Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Utah? We've got you covered. Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Utah's most popular destinations.
The Moab Exchange lands were acquired by the State of Utah in 1965 in an exchange for sovereign lands within the newly-designated Canyonlands National Park. The Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is responsible for the management of 829-acre Prairie Dog Haven Unit and the 4,350 Dalton Wells Unit in Grand County, Utah.
In 2015, the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands completed the Moab Exchange Lands Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). The CMP was designed to facilitate the management of the exchange lands under multiple-use, sustained yield principles and accommodating public and private uses to the extent that the uses do not substantially impair the public trust resources.
Volcano Peak Campground is dispersed camping at its finest. It’s located in the Silver Island Mountains in northwestern Utah near the Bonneville Salt Flats. Instead of trying to set a new land speed record on the Bonneville Speedway, set up camp and let the tranquility wash over you. This secluded area makes it a perfect environment for everything from lizards and birds to bighorn sheep and coyotes. If you’re the adventurous type — and if you end up here there’s a good chance you probably are — it’s a steep climb to the summit of Volcano Peak, but the reward is worth it.
Lots of sites, all free, primitive. GREAT views of the Mexican Hat geological features. Good for 2wd cars.
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 developed campground. Dispersed camping is free, therefore no services or facilities are provided; such as trash removal, tables, and fire pits. In some popular dispersed camping areas, camping is limited to designated sites only. Some visitors stay in a primitive style by setting up camp outside of any designated campsite area, sometimes referred to as “boondocking”. It is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy parts of Bryce Canyon Country that not many people see. Plus, it’s free camping. Dispersed camping is not permitted in all areas. If you’re going to set up a primitive camp in this way, please be sure to adhere to the following guidelines: Only camp on public land Keep your campsite minimal so as not to disturb the natural environment Remove any waste you produce, and Leave No Trace Be respectful of other visitors and wildlife in the area Keep track of your location so as not to get lost, and stay away from potentially dangerous areas.
Traveler
It's a breathtakingly beautiful spot with a fair amount of simple pull offs for camping. Unless it's raining or just finished there won't be any water. There is precious little vegetation as well, but a fair amount of rock outcroppings to block the wind, which howls come spring and is far more common than precipitation.
Speaking of which, don't push your luck if it has rained recently, as the clay softens and becomes slick, packing around tires, and everything else. Plus even if your vehicle can handle the soft soils you'll wreck the road for everyone once the deep ruts dry out and harden.
Some sites have fire rings but that's the extent of facilities, although there might be a port-a-potty by the western entrance to the road, closer to the Moki Dugway. Summers get hot, and I'd head up to Cedar Mesa if so.
There ample dispersed camping on Cedar Mesa, as well as plenty of scraps to get a fire going. This is one of the greatest concentrations of smaller Ancestral Puebloan (formerly Anasazi, which is controversial and regarded as insulting by today's Pueblo tribes) villages, so there are a life time of ruins to explore.
Researching ahead of time will pay off, but both the BLM station by the Kane Gulch trailhead and the Natural Bridges National Monument visitor center have maps, guidebooks, and advice. Please follow the regulations, as this is a sacred ancestral site for numerous indigenous peoples.
The Recapture Lodge at the east end of Bluff has decades worth of old maps to hidden sites for those who want a hotel (I recommend them highly, having visited off and on since the 1990s). They'll give great advice if asked.
Both Natural Bridges and Hovenweap offer something precious in short supply across southern Utah, amazing and beautiful hiking, abundant ruins, and few visitors (this is the rare part). Both are far more enjoyable than Arches or Zion, which are now overrun by tourists.
Valley of the Gods, Cedar Mesa, and the nearby national monuments (also Canyonlands, which isn't as packed as the other famous national parks) offer a chance to experience Utah's red rock country without standing shoulder to shoulder with other visitors. That's getting increasingly difficult to find as the beauty of the region is well known by now.
p.s. Those wanting even more solitude should ask about the off site ruins managed by Hovenweap: you'll often have these to yourself.
Scout
Steep climb, but my RWD was fine on dry roads. I would not attempt in wet or muddy conditions. The road is also very narrow with regular vehicles going by. Site is right off the road. Very cool rocks and ravine nearby.
Guide
Bumpy road with sand at the entrance. No amenity’s. Great for dark sky and privacy.
Scout
East, quiet flat spot with good cell coverage
Scout
Lots of flat area in the trees and views of the canyon. SO QUIET!
