Searching for a dispersed campsite near Zion National Park? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Zion National Park's most popular destinations.
It is the general policy of the BLM that undeveloped Federal Lands under its administration are available to the public for camping and general recreation, with the following provisions: • Camping is limited to 14 days within a 30-mile radius in a 28 day period • Pack out what you pack in • Avoid camping within 200 ft. of any water source • Do not leave campfires unattended • Camp at previously used sites, if possible. • Dispose of human waste properly. The use of portable toilets is highly recommended. If no portable toilet is available, solid body waste and urine should be buried in a hole six to twelve inches deep. The disposal site should be located well away from streams, campsite, and other use areas. Toilet paper should be placed in a small plastic bag and put into your camp trash bag. • Pack out your trash (and a little extra). Do not leave or bury trash at campsites. • Firepans or stoves are recommended when camping on BLM land. • Avoid building new fire rings. Unnecessary fire rings scar the natural beauty of sites and reduce the amount of space available for sleeping and cooking areas. • Use only dead and down wood for campfires. Bringing your own firewood is the best policy to practice. • Do not put cans, bottles, or aluminum foil into a fire ring. • Burn campfire logs to ashes, then douse with water. Do not smother a campfire with soil, as this will make it difficult for the next visitor to use the same fire ring.
Kolob Reservoir is a 250-acre impoundment of Kolob Creek in southwestern Utah. This mountain reservoir is a popular place for the desert dwellers of St. George, as well as southern Nevada. The reservoir and most of the shoreline are owned by the Washington County Water Conservancy District. Dispersed camping is allowed and a few vault toilets are provided, along with a boat ramp and dock. Private land restricts access around the southwest bay. Seasonal access from the south is by paved county road from Virgin (Utah Highway 9); and from the north, by gravel road from the Right Hand Fork of Cedar Canyon (Utah Highway 14). Winter access is limited to snowmobile.
$53 / night
Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska).
Unlike the other trail systems in St. George Field Office area, the Hurricane Cliffs Trail System wasn't developed because of its awesome slick rock or incredible views, and it isn't inside a protected area such as a Reserve or Area of Critical Environmental Concern. This trail system developed because it's an area that is just plain fun to mountain bike.While not the legendary riding of the Gooseberry Mesa National Recreation Trail (under whose shadow this trail system sits), the Hurricane Cliffs Trail System has its own rewards. From smooth, rolling terrain to rough, rocky slabs, there are over 36 miles of great riding single-track in the system.Be sure to check each trail you plan to visit as there are user group restrictions. For example, the Canal Trail is only open to hikers, and equestrians are restricted to existing roads and the Chinatown Wash.
Camping in Hurricane Cliffs Recreation Area is allowed in designated campsites only.
Gooseberry Mesa and Hurricane Cliffs trails are located in southern Utah’s red rock country. Views from the mesa rims along these trails are spectacular. To the north are massive sandstone sentinels of Zion National Park. Spread out below the west rim is a panorama of colorful desert mesas and water carved canyons. These trails are designed to provide technically challenging mountain bike opportunities. Single track and slickrock wind across the mesa top in a series of interconnected trails providing a unique setting that will provide a high quality experience to all types of mountain bikers. One of the Bureau of Land Management's "Backyard to Backcountry" treasures, information on the Gooseberry Mesa Trail was developed between IMBA and the St. George, UT, BLM office to provide world-class riding experiences. IMBA's data on the trail includes elevations, ratings, current conditions, photos, and comments.
Scout
This is a great site to wake up to if you can get to it. Lady and I drove in after dark. While you don’t need 4x4 during dry months, it will help with the drive. It’s steep, loose dirt until you start hitting rocks.
Stay in the trees to protect from the wind, but there is plenty of space regardless and each site has its own fire pit. Looks like people make their own too.
Legend
The spot was nice and close to Zion. Some single spot and a large flat gravel pad that multiple vans/cars/tents can fit on close to the main road into Springdale. Fills up early in the day during peak season, so have backup plans.
I stayed in the large gravel pad area 3 nights and had a great view and a lovely flat spot to park on. 2 or 3 other vans or tents were also there each night.
