Zion Camping

Zion area climbers…
Where is the most likely place to find BLM or Forest Service camping near Zion?
I understand the old location, outside Springdale near a river/wetlands, is now closed.
Thanks

There is a great bandit camping area near the Smithsonian Butte. Drive to Rockville, take the bridge road, follow it around a bend to a BLM sign and head up the hill and find a spot.

There's also the actual campgrounds in the park, too, which are super convenient.

Yes sadly the beloved Mosquito cove has been shutdown, as has Coalpit Wash, the two go-to's of zion free camping. +1 on the Rockville bridge camping.

lets all make sure to keep this one clean so it doesn't get shut down too!

Thanks!

for y'all camping at smithsonian butte, FYI!!! there has been BLM presence with citations being given. keep your camping on the DL and don't leave tents up during the day. It's illegal so tread lightly

karl kvashay wrote:for y'all camping at smithsonian butte, FYI!!! there has been BLM presence with citations being given. keep your camping on the DL and don't leave tents up during the day. It's illegal so tread lightly

That's super disheartening to hear....any more specifics as to what the individuals were ticketed for? The camping up there is great...

there are no camping signs as soon as you turn past the blm sign, and start up the hill. probably has something to do with dipshits dumping loads of garbage into the drainages up there.

A group of us just camped above the bridge road last weekend. The pyromaniac in our group brought a local lady down from her house and gave us a talkin' to. Lesson learned: Camp away from homes and as inconspicuous as possible.

When did these signs go up? As I recall, the sign only said no camping within 500 feet of the road...

Taken from the BLM website on Smithsonian Butte "Note: Camping is prohibited on federally managed lands within 1/2 mile of either side of the Back Country Byway." So camping isn't illegal out there, as long as you drive down one of the many side roads for a bit.

For the campsites inside the park - it seems Watchman is pretty much reserved up. Is the South campground usually pretty full this time of year?

Thanks.

South is a walk in campground, and is usually pretty easy to find a site in. I've never been skunked.

Greg G wrote:South is a walk in campground, and is usually pretty easy to find a site in. I've never been skunked.

I mean 1st come 1st serve not actually the sites where you walk in a few hundred feet. I meant this in the same manner as you said "South campground does not take reservations so it's easier to find a site there than at Watchman". Your luck must be bad if you've been skunked a few times!

Greg G wrote:I mean 1st come 1st serve not actually the sites where you walk in a few hundred feet. I meant this in the same manner as you said "South campground does not take reservations so it's easier to find a site there than at Watchman". Your luck must be bad if you've been skunked a few times!

BackCountry wrote:A group of us just camped above the bridge road last weekend. The pyromaniac in our group brought a local lady down from her house and gave us a talkin' to. Lesson learned: Camp away from homes and as inconspicuous as possible.

Dow Williams wrote: You had to learn that by doing it eh?

Dow Williams wrote: The average IQ of that group must be impressive.

Just got back from Zion. We camped up Kolob terrace road.. or reservoir road. About a mile or so up, many dirt roads pull off right. Great camping all be yourself right along the creek. We stayed one night because we wanted to be closer. South campground was great, convenient and nice to talk with other climbers. Have Fun

It is always the same whine to land owners/managers..."how about the rest of us....we are responsible campers"...but when a "group" can't control one idiot...land owners and managers don't want the hassle of dealing with the idiot either....this is why you find free camping hard to come by.....the lesson you should have learned is to grow a pair and stop idiots from ruining it for the rest of you...particularly when they are right there in front of you doing it

Thanks for the feedback. I'll be arriving this Saturday pretty late so I guess I'll hope the South campground isn't filled up.