Best Dispersed Camping near Zion National Park
Dispersed camping near Zion National Park means finding your own spot on public lands, with the Gravel Pit area being one option not far from the park entrance. You'll need to bring everything with you since these primitive sites have no restrooms, water, or other facilities. When setting up camp, remember to stay at least 200 feet from water sources and roads, and always follow Leave No Trace practices by packing out all trash. BLM land surrounding Zion allows free camping, though you should check for any current fire bans before planning to have a campfire. Most areas limit stays to 14 days within any 28-day period to keep the land from getting too impacted. The dirt roads leading to good dispersed sites can get muddy and rutted after rain, so higher clearance vehicles work best for accessing these areas. These backcountry spots give you much more privacy than the crowded park campgrounds. Most dispersed campers need to drive about 20-30 minutes from Springdale to find supplies, and cell service ranges from spotty to nonexistent depending how far you venture from main roads. Always check with the local BLM office about current conditions before heading out.
