Looking for the best dispersed camping near Orangeville? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.
The Wedge Overlook offers expansive views of the San Rafael River below and the Sids Mountain Wilderness Area beyond. It's wild and undeveloped landscape offers premier backcountry recreation.
Little Grand Canyon trailhead serves as the starting or ending point for those hiking through the Little Grand Canyon. The trailhead is located past the Swinging Bridge and .8 miles west of the Buckhorn Draw Rd. This hike explores the San Rafael river as it cuts through the Little Grand Canyon. This area is a popular 2-3 day backpacking trip with primitive campsites where user are required to practice leave no trace ethics. The San Rafael River should only be floated in small crafts above 200 CFS and large crafts above 500 CFS. Hikers should only attempt to hike this section when the river is below 50 CFS. The hike is approximately 18 miles with numerous river crossings required. The side canyons along the hike offer endless miles of exploring. The trailhead is located past the Swinging Bridge Campground and .8 miles west of the Buckhorn Draw Rd.
The Joe’s Valley Bouldering area offers world class bouldering opportunities with over 188 bouldering sites and 9.7 miles of social trails in the area. The campground is being developed in 2017 and will offer metal fire rings, picnic tables and camping pads.
Buckhorn Draw is a stunning canyon cut into the Navajo, Kayenta, and Wingate Sandstones. Carsonite posts mark where there are primitive campsites where lucky campers might spot bighorn sheep running across the ledges. Camping in Buckhorn Wash is limited to designated sites that are marked with camping signs. Creating new campsites is not allowed. Reservations not available. If there are no marked and designated sites available when you arrive, find another place to camp outside Buckhorn Draw (Check out the Swinging Bridge Campgrounds).
$8 - $15 / night
Backcountry dirt roads intersect Interstate highway system here. From the exit 131 camping area go north for Buckhorn Draw, Swasey’s Leap, or the Wedge and go south for Temple Mountain, Sid’s Cabin, Head of Sinbad, Hondu Arch, and Hidden Splendor. Bring water and be prepared.
Buckhorn Draw is a stunning canyon cut into the Navajo, Kayenta, and Wingate Sandstones. Carsonite posts mark where there are primitive campsites where lucky campers might spot bighorn sheep running across the ledges. Camping in Buckhorn Wash is limited to designated sites that are marked with camping signs. Creating new campsites is not allowed. Reservations not available. If there are no marked and designated sites available when you arrive, find another place to camp outside Buckhorn Draw (Check out the Swinging Bridge Campgrounds).
$50 / night
Scout
This BLM campground now has designated campsites, a picnic table, large deep fire rings, pit toilets and no trash service. Also no water. The actual site now in October is
somewhat overgrown with tumble weeds. Ground is very rocky but there are quite a few tents pitched.
Views are 7 on a 10 scale.
Camp fee is now $15 per night. We used a senior pass and paid $7.50
There also appears to be true dispersed camping on BLM land just to the NE of this organized camp and more about a quarter mile south on a dirt road. There don’t appear to be any picnic tables, fire rings or toilets.
Ranger
This is a cool wilderness area. It is state land in between BLM land. This is an area between the Temple Mt. Campground East and the Temple Mt Campground a few miles NW. We reconned up and down Temple Mt rd. and the campgrounds. The dispersed camping seemed to be the best option for us. The two CG's in the area do have pit toilets but that seems to be the only plus. The East CG is super open and seemed like a staging area. The other CG had some ruins but was also open with no cover. We found a little space on the northeast side of the road back in a canyon that was nice. Only bad thing were the gnats. Last part of May and early part of June apparently is a bad time for gnats in the Utah desert.
There are quite a few spots on either side of the road that are kind of established with fire rings made from rock that people have put together. You can scramble over the rocks and hike through the washes. Some attractions near by are the pictograph panel, Temple Mt. ,Wild Horse Window, and Goblin Valley SP. There are also antelope in the area. This is a good place to stage out of if you can't get a spot in the Goblin Valley CG. Remember there is no trash bins so pack it in and pack it out. Bury your poop.
Scout
Dispersed BLM good for boondocking one night while traveling. Small Class C, just watch your approach.
Legend
Wide open area south of Freeway exit 99, Miller Canyon Road. Going to the south the pavement ends and you are in a grey moonscape BLM land. Bentonite clay likely so do not be here if wet or rain in forecast. This primitive road goes for miles to the south into the north end of Capitol Reef Nat park, overlander types only!. Amazing that on the ridge to north is a nice cell tower, so couple bars LTE on ATT and TMobile, but not Verizon. Great spot if dry for a overnite stop.
