Moab is heaven on earth for dispersed campers – or at least it was.
A huge number of changes in the past few years – including shutdowns to popular dispersed camping areas and overlanding trails – has made dispersed camping here quite a bit trickier.
Although many of the most conveniently-located free campsites are now shut down (including those closest to Arches and Canyonlands), thousands of square miles of public lands still surround the city.
You’ll probably need to head a little farther away from town than in the past – and high-clearance and 4WD are almost required to escape the crowds now – but with a little research and a willingness to explore, Moab is still an awesome place for dispersed camping.
Below, I discuss five of my personal favorite free campsites near Moab that are still open heading into summer 2024.
Quick Overview
These are the free campsites I break down below:
Click on the one you want to know more about to skip down, browse them all on our Moab dispersed camping map, or keep scrolling for my full list of recommendations!
Please always follow the Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping, especially packing out all of your trash, including human waste.
Related Post: The Best Free Campsites in Utah
My Favorite Dispersed Campsites Near Moab
Dispersed camping near Moab is rapidly changing. It’s no longer allowed in many once popular locations while others now charge a nightly fee – yes, even for primitive camping with no amenities.
In a time where new dispersed camping restrictions seem to emerge yearly (at a minimum), one location near Moab continues to offer mostly unimpeded dispersed camping.
La Sal Loop Road (Manti-La Sal National Forest)
Image Attribution: “La Sal Loop Road” by John Buie, CC BY 2.0
Manti-La Sal National Forest is still my favorite place to dispersed camp near Moab.
Although dispersed campsites can be found throughout the entire national forest, the best for those visiting Moab are just off the famous La Sal Loop Road.
The 60-mile paved road loops between US 191 six miles south of Moab and SR 128 (Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway) near Castle Valley. Although it’s very steep with tight hairpin turns, all but the largest RVs and trailers will manage just fine.
It’s important to wait until you enter the Manti-La Sal National Forest before setting up camp. The first several miles on each end of La Sal Loop cross private property (and are, usually, well-marked as such).
Once in the national forest, you’ll notice countless dirt side roads. Venture down these to find a free campsite for the night. RV-friendly campsites are located just a few dozen feet off of La Sal Loop Road, but much more private campsites can be found by driving further in.
My favorite campsites here are those located near La Sal Lookout Point. Turn north off La Sal Loop Road to access a network of rocky gravel pull-outs and dirt roads leading to countless amazing dispersed campsites overlooking Porcupine Rim and Castle Valley far below.
Because of the absolutely stunning views, these particular campsites are almost always quite crowded. For a little more privacy, look on the opposite side of La Sal Loop Road as well as along South Mesa Road (FR 4657), Sand Flats Road (FR 0067), and Warner Lake Road (0063).
More Info:
La Sal Loop is part of Manti-La Sal National Forest.
Dispersed camping is allowed for up to 14 days at a time.
Call the Moab Ranger District for more info: (435) 259-7155
Official Map: Moab Ranger District Travel Map
Other Free Dispersed Campsites Near Moab
La Sal Loop in Manti-La Sal National Forest is hands down my favorite place for dispersed camping near Moab, although free camping is still legal in a handful of other nearby spots.
Gemini Bridges Road (BLM Land)
Gemini Bridges Road is a primitive BLM campground with six campsites located just west of Moab.
It’s home to some of the best free camping near Moab – but is quite an adventure to reach. The access road (BLM 215) is full of ruts, bumps, and large embedded boulders with few places to turn around. High-clearance and 4WD are all but a must. I don’t recommend boondocking in RVs and trailers here.
Despite the treacherous road, making the trek into Gemini Bridges Road is well worth it if you have a well-equipped vehicle. The campsites are set in beautiful Bride’s Canyon with awe-inspiring views of red rock canyons and towers.
Camping is only allowed in the six designated campsites (so this isn’t technically dispersed camping, although it’s free, primitive, and very remote).
More Info:
Gemini Bridges Road is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Free camping is allowed for up to 14 days at a time.
Call the Moab Field Office for more info: (435) 259-2100
Official Map: Moab Field Office Motorized Routes Map
Castleton Tower Campground (Utah Open Lands)
Image Attribution: “Climbing Inspiration” by “Crystal,” CC BY 2.0
* Castleton Tower Campground is currently closed by order of Grand County due to a newly enacted “overnight stay” ordinance. Utah Open Lands is currently fighting to reopen the campground. See the official press release for more info.
This small free campground set beneath Castleton Tower is super convenient for getting into Moab or to nearby Arches National Park.
Commonly known as “Castleton’s Climber’s Camp,” it serves as a popular basecamp for climbing Castleton Tower, although non-climbers are also welcome to camp here. It’s best for tents and vans, although small RVs and trailers will fit.
