Monroe is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Monroe, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"Road goes up past water tower and recommends using 4wd to come up to prevent washboard, but any vehicle with awe would do. No amenities and very private."
"Beautiful scenery and just right outside of town. Very easy to access for most. I did see an RV camping but it had to be a bit more difficult for them."
"Big lake and deep lake are so much fun. Camping here is my all time favorite. Fish, salamanders, cougars, and plenty of elk all over make it a wonderful place to camp."
"Easy access on a gravel road. Public restroom was clean."
"The road getting up is about 4 miles of dirt road, 4x4 recommended but i made it up in my prius. There were a few rvs parked earlier down the road with larger trees and less of a view."
"Road is bumpy and may be difficult for cars to get back to the main spring but you can always park and walk. Be sure not to leave any trash as this is private property owned by super nice people!"
"There are 3 natural hot spring bath tubes on a private property in the meadows. Camping among the cows and having a bath in a natural hot tub while the sun is rising - it's a dream."
"We had not dabbled into BLM (Bureau of Land Management) camping before, but this experience would encourage us to utilize it throughout the rest of our year-long trip to the national parks."
"We were not planning on going to Capitol Reef on our Utah trip but we got some unexpected snow at Canyonlands so we headed out early. So glad we made the trip!"
"We spent a week along Beas Lewis Flat Road just outside of Torrey, to explore Capitol Reef National Park. This is free BLM dispersed camping with a 14-day stay limit, no sites or services provided."
"Easy drive in, wide, dirt roads. Must be at least a hundred different sites."
"Beautiful lake in Piute County near Antimony Utah. Large, level spot less than 6 yards from the water. A few large trees provide nice shade. There was even a picnic table."
"Wonderfully place for a night, Isolated and easy access. The coordinates are not correct, it s on the side of the lake, here are the one we used : 38.224007, -111.979199"
LegendAfter visiting two very popular Utah parks -- Zion and Bryce Canyon -- Capitol Reef was a breath of fresh air. And one of our favorite parts about visiting this park is that it was almost totally free!
When we arrived at the visitor center, they informed us that their only developed campground, Fruita Campground (first-come-first-served only, not reservable) was full for the night, and rangers were ready with a handout full of alternative camping areas. We had not dabbled into BLM (Bureau of Land Management) camping before, but this experience would encourage us to utilize it throughout the rest of our year-long trip to the national parks.
This “campground” is located about a mile outside of the national park, which allows great access to everything inside Capitol Reef. Usually free camping like this is harder to discover, but this pull-off is just off the road.
Benefits of camping in BLM land include the cost (free!), solitude (you can be as far away from people as you’d like), and easy access to the national park (in fact, most national parks are surrounded with National Forest Service or BLM land!). Downsides, of course, include the lack of amenities, the sometimes uninspiring scenery, and the feeling of uneasiness (can I really just camp here? For free?)
Capitol Reef’s BLM camping is plentiful, but this site was definitely the best. We were able to drive up on a high ridge of the pull-out area that the RVs could not easily access, so we felt alone and watched the gorgeous sunsets from our campsite each night.
During our five days in the park, we had some favorite activities: backpacking in Upper Muley Creek, hiking to Cassidy Arch, picking and eating fruit right off the trees in the historic orchards, hiking the tough Navajo Knobs trail, and, most of all, the Sulphur Creek trail through a narrow beautiful creek with three waterfalls to climb down.
You can read much more about our four days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Capitol Reef)
GuideWe spent a week along Beas Lewis Flat Road just outside of Torrey, to explore Capitol Reef National Park. This is free BLM dispersed camping with a 14-day stay limit, no sites or services provided. The first camping areas off of UT-24 get crazy busy, to the point that it looked more like a crowded RV park than a peaceful boondocking area; however, make a right just past the cattle grate and you can go several miles back in, in search of solitude. Just after making that right there's a small dry wash to cross that requires some clearance and decent approach/departure angles, but other than that the condition of the road is superb. Views stretch to the red rock cliffs north of UT-24 from Torrey to the National Park, including Capitol Reef itself and the Henry Mountains beyond. Cell service was solid on both Verizon and AT&T, and we had no issues working on VPN from our location or streaming HD video. There's a small general store in Torrey with a few staples and even a laundry available, but the nearest small-town supermarket is in Loa, 18 miles west of Torrey. We found the prices there to be reasonable given the location. You may get water and dump at the Fruita Campground inside the National Park for $5.
Watch our full-length video on both the camping and the National Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=296k\_D3AZIE
TravelerEasy drive in, wide, dirt roads. Must be at least a hundred different sites. Some are group sites with multiple fire pits all close together and there are several other roads leading to many other spots. Not much shading due to the short trees and shrubbery. Temps when I stayed were 60⁰s during the day and low 20⁰s at night. No dumping, no connections, this is off grid camping/boondocking.
