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Blm Camping Near Zion National Park

Have To Use The Bathroom

Free BLM Camping near Zion National Park, Utah

In reality, we all have to use the bathroom. So, lets read more about it!

Plan ahead! Know before you go literally. Backpacker.com has down-to-earth information on their website discussing using the bathroom in the backcountry. There is no shame in being prepared!

To summarize, using the bathroom in the backcountry if there are no facilities:

  • Dig a hole and bury your human waste
  • Pack out toilet paper and feminine products
  • Plan ahead and pack a ziplock with toilet paper and wipes to pack out

We also keep wag bags in the car and our day packs when hiking or camping on public lands where it is required to pack out human waste.

For example, in Glen Canyon Recreation Area and places along the Colorado River or next to the water, you have to pack out human waste along with toilet paper. So always good to have a wag bagwhen duty calls

Since everyone is free to use public lands, we all have to do our part to keep them pristine, clean, and unforgettable.

Best Free Camping Near Kanab

Utah Campsite #3: N 37°3.200, W 112°15.581

Kanab is home to some of the most slot canyons in the world. Miles of winding slot trails, amazing wave rock formations, and the beginnings of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument can all be found in the heart of Kanab.

But also lying in the heart of Kanab are some of the most alluring, quiet campsites in the world and some of the best free campsites in Utah!

Spanning from Lake Powell to Hurricane and beyond, Highway 89 is home to hundreds of dispersed Utah campsites that are totally free for campers to enjoy.

If youre looking to hike the Peekaboo Slots, or grabbing that infamous Instagram picture at The Wave , Seamens Canyon Road off Highway 89 is the perfect middle ground for your southern Utah adventure.

Located 32 miles west of The Peekaboo Slot Canyon trailhead, Seamens Canyon Road offers multiple pullouts underneath the cliffs of Grand Staircase-Escalante.

Blm Camping Near Zion

On your way to or from Zion, there is some amazing, breath-taking land available to camp in for free if you have what it takes to rough it and leave no trace. The links below lead to great maps showing the BLMs preferred areas and rules for dispersed camping near Zion. The sites are very pretty. Please leave them as you find them.

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Kolob Terrace Road & Kolob Reservoir

The Kolob Plateau rises to the west of Zion and offers the most convenient and popular dispersed camping options for those looking to get into the Park quickly from their overnight camp. Kolob Terrace Road breaks away from Highway 9 at the town of Virgin and heads towards the town of Cedar City at the base of the Dixie National Forest. Its a beautiful byway, worthy of its own explorations if you have time on your hands, but if not, its the best place to look for a quick overnight stay on BLM land.

Zion Paid Campsite Red Ledge Rv Park

Free Camping BLM Land! (Zion NP)

This campground is located in Karraville and has 22 quality campsites. The campground has amenities such as a dump station, a playground, free Wi-Fi, and hot showers. Some of the exciting opportunities found near this campground include hiking, golfing, fishing, watersports, and biking. Despite all these, the rates are affordable.

Don’t Miss: Battery Powered Air Conditioner For Camping

Zion National Park Boondocking Spots 23 Miles: Cedar City Walmart

Address

Elevation: 5988

Management Public Bureau of Land Management

The road in is 4×4. Pull outs along a sand road. 4×4 highly recommended. Free camping location to explore the area. Not a campground. No facilities. No reservations. The road that runs parallel to 89 is partly paved and provides other opportnuties for free camping.

Nice camp spot, basically any of the side roads will have some spots, but be ware that a lot of those side roads are extremely sandy and we had trouble getting our Tacama through them. If you check them before trying to drive through them there are definitely less sandy roads.

Activities:

Zion National Park Free Campsites 12 Miles: Starlite Mesa

Address 390 N Pocketville Rd, Virgin, UT 84779 Springdale, Utah Elevation: 3688

Management Private Privately Owned Campground

The road in is Dirt and 900 feet miles from a paved road. Starlite Mesa is open Year Round,. There are 30 or more campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay Depending 1 + at Starlite Mesa. Quiet, views of Zions. On small mesa, dry camping. Gated, call don 435 668 1000.

Don is a great guy and the view from the site is great. The driveway leading up to the camping area is a bit rough and steep. There is real steep driveway marked by address 380 on a big rock and a less steep option near the powerlines. We have a 32 TT and ended up ripping off a rear stabilizer jack using the less steep driveway. If you have good ground clearance youll be fine.

Stayed here in a 35 foot-long Trailer .

Amenities:

Elevation: 6047

Management Public Bureau of Land Management

The road in is Dirt and one miles from a paved road. BLM Lands East of Zion NP South of Highway 9 is open all year. You may stay 14 days at BLM Lands East of Zion NP South of Highway 9.There are several BLM roads south of Highway 9. Heading west from Mount Carmel Junction about six miles. Turn off on any of the BLM roads and drive back about one mile off of Highway 9. Dispersed camping overlooking Burnt Flat Gultch. Much nicer than the developed campgrounds in and around Zion NP.

