They must have come from the bottom. Our free printable cheat sheet outlines how to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next trip. Klondike Bluff Road dispersed camping is a free camping area outside Moab on State Trust Land. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. Turn right (west) on Kane Creek Road and drive 3.5 miles. There are toilets at each area. The website is for information purposes only and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. If youre lucky, you might even see a hot air balloon in the wee morning hours. The views of the sky and bluffs here are great. 5. The Best RV Campgrounds for Stargazing Adventures. Get here by taking Kane Creek Road from Moab. *Billed annually at $39.99/year. If you don't feel like cheating death/damaging your vehicle, or if you don't have an SUV with 4-wheel drive, take 313 up the canyon, then turn left on Long Canyon Rd. The Long Canyon trail is a fast straight downhill if you shuttle it. There is no camping in the canyon, but once you are on top of the mesa, you are good to go. Many online resources say to find free camping along Potash Road. Theres plenty of space to spread out, and the views are amazing. Save this activity for the daytime or avoid it altogether. Taking on the Twists and Turns of Cheile Gradistei, The Game-Changer for Winter Driving: Self-Salting Roads. This free camping spot in the national forest just southeast of Moab is one of our favorites. Related Post: The Best Free Campsites in Utah. Youll be camped in Brides Canyon looking up at some towering red rock formations. Its always best practice to drop off your RV and scout the road out with a tow vehicle or toad if you can. If all the campsites are full (and they often are), continue up La Sal Loop Road and dispersed camp in Manti-La Sal National Forest. The trail consists of 4 sections, Bull Run, Arth's Corner, Little Cyn, Gold Bar and Gold Bar Rim. more. By: Zach Luchs + Save to a List Moab and the surrounding areas have always been my go-to weekend getaway when I need to abandon the city for just a night. Venture down these to find a free campsite for the night. Group Campsites - Several campgrounds feature reservable group sites, which are suitable for large groups. The group site is on the left hand side of the road. Long Canyon Road, Utah: Address, Long Canyon Road Reviews: 4.5/5. Continue in for more privacy, although the road gets rougher the further in you travel. So if looking for free camping near Canyonlands or Dead Horse Point, these spots are right between the two! Map showing land status from discovermoab.com, These services are available only at their southern location, Free potable water coming from the north/left side of the building, Free dump station on the north side of the building by the diesel pumps, Can quickly become crowded and congested so try to go at odd times, Dump Station - $5.00 fee (if both dumping and filling they only charge $5.00 total), Propane Fill - must pay for a minimum of 2 gallons, Great option if Maverik is a complete cluster, Potable Water - Free (bring your own hose), The Moab Information Center keeps an awesome up-to-date list on places to shower and the related fee, Or check out our post on showering with very little water, GPS Coordinates: 38.468199, -109.363763 (these coordinates are about where the free camping starts); 38.507608, -109.346539 (these are the coordinates for where we camped - shown below in photo), Cell Service: Yes - Verizon, AT&T, Sprint/T-mobile (Google Fi). Theres more than one way into this campsite, and per a reviewer, the area can easily accommodate large rigs if you come in from the right road. How Much Does a Thousand Trails Membership Cost? Take a beautiful journey out to one of Moab's most breathtaking overlooks. For a little more privacy, look on the opposite side of La Sal Loop Road as well as along South Mesa Road (FR 4657), Sand Flats Road (FR 0067), and Warner Lake Road (0063). But even with other campers around, we found this free camping area to stay pretty quiet. There are several ways to acces Bull Run has a parking lot on the Little Canyon / Gemini Bridges Rd. Closure sign was just about where Deadhorse SP intersects Long Canyon RD and said no camping for next 5 miles, which took us to the top of the Potash Rd coming up from the canyon floor. The only negative thing I can say about this place is that the drive up Long Canyon Rd. Road suggested by: Hugh WilsonPic: satish yeole. This is another one located really conveniently to Islands in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. Then youre in luck thousands of square miles of public lands surround the city, home to some of the best dispersed camping in Utah, period. This is definitely a place you should scout with your tow vehicle first. I've been going