Where Is Dispersed Camping Allowed In Utah
Generally speaking dispersed camping is permitted on public land managed by the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. It is broadly permitted on these lands, expect where it is explicitly prohibited. That means that you can likely dispersed camp within a national forest or on BLM land in Utah unless there is an order or rule not allowing it.
Find an overview of each of the different dispersed camping options in Utah below:
US Forest Service Dispersed Camping in Utah
The US Forest Services manages six National Forests within Utah, with an additional two that are in both Utah and Idaho. These forests make a great place to find dispersed campsites, and are located throughout the state. Generally speaking, all National Forests permit some form of dispersed camping and have similar rules and regulations. However, that does vary a bit depending on the specific National Forest and our recommendation is to always research the specific USFS area you plan to camp before setting out.
Utahs National Forests are listed below along with a link to the dispersed camping guidelines for each area:
In addition to the six national forests listed above, both Caribou-Targhee and Sawtooth National Forests have small segments in Utah with the remaining sections located in neighboring Idaho. Check out the map below for more detail.
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How To Find Free Camping On Utahs Public Lands
Public land comprises the majority of the west. With roughly 63% of all Utah land remaining public, there are plenty of opportunities for free camping near Salt Lake City, far into the flat reaches of the West Desert, and throughout the southern red rock. Free camping options throughout Utah offer a way to explore the lesser known parts of the state.
Thankfully, you wont be hard-pressed to find idyllic free campsites across the Beehive state with little to no work involved. Depending where youre located, free camping might be less than a mile off the highway. For last-minute camping, you can use The Dyrt PROs Offline Maps and Map Layers to find free camping near you. These features will show you public lands where you can camp for free whether or not you have service or wifi!
In densely populated areas, however, free camping in Utah requires a little more creativity, patience, and route-finding. Almost always, though, the effort it takes to arrive is well worth it.
Permits Fees And Limitations:
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Most BLM campgrounds require a fee to use a campground. These fees help maintain the facilities. Selecting a campsite is usually on a first come first serve basis. However, some campgrounds take reservations which can be made at recreation.gov. Please obey all posted rules specific to the campground and keep the following in mind.
- Fee sites vary in price. Please check the campgrounds website or call the local field office for details.
- Camping stay limits vary by location but are generally about two weeks within a month period.
- Pay camp fee within 30 minutes of occupying a site.
- A campsite is rented ONLY once it has been paid in full with the pay-stub properly completed and displayed on site and the site is occupied by campers.
- Do not leave personal property unattended for more than 72 hours.
- Due to adverse weather, many campgrounds are only seasonally available. Make sure to check if the campground is open before planning your trip.
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Where Can You Camp For Free In Utah
Utah also has over 35 million acres of public land, much of which is managed by the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management , and other entities.
If youre searching for a place for dispersed camping, here are some of the best free camping areas in the Beehive State.
- Public lands under Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service. Around 63% of Utahs lands are public, providing campers with endless dispersed camping opportunities. They can be anywhere from the Monument Valley in the desert to the boundaries of the 5 big national parks.
- Outside of the 5 National Parks. Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park make up the 5 national parks in Utah. There is no free camping inside the national park boundaries, but you can always camp outside or nearby and spend the day inside.
- Outside of Salt Lake City. The Walmart stores at Saratoga Springs, and Springville, and Syracuse permit overnight parking, which is popular among RVers.
- National forest. There are 5 national forests in Utah that span from the central north to south. Among them, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is the most popular with its spectacular mountain vistas.
Old Highway 89 Dispersed Camping In Mount Carmel
Coordinates: 37.2057, -112.675
About: This ones just a half-hours drive from Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. Off the main highway , there are spots just straight ahead across a portion of the old highway. If you have time, scout around for the perfect spot higher up the hill. Along with stunning views of the mountains to the east, theres also access to the Virgin River. The nearby community of Mount Carmel has a diner, dump station, and stores for supplies.
