Best Dispersed Camping near Mexican Hat, UT
Want to go dispersed camping near Mexican Hat? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Want to go dispersed camping near Mexican Hat? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Lots of sites, all free, primitive. GREAT views of the Mexican Hat geological features. Good for 2wd cars.
The beautiful Cedar Mesa sandstone monoliths, pinnacles and other geological features of this enchanting area are known as a Miniature Monument Valley. These sandstone sentinels were eroded by wind and water over eons of time. The 17 mile loop through the Valley of the Gods is a graded gravel and clay surface road (San Juan County Road #242), that has a few sharp turns, and crosses several washes. Driving time is approximately one to two hours. It is suitable for passenger cars when the road conditions are dry. However, road conditions vary throughout the year with regional weather conditions. Local inquiry should be made during and after periods of inclement weather. There are several car camps along this route. However, no campfires are allowed.
Looking for a retreat from the hustle of daily life - where the stars are bright, the air is clear, and the only noise is a nearby owl hooting into the night? BLM Utah provides outstanding camping opportunities for every comfort-level. From remote, backcountry camping to front-country developed sites, you will find the perfect campsite on BLM Utah-managed lands. BLM camping areas provide differing levels of services - plan ahead and be prepared, bring water, and the appropriate means to deal with your trash and human/dog waste.
Free dispersed, also known as primitive, camping is allowed at the Monticello Field Office, Manti-La Sal National Forest, and Bears Ears National Monument except where posted. Any in-canyon camping on Cedar Mesa requires a permit, available at recreation.gov. For dispersed camping, remember the following regulations: • There is a 14-day camping limit while occupying any campsite on BLM-managed lands. • Only travel on designated routes. Off-road driving is not permitted. • The best campsites are found, not made. Do not create new campsites or alter existing ones. • Use existing fire rings or use a fire pan. Collect only dead and down wood; do not cut limbs. • Don’t leave fires unattended. Remember to drown and stir campfires before you go to bed or leave your site. • Be aware of any current fire restrictions. • No dispersed camping in the vicinity of developed recreation sites such as picnic areas, campgrounds, or trailheads. • Find an even site to camp on without trenching, digging, leveling, or trimming tree limbs to fit your tent or trailer. • Be courteous of other campers. • Pack it in, pack it out, including human waste.
Fully primitive off grid camping - no amenities. Please remember to Leave No Trace.
River views in the morning are so pretty. Roads a bit rocky comin in, we didnt have any problems in our subaru crosstreck but could be tough if the geound gets muddy.
Be prepared for no water unless there has been recent rains, and even then there likely won't be any.
It can get windy, so be ready for that, and you'll need to bring your own firewood as well. It's beautiful but there aren't any amenities beyond (maybe) a fire pit.
I'd argue there are better spots on Cedar Mesa itself, but the Valley of the Gods is a beautiful alternative to the more famous Monument Valley.
Both Natural Bridges and Hovenweap are worth the short (an hour at most) drives from camp, and both have developed campgrounds for those looking for toilets or other aspects of civilization.
Never in my life have I heard of Mexican Hat, let alone the rock it’s named after. Jeez this place was cool, the river was beautiful, the dispersed camping areas were great under the stars, and that dang Mexican Hat Rock juxtaposed to the unforgiving sea of desert just put a huge smile on my face.
Very easy to drive on road, we took a 2WD car and had no issues. Plenty of spots so you’ll always find a place to camp for the night.
Great views at every spot and barely any road noise from the highway. Good AT&T coverage.
No fires allowed here so keep that in mind
You need clearance to be able to enter this spot, there’s a large rut which stopped us from getting into the spot, we had to turn around - so only attempt to come here if you have a 4x4 or a vehicle with clearance
So beautiful. Plenty of dispersed sites. Even on a Friday at 5pm! Sacred. Revenant. Be respectful of this beautiful land!
Not free anymore but still an enjoyable experience. I was the only camper there on a weekday.
