Looking for the best dispersed camping near Mount Carmel Junction? Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
It is the general policy of the BLM that undeveloped Federal Lands under its administration are available to the public for camping and general recreation, with the following provisions: • Camping is limited to 14 days within a 30-mile radius in a 28 day period • Pack out what you pack in • Avoid camping within 200 ft. of any water source • Do not leave campfires unattended • Camp at previously used sites, if possible. • Dispose of human waste properly. The use of portable toilets is highly recommended. If no portable toilet is available, solid body waste and urine should be buried in a hole six to twelve inches deep. The disposal site should be located well away from streams, campsite, and other use areas. Toilet paper should be placed in a small plastic bag and put into your camp trash bag. • Pack out your trash (and a little extra). Do not leave or bury trash at campsites. • Firepans or stoves are recommended when camping on BLM land. • Avoid building new fire rings. Unnecessary fire rings scar the natural beauty of sites and reduce the amount of space available for sleeping and cooking areas. • Use only dead and down wood for campfires. Bringing your own firewood is the best policy to practice. • Do not put cans, bottles, or aluminum foil into a fire ring. • Burn campfire logs to ashes, then douse with water. Do not smother a campfire with soil, as this will make it difficult for the next visitor to use the same fire ring.
Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska).
Kolob Reservoir is a 250-acre impoundment of Kolob Creek in southwestern Utah. This mountain reservoir is a popular place for the desert dwellers of St. George, as well as southern Nevada. The reservoir and most of the shoreline are owned by the Washington County Water Conservancy District. Dispersed camping is allowed and a few vault toilets are provided, along with a boat ramp and dock. Private land restricts access around the southwest bay. Seasonal access from the south is by paved county road from Virgin (Utah Highway 9); and from the north, by gravel road from the Right Hand Fork of Cedar Canyon (Utah Highway 14). Winter access is limited to snowmobile.
$53 / night
Guide
This continues to be one of our favorite boondocking sites even after four years on the road. This time we visited in late October/ Early November. We had some minor snowfall while we were there but that is to be expected at this elevation. We filmed a campsite review for anyone who is interested, we linked in on the video tab here on Campendium but here is the direct link to
Great for rigs of any size, with thousands of acres to choose from.
Scout
This is a great site to wake up to if you can get to it. Lady and I drove in after dark. While you don’t need 4x4 during dry months, it will help with the drive. It’s steep, loose dirt until you start hitting rocks.
Stay in the trees to protect from the wind, but there is plenty of space regardless and each site has its own fire pit. Looks like people make their own too.
Legend
The spot was nice and close to Zion. Some single spot and a large flat gravel pad that multiple vans/cars/tents can fit on close to the main road into Springdale. Fills up early in the day during peak season, so have backup plans.
I stayed in the large gravel pad area 3 nights and had a great view and a lovely flat spot to park on. 2 or 3 other vans or tents were also there each night.
Guide
So close to Zion this is a great free camping spot. The access road is a bit bumpy as the pavement is potholed but no trouble in our Class C. Lots of spots to choose from and some great views to be had. Highly recommend
Traveler
Excellent boondock spot. Excellent AT&T coverage
Traveler
The area was very easy to find and very quiet. I arrived as sunset and only saw one camper. I know it is the end of the season, but other places right now are packed.
Make sure you camp in a designated spot, marked with posts and numbers.
T-Mobile work...2 bar LTE
Guide
This area is great for dispersed camping near Red Canyon and before you get to Bryce Canyon NP. Plenty of dispersed camping spots. There are no restrooms, water or electricity. Ponderosa Pine trees. Have stayed here several times.
Scout
Awesome location! Beautiful views! Multiple sites
Scout
There’s a cluster of spots for both tents and trailers to post up. The river is beautiful but appears they prefer no access to it. The fence line is down so people go anyways. This place fills up on weekend so if you get there early in day you can pick a prime space. Fire pits are all over and used. We grabbed a spot right next to the bridge and water under the falls colored tree. Stars at night are stunning. It’s quiet but you do hear the occasion car passing by from the nearby road, yet the white noise from the river softens it. October gets around 50 at night so come prepared if you’re tenting. About 20 mins outside of Zion main entrance. The mountains surrounding are beautiful.
TravelerWe rented a van from Escape camper vans and this spot of easy to find and get to! We saw a lot of people with campers and vans. We kept driving until site 10 which was the first one that was empty at about an hour before sunset. Very private and lots of fire wood! Right outside of Bryce NP. As we left early in the morning people were pulled off the side of the rode. Looked like they were just looking for a place to park overnight.
