Everything from when to camp, what to bring, and how to get there. As such, we do not recommend having a campfire at any of the dispersed camping areas in this guide. The first several spots are ideal for RVs and trailers, although theyre usually full. It may take longer depending on how frequently you stop for photos. Keep driving and youll be able to find something! 9. Listings Map. Not officially a dispersed site, this free camping area is owned and maintained by Utah Open Lands. 4WD and high clearance are required to access this area. All of the campsites here boast awesome 360 views of the surrounding desert scenery. Not much more than a dirt road with a few pull outs off the highway, camping at Willow Springs Road isnt for those seeking solitude, seclusion, or stunning natural beauty. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Although theres plenty of open space, its easy to find seclusion and privacy, as well. The Moab, Utah area is full of great campsites. A 4WD vehicle is not necessary but a high-clearance vehicle is always recommended. Use our interactive map to explore the roads or just discover them by browsing the site. 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! Turn right and head into the canyon. Because of the absolutely stunning views, these particular campsites are quite crowded. And dont forget to read about our recommended Top 5 Things To Do In Moab. You can also quickly get to Canyonland and Arches NP from this campground, as well as downtown Moab. Shafer Trail is a point-to-point trail where you may see local wildlife located near Moab, Utah. The further back you head the rougher the road gets, so keep that in mind if you have a low clearance vehicle. Here are the best free camping spots outside of Moab, Utah. Site 01, Loop Moonflower Canyon Group Site, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric; Photo Gallery Its a wide gravel road except through Pucker Pass where it is narrow and steep. 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. 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. Closed Sunday. 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. The Long Canyon trail is a fun yet easy trail for those looking for something to ease their way into off-roading. For a more optimal web experience, please view our site on Microsoft's recommended browser, Edge. If camping during summer time, heres a few tips and products that can help you stay cool in the heat. New Camping Fees for the Dalton Wells/Willow Springs Area. It's potentially unsafe and the BLM has banned roped activities meaning that you would have to go ropeless. Although its very steep with tight hairpin turns, all but the largest RVs and trailers will manage just fine. The road is truly dangerous. Experienced off-roaders will consider this a wide smooth trail with a few bumps and smaller rocks (pucker pass), but a family in a 2wd Rav 4 or Subaru who hasn't experienced steepish rocky terrain might feel a bit worried. From 313, youll turn east (left) onto Long Canyon Road. Adjacent to this campground is Oak Grove Campground, with seven tent-only sites, four of which are walk-in sites. Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler - The ultimate camping cooler. As soon as La Sal Loop Road enters the Manti La Sal National Forest, youll start seeing free camping. Who Owns Loki Expedition (Formerly Basecamp)? We prefer free camping for many reasons, but the scenery, seclusion, and sunsets here are the best part. From deep canyons to desolate deserts to the mighty La Sal mountains youre going to need to come prepared to be self-sufficient. Gemini Bridges Road is a primitive BLM campground with six campsites located just west of Moab. Once on BLM 142 youll start to see campsites appear almost immediately. Above: The views along Highway 128 near Moab Fisher Towers is right off Highway 128. *(This post contains affiliate links. The Vintage Spartan Trailer is Still a Hot Commodity, These Manufacturers Let You Create a Custom RV, The Grooviest Vintage Motorhomes You Have to See. Given how popular free dispersed camping in Moab can be weve provided an overview of the most important information to keep in mind when planning your trip: It is possible to camp in Moab year-round, although the most popular season will be the Spring and Fall. Is the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass Worth It? 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. Bags are spill proof, puncture proof and zipper closed. 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). bag (Waste Alleviation and Gelling Bags) is recommended. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Please always follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping, especially packing out all of your trash, including human waste. What Is the GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity? In addition to encountering rough roads with potholes and washboards, in the Moab area, you might encounter roads with sheer dropoffs on one side or lots of mud. The wide-open spaces, beautiful views, and epic sunsets are better than any amenity that any RV park or campground could ever offer. Enjoy views to the east of the La Sal mountains and watch as the canyons glow at sunset from your camp. The GPS coordinates for this spot are 38.6442, -109.8196. However, be aware that regulations often change, campsites close, and the BLM/Forest Services makes changes to camping rules. As with most dispersed camping in the Moab area you wont find much shade here, but the road is fairly easy to navigate and you cant beat the location. If youre able to get out to these sites, they are sure to please! I dont recommend boondocking in RVs and trailers here. Leave your firewood at home buy local firewood at or near your destination. Please explore responsibly! This campsite is near trails, so it might be a bit noisy, but its pretty secluded overall. Airstream Too Expensive for You? Both Arches and Canyonlands National Park are just a short drive away as is Dead Horse Point State Park. The way is paved for about 5 miles along the Colorado River in a huge gorge. When coming into Moab from the north turn right ontoUT279/PotashRoadand drive about 10.2 miles along sidethe Colorado river. Going down from the top would be doable without AWD/4WD but it can get a bit slippery going up! Please note that most individual campsites are available on a first come first served basis only and No reservations are accepted. So popular that porta potties are actually provided! 17 miles of this road is unpaved. 