Utah’s Top 17 Off-the-Grid Vanlife Camping Spots (No Hookups, No Problem) 🚐
Utah, known as the Beehive State, stands as one of America’s premier destinations for off-grid vanlife adventures, offering an extraordinary diversity of landscapes from otherworldly salt flats to red rock canyons and alpine forests.
With nearly 50% of the state managed by the Bureau of Land Management and home to five magnificent national parks, Utah provides unparalleled boondocking opportunities across dramatic terrain that has captivated adventurers for generations. From the iconic red rocks of Moab to the stark beauty of Bonneville Salt Flats, the state offers endless adventures for vanlifers seeking spectacular geology, dark night skies, and freedom from crowds.
We’re counting down Utah’s premier off-grid camping destinations, revealing their unique features, accessibility requirements, and the unforgettable experiences that await your van in this geological wonderland!
Jump to a Spot
- #17 Fivemile Pass BLM
- #16 Horseshoe Springs Knolls BLM
- #15 Willow Springs Road – Moab
- #14 Klondike Bluffs Dispersed – Moab
- #13 Jug Hollow – Flaming Gorge
- #12 Diamond Fork Canyon
- #11 Goblin Valley Area BLM
- #10 Gooseberry Mesa – Zion Area
Source: Pixabay
17. Fivemile Pass BLM
🚐 Van Accessibility: Excellent for all van sizes with good road access
🏔️ Elevation: 5,100 feet
📶 Cell Service: Good coverage due to proximity to Salt Lake City
💧 Water: Bring your own; Salt Lake City supplies nearby
Highlights & Details: Fivemile Pass offers easily accessible desert camping west of Salt Lake City with rolling hills and open spaces. This popular BLM area provides excellent access to OHV recreation while serving as a convenient base for exploring the greater Salt Lake area.
It is popular with Salt Lake locals for weekend camping. It features easy highway access with OHV trail opportunities and great views of surrounding mountain ranges. It can get busy on weekends.
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Source: Pixabay
16. Horseshoe Springs Knolls BLM
🚐 Van Accessibility: Good for all vehicle types across open terrain
🏔️ Elevation: 4,800 feet
📶 Cell Service: Variable coverage
💧 Water: Bring adequate supplies
Highlights & Details: Horseshoe Springs Knolls provides classic Great Basin desert camping with unique geological formations and wide open spaces. This area offers solitude and authentic Utah desert experiences away from the more popular southern destinations.
It features unique knoll formations creating interesting camping spots. It is part of the Great Basin ecosystem with sagebrush and wildlife. It is less crowded than southern Utah locations.
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Source: Pixabay
15. Willow Springs Road – Moab
🚐 Van Accessibility: Good for most vehicles; can get crowded
🏔️ Elevation: 4,000 feet
📶 Cell Service: Generally good coverage
💧 Water: Bring your own; Moab supplies nearby
Highlights & Details: Willow Springs Road (BLM 378) offers some of Moab’s most popular dispersed camping with direct access to Arches National Park’s back entrance. While crowded, especially on weekends, it provides unbeatable convenience for park access.
It is extremely popular – arrive early, especially weekdays. It can be loud and crowded on weekends. Multiple pullout camping areas are available.
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Source: Pixabay
14. Klondike Bluffs Dispersed – Moab
🚐 Van Accessibility: Good access from highway suitable for big rigs
🏔️ Elevation: 4,200 feet
📶 Cell Service: Good coverage
💧 Water: Bring your own; Moab services accessible
Highlights & Details: Klondike Bluffs offers easier highway access than other Moab area camping with good cell service and proximity to Arches National Park. While less scenic than remote options, it provides convenient base camping for park exploration.
It offers easier access than other Moab dispersed areas. It has better cell service for remote work. It is close to Arches National Park, but less scenic than remote alternatives.
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Source: Pixabay
13. Jug Hollow – Flaming Gorge
🚐 Van Accessibility: Good for RVs and trailers with flat, spacious sites
🏔️ Elevation: 6,200 feet
📶 Cell Service: Good coverage
💧 Water: Flaming Gorge access; bring drinking water
Highlights & Details: Jug Hollow near Flaming Gorge offers lakeside camping with fishing opportunities and water recreation access. This Ashley National Forest location provides cooler temperatures and a different ecosystem from Utah’s desert regions.
It features excellent fishing and water recreation opportunities. It has flat, spacious sites suitable for large rigs. It can be windy and dusty. Watch for cattle and cow pies.
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Source: Pixabay
12. Diamond Fork Canyon
🚐 Van Accessibility: Excellent for RVs with well-maintained gravel roads
🏔️ Elevation: 5,500-6,500 feet
📶 Cell Service: Limited coverage
💧 Water: Diamond Fork Creek; filtration recommended
Highlights & Details: Diamond Fork Canyon offers beautiful creek-side camping with hot springs access and well-maintained roads suitable for RVs. This Uinta National Forest location provides a perfect mountain retreat with hiking opportunities.
It features dispersed camping beginning 12 miles from Highway 89. It has beautiful creek-side sites with shade. There is a 5-mile hike to hot springs. Watch for free-range cattle. Many sites are right on the creek.
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Source: Pixabay
11. Goblin Valley Area BLM
🚐 Van Accessibility: Excellent with multiple areas for various vehicle sizes
🏔️ Elevation: 5,000 feet
📶 Cell Service: Limited coverage
💧 Water: Bring your own; closest supplies in Green River
Highlights & Details: The BLM areas around Goblin Valley State Park offer easy access to the famous hoodoo formations without state park fees. Multiple wide-open camping areas provide excellent flexibility for different rig sizes.
It offers access to Goblin Valley formations without park fees. It has wide open flat areas before the state park entrance. Wild Horse Canyon is nearby for hiking. Roads can get rutted in back areas.
Source: Pixabay
10. Gooseberry Mesa – Zion Area
🚐 Van Accessibility: Good access but watch for private property
🏔️ Elevation: 5,200 feet
📶 Cell Service: Limited coverage
💧 Water: Bring your own; Zion area supplies accessible
Highlights & Details: Gooseberry Mesa near Zion National Park offers spectacular red rock camping with world-class mountain biking trails. This BLM location provides stunning views while serving as an excellent base for Zion exploration.
It is a world-famous mountain biking destination with spectacular red rock views. It is close to Zion National Park entrance. Must ensure camping on BLM land, not private property.