Boondocking Near Zion National Park: Free Dispersed Camping
Boondocking (also known as dry camping or dispersed camping) involves camping in a remote area without hookups to water or electricity. It is a popular activity for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy a more primitive camping experience.
Boondocking is usually done on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service, or other federal agencies.
Boondocking in Utah, and more specifically boondocking near Zion National Park is quite common as there are several designated areas and BLM land where it is allowed.
Not only is it free, but it also offers campers a unique experience in scenic, remote settings. To get you started off grid camping, here is our list of the best campsites near Zion National Park.
Free Camping Near Zion National Park
Free camping near Zion National Park is not hard to find since generally, camping in BLM land has no costs. Some specific areas may have fees for reservations or certain services, so it’s always a good idea to check the official BLM website for the most up-to-date information on fees and guidelines.
Smithsonian Butte Road
Open: Year-round
GPS location: 37.1297, -113.0757
Type of campground: Dirt road
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The Smithsonian Butte Road is a popular spot for dispersed camping near Zion National Park. Located just south of the park, this camping area offers beautiful views of the Utah scenery and summits like the Eagle Crags and Mt. Kinesava.
Camping is allowed once you reach the top, as long as you are within 0.5 miles of the Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway and you are not within the town limits of Rockville and Grafton. There are several side roads that branch out and lead to camp spots like the Rockville Campsite.
The road conditions are described as being quite bumpy and basically impassable after a rainstorm. High clearance vehicles and 4WD vehicles are recommended (not so much big rigs like RVs and trailers) since the drive up can be quite steep.
Sheep Bridge Road
Open: Year-round
GPS location: 37.196194, -113.217667
Type of campground: Multiple marked campsites
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Sheep Bridge Rd is a large BLM land near Zion National Park that is part of the larger Hurricane Cliffs Recreation Area, located between State Highways 9 & 59 just south of the town of Virgin. There are over 48 marked campsites, many of them spacious enough for large vehicles and RVs or trailers with tow vehicles.
The road is heavily traveled and visited, and competition for a great spot can be fierce. So even though there are marked sites, it’s still common for people to camp outside the designated campgrounds. The campsites are well spaced out with not much more but some fire rings in between and scenic views of the red rock cliffs all around.
North Creek Campground
Open: April to mid-October
GPS location: 37.2203, -113.1616
Type of campground: Creekside
North Creek Campground is another BLM land near Zion that is well known for its free camping spots. It has easy access to the park’s south entrance which is 15 miles away. This particular area is fairly secluded but it is also quite popular due its close proximity to a creek. The dirt road is pretty accessible for bigger rigs but the farther down the creek area, the bumpier the road, so low clearance vehicles might not be suited.
Gooseberry Mesa
Open: Year-round
GPS location: 37.1417, -113.1551
Type of campground: Dirt road
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Gooseberry Mesa is a top choice for BLM camping near Zion National Park for outdoor enthusiasts. It has a unique landscape that features towering red rock formations and a diverse array of wildlife. The road is rugged and there are no modern amenities but the remote, quiet mesa will reward you with a true dispersed camping experience.
Some spots do get busy though, like the observation point near the canyon rim which has the best views. It’s located near Apple Valley, roughly an hour away from Zion’s South Entrance.
Lava Point Campground
Open: Typically from June to October
GPS location: 37.384888, -113.038155
Type of campground: Forested, multiple marked campsites
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Lava Point Campground offers primitive campsites near the northwestern boundary of Zion National Park, in the Kolob Canyon section. It takes a little over an hour to drive to the campground from the South Entrance of Zion Canyon. The forested camping area is surrounded by scenic mountain views and pine trees, so it’s ideal for those looking for shade in the summer months.
There are 6 designated campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire pits, trash cans, and pit toilets. They are available on a first come, first served basis. Keep in mind that vehicles longer than 19 feet are not permitted.
Dalton Wash Road
Open: Year-round
GPS location: 37.225861, -113.114417
Type of campground: Gravel
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Dalton Wash Road is a smaller area with a few dispersed campsites. This is a good option for small to medium RVs as the road is quite narrow with few places to turn around. The road is fairly accessible, around a 40-minute drive from Zion, but it can be bumpy and dusty so going with a high clearance 4WD vehicle is the best way.
Dalton Wash campsite is peaceful and secluded but always make sure you’re not camping on any of the surrounding private property.
Eagle Crags Trailhead
Open: Year-round
GPS location: 37.14751415, -113.0310796
Type of campground: Gravel
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The Eagle Crags Trailhead is actually a popular hiking trail but it is also a great place for BLM camping near Zion. Compared to the other free campgrounds in this list, this one is not as easily accessible in terms of navigating to the location and the road conditions. Because of how steep and challenging the road is, a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle is highly recommended for accessing this trailhead.