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Willow Springs Road Dispersed Camping
Arrive early to the dispersed campsites along Willow Springs Road near Moab theyre some of the most popular options for free camping in Utah. These sites are best on weekdays, as weekends can be extremely loud and crowded. Willow Springs is a great place to camp if you want to walk or bike into the back entrance of Arches National Park just continue up the road until you reach the sign.
Dispersed Camping Rules Of The Road
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience.
Dispersed camping on the East Coast
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Mineral Point / Blm 340
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Cell Service: probably not!
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Elevation: 5741
We didnt actually stay at this place but were given this free camping option by the Moab Information Center. This is another one located really conveniently to Islands in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park.
Worth noting – Mineral Road/Horsethief Trail runs parallel to Mineral Point/BLM 340 which goes past Horsethief Campground. You want the northern road which is Mineral Point/BLM 340.
Horsethief Campground is located right at the corner of 313 and Mineral Point. To get to the free dispersed camping, drive past Horsethief Campground and youll quickly begin to see lots of cleared areas and fire rings intended for free dispersed camping.
Although it’s always wise to check road conditions and upcoming weather predictions, it sounds like this road is maintained well enough for any vehicle to handle. And the variety of sized sites means any length camper should be able to settle in here.
We hope you find and enjoy some free camping during your next visit to Moab! And dont forget to read about our recommended Top 5 Things To Do In Moab.
If youre a fan of free camping, check out our post titled The Ultimate Guide to Free Camping to learn how to camp for free anywhere you go!
As always, thanks for reading, and wed love for you to for blog updates!
Some Insights And Tips Learned Prior
As an aficionado of the great outdoors and a previous long-time, resident of the eastern United States, Ive always heard murmurs of the joys of recreating on public lands, especially in THE WEST. I recently relocated to Utah, where miles of BLM-managed public lands sprawl across the landscape, and sure enough, these murmurs quickly became resounding truths recreating on these lands was not only now attainable, but something I had to try. As I began asking questions and dabbling in research, I discovered how daunting camping, biking, hiking, etc. on public lands can be, especially starting from square one.
Now, as Ive researched, experienced and grown in my confidence of camping in Utahs expanse, here are a few things Ive learned along the way.
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Recommended Free Camping Areas Nearest To Capitol Reef National Park
On BLM and USFS lands, you must camp within 150 feet of officially designated routes, and only on existing spur roads. Please respect private property and other areas closed to camping.
Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM 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.
Regarding potable water and toilets there are toilets at the Wayne County Tourism Office in Torrey. Water is available at the Phillips 66 across the road.
There are three dispersed areas west of Capitol Reef very close to the Park boundary in distance order :
- Trail 2111 Entrance of Fishlake National Forest
- Sulphur Creek Road
- Beas Lewis Flat Road and vicinity
Lone Mesa Dispersed Camping In Moab
Coordinates: 38.6442, -109.8196
About:Hows this for a location? Its just outside Moab and about halfway between two national parks, Arches and Canyonlands. Youll see a sign for developed campgrounds for dispersed camping in Utah, but keep driving to an open space high on a ridge. If youre lucky, youll have the place to yourself, but you may find yourself joining a small community. There are five large spaces, each with a fire pit, terrific views, and decent cell service.
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Wasatch Mountain State Park
Not everyone prefers camping in Utah to be a rustic experience. Wasatch Mountain State Park is perfect for those that want closer access to shopping, dining, golfing, and more.
The state park is located in the Heber Valley. In addition to the beautiful outdoor scenery, the valley is also home to the Historic Tate Barn and Huber Grove. The campground has plenty of tent sites along with RV sites with full hookups. Though camping is limited during the winter months, visitors still flock to the area to partake in winter activities at the famous Solider Hollow.
Learn more about camping at Wasatch Mountain State Park.
Natural Bridges National Monument
Few areas in Utah are more spectacular than Natural Bridges National Monument.
The area is home to three natural bridges, including the 13th largest in the world. Another top attraction is the spectacularly well-preserved Puebloan ruins, abandoned more than 700 years ago. The campground itself is small and primitive yet boasts some of the darkest and clearest night skies in the United States, according to the International Dark-Sky Association.