Traveler
Follow the signs to “The Wedge”. After you get to the lookout area, there are plenty of dispersed camping spaces with fire rings along the edge of the the canyon, and more inland. Amazing views. We arrived later in the day and managed to find a camping spot easily.
GuideDispersed camp spots, some REALLY primo ones on edge of canyon with dramatic views. Juniper trees create some privacy between spots. Pit toilets are new and nice. No water or tables. Many built up stone fire rings.
Legend
This area is really just designated dispersed camping. No developed fee CG, NO WATER, no dumpsters. Vault toilets at wedge rim. BLM is going to construct a new developed fee CG in 2023 and fees of $20 will be charged. Not sure if all the existing free designated dispersed will go away. Cell signal is excellent. Closest town is Castle Dale 20 mi away. Road access is a wide graded gravel road from Castle Dale.
Legend
This area is accessed by 4 double track dirt roads on right as you pass the new but uncompleted sign for the expanded Goblin Valley St Park. This area used to be BLM dispersed camping but was made part of goblin a year or so ago. Goblin still allows free dispersed on these sites as of 9.2023 but that could change in future? These two track roads go to the trailhead signs for Wildhorse Window and Wildhorse Canyon hikes. Nice level sites with good views but no shade and exposed to winds. Cell signal is dependent on line of sight to Hanksville cell tower. Goblin entrance station has wifi and a water stand pipe they let dispersed campers use. No garbage dumpsters unless you pay to access goblin park at $20 vehicle.
There is also more free dispersed past the Goblin entrance station going out to Little Wildhorse slot canyon, but those areas have longer very rough access roads to get to camp sites and would likely be a problem with loose sand in spots or mud if wet. Plus no cell since on lee side of big Mesa feature.
Note the two BLM developed fee CGs on Temple wash do not have water or trash.
Zs
LegendScattered sites above and below main road after it turns to gravel. Sites uphill more tenters, sites downhill more TT and RVs. No cell signal, no designated sites, no trash. These designated sites are in between two developed BLM fee campgrounds and likely to be shut down in future as BLM tries to maintain. 1 mile buffer of no free camping around developed cgs
Legend
There are three (3) signed areas designated as Goblin Valley St Park dispersed camping area. This is the first one you see on left heading to little Wildhorse TH. Roads seem very rough, some deep sand and could be muddy if wet?, but RVs and TTs seem to get out there. No services, no cell signal. This area used to be BLM but seems Goblin Valley St Park has gobbled it up. See pic of map I got at visitors center (red sections added). Goblin Valley St Park charges $20 per vehicle just to do a day pass. $45-$65 for camping,!! use the free dispersed or the BLM CGs close by.
LegendTo get to this BLM dispersed camping area you just take the "Rest Area" exit from Highway 6 onto Horse Canyon Road. The area we found to camp was about a mile or so down the road on the right side. It's a huge area so plenty of space to dispersed camp and a few fire rings around to use when there are no fire bans. There was no one anywhere near us. Beautiful views for as far as you can see and we had a perfectly clear night. We were lucky enough to be there during the beginning of a meteor shower and saw a few fly across the sky.
Guide
We have used this dispersed camp area several times off of I-70 on several occasions. Easy access whither you're traveling east or west bound. If east bound you'll have to cross over the medium which is allowed and enter the area through a BLM gate. It's always closed to keep cows off the freeway so please close it. The area has several places to disperse camp. If you follow the road it will take you to the east entrance of the Black Dragon. I once got a cell call in the canyon that surprised us as there's little cell coverage. In the Black Dragon you'll find a lot of Indian Petroglyphs. It's pretty easy hike to them or a high clearance vehicle. The San Rafael is quite interesting. The rest areas just west of the dispersed camping has a lot info about the area.
Legend
A short road goes up to a small circle bordered by boulders. This knob functions more as a cell "phonebooth" more than dispersed camping. The primitive two track road goes past boulders along the open low ridge for possible better overland dispersed camping.
GuideReally enjoy staying here. Free camping and plenty of activities to do in the area.
Climbing (Bouldering)
Site seeing (Not far from The Wedge)
Beautiful area
LegendIt costs $35 to camp in the State Park or $20 entrance fee, but there are so many dispersed spots in the BLM area right outside the state park boundaries.
Before you turn onto the road to take you to the state park there are several wide open flat areas to stay in. This area is pretty busy with boondockers but we found a secluded spot 1/2 mile from the Wild Horse trail head at 38.5815894,-110.7954139. There are several spots that are reachable by RV, but further back you’ll need high clearance and possible 4x4.
