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Dispersed Camping near Springdale, UT

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    Springdale sits about 2 miles from Zion National Park's south entrance, and dispersed camping in this zone means BLM land along the Virgin River corridor and Highway 9. No water, no restrooms, no trash service. Pack in everything and plan to pack it all out.

    Most dispersed sites within a short distance of Springdale are on BLM land south and west along the highway corridor, with the majority accessible by standard vehicle on maintained gravel. A few branch roads require high clearance. In-park campgrounds at Watchman and South Campground book through recreation.gov and sell out months in advance for spring and fall dates. Dispersed BLM sites have no reservation requirement and no fees, making them the practical fallback when in-park sites are gone. Summer heat at this elevation runs high, with temperatures well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit from June through August.

    Zion National Park's campground options cover in-park sites alongside the developed campgrounds just outside the boundary. Virgin is about 15 miles away and has additional BLM access along the river corridor. Virgin's dispersed sites are worth checking when spots closer to Springdale are taken. Shade is limited at most sites here, so come prepared.

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    Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Springdale (104)

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      1. North Creek Dispersed Camping

      4.6(49)9mi from Springdale

      "There’s of shade from the trees and a beautiful creek. We arrived at around 3pm and no one was around. By 5pm a good amount of people started driving in a picking their spots."

      "Went to the right from the entrance all the way to end next to a private property. It’s really quiet and more secluded. You see other campers but you have privacy and your own place."

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      2. Kolob Terrace Road Dispersed

      4.0(39)9mi from Springdale

      "There are no fees but also no amenities. So please, if you pack it in then you need to pack it out. Bring plenty of water for drinking and cleaning."

      "Great camping close to Zion! There are some shaded spots but they get taken quick. There were lots of spots out in the open and we ended up at one of those."

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      3. BLM Road #71 Gravel Pit Dispersed - BLM

      4.6(31)14mi from Springdale

      "This area is up BLM Road #71 and was the old hwy. The actual main camping area is an old gravel pit area but views are great, solar is plentiful."

      "You could easily use this as a base to explore Zion if you dont mind no facilities. The view was spectacular, and our spot had an already made fire pit."

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      4. Kolob Terrace Road

      4.2(18)9mi from SpringdaleTents

      "Close to the road without having to hear all the freeway traffic. It’s a good while away from the park (25 minutes maybe) but not too far that you feel like you are wasting gas."

      "Multiple turn offs from the Kolonial road with multiple sites at each. Some of the other turn offs would have been challenging to access in a minivan but the first one was fine just a bit bumpy."

      5. Dalton Wash Dispersed

      4.2(13)6mi from Springdale

      "Good camping site, would recommend a 4WD or AWD vehicle. The road up is steep and narrow, passing a lot of private property. Sites are out in the open, no shade."

      "While you don’t need 4x4 during dry months, it will help with the drive. It’s steep, loose dirt until you start hitting rocks."

      6. Gooseberry Mesa

      4.8(13)8mi from SpringdaleRVs

      "After seeing how crowded hurricane cliffs were, camped on the left fork after the Windmill trailhead. Gooseberry mesa biking is incredible."

      "As soon as you turn off the freeway, it's washboard all the way until you turn left onto Wire Mesa Trailhead. From there, it's slow moving but nothing major."

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      7. LaVerkin Overlook Road Dispersed

      4.0(21)14mi from Springdale

      "Quite a few dispersed spots. Being out in the desert there isn't much to create privacy from one group of people to the next but they are far enough apart you won't hear eachother."

      "This spot is a little ways off the highway. The road is rutted but manageable."

      8. Hurricane Cliffs BLM Dispersed sites 40-48

      4.2(17)12mi from SpringdaleRVs, Tents

      "Our class B camper van made it fine on the uneven terrain. Just go slow. The snow had melted from the previous day by the sun so it didn’t affect us. Easy to find a spot. Beautiful sun rises!"