I arrived here late afternoon, big sign in the beginning- pay online under www.mexicanhatrocks.com - it’s 18$ per night for just a place to park- no toilets. . No reception with T-mobile to pay online. Went to gooseneck state park campground instead, only 10$ per night and they have toilets.
Nice secluded place. Was very quiet with no one around. Went in July, only complaint is it was hot with almost no shade.
Road entrance only with high clearance vehicles- for our expedition truck the road further down was narrow and very rocky but doable. At the end there is space to turn and a level place to park. Nice view
There are spots for RV's and other spots where you need a 4WD. Beautiful setting with many dispersed sites available. It was very hot, but not much you can do about that…
AT&T service was strong.
Way up there where it's hard to breathe! Had to do things slowly and deliberately but a beautiful setting. No way to get to Bears Ears National Monument unless I had a 4x4 and I have a Subaru outback. Found a great spot that was completely quiet and perfect for stargazing. No bear issues but no facilities of any kind whatsoever. Go prepare!
A big rig friendly place with space for several cars. The road get a little washed out the further you drive in. High clearance and 4x4 recommended especially when it’s raining. Stunning view
We stayed 2 nights. Absolutely beautiful and peaceful. The views are amazing. No shade available so bring your own or camp in cooler months. We have a 24 ft. C-class RV and plenty of sites to pick from. Level ground. Site are a good distance apart and we saw one other camp far from us. No problem with the road. No hook ups but fire rings. No place to dump trash but it was very clean. Pack in pack out.
When we arrived it was howling wind and blowing sand. We worried the side of our van would be nothing but primer in the morning. Fortunately by the morning it was sunny and calm with stunning vistas. The area is exposed with few secluded opportunities. Despite mid week in May, many spots were taken. That said, it was so beautiful we would not hesitate to visit again.
Stayed one night and saw amazing stars in the sky.
Awesome views
We entered Valley of the Gods from the west side, at the bottom of the Moki Dugway. We passed Lee's Ranch, went another mile or so and found a great flat area on the left hand side of the road, with an awesome view of Balanced Rock. We actually drove the entire road the next day and thanked our lucky stars that we parked our trailer where we did. Trying to pull an RV all the way through is definitely not advised.
Even tho we got caught in some crazy storms and broken glasses sent us home early we had such a good time exploring and will absolutely go back!!
The scenery is amazing and there are ample places to camp. Very little cell reception. The dirt road is in good shape.
I want to first confirm the location. I'm camping there. It is across the road from the turnoff to road 5507. You'll see a small meadow with a few almost-flat spots. There's a little hill to the east that affords a little bit of the view down to the flats below. This is pine forest, but not dense. Starlink works well if you get the meadow site on the south so you can point it north.
We found a spot about 3km in from the 163 entrance. Great views. Windy in the afrernoon but dies down around 5pm.
We could stay here for two nights on our own, probably because the entrance is so rocky that is quite dissuasive for RV or buses. The road after that is quick and easy, amazing views on the river, beautiful starry nights up there
Was able to find a great spot to stay at right on the rim. There were 3 sites with fire rings no one around when I was there.
A lot of level camping spots the first 5 miles from the Hwy 163 entrance. Great views, very quiet. Only downside was gnats were terrible during my stay!
A little difficult to find the turn off when arriving at night but a fun bumpy road down to the bluff. Beautiful river view when you awake in the morning. Absolutely no facilities but if you’re equipped, this is a great spot. And free. Last week in April - weather was perfect and almost zero bugs. 4500ft elevation
This park is fully paved with paved, well maintained dispersed camping. Reservatuons can be made online, which I'd suggest. The road up to the park is paved and well maintained. The sites are gorgeous with beautiful fire pits, metal picnic tables and a metal stand for a small grill. Plenty of sun for solar and gorgeous arid vegetation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Mexican Hat, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Mexican Hat, UT is Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping with a 5-star rating from 42 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Mexican Hat, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 dispersed camping locations near Mexican Hat, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.