Most importantly, pack out all of your trash. Cell signal is low with most carriers but still usable. If driving a bigger rig, always scout out any questionable areas before heading down. However, be aware that regulations often change, campsites close, and the BLM/Forest Services makes changes to camping rules. Located on BLM land, the canyon is just outside of town and close to many of the area's top destinations. Solo Stove - Elevate your campfire with this smoke-free fire pit. Rumpl Puffy Blanket - The coziest camp blanket out there. If you plan to camp in Moab, we cant recommend boondocking in this area enough. Category Filters. This is a popular spot for RVs as the road is navigable by most vehicles. The GPS coordinates for this spot are 38.6118, -109.667. Recommend 4WD past the closure signs and certainly was NOT suitable for the 39ft 5er we were towing. The higher up you go, the more breathtaking the sites, and the fewer people youll see. Check out The Dyrt PRO to get campsite reviews, offline maps, and the best map layers for finding public dispersed camping! The road does get a bit rougher the further back you go, so those in a larger rig will want to camp closer to the highway. Read reviews and scout first. It does get busy here but theres a lot of room to spread out. So if looking for free camping near Canyonlands or Dead Horse Point, these spots are right between the two! The road is a bit rocky, but take it slow, and you should be fine. Do not take it home with you and do not leave any excess firewood on site. There are 1-5 campsites at this location. As such, it is best to check with the Moab BLM office or Manti-La Sal Ranger District to confirm your plans. The only negative thing I can say about this place is that the drive up Long Canyon Rd. Highly recommended! Drive a canyon in the comfort of your personal SUV! And How to Do it Legally. Gemini Bridges Designated Campsites is a BLM campground. For the campers out there, youll be thrilled to learn that there are tons of opportunities for free dispersed camping near Moab. Remember, our suggestions above are our favorite free campsites in Moab but theyre far from the only options, especially if you have high-clearance, 4WD, and a desire to explore. If youve been visiting Island In the Sky or Dead Horse State Park theres a beautiful shortcut to get back to Moab provided you have a high clearance 4X4 vehicle. Drive south to Moab, a small town known for its proximity to two of Utah's most famous national parks, Arches and Canyonlands, and one of Utah's state parks, Dead Horse Point. Get 20% here. Bags are spill proof, puncture proof and zipper closed. Tent campers should be aware that the dirt here is incredibly difficult to get stakes into, so plan accordingly! Looking for other great camping in Utah? 12 hours 30 minutes. In short, follow the Leave No Trace principles. From here, we highly recommend a sunrise or sunset visit to Mesa Arch. Some campgrounds have reservable group sites through recreation.gov.Click here for a list of campgrounds, Campgrounds within the State Parks, National Parks & National Forests generally have less amenities than privately owned campgrounds (no showers, etc. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Once past the formal campground dispersed campsites begin to appear almost immediately. This free camping area near Moab is not for any big rig! Please be sure to leave your campsite in better condition than you found it! This spot is great if the boondocking sites closer to Moab are full. Road suggested by: Hugh WilsonPic: satish yeole. Holy hell was I terrified! 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. Day 2 - Canyonlands. The Bureau of Land Management offers approximately 26 campgrounds in the Moab area. Do you need to book in advance to visit Long Canyon Road? Uphill travel has the right of way, but not everyone knows this. Free camping is allowed for up to 14 days at a time. Contact & Location. RV road trippers delight in the selection of easy-in, easy-out Moab RV accommodations. A unique camping option in the Moab area is the free Castleton Tower Campground. Drive a canyon in the comfort of your personal SUV! The GPS coordinates for this spot are 38.4161, -109.4637. The views of the sky and bluffs here are great. While were sure youll already have the essentials like agreat tent,sleeping bags, andcamp chairs, butbelow are some of our favorite items specifically for dispersed camping near Moab: Want to know the essentials for your next camping trip? As with all free camping in Moab, try to scout it out with your tow vehicle ahead of time. This will help ensure that theres an open spot and that the road is safe for you to travel with a big rig. Please explore responsibly! Please be sure to pack out all of your trash and minimize your impact as much as possible. Continue on that for approximately 4.5 miles before reaching the camping area adjacent to the road. Camping is only allowed in the six designated campsites (so this isnt technically dispersed camping, although its free, primitive, and very remote). MOAB FIELD OFFICE 82 E. DOGWOOD AVE. Moab UT 84532. Reviewers report that having a 44 to access this campsite is best. Within close proximity to national parks and open space, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and four-wheel drive tours in the surrounding area. The Bartlett Wash BLM site is right along Bartlett Washington Road. From Moab, drive 10 miles on the Kane Creek Road. Took us over an hour bc you have to drive slow, it is down the canyon the whole time. Sites can fill up quickly. Campers have enjoyed decent cell service out here, and this campsite can accommodate any size RV. Campsite List Seasons & Fees I made this drive in my modified Jeep Wrangler yesterday, and it was great! Follow your GPS and go past the no camping for 0.6 miles sign. Moab is an outdoor mecca, from rock climbing to mountain biking to 4WD adventures and while not particularly technical (it is only rated Class 2) the 7.8 mile Long Canyon Road just north of Dead Horse State Park is an excellent way to get a taste for the incredible features (and views) that the Colorado watershed and its canyons has to offer. Distance to Moab: 12.6 milesRestrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds: BusyMap. 