Because this is such a popular place to camp, it’s extremely important to practice good stewardship, including the Leave No Trace principles, to ensure that the campground isn’t closed permanently.
Never bury human waste here – use the pit toilet or pack out your waste, please. Nearly as important is sticking to previously-used campsites. If all the campsites are full (and they often are), continue up La Sal Loop Road and find a dispersed campsite in Manti-La Sal National Forest.
The atmosphere at Castleton Climber’s Camp is quite rowdy. Expect both nighttime revelry and the early-morning jangle of climbing gear. Don’t camp here if you want privacy.
More Info:
Castleton Tower Campground is managed by the Utah Open Lands Conservation Association.
I’m not sure how many days you’re allowed to camp here at a time.
Call Utah Open Lands for more info: (801) 463-6156
Yellow Circle Road (BLM Land)
Image Attribution: “Moab” by Andrew Fogg, CC BY-SA 2.0
Yellow Circle Road is located on BLM land about 11 miles south of Moab just east of Highway 191.
No camping is allowed for the first 0.6 miles. It’s quite obvious where the dispersed camping starts – you’ll see a large wide-open expanse with several previously-used campsites marked by rock fire pits.
The first several spots are ideal for RVs and trailers, although they’re usually full. Continue in for more privacy, although the road gets rougher the further in you travel. Most passenger vehicles will make the drive just fine, although high-clearance is certainly helpful.
I like dispersed camping at Yellow Circle Road because of the easy access from the highway, proximity to Moab, and relatively secluded feel. There are beautiful views in every direction. It does get busy here but there’s a lot of room to spread out.
More Info:
Yellow Circle Road is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Dispersed camping is allowed for up to 14 days at a time.
Call the Moab Field Office for more info: (435) 259-2100
Official Map: Moab Field Office Motorized Routes Map
Lone Mesa Area (BLM Land)
Image Attribution: “2016_06_02_lax-ewr_496” by Doc Searls, CC BY 2.0
Lone Mesa is another popular spot for dispersed camping near Moab.
Located just past Lone Mesa Group Campground, these campsites are large and flat with plenty of room to turn around, making them ideal for boondockers in RVs and trailers of all sizes.
Get to Lone Mesa via Dubinky Wells Road, an unpaved gravel road that’s usually fairly well-maintained, although you should always expect moderate washboarding.
All of the campsites here boast awesome 360° views of the surrounding desert scenery. There are lots of nearby trails to explore. Both Arches and Canyonlands National Park are just a short drive away as is Dead Horse Point State Park.
More Info:
The Lone Mesa Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Dispersed camping is allowed for up to 14 days at a time.
Call the Moab Field Office for more info: (435) 259-2100
Official Map: Moab Field Office Motorized Routes Map
Where Is Dispersed Camping No Longer Allowed?
Like we mentioned above, dispersed camping is restricted to fewer and fewer areas near Moab. In particular, large swaths of BLM land that once allowed free dispersed camping no longer do.
- Klondike Bluffs Road – These once popular dispersed campsites off of BLM 142 are now part of the newly established Utahraptor State Park. It now costs $15 per night to camp here.
- Willow Springs Road – Like Klondike Bluffs, Willow Springs Road is now part of Utahraptor State Park and currently costs $15 per night for camping.
- Dalton Wells Road – The new Utahraptor State Park also contains the once popular dispersed camping area along Dalton Wash Road. Camping now costs $15 per night.
- Long Canyon Road – The Bureau of Land Management no longer allows dispersed camping in Long Canyon due to extreme flooding and to protect sensitive bighorn sheep habitat.
I believe paid dispersed camping is currently still allowed at Klondike Bluffs, Willow Springs, and Dalton Wells, but this will likely change as Utahraptor State Park continues to develop the area.
How to Find Even More Free Campsites Near Moab
The dispersed campsites outlined above are just a handful of my favorites near Moab, but a ton of other options are available.
I personally use online tools like iOverlander.com, FreeCampsites.net, and the Boondocker’s Bible map to help find free campsites on my own. Campendium is another tool I often use.
Perhaps even more useful is talking to a local ranger. Stop by the Moab Ranger District (Manti-La Sal National Forest) or the Moab Field Office (Bureau of Land Management) for dispersed camping recommendations and info on the latest closures and road conditions.
Most ranger stations also provide physical motor vehicle use maps for free or for very cheap.
Related Post: Best Apps to Find Dispersed Campsites
Let Me Know If You Have Any Questions!
Need more help planning your dispersed camping trip to Moab?
Our national forest and BLM land guides might be able to help – but, please, feel free to ask any additional questions in the comments below or even by emailing me directly.
And, as a final suggestion, look at the many developed campgrounds near Moab as an alternative. The BLM campgrounds along the Colorado River are seriously some of the most scenic campgrounds in the country – even if they’re not free!
