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Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
From the rolling sagebrush desert to the red gate cliffs at Torrey, all the way up to Capitol Reef National Park. The Gateway to Capitol Reef Special Recreation Management Area contains parts of the Fremont River, multi-hued bentonite hills and gorgeous hiking opportunities.
Dispersed camping in previously disturbed areas is permitted on BLM and USFS lands outside of developed campgrounds. Leave no trace of your visit. No services are available in these areas. Please respect our fragile lands by using minimum impact techniques and utilizing existing fire rings. On BLM and USFS lands, you must camp within 150 feet (45 m) of officially-designated routes, and only on existing spur roads. Please respect private property and other areas closed to camping. Be aware of the potential for wildfire due to drought conditions and/or windy weather. Check current fire restrictions. Never leave a fire unattended, and extinguish it cold to the touch when you leave.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Rules for Dispersed Camping Groups of over 75 people who wish to use the forest, need to obtain a special use permit. There is no fee and permits can be obtained at the nearest District Office. You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided; such as water, restrooms or trash cans. You may camp in a dispersed area for up to 16 days. After 16 days, you must move at least 5 road miles for camping in another dispersed area. Campers may not spend more than 16 days of any 30 day period at the same dispersed area. Please place your campsite at least 100 feet from any stream or other water source. Keep a Pack-In Pack-Out camp. Follow Leave No Trace guidelines. Contact the local Forest Service office to see if any restrictions, especially fire restrictions are in place. Be Bear Aware. There are bears on the National Forest, so camp accordingly.
Legend
After visiting two very popular Utah parks -- Zion and Bryce Canyon -- Capitol Reef was a breath of fresh air. And one of our favorite parts about visiting this park is that it was almost totally free!
When we arrived at the visitor center, they informed us that their only developed campground, Fruita Campground (first-come-first-served only, not reservable) was full for the night, and rangers were ready with a handout full of alternative camping areas. We had not dabbled into BLM (Bureau of Land Management) camping before, but this experience would encourage us to utilize it throughout the rest of our year-long trip to the national parks.
This “campground” is located about a mile outside of the national park, which allows great access to everything inside Capitol Reef. Usually free camping like this is harder to discover, but this pull-off is just off the road.
Benefits of camping in BLM land include the cost (free!), solitude (you can be as far away from people as you’d like), and easy access to the national park (in fact, most national parks are surrounded with National Forest Service or BLM land!). Downsides, of course, include the lack of amenities, the sometimes uninspiring scenery, and the feeling of uneasiness (can I really just camp here? For free?)
Capitol Reef’s BLM camping is plentiful, but this site was definitely the best. 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.
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.
You can read much more about our four days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Capitol Reef)
Guide
We spent a week along Beas Lewis Flat Road just outside of Torrey, to explore Capitol Reef National Park. This is free BLM dispersed camping with a 14-day stay limit, no sites or services provided. The first camping areas off of UT-24 get crazy busy, to the point that it looked more like a crowded RV park than a peaceful boondocking area; however, make a right just past the cattle grate and you can go several miles back in, in search of solitude. Just after making that right there's a small dry wash to cross that requires some clearance and decent approach/departure angles, but other than that the condition of the road is superb. Views stretch to the red rock cliffs north of UT-24 from Torrey to the National Park, including Capitol Reef itself and the Henry Mountains beyond. Cell service was solid on both Verizon and AT&T, and we had no issues working on VPN from our location or streaming HD video. There's a small general store in Torrey with a few staples and even a laundry available, but the nearest small-town supermarket is in Loa, 18 miles west of Torrey. We found the prices there to be reasonable given the location. You may get water and dump at the Fruita Campground inside the National Park for $5.
Watch our full-length video on both the camping and the National Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=296k\_D3AZIE
LegendThe location of this pin is on tiny corner of a section of Fishlake NF land, there is NO dispersed camping on the National Park in this area.. This site is likely In wrong location and is actually the area at top of rise on the hwy where the cell signal comes in from Torrey.
Legend
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 ut will take a while. There was no way for us to know if this was allowed so we opted for a campsite west of the gate on BLM land. Fire pits and spots were marked out from previous campers. Windy but amazing views, close to town and decent cell service with T-Mobile.
