Rockville | Wild Camping

March 3rd, 2024 by sarawinsteadfry

there are a lot of different spots to camp that are legit. many spots are clearly marked no camping, and there is signage to be 50 feet off the road. we stayed in a spot lower down than the ones that are marked (I couldn't figure out how to add a new spot). we found the signage very clear, so perhaps it has been improved since folks who checked in after getting large tickets were here.

October 25th, 2023 by Bucky

Researched after hearing people were ticketed. There is good info on the Saint George BLM’s webpage relating to dispersed camping. This area is definitely closed to camping. As others have indicated no camping is allowed within half a mile of the scenic byway. The handout can be found here: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/uploads/recreation_utah_stgeorgeCampingBrochure.pdf

October 1st, 2023 by kayaker95

This place is permanently closed.

October 1st, 2023 by kayaker95

This area is permanently closed. There is clear signage posted that prohibits camping with 1/2 a mile of the Smithsonian Butte Road (it’s impossible to get more than 1/2 a mile from the road at this location). All of the roadside spots, while attractive looking, are illegal. Apparently there have been a bunch of complaints and local law enforcement and BLM Rangers now patrol the area heavily. Expect a ticket without being given a warning first if camped here. The locals don’t want people camping here and will call in and report illegal campers. There are periodically “No Camping”signs posted, but sometimes they get torn down and hidden in the bushes or thrown in the wash. The rangers have threatened campers with additional resource destruction tickets for removing signage.

September 25th, 2023 by Bucky

Warning: The police came through in the middle of the night and kicked us out! We got a ticket for $275 as well and they made us pack everything up in the dark and leave. Looked like they were doing the same at the other sites. Camping along the road is apparently not allowed.

September 25th, 2023 by vanlivingdownbytheriver

WARNING: When we arrived in the afternoon and there were multiple other camps set up along the road including multiple RV's. The site we picked looked well used and had a fire ring with no obvious "No Camping" signs. Police came through at 11:00 pm and cleared everyone out. They wrote us a $275 ticket and made us pack up our entire camp and load our trailer in the dark to leave. They drove down the line doing the same at every camp, and drove past multiple times while we were loading up to leave.

September 3rd, 2023 by hypermotogasm

this spot IS open. it has nothing to do with the national park, the national park is in a completely different town. there are signs that clearly say camping is permitted up to 14 days as long as you're at least a half mile from the main road.

November 16th, 2019 by hannokolvenbach

https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/upload/blm_camping_south.pdf gives an overview of allowed camping

October 28th, 2019 by daveonanInstagram

As described above. Road was a little rough but nothing my stock 2 wheel drive Dodge Ram dan couldn't handle. I passed 2 small spots perfect for a van or class B, on the way to a better view. There's still a of road ahead with many more opportunities. I'm getting strong AT&T 4G LTE service. Amazing place, and so close to Zion NP for easy queue up in the am to drive into the park. Recommend!!

October 26th, 2019 by kuikja0

Beautiful spot, very flat. Would be v difficult to access if road is wet or muddy at all.
However, this morning ~630 a vehicle came by honking at all the different pull offs where people were camped saying “no camping allowed”. They didn’t stop to talk, just honked yelled and drove on. It was a Saturday morning at the beginning of climbing season so maybe they’re starting to crack down? Anyone know if they’ve started writing tickets?

October 19th, 2019 by ad.van.tures

Please be aware, if you are coming from Zion national park south entrance there is NO camping unless you are 1/2 mile away from the dirt road (which is impossible as far as I drove up). There might be spots further up but the road is pretty rough. Many people seem to camp here fine, but you run the risk of getting a ticket. The people I talked to told us this area is monitored by rangers!

There is free blm land about 12 minutes further down the highway from Zion. You have no risk of getting a ticket and the road is in better shape.

Happy camping!

October 14th, 2019 by Samo

Stayed 3 nights. Conveniently close to Zion. There are several pull-offs in this general area and it's clearly popular with other van folks. We shared the area with 6-12 other vehicles each night. The second night, a local drove through after sunset honking his horn and yelling, telling vans/RVs to leave or else he'd call the cops on us for camping illegally. No one left, and the cops never came. Park here at your own discretion I guess.

October 2nd, 2019 by jedxgordon

Nice views. Rough road. Dirt galore. Free

September 10th, 2019 by cooltouren.wordpress.com

Stayed 200 feet north of the marked place. Directly east of the gravel. Nearly leveled. Quit!

August 11th, 2019 by jessica.cook

You cannot overnight camp in any of the pullouts. There’s a sign that says “no camping within 1/2 mile of the road,” which eliminates all of the car camping spots. Pulled over for a few hours here to make dinner, the BLM officer drove by 5 times telling people they cannot camp overnight here. Might be able to do some walk in camping, but overnight in a rig is a no-go.

August 11th, 2019 by gabrielvermette

legal spot with amazing view. no problem with 2WD low clearance. a lot of poeple when i was there!

July 3rd, 2019 by phixay08

After 2 nights spent there, the third one, Rangers came to evacuate the whole area telling us that this is not allowed as it is not more than half a mole away from the road. The fine is $120

June 19th, 2019 by phixay08

The road is rough and dirty but no 4WD required.
When wet it might be difficult though.
The place is a parking lot off road, pretty flat almost everywhere with a really nice view.
No amenities.

June 14th, 2019 by thenomadscout

plenty of space and pull outs though it fills up. people ask to share spots. there are no camping signs for the first half of a mile from the road. sign says no camping before then. Nats are almost unbearable though. bring bug spray AND netting. I am in a tent with screen, inside a large but tent and all i hear is buzzzzzz.

May 28th, 2019 by rhysandnatalia

beware, roads are really rough especially when wet. most of the way is paved but to get the last mile or two where the "no camping" signs stop, you need a 4wd. we couldn't get through with our sprinter on a dry day.

May 27th, 2019 by livelikepete.com

Great place to camp near Zion. Hard to beat these views.

May 22nd, 2019 by maddysue942

Beautiful camp spot and better views than camping inside the park! We were fine getting to a pull off in a small low clearance vehicle and weren’t bothered. Other people came to camp in other pull offs later in the evening but there is plenty of space. I could definitely see that it would be difficult to get to these spots if it had been raining for a while though.

May 18th, 2019 by carl.bartizek

Awesome land on Smithsonian Butte. Multiple flat spots off a fairly bumpy road. Easy to find even in the dark

May 5th, 2019 by Vem Conosco

Close to Zion NP, relatively flat area with beautiful view to the mountains. In wet weather can be difficult to get there. Is not mandatory 4x4 or high clearance. AT&T signal. No other amenities. There are other places before them, but with "no camping" sign. We stayed two nights and we did not have issues.