Want to go dispersed camping near Manti-La Sal National Forest? Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
The Wedge Overlook offers expansive views of the San Rafael River below and the Sids Mountain Wilderness Area beyond. It's wild and undeveloped landscape offers premier backcountry recreation.
The Joe’s Valley Bouldering area offers world class bouldering opportunities with over 188 bouldering sites and 9.7 miles of social trails in the area. The campground is being developed in 2017 and will offer metal fire rings, picnic tables and camping pads.
Little Grand Canyon trailhead serves as the starting or ending point for those hiking through the Little Grand Canyon. The trailhead is located past the Swinging Bridge and .8 miles west of the Buckhorn Draw Rd. This hike explores the San Rafael river as it cuts through the Little Grand Canyon. This area is a popular 2-3 day backpacking trip with primitive campsites where user are required to practice leave no trace ethics. The San Rafael River should only be floated in small crafts above 200 CFS and large crafts above 500 CFS. Hikers should only attempt to hike this section when the river is below 50 CFS. The hike is approximately 18 miles with numerous river crossings required. The side canyons along the hike offer endless miles of exploring. The trailhead is located past the Swinging Bridge Campground and .8 miles west of the Buckhorn Draw Rd.
The "Swell" features endless amounts of recreational experiences including: hiking, biking, four wheel driving, horseback, canyoneering, and river running. Don't miss the Little Grand Canyon and Buckhorn Wash Pictograph Panel. For an overview of the "Swell" make sure to check out Cedar Mountain Day Use Overlook. You will be able to discover Petroglyphs and Historical areas throughout the 'Swell".
The following Wilderness areas were congressionally designated around the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area as part of the John D. Dingell. Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act and are currently closed to OHV use: Big Wild Horse Mesa, Cold Wash, Devil’s Canyon, Eagle Canyon, Horse Valley, Little Ocean Draw, Little Wild Horse Canyon, Lower Last Chance, Mexican Mountain, Middle Wild Horse Mesa, Muddy Creek, Red’s Canyon, San Rafael Reef, and Sid’s Mountain.
Scout
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.
Legend
Wide open area south of Freeway exit 99, Miller Canyon Road. Going to the south the pavement ends and you are in a grey moonscape BLM land. Bentonite clay likely so do not be here if wet or rain in forecast. This primitive road goes for miles to the south into the north end of Capitol Reef Nat park, overlander types only!. Amazing that on the ridge to north is a nice cell tower, so couple bars LTE on ATT and TMobile, but not Verizon. Great spot if dry for a overnite stop.
Traveler
Follow the signs to “The Wedge”. After you get to the lookout area, there are plenty of dispersed camping spaces with fire rings along the edge of the the canyon, and more inland. Amazing views. We arrived later in the day and managed to find a camping spot easily.
GuideDispersed 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. Many built up stone fire rings.
Legend
This area is really just designated dispersed camping. No developed fee CG, NO WATER, no dumpsters. Vault toilets at wedge rim. BLM is going to construct a new developed fee CG in 2023 and fees of $20 will be charged. Not sure if all the existing free designated dispersed will go away. Cell signal is excellent. Closest town is Castle Dale 20 mi away. Road access is a wide graded gravel road from Castle Dale.
GuideReally enjoy staying here. Free camping and plenty of activities to do in the area.
Climbing (Bouldering)
Site seeing (Not far from The Wedge)
Beautiful area
Traveler
Easy to get to dispersed camping site.
LegendThis is dispersed camping. No amenities provided such as table or grills. They do have rock fire rings and sign/posts identifying the campsites. There are bathrooms at the Wedge Overlook as well as a more established campground with tables provided if you’d rather do that. Views are amazing there too! What I lived about our site ( site 5) was that is was at the halfway point of the mountain bike trail. This site is at the top of a shallow drainage. Other sites are literally right on the rim...see video.
Ranger
This is one of the two dispersed camping areas associated with the mountain bike trail that goes around the rim of the little Grand Canyon. There's a centralized pit toilet that you might have to drive a mile or two and there are a number of dispersed sites in addition to the official numbered sites.
Guide
There are lots of areas for dispersed camping for any size rig and almost any size group. I plan on making this a regular area to go camping at every year.
GuideEasy to get to, dispersed camping all along the Wedge. No amenities except for a vaulted toilet at the actual overlook. Very quiet and peaceful. More busy on the weekends. Perfect for mountain bikers. Would highly recommend.
GuideNumerous dispersed camping sites along the road to “The Wedge Overlook.” Pit toilet at the beginning of the road and fire pits at the sites. Visited in mid-April and saw very few other campers. Will definitely come back.
LegendWe are full-timers and have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow. We stayed here for 3 days in early June over the weekend. The dispersed camping area pretty much fills up overnight, with 7 or 8 of us staying longer. There were a few day users as well. The entire area was clean and free of trash. The sites are a little wonky, but we were able to get level. While the CG is far enough from US 6 to not be bothered with road noise, Sheep Creek Rd sees a lot of traffic and hence a fair bit of road noise. AT&T coverage was quite good, with 3 bars of 5G and speeds up to 16 MB/s.
Scout
Solid dispersed camp with room for 2 or more campers. Requires solid 4x4 to get to but not technical driving to get there.
There are one or two spots to park in the final 3/4 mile descent to the trailhead offer even more amazing views (they were occupied when we arrived)
Guide
This spot is just into the Fishlake National Forest. There is nothing fancy about this location. It is just a grassy spot along the road as you start following the road into the national forest. There may very well be cattle in the area and that will depend on the time of the year. But, it would make a great base camp from which to ATV or ride horses.