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Utah Dispersed Camping Rules And Regulations

Utah is an incredibly special place and you must treat it as such.

Please, please, please always follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles and leave your dispersed campsite even cleaner than it was when you arrived.

Always pack out all your trash and always properly dispose of human waste .

Follow all other area rules, regulations, and restrictions, such as campfire restrictions, camping stay limits , and closed areas.

The goal is to limit human impact on Utahs natural areas as much as possible. Failure to respect our public lands can lead to shutdowns. No one wants that!

Leave No Trace & Tread Lightly

Zion National Park Free Camping – North Creek BLM Camp (123)

Before we go, we’ve got to mention this one more time! Be a steward for the places you visit. Love them like they were your own, because they are. Don’t just practice ‘leave no trace‘ principles whenever you go outside, but help clean up after others as well.

Not only do food scraps, spat-out tooth paste, and trash leave marks, vehicles do too. Make sure that in your search for the perfect site you don’t trample vegetation and damage the land. Adhere to all ‘tread lightly‘ principles.

Recommended Reading: Camping World Locations In Usa

Dispersed Camping Outside Zion National Park

One of the best parts about Zion National Park is that its surrounded by millions of acres worth of public land. Most of the land is managed by the Bureau of Land Management . What this means is that there are many more options when it comes to dispersed camping, since the missions of the National Park Service and the BLM are very different from each other.

Zion Paid Campsite Zion River Campground & Rv Resort

Zion River Resort features shady sites, fire pits, parking pads, manicured grounds, and lawns. The campground is located in Virgin town between Hurricane and Springdale and you only drive for about 20 minutes to Zion National Park. Some of the amenities provided include Wi-Fi, restrooms, showers, tent sites, full hookups, and pet areas.

Read Also: Berks Mont Camping Center Inc

Gooseberry Mesa Dispersed Camping Southern Entrance

Gooseberry Mesa rises above the surrounding landscape offering incredible views of the distant cliffs.

The trees that cover its upper plateau provides shade for weary travels in search of respite.

At night, the high elevation and clear desert air gives visitors a clear line of sight to the starry heavens above.

How far is it from Zion Canyon Visitor Center?

  • 43.4 miles, or roughly an hour and 5 minutes of travel time.

Why is it an amazing camping option?

You get more fantastic views of the gorgeous area surrounding Zion National Park.

Theres something truly enchanting about green pine trees scattered across deep red sands.

Especially when you get to view it all by a smoldering fire at sunset. Bring some booze, a good blanket, and share this beautiful landscape with a loved one.

Youll really love this one if youre an introvert at heart, its quiet, primitive, and far from any civilized society.

  • Max Stay: 14 Days at a campsite
  • Only collect firewood from dead and down trees
  • Possibly inaccessible for larger RVs. Check with ranger station first
  • No littering, or dumping

For more information on camping at Gooseberry Mesa Campground visit HERE.

Zion National Park draws in millions of visitors every year, and we hope our article has made you decided to be one of them! Which of these campsites sounds the best to you? Tell us in the comments below.

Free Camping Near Park City And The Wasatch Range

JonesN2Travel

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.

Read Also: Best Rv Camping Oregon Coast

Dont Bust The Desert Crust

Have you seen signs or stickers that say dont bust the crust? The signage and public outreach are because it takes tens to hundreds of years for the desert biological soil crust to grow.

That black crusty stuff all over the desert is alive and composed of microorganisms important to the desert ecosystem.

When recreating outdoors in the desert, it is crucial to stay on the trails or roads to protect the biological soil crust.

I did my undergraduate thesis on Biological Soil Crust and Its Importance to the Intermountain Plateau and am passionate about protecting and preserving it. Now you can be too.

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 donât 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 youâre 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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Where To Stay Near Bryce Canyon National Park When Campgrounds Are Closed Or Full

If you cant find camping, or if the weather is not cooperating with your trip, a variety of lodging options can be found either in the park or nearby.

  • The historic Bryce Canyon Lodge has the absolute best location and offers an enchanting experience. Just a few minutes stroll from the edge of the canyon at Sunrise Point, the hotel has a private setting, nestled among huge pine trees. Charming stone cabins are scattered behind the main lodge, and a separate building offers motel-style rooms. The main lodge was built in the 1920s and has a romantic wood fireplace for guests to gather around and a dining room serving up tasty meals.
  • Just a few miles outside the park gate in Bryce Canyon City is the BEST WESTERN PLUS Rubys Inn.Rubys is a long-standing institution in the community, and this is more than just a basic hotel. You can arrange horseback riding trips, helicopter tours, and other outings through the hotel. In the evenings, they have cowboy shows and other entertainment to help get you into the spirit of the West.
  • For more of a budget option, check out Bryce Canyon Pines, a few miles outside of Bryce Canyon City. This location is slightly less convenient than staying in the town but offers better value. Its on the highway but set off on its own. The complex, which spans both sides of the highway, includes the motel, a restaurant, store, and a campground.