Previous campers have been confused by the signs saying “private land.” But you have to drive further, past a cattle gate to access the BLM public lands (for more specific instructions, follow the directions here in the official BLM website). Once you find the site, you’ll be greeted with remote scenic spots that are rarely ever busy.
Leeds Canyon
Open: Year-round
GPS location: 37.263483, -113.368967
Type of campground: Dirt road, multiple campsites
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The Leeds Canyon Dispersed Campsites are made up of around 15 campsites available on a first come, first served basis. The camp area can get very busy so campsites are usually occupied and crowded. The space depends on the campsite you get to stay in, but they are all generally pretty open and spacious enough for mid-sized RVs. Everything is well-spaced out but traffic tends to form by the main road.
Twin Hollows Canyon
Open: Year-round
GPS location: 37.207162, -112.689317
Type of campground: Dirt road and riverside
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Twin Hollows Canyon is a great spot for free camping near Zion’s east entrance. The landscape is quite varied since it’s by a canyon, where the terrain is sandy and quite dusty. If you go further down, you can try your luck at scoring a riverside spot by the Virgin River. There’s also cool landmarks worth visiting nearby such as the cave under the highway called the Belly of the Dragon.
Keep in mind that this is one more of the more well known sites for those looking for an overnight spot while visiting Zion. So weekends can be very crowded, making the road more dusty than usual. For spots that are extremely sandy and near the river, a 4WD is the best way to go.
Kolob Reservoir Campground
Open: Seasonal
GPS location: 37.4342651 -113.0414200
Type of campground: Waterside
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The Kolob Reservoir Campground is one of the best free campsites for those who like staying by the water. It’s located by the 5,500-acre foot Kolob reservoir up north from Zion and accessible via the town of Virgin and Cedar City. To get here, you have to pass through Kolob Terrace Road, a steep mountain road, so large RVs and motorhomes are not recommended.
This area is known for its peaceful, waterside location. The campsites are all off dirt roads, and spread around the shores of the lake and near the boat ramp. Since it’s a remote area there aren’t many amenities available. There are pit toilets and trash dumpsters available at select locations around the lake. One of the best parts of these free campgrounds is the easy access to water. You can do some fishing, swimming, and other water activities while staying here.
Camping in Zion National Park
Not quite ready to go boondocking in Zion? Need a few more amenities or the ability to make reservations for your Zion trip? Here are recommended options for non-dispersed RV camping.
Watchman Campground
Open: March to November
GPS location: 37.1965, -112.9875
Type of campground: Inside the national park, paid, very busy
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Watchman Campground is located next to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, very near the south entrance of the park. Generators are not allowed in the park, and this campground is sort of the opposite of typical boondocking in other ways.
Because of its convenient location and easy access to many of the park’s trails and attractions, it’s a popular choice for campers. There are over 100 total sites. Reservations are usually made months in advance through Recreation.gov.
The campground offers different options such as sites for RVs only, sites with electrical and water hookups, and tent camping sites. All sites include a picnic table and access to a fire ring. Some amenities at the campground include restrooms, drinking water, and a dump station.
Since this campground is inside Zion Park, the park entrance fee of $35 per vehicle is required and valid for seven days. Interagency passes are accepted.
Camping Outside of Zion National Park
If you like reserving spots in advance and don’t mind paying fees for camping, here are some camping spots near Zion National Park that charge fees per night.
Some of these are also more developed campgrounds so they might be a good way to ease into primitive camping.
Quail Creek State Park
Open: Year-round
GPS location: 37.18472, -113.39667
Type of campground: State park, paid
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Quail Creek State Park is a national park and popular spot for camping near St. George, Utah. Camping options include standard sites or standard sites with partial hookup. You can also book a single day use area or the group overnight area. The park is well-maintained and has amenities such as picnic areas, toilets, showers, and potable water. It also has great access to the beach and Zion National Park, located 30 miles away.
Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort
Open: Year-round
GPS location: 37.1936, -112.9922
Type of campground: Private campground, paid
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Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort is a privately-owned campground with an excellent and convenient location. It is just 10 minutes away from the national park’s pedestrian entrance.
They offer a wide range of options like RV and tent camping sites and even rental cabins. Since the campgrounds overlook the Virgin River, you can also book a river campsite in advance.
Since this is a full-service campsite, you’ll have access to all sorts of amenities. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill. Overall, it’s a good choice for a full-service campsite with an amazing location.
Boondocking offers a one of a kind opportunity to get away from the amenities and distractions of developed campgrounds and experience the beauty of nature. If you’re visiting Zion National Park, this list gives you some popular places to try out boondocking.
As always, regulations on public lands change frequently so make sure to check with local authorities before camping.
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