7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Camping Spots in Utah
Utah is full of stunning landscapes, but these 7 off-the-beaten-path camping spots let you skip the crowds and sleep under the stars in peace. From desert canyons to hidden forests, each location offers a unique, remote experience for nature lovers and weekend wanderers.
1. 🏜️ San Rafael Swell – Central Utah
Best For: Slot canyons, solitude, and stunning geology.
The San Rafael Swell is a rugged, remote region of towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and wide open desert. Free dispersed camping is available across BLM land, especially near the Wedge Overlook - aka “Little Grand Canyon.”
It’s a paradise for hikers, bikers, and campers who want wild landscapes without the noise.
✅ Tip: No cell service. Download offline maps and bring a camp setup with water and shade.
2. 🌊 Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge – West Desert
Best For: Birdwatching, isolation, and alien-like scenery.
Way out in Utah’s west desert, Fish Springs is a hidden wetland oasis surrounded by salt flats and silence. Campsites are primitive, and you’ll likely be the only person out there. The sunsets alone make it worth the drive.
Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and vanlifers who appreciate the art of doing nothing.
✅ Tip: Bring plenty of water and expect extreme temps and zero services.
3. 🏞️ Tom’s Best Spring Road (FR117) – Dixie National Forest
Best For: Pine forests, Bryce Canyon access, and cool summer temps.
Located just outside Bryce Canyon National Park, this forest service road offers dozens of shaded, free dispersed sites. It’s peaceful, quiet, and far enough from the park crowds to enjoy real tranquility.
Ideal for car campers, vanlifers, or anyone escaping Utah’s desert heat.
✅ Tip: Arrive mid-week for a fully isolated camping experience.
4. 🏺 Valley of the Gods – Near Mexican Hat
Best For: Monument Valley vibes without the tourist traffic.
This BLM gem offers dispersed camping in a stunning landscape of red rock towers and wide desert views. The 17-mile dirt loop is scenic and accessible (weather permitting).
Perfect for stargazing, solitude, and feeling like you’re on another planet.
✅ Tip: Another one with no shade or water. Bring a canopy and extra supplies, including extra gas.
5. 🌀 Yant Flat (Candy Cliffs) – Near St. George
Best For: Unreal rock formations and secluded desert sunsets.
A short drive and moderate hike lead to this mind-blowing sandstone playground of swirling red and white cliffs. It's not an official campground, but dispersed camping is permitted nearby.
Great for hikers and anyone craving a truly unique camp view.
✅ Tip: Arrive early or stay overnight to catch golden hour. Bring good hiking footwear!
6. 🌌 Goosenecks State Park – San Juan River Bend
Best For: Stargazing and iconic canyon views.
Overlooking a 1,000-foot-deep river meander, this remote park has primitive campsites with unbeatable scenery. It’s a Dark Sky Park, so bring your telescope or just lie back and take it all in.
Best for quiet evenings, epic sunrises, and stargazing.
✅ Tip: Wind can be intense. Stake your tent well and bring pre-prepped meals.
7. 🏕️ Coyote Gulch – Grand Staircase-Escalante
Best For: Backpacking into jaw-dropping canyon country.
This one’s a bit more work; you’ll need to hike in, but Coyote Gulch is a legendary Escalante slot canyon with arches, waterfalls, and magic at every turn. Overnight permits are free but limited.
Best for adventurous campers who don’t mind earning their view.
✅ Tip: Lightweight camp gear is essential. Only bring the essentials you can fit in your hiking bag.
A Note on Native American History:
Many of Utah’s remote camping areas are also home to ancient rock art and sacred Indigenous sites. In places like San Rafael Swell, you’ll find stunning pictograph panels from the Fremont and Barrier Canyon cultures, such as the Buckhorn Wash Panel. Near Coyote Gulch, look for cliffside pictographs and granaries left by the Ancestral Puebloans. And while camping in Valley of the Gods, know that you're just outside Bears Ears National Monument, one of the most culturally significant landscapes in North America. These markings are more than just art, they're living history. It's incredible to be able to see these places in person but please observe them with care, never touch or deface them, and help preserve these stories for future generations!
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