Best Dispersed Camping near Panguitch, UT

This is an area of free dispersed camping along the FS Rd #117 (Tom Best Spring Rd). It is midway between Bryce NP and Red Canyon Recreation Area on the Dixie NF. The dispersed camping is along FS RD #117 ( good graded gravel road) for about the first 1.1 miles, after that camping restrictions are posted. Some of the side roads are dirt two track and also have many camping spots but beware wet weather on side roads. Cell service is very good for all providers. This area has no designated sites (yet) and there are no tables, metal fire rings, garbage dumpsters or toilets. However, at the main hwy across there is a rest area with a vault toilet.

When our original dispersed camping spot didn’t work out we drove down the road and found this little gem, right outside the entrance to Bruce Canyon National Park. There are a bunch of designated USFS camping spots. They’re level-ish, fire rings, and pretty easy to get to. We have a 1992 (renovated!) motorhome and we got to spot 17 no problem. We could have gone to 17-19, but then the road got to rough for our old girl. Lots of quads and sideXsides riding on the dirt road, kicking up dust till about 8:30PM but was not a big deal. Solid free camping right near the park!

Upon entering Bryce National Park last year we discovered all of the campgrounds were full. We decided to ask a park ranger where else we could camp, he handed us a map (in the pictures) and sent us on our way. About 5-10 minutes outside of the park there is a series of dirt roads on the left hand side that offers free dispersed camping. Forest road 090 or 1173, the main road in the area is called The Great Western Trail.

The spots here are your typical dispersed camping, with no official marking for sites. No picnic tables or restrooms and there a no fire rings. We found a nice clearing with a rock fire ring already made. While driving down the dirt road we did see a few RV's and trailers, i would say you could comfortably take any vehicle down this way to spend a night camping. The road was fairly well maintained, a few bumps and holes along the way but nothing major. Id say all in all we drove about 10 or 15 minutes to find a camp spot.

The distance back to the National Park was about 10-15 minutes from our camp spot, well worth it to stay outside the park and save some money as well as have a nice quiet and private area. The directions we were given by the park ranger had us take an immediate left after the Bryce Canyon NP sign onto rd 090. We eventually found a spot about a mile or so down that area.

Note on the map, if you follow road 087 down towards the reservoir, the Park Service recommends this as the best place to view wildlife before dusk. Next time you are down in the area, try out these spots. You will not be disappointed.

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 took our 30ft RV up the hill right on top of what seems to be a sand pit of some sort. You could also follow the old 89 and find some spots in between the trees. We chose to stay up too with the view. Obviously there are no amenities of any sort here as this is BLM land for dispersed camping. We will stay here for one night on our way to Zion.

Bryce Canyon campgrounds were full, as well as the nearby designated campsites at Red Canyon.   We showed up at the nearby forest ranger's office who directed us to some nearby dispersed camping on the edge of Dixie National Forest.

This is dispersed camping, so no:

• Restrooms
• Water
• Trash
• Hookups/dumps
• Shops

Although since there is a designated campground just down the road, you can easily go there for water, restrooms, and trash.

This CG provided a good alternative to getting to Bryce Canyon without the mess of trying to get a reservation.  Red Canyon is also in between this site and the national park, which had some nice hikes and views of the hoodoos

Perfect level spot with a small rock fire ring & great sunrise & sunset views. On BLM land. T-Mobile cell service

Dispersed camping in the beautiful Ponderosa pines of Dixie National Forest. The Forest Service road is easy to navigate. There are many dirt roads branching off of it with sites to choose from. Chose a site relatively close to the forest service road. If you're sensitive to dust may want to choose a site further off the access road as there is lots of dust kicked up every time someone drove in or out on the gravel. Convenient location to Bryce (about 15 minutes). Cell service for Verizon.

When the rigs pulling in and out stopped, the only sounds were the braying of cows (the herd wandered into the site) and the wind blowing.

Views! Peaceful! Free!

Small turnout, maybe 3 cars and an RV. Not much to do or see except a nice small river. Met a local that told me it is okay to stay overnight. Not sure if it is BLM land though.

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.

Right off of Hwy 12. If you take the first left turn off the main road, there are some awesome spots with great views. Nice level spots with fire pits. Roads are decent. Very quiet first week in Sept.

There’s a gas station 2 miles down the road. Very close to Bryce Canyon. Great free camping spot.

