If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Sterling, look no further. Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Dispersed Camping Area. Facilties include vault toilet in the area
The Joe’s Valley Bouldering area offers world class bouldering opportunities with over 188 bouldering sites and 9.7 miles of social trails in the area. The campground is being developed in 2017 and will offer metal fire rings, picnic tables and camping pads.
Camping, beaches, and warm waters lure visitors to Yuba Reservoir. Developed and primitive camping is available at Oasis and Painted Rocks campgrounds and at designated beach areas. Anglers may fish for northern pike, tiger muskie, walleye, yellow perch, wiper, trout and catfish year-round.
Please remember all fees apply, even if the entrance station isn’t staffed. Please use the self-pay envelope system at each entrance station upon arrival. We will only permit one vehicle per reservation.
Please remember to use the envelope self pay system upon arrival if campsites are not reserved.
Camping reservations for the North and West Beaches will now be combined to be called “North Beaches”. When making a reservation in the future for the “North Beaches” area, upon arrival you will be allowed to chose your camping area based upon space available. We will only permit one vehicle per reservation.
$25 / night
Scout
This BLM campground now has designated campsites, a picnic table, large deep fire rings, pit toilets and no trash service. Also no water. The actual site now in October is
somewhat overgrown with tumble weeds. Ground is very rocky but there are quite a few tents pitched.
Views are 7 on a 10 scale.
Camp fee is now $15 per night. We used a senior pass and paid $7.50
There also appears to be true dispersed camping on BLM land just to the NE of this organized camp and more about a quarter mile south on a dirt road. There don’t appear to be any picnic tables, fire rings or toilets.
Legend
Wide open area south of Freeway exit 99, Miller Canyon Road. Going to the south the pavement ends and you are in a grey moonscape BLM land. Bentonite clay likely so do not be here if wet or rain in forecast. This primitive road goes for miles to the south into the north end of Capitol Reef Nat park, overlander types only!. Amazing that on the ridge to north is a nice cell tower, so couple bars LTE on ATT and TMobile, but not Verizon. Great spot if dry for a overnite stop.
GuideReally enjoy staying here. Free camping and plenty of activities to do in the area.
Climbing (Bouldering)
Site seeing (Not far from The Wedge)
Beautiful area
Guide
This spot is just into the Fishlake National Forest. There is nothing fancy about this location. It is just a grassy spot along the road as you start following the road into the national forest. There may very well be cattle in the area and that will depend on the time of the year. But, it would make a great base camp from which to ATV or ride horses.
Traveler
No water available, Restroom is Vault toilet
Directions:
The Black Flat CUA Dispersed camping area is approximately 27.4 miles northeast of Loa. Head north on N Main St toward W 100 N St 0.6 miles. Turn right onto UT-72 N/E 500 N and stay on UT-72 N 9.6 miles. Turn right (east) onto FR015 for 5.6 miles. Turn left (west) on FR43F for 0.5 miles.
Take your fly rod, always remember to pinch your barbs. This includes meat-casters unless you are fishing to eat.
Not crowded at all.
Guide
This site is located on the northerly side of the road. A number of fire pits exist in this area. It is readily apparent that others have stayed here in the past and it is a popular spot. Good only one other camper has been here in the 5 days that I have been here so far. There are any number of spots along this road that could be used for dispersed camping. The farther you go along the road the rougher it gets. I was able to find a lot of small sticks that had fallen off the trees to be able to use in my wood stove in a wall tent. It is about 5 and a 1/2 miles to the end of the road up the Canyon.
TravelerI found a spot on Eight Mile road, just off i-15, near the east side of the national forest. I drove up the dirt road for a while until I found a nice flat spot for the night.
I could hear some road noise, but had 3+ bars of T-mobile 5g service. Not another person in sight except for maybe 2 cars that drove by during the night. Plenty of cows and cow patties around though!
Bonus: Eight mile road was a shortcut to westbound highway 50 and a nice way to start the drive in the morning.
Legend
This is at Exit 108, Lone Tree Road. The BLM road to south is a graded gravel road so is much safer in wet conditions than exit 99 dispersed area. If you like wide open San Rafael desert landscapes this is a good one to explore. Cell signal close to Fwy I70 is very good TMobile and ATT, but not so good Verizon. This is pure desert dispersed exploration camping.
Traveler
Just off of willow creek rd. Turn left at the map coordinates. You are at almost 8000 ft so not a winter camping spot. There is some ATV traffic but respectfully slow. Good roads in but we got there on a Sunday night and quite a bit of traffic heading out. I imagine the weekends are busy. Lots of spots to camp along the road but this one seemed the most private.
GuideThere is one campsite with a sign that says 3 day public camping. It is a huge dirt lot with a few shade trees and creek. About 1/4 mile after this location are 5 more Creekside campsites on the left side of the road ( if coming from Goshen ) they are unmarked. All campsites in this area are on BLM or state land. Please do not overstay your welcome. They have discussed blocking them off due to people staying for way to long and leaving trash.