Guide
So close to Zion this is a great free camping spot. The access road is a bit bumpy as the pavement is potholed but no trouble in our Class C. Lots of spots to choose from and some great views to be had. Highly recommend
Scout
Awesome location! Beautiful views! Multiple sites
Scout
There’s a cluster of spots for both tents and trailers to post up. The river is beautiful but appears they prefer no access to it. The fence line is down so people go anyways. This place fills up on weekend so if you get there early in day you can pick a prime space. Fire pits are all over and used. We grabbed a spot right next to the bridge and water under the falls colored tree. Stars at night are stunning. It’s quiet but you do hear the occasion car passing by from the nearby road, yet the white noise from the river softens it. October gets around 50 at night so come prepared if you’re tenting. About 20 mins outside of Zion main entrance. The mountains surrounding are beautiful.
Scout
First of all, these GPS coordinates take you to a place called Kolob Gate Gardens, which you can also find on the Dyrt. Kolob gate gardens is private property, but on the outside of Kolob Gate Gardens, it is BLM land. The people squatting there who identify themselves as “hosts” want you to think it’s all private property and pay between $31 and $50 a night for their place, which is a complete dump. There there are several dogs on the loose who will come running at you. Mind you, we are staying on the BLM portion of this property. But you can’t tell other than that no one is staying on the private property - the outside edges of the property, where it is BLM, are full of campers and tents. Steve, the person who runs the Kolob gate gardens part, is nice enough but the place is run down. In addition, there is a guy who has been squatting on the BLM property ( by his own admission) who wanted us to leave because he thought we took too much of his space. We are parked prob at least 300-400 yards from him. I thought the coordinates given here would take us to Kolob dispersed site # 2 as advertised on this app but it is not clear. Do not pay no matter what they try to tell you unless you are on one of their numbered ugly sites. Their site says they offer toilets but they are portapotties that haven’t been emptied in years prob- and they tried to make a shower by diverting water from the creek near by. The shower is not functional now. Either way, this place is no good, whether you are on BLM land or not
Scout
Ich habe hier 2 Nächte verbracht. Ich bin alleine unterwegs und ich habe mich noch nie so sicher an einem Ort gefühlt wie hier. Und man hat hier super Internet! (iPhone 13 t-Mobile
Scout
Drive out a few miles past red cliffs reserve till you pass the “your public lands sign” and find pull offs with fire rings. Gorgeous views and we saw no other people but lots of trash/broken glass/shotgun shells. Had to keep our dog on a short leash but worked well for a quick dinner and place to crash for a night
Guide
Relatively easy access from N Kolob Terrace Road. Arrived around 6pm and there were numerous sites taken up by longer term residents and fellow campers.
Most of the sites have ample space and a stone fire pit. 2-4 bars of T-Mobile 5G.
Guide
Loved this spot!! It’s quiet and has a creek and trees Lots of sand so don’t get stuck, you can go to Belly of the Dragon before anyone due to camping next to it!!
Guide
Beautiful views as well! The road is very bumpy and campsites are close enough to hear neighbors but not bad at all for free camping
GuideLong drive from the main hwy with some steep and bumpy roads. A 4x4 will have no trouble regardless of the conditions. Saw a Nissan Altima go the same route, but would’ve gotten stuck if it was rainy.
Lots of shrubs to hide behind with plenty of fire circles. Drive around until you find an empty spot. Decently quiet. You’ll hear people around when it gets busy.
TravelerLocation is great for one night. Very close to the entrance of Zion park.
Road was a bit rutted but can be handled by any medium clearance vehicle.
Good cell coverage with Verizon.
Guide
Many spots available. Trees for some shade and a small creek. Stayed on a Wednesday and there was BMX racing at night till 10pm could hear them from our spot but it wasn’t a bother to us.
GuideThis is a great spot for easy access to Zion’s west entrance. It isn’t the quietest spot, lots of people pulling in to find spots late into the night, and you can see and hear your neighbors, but that didn’t bother us much personally. Everything is sandy, so be prepared to shake out your bedding before bed. The roads were not rough, just sandy and bumpy. Many spots to choose from, just look for campsite markers or fire pits. You can hear bomb testing from Nevada which was cool to us, but just a heads up.