      "Found a nice little campsite that fit two camper vans. In a bit of depression, out of the wind. Woke up to a wonderful view."

      9. Hurricane Cliffs BLM dispersed #54

      4.4(17)13mi from SpringdaleRVs, Tents

      "Most people were camping in a large packed area a shit distance from the highway and most campers did not have fire rings. We were there for four nights and no one came be to check. No water."

      "The gps takes you crazy ways through rough dirt roads. Go down to the 2nd left and there is a perfect cul-de-sac area. We loved this spot and stayed a week."

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      10. Hurricane Cliffs BLM Dispersed

      4.3(15)12mi from SpringdaleRVs, Tents

      "arrived in the dark but we were able to find a site in the 30’s range- loved it especially when we woke up in the morning and saw the view. we stayed a second night tucked into a ravine next to some boulders"

      "Sites 1-12 PROS: 

      Stunning views

      Free 14 day - although in 14 days we never saw anyone check

      Verizon & ATT 4-5 bars even with no booster

      Wide open, strong solar all but 1 day

      20m to Zion NP,"

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    Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Springdale, UT

    323 Photos of 104 Springdale Campgrounds

    Dispersed Camping Reviews near Springdale, UT

    678 Reviews of 104 Springdale Campgrounds

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 1, 2024

      BLM Navajo Rd Dispersed

      Open, high land that’s awkward to get to

      At the far corner of an unassuming neighborhood, there’s a dirt road with a couple signs saying no shooting and no camping. They’re referring to the first three miles of that road. It’s a narrow road with unusually high walls but easy to drive. Make sure you go all 3 miles until you reach the big classic BLM Public Lands sign after which is the start of your options. There’s a few quite large turnoffs with fire pits

    • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Mar. 15, 2021

      Leeds Canyon Dispersed #2

      Overlander site only

      Leeds Canyon Dispersed camp sites are on the Dixie NF. Lower dispersed sites 1-6 are easiest to get into with a TT. Camp in designated spots, camping free for 16 days. No water, no trash, no toilets. Sites are along a well maintained FS gravel road so dust may be a concern. Only a few miles outside of Leeds and Interstate 15.

      Leeds Canyon #2 is behind #1 a hundred yards but requires high clearance and 4wd to access....no TT or RVs. Nice big open area with views for the overlander types

    • K
      Jun. 13, 2022

      Old Highway 89 Dispersed BLM Site

      Quiet camping spot close to Kanab and east entrance of Zion

      We loved this free camping area! 

      There aren't tons of spots(most of it is an open area), but we never had an issue getting one, even during spring break. 

      It's close to Kanab and the east entrance of Zion.

      Please Leave No Trace! Take care of this place so it can be enjoyed by many for as long as possible!

    • Melanie G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Mar. 8, 2026

      Hancock Road 64L Dispersed

      It was a banger!

      This site was close to the road, but in our quieter season, it wasn't too loud. You can hear the main road noise in the distance, but not too bad. There was lots of space at this site. You could easily group camp here. There's sand every where, so it's very easy to dig a pit for your fire and latrine to leave no trace. The site was level enough for is to car camp. We walked back to find there is at least one site back away from the road farther if this one is full. If you go much farther the sand road gets a little looser. I'd worry if you didn't have at least AWD going back there.

    • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 30, 2019

      Dalton Wash Dispersed

      Great free camping with a view of Zion!

      Ill start off by saying that you should probably have an AWD or 4WD high clearance vehicle for the upper campsites.  There are campsites lower on but are right next to the road.  Getting there you'll want to follow Dalton Wash Rd all the way to the plateau, staying left the whole way unless its private property.

