything at night. There was also a small creek. Pretty nice overnight spot when it gets late and you don’t want an RV Park.