Ranger
This is a cool wilderness area. It is state land in between BLM land. This is an area between the Temple Mt. Campground East and the Temple Mt Campground a few miles NW. We reconned up and down Temple Mt rd. and the campgrounds. The dispersed camping seemed to be the best option for us. The two CG's in the area do have pit toilets but that seems to be the only plus. The East CG is super open and seemed like a staging area. The other CG had some ruins but was also open with no cover. We found a little space on the northeast side of the road back in a canyon that was nice. Only bad thing were the gnats. Last part of May and early part of June apparently is a bad time for gnats in the Utah desert.
There are quite a few spots on either side of the road that are kind of established with fire rings made from rock that people have put together. You can scramble over the rocks and hike through the washes. Some attractions near by are the pictograph panel, Temple Mt. ,Wild Horse Window, and Goblin Valley SP. There are also antelope in the area. This is a good place to stage out of if you can't get a spot in the Goblin Valley CG. Remember there is no trash bins so pack it in and pack it out. Bury your poop.
Scout
Maybe we’re scardy cats. But there was no one else around us, and after the sun went down a spooky vibe took me and my 2 friends over. We ended up sleeping in the car and leaving first thing in the morning. Is 9 miles down a road, away from civilization. Definitely back country camping, and not for the faint of heart. Camp at your own risk. crazy beautiful views tho!!
Legend
Not a lot of campers this far down the road. There were quite a few near hole in the rock road right outside of Escalante. Perfect for astrophotography! Sporadic cell service with sprint/t-mobile. Dirt road to this area is not the best. Very much like a washboard and rough. BLM lands so camping is free.
Guide
This side of the BLM land is just south of the two when you enter the dispersed area. There are TONS of spaces to camp, so many that when we were looking we eventually stopped and turned around because they just kept going! We have stayed in this area the last 2 nights and we have not seen more than 4-5 other groups camping at one time. There are a decent amount of trees that provide shade/wind breaks and plenty of fire pits to find a spot for you. Internet connection is pretty good for Verizon.
GuideWhen the Fruita campground is full an alternative is to camp for free on BLM land. We chose a spot 9 miles East of the historic district. As you approach the park heading West on UT24 turn left onto Notom Bullfrog Road. The first pullout in the left has several areas to park, some with rock fire rings. We chose the highest hilltop and pointed our window SW for the expansive view of the water pocket fold. For restrooms we used the NPS orientation point vault toilets located on the corner of UT24 and Notom Bullfrog Road, just a few seconds drive.
Traveler
Bumpy dirt road going in. Large area with plenty of private dispersed camping spots.
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.
Legend
This area is accessed by 4 double track dirt roads on right as you pass the new but uncompleted sign for the expanded Goblin Valley St Park. This area used to be BLM dispersed camping but was made part of goblin a year or so ago. Goblin still allows free dispersed on these sites as of 9.2023 but that could change in future? These two track roads go to the trailhead signs for Wildhorse Window and Wildhorse Canyon hikes. Nice level sites with good views but no shade and exposed to winds. Cell signal is dependent on line of sight to Hanksville cell tower. Goblin entrance station has wifi and a water stand pipe they let dispersed campers use. No garbage dumpsters unless you pay to access goblin park at $20 vehicle.
There is also more free dispersed past the Goblin entrance station going out to Little Wildhorse slot canyon, but those areas have longer very rough access roads to get to camp sites and would likely be a problem with loose sand in spots or mud if wet. Plus no cell since on lee side of big Mesa feature.
Note the two BLM developed fee CGs on Temple wash do not have water or trash.
Zs
LegendScattered sites above and below main road after it turns to gravel. Sites uphill more tenters, sites downhill more TT and RVs. No cell signal, no designated sites, no trash. These designated sites are in between two developed BLM fee campgrounds and likely to be shut down in future as BLM tries to maintain. 1 mile buffer of no free camping around developed cgs
Legend
There are three (3) signed areas designated as Goblin Valley St Park dispersed camping area. This is the first one you see on left heading to little Wildhorse TH. Roads seem very rough, some deep sand and could be muddy if wet?, but RVs and TTs seem to get out there. No services, no cell signal. This area used to be BLM but seems Goblin Valley St Park has gobbled it up. See pic of map I got at visitors center (red sections added). Goblin Valley St Park charges $20 per vehicle just to do a day pass. $45-$65 for camping,!! use the free dispersed or the BLM CGs close by.
