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Blm Camping Near St George

Near Capitol Reef National Park

Recon: Baker Lake BLM Campground near St. George UT

Capitol Reef National Park is surrounded on the east and south sides by BLM Land. As you get closer to the park, the scenery just gets better and better. There is a river just to the east of the park entrance on Highway 24, and there are car camping sites just off of the river. Even though you are right off of the highway, its a relatively quiet highway and the flowing river drowns out any road noise. Camp in this area and you are just about a mile from the park, depending on which site you choose. Additional campsites in this area are down Notom Road, just east of the park.

Recommended Free Camping Areas On Blm Land Nearest To Zion Np

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.

As shown on the map below, there are five well-known FREE camping areas within an easy drive from Zion NP. Of these, Smithsonian Butte is now off-limits for the casual camper . The others are:

  • N Kolob Terrace Rd many sites on both sides of the road near North Creek
  • Hurricane Cliffs East thirteen designated campsites on the west side of Sheep Rd
  • Hurricane Cliffs South twelve designated campsites on the west side of Sheep Rd but further away from Zion NP
  • Hurricane Cliffs West eight designated campsites close to Virgin Dam and nearby trails

NOTE What about the very popular Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway? It is close to Zion NP but you cannot camp within 1/2 mile on either side of the road! Read the Rules. This makes practical camping not feasible for Zion visits, especially with terrible road conditions and steepness.

Redman Campground Big Cottonwood Canyon

  • $26 per night
  • No hookups
  • Flush toilets + outdoor shower

Lake Powell is must-see stop on a Utah Road Trip Itinerary! When you camp here you literally get to camp on the shore of Lake Powell. There are no assigned campsites, you just pick on open area on the beach and pull up.

The sand can be soft driving in so be sure to keep your speed so you dont get stuck like I did the first time. In the spring and fall, the temperatures are amazing for swimming and boating during the day and then chilling by a campfire under the stars watching the bats fly by at night.

Recommended Reading: Best Fire Pits For Camping

Near Bryce Canyon National Park

There is an abundance of National Forest land surrounding Bryce Canyon National Park, and its free to camp in the forest. Best part about the National Forest? Its actually CLOSER to the park than the expensive RV Parks and cabins in Bryce Canyon City. Thats right, free camping less than a half mile from the entrance of the park! Off of Highway 63 just about 100 feet before you reach the Welcome to Bryce Canyon National Park sign, youll come to Fire Road 090 on the west side of the road. Down this road and the other Fire Roads that spiderweb out from the first road, there are tons of campsites. Privacy is great thanks to the trees in the forest, and you are as close as you can get to Bryce Canyon National Park without paying outrageous camping fees!

Photo: Michael Wigle

Hole In The Rock Road

9 Best Campgrounds near St. George, Utah

Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, near Escalante

An abundance of free camping is available just east of the town of Escalante south of Highway 12.

These dispersed campsites are located on BLM land within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A good place to start your search is near Hole in the Rock Wayside and down Hole in the Rock Road.

Also known as BLM 200, the road is unpaved and somewhat rocky but well-maintained . Several campsites, especially the large meadow less than a half mile after the turnoff, are perfect for RVs and trailers of all sizes.

Car and tent campers should drive in a little further to find a more peaceful campsite. There is a huge variety of campsites here many private, some with shade, and almost all with outstanding desert views.

This area is filled to the brim with awesome hiking opportunities, such as Zebra Slot, Peek-a-Boo Gulch, and Coyote Gulch to name just a few. Definitely give yourself enough time for one or two hikes.

Capitol Reef National Park is only about an hour and a half away from Hole in the Rock Road. And the drive there along Scenic Byway 12 is among the most scenic in all of Utah.

Unlike most BLM dispersed camping, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument does require a permit for all overnight campers. Pick one up at the visitor center in Escalante.

What I Like:

What I Dont Like:

More Info:

Hole in the Rock Road is part of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

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Blm Campgrounds Near Moab

Moab is known as the off-roading Mecca, drawing in hundreds of avid off-roaders annually. We not only have some of the best off-roading trails in the world, but also some of the best campsites. In fact, whenever customers come to our auto shop asking for recommendations on the best campsites around, we often joke that the real challenge is picking just one out of the many spectacular ones available.

