Dispersed camping near Santa Clara, Utah provides free options on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The region sits at elevations ranging from 2,800 to 3,500 feet and features distinctive red sandstone formations characteristic of the Colorado Plateau. Roads to most dispersed sites remain passable year-round except during flash flood events, which can temporarily render washes impassable.
What to do
Hiking on nearby trails: The dispersed camping areas provide access to numerous hiking opportunities. At Cedar Pockets Pass Road, "There is now a marked Cedar Pocket Wash Trail Head with a camp area setup just before the trail head where we camped in 2018." Another camper noted that Cedar Pockets offers "two nice hiking trails. Plenty of room for several RVs."
Visit historical sites: A short drive from some camping areas reveals interesting historical features. Near Leeds Canyon Dispersed #1, there's the "Children's Forest at the Kiln maybe 1/4 mile down from site. A sweet little trail leading to a historical kiln."
Off-road vehicle recreation: Many dispersed areas accommodate off-road enthusiasts. At Sand Hollow OHV Camp, you'll find "lots of room for camping great access to ohv trails." One reviewer described it as "side by side paradise" noting that "the area is absolutely beautiful. Red Utah desert and very sandy."
Creek access: During warmer months, creek access provides cooling relief. At North Creek Dispersed Camping, "the stream is a great place to put some chairs and cool off." When water is flowing, these areas become popular spots to escape the heat.
What campers like
Red rock landscapes: The distinctive geology creates unique camping experiences. One camper at Cedar Pockets Pass Road described "beautiful views if you go further into the canyon," noting they "proceeded beyond and found a site with a beautiful view." Another mentioned it has "red rock, Joshua Trees, and fine terracotta clay."
Night sky viewing: The dark skies away from city lights provide excellent stargazing. A camper at Black Rock Road Dispersed commented that there were "no lights so the stars were beautiful." Another mentioned "beautiful sunset/sunrise views."
Flat camping surfaces: Many sites provide level ground for easy setup. At North Creek Dispersed Camping, campers appreciate that "road in was just a little tough but short. Did fine with a 25ft travel trailer. Riverside spots are mostly for vans/tents." Another noted the sites are "easy to set up! Creek was dry but trees were lovely!"
Cell connectivity: Most sites maintain adequate service for those needing to stay connected. At Cedar Pockets Pass Road, "cell signal is good at upper end of this camping area," and another camper confirmed they had "really awesome cell service." At North Creek, a reviewer noted, "We have T-mobile and had 5G service."
What you should know
Permit requirements: Some areas require permits. At Black Rock Road Dispersed, "There was a sign that says you need an Arizona Land Pass, which would cost $20 for a family." At Mount Trumbull Loop Dispersed, campers were informed that "this is state trust land, not BLM land, and a permit is required to stay here."
Road conditions: Access varies significantly between sites. One camper at Mount Trumbull noted "the road is busier than you would think," while another mentioned "fairly decent roads. Just don't come out while it's wet." At Leeds Canyon, "gravel road to the sites was well maintained, but sometimes narrow."
Site availability: Competition for spots can be intense. A Leeds Canyon Dispersed camper reported, "It was a beautiful area but it was so hard to find a spot I actually had to stay a night down on the St George path of the mountain and come back around a few times the next day to find this one empty."
Trash concerns: Unfortunately, litter remains an issue at some sites. A camper at Leeds Canyon stated, "The only negative would be solely blamed on Humans. 'LEAVE NO TRACE' pick up your trash! I picked up a full bag of booze bottles, trash, Easter candy & tons of broken glass and dishes, tp."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for safety: Choose sites away from potential hazards. At Sand Hollow OHV Camp, "I'd be careful with small ones and pets due to all the off road vehicles using this as a trailhead." The area features "lots of space to park and fire pits scattered throughout the valley."
Noise considerations: Some areas experience significant noise from vehicles. At Water Conservancy District Camping, "traffic noise from hwy 9" can be a concern. Similarly, at Leeds Canyon, sites are "right off the road so you'll hear plenty of vehicles. But far from other campsites so you'll get a private sense."
Educational opportunities: Some sites offer learning experiences for children. Leeds Canyon features "a sweet little trail leading to a historical kiln," providing an educational component to your camping trip. North Creek Dispersed Camping is "about a 20 minute drive from the Zion entrance," making it convenient for day trips to the national park.
Shade availability: For summer camping with kids, prioritize sites with natural shade. North Creek Dispersed Camping offers "shade from the trees" when available, while a camper at Cedar Pockets noted, "No trees, but the mountains provide nice shade in the evening and morning."
Tips from RVers
Length limitations: Size restrictions vary widely between sites. At Leeds Canyon, "Lower dispersed sites 1-6 are easiest to get into with a TT" and "the road definitely gets sketchy after site #6, though we managed in our 26ft class c. Wouldn't really recommend any huge rigs."
Road navigation: Some access roads require careful planning. At Cedar Pockets, a camper advised, "We bypassed the first 1/4 mile stretch of easy sites and made our way back another mile. The road was an easy drive esp for a smaller rig. I wouldn't tow a trailer."
Leveling considerations: Finding level sites can be challenging. At Black Rock Road Dispersed, "For tent camping, there was more seclusion offered towards the back of the site." For RVs, many campers recommend scouting ahead: "If looking to dry camp I would look elsewhere or drop trailer first and go in with truck to see if anything is available."
Site size options: Capacity varies between locations. Cedar Pockets Pass Road has "plenty of room for several RVs" while at Leeds Canyon, "site #1 has a back in angle that needs you to be heading back down the road if a TT."