9. It's a first come, first serve campground. We want your experiences too! Just look for any cleared area thats obviously been camped in. Continue in for more privacy, although the road gets rougher the further in you travel. The GPS coordinates for this spot are 38.7176, -109.7855. Always scout out a location before attempting to drive a big rig to any of these free camping spots in Moab. If you bike the trail as an out and back, the first half is a mean uphill. 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. Reviewers report that the road in is pretty rough, so its a good idea to drop off your camper and scout this one out with your tow vehicle. Moab Rappeling Adventure: Medieval Chamber Slot Canyon 38 Recommended from $107.70 per adult Arches National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour 50 Recommended Full-day Tours from $14.99 per adult 2022 Moab Canyoneering Adventure 95 Recommended from $163.12 per adult Flatwater Fun: Moab Stand Up Paddleboarding 64 Recommended Adventure Tours from Arches National Park, Moab, Utah. 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. The wilderness surrounding Moab is incredible rugged. Cell signal is low with most carriers but still usable. Planning a Utah road trip? Rock Springs Bench Campsite- Grand Staircase Escalante NM is open all year. Start by heading out of Moab on Potash Road and drive along the Colorado River until you reach Jughandle Arch at the mouth of Long Canyon. Looking Glass Road starts on Highway 191, south of Moab, Utah, and accesses Hatch Ranch Canyon. These Destinations Will Be Overrun With Tourists in 2023, The Highest Rated Campgrounds in North Carolina, Your Complete Guide to Marco Island Beaches, The Best Hot Springs in California to Soak Your Bones, What People Really Think About Arrowhead RV Campground. My son actually got his truck stuck in the mud when we were leaving, so beware of the muddy stretches! 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. A few rough spots with drops. Cell signal is spotty but usable on most major carriers. The campsites are all tucked away and quite private, and youll be close to the Brides Canyon hiking area here. Group Campsites - Several campgrounds feature reservable group sites, which are suitable for large groups. 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. Willow Springs Trail Dispersed camping is a beautiful free camping area managed by Utah BLM. In a time where new dispersed camping restrictions seem to emerge yearly (at a minimum), one location near Moab continues to offer mostly unimpeded free dispersed camping. We recommend booking Long Canyon Road tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Know that this area is pretty popular. Hangout under this massive arch without much of a crowd. Turn right (west) on Kane Creek Road and drive 3.5 miles. Long Canyon Road. There is no camping in the canyon, but once you are on top of the mesa, you are good to go. I believe paid dispersed camping is currently still allowed at Klondike Bluffs, Willow Springs, and Dalton Wells, but this will likely change as Utahraptor State Park develops the area. If you are spending time around Moab, Kane Creek is one of the most convenient places to camp. This will become a classic and a must do if you are mountain biking the area. You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. Camping is only allowed in the six designated campsites (so this isnt technically dispersed camping, although its free, primitive, and very remote). 555 South Main Street, Moab UT 84532. This free camping area is south of Moab and just to the east of Highway 191. Use the custom map layers to find public land, download offline maps, and navigate to your perfect dispersed campsite. Its best for tents and vans, although small RVs and trailers will fit. The GPS coordinates for this spot are 38.429, -109.4215. 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. This camping spot is only 15 to 20 minutes from Arches National Park, too. Be sure to check out our other camping guides in the area: Looking to find more dispersed campsites? 26/07- Monument Valley>(Mule canyon.155km=2h30.puis direction) Moab Nuit a moab 27/07- Canyonlands National park- Nuit a Moab 28/07- Arches national park- nuit a moab RV road trippers delight in the selection of easy-in, easy-out Moab RV accommodations. There are no facilities here and given the fragile desert environment it is essential to practice Leave No Trace camping principles. Looking to find more free, dispersed camping? The majority of this trail is pretty smooth, however, there are a few bumpy sections; especially when you head through Pucker Pass where it gets both narrow and bumpy. Did see other awd on it, but it was rough! There are five designated sites that are all located on BLM land here, and no camping is permitted outside of these sites. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your 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. If youre heading toward Dead Horse State Park, the subtle turn is right where the road to Dead Horse State Park makes a slight dogleg turn to the south-east. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. Buy only what you need, and burn it all completely by the end of your stay. How long is Long Canyon Road? Its known for late nights, socialization, and traffic noise. Dog Friendly: Yes. Rental Options. Gemini Bridges Designated Campsites is a BLM campground. 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. Dispersed camping near Moab is no different, and none of the dispersed camping areas in this guide require a permit or have any associated fees. Theres also a big open gravel lot. The famous Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. A lot more fun way to get back to Moab after visiting Dead Horse Point SP, or Canyon Lands NP, than by driving on the paved road. The Gemini Bridges free camping spots are located west of Moab off Gemini Bridges Road. Many dispersed sites are located in the sensitive desert ecosystem. This is an easy 1.5 mile hike to an amazing arch in Moab that ISN'T in Arches National Park. Definitely arrive early for the weekend. Public Land RV Park Overnight RV Parking Dump Stations Price. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Expect outstanding views from top to bottom. There is free camping down both routes. The views of the sky and bluffs here are great. 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. Because this is such a popular place to camp, its extremely important to practice good stewardship, including the Leave No Trace principles, to ensure that the campground isnt closed permanently. 12 hours 30 minutes. You can get to Long Canyon two ways, either from Highway 313 en route to Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park which is suitable for most vehicles, or from the east by taking Highway 279 directly to Long Canyon Road. Head the rougher the Road gets rougher the Road gets rougher the gets. 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