Planning a dispersed camping trip near Vernal? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Vernal's most popular destinations.
This is a dispersed camping area.
This is a dispersed camping area.
Camping in undeveloped areas (outside of designated campgrounds) is permitted. Please stay on existing roadways when accessing these undeveloped areas, and follow the practices in "Caring for the Forest" when camping in undeveloped areas. Camping in undeveloped areas must occurr within 150 feet of a designated route in Utah and within 300 feet of a designated route in Wyoming, at least 1/4 mile away from any administrative site, (boat ramps, guard stations, campgrounds, or visitor centers).
From floating to a remote campsite along the Green River to camping at a developed site next to a historic ranch, the Vernal Field Office provides camping opportunities for all recreationalists. Contact the field office to learn more.
This is a dispersed camping area.
Traveler
Great views from the top, but we chose a more sheltered site due to the strong chilly wind. Beautiful sunset and sunrise. There were many good sites along the road in as well. Road could be done in a minivan when dry, but might get tricky when wet.
Scout
We’re here in mid September and only two other campers. Got a spot right in the edge of the water. Very private could not see or hear anyone else. Beautiful, clean camping area. The campground on the tip of the little peninsula was available and surround by water on three sides was available, but a little windy. Our selected spot was more secluded but still right on the waters edge.
Guide
Great area. Fun mountain biking trails. Couple of spots with fire rings. Only issue is someone is “camping” in their car right by the day use area, a non-camping area.
TravelerI stayed here in June. Solitary, quiet, and beautiful. Great views! I came in from the SW side of Little Mountain and couldn’t make it to the top in my AWD Highlander, but there were plenty of flat spots to make camp. It was a tad buggy but overall it was 👍
Traveler
I drove further down the road slightly over the utah border and it was silent and serene with beautiful views. All the spots available on this road were gorgeous.
Guide
We stayed on 918, which is technically no camping. We moved after 2 nights to the spot behind pictures of the sign. It was really nice, some traffic though. Zero Verizon signal, just sos mode.
TravelerIt’s not allowed to camp here anymore
TravelerJust randomly driving thru Colorado and run into Dinasaur and a peaceful off grid place to camp. No one around. No one else on the planet. Great place to stop.
Legend
This is a primitive camping area by Sheep Creek Lake. No amenities, no established campsites, no toilets, no garbage dumpsters, no water, no cell signal. Road access is gravel graved. A primitive boat ramp is available. This lake seems to be more of a Fish and Game nursery lake for raising Colo River Trout.
Ranger
Entrance is marked as Firehole Campground, about 12 miles from Green river. Road is not maintained and deeply rutted. Made it about 5 mi in and created my own turnaround spot as there are none. Ended up in a previously used camping area that has no fire pits or any facilities whatsoever. Fire danger all around so didn't build one. No rocks anywhere to create a fire pit. Nice, Serene and quiet location. No Wildlife to speak of. Great for one night but no service of any kind including cell or gps.
Scout
We spent this past Friday night at this dispersed campground. While the grounds are beautiful, it was extremely noisy with Harding going on all night by the Lakeshore. It was extremely noisy with all of the power equipment on and near the lake, including ATVs, generators, speed boats. If you were looking for peace and quiet, I would move away from the Lakeshore and Camp on the road going out. The road going out is quite rough and has about mile and a half of pretty bad washboard and is sandy in some spots as well
GuideNice grassy spots, just pull in where ever you see a fire ring. The dirt road in isn’t too bad and is pretty short, there were plenty of sedans driving in so it’s accessible for most vehicles when the ground is dry. Lots of cows and cow poop so watch out if you bring dogs! I had full bars of LTE extended network on Verizon, enough to send texts, make calls, and could load some webpages but it was pretty slow
TravelerOff CR16 easy to find. I just saw a couple of spots at the gps point. The view is beautiful and it’s quiet but windy. We’re the only ones here.
