Primitive camping near St. George, Utah offers diverse terrain options from red rock desert flats to elevated forest sites at varying elevations between 2,700 and 7,000 feet. The region receives only 8.25 inches of annual rainfall, creating dry conditions most of the year. Highway noise affects several sites closest to Interstate 15, while those tucked into canyons or on mesas provide significantly quieter experiences.
What to do
Hiking nearby: Most dispersed sites provide access to lesser-known trails. At North Creek Dispersed Camping, campers appreciate proximity to outdoor activities: "Right next to Zion National Park" and "The drive to Zion is around 20 minutes."
Explore historical sites: Visit old structures within short driving distance from camps. Near Leeds Canyon Dispersed, "Children's Forest at the Kiln maybe 1/4 mile down from site. A sweet little trail leading to a historical kiln."
Creek access: Several sites offer water features for cooling off during hot months. "The stream is a great place to put some chairs and cool off" at North Creek, while Leeds Canyon campers note "It was only a 1-2 block walk to Leeds Creek to sit on a rock and soak feet in creek."
Stargazing: Areas away from city lights provide excellent night sky viewing. At Cedar Pockets Pass Road, campers report "Quiet and star studded night" conditions when you venture beyond the first pull-offs.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Sites vary from communal to secluded. One camper at Mount Trumbull Loop noted, "Plenty of room for everyone and plenty of big spots for groups." At Leeds Canyon, sites are "really spread out" with one reviewer mentioning sites are "far from other campsites so you'll get a private sense."
Cell coverage: Surprisingly good connectivity exists at many locations. At Leeds Canyon, "Cell service is ok, att seems to be better than the Verizon phone, but there is a signal." Another camper at Cedar Pockets Pass Road reported "really awesome cell service" when they "drove pretty far back in."
Established sites: Many dispersed areas have defined camping spots. Hurricane Cliffs has "Sites are clearly marked about 5-10mins from the info board" and at North Creek you'll find "Great flat sandy sites. Easy to set up!"
What you should know
Permit requirements: Some areas require permits that aren't advertised. At Mount Trumbull Loop, a camper warned: "STATE TRUST LAND, NOT BLM - PERMIT IS REQUIRED TO STAY HERE" after receiving "the dreaded knock from a police officer and a Ranger."
Trash issues: Unfortunately, litter problems exist in several areas. Leeds Canyon had one camper who "picked up a full bag of booze bottles, trash, Easter candy & tons of broken glass and dishes, tp."
Road conditions: Access varies significantly by location and weather. LaVerkin Overlook Road requires caution: "Stayed here for about a week, had to leave because of the rain- wouldn't recommend in the rain, very muddy."
Wind exposure: Several sites experience significant wind. One camper at Hurricane Cliffs noted it's "called hurricane cliffs for a reason. Tons and tons of wind!" while another at Leeds Canyon reported it "was very windy at night (but not during the day) when I went."
Tips for camping with families
Best kid-friendly locations: Some sites offer better setups for children. North Creek Dispersed Camping has "sites on both sides of the creek" where "the stream is a great place to put some chairs and cool off."
Activity options: Look for sites with natural features children can explore. Leeds Canyon offers "a sweet little trail leading to a historical kiln" described as "Children's Forest at the Kiln" just a short walk from camping areas.
Timing considerations: For family camping near Zion, arrive early. One camper at Hurricane Cliffs BLM advised: "If you want a good spot, you should come really early. I got here at around 3 o'clock in the afternoon and it was almost full already."
Tips from RVers
Vehicle requirements: Know your RV's limitations before attempting access roads. At North Creek, one camper with a 25ft travel trailer noted "Road in was just a little tough but short. Did fine with a 25ft travel trailer."
Turning radius concerns: Some sites lack turnaround space for larger rigs. At Leeds Canyon, a reviewer warned it "is good for rv only on the first four or so. After that we wondered how we were going to turn around" with their 26ft trailer.
Levelness: Finding flat spots matters for RV stability. At Water Conservancy District Camping, RVers appreciate "big and flat ground for rv" making setup easier, while Hurricane Cliffs has "Heaps of room!" with "sites that are clearly marked."
