TheSamba.com :: View topic - BLM land camping around/near Goblin Valley, UT.

Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:00 pm

The forum search doesn't seem to be working all that well, and I couldn't find much information on camping in this area. Anyone have any experience? Going to be passing through Utah via the I-70 to go to Colorado and eventually make our way to the Dead shows in Alpine Valley, WI this summer. Anyhow, my westy is a 2-wheeler, so nothing too gnarly, but if there's any cool places on BLM land out in the boonies in the general vicinity of the I-70 in Utah, feel free to leave your advice or suggestions on places to stay. Don't care about amenities. Just don't want to be pulling off and camping somewhere that is illegal or anything. So all advice, suggestions, and anything else is welcome! Thanks!

Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:01 pm

Dispersed Camping* is what I'm looking for ideally.

Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:24 pm

There is BLM and dispersed camping just barely to the north of Goblin.

Temple Mountain area

Mark

Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:25 pm

Your quest is a classic Westy endeavor, but lots of folks have special places they don't want emblazoned permanently on the www database. Once on the internet its there forever available for worldwide searches,,,, for eternity.

Sometimes the few areas that ARE posted get overrun because nobody's posting other places. When the day comes that nobody cares enough to post about camping theres also nobody around to protest public land being closed.

It's a problem either way and I don't know the answer.

You may get better results by asking people to PrivateMessage you with suggestions. And assure them you won't post their special spot on the worldwideweb.

ENJOY your trip! The west is still pretty wild and free and a great place for a Westy, not much trouble finding places to camp. Don't take that for granted.

Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:25 pm

We camped at Goblin Valley SP several years ago, and found the campground quite nice, surrounded by the evocative hillsides and signature rock formations. Nice, that is, until a Boy Scout troop encamped next door and spoiled the mood.

So we quickly decamped and motored the Westy a couple of miles north (maybe on Hwy 26 or 1013?), then pulled off a couple of miles onto a dirt road on BLM land. There we popped the top and enjoyed a quiet and solitary evening on the prairie beneath a million stars wheeling overhead, and serenaded by distant and harmonious coyotes. Even better, though, was sipping a steaming mug of fresh-brewed coffee while watching the sun rise on the prairie the next morning.

Find a good map of the area so you know exactly where the BLM sections are, and read up on their latest dispersed camping regulations. Here's a good place to start: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/richfield/recreation_.html

Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:36 pm

Temple Mountain road or Little Wild Horse road both have awesome dispersed camping spots. Pit toilets in the Little Wild Horse Canyon trailhead and at the OHV staging area for Temple Mountain road.

And Honestly, we camp anywhere where there isn't a no camping or no trespassing sign. Rest stops are good for staying the night too. Pretty much just pull off the road on to dirt almost anywhere and you are good.

If you have a specific location or distance in mind let me know, I'll look at the map and give you some good spots.

Wed Feb 17, 2016 10:57 pm

Ya, north of Goblin Valley up against the San Rafael Swell, which lies just to the west of the road. Lots of options, just pick your spot.

Thu Feb 18, 2016 9:11 am

Both exist at the CO/UT border go out to BLM land. Westwater on the UT side and Rabbit Valley and Dinosaur Ridge on the CO side. I usually camp there when I can't make it all the way to Moab before dark.

San Rafael Swell is good, and you can camp along the Green River just north of Green River town. That probably adds 30 minutes to your drive though, the others have easy in/out access if you are just looking for a stopover.

Thu Feb 18, 2016 10:22 am

If you have a mountain bike with you, check out 18 road north of Fruita.
-d

Thu Feb 18, 2016 5:22 pm

davevickery wrote: Both exist at the CO/UT border go out to BLM land.

There is heaps of BLM land *right next to Goblin valley*, there is no reason to drive to Colorado. BLM literally butts right up to the GV state park, just a mile west of the entrance to GV there are great spots on the north side of the tall sandstone cliffs....

There is some epic slot canyon hiking in the San Rafael swell,

Thu Feb 18, 2016 5:28 pm

otiswesty wrote: Ya, north of Goblin Valley up against the San Rafael Swell, which lies just to the west of the road. Lots of options, just pick your spot.

Or head west from the entrance of GV, some great spots tucked up in sandstone enclosures and the like, many of them are plainly visible from the road as you head out to ding & dang canyons, which is a great ~5 mile loop hike, but you should have some rope and a bit of rock climbing experience for that, there is some cold water in there too you will have to deal with. The pics I posted above are from easy, technical free, canyons. The SR Swell really is an awesome place.