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Old 12-30-2019, 08:02 PM   #1
DT6
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Zion, Bryce, Glen Canyon, Lake Powell

I've been searching the forum for notes, comments, etc. regarding places to camp/boondock in the Zion, Bryce, Glen Canyon, and Lake Powell areas but have not come up with much. If I've missed a thread, I would apprecaite a link to it. If not, any comments others may have regarding good camping areas for the above locations will be much appreciated. We recently completed a trip to Moab UT and went to Arches, Canyonlands, and Capital Reef NP's. Absolutely spectacular.

Near Moab, we camped at Horsethief campground (BLM) about 5 to 10 miles north of Moab and about 4 miles from the Canyonlands park entrance. This is a great primitive camping area and a bargain at $10/night (with NP pass). In Moab, we can recommend the Moab diner for breakfast (real hashbrowns!) and the Texaco for filling propane tanks and for a dump station if you need one. Most of this is covered very well in other posts about Moab. Unfortunately as I mentioned, I can't seem to find similar posts regarding the southwest part of UT.

We are looking to travel there in April 2020.

Thanks all!
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Old 12-30-2019, 11:41 PM   #2
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JUST before you go in the main entrance to Bryce, turn right onto forest road FR090 that quickly becomes dirt, and there's room for probably 100 people to camp in various places just a short distance from the main road.

We camped here one night,
https://www.google.com/maps/place/37...4d-112.1662983
(0.2 miles from the big entrance log/sign to Bryce).

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Old 12-31-2019, 05:56 AM   #3
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This site is probably the most comprehensive list of camping areas you're interested in. Nothing commercial like KOA, just public land including campgrounds and boondocking.

US AND CANADA CAMPGROUNDS - FORMAL AND DISPERSED PUBLIC CAMPING LOCATIONS - Website Map


This site, while not as complete as the first one, is also useful for the areas you're interested in.

https://www.campendium.com

What you will find is ever increasing restrictions and limits on free public land camping in those areas.

Search around and you will find interesting opportunities.

Enjoy. UT is a wonderful state.

Sam
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Old 12-31-2019, 08:21 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz View Post
JUST before you go in the main entrance to Bryce, turn right onto forest road FR090 that quickly becomes dirt, and there's room for probably 100 people to camp in various places just a short distance from the main road.

We camped here one night,
https://www.google.com/maps/place/37...4d-112.1662983
(0.2 miles from the big entrance log/sign to Bryce).
When we were last there we stayed at Ruby's as our friends with a 27' motorhome kinda needed electricity or run their genset a lot. Lisa and I road our bikes around this area a bunch, and it does look like nice, easy camping.
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Old 12-31-2019, 10:36 AM   #5
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About 3 miles north of Page, AZ. Very nice.

John. that side road 090, before the Bryce entrance (AKA Great Western Trail) looks very interesting. Wish there was something similar around Zion. Had to stay at Kanab on one trip to Zion.
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Old 12-31-2019, 11:02 AM   #6
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Do the BLM sites discussed above have available in April and May?
Thanks
Graham and Pam
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Old 12-31-2019, 11:16 AM   #7
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BLM sites are open all year, all the time, and usually have no one acting as a resident caretaker. They are by nature land no one wants and are therefore left unsupervised and free. Of course there might be some Bureau of Land Management exceptions but I know of none.
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Old 12-31-2019, 11:25 AM   #8
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BLM campgrounds have a small fee. Here's one I used outside of Best Friend's Animal Sanctuary in the Kanab area. $5 fee, $2.50 with the geezer pass.

https://www.blm.gov/visit/ponderosa-grove-campground

The BLM site has decent, if hard to find, info.
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Old 12-31-2019, 02:05 PM   #9
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A few of our favorites to maybe get you started.

Paria Contact Station. On SR-89 between Kanab, UT and Page, AZ. Good source of information from the BLM host. Free water/trash disposal. Free camping. The lower level camping area if OK. Much better to take the rather steep and narrow road up to the site of the former gravel pit. You get privacy and a forever view. You can make it towing; just take it easy. Walk the road first if in doubt.
37.102047 -111.902535 to the gravel pit area.
This is just might be our favorite UT area. Minimal crowds because the mobs are at the major National Parks. Lots of places to explore. Just ask in the Contact Station.

Good camping on Lake Powell near Page, AZ. The BLM Lone Rock camping area in UT. Water/dump/trash. Modest fee. Park right on the edge of the water or on the bluff overlooking the lake. We prefer the bluff because it doesn't have the blowing sand like the beach but if you kayak the beach is great camping. 37.006274 -111.577250


On the road to Bryce. (UT-12) from the Panguitch area (SR-89).

There is a nice rest area with 4 designated RV sites. 37.719214 -112.256217
Drop the trailer here and explore the dirt road just across UT-12. FSR-117. Lots of disbursed camping. The road running directly from the rest area leads to a FS campground. Coyote Hollow Horse Camp. We thought it rather dark and dreary and always found better disbursed camping but if you prefer a formal campground this is an option. You can also overnight in the rest area. At least we have and never got run off.
While you’re exploring, continue towards Bryce until you get to FSR-087/East Fork of the Sevier River Scenic Backway. 37.704598 -112.201900
Well maintained. Easy tow. Lots of disbursed camping or the King Creek FS campground. You just might come across a super camp site.


Zion NP. By far the most convenient camping is the campground inside the NP if you can get a reservation. During ‘prime time’ the entire place can be a zoo. On the popular hiking trails your primary view is the butt of the person hiking in front of you. Mostly we have avoided Zion over the years.
However, there are a bunch of disbursed BLM camping areas between Hurricane and Springfield. Lots of roads drive/bike to explore.
Last year, the BLM closed off lots of the areas for camping. The few that trashed the place have ruined it for the many. Now all of the disbursed camping sites have been officially designated with signs so look for the signs. There are dozens of them scattered here and there.
Google Sheep Bridge Road.
Our favorite site is right here. 37.202553 -113.231866

Be sure to get the Benchmark Maps UT Road and Recreation Atlas. Invaluable.

Enjoy your trip.

Ed
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Old 12-31-2019, 08:59 PM   #10
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i found this site pretty useful for finding free dry camping...
https://freecampsites.net/

do read the reviews of any site you might be interested in, some sound pretty skanky.
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