The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Hole in the Rock Trail is a 62-mile driving and biking trail that is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM is a government organization that oversees the use of public lands, most of which may offer dispersed, primitive camping options. The Hole in the Rock trail runs from Escalante to Bluff and is very rugged, so it is recommended for only four-wheel-drive vehicles to use though some high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicles can clear the western half of the trail on dry days. Camping is not permitted along this trail, although there are other nearby BLM campgrounds you may stay at when you want to park your RV. This trail is a historic trail that was first established by Mormon pioneers in 1879. Today, the trail is divided into western and eastern sections, and the halfway point that divides the two is Hole in the Rock, a narrow canyon crack that was widened by hand by the pioneers. Along the trail, visitors can often see faint covered wagon tire tracks as well as points of interest like Devil's Garden, a BLM Outstanding Natural Area full of unique rock formations, and the Canyons of the Escalante, eroded canon slots that were once formed by tributaries of the Escalante River.
The Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail in a narrow canyon slot. This trail can be accessed via the Upper Dry Fork Trailhead, accessed only by driving a long dirt road. Length: 0.7 mile Intensity: Easy
Also accessed by the Upper Dry Fork Trailhead, Spooky Slot Canyon Trail is another slot canyon path that can be as narrow as 10 inches in some areas. Length: 6 miles Intensity: Moderate
The trail from Red Well to Coyote Gulch is popular with backpack campers and features scenic canyon scenes. This trail is also sandy and crosses some streams. Length: 27.1 miles Intensity: Moderate
Visitors to Hole in the Rock Trail can stop by Bullfrog Bay for fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities. The bay can be accessed via Bullfrog Basin, a National Park Recreation Site. The most caught species of fish here is the Boiling Striper. You can find more fish stocked in Lake Powell, such as smallmouth bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish, black crappie, walleye, channel catfish, bullhead catfish, and northern pike.
While driving the Hole in the Rock trail, you will surely see some native Utah wildlife, including mammals like mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes, kit foxes, raccoons, striped skunks, mule deer, black-tailed jackrabbits, and desert cottontails. Common birds you may encounter include golden eagles, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, Cooper's hawks, peregrine falcons, turkey vultures, great horned owls, great blue herons, Gambel's quail, lesser nighthawks, and the greater roadrunners. Other species you may see on the desert floor or canyon sides are the desert tortoise, Gila monster, great basin rattlesnake, California kingsnake, American bullfrog, red-spotted toad, and excellent basin spadefoot.
While you can stay at most Bureau of Land Management campgrounds for free, you won't always get many amenities, including water and electricity, at these campgrounds. For RV camping with full hookups, try staying at a place like Thousand Lakes RV Park, which has full hookup service plus a pool and regular barbecue events. You may also like Fremont River RV Park, which has full hookups and is located between Capitol Reef National Park and Fishlake National Forest.
If you are looking for BLM camping near me, consider staying at Lava Flat Designated Dispersed Camping Area. This campground is free to stay at for up to 14 days at a time, and it features fire pits and spacious campsites given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Another Bureau of Land Management free camping option near Hole in the Rock trail is Hurricane Cliffs Recreational Area, which has no amenities but allows campers to stay for up to 14 days at a time.
If you plan to drive the Hole in the Rock Trail, try to take a high-clearance vehicle with a four-wheel drive and plan your trip according to the weather forecast. If pop-up rain showers or storms are possible, avoid driving the trail since this often causes trail blockages. In addition, all trail users are advised to take at least one gallon of water per person on the trail each day and only to drive on a full gas tank. If you would like to stay at a BLM campground, you will need to bring your water for your stay. You will also need to get your trash bags and keep your campsite clean during your stay. You can bring battery or solar-powered camp equipment if you have any to substitute electrical hookups. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All visitors to the Hole in the Rock Trail must follow the BLM's "Leave No Trace" principles, which are put in place to keep the trail clean and safe for future visitors to enjoy. Some of these rules include picking up your trash, cleaning up any pet waste, and leaving any artifacts or other natural features where they originally belong.
To take the Hole in the Rock trail, start in Escalante. You can then take State Highway 163/SR 163 to follow the entire trail length by vehicle. 365 North Main Monticello, UT 84535 LATITUDE/LONGITUDE: 37.376934, -110.566578 Ready to visit Hole in the Rock trail? 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.
