Looking for the best dispersed camping near Parowan? Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a developed campground. Dispersed camping is free, therefore no services or facilities are provided; such as trash removal, tables, and fire pits. In some popular dispersed camping areas, camping is limited to designated sites only. Some visitors stay in a primitive style by setting up camp outside of any designated campsite area, sometimes referred to as “boondocking”. It is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy parts of Bryce Canyon Country that not many people see. Plus, it’s free camping. Dispersed camping is not permitted in all areas. If you’re going to set up a primitive camp in this way, please be sure to adhere to the following guidelines: Only camp on public land Keep your campsite minimal so as not to disturb the natural environment Remove any waste you produce, and Leave No Trace Be respectful of other visitors and wildlife in the area Keep track of your location so as not to get lost, and stay away from potentially dangerous areas.
Yankee Meadows Campground is a little known gem that offers outstanding beauty and recreation. The scenery is fantastic at the lake with towering volcanic cliffs of Sydney Peaks rising in the distance. Trout fishing and boating are the most popular activities. There are several ATV routes around Yankee Meadows, including the Markagunt and the Second Left Hand trails. Trail users are strongly advised to pick up a trail map from any Dixie National Forest Service Office. There are hiking, biking and horseback riding trails in and around Yankee Meadows – Vermillion Castle, Noah’s Ark, Henderson Hill, and Yankee Meadows Loop. Campground Map Facilities 27 campsites with picnic tables, and fire rings 2 double sites with picnic tables, and fire rings ATV corral for all OHV parking Drinking water Vault toilets No garbage disposal, please pack it out
Sorry! We have not entered information for this camping area yet. Information will be coming soon. In the meantime, please contact the Cedar City Ranger District at (435) 865-3200 for information on this trail. Thank you.
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
Yankee Meadows designated dispersed campground is situated in a beautiful valley near Yankee Meadows Reservoir.For information on dispersed camping click on the related link to the right.
Legend
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.
Traveler
This is no longer a free dispersed camping area. Reservations now must be made and the sites are $50 a night with no services.
Traveler
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!
Legend
I’ve been caving in Utah for about 20 years. Really cool experience, but you need to be careful. Note that a permit is required, you need to get it from the BLM office in Fillmore before you head out. There have been some tragic accidents in other areas. Ensure people know where you are and when you’re due back just in case, wear a helmet and carry a backup light source. Very cool to combine this with dispersed camping though on the BLM land surrounding the site. I’ve rarely seen anyone else out here.
Legend
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.
Ranger
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.
Ranger
It was like back country camping without all the hiking!
Scout
We did not end up staying here overnight because of the heat and potential rain but wanted to check it out. If you go past the no camping 1/2 mile signs there are plenty of options in this area for dispersed camping so keep driving at least 1/2 mile from those signs. Unlike the prior post, it says you CAN camp as long as you're a half mile from the no camping signs as it is BLM land.
There are plenty of places people have camped before when the fire restrictions were lifted and left perfect fire rings with rocks from the area all spaced out well. One underneath a big rock assuming they must have had some wind.
If there is any chance for rain/storms, be careful. You can see where people have struggled to get out.
I would recommend a 4x4 vehicle but stock is fine. My boyfriend claims I could have taken my stock Grand Cherokee (Altitude) up it with the right tire placement on the rocks.
LegendLeeds Canyon Dispersed Camp #9 is on the road to Oak Grove NF pay campground. This site is sort of on a short dead end rd spur, above main rd and somewhat screened. Cell service is poor to none at this site.
These dispersed sites are free with a 16d limit. Pure boondocking.
LegendBryce 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:
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
Traveler
Perfect level spot with a small rock fire ring & great sunrise & sunset views. On BLM land. T-Mobile cell service
Traveler
Very open and beautiful landscape, there are plenty of sites on the BLM land so we didn’t have trouble finding one. The Milky Way was visible across the entire sky.
Legend
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!
Scout
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.
Ranger
There is actually very little BLM land along this particular stretch of La Verkin Overlook Rd and no designated sites. However, there are lots of rigs camping. If you do camp be respectful of private property signs and pack out your garbage
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
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.