GuideThere is the dispersed camping right when you turn in, however if you keep going up the mountain there is a super small turn off to the right then brings you up a little hill and there’s a few more sites I would have missed if I want so nosey. The view is amazing but the sites up here have so much trash. It’s not hard to clean up after yourself!
TravelerFirst time disperse camping, originally from Illinois so very impressed with the view. Easy to get to. I have a Ford Fusion and was able To easily access lot.
Traveler
No water available, Restroom is Vault toilet
Directions:
The Black Flat CUA Dispersed camping area is approximately 27.4 miles northeast of Loa. Head north on N Main St toward W 100 N St 0.6 miles. Turn right onto UT-72 N/E 500 N and stay on UT-72 N 9.6 miles. Turn right (east) onto FR015 for 5.6 miles. Turn left (west) on FR43F for 0.5 miles.
Take your fly rod, always remember to pinch your barbs. This includes meat-casters unless you are fishing to eat.
Not crowded at all.
Guide
We set up at the first site on the left as you enter and it is a nice one for a short term visit. The only draw-back is that it is close to a dirt parking lot that OHV owners use. It is the fourth of July weekend though, so probably heavier than usual traffic. We drove our towed vehicle further down the road and discovered that you enter the Manti-Lasal National Forest in about a mile. If you continue for another 3 or 4 miles you will climb up into some absolutely gorgeous groves of Aspen trees. Although we did not see any Motorhomes up there, there were multiple campsites and several were taken by folks that had towed their 35-45 foot fifth wheels up there. I believe my 29 foot Four Winds could have made the drive without issues, although we did not try it.
GuideI drove all the way through the National Forest. I found a great spot, tucked in with plenty of shade and privacy.
N 39 54.3055’ W111 14.5213
Once you get to the top there are plenty of great options with outstanding views. July day temps in the low 80s. Night were refreshing.
The road from the Fair View side was much better, with a trailer that’s how I would tackle it. Beautiful sites pop out almost immediately and continue at almost every turn.
Guide
This site is located on the northerly side of the road. A number of fire pits exist in this area. It is readily apparent that others have stayed here in the past and it is a popular spot. Good only one other camper has been here in the 5 days that I have been here so far. There are any number of spots along this road that could be used for dispersed camping. The farther you go along the road the rougher it gets. I was able to find a lot of small sticks that had fallen off the trees to be able to use in my wood stove in a wall tent. It is about 5 and a 1/2 miles to the end of the road up the Canyon.
RangerThis gem, not far out of Castledale Utah is a real treat. It's perfect for a quick weekend or day trip, and has enough to do to support a longer stay. To start, the canyon rim is breathtaking, having coffee in the morning as the sun rises, or a cocktail or wine as it sets just puts your soul back in alignment again. There are some official campsites, however they were full and we had to dry, primitive camp. This was more than fine because we got to be closer to the rim, had privacy and was still relatively close to the vault toilets. This is a have to see it place, and its perfect for larger families with ample room. ATVS are a common recreation in the area so if you have one this is perfect. This is Desert, so it will be hot. This is also Mountainous so it might get cold fast, so pack accordingly. Food is a pretty good drive away, but not terrible, water is scarce as you would imagine. Bring plenty of both. Pack in pack out. Enjoy.
TravelerI found a spot on Eight Mile road, just off i-15, near the east side of the national forest. I drove up the dirt road for a while until I found a nice flat spot for the night.
I could hear some road noise, but had 3+ bars of T-mobile 5g service. Not another person in sight except for maybe 2 cars that drove by during the night. Plenty of cows and cow patties around though!
Bonus: Eight mile road was a shortcut to westbound highway 50 and a nice way to start the drive in the morning.
GuideThis is a great spot just a about 2 miles off the main highway. It’s paved until you get to the campground turn off which is a good dirt road. Wide open space with tons of options to tent or RV. There’s a huge sign that says Sheep Creek Campground so you can’t miss it. Drove here with my front wheel drive sedan and tent camped. Train goes by occasionally but not loud enough to disturb. Access to hiking trails all around because it’s national forest land. You can stay 14 days. No permit required. No amenities.
TravelerGreat camping spot, and the views are amazing! The road leading in is about 20 miles so make sure you have everything you need, but if not there is a town about 40 minutes away. We stayed here at the very beginning of October. It was 80 during the day and 40s at night, so dress accordingly. Sites are first come first serve and free!
GuideThis was a great campground! Small campground with about 10 sites. Some were pretty big and could accommodate an RV. We used a tent.
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. There are a few scrub mesquite trees for shade.
There is a pit toilet in the campground, but no water and no power. This is primitive camping!
We hung out on the rim of the canyon for sunrise and sunset. Awesome experience!
LegendThis 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. We have camped here twice, the most recent being last October, 2019. We managed to snag the one at the end by the toilet. We could sit on one of the large rocks just steps from our truck camper and watch the canyon change colors as the sun went down.
Access is via graded gravel road. We haven’t seen any larger RVs but there may a few places they could fit. There are mountain bike trails nearby including one that traverses the rim. There were some campsites along the rim on the opposite site of the road. There were a few sites in the junipers near us where a group camped.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Manti-La Sal National Forest in 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 secluded sites to those near popular trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Manti-La Sal National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Manti-La Sal National Forest is Wedge Overlook with a 4.5-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Manti-La Sal National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 62 dispersed camping locations near Manti-La Sal National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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