4. Here Are Some Airstream Alternatives. Call the Moab Field Office: (435) 259-2100 GPS: 38.711448, -109.727164 Castleton Tower Campground (Utah Open Lands) This small free campground set beneath Castleton Tower is super convenient for getting into Moab or to nearby Arches National Park. Other people or wildlife finding your left-behind waste and toilet paper. Best done when dry. *(This post contains affiliate links. Few camping experiences are more exhilarating than sleeping under the stars. 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. The wind can really whip through this area, so if youre tent camping youll want to be sure youve adequately secured your set-up. There is no dispersed camping permitted within 20 miles of Moab. Distance to Moab: 17 milesRestrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. This is definitely a place you should scout with your tow vehicle first. There is tons of climbing in the canyon as well so if you're into that you can really make a day of it. Please explore responsibly! 9. Most dispersed camping in Moab is located on BLM land or in the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Commercial (privately owned) campgrounds generally have many conveniences such as showers, running water, RV hook-ups, flush toilets, and more. Long Canyon is a 7.5 mile long 4 wheel drive road that goes from the banks of Colorado River on Route 279, 1900 vertical feet up to the top of Island in the Sky/Dead Horse Point Mesa where Route 313 runs. Long Canyon Road offers some decent dispersed camping near Moab for those willing to drive a bit further. I have to agree. Call the nearest USFS ranger station or BLM field office for the latest information on closures and dispersed camping restrictions before your trip. Taking on the Twists and Turns of Cheile Gradistei, The Game-Changer for Winter Driving: Self-Salting Roads. Campers report decent cell signals on all major carriers, so youll have no problem getting work done while boondocking out here. Willow Springs Trail Dispersed Campsites. For the best experience, you'll want to experience the trail top to bottom where you'll drive down into Long Canyon. Even if youre not a climber, the hike to the base of Castleton Tower is highly recommended. Its a wide gravel road except through Pucker Pass where it is narrow and steep. If you have every seen any arch swing videos this is where its done! But, dont worry if youre pulling in late. What Is Primitive Camping? ), however they are often located within exceptionally scenic areas.Click here for a list of campgrounds. Continue in for more privacy, although the road gets rougher the further in you travel. Approximately 1.5 miles from the turnoff on US 313 to get to Dead Horse State Park, theres a subtle turn onto Long Canyon Road. When developed facilities are not available, all solid waste should be packed out in approved waste bags. Gaia GPS - Download offline maps for easy navigation! Perhaps more importantly, you don't have to work that hard to find some quality riding and classic Moab views. The GPS coordinates for this spot are 38.6442, -109.8196. The following guide contains the9 best dispersed camping areas surrounding Moab, Utah. Bull Run Trail follows the north side of Bull Run Canyon and provides scenic views with a mix of slick rock, sand, and flowing trails. Contact Us, overlanding, truck camping, how to, hygiene, camping, an awesome up-to-date list on places to shower and the related fee. If youre lucky, you might even see a hot air balloon in the wee morning hours. Some rough spots to get thru. Drive past the group campground and youll see this large camping area on your right. 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. Closed Sunday. 8:00 AM 12:00 PM (Saturday)
With the creation of Utahraptor State Park, there is some speculation that dispersed camping will no longer be allowed here in the future, so be sure to check with the Moab BLM office before settling on a camping trip here. Turn right (west) on Kane Creek Road and drive 3.5 miles. Arches National Park, Moab, Utah. When coming into Moab from the north turn right ontoUT279/PotashRoadand drive about 10.2 miles along sidethe Colorado river. One requires a high clearance 4x4 vehicle with an experienced driver, and the other is accessible to anyone. The La Sal mountains set a spectacular backdrop for the area and also are home to some of the best dispersed camping near Moab. One reviewer says if you have a trailer, you should only enter from the north off 189 via Blue Hills Road to Mill Canyon Road then to Bartlett Washington Road. 4.5/5 (44 reviews) Chicken Corners (19.52 miles away) Moab, Utah. Do it like a local! The nearest facilities for water, ice and food are in Moab. Per reviews, one of the roads in is rough with a sheer cliff on one side (from 191), but accessing this area from 313 is a bit easier. This free camping area is off 313, west of Moab. Although not much more than a basic dirt road, this is a convenient spot for campers headed south to Canyonlands. Manti-La Sal National Forest remains the best place for free dispersed camping near Moab. From 313, youll turn east (left) onto Long Canyon Road. It's potentially unsafe and the BLM has banned roped activities meaning that you would have to go ropeless. 1. bag (Waste Alleviation and Gelling Bags) is recommended. Dont camp here if you want privacy. We just spent 7 days camping on Dalton Wells Road in our 35 foot fifth wheel and my son in his 22 foot travel trailer. Please always follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping, especially packing out all of your trash, including human waste. Keep driving and youll be able to find something! 520 miles. In this article, were highlighting 10 of the best spots for free camping in Moab. To get to the Needles District, drive south from Moab on Hwy 191 until you reach Route 211. 2023 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The abundance of BLM land along with Manti-La Sal National Forest means there will be a dispersed campsite to suit any needs. GPS Coordinates: 38.541042, -109.722856. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 5. 3. Willow Springs Trail Dispersed camping is a beautiful free camping area managed by Utah BLM. From the center of Moab (at Center and Main) head south to Kane Creek Road. Pin this post to come back to during your trip to Moab! Distance to Moab: 30 milesRestrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. Driving Directions. 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