Traveler
Can’t beat the location literally right outside the entrance to Bruce Canyon NP. There is a pull off/parking lot when you turn off the road leading to the NP with more info.
Guide
Dispersed site 7 is farther off the road than several of the other spots. It has a hiking trail down to the creek.
Att 14/2.4
Traveler
Very cool site! Nice and Quiet and the site we selected was very level. Would definitely stay here again.
Guide
Great spot off 15 to stop for the night.
Guide
We were lucky to have stellar weather and this spot was great. We do a good amount of SxS Riding every day and absolutely love this spot and area. We are in a 40ft Motorhome with a 24ft trailer and had plenty of room to maneuver around in the site. We will probably hit this one up again next winter. We had zero trouble driving across the sand. No sinking, no loss of traction.
PS: Sand Arch just up the road and a cool little stop.
Scout
At the far corner of an unassuming neighborhood, there’s a dirt road with a couple signs saying no shooting and no camping. They’re referring to the first three miles of that road. It’s a narrow road with unusually high walls but easy to drive. Make sure you go all 3 miles until you reach the big classic BLM Public Lands sign after which is the start of your options. There’s a few quite large turnoffs with fire pits
Guide
It was quite a drive in, we just got parked on the edge of the campsite as the smaller roads leading into the campsite looked a bit uneven for our campervan. You do drive passed a paid campsite initially, keep on driving. We had the place to ourselves.
Guide
A large space, though uneven in parts. We pulled in later so there were a few folks already parked up for the night. A quiet nights sleep.
Guide
Enough room for two vehicles, three at a push. It was just us so no problem, fairly level and a great nights sleep.
Guide
We were a little cautious after reading some of the other reviews but we had a great nights sleep here. A large space, others joined us as the night went on and we weren’t bothered by noise and were close to the stream.
Traveler
This is one of the reviews that I'm just now getting around to now that cooler weather has set in. I was here in September last year while on my annual naked road trip, and this area is one of my favorites. It's the perfect place to camp, relax and enjoy nature. Not crowded, lots of space, no one cares if you're nude or not. There was plenty of space between campers so you can have as much privacy as you want. Several people were camped naked here same as me, some were not. No one cared. The lake level has really gone down low, so it's a hike to get to the water, but there's nothing wrong with a nice nude hike with a day in the water at the end. Perfect naked campout location and I'll definitely be back.
Scout
Spending the night on the rim of canyonlands national park— Definitely one of the most magical experiences of my life setting our tents up during sunset and waking up during sunrise overlooking the vast canyon!
Guide
Great place to stay! Very quiet and not very busy.
Scout
Road to dispersed camping is closed Dec 1 - April 15. Permit fee is $10 for 3 days. We had a quiet ( only a couple of other campers further up) and enjoyable overnight visit but road was quite icy. So we did not explore far. Birds in caves in side of valley. Well loved trail starts a short distance up the road. Looks like a beloved student hang out in the area with picnic tables so you may want drive further in if visit in summer.
Guide
This continues to be one of our favorite boondocking sites even after four years on the road. This time we visited in late October/ Early November. We had some minor snowfall while we were there but that is to be expected at this elevation. We filmed a campsite review for anyone who is interested, we linked in on the video tab here on Campendium but here is the direct link to
Great for rigs of any size, with thousands of acres to choose from.
Scout
Fit my 22' TT without issue. Road is a bit rocky to get into the better sites, but there is a spot right off the turnoff that would accommodate bigger rigs. Woke up to a herd of Elk grazing outside the camper and a gorgeous sunrise. Will definitely stop here again when I'm coming through
Scout
Solid dispersed camp with room for 2 or more campers. Requires solid 4x4 to get to but not technical driving to get there.
There are one or two spots to park in the final 3/4 mile descent to the trailhead offer even more amazing views (they were occupied when we arrived)
Traveler
this place has lots of spots to park, river, trails, and amazing scenery.
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.
Traveler
This was a convenient stop as we drove through. As others have said, you can hear HW 50, but (at least in Nov) there was very little traffic. The north side of the highway is a bit sandy and you might be cautious in 2wd cars. Nice views, pretty landscape and nothing much else.
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.
ScoutIts closed
Utah offers a stunning array of dispersed camping options, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With breathtaking landscapes and a variety of amenities, these spots are perfect for a memorable camping experience.
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