Primitive camping near Monticello, Utah offers diverse camping experiences from high mountain forests to reservoir shorelines. The Abajo Mountains (locally called Blue Mountain) provide sites ranging from 8,000 to nearly 9,000 feet elevation, creating significant temperature variations throughout the year. During hunting season (August-October), many dispersed sites see increased traffic from local ATV and side-by-side users.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Monticello Lake provides a peaceful fishing spot stocked with Rainbow and Tiger Trout by Utah's Department of Wildlife Resources. According to one camper at Monticello Lake, it was an "awesome site above the heat of the valleys. Quiet other than several fishers."
Paddleboarding: Several water bodies around Monticello offer calm waters for paddleboarding. A visitor at Recapture Reservoir shared: "Large site very close to the water. We paddle boarded in the reservoir and jumped off a few rocks. We stayed 2 nights."
Wildlife viewing: Many dispersed camping areas around Monticello provide opportunities to see local wildlife. One camper at Abajo Flat Camp noted: "There were white hair deer all around. I was able to watch the first sunrise of my life at 65 years old."
Stargazing: Limited light pollution makes the area ideal for night sky viewing. A visitor at Recapture Reservoir mentioned: "Very, very quiet with great views of lake and mountains," making it perfect for stargazing on clear nights.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value the peaceful environment at dispersed sites near Monticello. A camper at Abajo Flat Camp shared: "Pretty and quiet but took a few minutes to level our spot," highlighting the tranquility despite minor site preparation.
Accessible camping: Several areas offer relatively easy access from paved roads. One reviewer at Yellow Circle Road noted: "Free! Easy enough to find if you use the coordinates given by the Dyrt. I only saw maybe 6 official spaces to camp, but there's probably more that I just couldn't access with 2wd."
Temperature relief: Higher elevation sites provide escape from summer valley heat. A camper at Devil's Canyon Dispersed Site praised the "great, well kept sites" with "gorgeous arid vegetation" and "plenty of sun for solar."
Proximity to attractions: Many sites serve as convenient basements for exploring nearby natural areas. A camper at Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area mentioned: "Very easy to access even in a sedan, extremely close to Moab ~25 minutes from Arches entrance station."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Rapid weather changes affect road conditions significantly. At Pine Flat Dispersed Camping Area, one camper warned: "Roads have clay so some low spots can be mud holes after rains."
Seasonal crowds: Fall hunting season brings increased traffic. The same Pine Flat reviewer noted the area "seems very popular for hunting and ATVs and SxS use in the fall, so be aware from mid Aug Sept on."
Insect activity: Insects can be problematic during certain periods. One visitor at Recapture Reservoir decided "not to stay. There were swarms of mosquitoes."
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies widely by location. A camper at Pine Flat reported: "Cell signal on T-Mobile was almost weak two bars for downloads," while at Yellow Circle Road, visitors often find better service.
Limited facilities: Most areas have minimal or no amenities. A visitor at Recapture Reservoir advised: "Due to the lack of reviews we were unsure what we would be driving into. Upon arrival we noticed around half a dozen 'sites' adjacent the reservoir."
Tips for camping with families
Easy access sites: For family camping, choose sites with straightforward access. At Recapture Reservoir Dispersed PullOff, one camper reported: "Several spots on N Radio Hill Rd E off the 191 a few miles north of Blanding Utah. Paved road. Very quiet. Perfect for an overnight stay."
Water activities: Reservoir sites provide kid-friendly recreation options. A camper at Recapture Reservoir shared their family's experience: "Much fuller and more crowded than 3 yrs ago when we visited. Took only place we found, closer to the dock and more traffic than preferred but still beautiful."
Space considerations: Look for sites with ample room for children to explore. At Yellow Circle Road, one visitor noted: "The views are magnificent. No camping signs before the camping areas but many camp there anyway as well. Awesome stuff to climb here."
Wildlife education opportunities: Many sites offer chances to observe local wildlife safely. At Abajo Flat Camp, campers frequently report deer sightings throughout the day, providing natural education opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Level spots: Many dispersed sites require work to level RVs. A camper at Indian Creek Recreation Area warned: "If you do not have four wheel drive be careful of the site you choose. The red sand is no joke and you will get stuck."
Road conditions: High-clearance vehicles fare better on many access roads. One camper at Yellow Circle Road cautioned: "Unless you've ample off roading experience, outfitted your rig with an assortment of lights, and a decent lift kit, please don't attempt to climb the mountain beyond a certain point at night."
Size limitations: Many primitive sites have space constraints. A visitor at Abajo Flat Camp mentioned: "Nice little area of cleared land that would comfortably hold 2 rigs. No fire ring or table or improvements of any kind. We have a 20' TT towing with a Mercedes SUV."
GPS reliability: Navigation systems sometimes route through difficult terrain. A Recapture Reservoir visitor cautioned: "WARNING: if you don't have an off-road capable vehicle don't listen to the GPS, it took us down a super sketchy back road. If you're coming from the North, go further down and use Radio Hill Rd to access this site."
