Public land camping

Camping in Utah

345 federal places to camp in Utah, from Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service, on the land they sit on.

345
federal places to camp: 232 Forest Service, 91 Bureau of Land Management, 22 National Park Service; 6,034
campsites you can book ahead: At the 283 places that take reservations on Recreation.gov. 4 more are first come, first served; 10,400 ft
the highest you can drive to: Mirror Lake; 27
counties with federal camping: 128 gateway towns, each with three or more within 30 miles

Camping near a town

Every federal campground in Utah

345 places

Camping rules worth knowing in Utah

Trust land is 7.8 million acres, and camping is capped at 15 days: The Trust Lands Administration manages 7.8 million acres, and states that trust lands are not public lands, though public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and off-highway riding is allowed in limited areas. Camping is allowed on most trust land for up to 15 consecutive days. Travel is only on routes designated open under agency rules, and cross-country travel is not allowed except for over-snow vehicles. Source 10
A free permit for dispersed camping, or none, depending which page you read: The BLM’s Plan Your Visit page for Grand Staircase-Escalante says a free permit is required for dispersed camping outside developed campgrounds; its Safety and Conditions page says overnight stays on the monument do not require a permit. Both are published by the same agency. Get the permit: it is free, it takes minutes, and it settles the question. Source 12
Around Moab, camping means a designated site: The Moab Field Office maintains 38 campgrounds and over 600 campsites, and because the area sees more than 3 million visitors a year the BLM has restricted camping to campgrounds or designated sites in the popular country closer to town. Dispersed camping is limited to marked sites on Dubinky Well Road, Gemini Bridges Road, Black Ridge Road, Pack Creek Roads, the Mill Canyon and Blue Hills roads and the Blue Hill area south of Moab. Look for a brown post with a tent symbol. Source 6
State trust land is not public land: The Trust Lands Administration manages 7.8 million acres and says trust lands are not public lands, with access for camping, hunting, hiking and off-highway riding allowed only in limited areas, and permits required for some of it. Camping on most trust land is capped at 15 consecutive days, some areas are held to 7 and some are closed to camping; a longer stay needs a right of entry permit. Cross-country travel is not allowed at all, except over snow with enough cover, and everything else must stay on routes designated open. Source 41
Fire restrictions come from the state and from each agency: Utah’s State Forester issues fire restriction orders that cover all state lands and all unincorporated private lands, though not private land inside city limits. Stage 1 bans open fires outside established facilities in improved campgrounds and day-use areas, bans smoking outside a vehicle or a cleared area, bans cutting, welding or grinding metal in dry vegetation, bans fireworks and exploding targets, and bans running a motorcycle, chainsaw or ATV without a working spark arrester. Violations carry up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Federal offices post their own orders at Utah Fire Info. Source 46

The full guide to overlanding Utah

By agency

Campground records: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), read September 19, 2026. Elevations: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Fees, seasons and limits change; confirm with the managing office before you go.

Camping in Utah

The Utah campground map

Camping near a town

Every federal campground in Utah

Camping rules worth knowing in Utah

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