LegendWe were not planning on going to Capitol Reef on our Utah trip but we got some unexpected snow at Canyonlands so we headed out early. So glad we made the trip! Capitol Reef had lots of wildlife like Deer and Bighorn Sheep and petroglyphs that were really cool to hike to and see.
Along with the petroglyphs, there is the historic hike to the site of the Pioneer Register. Mormon pioneers signed their names on the cliff walls as they were traveling though. Some signatures are over 125 years old. https://utahsadventurefamily.com/pioneer-register-hike-capitol-reef/ does a nice description.
Me made a stop at Goblin Valley State Park so we arrived to Capitol Reef a bit later than we would have liked. All the standard campgrounds were full but the ranger at the visitor center told us to head out of the park towards the town of Torrey and almost immediately on our right there was free BLM camping land.
Totally free, no amenities, but what a beautiful night!! It was cold! But so quiet even though we had many neighbors on their own Utah adventures. Our neighbors were a single girl in a truck and cab over camper from Alaska, and a couple in a blue school bus. Quite the assortment. Obviously, a variety of vehicles will make it our there.
No toilet, leave no trace, no fires. Totally a park, sleep, and go spot. There is so much to see and do in Utah, that is ok by me! We woke up, drove into Torrey, picked up a cup of coffee, and started hiking down Capitol Gulch with no one else around.
GuideThis is a not so hidden gem of a camping spot for you and your family. Miles of trails leading to sites. Many very dispersed. Obviously no hookups but some of the beat views, sun rises, sun sets in or around Capitol Reef. Plus the lack of crowds made this very enjoyable. With a pass like America the beautiful, you may stay for 14 days. Enjoy!
GuideCamped here while doing some hiking in the park, can’t beat how close it is. it’s a decent spot, not exactly the prettiest, but lots of sites though. There’s also a nice little hike (cooks mesa) that’s trailhead is nearby.
I was here during easter weekend so there were a dozen RVs and a group of somewhat noisy car campers, but maybe it’d be more peaceful another time.
The area is literally right off the road, however the dirt road that goes through it is a bit rugged so i’d be careful without high clearance/awd, should be okay though.
Free, but no bathrooms so bring a trowel and some tp ;)
GuideCool dispersed spot with great views. There’s a canyon that you can park pretty close to the edge. Some spots probably need 4x4 with decent clearance, but most are accessible if you drive slow. Also, the ground is solid rock and it can be windy, so tents might have a rough time. Perfect for car camping and vans. No water/trash/bathrooms, fully dispersed.
TravelerJust to let folks know, this is not a BLM site. BLM sites have a pay station right when you pull into the campground. This one does not, and I believe it is Utah state land that is managed by SITLA . (Google that if you want.). Anyway it was Wednesday October 21, and we pulled in here about 2 PM. I would say the campground was about half full and we did manage to find a spot that was pretty level. There were several spots that had small trees near them and those were all taken for obvious reasons.
We were traveling on Highway 24 South going west, and about 5 miles past the northernmost entrance to the park, is the dirt road that leads to the campground. Past the first dirt road there’s another dirt road with other campers, but we did not go down there.
The best part of this free camping ground is that the Internet is working great! We are not on Wi-Fi, but we have unlimited data and are very happy with our reception.
It is a little close to Highway 24, but as I write this at 11 PM, I don’t hear a thing on the road.
I highly recommend this free campground!
LegendThis is a GEM if you like to not see a lot of people and love the outdoors. This is a first come first serve camp area and there is no picnic tables and few out houses so please pack out your garbage and keep this area beautiful. There is some amazing fly fishing in the creeks and lakes in this area. The dirt road is well maintained and you can get a car or truck or trailer in no problem. Lots of amazing trails for side by sides and 4 wheelers.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Monroe, Utah, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, it's the perfect getaway for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free hot springs accessible from dispersed camping areas in Monroe, Utah?
Yes, Meadow Hot Springs is accessible from dispersed camping areas near Monroe. These natural hot springs are on private property but generally open to the public (always check current access policies before visiting). Another option is to camp at Mountain Mecca, which provides free dispersed camping with relatively easy access to Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe (note that while camping is free, the hot springs themselves charge an entrance fee). The springs maintain comfortable soaking temperatures year-round, making them ideal in cooler months. Always practice good etiquette by keeping the springs clean and respecting other visitors.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Monroe, Utah?
Several free dispersed camping options exist near Monroe, Utah. The Fish Lake National Forest Campsite offers dispersed camping with a 14-day stay limit. Another option is Black Flat Cua Dispersed, which provides a more secluded experience with fewer crowds. This area has limited facilities (occasional outhouses), so come prepared to pack out all waste. Most sites feature informal fire rings made of rocks. The roads are generally accessible to most vehicles, though some areas may require higher clearance. Look for established pullouts to minimize environmental impact. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles and check for any seasonal fire restrictions before your trip.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Monroe, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Monroe, UT is Mountain Mecca with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Monroe, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 66 dispersed camping locations near Monroe, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