Scout
First of all, these GPS coordinates take you to a place called Kolob Gate Gardens, which you can also find on the Dyrt. Kolob gate gardens is private property, but on the outside of Kolob Gate Gardens, it is BLM land. The people squatting there who identify themselves as “hosts” want you to think it’s all private property and pay between $31 and $50 a night for their place, which is a complete dump. There there are several dogs on the loose who will come running at you. Mind you, we are staying on the BLM portion of this property. But you can’t tell other than that no one is staying on the private property - the outside edges of the property, where it is BLM, are full of campers and tents. Steve, the person who runs the Kolob gate gardens part, is nice enough but the place is run down. In addition, there is a guy who has been squatting on the BLM property ( by his own admission) who wanted us to leave because he thought we took too much of his space. We are parked prob at least 300-400 yards from him. I thought the coordinates given here would take us to Kolob dispersed site # 2 as advertised on this app but it is not clear. Do not pay no matter what they try to tell you unless you are on one of their numbered ugly sites. Their site says they offer toilets but they are portapotties that haven’t been emptied in years prob- and they tried to make a shower by diverting water from the creek near by. The shower is not functional now. Either way, this place is no good, whether you are on BLM land or not
Scout
Ich habe hier 2 Nächte verbracht. Ich bin alleine unterwegs und ich habe mich noch nie so sicher an einem Ort gefühlt wie hier. Und man hat hier super Internet! (iPhone 13 t-Mobile
Guide
Relatively easy access from N Kolob Terrace Road. Arrived around 6pm and there were numerous sites taken up by longer term residents and fellow campers.
Most of the sites have ample space and a stone fire pit. 2-4 bars of T-Mobile 5G.
GuidePulled in around 9pm and found an empty site about .5 miles from Route 12. Awesome spot. Fire ring and very spacious. Managed to get 1-3 bars of T-Mobile 5G/LTE all night and morning.
Will most certainly revisit next time I’m in the area.
Scout
You do not need 4-wheel drive to get to this parking area however I will say I was there in Aug 24’ and there was a lot of plant growth in the driving area to drive over. Nothing that would scratch my suv up but just noting in case someone decides to take a sedan back this way. I was the only one there and it was quiet and peaceful. I did get some service on AT&T but it wasn’t good for using the internet. Texting was fine.
Guide
Loved this spot!! It’s quiet and has a creek and trees Lots of sand so don’t get stuck, you can go to Belly of the Dragon before anyone due to camping next to it!!
Guide
Beautiful views as well! The road is very bumpy and campsites are close enough to hear neighbors but not bad at all for free camping
Guide
Very pretty spot. Clean and level campsites. Had a very hard time finding a site, very crowded. But once we did we loved it. BEWARE! Someone stole our trailer break emergency breakaway cord, it was a pain in the butt. Hopefully it was just a one time thing.
Scout
Not a bad camp spot but it was hard to find a level spot. We were staying in our rooftop tent and had to find rocks to level out
GuideLong drive from the main hwy with some steep and bumpy roads. A 4x4 will have no trouble regardless of the conditions. Saw a Nissan Altima go the same route, but would’ve gotten stuck if it was rainy.
Lots of shrubs to hide behind with plenty of fire circles. Drive around until you find an empty spot. Decently quiet. You’ll hear people around when it gets busy.
Guide
I enjoyed my stay here. I pitched a tent and drove a Honda Accord there. There was great cell service a bathroom/rest stop within 5 minutes and this is only a 15 minute drive to Bryce canyon NP.
GuideThis has been an amazing spot to stay at. Prefect for day trips into Bryce and Red Canyon!! All the others staying were so nice.
TravelerLocation is great for one night. Very close to the entrance of Zion park.
Road was a bit rutted but can be handled by any medium clearance vehicle.
Good cell coverage with Verizon.
Guide
Many spots available. Trees for some shade and a small creek. Stayed on a Wednesday and there was BMX racing at night till 10pm could hear them from our spot but it wasn’t a bother to us.
GuideThis is a great spot for easy access to Zion’s west entrance. It isn’t the quietest spot, lots of people pulling in to find spots late into the night, and you can see and hear your neighbors, but that didn’t bother us much personally. Everything is sandy, so be prepared to shake out your bedding before bed. The roads were not rough, just sandy and bumpy. Many spots to choose from, just look for campsite markers or fire pits. You can hear bomb testing from Nevada which was cool to us, but just a heads up.
GuideWe drove the ~7 miles on dirt roads to get to the listed coordinates and the vibes were horrible the whole way. We eventually got .2 miles from the listed location and there was a gate that was closed and locked. even if it wasn’t blocked off, i wouldn’t recommend it😅
GuideEasy to get to, plenty of room and quiet. One of the best spots we've stayed in. Vault toilets across the highway if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Mount Carmel Junction, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Mount Carmel Junction, UT is BLM Road #71 Gravel Pit Dispersed - BLM with a 4.5-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Mount Carmel Junction, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 135 dispersed camping locations near Mount Carmel Junction, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
