Camp on Dalton Wash Road

Virgin, Utah

5.0/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

0.5 miles

Elevation Gain

500 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Will McKay

Camping on public lands near the national parks is a great way to find solitude in a beautiful landscape.

Zion National Park. Truly one of the beauties of the American Southwest. With red walls and orange sunsets, Zion is a must-see. However, during the busy season of the parks, finding a campsite that hasn't been snagged can be difficult. That's why I'd suggest looking for a quieter, equally as beautiful location to camp. Also, it's free, so that's pretty nice.

From the town of never-ending bed and breakfasts (Virgin, Utah), take a left onto Dalton Wash Road. This road is pretty manageable, though I'd suggest using a car that has some clearance due to the ruts within the road.

Along this road there will be a few pull off points that have established fire rings. These places are all OK to camp due to their location on Bureau of Land Management land and previously established presence. Though if you drive too far up the road, no trespassing signs will became visible on both the left and right hand side of the road.

The sites are very clear to see. Most all of them look out onto the small creek that sits below the mesa's in a small valley.

I ask of anybody that chooses to camp on Dalton Wash Road to clean up and take care of the sites. These are beautiful places that should not be ruined, keep them useable! 

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Camp on Dalton Wash Road Reviews

Spent a couple nights here while exploring Zion. It was a fantastic, free option that I was incredibly satisfied with (especially if you can't snag a backcountry permit in Zion!).

An incredible spot for public land camping outside of Zion National Park. We arrived early afternoon to the road and were able to park our sedan on the side and walk up a draw to a great campsite that had an old picnic table. It was a little ways off the road but we wanted to be away from other people. Most of the camp-able places right next to the road were taken. If you have a 4x4 you could have driven up the wash we walked up and there was a guys campsite way up that trail and he would pass us in his truck every morning and night. This was mid October. Lots of ammunition cartridges were scattered around and several other camp sites were further up the wash but you could technically pitch camp anywhere on that BLM land.

Camped here for 10 days while exploring Zion and used it as base camp for a four day backpacking trip in Kolob Canyons. There are several pull offs before you get to the top, which might be a good option if you do not have a high clearance vehicle (4x4 not required however), but if you can make it to the top, DO. Beautiful views, a very family friendly and safe feeling area, combined with some excellent mtn biking trails (guacamole).

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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