      There are no bathrooms or amenities here so either come prepared or take care of business before heading up or inbetween excursions.  The good thing from that is you'll be pretty secluded! (Cant speak for the peak months as we visited in May)  The upper campsites are ~45 minutes from Zion with the lower sites being only 30 minutes away!  Summer may not be the best time to visit as the sites are kind of exposed and theres not a ton of shade

    • M
      Sep. 28, 2020

      Dispersed Camping in Dixie National Forest - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

      Secluded atmosphere. Great Views.

      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!!

    • Jenny&Tobias P.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 6, 2023

      BLM Dispersed N Kolob Terrace Road

      Cottonwood Trees and a Creek

      Sandy and shady free Campground near Zion Natl Park. Easy access even with a car for the most spots. Crossing the creek there are more spots but not recommended without high clearance and 4x4. Beautiful sunset and shady in the morning. No highway noise. No fires permitted. Max stay 14 days. Love this place and the murmurs of the creek. Fills up very quickly around 6pm in the summer.

    • Marcie R.
      May. 11, 2020

      Mammoth Dispersed

      BEAUTIFUL

      Such a beautiful spot. Right next to Mammoth Creek surrounded by Dixie National Forest. Lots of sites and pull offs. No hookups or water but there are pit toilets. New favorite campsite!!

    • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 17, 2022

      BLM Road #71 Gravel Pit Dispersed - BLM

      Nice BLM Dispersed

      This area is up BLM Road #71 and was the old hwy. The actual main camping area is an old gravel pit area but views are great, solar is plentiful. Free BLM Dispersed, no signage, no water, no toilets, no trash. Cell was 1-2 5g bars for me. Road access is rough broken hwy pavement, just go slow. Second road on left to GP area.

    Guide to Springdale

    Dispersed camping areas near Springdale, Utah typically experience desert climate conditions, with extreme summer temperatures reaching 100°F and nighttime temperatures dropping significantly. The terrain consists mainly of slickrock, sandy washes, and juniper trees with minimal shade. Campers should prepare for significant temperature fluctuations, limited cellular coverage in certain locations, and primitive conditions with no developed facilities.

    What to do

    Mountain biking trails access: Gooseberry Mesa provides excellent access to renowned mountain biking trails. "Gooseberry mesa biking is incredible. The road to the mesa is very washboarded and will rattle the daylights out of your car. The sites are fairly spaced out and have great views," explains one camper at Gooseberry Mesa.

    Stream cooling in summer: Several sites offer stream access for natural cooling during hot days. At North Creek Dispersed Camping, visitors note: "The stream is a great place to put some chairs and cool off. I will definitely be coming back here on my next Zion trip!"

    Stargazing opportunities: The remote locations offer excellent night sky viewing away from city lights. A visitor at Hurricane Cliffs described: "Beautiful, up on a hill with great views of the sunrise and sunset. Stunning views! The sunset, the moon, horizon to horizon of billions of seen stars, and a gorgeous sunset."

    What campers like

    Site privacy levels: Different areas offer varying degrees of seclusion. At Hurricane Cliffs BLM Dispersed, a camper observed: "The area is wide open, but enough spacing so you're not on top of your neighbor. The road is quite busy with people trying to find sites and you'll likely get dusted, but the campsites we saw were clean and the area felt safe."

    Cellular connectivity: Many sites maintain workable cell service despite remote locations. A camper at Kolob Terrace Road mentioned: "We had a super sweet spot that was pretty secluded. Really sweet spot besides all the hay in some spots. Had to leave earlier than I wanted because of hay. Very allergic."

    Natural features: Streams, rock formations, and views enhance the camping experience. "This site has numerous spots, most are close together but the campground was not full at all allowing plenty of space and privacy. There are sites on both sides of the creek," noted one visitor.

    What you should know

    Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require careful driving. At Dalton Wash Dispersed, a camper reported: "This spot is so pretty, fairly remote, and cows in the area are nice. It's about a 4.5-mile drive on unpaved road with about a mile of that in a steep incline, I was able to make it up with my prius, but if you have bad breaks, be wary."

