Dispersed camping near Zion National Park is plentiful due to the abundance of surrounding BLM lands. You can find dispersed camping, boondocking, and free camping just minutes away from the park entrance. Below are our recommendations for dispersed camping.
Note: the following camping areas were recommended based on our own experiences camping there or based on popularity with other boondockers.
Dispersed Camping Near Zion National Park
Campsites listed below are all located on BLM lands, and are free to camp. They all have a maximum of 14 days stay…
Smithsonian Butte Road (GPS: 37.15154, -113.05902) – 6.2 miles to Park entrance – The most popular place for dispersed camping near Zion National Park, this is a hard-packed dirt road that runs south about 1/2 mile to Wire Mesa Trailhead. Because of its popularity, BLM officials have restricted camping to just 1/2 mile from either side of the road. There are numerous campsites along the way. Caution: to get to Smithsonian Butte Road, one must cross over the Virgin River in the town of Rockville. This bridge (Bridge Road) has a low clearance of only 13’4″, which may prevent most 5th Wheel trailers from entering. (Read more about Smithsonian Butte Road on FreeRoam.)
North Creek Dispersed Area (GPS: 37.22033, -113.16166) – 15.1 miles to Park entrance – What makes this camping area popular is that most of it is accessed via hard-packed gravel (Kolob Terrace Rd) and easily driven by any vehicle. However the spur roads leading into individual campsites are heavily rutted and dipped. Also, this area can get crowded because the camping area is small and sites are closer together. (Read more about North Creek Dispersed Area on FreeRoam).
Sheep Bridge Road (GPS: 37.19529, -113.21838) – 16.4 miles to Park entrance – Sheep Bridge Road is part of the Hurricane Cliffs Recreation Area, an area run by the BLM for hiking, biking, and camping. There are 48 marked campsites along Sheep Bridge Road. Visitor Kiosks located at the north and south ends of the road restrict you to camping only in one of these sites, however because of the popularity of Zion National Park, it’s clear that campers are making new campsites all up and down the road. (Read more about Sheep Bridge Road on FreeRoam).
Hurricane Cliffs Sites 55-56 (GPS: 37.20497, -113.23300) – 16.7 miles to Park entrance – These two sites marked #55 and #56 are an extension to Sheep Bridge Road’s 48 campsites. Despite these two sites, it’s clear that campers have created more campsites due to heavy crowds seeking free places to camp near Zion National Park. (Read more about Hurricane Cliffs Sites 55-56 at FreeRoam).
Hurricane Cliffs Sites 49-54 (GPS: 37.20724, -113.24015) – 16.8 miles to Park entrance – These two sites marked #49 through #54 are also extensions to Sheep Bridge Road. The road through here is heavily rutted and dipped so take caution. Despite the bad roads and the five official campsites, dozens of campers set up digs here at a time. (Read more about Hurricane Cliffs Sites 49-54 at FreeRoam).
It would be helpful to say which side of the park each site is so I don’t need to hunt down every one to find one near the East entrance.
December 7, 2021 at 10:24 am