Dispersed camping near Kanarraville, Utah provides accessible options at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 8,100 feet, creating significant temperature variations between sites. The area sits at the intersection of the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin regions, resulting in diverse terrain from sandy desert floors to pine-covered mountain slopes. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F at lower elevations while higher sites remain 15-20 degrees cooler.
What to do
Fishing at Kolob Reservoir: The 8,100-foot elevation reservoir offers trout fishing opportunities with relaxed catch limits. "The fishing is great! The trees are magical when they blow in the wind. You can rent kayaks and canoes from the mini market for a great price as well," notes a visitor to Kolob Resevoir.
Stargazing at higher elevations: Clear mountain air and minimal light pollution create exceptional night sky viewing. "Nighttime stargazing and sunrises were great!" reports a camper about the Kolob area. "Eye candy from this location made us not want to leave... horizon to horizon of billions of seen stars," adds another visitor to Hurricane Cliffs BLM dispersed #54.
Water recreation: Several dispersed sites offer creek or reservoir access for cooling off. "Plenty of Beautiful lakes side sites. Fishing, flowers, and lots of animals (both domestic and wild!)," mentions one Kolob Reservoir visitor. "Some people bringing their boards for go to the little island," notes another camper describing paddleboarding opportunities.
What campers like
Temperature advantages: Higher elevation sites provide natural cooling during summer months. "70-50 Fahrenheit in September," reports a Kolob camper. Another notes, "High elevation of 8100' makes for a great escape of summer heat." The temperature difference can be crucial during peak summer months.
Wildlife viewing: Dispersed sites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "Inside a lot of ducks. You can make relaxing by the lake," says a camper at North Creek Dispersed Camping. Another camper mentions, "Really heard some young coyotes at night. Really set the ambience with the moon hanging over the skyline."
Privacy options: Many areas offer secluded camping spaces. "Isolated site with fire pit. Great views, road leading to it is decently passable," reports a Hurricane Cliffs visitor. At Kolob Road sites, "the spots are decently spaced apart so nobody was too close," according to a recent camper at Kolob Road BLM Dispersed.
What you should know
Cell service varies significantly: Connectivity changes dramatically between sites. "No signal on gsm is the best think if you need to call someone you need to go back 5-6 miles," notes a Kolob Reservoir visitor. Conversely, at LaVerkin, campers report "Good Verizon service," while at North Creek, "We have T-mobile and had 5G service."
Road conditions can be challenging: Many access roads require careful navigation. "Road is challenging but worth the effort," reports a LaVerkin Overlook Road Dispersed camper. Another notes, "The road is bumpy going in just take it slow."
Weather preparedness essential: Temperature swings and unexpected conditions occur frequently. "We stayed in our RV camper and it was absolutely freezing thank God we had that our friends stayed in tents in the dispersed camping area... and they came and crashed in our RV it was so cold!!" reports a Kolob Reservoir visitor. Wind can also be problematic: "Wind came up around midnight and it was like being in a hurricane for 5 hours."
Tips for camping with families
Creek access for cooling off: Sites near water offer natural recreation for children. "The creek was a great place to put some chairs and cool off," notes a North Creek visitor. Another camper reports their experience: "Riverside spots are mostly for vans/tents. Loved having the window cracked and listening to the creek as I slept."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer chances to observe local animals. "The ducks love to come through camp at mealtimes," warns a Kolob visitor. Bring binoculars and wildlife identification guides for educational opportunities.
Temperature planning: Higher elevation sites provide relief from summer heat but require additional preparation. "It gets chilly at night so don't forget your sweater," advises a visitor to Old 91 Dispersed. Layered clothing is essential as temperatures can drop 30+ degrees after sunset.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Many dispersed sites have limited RV access. "We have a Honda HRV and took it really slow and didn't have any issues," reports a visitor regarding navigating rougher roads. For larger rigs, "The road getting back to it was so twisty and tight that we scratched up the side of our rig. On the way out, we laid our outdoor rug on the bushes to keep from scratching again."
Size-appropriate site selection: Different areas accommodate various RV sizes. "There are many spots for a class a 34 foot motorhome to pull in and put your jacks down," notes an Old 91 visitor. Meanwhile, at North Creek: "Road in was just a little tough but short. Did fine with a 25ft travel trailer. Riverside spots are mostly for vans/tents."
Weather preparedness: Rapidly changing conditions affect RVs differently than tent campers. "I wouldn't recommend without 4WD if raining and wet tho. It's quite sandy and early rutted," warns a Coal Creek visitor. Another notes: "We got in late but found a nice spot a little close to the road, but no pm noise. 5 am lots of cars heading to the bike trail near by."
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