Travelerthe most beautiful blm land i have stayed on! gorgeous views, highly recommend! you need a 4WD to reach the camping section. i was able to drive my 2WD sedan but it bottomed out the whole way. you will not be able to drive if it is wet or raining.
TravelerReally easy to find. Just need to pass through some homes to get to the BLM land. You will pass the sign for hurricane cliffs and continue for about a mile or so and you will see the first sites available. This place is called hurricane cliffs for a reason. Tons and tons of wind!
Traveler
We stayed at the BLM outside of Zion National Park. It was absolutely STUNNING. There were signs that made finding this spot super simple. We stayed Saturday night of Labor Day weekend and found that we had MILES of BLM land to ourselves until well after dark. The ground was a mix of gravel/dirt and was totally find for sleeping on. Where we setup camp, there was someone's old campfire spot, which made things easier.
TravelerThe blm lands we a great way to camp close to the park but outside of designated camping. It’s centrally located between La Verkin and Zion which makes accessibility great! it’s just flat open planes perfect to set up for the night or pull up an rv for some time. there’s trails out there for bikes and the sunsets are breathtaking!
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
GuideRight 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.
Guide
I agree with a couple other reviewers that say the pin for this campground is slightly off - the good BLM campsite is slightly up the road, about a mile or a bit more, and is marked by an old, run-down abandoned RV right at the front of the camp.
We stayed here in June of 2020 and it was HOT! But nevertheless not unbearable. The little stream that runs across the campground was our saving grace; just deep enough to put our chairs in and dip in our toes. Also great for showering with biodegradable soap.
There are a decent amount of sites, if I had to guess, I’d say twenty or even more. It is dispersed but there isn’t a ton of privacy. Not a ton of places to dig your daily foxhole. If you are unfortunate to get some noisy neighbors, it won’t be fun. We had some VERY noisy and inconsiderate neighbors that played “I Got Loaded” on repeat for like two days. Every other group, however, was very respectful. Saw groups of children and adults alike on horseback many times. Several of the occupied spaces seemed to be occupied by at least semi-permanent residents.
Reasonably close to Zion and perfect for the price. Also super close to other amazing hikes on BLM land. Actual road into campsite can be a little tricky depending on which way you go, we did see one person in a 2WD vehicle get stuck in sand, but our neighbor made it in and out many times in a Volkswagen Jetta. Highly recommend this campsite when visiting Zion! Good proximity to Hurricane (pronounced Hurricin, lol) for essentials.
Guide
I stayed in dispersed camping spot #5 arriving on August 31st, 2020. There are 11 or 12 designated spots here. There is a sign on the right side once you enter the Forest Service Road that maps all the hiking trails and dispersed camping sites available in the Leeds Creek dispersed camping area. No 4x4 is necessary to get to spots 1- 5. I didn't go all the way up the mountain and see the other spots. The entrance to spot 5 is a horseshoe shape big enough and convenient for an RV. However, for tent campers, you will want to go beyond the bushes for wind coverage and privacy. The space opens up with trails, amazing views, you can here the creek burbling below the canyon. Spectacular stargazing at night and pretty quiet aside from some road traffic. NOTE: tent campers; park your vehicle with visibility in the horseshoe drive in to avoid unbeknownst camp crashers. The coverage is good enough for tent campers that someone could easily believe the campsite was not taken. Also, bees like your trashbag. So, keep it in your vehicle rather than hanging it. Lastly, sadly there was A LOT of litter when I visited. I did my best to clean some of it up while I was there. Please remember to pack in/pack out and leave no trace!!
GuideOctober 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!
LegendThis is the larger of the BLM dispersed camp areas in this corner section along the creek. There are two main entrances and roads are rough dirt. Large TT and RVs can better use this area. No toilets! No designated sites so it is somewhat of a free for all and neighbors could be very close.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Parowan, Utah, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for adventurers seeking a more rustic experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Parowan, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Parowan, UT is Tom Best Spring Road FR117 Dispersed - Dixie National Forest with a 4.8-star rating from 70 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Parowan, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 111 dispersed camping locations near Parowan, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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