October 15, 2020

We wanted to be close to Bryce Canyon but not in all of the hub and chaos of people. This location is about a 10 minute drive away from Bryce.  This is the perfect location to get away from it all.  When you first arrive, you will see plenty of spots for RV's and travel trailers.  We traveled 1.8 miles and took a left turn on a small dirt road and found 5 or 6 campsites that were level and far away from each other. (We were the only one down this road).  

The site was level with a lot of space to spread out.  There was a firepit but no other facilities, so come prepared with everything you need. Due to fire restrictions, we didn't have a fire, and enjoyed seeing the Milky Way and shooting stars!  There is a pit toilet across the highway before you turn into the BLM land.  

We thought we would only stay for one night, but ended up there 2 nights since it was so beautiful!

This was our very first dispersed camping spot and we loved it! It was only 20 minutes to Zion. We stayed 2 nights next to the Virgin River. It rained hard our second day in Zion and when we got back to camp the area was a thick, red mud that stuck to our shoes & the Virgin River rose quickly. But, it stayed well within its banks and we were able to easily pull out the next morning.

Dispersed camping at an area called LAVA FLAT in the Dixie NF above Panguitch Utah. 8330 elv here in mixed conifer aspen. No numbered sites at this location even though this area is identified as a DESIGNATED site dispersed camping area. Seems to be about 8 sites on both sides of the hwy. No vault toilets, no water, no dumpsters. Paved road all the way to the jct of the short dirt side roads. Cell was very weak LTE on T-Mobile. Starlink is the solution here for me. Seems this area has meadows for the sheep herders. In early Oct.

i read that toms spring is closed on another site, and red canyon only has a couple sites so decided to come here since lots of sites along 12 miles of blm land! super easy to find a spot. just drive up the road til you find a dirt area that is available! we got lucky and found one with a fire pit made from rocks within the first mile or two. we played music and danced til 4 in the morning but nobody could see or hear us because the campsites are located so far from each other along the road. we went past 3 or 4 areas w campers before we found ours. we arrived late around 11:45pm. lots of stars out! was SO beautiful to wake up there in the morning! trees, seclusion, rock walls, quiet. lots of ppl did drive by in the morning to leave so if you are in a spot where you are camping somewhat close to the road, maybe bring ear plugs to pop in in the AM if you are sleeping there late. or park further off toward the other side of the spot away from the road. perfect spot! definitely stay here! ground was firm and easy for our van to travel on at least can say for the first few miles was. idk bout past that since didnt go that far.

We slept in our van which worked well because it seemed like most spots were on a hill or incline. The sites closer to the road are certainly bigger and more flat, but we had to drive a half-mile up the dirt road to find a spot away from others. Still, it worked as adequate secluded free camping outside of Bryce.

Right past beautiful Red Canyon coming from Panguitch on 12. Turn left on  road also call 117. Lots of spots.  Some single and some more like a campground area.  You are as close to your neighbor as you choose to be.  The "official" spots all have at least the metal post where a sign was  Rangers do come around and check as there are a lot of "not official" spots It is dusty if you are close to any roads. The pines "sing" in the wind. There are areas in the meadow or the pines  No amenities but Panguitch is about 10 miles away and Bryce City is a bit closer. Bryce City Sinclair station has dump, water, propane, diesel and reg.  Super nice people.  Can stay for 16 days.

Plenty of free camping opportunities as you drive down the dirt road. Space between sites is ideal so noise isn’t a problem. Flat ground makes it prime for tent camping with lots of pine trees for hammocks if desired. 4x4 not necessary but would make your drive a lot smoother. There is a lake close by as well as a stream that runs through the camp sites.

I love camping here because it is so close to Bryce but also away from having a camper right next to you.

This dispersed camping option is great if you like your own space to enjoy.Bryce city is about 20 min from the campsite.

Only 7 miles from canyon city. Nice paved bike path right at the entrance of the dispersed camping area. We drove in about a mile on a nice gravel main road. Found a nice secluded spot about 100 yards off the main road. There a lot of opportunities for displaying here. Are closest neighbors were 150 yards away. Will certainly stay here again.

There are 26 DESIGNATED dispersed camp sites in the Dixie NF special management area part of Dave's hollow close to the Bryce NP boundary. The west part of Dave's hollow does not have the designated only restrictions, however there are way less campsites available. Cell signal is very good for the entire area. Note there are no vault toilets, no dumpsters and no water in the Dave's hollow area and all the roads are dusty dirt and could be muddy if wet.