The dirt roads off the main road close to the state park are very rutted and washed out. The roads were doable in our 26’ class C but not really worth it when there are so many other easier options.
There is no water here and no trash service so pack in and pack out including your digested food.:)
There are pit toilets at the Wild Horse Trailhead, and there appeared to be some overnight campers at the trailhead as well.
No cell service from any carrier, and our cell booster did not help.
LegendThis is dispersed camping. No amenities provided such as table or grills. They do have rock fire rings and sign/posts identifying the campsites. There are bathrooms at the Wedge Overlook as well as a more established campground with tables provided if you’d rather do that. Views are amazing there too! What I lived about our site ( site 5) was that is was at the halfway point of the mountain bike trail. This site is at the top of a shallow drainage. Other sites are literally right on the rim...see video.
GuideDispersed camped here because goblin valley sp was full. Very quiet other than someone running their generator. Kinda far from route 24.
Ranger
This is one of the two dispersed camping areas associated with the mountain bike trail that goes around the rim of the little Grand Canyon. There's a centralized pit toilet that you might have to drive a mile or two and there are a number of dispersed sites in addition to the official numbered sites.
Guide
There are lots of areas for dispersed camping for any size rig and almost any size group. I plan on making this a regular area to go camping at every year.
GuideEasy to get to, dispersed camping all along the Wedge. No amenities except for a vaulted toilet at the actual overlook. Very quiet and peaceful. More busy on the weekends. Perfect for mountain bikers. Would highly recommend.
GuideNumerous dispersed camping sites along the road to “The Wedge Overlook.” Pit toilet at the beginning of the road and fire pits at the sites. Visited in mid-April and saw very few other campers. Will definitely come back.
ScoutSolid dispersed camp with room for 2 or more campers. Requires solid 4x4 to get to but not technical driving to get there.
There are one or two spots to park in the final 3/4 mile descent to the trailhead offer even more amazing views (they were occupied when we arrived)
TravelerMultiple sites throughout the recreation area easily accessible for big rigs!
Parked 2 40+ ft. rigs near the highway and went in to explore. Dispersed camping available around every corner and down every side road. Smaller units have their choice of hundreds of spots for miles.
Many spots in a variety of places big rig friendly! Beneath cliffs, at the edge of cliffs, and from hilltops with incredible vistas.
High winds can be an issue, but we enjoyed the experience.
GuideWe stopped here on our way from Bryce NP and Capital Reef, heading to Salt Lake area. Plenty of spaces available in January but you can tell it is a popular area. After 45 days out traveling and exploring we found it was our #1 pick. Surrounded by the beauty of the area we settled in for a quiet evening and awoke to a sunny morning. There is little to no cell coverage in this area which is to be expected when dispersed camping.
Traveler
No water available, Restroom is Vault toilet
Directions:
The Black Flat CUA Dispersed camping area is approximately 27.4 miles northeast of Loa. Head north on N Main St toward W 100 N St 0.6 miles. Turn right onto UT-72 N/E 500 N and stay on UT-72 N 9.6 miles. Turn right (east) onto FR015 for 5.6 miles. Turn left (west) on FR43F for 0.5 miles.
Take your fly rod, always remember to pinch your barbs. This includes meat-casters unless you are fishing to eat.
Not crowded at all.
TravelerAbout 10 minutes from Goblin Valley State Park. There’s dispersed camping all along Temple Mt Road and Goblin Valley Road. Follow any of the dirt roads to plenty of sites. We first picked a site on top of a hill but quickly realized how windy it could get so we set up camp just after turning left down Goblin Valley Road. We had the whole place to ourselves, very quiet and great views of the Milky Way. No bugs at night but as soon as the sun came up the mosquitos came out and we quickly left.
Guide
We set up at the first site on the left as you enter and it is a nice one for a short term visit. The only draw-back is that it is close to a dirt parking lot that OHV owners use. It is the fourth of July weekend though, so probably heavier than usual traffic. We drove our towed vehicle further down the road and discovered that you enter the Manti-Lasal National Forest in about a mile. If you continue for another 3 or 4 miles you will climb up into some absolutely gorgeous groves of Aspen trees. Although we did not see any Motorhomes up there, there were multiple campsites and several were taken by folks that had towed their 35-45 foot fifth wheels up there. I believe my 29 foot Four Winds could have made the drive without issues, although we did not try it.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Orangeville, Utah, where stunning landscapes and serene environments await outdoor enthusiasts. This area offers a variety of spots for those looking to escape into nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Orangeville, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Orangeville, UT is Wedge Overlook with a 4.5-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Orangeville, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 58 dispersed camping locations near Orangeville, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
