Crack Canyon

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a federal government agency that manages public lands in the United States. The BLM has jurisdiction over more than 247 million acres of public land, making it the largest land manager in the country. The BLM's mission is to "sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations." Visit the BLM website or search for "BLM camping near me" to discover recreation sites.

Crack Canyon is a popular destination for camping, rock climbing, hiking, and canyoneering. It is located in the San Rafael Swell, which is managed by the BLM. Visitors to Crack Canyon take advantage of the Green River, which offers fishing, river rafting, and shoreside camping. Crack Canyon is adjacent to the Capitol Reef National Park and the Canyonlands National Park. There are a few rules to follow when camping on BLM land in Utah. Campers must camp in designated areas only, camping is limited to 14 days in any one location, fires are only allowed in designated fire pits or grates, and off-road vehicles are not allowed in campsites.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Crack Canyon Trail

Crack Canyon Trail is a rocky canyon trail located in Utah's San Rafael Swell. The trail has an elevation gain of approximately 1,000 feet. The trailhead is located at the Crack Canyon Campground, and the trail itself winds through a variety of terrain, including red rock canyons, sandstone cliffs, and juniper-covered hillsides. There are several opportunities for hikers to view petroglyphs and other Native American artifacts along the trail.

Length: 4.9 Miles

Intensity: Moderate

Chute Canyon Trail

The Chute Canyon Trail is three miles east of Crack Canyon and is located in the Chute Canyon Recreation Area in southwestern Utah and is about three miles from the Crack Canyon Trail. These two trails are often hiked back to back. The trail winds its way through a canyon with high red cliffs on either side. There are several places where the trail narrows and you must scramble over rocks.

Length: 8 Miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

Wild Horse Creek, 30 miles from Crack Canyon, offers opportunities for fishing where brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and white fish are found. Nearby boating and river rafting activities can be found around Green River as well at Green River State Park.

Climbing

The Crack Canyon Trail has rock climbing spots along the way, but climb at your own risk. The Canyon has many grades and rocky inclines that require intense hiking. There are opportunities to boulder climb among some of these grades. For more notable rock climbing and bouldering, head to nearby Capitol Reef National Park, where rock climbing is allowed by permit only.

Wildlife Viewing

Crack Canyon itself will not display much wildlife, but a trip to Wild Horse Creek will provide opportunities to see wild horses, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, and coyotes. These animals are mainly nocturnal and dangerous.

Stargazing

The Crack Canyon features several open spaces where stargazing can be done. The absence of artificial lighting brings the sky to life with great views of constellations and the Milky Way. For really great stargazing experiences, navigate southeast to Capital Reef National Park, which is designated as an International Dark Sky Park because it offers some of the clearest night skies for stargazing.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Discover BLM RV camping site at Goblin Valley State Park and Temple Mount Campground East. Temple Mount Campground is one of several Bureau of Land Management Campgrounds in the area that offers no-fee RV camping. It offers fire rings, cell service, and toilets. There are no water or electrical hookups. It's centrally located and offers a map kiosk. Goblin Valley State Park features 12 RV camping sites, which all have fire rings, restroom and shower access, a communal dump station, and water.

Free Camping

Primitive camping can be done near the trailhead at Crack Canyon. There are no camping amenities provided. Additionally, primitive camping is found at nearby Goblin Valley State Park where there are toilets provided. Remember that since Goblin Valley State Park is a designated Bureau of Land Management free camping camp area, there is a stay limit of 14 days.

RV Rentals Near Crack Canyon Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Crack Canyon BLM trip

There are a few things to keep in mind when hiking Crack Canyon. First, be sure to wear proper footwear and clothing. It can be cold in the canyon, even in the summer, so be sure to bring a jacket. Second, be sure to pack plenty of water and food. There is no water available in the canyon, so you will need to bring all that you will need. Crack Canyon is also known for flash flooding, so keep an eye on rain in the forecast. Crack Canyon does not offer RV camping, be sure to explore RV camping sites nearby and call ahead to learn about their fees and amenities.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your trip to Crack Canyon is enjoyable and safe for everyone involved. Check our blog for additional tips on BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is a set of principles established by the Bureau of Land Management for enjoying the outdoors responsibly. Leave No Trace emphasizes minimum impact camping, which means leaving nature as undisturbed as possible. When Crack Camping on BLM land, campers should follow these principles to help protect the environment. Leave No Trace recommends that campers choose an existing campsite whenever possible to minimize the impact on vegetation. Campers should also avoid defacing rocks or damaging other natural features and should pack out all trash, including food scraps. By following these principles, you can all help to keep BLM public lands clean and wild for future generations.

Crack Canyon Location

To get there from Salina, Utah, simply head south on N State St toward E Main St. Then turn left to merge onto I-70 E/US-50 E toward Green River. After 92 miles, take exit 149 to merge onto UT-24 W toward Hanksville. Next, turn right onto W Temple Jct/Temple Mt Rd. Finally, turn left onto E Behind the Reef Rd/Chute Canyon Rd/E Chute Cyn Rd, and the destination will be on your left. The BLM field office that manages Crack Canyon is located at 125 S 600 W, Price, UT 84501. This facility is not along the route from Salina to Crack Canyon.

Ready to visit Crack Canyon? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.