Free Camp Guide

Free camping in Utah

87 places on public land — 72 set campsites and 15 open areas you can camp anywhere within. 28 are confirmed free.

People arrive in Utah expecting heat and go home remembering the cold nights. This is high desert. The kind people picture is the low kind. Nearly every place on this page is above 5,000 feet, and a good many are above 7,000. The famous heat sits down in the canyons. The camping is mostly up on the flat land above them, where the air is thin and the temperature drops quickly once the sun goes.

Most of this land is not forest. It is open country: bare rock, juniper and sage, with a very long view in almost every direction. It is also the one state where free camping and the famous scenery are the same trip. Zion is within an easy drive of a good number of these sites, and Capitol Reef is close to several more. The town of Kanab is the most useful base.

Two things to be straight about. Utah is where the agencies say the least. Most sites here have no fee written down anywhere. An empty box is not a price of zero, so check before you commit. And of the few where we know about facilities, none has drinking water and none has a toilet.

Red sandstone cliffs above Zion Canyon, Utah
Zion National ParkVulturesong

Going to see something famous?

Utah has five national parks. Four of them have free camping within reach on this page. Zion is the one most people come for, and it is also the best served. Canyonlands is the one that does not work. The nearest free place is more than 80 miles away from it.

Important Note: Distances are along the road and rounded. Each landmark is pinned to a single point on the map. With a big park that point sits somewhere in the middle of it, so the entrance you actually drive to could be a fair bit closer than the number here.

Where in Utah?

Pick a town to see only the places near it. They are grouped by the nearest town that has fuel and a shop, because that is the thing you plan a trip around. Places marked open area are public land where you can camp anywhere inside the boundary, and there are 15 of them here. There is no one set spot to aim for.

Narrow it down

Kanab 9

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 5,291 people. These places are 2 to 19 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee unknown Tom's Canyon Trail 2 miles to Kanab · 5,022 ft above sea level · 42 miles to Zion National Park Tom’s Canyon Trail is a 2.5-mile loop hiking and equestrian trail to the northeast of Kanab, Utah. Camping fee unknown Cottonwood Trail 3 miles to Kanab 5,156 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Greenhalgh Trail 4 miles to Kanab 5,029 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Hog Canyon OHV Trail System 4 miles to Kanab 5,894 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Mansard Trail 8 miles to Kanab 5,322 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Peek-A-Boo Staging Area 10 miles to Kanab 5,686 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon 14 miles to Kanab 5,524 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Crocodile Staging Area 18 miles to Kanab 5,444 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Coral Pink Sand Dunes 19 miles to Kanab 6,148 ft above sea level

Monroe 7

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 2,711 people. These places are 30 to 106 road miles from it, closest first.

Free to camp Big Lake CUA Dispersed Camping 30 miles to Monroe · 9,379 ft above sea level · 37 miles to Fish Lake · rough road in Big Lake is located in a very scenic large meadow at an elevation of over 9,300 feet. Most dispersed camp sites are found near aspen and conifer trees for shade. Free to camp Big Lake/Annabella Trailhead 30 miles to Monroe 9,370 ft above sea level · rough road Camping fee unknown Koosharem Reservoir 35 miles to Monroe 7,009 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Big Rocks Special Recreation Management Area 60 miles to Monroe 7,135 ft above sea level · open area Camping fee unknown Great Western Trail 76 miles to Monroe 7,785 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Sevier River 82 miles to Monroe 6,113 ft above sea level Free to camp Sheets Gulch 106 miles to Monroe 5,180 ft above sea level

Salina 6

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 2,610 people. These places are 19 to 71 road miles from it, closest first.

Free to camp Rex Reservoir CUA Dispersed Camping 19 miles to Salina · 7,273 ft above sea level · 57 miles to Hilgard Mountain · rough road in Rex Reservoir dispersed camp sites are located at an elevation of over 7,200 feet and are shaded by pinyon and juniper trees. Facilities include a vault restroom and information kiosk. Free to camp Anthony Flat Trailhead 20 miles to Salina 7,733 ft above sea level · rough road Free to camp Gates Lake CUA Dispersed Camping 26 miles to Salina 9,725 ft above sea level · rough road Free to camp Cold Springs CUA Dispersed Camping 31 miles to Salina 9,144 ft above sea level · rough road Free to camp Harves River CUA Dispersed Camping 71 miles to Salina 9,544 ft above sea level · rough road Free to camp Farnsworth CUA Dispersed Camping 71 miles to Salina 9,398 ft above sea level · rough road

