Free dispersed sites in the Mount Carmel Junction corridor put campers between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon country on BLM and national forest land with no reservation required. The terrain shifts here from the red sandstone of Zion toward the higher pinyon-juniper country of the Colorado Plateau, and most sites are reachable by high-clearance vehicle. BLM sites around Kanab cover the no-fee options to the south if this corridor is full or road conditions are rough.
No water, no restrooms, and no trash service at dispersed sites in this stretch. The 14-day stay limit applies. Fire restrictions are common from summer into early fall, so check current status before the trip.
"This area is up BLM Road #71 and was the old hwy. The actual main camping area is an old gravel pit area but views are great, solar is plentiful."
"You could easily use this as a base to explore Zion if you dont mind no facilities. The view was spectacular, and our spot had an already made fire pit."
"The road is rough I would recommend a high clearance vehicle to be able to drive farther. We don't have that so we were limited on how far we were willing to drive down the rough dirt road."
"Take the exit from 89 and cross the remnants of the old 89 road. You will find several spots with previously used fire rings."
"We loved this free camping area! There aren't tons of spots(most of it is an open area), but we never had an issue getting one, even during spring break. "
"The section of the dispersed camping on the old highway road I chose was on a hilltop, so even though there wasn't much shade, the breezes were great and the views were even better."
"Horse camp near belly of the dragon” connects with “Twin hollows canyon” which is also on BLM (it doesn’t show as “free camping” on this site for some reason)."
"We camped right next to the creek which is beautiful. Dead bird in the creek though and a spine of another animal. Lots of areas to camp for tents, car camping and rv/travel trailers."
"We stayed a few miles up into the public land. There’s a lot of off-road trails & it’s muddy, tons of fun wheeling! Found a spot on the top of a hill that was flat enough for us to set up camp."
"Unfortunately the dirt road is a pretty heavily used off-road trail so there were several groups that went by while we were there. Nothing annoying but they will be coming by."
"It’s a small lot off the highway, there are a few immediate fire pits you’ll see, we chose the one off to the left because it was shaded and a little more hidden."
"Nothing special, hard ground, limited space, good for hammocks or pull over van camping. Fires capable."
"No water or toilets. Road a little rough but up to this point, ok with passenger car, but not if it's wet at all. I was towing 15 ft camper. Long trailers not recommended."
"There was a small ranch/private property close to the beginning campsites and their dogs barked all night but wasn’t close enough to really bother us. Good view of the stars here too!"
"This site was close to the road, but in our quieter season, it wasn't too loud. You can hear the main road noise in the distance, but not too bad. There was lots of space at this site."
"No fee and 14 day limit. Great site but be very careful with the very loose sand at these sites. Approximately 11 miles from the state park."
"There’s of shade from the trees and a beautiful creek. We arrived at around 3pm and no one was around. By 5pm a good amount of people started driving in a picking their spots."
"Went to the right from the entrance all the way to end next to a private property. It’s really quiet and more secluded. You see other campers but you have privacy and your own place."
"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."
"Very quiet place to stay near to the entrance of Zion Park. Access to the dispersed Campground is a little bit rough but if you go slowly it’s ok. You can see very beautiful sunset and sunrise."
GuideBeautiful little camp spots. There are a couple spots at the top that are accessible for cars but be very careful at the bottom. I was extremely close to getting stuck at the bottom. Had to kick it into four high, say a little prayer, and throttle like hell. The sand is soft and DEEP! Quit a bit of flooding and deep ruts through there as well.
GuideGood spot right off the freeway. Perfect if you have a trailer and motorcycles or a large camper. RVs should be OK as long as it’s dry. Just be mindful that the entire lot (while flat) is sand.
GuideIf your vehicle has the clearance head up the hill! I left a huge pile of wood up there if you can find it!
GuideI ended up camping down at the staging area due to heavy rain. But drove up to canyon a ways to check it out and it was stunning.
TravelerWe were able to find a good spot with our 40-foot transit bus. It was a close one, though! Highly recommend having a scouting vehicle find a spot first if you are in a bigger rig. I agree with earlier comment - if you have a bigger rig, check out the paved pull off road first.
GuideNot for trailers - the dips off the road going in are deep, water run off crags make it precariois. The sage cactus is close to road and scratches vehicle. To boot there are red ant hills near the fire pits
GuidePlease don’t be dumb. Check the weather before taking your rig out there. Itll be a very expensive tow for you.
GuideStayed here for 5 days. It gets pretty windy and the roads are not something I would recommend for lower clearance cars. But man is a beautiful here. Sites are pretty well spaced out but mannn does Sound out here travel far. You’ll hear everything. Overall would recommend. But would also agree with other reviews about site filling up.
ScoutSmall area off road room for maybe 5 or so camps road noise is light but can't miss it with the cattle guards barb wire between you and the creek but open at one end to get to trail to it
The BLM lands surrounding Mount Carmel Junction provide over 30 identified primitive camping sites at elevations ranging from 5,000-6,000 feet. These dispersed areas experience summer temperatures averaging 85-95°F during day and 50-60°F at night, with significant temperature drops possible in spring and fall. Deep sand conditions are common on many access roads, particularly those leading to higher elevation sites.
Explore slot canyons nearby: The Peekaboo Slot Canyon is located about 10 minutes from Mt Carmel Old 89 Dispersed Camping. One camper noted, "Just minutes from Belly of the Dragon and 10 minutes from parking lot turn off to Peekaboo Slot."
Take advantage of stargazing opportunities: Camp at Hancock Road 64L Dispersed for excellent night sky viewing away from town lights. The area's lack of light pollution creates ideal conditions for astronomy. "We had the area we picked all to ourselves. The closest other camper was about 1/4 mile away," one visitor reported.
Visit Sand Arch: This easily accessible geological feature is near several camping areas. A camper at Hancock Road mentioned, "Sand Arch just up the road and a cool little stop," making it an excellent short excursion from camp.
Seclusion despite proximity: BLM Road #71 Gravel Pit Dispersed offers a balance of accessibility and privacy. A visitor described it as "Beautiful, up on a hill with great views of the sunrise and sunset. Took the advice of the first reviewer to take the second left and the road was easily accessible with our SUV and pop-up."
Reliable connectivity: Many sites maintain usable cell service, important for remote workers. At North Creek Dispersed Camping, campers reported, "We have T-mobile and had 5G service" and another mentioned it had "good enough cell to work remote."
Riverside camping options: Several dispersed areas offer water access during spring and early summer. At North Creek, a visitor shared, "The stream is a great place to put some chairs and cool off," which provides valuable relief during hot months.
Road conditions vary seasonally: Deep sand can trap vehicles without proper clearance or 4WD. A camper at Horse Camp Near Belly of the Dragon Trail advised, "Watch weather as the road seem like it could become sticky mud in rain."
Prepare for temperature extremes: The high desert elevation means significant day-to-night temperature swings. A visitor noted, "Wind and heat were rough for my stay but this was a better move than out in the open as there is some tree cover."
Site availability fluctuates by season: During peak periods (April-May, September-October), arrive early to secure spots. At Archers Overlook East Zion, one camper observed, "Fairly full Thursday night and only a couple people Friday," suggesting weekday arrivals improve your chances.
Scout flat areas: Many sites feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Archers Overlook, a visitor warned, "A small circle of dirt/sand. Pretty unlevel but ok for a night," suggesting families should bring leveling equipment.
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 4.6-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Mount Carmel Junction, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 158 dispersed camping locations near Mount Carmel Junction, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