down to Moab for the last 10 years or so and this is by far my favorite place to camp! But, dont worry if youre pulling in late. It does get busy here but theres a lot of room to spread out. But if you have the time and patience, keep driving! The campsites are set in beautiful Brides Canyon with awe-inspiring views of red rock canyons and towers. Campers report decent cell signals on all major carriers, so youll have no problem getting work done while boondocking out here. The western 3 miles of the road travel over the flat top of the mesa and will not be discussed here. Leave your firewood at home buy local firewood at or near your destination. Call the nearest USFS ranger station or BLM field office for the latest information on closures and dispersed camping restrictions before your trip. I could have made the trip in an unmodified, stock, 4x4, without any problems. Weve put together this Moab dispersed camping guide to help you see your best options for camping, navigate the various rules, and find a great free campsite in the area. Related Post: Best Apps to Find Dispersed Camping. Taking Potash/279 west out of Moab and turning west on Long Canyon Road is the 4x4 route, and although the views and drive would be stunning, this route isnt really recommended if youre just trying to get to a free camping spot. Jump to the free campsite you want to learn more about: Or, use our Moab dispersed camping map to browse the areas best free campsites. Located in the Sky district of the Canyonlands National Park, just north of Moab, the road is 12km (7.5 miles) long running west-east, from UT-279 to UT-313 roads. Because dispersed camping in Moab (and, honestly, all of Utah) is so popular, I strongly recommend packing out human waste rather than burying it in a cat hole (burying human waste actually isnt allowed in a lot of areas). It's quite literally a road that has one subjectively short technical section. The wide-open spaces, beautiful views, and epic sunsets are better than any amenity that any RV park or campground could ever offer. Be prepared to boondock. The GPS coordinates for Willow Springs Trail are 38.6968, -109.6981. 2. I like dispersed camping at Yellow Circle Road because of the easy access from the highway, proximity to Moab, and relatively secluded feel. From there follow the road down into the canyon approximately 6 miles (and 2,000') till it connects with Potash Road at the bottom of the Colorado River Canyon. Many of these first sites are just off the road and looked good. However, be aware that regulations often change, campsites close, and the BLM/Forest Services makes changes to camping rules. There is no water or other facilities here, so please be sure to pack out your trash and come prepared. Long Canyon Road dispersed camping is managed by the BLM and has wide open spaces and beautiful views. 4x4 Needed preferably high clearence or a spotter. Do not take it home with you and do not leave any excess firewood on site. A better way to Canyonlands (if you have a 4x4!). Access to boondocking sites and free camping in Moab is never guaranteed. No camping is allowed for the first 0.6 miles. Campgrounds in Moab Utah: Campendium has 967 reviews of Moab RV parks, state parks and national parks making it your best Moab RV camping resource. Located past the developed Horsethief Campground, this BLM dispersed camping area can accommodate most rigs and trailers. Both Arches and Canyonlands National Park are just a short drive away as is Dead Horse Point State Park. The GPS coordinates for this spot are 38.429, -109.4215. And the variety of sized sites means any length camper should be able to settle in here. Human waste is a serious health issue in the backcountry. RV road trippers delight in the selection of easy-in, easy-out Moab RV accommodations. Read reviews and scout first. There are two approaches to this free camping area near Moab. They also generally accept reservations. Bags are spill proof, puncture proof and zipper closed. The town of Moab is approximately 15 minutes away and has dining, shopping, sports rentals, tour companies and museums. On May 15, 2022 the Utah Division of State Parks implemented overnight camping fees for areas within the boundaries of Utahraptor State Park, which includes the Dalton Wells and Willow Springs dispersed camping areas. 