Delta 5

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 3,730 people. These places are 50 to 59 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee unknown Topaz Mountain 50 miles to Delta · 5,229 ft above sea level · 45 miles to Swasey Mountain Topaz, Utah's state gem, is a semi-precious gemstone that occurs as very hard, transparent crystals in a variety of colors. Camping fee unknown Topaz Mountain Rockhound Recreation Area 50 miles to Delta 5,279 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Swasey Mountain WSA 57 miles to Delta 9,536 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Hermit's Cabin 58 miles to Delta 5,491 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Howell Peak 59 miles to Delta 8,330 ft above sea level

Milford 5

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 1,439 people. These places are 33 to 150 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee unknown Wah Wah Mountains WSA 33 miles to Milford · 8,963 ft above sea level · 58 miles to Great Basin National Park The Wah Wah Mountains WSA encloses a narrow, flat-topped mountain range with steep, rugged sides. Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and golden eagles are a raptor species which inhabit the WSA. Camping fee unknown House Range Recreation Area 117 miles to Milford 4,676 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown King Top 122 miles to Milford 8,345 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Fossil Mountain 129 miles to Milford 6,636 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Crystal Peak 150 miles to Milford 6,948 ft above sea level

Beaver 4

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 3,749 people. These places are 20 to 57 road miles from it, closest first.

Free to camp Big John'S Flat Cua Dispersed 20 miles to Beaver · 9,966 ft above sea level · 2 miles to Delano Peak · rough road in Dispersed Camping Area Located just south of the Tushar Mountain Peaks, Big John Flat area is a favorite recreational spot because of its large meadows that have spectacular scenery. Free to camp Indian Creek Cua Dispersed 22 miles to Beaver 7,964 ft above sea level · rough road Camping fee unknown Paiute Trail 54 miles to Beaver 6,077 ft above sea level Free to camp Birch Creek Campground 57 miles to Beaver 7,862 ft above sea level · rough road

Grantsville 4

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 15,682 people. These places are 15 to 57 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee unknown North Stansbury Mountains 15 miles to Grantsville · 7,773 ft above sea level · 19 miles to Stansbury Island The North Stansbury WSA, which encompasses 10,480 acres, is 40 miles west of Salt Lake City. The WSA is north of the Deseret Peak Wilderness managed by the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Camping fee unknown Horseshoe Knolls 28 miles to Grantsville 4,448 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown White Rocks 57 miles to Grantsville 5,545 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Cedar Mountains 57 miles to Grantsville 7,544 ft above sea level

Maeser 4

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 4,081 people. These places are 26 to 29 road miles from it, closest first.

Free to camp Range Study Area 26 miles to Maeser · 8,430 ft above sea level · 81 miles to King's Peak · rough road in This is a dispersed camping area. Free to camp Kane Hollow 26 miles to Maeser 8,590 ft above sea level · rough road Free to camp North Iron Springs 27 miles to Maeser 8,731 ft above sea level · rough road Free to camp Grizzly Ridge Meadow 29 miles to Maeser 8,426 ft above sea level · rough road

Moab 4

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 5,242 people. These places are 11 to 58 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee disputed Big Bend Recreation Site 11 miles to Moab · 4,003 ft above sea level · 22 miles to Arches National Park Start your Moab adventure at the Big Bend Recreation Site. Camping fee unknown Cowskin Camping Area 36 miles to Moab 4,702 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Hideout Canyon Camping Area 50 miles to Moab 5,576 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Dolores River (UT) 58 miles to Moab 4,556 ft above sea level

Burley 3

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 12,211 people. These places are 69 to 143 road miles from it, closest first.

Free to camp Clear Creek Campground 69 miles to Burley · 6,319 ft above sea level · 29 miles to Bull Mountain · rough road in Clear Creek Campground is a non-fee campground and picnic area composed of 12 individual units and reservations are not required. Camping fee unknown California National Historic Trail (NHT), Bidwell-Bartelson Route 121 miles to Burley 4,905 ft above sea level · open area Camping fee unknown Grouse Creek Mountains Designated Routes 143 miles to Burley 7,549 ft above sea level

La Verkin 3

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 4,529 people. These places are 6 to 16 road miles from it, closest first.

