A Boondocker’s Guide to Free Camping in Utah
Utah is a boondocker’s dream — vast tracts of BLM land, red-rock canyons, and some of the darkest night skies in the lower 48. Here is where to point the rig.
Why Utah for boondocking
Most of Utah is public land, which means dispersed camping is not only allowed but encouraged across huge swaths of BLM and national-forest territory. Bring water and pack out everything you pack in.
What you will need
- A full fresh-water tank (there are no hookups out here)
- Solar or a generator for power
- Offline maps — cell service is spotty to nonexistent
A few favorites
- Valley of the Gods — a free 17-mile loop under the mesas
- Lone Rock Beach — camp right on Lake Powell
- The dispersed sites off Moab’s Willow Springs Road
Pro tip: arrive before noon on weekends. The best pull-outs fill fast in shoulder season.
Ready to route it? The RV Roost trip planner sizes every campground to your rig.