    Crowding during peak seasons: Sites fill quickly during tourist season. "Get there early, they seem to fill up fast. I got one of the last spots in the area around 4PM. Wind was strong until about 6PM, then it was mellow the rest of the night," advised a Hurricane Cliffs visitor.

    Extreme weather challenges: Wind and temperature issues affect many sites. "Very unclear. No one was here and the signs were very vague saying 'public land' and also 'PRIVATE NO CAMPING' just be warned it's a bit confusing," cautioned a LaVerkin Overlook visitor.

    Tips for camping with families

    Fire regulations awareness: Fire restrictions vary between locations. "This has been a great spot with lots of places to camp. Along this road there are several dispersed camp sites but this ground has some trees with shade if you go further in. I stayed here for 3 nights and really enjoyed my time," reported a North Creek camper.

    Shade availability: Limited tree cover affects comfort in summer months. At Hurricane Cliffs BLM dispersed #54, a visitor found: "Big open area you can just pull off really anywhere. A few other campers were set up when we pulled in, making it feel safer than just being alone lol 360 views and amazing stars at night!"

    Potable water planning: No water sources exist at these sites. "We found a wonderful spot on top of a hill. The road can be very rough in places but great views," noted a BLM Road camper.

    Tips from RVers

    Site leveling challenges: Many areas require careful setup due to uneven ground. "You def need a higher up car to get to where I went. I have a Honda HRV and took it really slow and didn't have any issues. I got to the location and kept going and found a shaded area at the bottom of a hill," shared a camper at rustic camping near Springdale.

    Turning radius considerations: Limited turnaround areas exist on narrow roads. "We got our 33 footer in with a little work," noted one North Creek visitor describing their experience.

    High clearance requirements: Some access roads demand appropriate vehicles. "Accessibility was good (old broken up paved road that turns to gravel so no 4x4 needed). Some road noise. Main area has various campsites off the main road so not a ton of privacy but great open views!" shared a visitor at BLM Road #71 Gravel Pit Dispersed.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is there free camping available near Zion National Park?

    Yes, several free camping options exist near Zion National Park. BLM Dispersed N Kolob Terrace Road offers sandy, shady sites with easy car access to most spots, beautiful sunsets, and no highway noise, located near the less-crowded west side of Zion. Old Highway 89 Dispersed BLM Site provides free camping closer to Kanab and Zion's east entrance. While it's an open area with limited defined spots, campers report good availability even during busy seasons. Gooseberry Mesa offers spaced-out sites with great views, though the washboarded access road can be rough. Most free sites lack amenities like water, trash service, or toilets, so come prepared with everything you need.

    Where can I find dispersed camping near Springdale, Utah?

    Several dispersed camping options exist near Springdale. BLM Navajo Rd Dispersed offers sites about 3 miles down a dirt road; follow past the initial no camping signs to reach the permitted camping area. Dalton Wash Dispersed provides options with upper campsites requiring high-clearance vehicles, while lower sites are accessible but closer to the road. Other nearby options include Kolob Terrace Road area, which has sandy, shady spots with easy access even for standard vehicles. For locations east of Zion, check areas near Kanab. Most dispersed sites are on BLM land or within Dixie National Forest, typically 15-30 minutes from Springdale, depending on the specific area.

    What are the regulations for dispersed camping around Springdale?

    Dispersed camping regulations near Springdale generally limit stays to 14-16 days. At Leeds Canyon Dispersed in Dixie National Forest, camping is free for up to 16 days and restricted to designated spots only. BLM Road #71 Gravel Pit Dispersed follows standard BLM regulations with no facilities provided. Most areas prohibit campfires, especially during dry seasons and fire restrictions. Campers must pack out all trash and practice Leave No Trace principles. Vehicles must stay on established roads and camping areas—no off-road driving is permitted. Some areas have specific restrictions about group size or RV length. Always check current regulations before your trip as rules can change seasonally or with conditions.

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