Where To Find Car Camping Spots Near Capitol Reef National Park, According To Redditors

Despite being an underrated and overlooked national park, Capitol Reef is no doubt among the best national parks in the U.S. It's a worthy destination for car campers who'd like some calm moments with nature amid the stunning Utah red-rock views. But the Fruita Campground inside the park often gets filled up too quickly since it's the only developed campground in the park. For this reason, travelers on Reddit's r/utahoutdoors forum recommend heading outside the park boundaries and looking for dispersed camping areas. These sites are often less crowded, providing a more serene atmosphere without sacrificing the rewarding views. Specifically, the secret lies in exploring options around the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and national forests. For instance, the area along Highway 24 has been cited by some car campers.

Many camping enthusiasts on Reddit have explained that they use apps like iOverlander, OnX, The Dyrt, and Gaia GPS to check for existing dispersed campsites, confirm legal permissions, or track road conditions. "The iOverlander app will give you the [campsite's] coordinates and open it in your maps app and lead you right to it!" said u/everywherewithclaire. Note that dispersed camping is widely allowed on public lands managed by BLM, although it's important to stay within designated areas and follow Leave No Trace rules.

In the Reddit thread r/utahoutdoors, campers mention areas along Highway 24. u/MomsSpaghetti_8 specifies Beas-Lewis Flat Road, noting that it contains "some of the best dispersed camping I've ever seen. Views of the red rock for weeks and lots of flat places to park a van or trailer, or set up a tent." Although these free sites normally don't have amenities like toilets or picnic tables, the peace and privacy can be priceless. For those who want easier access to supplies, you might stick to dispersed spots close to Torrey (a small town just west of the park), so you can conveniently get groceries or last-minute supplies. As u/netslacker shares, "There's lots of dispersed camping along highway 24 west of the park entrance before you get to Torrey."

Some campers also highlight a remote route like Forest Service Road 110, north of the park. As u/car_camper says, "One of my favorite car camping spots is on FS road 110 about 8-10 miles past the intersection with Burr Trail rd." Notom-Bullfrog Road is another area suggested by Redditors — in fact, MomsSpaghetti_8 considers it "far less travelled but still amazing." Another user, PixieC, also affirms that "Notom has some easy to get into spots where the road crosses Pleasant Creek."

There are important things to keep in mind when choosing where to set up camp. First of all, understand that many of these dispersed spots are accessible via unimproved or dirt roads that can get worse when wet, especially after rain. As such, the majority of these dispersed campsites may be more suited for vans, four-wheel drive vehicles, rugged rigs, and off-road vehicles. Also, since toilet facilities are usually unavailable at dispersed camping areas, it's wise to bring along some wag bags, as digging holes to bury waste in the desert may not be allowed. Furthermore, note that dispersed camping on public land is limited to 14 days within a consecutive 28-day period. These dispersed camping rules may differ from one locality to another, so be sure to check applicable local regulations.

In general, make sure to plan ahead when going to a dispersed spot for your car camping trip. Accordingly, you might bring along a good map to use in combination with the apps. Pick your access route wisely, check the weather, have plenty of food and water, and pack essential camping gear with you, such as your sleeping items, cooking supplies, and safety equipment in case of emergencies. If you intend to go alone, you might want to check out this crucial safety tip for solo car campers.