Primitive camping near Torrey, Utah offers direct access to Capitol Reef National Park's landscape without established facilities. The area sits at approximately 6,800 feet elevation with temperature variations of up to 30°F between day and night. Most dispersed sites around Torrey are situated on BLM land with rocky terrain requiring careful tent stake placement during frequent high winds.
What to do
Hiking Capitol Reef trails: From Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping, campers can reach popular trails within minutes. "During our five days in the park, we had some favorite activities: backpacking in Upper Muley Creek, hiking to Cassidy Arch, picking and eating fruit right off the trees in the historic orchards, hiking the tough Navajo Knobs trail, and, most of all, the Sulphur Creek trail through a narrow beautiful creek with three waterfalls to climb down," one visitor reports.
Explore nearby canyons: Many sites offer canyon access right from camp. "There's a canyon that you can park pretty close to the edge. Some spots probably need 4x4 with decent clearance, but most are accessible if you drive slow," notes a camper at Capitol Reef Dispersed Camping.
Trail access from camp: Cooks Mesa Trailhead Dispersed offers immediate trail access. "The trailhead is right there, so it's perfect! Probably 10-15 sites if you look around and get deep towards the hills," explains a reviewer.
What campers like
Sunset viewpoints: Elevated camping spots provide excellent sunset watching. At Overlook Point Dispersed Site, a camper noted, "Easy to find & pretty smooth road to some nice spots. Beautiful view! Easy access to downtown Torrey & Capitol Reef National Park."
Cell connectivity: Unlike many remote areas, most Torrey dispersed sites maintain cell service. "Great spot to pull out for the night or more. We stayed 2 nights due to its proximity to town and capitol reef NP... Great sunset and sunrise spot, with 2 bars of T-Mobile service," reports a Cooks Mesa Trailhead visitor.
Protected fire pits: Many sites feature well-built stone fire rings that provide wind protection. "One site had an epic rock fire pit that created a perfect little oven on a windy night," shares a camper at Cooks Mesa Trailhead Dispersed.
What you should know
Wind conditions: Most sites experience significant wind due to their exposed positions. At Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed, a camper warned, "This is a beautiful spot not far at all from the Park. You're up on a beautiful bluff but we won't stay again due to relentless wind. Zero wind in the park just a 15 min drive away but the wind here was just terrible."
Tent challenges: The rocky ground makes traditional stakes ineffective. "The ground is solid rock and it can be windy, so tents might have a rough time. Perfect for car camping and vans," notes a Capitol Reef Dispersed camper.
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. "If you follow the road to the GPS spot you have to travel through a gate and a corner of private land to continue onto BLM land. You can access from the other side but it will take a while," explains a Capitol Reef Dispersed Camping visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Avoid exposed sites: For families with children, seek protected spots. "We camped down in the gully a little to get out of the wind. Beautiful view of thousand lake mountain and surrounding red rock. From our campsite we could hear the creek which was about 10 feet below," suggests a visitor at Capitol Reef Dispersed Camping.
Find established areas: The most family-friendly sites have defined boundaries. "Plenty of sites available. If you're someone who hasn't upgraded to 4x4 yet, you won't have issues accessing this site. Can't speak for spots not directly in the entrance. Limited shade but if you get lucky you will find a spot with a tree or two," explains a camper at Cooks Mesa Trailhead.
Check for wildlife: Some sites have small wildlife concerns. "Was only here for an overnight and a rat crawled up into our warm engine bay and chewed through our fuel injector copper wires. Had to spend the whole afternoon in Bicknell at Park Auto supply fixing the damage," warns a visitor at Overlook Point.
Tips from RVers
Clearance considerations: RVers should scout before committing to a spot. "We got a little overzealous with the clearance. But, we just got a little overzealous with the clearance. There are plenty of spots that are easily accessible," explains a camper with a 26-foot Class C at Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed.
Ridge access: Many RVers recommend specific areas. "We were able to drive up on a high ridge of the pull-out area that the RVs could not easily access, so we felt alone and watched the gorgeous sunsets from our campsite each night," reports a visitor at Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping.
Site distribution: For larger rigs, several areas offer suitable space. At 1280 Beas Lewis Flat Road, "This site located between Capital Reef NP and Torrey Utah is large and welcoming. Diverse rigs can be accommodated with reasonable privacy. Ridge views and protected valley locations."