Guide
There are 3 natural hot spring bath tubes on a private property in the meadows. Camping among the cows and having a bath in a natural hot tub while the sun is rising - it's a dream. There are a some camping spots around the springs and a sign that says "Enjoy and please donate" so the visit is by donation and not paying. The road to the hot tubs is very bumpy and mudy after a rain, better walk in. A very beautiful stop when you tired out from driving.
TravelerGreat dispersed place to stay. Was there on a thursday and saw 2 other people. Campsite I stayed at/the drive up is amazing during sunset
Traveler
Just needed to find a place for the night and this was perfect! No one around, huge site, beautiful views and free! Cows meander around the campsite..didn't bother us. If you go past where the directions take you, there are 3 or 4 spots that are also nice. Road is easy to travel.
Legend
If you’re looking for a fun backpacking camping trip where you’re guaranteed to see tons of wildlife, this is it. Not only will you avoid the crowded campgrounds, but you’ll be able to do it without hiking a million miles from your vehicle.
You can park at the trailhead and hike up only 2 miles before you start seeing deer and elk everywhere. You simply follow the river up the canyon, and choose from any of the small flat locations for tent camping, or pick a couple trees to hang a hammock. Choices are abundant. In the summer months, water is scarce so bring water. If the creek is full and running you can simply filter water.
There is a beautiful meadow area at the top of the trail before you begin to descend down the other side (another beautiful area).
Was able to hike in with my 8 year old, and he loved it. Great secluded dispersed spot for wildlife watching.
Scout
The drive in past the pavement was dusty, but not horrific. The road had been graded so there a lot of rocks on the surface of the road. No washboard. Campsite was fine. Just a few trees to keep us company. Bronco towing a Lance 1475.
GuideI arrived at the campsite around 5pm in my Mazda CX-5 on a Tuesday, not a single person in sight. There was a pretty strong hail storm passing through during the night and the road was gravel so safer when wet. Beautiful views of the mesas and red rocks.
GuideThe owner of this property has graciously allowed people to stay here for free. Please leave with more trash than you came with.
Hot Spring was a little walk, but perfect.
Traveler
We were looking for an easy place away from the interstate to split our drive from Idaho to St George in half. There was no one here at all and found easy place with a tree to set up 26ft tt. Let the dog roam free around meadow. Further up are more sites but gets sandier and tighter
Ranger
While we stayed here in our van without any trouble, there are nicer campgrounds around here.
Still, this was free and quick.
Some traffic even late at night, so only really best for van/car sleeping rather than setting up a tent.
Across the street is the lake and there is a store in the same parking lot.
ScoutArrived 3Jul24 at dusk. There is standing water marsh with a frac tank, possibly for water for the quarry above. Got out of the car to give dog a break and within one minute was scrambling back in. Drove up hill to the quarry and got out with dog....still very bad mosquitos but some breeze. Hid in the car while dog was out on a long rope for a while, covered with mosquitos. After 10 minutes I had killed most that were in the car and the ones waiting at the doors and windows were gone. I cracked the door and began pulling dog rope to get slack in and then had dog climb over me into back seat.
We drove east one Dyrt to Miller Canyon and it was AWESOME. I remember maybe 3 mosquitos there.
There are only two things I can compare this savagery to (and I am in my late 50s):
Alaska (Last Chance Rd dispersed is WORSE--However, note that when I was in AK I wasn't asking for trouble--I was indoors during mosquito hours--I am sure AK has mosquitos as bad as Last Chance if you go looking)
Canada Boundary Waters Boy Scout Canoe Base (about the same at dusk--only fools wouldn't have camp totally ready to be inside tents before mosquito hours. Mornings were fine.
Scout
Many places to camp. For best selection arrive in the middle of the week. Good UTV trails nearby.
GuideThis was a great site to stop and pitch my rooftop tent. Not too far up the canyon, and it was very quiet. It is RIGHT next to a mountain bike trail, so expect some early-morning bikers to be coming down.
Overall, it was a great place to camp.
Scout
This was fun! It was about 45 minutes to an hour out of town and lots of twisty roads, the scenery was pretty. I'm just happy I found a place to go camping with my love and set up our hammocks!
TravelerNice quiet stop to park for the night. Close to the highway, far enough to not really hear it.
Traveler
We got to a great spot on north beach and setup our camp. As soon as we got comfortable the strong winds came in and destroyed our canopy. When the wind stopped tons of sand mites and mosquitoes swarmed us the rest of the day. They were caked on the side of the tent and the vehicle. During the night there was a a large group of campers playing loud music and riding four wheelers and side by sides close to our camp until 3am.
Traveler
This wasn't where we planned to camp but got too tired to drive any further. We are in a Toyota Camry and just hammocking. This spot worked out nicely. There was someone in the actual place of the coordinates. But we found a spot near by.
TravelerPerfect place to stop for the night. Road is fine. A few ruts. Super quiet.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Sterling, Utah, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, these locations offer the perfect escape for campers seeking tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Sterling, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Sterling, UT is Willow Creek Road - Dispersed Site with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Sterling, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 42 dispersed camping locations near Sterling, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
