
The best time to camp in this region is late spring through early October. Snow begins in early fall in the mountains near Salt Lake City, making many roads impassable for RVs. When preparing for your boondocking trip, the weather is a big factor. For great rock climbing and fishing, check out Fishlake National Forest. The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest has plenty of spots for dry camping that are east of Salt Lake City, and the dispersed camping areas in the Ashley National Forest are ideal for exploring Flaming Gorge. In the southern part of the state, you’ll find plenty of designated dispersed camping areas near Cedar City.
#Boondocking utah free
The Forest Service also allows free camping on much of the National Forest land in Utah. You can stay for up to 14 days in a 28-day period after that, you’ll have to move at least 25 miles away to protect the wilderness. Most BLM lands allow free dispersed camping outside of developed campgrounds as long as you don’t see postings that prohibit it. When you’re mapping out where to boondock in Utah, start with BLM. You’ll need a permit to camp from the visitor center in Escalante. Use your site as a jumping-off point to hike the Dry Fork slot canyon or other local trails. Dispersed Bureau of Land Management (BLM) campsites line either side of the road, and it’s not uncommon to see other RVs and tents. This is a truly off-the-beaten-path destination the nearest town is Escalante, which you’ll find after a slow, bumpy 30-mile drive to the northwest. When the weather is dry, head to Hole-in-the-Rock Road near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument for some of the finest backcountry dry camping in Utah. From there to the town of Rockville, the road is often too rough. If you’re in a typical RV with low clearance, the best spots are located between SR-59 and the Wire Mesa Trailhead. Located a quick drive from Zion National Park, this is a fantastic place to enjoy the scenery without the crowds. Some of the most beautiful dispersed campsites in Utah are situated along the Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway. Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway The nearest town is Grantsville, which is about 30 miles away. To get there, head west on I-80 from Salt Lake City, and turn south on UT-196. This is another spot that’s popular with ATV riders on the weekend and quiet during the week. Get out into the empty Utah desert at the Skull Valley Offroad Camping Area. 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. These sites are best on weekdays, as weekends can be extremely loud and crowded.
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Willow Springs Road Dispersed CampingĪrrive early to the dispersed campsites along Willow Springs Road (also called BLM 378) near Moab - they’re some of the most popular options for free camping in Utah.

Christmas Meadows Road and FR 036 are two good places to start. For the best sites, take one of the forest roads that branches off of SR-150 contact the nearest office to get a motor vehicle use map. It runs through the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which allows free dispersed camping within 150 feet of a Forest Service road and farther than 100 feet from water. If you’re interested in exploring the mountains east of Salt Lake City and Park City, State Route 150 is one of the best places for boondocking in Utah. Boondocking Sites in Utah State Route 150, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Utah offers world-class free camping and adventures every month of the year. Plus, since more than 60% of this majestic wilderness is public land, there’s never a shortage of new places for boondocking Utah. That’s just the start - Utah is a paradise for rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, boating, photography, and more.

Whether you’re hiking through otherworldly slot canyons or fishing wild rivers under the autumn leaves, a new, more spectacular view waits around every turn. The landscape is remarkably varied, offering everything from forested mountains and alpine lakes in the north to bizarre red-rock formations in the south. Utah is one of the most exciting destinations for dry camping in the United States.