2023 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. (even in a lifted Ram 1500) is challenging, to say the least. You can also quickly get to Canyonland and Arches NP from this campground, as well as downtown Moab. The Lone Mesa dispersed camping area is located west of Moab just past the developed Lone Mesa Group Campground. Turn west on Route 211 and the road will lead you to the park. When coming into Moab from the north turn right ontoUT279/PotashRoadand drive about 10.2 miles along sidethe Colorado river. Its home to some of the best free camping near Moab but is an adventure to reach. Great options for mountain biking (like the Intrepid Trails, Shafer Trail, Mag 7, and many more), hiking, whitewater rafting, photography, and off-roading are nearby. The Lone Mesa Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. One requires a high clearance 4x4 vehicle with an experienced driver, and the other is accessible to anyone. From here, we highly recommend a sunrise or sunset visit to Mesa Arch. W.A.G. Closed Sunday, Moab Transfer Station Gemini Bridges Designated Campsites is a BLM campground. 8:00 AM 4:00 PM (Monday Friday) The longest RV reported here was 35 feet. These sites arent glamours, and can get quite busy and loud, but they do provide some easy to access campsites very close to Moab and Arches National Park. These sites arent much more than pullouts in some very sands areas adjacent to Long Canyon Road, but theyll get the job done for those looking for a campsite. Get to Lone Mesa via Dubinky Wells Road, an unpaved gravel road thats usually fairly well-maintained, although you should always expect moderate washboarding. Wheres your favorite free camping in Moab? And, although the many developed campgrounds around Moab are top-notch (seriously, the BLM campgrounds along the Colorado River are some of the most scenic in the country), nothing quite beats primitive camping off the beaten path. Free camping is readily available along the canyon floor and is generaly quiet and clean except for the occasional jeep drive by or desert-love-child beating their drum at 2 in the morning. Zion Route. Expl Williams Bottom Campground and its 17 first-come first-serve campsites are tucked into the side of the Colorado River Canyon on Utah Highway 279 aka "Potash Road" just 15 minutes from downtown Moab. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Strike Ravine dispersed camping is on BLM land and has wide open spaces with gorgeous mountain views. Long Canyon Road is an epic adventure located in Grand County, in eastern Utah, in the western United States. Moab, Utah is near the top of many outdoor enthusiasts lists for incredible destinations. You never want to take a big rig down a road and find out while driving that its unsafe and theres nowhere to turn around. Moab Transfer Station 2295 S Hwy 191 (3 Miles South of Moab) 435-259-6314 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Monday - Friday) 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Saturday) Closed Sunday Help Stop the Spread of Invasive Pests & Diseases Our forests are threatened by invasive tree-killing insects and diseases that can hitchhike on firewood. It was certainly more fun than the regular blacktop. Located on the south side of the Colorado River, Portal is only a few minutes from downtown Moab & a 5-minute drive to Arches National Park. It may take longer depending on how frequently you stop for photos. If you have every seen any arch swing videos this is where its done! La Sal Loop is part of Manti-La Sal National Forest. If you feel you can make it in, itll be worth your efforts. These sites aren't much more than pullouts in some very sands areas adjacent to Long Canyon Road, but they'll get the job done for those looking for a campsite. Definitely arrive early for the weekend. Camping is only allowed in the six designated campsites (so this isnt technically dispersed camping, although its free, primitive, and very remote). Yellow Circle Road is located on BLM land about 11 miles south of Moab just east of Highway 191. Use common sense and caution when passing other vehicles. Google Maps | Phone: (435) 719-2299 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle | Browse Popular Tours on Viator. However, as we came in Long Canyon Rd. Just look for any cleared area thats obviously been camped in. Go left ontoDead Horse Point State Park Road for approximate 2 miles till the road splits with Long CanyonRoad going the left. adventures and follow local regulations. Im not sure how many days you can camp here at a time. Distance to Moab: 30 milesRestrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. From the KOA to the Moab Valley RV Resort & Campground, RVers rest easy knowing they can make a reservation; have access to showers, running water and RV hookups; and be centrally located to all the Moab fun. From there, most Just 25 minutes from the town of Moab and even less from the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park (the lookout photo above is from this point), this location is pretty ideal. Should You Camp at the Thousand Trails Chehalis Resort? About five miles farther on is the Hal Canyon Campground, with 11 small sites suited for tents; two of these are walk-in sites. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your The first several spots are ideal for RVs and trailers, although theyre usually full. After it turns to gravel, the road climbs into the dramatic scenery of . Cell signal is spotty. This is a 5.5 mile loop, if you opt out of the several in/outs to various lookout points, which extend the hike to about 10 miles -- do not opt out! This small free campground set beneath Castleton Tower is super convenient for getting into Moab or to nearby Arches National Park. Many BLM campsites are suitable for RVs, although hook-ups are not available. Canyonlands National Park Backcountry 4x4 Adventure from Moab 285 Recommended Adventure Tours from $180.52 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Day of Photography in Moab, Arches & Canyonlands 17 Recommended Adventure Tours from $325.00 per adult (price varies by group size) Utah Mighty 5 National Parks: Small Group 7-Day Tour 1 Adventure Tours from The following guide contains the9 best dispersed camping areas surrounding Moab, Utah. Many areas limited campers to 14 consecutive nights or less. However, you can skip the only modest part of the trail, where the West and East rims of the trail meet at the neck: this area is crowded, and for families/less physically capable folks who come by the b Mountain Bike the Intrepid Trail System in Dead Horse Point SP, Hike the West and East Rim Loop at Dead Horse Point. Even if youre not a climber, the hike to the base of Castleton Tower is highly recommended. Situated west of Moab and close to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands is the BLM 340 dispersed camping area. Although not an official campground, this dispersed camping area is well organized with several loops that can accommodate a variety of rigs. Cell Service: Yes Verizon; spotty AT&T; spotty T-mobile/Sprint (Google Fi). Please always follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping, especially packing out all of your trash, including human waste. You wont get any privacy here as there arent any trees to speak of, but you will get convenient access to Moab, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point State Park. Its set against picturesque bluffs with views for miles. Here Are Some Airstream Alternatives. Rock Springs Bench Campsite- Grand Staircase Escalante NM is open all year. It's a 5.5 mile downhill trail that ends at the Lower Getaway Trail. The latter is only for 4WD vehicles as the road gets quite rough. Highly recommended! There are a couple of camping spots along the way and some interesting unique sights on this road, including some caves that were converted to . 2295 S Hwy 191 (3 Miles South of Moab) Once past the formal campground dispersed campsites begin to appear almost immediately. I went through in my truck with a small lift and being really careful and still bashed the rocker panels and got a new exhaust leak. Site 01, Loop Moonflower Canyon Group Site, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric; Photo Gallery It's potentially unsafe and the BLM has banned roped activities meaning that you would have to go ropeless. Most importantly, pack out all of your trash. Do you need to book in advance to visit Long Canyon Road? This camping area can get quite muddy after rain, so its worth scouting it out ahead of time. After a rain the road may be impassable. Above: The views along Highway 128 near Moab Fisher Towers is right off Highway 128. There are many Bureau of Land Management (BLM) campgrounds on the public lands surrounding Moab, although most fill daily during mid-March-May and Sept-October. There are five designated sites that are all located on BLM land here, and no camping is permitted outside of these sites. Campsites Bicyclists and four-wheel drivers must stay in designated campsites. It isnt super convenient if youre wanting to come and go from Moab, but if youre looking to escape the crowds (and find cooler temperatures! Do You Have to Be an Escapees Member to Stay at Escapees RV Parks? To get here from Moab take Highway 128 to the La Sal Loop Road. What Is the GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity? Your email address will not be published. It's easy to get in with any car, but it can be crowded. The 60-mile paved road loops between US 191 six miles south of Moab and SR 128 (Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway) near Castle Valley. During the summer months Moab can get very hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. The Moab, Utah area is full of great campsites. I'd highly suggest it. Phone Number. The Dyrt PRO is our favorite resource for planning your trip. Getting to the Needles District. Please bring a portable toilet or pack out all of your waste. What Are the Best Campgrounds in Branson, Missouri? 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