Free to camp Hurricane Cliffs Designated Dispersed Camping Area 6 miles to La Verkin · 3,778 ft above sea level · 18 miles to Zion National Park Camping within the Hurricane Cliffs Recreation Area is limited to 56 designated sites. Each site is delineated with a numbered placard and metal fire ring. Free to camp Lambs Knoll Climbing Site 16 miles to La Verkin 5,904 ft above sea level Free to camp Lambs Knoll Designated Dispersed Camping Area 16 miles to La Verkin 5,920 ft above sea level

Wendover 3

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 1,133 people. These places are 8 to 57 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee unknown Silver Island Mountain Back Country Byway (BCB) 8 miles to Wendover · 4,285 ft above sea level · 5 miles to Danger Cave · camp anywhere inside it The Silver Island Mountains Back Country Byway is a 54 mile long loop around the Silver Island Mountains and through Utah's Great Basin. Camping fee unknown California National Historic Trail (NHT), Donner Reed Pass 56 miles to Wendover 4,422 ft above sea level · open area Partly free to camp Pony Express National Historic Trail (NHT) Backcountry Byway (BCB), West Access 57 miles to Wendover 5,205 ft above sea level · open area

Blanding 2

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 3,216 people. These places are 39 to 87 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee unknown Bears Ears National Monument 39 miles to Blanding 6,439 ft above sea level · open area Camping fee unknown Dark Canyon SRMA 87 miles to Blanding 5,621 ft above sea level · open area

Hildale 2

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 1,261 people. These places are 0 to 57 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee unknown Birch Hollow 57 miles to Hildale 6,729 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Canaan Mountain Wilderness 6,259 ft above sea level · open area

Malad City 2

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 2,326 people. These places are 88 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee unknown California National Historic Trail (NHT), Hastings Cutoff 88 miles to Malad City 4,647 ft above sea level · open area Camping fee unknown California National Historic Trail (NHT), Salt Lake Cut-Off 88 miles to Malad City 4,647 ft above sea level · open area

Panguitch 2

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 1,788 people. These places are 36 to 90 road miles from it, closest first.

Free to camp Uinta Flat Designated Dispersed Camping Area 36 miles to Panguitch 8,085 ft above sea level · rough road Free to camp Death Hollow 90 miles to Panguitch 9,095 ft above sea level · rough road

Parowan 2

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 3,283 people. These places are 9 to 40 road miles from it, closest first.

Free to camp Yankee Designated Dispersed Camping Area 9 miles to Parowan 8,237 ft above sea level · rough road Free to camp Lava Flat Designated Dispersed Camping Area 40 miles to Parowan 8,337 ft above sea level · rough road

West Wendover 2

Closest town with fuel and a shop, about 4,528 people. These places are 62 to 89 road miles from it, closest first.

Camping fee unknown Pilot Mountains Designated Routes 62 miles to West Wendover 6,865 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Devil's Playground Designated Routes 89 miles to West Wendover 5,578 ft above sea level

Elsewhere in Utah 18

Each of these is on its own. No other free camping we know of shares its nearest town.

Free to camp Cottonwood Point Wilderness 6 miles to Colorado City · 5,261 ft above sea level · 54 miles to Zion National Park · rough road in · camp anywhere inside it The 6,860-acre Cottonwood Point Wilderness is a backcountry treasure in Arizona along the Arizona-Utah border (contiguous to the 44,531-acre Canaan Mountain Wilderness in Utah designated in 2009). Camping fee unknown Aurora Open OHV Area 2 miles to Aurora 5,400 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Beartrap Canyon Wilderness 37 miles to Toquerville 6,881 ft above sea level · open area Camping fee unknown Conger Mountain 92 miles to Ely 8,019 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Glenwood Open OHV Area 9 miles to Richfield 5,686 ft above sea level Free to camp Green Canyon Picnic Area 3 miles to North Logan 5,214 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Hogup Mountains Designated Routes 148 miles to Hooper 5,533 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Nefertiti Recreation Area 76 miles to East Carbon 4,165 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown North Oquirrh Management Area (NOMA) 7,664 ft above sea level Partly free to camp Pony Express Back Country Byway (BCB) 14 miles to Eagle Mountain 5,287 ft above sea level · open area Free to camp Quail Creek Reservoir Designated Dispersed Camping Area 5 miles to Hurricane 2,849 ft above sea level Free to camp Sand Mountain Pipeline Designated Dispersed Camping Area 12 miles to Washington 3,036 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Sand Wash Recreation Area 51 miles to Roosevelt 4,634 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Spring Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area 14 miles to Cedar City 6,230 ft above sea level · open area Camping fee unknown Vermilion Cliffs National Monument 59 miles to Page 6,296 ft above sea level · rough road · open area Camping fee unknown White Rock Range WSA 63 miles to Enterprise 6,752 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Wildcat Hills Designated Routes 65 miles to Tremonton 4,494 ft above sea level Camping fee unknown Yuba lake Recreation Area 27 miles to Gunnison 5,056 ft above sea level