GuideWe drove the ~7 miles on dirt roads to get to the listed coordinates and the vibes were horrible the whole way. We eventually got .2 miles from the listed location and there was a gate that was closed and locked. even if it wasn’t blocked off, i wouldn’t recommend it😅
Guide
We stayed here for 1 night recently. The site itself was fine, though there was a bunch of trash all over. Enough room for our 39ft rig and toad. The road getting back to it was so twisty and tight that we scratched up the side of our rig. On the way out, we laid our outdoor rug on the bushes to keep from scratching again, so it is possible to get back here, but be prepared to work around that obstacle.
Also, there is a sign at the entrance warning that the area is used for "rodeo livestock" grazing, and to be cautious around them and not to approach them. We never saw or heard them, but it's something to be aware of.
Scout
We were driving through looking for a quick place to pull off the highway for the night. It's a few tarred miles off the road, but wauper esy to find, even at 11:30 pm when we stopped. There was only one car that came in after us.
ScoutBunch of options, showed up late in my ford fusion. One side of the road has multiple separate lots hidden a bit and across the road is a large lot where I ended up pulling off into, hidden slightly by brush
TravelerWe camped for two nights (Thurs and Fri) in early October. Attached are some photos from our site as well as a map of the camping area. There are 40ish camp sites along unpaved roads. The main road is unpaved but navigable by most any car. The secondary roads that lead to the individual campsites are a bit more treacherous. Would recommend AWD or at least not a super low car as it will likely bottom out. We did it slowly without issue in our Subaru. The camp sites are big enough for multiple cars or an RV. There are fire pits at each. About 100 yards or so between camp sites. We left our tent setup unattended Thursday day while hiking in Zion and had no issue.
The drive to the park is about 30-40 minutes, longer depending on how strong your car is. We were averaging about 10mph on the unpaved roads.
Overall a great place to stay! Beautiful stars, amazing land scape. Quiet and safe place to stay. Will definitely stay here again!
Traveler
Easy access onto old 89. We parked in the old gravel pit area. Our sewer sits low on our Lance and had no problem getting in. There is a bit of garbage and stuff dumped over the edges if you look for it. No odour no flies. Nice breeze. Felt safe. Quiet as its buffered from the highway. There were 3 other campers so not alone. Just minutes from Belly of the Dragon and 10 minutes from parking lot turn off to Peekaboo Slot.
GuideIt was pretty easy to find even in the dark which is when we rolled in. Pretty popular spot so you are kinda close to other people but is only 25 mins to Zion and plenty of spots. There is a little river that is so nice to go to sleep to and it is very quiet.
Legend
This so called designated dispersed is actually more like a regular developed CG, with gravel pads, and a vault toilet. Don't even come on from the north on that sketch road, it was narrow rocky and VERY STEEP into the hole the CG is in. Come on on south end thru the subdivision housing area.
Guide
It is easy to find and there are lots of marked camping spots. 14 day limit. What the other review said is true big ridges in the road making it a bumpy ride but if you take it slow and it’s dry you should be good. Probably wouldn’t take big rigs but there were lots of smaller and medium campers. The views are so beautiful! Surrounded by mountains The stars are amazing and it is nice and quiet.
Legend
Dispersed camping at an area called LAVA FLAT in the Dixie NF above Panguitch Utah. 8330 elv here in mixed conifer aspen. No numbered sites at this location even though this area is identified as a DESIGNATED site dispersed camping area. Seems to be about 8 sites on both sides of the hwy. No vault toilets, no water, no dumpsters. Paved road all the way to the jct of the short dirt side roads. Cell was very weak LTE on T-Mobile. Starlink is the solution here for me. Seems this area has meadows for the sheep herders. In early Oct.
Guide
There are several different camps all with fire pits. It’s bumpy but plenty of level ground to find once you get to the camp sites and the views are so incredible. Follow the coordinates on google maps and it will take you straight to the pull off road.
It’s about an hour from Zion and 45 minutes from the Coral Sand Dunes and 2hr from the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Guide
The persistent are rewarded with a great camping site, beautiful views and seclusion. But you definitely want to walk the road before you bring your big rig up here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Zion National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Zion National Park is Kolob Terrace Road Dispersed with a 4-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Zion National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 98 dispersed camping locations near Zion National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