Free Camping Near Zion National Park

Two Weeks Camping Outside Zion National Park at a BLM Campground in Utah

Nathan Paul Swartz

If the low priced campgrounds in the park itself are all booked up, or you just want to find something absolutely free near Zion, Lady Luck just so happens to run a hotel all across the high desert with a free spot calling your name.

If a small citys worth of nighttime noise isnt worth the trade to be directly in Zion National Park itself, weve got a headline larger than any canyon in the area: Free camping within 20 45 minutes of Zion is not only abundant, its often nearly as beautiful as the park itself.

If youre the boondocking type, youll no doubt be able to shake hands with those travelers who lean more toward your lane anyway, all while perched atop a decidedly more open-air landscape less prone to the random flash floods and early sunsets found in Zion Canyon.

Read Also: Camping On The Hudson River

Blm Campgrounds Around Moab Utah

This list provides information about the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the Moab area. The campgrounds are grouped by the main road that they are either on or adjacent to. The locations of these camping areas are also displayed on the map below.

Campgrounds along Highway 128

Dewey Bridge Campground | 7 sites and 3 group sites | open year round | first-come first-serve | $20 per night | located near mile post 29 on Highway 128 | coordinates: 38.81045,-109.30756 | vault toilet, picnic tables, and fire rings | elevation 4,100 feet

Hittle Bottom Campground | 15 sites | open year round | first-come first-serve | $20 per night | located near mile post 23 on Highway 128 | coordinates: 38.75918,-109.32403 | vault toilet, picnic tables, and fire rings | elevation 4,100 feet

Lower Onion Creek Campground | 21 sites and 1 group site | open year round | first-come first-serve | $20 per night | located near mile post 22 on Highway 128 | coordinates: 38.73742,-109.36039 | vault toilet, picnic tables, and fire rings | elevation 4,080 feet

Fisher Towers Campground | 5 sites | open year round | first-come first-serve | $20 per night | located near mile post 22 on Highway 128 | coordinates: 38.72512,-109.30941 | vault toilet, picnic tables, and fire rings | elevation 4,060 feet

Campgrounds along Highway 313

Campgrounds along Highway 279

Campgrounds along Kane Creek Road

Campground along Highway 191

Campground along Highway 191

Campgrounds in Canyon Rim Recreation Area

Points Beyond

Considerations Before Camping In Utah

Dispersed camping is defined as camping outside of a designated campground . This means that there is limited to no camping facilities available .

Dispersed camping is offered to campers through the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service Lands. These are undeveloped federal lands that are available for public use. When considering a dispersed campsite it is important to remember a few things.

1) A 14 day stay limit is imposed on all public lands. This means you can stay in a particular area for 14 days, after that time is up, you must move 25 miles to your next destination.

2) Dispersed campgrounds do not have facilities. There are no bathrooms, wash rooms / showers, and often limited cell service.

3) Always pack enough water, food, and emergency belongings.

4) Always use the Leave No Trace Rule. Pack out what you pack in even your waste!

With those camping rules in mind dont let dispersed camping in Utah intimidate you! It is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to experience all of what Utah has to offer.

Also Check: Free Camping Near The Dalles Oregon

How To Get To The Zion National Park

The closest airports to Zion National Park are the McCarran International Airport and the Salt Lake City International Airport located in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City respectively. This means that if you are traveling by air, you have to land at one of these airports then take a drive to Zion National Park. From Las Vegas to the park the distance is 170 miles only and you take about 2.5 hours while from Salt Lake City the distance is 311 miles and you take 4 hours. You can reach the park either by driving or by shuttle but during the busy season between April and November you can access the main canyon only by shuttle.

Zion National Park Free Campsites 13 Miles: Toquerville Falls

JonesN2Travel

Address Elevation: 3727

Management Public Bureau of Land Management

The road in is 4×4 and 5 miles from a paved road. Free dispersed camping on BLM land near a magical swimming hole, La Verkin Creeks Toquerville Falls. Please do not camp at the falls themselves. Thats just creepy. There are no facilities. You must deal with your own poo responsibly. You must carry all trash out with you when you leave. There is some private land in the area. Please be respectful of it. This camping area is close to Zion National Park.

Great spot, but it gets overran on the weekends by all the RZRs. I have a high clearance 4×4 Tacoma and got through the trail fine in 2wd multiple times when it was dry, add a little rain and its definitely a 4wd trail. High clearance is the key to this trail, but its doable in 2wd. Occasionally I would get a burst of cell signal but it was very weak. Lots of flat spots for all you car campers out there. Unfortunately theres a fair bit of trash, graffiti, and broken glass around which is a real disappointment. Rating this site with 4 stars due to the high amounts of traffic in the area.

Activities:

Elevation: 6066

Management Public Bureau of Land Management

Activities:

Elevation: 3533

Management Public Bureau of Land Management

Activities:

Elevation: 5075

Management Public Bureau of Land Management

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