TravelerWow! I love dispersed camping...especially in Utah. The red cliffs and astounding. It is pretty easy finding a nice place to make home right outside of the park. Most of the roads aren't paved when you leave the highway to find a spot, but I drive a Corolla and it wasn't a problem. Camping out here was an amazing experience. The stars at night are incredible!! I've never seen so many--there's hardly any light pollution. There were a few other people camping nearby but overall it was relatively isolated and quiet which was nice. The park was only a few minutes away and fun to explore during the day. I would highly recommend camping this way here! It's amazing.
RangerSo this is the dispersed camping area in a beautiful location. It is only about a quarter of a mile off Utah 24 on hole in the rock road. There's no water there no pit toilets there are no fire rings there are no picnic tables. But it's free. And there's a cell phone signal.
Traveler
Cool dispersed camping right off the road. It's beautiful the only thing is you can here cars on the highway from your campsite and there's only like 4 campsites. Not busy at all though I was the only one there. easy to get to with 4 wheel drive car
Traveler
Just to let folks know, this is not a BLM site. BLM sites have a pay station right when you pull into the campground. This one does not, and I believe it is Utah state land that is managed by SITLA . (Google that if you want.). Anyway it was Wednesday October 21, and we pulled in here about 2 PM. I would say the campground was about half full and we did manage to find a spot that was pretty level. There were several spots that had small trees near them and those were all taken for obvious reasons.
We were traveling on Highway 24 South going west, and about 5 miles past the northernmost entrance to the park, is the dirt road that leads to the campground. Past the first dirt road there’s another dirt road with other campers, but we did not go down there.
The best part of this free camping ground is that the Internet is working great! We are not on Wi-Fi, but we have unlimited data and are very happy with our reception.
It is a little close to Highway 24, but as I write this at 11 PM, I don’t hear a thing on the road.
I highly recommend this free campground!
LegendA short road goes up to a small circle bordered by boulders. This knob functions more as a cell "phonebooth" more than dispersed camping. The primitive two track road goes past boulders along the open low ridge for possible better overland dispersed camping.
LegendIt costs $35 to camp in the State Park or $20 entrance fee, but there are so many dispersed spots in the BLM area right outside the state park boundaries.
Before you turn onto the road to take you to the state park there are several wide open flat areas to stay in. This area is pretty busy with boondockers but we found a secluded spot 1/2 mile from the Wild Horse trail head at 38.5815894,-110.7954139. There are several spots that are reachable by RV, but further back you’ll need high clearance and possible 4x4.
The dirt roads off the main road close to the state park are very rutted and washed out. The roads were doable in our 26’ class C but not really worth it when there are so many other easier options.
There is no water here and no trash service so pack in and pack out including your digested food.:)
There are pit toilets at the Wild Horse Trailhead, and there appeared to be some overnight campers at the trailhead as well.
No cell service from any carrier, and our cell booster did not help.
Guide
I dispersed camped here and it was very peaceful and quiet Located a little outside of Escalante, UT
GuideDecent dispersed camping with room for any sized camping rig. Okay area for star gazing except toward Escalante to the northwest.
GuideDispersed camped here because goblin valley sp was full. Very quiet other than someone running their generator. Kinda far from route 24.
TravelerAwesome dispersed camping. The access road is rough but there are big rigs here. Tremendous views toward Capitol Reef. Very windy being up on a ridge
GuideAwesome dispersed camping with stellar cell service, close enough to Escalante that you can drive in quickly for groceries or water. Just mind the cows!
TravelerGreat dispersed camping right outside the west side of the park in a beautiful area next to a small canyon. Plenty of room, accessible with low clearance car. There are porta potties on site that we’re cleaned the morning we got there! I also had service which was nice.
TravelerWe were hoping to camp in the Fruita Campground but was full, so the park rangers recommended dispersed camping, Just outside of the park gates, about 10 minutes from the visitor center. Plenty of campground spaces with fire rings. No amenities. Awesome dark sky views and wonderful hiking at capitol reef.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Torrey, Utah, where stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures await. This area offers a variety of spots for campers looking to immerse themselves in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Torrey, UT is Capitol Reef National Park Dispersed Camping with a 4.3-star rating from 46 reviews.
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