Camping Outside of Canyonlands

DrNed

The mountains are calling and I must go
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
1,024
I'm working on my first overnighter in Canyonlands this spring.

So I looked up available camp sites in the park. Nothing in February or March, except for
the random Tuesday.

Wondering if there is any out of the park, but near by places to camp?
 
I've been looking at Island In The Sky, but I've never been and I don't have any
firm plans. Just looking to go early to mid March. Other than that I'm flexible.

One area better than another?

Thanks!
 
are you camping, or backpacking? you make it sound like you checked the park web site for availability. but when i looked, the car campgrounds are just first come first served, and are stated to not start filling up until late March, http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/eatingsleeping.htm and Island In The Sky's backcountry permits remain nearly 100% available for the entire month of March. http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/backcountrypermits.htm

also, if you were interested in the Needles district, you can self issue a backcountry permit there up until March 4.
 
Last edited:
are you camping, or backpacking? you make it sound like you checked the park web site for availability. but when i looked, the car campgrounds are just first come first served, and are stated to not start filling up until late March, http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/eatingsleeping.htm and Island In The Sky's backcountry permits remain nearly 100% available for the entire month of March. http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/backcountrypermits.htm

also, if you were interested in the Needles district, you can self issue a backcountry permit there up until March 4.

To the question at hand - I'm looking to car camp and I did check the site for availability
and it shows everything full . . . Having said that I just discovered my mistake:facepalm:

I was on the nps.gov site you referenced and I clicked on the Recreation.gov link thinking that's how I'd register a spot.
Upon closer reading that link is for Group Sites.:help:
 
I have stayed at Horsethief campground, which is on BLM land right outside the entrance to Island in the Sky. Never had a problem getting a site and the sites were pretty good. Have to pay in cash. This BLM site has for Moab, UT has listings for BLM sites near Moab.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
J Camping outside East entrance of Zion NP General Discussion 2
Parma Camping with a double high air mattress? General Discussion 2
Jackson What does "car camping" mean, in your opinion? General Discussion 33
dhertbag Camping at Cottonwood Cove - Coyote Buttes South Trip Planning 11
norwegianxplorer Backpacking SAREK NATIONAL PARK, Arctic Sweden, Camping Above RAPADALEN delta. Backpacking 7
Rockskipper Car Camping Tent Suggestions Gear 37
norwegianxplorer Winter storms, camping in Norway Trip Reports 0
Dreamer Sublette County backroads fly fishing and truck camping On The Water 7
G Dispersed camping near Zion? Trip Planning 5
IlVagabondo Yellowstone Camping Question General Discussion 13
swmalone Camping suggestions for Escalante in May Trip Planning 2
TeamJenkins17 Wyoming winter camping Trip Planning 4
TrektheWorld Family Camping Vehicle & Camper with bikes and an HOA Gear 13
swmalone Yellowstone Camping Trip - August 18-20, 2020 Hiking & Camping 21
kwc Northern Adirondack car camping On The Water 0
Happyidiot Looking for camping spot close to Denver. General Discussion 2
kwc Wiliam C. Whitney Wilderness canoe camping (Adirondacks) On The Water 10
A Virginia/Delaware Camping Trip Planning 4
Miya Snow Camping = Frozen Face? Resource Discussions 17
Outdoors24 Your car camping cooking setup General Discussion 39
Titans Permits car camping Grand Staircase Escalante NM? Trip Planning 6
S Backcountry camping tips for Wind Rivers - upper Green River valley via canoe Trip Planning 5
Stephanie B Camping/Off-Roading Gear for Sale Gear 0
balzaccom Car camping the Navajo Rez and Mojave Hiking & Camping 6
Mikjik86 Video Hiking/Camping San Rafael Swell/Goblin Valley/Horseshoe Canyon - Feb 2019 Hiking & Camping 2
JBPHXAZ Needles District Car Camping Suggestions Trip Planning 3
Mikjik86 Good car camping? Stuff to do near Goblin Valley area Feb 24,25,26? Trip Planning 15
C Camping at Beaver Falls, Havasupai Trip Planning 1
swmalone GSENM Camping Question Trip Planning 37
NorthwestWanderer A Year Camping in the PNW Photography 3
TrektheWorld Need help with Uintas trip - camping Trip Planning 8
F Quick Lake Blanche (Utah) camping Q? Trip Planning 9
powderglut Camping By the Henry Mts, Slots, and Cedar Mesa Ruins Hiking & Camping 9
P Any Quiet Camping Suggestions? Trip Planning 2
Vegan.Hiker Car Camping Window Screens Gear 11
Jimmy Hole in the Rock Car Camping Trip Planning 0
Wanderlust073 Winter camping at Lake Helene, RMNP Backpacking 14
WasatchWill Camping in a Land Before Time Hiking & Camping 11
D April backpacking/car-camping trip Trip Planning 16
Angeles Explorer Camping Trip to Frog Meadow in the Sequoia National Forest Hiking & Camping 4
Ian Camping on the Tour of Mont Blanc Backpacking 2
DrNed Camping In Yellowstone Basin Trip Planning 17
BryanG Camping in Yellowstone - Part 1 Hiking & Camping 9
Rockskipper You know you need to go camping when... General Discussion 3
Brian Skibbe Camping/hiking teton wilderness 06/24-06/29 Meet Up (Members Only) 3
Mike Jones Smithsonian Butte Road Utah BLM camping? Trip Planning 5
Georgia Yankee Utah camping/hiking in June--suggestions? General Discussion 9
T Havuspai Camping permits General Discussion 0
D Canoe or Kayak Camping Trip Planning 3
natylka Grand Teton Camping Trip Planning 18

Similar threads

Back
Top