Indian Crossing Campground

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

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Indian Crossing Campground

You can start planning your next RV trip by searching "BLM camping near me" online. There, you'll find many BLM campgrounds to choose from, including Indian Crossing campground in Utah. The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for around 10% of all lands across the country and is tasked with maintaining them for current use while also preserving resources for future generations. The Indian Crossing campground sits near Browns Park within a high desert valley where you can access the Green River. Utilize several launch points on the river to get in some high-caliber fishing. You can also float down the river on a fun stretch that starts at the Flaming Gorge Dam and ends at the Colorado border. Indian Crossing offers both daily and overnight use. Fees apply, and there are no reservations. The area also has nearby attractions that can round out your trip, including the historical John Jarvie Ranch at Indian Crossing. Arches National Park to the south has thousands of natural sandstone arches spread over a heavily photographed 100 square miles. Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain National Park to the east has over 300 miles of hiking trails and Longs Peak standing over 14,000 feet high.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Moonshine Arch

Enjoy a simple roundtrip that involves a huge arch. Most of the trail is sandy but flat although you'll handle a handful of short-but-steep sections. You might not see the Moonshine Arch until you actually get to it. If you take kids, don't let them climb on top of the arch for safety reasons, and pack plenty of water because of the lack of shade. Length: 2 miles Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

Wear life jackets if you go rafting on the Green River because the daily fluctuations can range from 830 to 4,500 cubic feet per second. Permits aren't required for boating between the Dinosaur National Monument and the Flaming Gorge Dam. Any fish you catch between 13 and 20 inches in length have to be released, but you can keep one fish longer than 20 inches and two fish less than 13 inches.

Climbing

The area around Vernal, UT has plenty of climbing options if you enjoy getting up on the rocks. Head to Spider Wall No. 1 for easy bouldering on the chinle sandstone. Just know that this route is named for the many spiderwebs you'll find in the rock pockets you climb. While this climb is easy, spotters and bouldering pads are great protections to bring along. If you want a trad climb, then check out Honeyshine. The top of this route already has a few glue-in bolt anchors. You should also be ready to deal with a lot of rope drag if you do top roping. A simple bolt anchor can make the route more fun since there aren't a lot of good spots to belay from at the top.

Wildlife Viewing

The wildlife you see or experience can depend on your location along the river. Beavers, coyotes, and wrens often visit the waters or call them home. Mountain lions, back bears, mule deer, and elk are also usually close by. Trout and kokanee salmon swim in the waters. Parts of the river pass through cattle country where cowboys let their cattle graze each winter.

Picnicking

Day picnicking is possible at the Jarvie site. You can find both picnic tables and fire rings. There are also restrooms and drinking water available. Pets are welcome, but keep them on a leash.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

RV camping is possible at this Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. Indian Crossing has 20 individual sites and one group campsite available on a first-come, first-served basis. While there are no reservations, you do need to pay a fee. Scan and pay is possible through the Recreation.gov app, or you can pay the Iron Ranger with a check or cash on-site. Once camping here, enjoy parking, fire rings, toilets, and picnic tables.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping is legal throughout much of the state of Utah as long as you only stay 14 days. Once you move, it needs to be a minimum of 25 miles away before boondocking again. Dispersed camping is available in many of the six national forests in the state.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Indian Crossing Campground BLM trip

Dress for the season, but also be ready to have layers available. The area around Vernal is a desert environment, so summers are hot, and winters can get cold. In every season, the temperatures can change throughout the day, especially as you pass through mountain valleys, change in elevation, and get close to the river. Pack plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and be ready to take care of your skin. Pack plenty of food, fuel, and other supplies, and have backup plans if Indian Crossing is full when you arrive. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

A lot of your time in Utah will be on BLM land. These are spaces that the government tries to keep available for people to enjoy in the present, but that has to be balanced with other needs. For starters, you need to share them with local wildlife. Don't disrupt their habitat or water supplies, and follow any regulations where you go fishing. You also need to preserve the land as you found it so that it remains available for future visitors, whether they come next summer or decades from now. You can insure the lands for future use by practicing the "Leave No Trace" guidelines throughout your visit.

Indian Crossing Campground Location

There are two common routes to the Indian Crossing campground. Both start in Vernal. RV travel should use the Clay Basin route. Starting from Vernal, get on Highway 191 and head north. Travel 55 miles until you get just over the border into Wyoming. From there, you'll head east for 22 miles on paved and gravel roads. Two of the miles will have a 17% grade. Just follow the signs for Jarvie Ranch and Browns Park. The other potential route is via Crouse Canyon. Take note that this alternate route is not advisable for RV travel due to narrow road conditions. Address: Browns Park Rd, Dutch John, UT 84023 Ready to visit Indian Crossing Campground? 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.