The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is commonly possible on BLM land. This government agency is part of the federal Department of the Interior and manages one out of every 10 acres across the country. Stated goals for this department include preservation, maintenance, and versatile land use. President Harry S. Truman started this officially in 1946, but efforts to retain the utility of public lands are as old as the nation itself. Bureau of Land Management camping is not only possible but highly encouraged in many places. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds sometimes require fees or reservations, but they're frequently free of charge. You can find BLM sites close to your area by searching for "BLM camping near me."
If you want to visit a place in Utah known for photography, climbing, and hiking, then check out White Rocks. It's a distinct geomorphic rock formation that's uplifted from the ground. You can find it toward the southern end of Skull Valley, which is close to the city of Dugway, Utah. The rock formations are cone-shaped and stick out several hundred feet above the desert floor. Kids and adults both love exploring the area and climbing around them. The soil is sandy, and you can get shade from juniper trees. The camping temperatures are best in spring and fall. No fees are necessary, but there are also no developed facilities, restrooms, or water supplies. To the south is Zion National Park. To the far north, you can visit the biggest saltwater lake anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, the Great Salt Lake.
Find this trail in the Desert Peak Wilderness area outside of Grantsville, Utah. This route usually takes six hours to finish, and it's best to visit October through May. Leashed dogs are welcome, and be prepared for heavy snow and winter closures.
Length: 7.8 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Utah Lake is on the western side of Provo and the state's biggest freshwater lake. Just under 150 square miles of recreational activities are waiting for you here, including paddleboarding, boating, and swimming. Fishing access is available, and the average temperature of the water is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Potential catches include panfish, bass, walleye, and channel catfish.
The primary outcrop is the one known simply as White Rock. It's noticeably bigger than the other two outcrops, known informally as "west rock" and "south rock." The trio are known as White Rocks in the plural form across the amphitheater with other smaller outcrops and knolls. Just to the west, you can find White Rock Spring with a bubbling spring and a small pool.
Given the desert terrain, White Rocks isn't abundant with a lot of wildlife, but it has some. Eagle chicks and kestrel nestlings are known to inhabit the area. Mule deer and pronghorn antelope migrate through here at times.
The state of Utah has some of the darkest skies of any of the 48 continental states. White Rocks is an hour and a half away from Salt Lake City and bordered by preserved land and military terrain, so there isn't a lot of local light. If getting a good look of the night sky is something you want to do, then this is a place to try it, especially considering how the White Rocks themselves can look against the starry sky overhead.
If you want RV camping with amenities, then check out Warner RV Park in Grantsville, Utah. Cell reception is available, and the RV sites have full hookups. This facility has no website, but you can call the owners at (435) 884-0925. There is an RV campground in existence closer to White Rocks in Dugway, but that's a closed city on military grounds. It's not openly available to civilian tourists.
If you want to do dispersed or primitive camping at the White Rocks, you can find around a dozen campsites as their bases. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No fees are necessary, and dogs are permitted. However, there are no restrooms, water supplies, or developed facilities.
White Rocks is in the desert of Utah. Spring and fall might be the best times to visit to avoid the extreme temperatures of the summer and winter, but you should always be prepared for sudden and drastic changes in temperature. Pack plenty of clothes, and dress in layers. Make sure everyone has sunscreen and sunglasses. The direct sunlight from above won't be your only threat as you might also have to deal with the reflective glare all around you.
Be sure your RV is packed with water, food, and fuel. There are no utilities or hookups available in the White Rocks BLM area. Have some way to check the weather, but don't count on cell reception in this mountainous area. Even though Dugway is the closest town, you might not be able to shop there. It's on a military base, and you'd need preapproved authorization to drive through one of the military checkpoints.
BLM camping in this region is a chance to get away from crowds and even civilization. Even though Salt Lake City is only about 90 minutes away, you'll be in the middle of nature. Enjoy the solitude, silence, and stargazing, but also take advantage of the creature comforts your RV provides. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Camping on BLM land is as much a responsibility as a privilege. Make sure to clean up after yourself using the "Leave No Trace " guidelines, when you are there and before you leave. Doing so leaves things pristine for the next campers, but it also helps protect the local wildlife, plants, and environment. Even more than that, it helps preserve these precious spaces for future generations to enjoy.
White Rocks is about 85 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. The BLM address is 2370 S. Decker Lake Blvd, West Valley City, UT 84119. From Salt Lake City, take Interstate 80 to the west until you hit Exit 77 for Dugway-Rowley. Turn south on SR 196 for 30 miles before turning west on a gravel road at the White Rocks sign. You'll head west for 6 miles before you get to a fork. Turn left, then keep driving for another 3 miles.
Ready to visit White Rocks? 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.
