Moab free camping?

[MilkyMayo]

Well I searched and didn't find anything but I wasn't looking too hard.

I and possibly a friend are going to Moab during May in order to get in some riding on Slick Rock, Porcupine, Flat Pass, etc. I was wondering if it is possible to park in the parking lot of Slick Rock and sleep in the car overnight.

I am very low on cash and will have just enough to get there and eat probably.

Is there anywhere else with free camping that isn't really outside of town. Would like to be pretty close if possible.

Thanks

[fondigley]

I am not sure about sleeping in your car in the slickrock parking lot, but maybe. Google dat shit. You will find a ton of info on places. I'd tell you my favorite spot, but don't want you up there as it is free and elite.

[Aenigma]

There's free camping out by the Sovereign and Barlett Wash trailheads, and I think (maybe) the area toward Amasa Back is free. But I'm not sure on that one at all. My guess is that they won't let you sleep in the parking lot because they want to drain our already empty pockets to go up there. My favorite spot to camp is up Onion Creek, but that's pretty far from town (~20mi)--on the other hand, it's really nice up there and amazing at sunrise/sunset.

[DropCliffsNotBombs]

Just getting to the slickrock parking lot will cost you a fee...

[deepsquat]

There's free camping out by the Sovereign and Barlett Wash trailheads, and I think (maybe) the area toward Amasa Back is free. But I'm not sure on that one at all. My guess is that they won't let you sleep in the parking lot because they want to drain our already empty pockets to go up there. My favorite spot to camp is up Onion Creek, but that's pretty far from town (~20mi)--on the other hand, it's really nice up there and amazing at sunrise/sunset.

The spots near Bartlett and Sovereign are still free. Use the designated sites or you will get popped. As you would in the Slickrock parking lot. The sites near Amasa are all pay until you've gone a long way in. Free, primitive camping close to town is a thing of the past.

[El Chupacabra]

Aren't there still free campsites along by the river?

[AsheanMT]

Ash and I camped along the southern border of canyonlands a couple years ago. Little bit out of town but damn nice place for some free camping.

[radair]

Aren't there still free campsites along by the river?

Yes, and they fill up quickly on weekends.

[rideit]

Is Ken's lake still free?

[tigerstripe40]

There is a SHIT TON of BLM land surrounding Moab.
Most of it you are going to have to drive 20 miles out of town to get to. But if you look, there is plenty to be had.

Sand Flats road camping SUCKS SWEATY GOATS BALLS, and you have to PAY to camp there... :nuts:

[gravitylover]

What about Kane Creek road? I lived out there for about a month at one point (many years ago.)

[tigerstripe40]

What about Kane Creek road? I lived out there for about a month at one point (many years ago.)

Some of the best camping in Moab is out there.

[Tye 1on]

Aren't there still free campsites along by the river?

You old fart!!!!

You remind me of the good old days when Big Bend was all free and unregulated camping. I'd hang out there for a couple weeks, right on the river, filling up with water at the spring by the intersection, hiking, hanging out, what a blast.

That, errrr, was right before the mountain bike was invented lol...

[powder4breakfast]

^^^ I remember those days. You used to be able to sleep right on the sandy beach. Thems was the good 'ol days. And the slickrock campground used to be free and wide open as well.

You can thank the BLM for the lack of free camping... and they'll tell you to thank the
"motorheads" from the jeep safaris. Personally, I blame BLM and Moab's poor planning by stacking multiple large activeties on the same weekends in the past. New rule as of a few years ago... no camping within 20 miles of town unless it's in a BLM / fee campsite. Free camping is, as deepsquat said, a thing of the past. There was always room for one more up wallstreet. Now, I almost hate going to Moab. The BLM is taking God's country away from us. I wish there could be a better balance between education and intervention.

[El Chupacabra]

You old fart!!!!

The last few times I've been to Moab, I've stayed in RV parks -- hot showers = good.

[BobMc]

Try this: http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/kanecreek-camping.htm

BobMc

[NOMAD]

Stayed out on Kane Creek a few months ago. It's free but you will have to drive a little ways out. If you are in a van or truck with shell, in a pinch I just park in a hotel / motel parking lot. Just fly under the radar / don't make it obvious. This would suck for a week but a night or two not too bad. I do this all summer when traveling to fly fish and arrive at the wee hours.

[bagtagley]

Pay sites are a necessary evil in Moab, given the massive numbers of people that camp there, even on "off" weekends. Without monitoring, restrictions and maintenance, those areas close to town would go to shit in no time. It only makes sense for the users to pay for that upkeep. Sand Flats is the most expensive, and it's only $10 a car per night, which I think is pretty reasonable. If you're broke or just want to get away, there is no shortage of good, free places to camp, they just require a bit more work.

[rideit]

Sand flats camping 15 years ago was a total mess...toilet paper everywhere, had to watch where you walked at night due to human crap, bottles, garbage, etc.

Just sayin'.

[powder4breakfast]

You make it sound like we were camping in a landfill back then. I spent many summers in Moab as a river guide, biking, climbing, safari, etc. I'm not saying that the BLM wasn't supposed to do anything; but, it sucks that responsible people have so little freedom in such a beautiful place. It's too bad that people can't be more responsible for their actions so that the BLM wouldn't be so aggressive with closures etc.

[khakis]

dude the sites along the river are like $10/night, let me know when you go and I'll chip in for gas and camping, or take my truck and you can chip in

[scrublover]

Sand flats camping 15 years ago was a total mess...toilet paper everywhere, had to watch where you walked at night due to human crap, bottles, garbage, etc.

Just sayin'.

exactly. for what you pay for, it ain't bad. i like an actual toilet seat in the morning, even if it doesn't flush. but that's the girly man in me. if you want to not be way the hell out there, and close to town, it's a good compromise.

that said, we're heading out in october and are flying/rental car/condo staying. not as nice as my former six hour drive. no desire to ship/fly a bike, and have to get all the camping crap out there as well.

[flowtron]

Pay sites are a necessary evil in Moab, given the massive numbers of people that camp there, even on "off" weekends. Without monitoring, restrictions and maintenance, those areas close to town would go to shit in no time. It only makes sense for the users to pay for that upkeep. Sand Flats is the most expensive, and it's only $10 a car per night, which I think is pretty reasonable. If you're broke or just want to get away, there is no shortage of good, free places to camp, they just require a bit more work.

THANK YOU BAGS!
Yup. Camping in an around Moab has been loved to near death. The desert is fragile, it takes a looooong time for shit and TP to go away, nevermind the ridiculous crap that many jeepers and quad drivers bring down and leave. When I lived down there I worked for the county Sand Flats crew the day after Jeep Safari was finished, in exchange for a season pass. The crap I saw and picked up blew my mind. Mattresses, fucking mattresses brought down and slept on for a few days, then thrown on the fire and burned so they wouldn't have to bring them back home. That was my favorite.

I also "lived" in a camper out on Potash road between Wall St and Poison Spider. It was kind of a cool thing with a fair number of seasonal 'residents', but weekends were always a mess, literally; and even our existance out there was a bit more impactful than I'm comfortable with in hindsight.

Plenty of free, wide open, Gods Country desert still out there, but close to a destination like Moab you have to suck it up and pay a little so it'll be just as nice next time you go back.

[beast]

Try this: http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/kanecreek-camping.htm

BobMc

The moonflower canyon area mentioned on that site is money. It's a small canyon that provides some good shade when it's hot, plus, there is some sweet climbing near the site. Good times to be had!

[skibuminwyo]

Ash and I camped along the southern border of canyonlands a couple years ago. Little bit out of town but damn nice place for some free camping.

shhhhhhh