You can choose to camp under the shadow of a sandstone arch or strike camp next to the Colorado River. Alternatively, you can select one of the many RV sites tucked into the red rocks with splendid views and easy access to Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. If the parks are full, you can turn to one of the several BLM campgrounds available.

Near Zion National Park

There are not many free spots to camp just outside of Zion National Park, but there is one spot that seems to be overlooked a lot! On the west side of Zion on Highway 9, there is a sign for the La Verkin Overlook. Down that road, there are about ten campsites down these various roads, and its all BLM Land. The views from the overlook are spectacular! Admittedly, you are 18 miles from the entrance to Zion National Park, but for a free and beautiful campsite, I wouldnt complain!

You really cant go wrong camping in these areas. Proximity to activities, scenic views, and campfires, and all of that at a price tag of free! All of these campsites are accessible and camper friendly for cars, trucks, backpackers, or RVers! Southern Utah is a beautiful place to explore, and I hope to inspire more people to visit the area with these awesome free campsites. So pitch a tent, pull up your RV, or throw your sleeping bag in your car, because southern Utah is where you need to be!

Cover photo: Michael Wigle

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Free Camping Near Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is not only Utahs biggest metropolis but also one of the largest cities in the mountain west. Sprawling from north to south and hemmed in by the Great Salt Lake and the Wasatch Range, this citys free camping options are best suited to RVers looking for a nights rest while passing through.

Walmarts in Syracuse, Saratoga Springs, and Springville allow overnight parking, as does Cabelas in Farmington. Flight Park State Recreation Area is another Campendium community favorite.

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Solo Camping in St. George Utah’s Red Cliffs

We also have the following visitor guides in Utah. Click on any additional guides you would like to receive.Request these additional visitor guides selected below

Bear Lake Northern Utah
Bear Lake
Davis County Northern Utah
Davis County
Uintah County – Vernal Northeastern Utah
Uintah County – Vernal
The Swell, Utah South Central Utah
The Swell, Utah
Heber Valley North Central Utah
Heber Valley
Zion National Park – North Rim Grand Canyon Southern Utah
Zion National Park – North Rim Grand Canyon
Moab Southeast Utah
Moab
Park City Summer North Central Utah
Park City Summer
Salt Lake North Central Utah
Salt Lake
San Juan County Southeast Utah
San Juan County
Capitol Reef Country Central Utah
Capitol Reef Country
Cedar City & Brian Head Southern Utah
Box Elder County

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Please Respect The Places You Find On The Outbound

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures. Be aware of local regulations and don’t damage these amazing places for the sake of a photograph. Learn More

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

What Are The Best Hiking Trails Around St George

If you are interested in hitting the trails while you are in St. George, check out Snow Canyon State Park. Trails here include the Petrified Dunes trail, the Lava Flow trail, or Johnson Canyon trail. For detailed information see our article: Top-Rated Hikes near St. George.

If you don’t mind driving a little farther, review our article on the top hikes in Zion National Park. This park offers some of the best hiking in America. If you’re heading in the direction of Las Vegas, see our guide to the top hikes in Valley of Fire State Park and the best hikes near Las Vegas.

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Blm Camping: Dispersed Campsites Around St George

If you are a self-contained unit, interested in dry camping, there are some areas around St. George where you can head off into the desert and literally set up camp. Sites are defined and have fire pits, but they are scattered around, and are few and far between.

You can find out about these free sites and obtain maps at the BLM field office in St. George. A few convenient sites can be found off Hwy 7, just off BLM 1069, near the road to Little Black Mountain Petroglyphs.

Address: 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah

Moab Utah: Willow Springs Road

BLM Red Cliffs Campground, Saint George, UT

Just about 13 miles northwest of Moab, there is a road out seemingly in the middle of nowhere called Willow Springs Road. This is all BLM land , which is public land. All along this road are campsites that are accessible by car or RV. Once you get about a mile down the road, it gets bumpy and youll need 4WD, but the first mile of it as well as some of the side roads are passable by low clearance cars. The 360 degree views in this area are spectacular, and its a great place to base if you are hanging out in Moab for a while! But be sure you get there early on a weekend, as the sites tend to fill up fast!

Photo: Jason Hatfield

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Free Camping Near Park City And The Wasatch Range

Utah may tout itself as having the greatest snow on earth, but that snow wouldnt be too useful without the gorgeous mountains it gets trapped on. These mountains are beloved by skiers in the winter and adventure-loving campers in the summer.

