The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
One of the most popular trends for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts in the United States is Bureau of Land Management camping. The Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, is a government agency tasked with protecting the country's federal lands. If you visit any of their 800+ sites, you'll most likely find excellent opportunities for camping in the form of peaceful campgrounds in beautiful settings.
One BLM location is the Dirty Devil Wilderness Study Area (WSA), a 61,000-acre stretch of land located in the southeastern corner of Utah. The Dirty Devil River flows through the western side of the site, and visitors to the area can enjoy camping, hiking, horseback riding, backpacking, scenic sightseeing, and several other outdoor activities. The Dirty Devil WSA is also located right between two breathtaking national parks: Capitol Reef National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
The Robbers Roost Canyon and Oilwell Overlook trail is an extremely long out-and-back route found within the Dirty Devil WSA. The trail is a popular spot for both hiking and off-road driving, and it features excellent views of the nearby canyons. Anyone who intends to traverse the entire trail should set aside a full day and bring plenty of snacks and water. The best time to make the trek is between March and October.
Length: 19.4 miles
Intensity: Hard
Located in Capitol Reef National Park, the Hickman Bridge Trail is a scenic out-and-back route that takes visitors through a historically significant area. Those who explore the trail will get a chance to check out fascinating artifacts, pit houses of the ancient Fremont people, an elevated granary, and numerous unique geological formations.
Length: 1.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Sulphur Creek Route is a moderately challenging point-to-point trail that's also found within Capitol Reef National Park. The trail features waterfalls, caverns, a river, and beautiful scenery. While exploring the waterfall areas, visitors should be extra careful to watch their steps; at times, mud on the trail can obscure rocks and treacherous footing.
Length: 5.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Dirty Devil River has a very high salinity level and is unlikely to host many kinds of fish. Anyone in the area looking to do some fishing will probably want to head to either the Green River or the Colorado River instead. The most common fish species found here are carp and catfish, and you must have a valid Utah fishing license to cast your line. As for boating, the Colorado River is well-known for its exceptional rapids. However, the river also features calmer areas for those looking for a more relaxing experience. Kayaking, canoeing, and rafting are all great options for getting out on the water.
Canyonlands National Park is revered for its excellent rock climbing opportunities. The most popular climbing area in the park is the Island in the Sky district, which features massive sandstone towers. There are also numerous cliffs, canyons, and geological formations throughout the entire region, and many of them present opportunities for skilled, adventurous climbers.
For the most part, the entire region of southeastern Utah is inhabited by a variety of cool wildlife species. Any of the nearby national parks and recreation areas are great destinations to observe animals. If you head west to Capitol Reef National Park, you may see black bears, marmots, porcupines, pronghorn antelope, Utah prairie dogs, kangaroo rats, and many other unique creatures.
Picnic tables and shelters may be hard to come across around the Dirty Devil WSA, so would-be picnickers will likely need to bring along a blanket or towel to sit on. If you're planning to enjoy a meal, consider finding a clear area with a bit of elevation. That way, you can eat while looking over the stunning desert landscape all around you.
If you don't mind putting together your own primitive setup, you can enjoy RV camping in a number of places near the Dirty Devil WSA. However, per federal regulations, you'll need to keep your RV or any other motorized vehicle outside of the designated wilderness area. There aren't any official Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at the site, but many visitors still choose to camp overnight in the area. If you want to stay at a modern RV park, one of your closest options will be to travel to nearby Hanksville, UT where you can stay at Duke's RV Park.
If you want to partake in Bureau of Land Management free camping, you're free to set up a dispersed campsite anywhere in the area. However, there are also many campgrounds within a few miles that are either free or require only a tiny fee. A few of the nicest nearby campgrounds are the Lonesome Beaver Campground, the McMillan Springs Campground, and the Standing Rock Campground. Search "BLM camping near me" as you approach the destination to learn more about the available options.
If you're visiting the Dirty Devil WSA during the summer months, you'll want to prepare for the regularly changing weather. When it's sunny, it will most likely be very hot, and you'll want to have lots of drinking water and sun protection available. However, it can quickly become stormy, and that can lead to flash flooding in the area's canyons.
The area is in a very remote section of Utah, so you should also bring first aid supplies, extra water, and plenty of food that's simple to prepare. You may not have any cellphone reception in the area, so be sure to let your loved ones know where you'll be traveling. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
While you're visiting the Dirty Devil WSA, the BLM asks that you avoid making a significant impact on the land. It makes a huge difference to practice basic courtesy, such as picking up after yourself, respecting local wildlife and your fellow visitors, and refraining from moving or taking anything you find in nature.
To reach the Dirty Devil BLM site from Hanksville, travel south for roughly 0.75 miles on Utah State Route 95 until you reach BLM Road 0106. Turn toward the east on the BLM road, and continue for about five miles. This will take you into the massive WSA.
Ready to visit Dirty Devil? 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 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.