Legend
Forest Road #838 is a rough rocky road but is flat so not steep. Several spots in sun or shade. Just off hwy #44 so some hwy noise. No water, no trash, no toilets. Cell signal is marginal.
Legend
Forest road #839 is a popular dispersed camp area due to the flat topography and the smooth graded dirt road. Close to hwy #44 so some hwy noise. Free dispersed, 16d limit, no water, no trash, no toilets. Cell signal is marginal.
TravelerUpon initial set up we were thrilled. Great cell service, views, and can’t beat a fire and smores on the beach.
A couple of downsides. Lots of expansive soil. Impassable when wet. Our 2 wheel drive van got stuck in muck. Jeep pulled it out luckily. Open range means lots of cow pies. And remote camping without enforced WAG laws ( “waste alleviation and gelling,”) you will find human “pies” as well. Mix in dogs running around in rain….
GuideI loved camping here. Easy enough drive on a dirt road for a couple miles. Really gorgeous area with lots of privacy. I pulled into the first spot I saw with a fire ring, but probably could have gotten closer to the water if I kept driving. A few other campers around, but plenty of space to spread out. The wake boarders made me wish I had a paddleboard or kayak. I left after running out of water, but will definitely be back.
Traveler
Well off the beaten path. Nearest boondocking neighbor is over a mile away. Good att coverage
Legend
This FS road is very rocky, rough and steep, and high clearance and good tires are recommended. Free dispersed camping up first 0.1 mile in pine trees. More sites higher but the road access is tough. No RVs, Travel Trailers, or low clearance vans, imho. Only overlander types should consider camping here IMHO. Cell signal is actually good.
Legend
A bit of a trashy area, glass, cans, shot shells, likely a weekend party spot for teen parties. No cell signal either.
This site is long ways from Vernal, so the McCoy flats BLM dispersed area is a much better option... Excellent cell signal, only a few miles into Vernal and a Walmart.. and it has new vault toilets and is free dispersed hanging with the MTB crowd
LegendMcCoy Flats BLM is a mt bike focus recreation area with a network of excellent nonmotorizrd singletrack trails. Dispersed free camping allowed, and currently there are several nice vault toilets scattered along the main access paved road.
This camping area is at the third new vault toilet. Lots of room for large TTs. No trash dumpsters and no water, but cell signal is excellent 5g five bars. Only few miles from main hwy on an old paved pothole filled road. And then only 3 miles back into Vernal and a Walmart on this end of town, so logistics are very good.
Legend
This McCoy Flats area is a mt bike non-motorized trails recreation focus area. This site is going to be a future developed BLM CG, but for now it is still free dispersed. There is an older vault toilet up in the junipers and a new vault toilet out by main paved road. New campers to this site should recon first before hauling a TT up these narrow entrenched two-track sandy roads. The right fork is best IMO. Only vault toilets here currently, no dumpsters, no water, but cell signal is good. This site is the first of three new vault toilets along the main road. Note: screenshot of BLM proposed CG map is attached here.
Guide
Found this quiet spot between Rangely and Dinosaur, CO. 98 is off of Hwy 64. Just a short distance up the hill. Small road to the left and immediately able to pull off. Room for maybe two tents, Overlander or Van. 4 bars of Verizon. Pack it in, pack it out.
GuideCamped across the road from established free camping. Our site was private and no ATVs so it's pretty quiet too. Some road noise, but it drops off around 11 pm.
GuideVery quiet, not a lot of other campers
3 bars verizon
Lots of mountain bikers
Traveler
Great little spot to stop and sleep. The train ran once in the evening. There are several fire pits from the looks of it. No amenities but lots of deer!
Guide
We didn't end up staying here because the fire pit was small, maybe six rocks. It's right on a ledge and you're barely off the road.
Not really enough space to feel comfortable with traffic coming through the monument.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Vernal, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Vernal, UT is McCoy Flats MTB Trailhead with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Vernal, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 dispersed camping locations near Vernal, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