Check out Salamander Flat or Heber Mountain for beautiful boondocking and tent camping on national forest lands. Mud Creek Road BLM dispersed camping near Strawberry Reservoir is another option near the Wasatch.

Bauers Canyon Ranch Rv Park

Image Source:http://www.bauersrv.com/

RV camping near St. George doesnt get much more adventurous than this. This highly rated, family-owned park sits far off Interstate 15 on the interior of Utahs wilderness. Youll have country-road access to Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park in this quiet, peaceful and remote RV ranch.

Read Also: Oregon State Parks Camping Reservations

Snow Canyon State Park

  • $35 per night
  • Max RV: 25 ft
  • First come first serve

14 miles northeast of Saint George, just off the I-15 is Red Cliffs Recreation Area. This campground is tucked into a vivid red canyon that will make your stay unforgettable! My kids loved getting to climb all of the huge rock features right by our campsite and exploring the canyon the next day.

An important note is that in order to access the campground and the recreation area, you have to go through a tunnel with less than 12 clearance. Momo just barely made it through so keep that in mind when planning your trip. If you have a bigger RV, there is a KOA right outside Red Cliffs, but if you can stay at Red Cliffs, its amazing!

Top 10 Campgrounds And Rv Parksst George Utah

Ep. 153: St. George | Utah RV travel camping hiking 4×4

Driving to St. George is half the fun. Getting to your St. George, Utah, campground on the twists and turns of the dramatic Grand Staircase-Escalante from the east is nearly as exhilarating as driving through the thundering Virgin River Gorge from the west. RV parks in St. George can serve as your base camp for exploring all five national parks in Southern Utah: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches. St. George campsites also give you easy access to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Here are the top 10 RV parks in St. George for your exploration of the American Southwest.

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Camping Near Saint George Utah Find A Free Campsite

Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.

Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.

This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.

Please come back and let us know what you find!

We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.

Please come back and let us know what you find!

Deer Creek State Park

This is definitely not my first pick but if you are looking for an RV park in Salt Lake, Ive stayed here when I want to ski the Cottonwood Canyons. I liked that Alta Shuttle can pick us up right from here and take us to Alta, which is nice since parking is limited here.

Personally, I wouldnt stay here in the summer since I would rather be up in the mountains close to the adventure, but in the winter it is a good option for skiing the canyons.

Two small features I do like about this campground is that

  • It is gated.
  • It is located next to a paved bike path so I can get a run or bike ride in.
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    Bureau Of Land Management

    The Bureau of Land Managements general policy is that the BLM land is open to the public for recreation, including dispersed camping. Like the national forest, there are thousands of miles of dirt roads here. All along these roads are existing primitive camp sites. BLM primitive/dispersed camping is limited to 14 consecutive days within a 28 period. To camp on BLM lands longer than this, you must move at least thirty miles every 14 days. Like all dispersed camping, there are no amenities. Pack out what you pack in. We highly recommend that you obtain BLM maps before camping to avoid private property or special restriction areas. Maps, special permits and more info are available at the Saint George BLM office and on their website. Please check out the link below for more details.

    Saint George BLM Office and site:

    BLM Dispersed Camping Rules:

    How To Find Even More Free Camping In Utah

    9 Best Campgrounds near St. George, Utah
    • Online Maps Google Maps is a great tool for finding dispersed camping opportunities. I also like FreeRoam.app and Gaia GPS. Both let you turn on national forest and BLM boundaries to help make sure potential campsites are indeed on public land.
    • MVUM Maps Both national forest and BLM ranger stations offer paper motor vehicle use maps to visitors. Dont be afraid to ask rangers for dispersed camping recommendations. Ive found some awesome campsites just by asking a ranger.

    Yet another free camping option is to try out blacktop boondocking. Some stores, including Walmart and Cracker Barrel, allow free overnight parking for campers and boondockers. This does vary by locale so make sure to call ahead.

    Although casino parking lot camping is another alternative in most states, its not an option in Utah. The state outlaws all forms of gambling, including tribal casinos. But you might be able to find a decent spot for casino camping just across the border in a neighboring state, such as Nevada.

    My final recommendation is stealth camping. Although I personally only use this as a backup plan, a lot of campers swear by it. But, Utah has so many places for dispersed camping that you shouldnt have a problem finding a free campsite.

    Read Also: Mills Norrie State Park Camping

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