Learn more about camping in Natural Bridges National Monument.
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Goose Island Campground Moab Utah
When we camped at Goose Island, it felt a lot like camping in Sedona. The rock walls are spectacular they are actually the boundary to Arches National Park. The two places are separated by the Colorado River. See our VIDEO and get our review of the low-cost Goose Island Campground Moab Utah that is operated by the Bureau of Land Management.
Free Camping Near Utahs Big Five National Parks
Have you heard of Utahs Mighty Five national parks? If not, its time to get this epic road trip on your bucket list. The Mighty Five parksArches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zionare all located in southern Utah, and full of the kind of red-rock landscapes that will have your wanderlust dreams firing on all cylinders. There is no free camping inside the parks, but nearby BLM and Forest Service land provide excellent options.
Lets move from east to west, starting at otherworldly Arches National Park. Those who need to stay in cell phone range will gravitate toward the popular Willow Springs Trail along the original entrance road to Arches. This spot gets overcrowded fast, so those with a high-clearance rig who prefer a quieter experience might check out Lower Gemini Bridges.
Canyonlands National Park is a short drive from Arches. Make your home base at Lone Mesa to explore the Island in the Sky region, or Lockhart Road to check out the lesser-visited, and stunningly beautiful, Needles District.
Next up is Capitol Reef, a gem of a park that often gets overlooked by its flashier neighbors. This spot is absolutely worth a visit if you like soaring cliffs and hikes through the canyons. Settle into Pleasant Creek Dispersed to be just a stones throw from the park itself.
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Road Conditions For Valley Of The Gods Camping
We do most of our camping at remote sites located within National Forests that have less-than-desirable road conditions.
Our trip from Phoenix kept us on pavement all the way to the intersection of U.S. 163 and Valley of the Gods Road.
There is a short bit of pavement at the beginning of the Valley of the Gods Road, then it turns to gravel/clay.
It is generally a good 2-lane road but there are areas where it is tight to pass an oncoming vehicle and one driver will need to pull over to allow the other to safely pass.
Be aware of flash flooding in the washes and muddy conditions after a rain.
Bureau Of Land Management Lands In Southern Utah
Most of Utahs BLM lands are concentrated in the southern regions, which are mainly desert. The weather here is generally dry, hot during the day, and chilly at night. So, remember to pack proper clothing to help you layer and stay warm.
Be aware that while the public land is vast, the majority of them are remote and hard to access. Besides, BLM has a multiple-use and sustained yield policy when it comes to public lands. In other words, the lands are also used for other activities such as mining and timber harvesting, besides recreational use.
Some of the popular BLM lands for dispersed camping in Southern Utah are at the base of Confusion Range, Lower Chance Desert, and San Rafael Desert.
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Best Free Camping Near Zion
Utah Campsite #1: N 37°15.221, W 112°46.077
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Zion is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Utah, and for a good reason. Zion boasts some of the worlds most breathtaking hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows.
But if youre looking for a place to rest your weary feet after your adventures, most tourists are out of luck with only two local campgrounds to choose from which are often extremely full.
However, 16 miles outside Zion National Park is a large area that caters to campers. If youre going East on Highway 9 out of Zion, youll find a small turn off to the right just after Mile Marker 51. An old gravel road will lead you to a ring of campsites with spectacular views!
Fire pits, free firewood and a 360-degree view of the surrounding Zion area await you at this magnificent free campsite in Utah. And if youre lucky, this mostly unknown campsite will be all yours.
Uinta Flat Designated Dispersed Camping Area Dixie National Forest
Image from The Dyrt camper Kristin W.
Our users rave about Uinta Flatespecially OHV users. You might encounter noise throughout the night as ATV riders seem to amble about with no regard to time, but its free, and its absolutely stunning. You wont want to miss the hike up to Amethyst Lake. Park your van with the sliding door facing away from the road and you might feel like you have the forest to yourself.
Find free Utah campgrounds from your car without WiFi. The Dyrt PRO lets you download maps and campgrounds without cell service. My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service.
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