Guide to Camping and Campgrounds in Bear’s Ears National Monument

Bear’s Ears National Monument in southeast Utah has some of the finest camping opportunities in the Four Corners region. Cedar Mesa, Grand Gulch, and Comb Ridge form the core of the monument which is made up of both BLM and US Forest Service land. Blanding, UT, Bluff, UT, and Monticello, UT are the nearby communities. This guide to camping and campgrounds provides the information you need to plan a great trip.

Bear’s Ears National Monument Camping and Campgrounds

What kind of camping are you looking for?

There are a number of ways to enjoy camping in the Bear’s Ears. Private campgrounds, public campgrounds, dispersed camping, and backcountry camping all offer different camping experiences. You’ll have your best experience if you seek the type of camping that appeals to you. Keep reading to learn more.

Considerations for all Bear’s Ears Campers

Water

Most campsites don’t have water! Bear’s Ears is mostly desert and/or very dry forest so you must make sure to bring enough water with you. A few campgrounds have water available seasonally and some of the parks have spigots. If you are at a place that has water take advantage and fill up.

If you are visiting backcountry sites from a base camp it will likely be several days before you have an opportunity to fill your jugs. Plan on at least 1 – 2 gallons per person per day for drinking, cooking, and washing up.

Trash

Private campgrounds will all have trash disposal and many public campgrounds will as well. However, for other public campgrounds and all undeveloped campsites, you must take your trash with you. I’d encourage you to go a step further and if you ever find trash from a previous user pack it out with you. It’s up to each of us to protect these special places.

Toilets

Private campgrounds will have full toilet facilities including flush toilets and showers. Public campgrounds usually have vault toilets with No Water. Dispersed campsites have no toilet facilities so be sure you know how to properly “poop in the woods“.

Paying for your campsite

Private campgrounds will typically accept all forms of payment but very few public campgrounds in the Bear’s Ears accept advance reservations or electronic payment so you need to plan ahead to pay for your campsite. The public campgrounds usually have self-register, self-pay stations. These stations typically only accept cash or personal check for payment. Be sure to have the proper form of payment with you – it’s many miles to an ATM!

Campfires

Unless special restrictions are in place campfires are allowed in Bear’s Ears campsites. In developed campgrounds, you will be restricted to the provided fire rings. At dispersed sites, you’ll usually find camper-built fire rings.

Just because you can have a fire doesn’t mean you should. In most areas firewood is limited and, collecting firewood can be ecologically damaging. Also, this is dry and desert-like country and wildfire is always a risk. Please consider not having a fire. If you do, always use an existing fire pit, make sure the fire is properly contained, and properly extinguished when you are done.

Private Campgrounds

Private campgrounds have the most amenities and the least privacy. They are also the most expensive but they offer services that can make a difference. They all will have potable water, flush toilets, and showers and most will have laundry facilities and RV hookups. These amenities make a big difference to many campers.

However, most private campgrounds are located in towns. While this opens up the possibility of restaurant meals, fresh groceries, and other conveniences, it also means you miss out on the spectacular natural settings that most public camping provides.

Tent campers may want to seek public campgrounds instead of private. Most private campgrounds have no special sites for tents and you will often have to set up your tent between large RVs. Unless you are most comfortable surrounded by others you will most likely far prefer a public camping area. Many private campgrounds allow non-campers to use their laundry machines and most allow the use of the showers for a fee. Keep this in mind if you are on an extended trip.

Private Campgrounds near Monticello, UT

• Gemstone Campground – East of Monticello off US 491
• Westerner RV Park – In Monticello
• Old West RV Park – In Monticello
• Mountain View RV Park and Campground – In Monticello
• Roughlock RV Park – North of Monticello on US 191 2023 update – this campground may no longer be open no phone or website avilable.

Private Campgrounds near Blanding, UT

• Blue Mountain RV and Trading – In Blanding
• Blanding RV Park – In Blanding
• Sunset Campground – On the edge of Blanding

Private Campgrounds near Bluff, UT

• Cadillac Ranch RV Park & Campground – In Bluff
• Coral Sands RV Park – In Bluff
• Cottonwood RV Park – In Bluff
• Valles RV Park – No website, located in Mexican Hat, UT

Public Campgrounds

National Forest Campgrounds

These campgrounds are all part of the Manti-La Sal National Forest which covers 1,413,111 acres in Southeast Utah. These campgrounds are mostly located in forested areas at higher elevations so they are often cooler. Devils Canyon Campground is located between Monticello and Blanding while the others are located on the flanks of the Abajo Mountains.

BLM Campgrounds

The BLM Monticello Field Office oversees 1.8 million acres of public lands in SE Utah, including Bear’s Ears. There are many camping opportunities on these lands but most are for dispersed camping.

This guide includes developed campgrounds in close proximity to Bear’s Ears National Monument. There are many BLM campgrounds in the area near Moab, Ut, and surrounding Canyonlands National Park not included here. This Interactive BLM Recreation Map shows all of these sites.

Park Service Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping

The BLM and Forest Service lands in Bear’s Ears National Monument are open to dispersed camping. Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. When dispersed camping, you find a nice spot and set up your camp. Throughout the Bear’s Ears, most of the suitable sites have already been used and you should always try to camp in an existing site.

Considerations for dispersed camping

• Without a picnic table, you must bring tables, chairs, a stove stand, or anything else you need to set up a kitchen area.
• No toilets so you have to prepare to properly “poop in the woods“
• No neighbors – many dispersed sites are on remote roads with very little traffic.
• Try not to create a new campsite – there are many existing campsites and each new site causes additional ecological damage. Always use an existing site.
• Campfires – some dispersed campsites have camper-built fire rings. However, I recommend foregoing campfires when in the Bear’s Ears. This is dry country and wildfire is always a concern.
• Dispersed camping is free – there is no camping fee charged for dispersed camping in the Bear’s Ears. However, if you hike or explore you do need to purchase a pass. Here is complete information about 2023 Bear’s Ears National Monument Permits and Fees.
• Protect the resource! – Always keep a clean camp and make sure you don’t leave anything behind. Don’t leave food scraps on the ground or in the fire pit. Use existing trails and don’t cut new paths through the delicate soils. If you find pot sherds leave them where they are. We all have to help protect this special place.

Finding a Dispersed Campsite

If you have a good map of the Bear’s Ears you’ll see that many roads head into different parts of the monument. There are dispersed campsites on most of these roads so just drive them and keep your eyes peeled for suitable sites. Most of the land along the roads is not suitable for camping but you will find existing sites on most roads. Be Alert, roads may require high clearance 4wd vehicles and many are impassable when they are wet and muddy.

Cedar Mesa Dispersed Camping – there are a lot of dispersed campsites on Cedar Mesa. Many of the trailheads have dispersed camping either at the trailhead or along the access road. While there are few if any campsites directly on UT 261, the side roads hold many potential campsites.

Comb Ridge Dispersed Camping – There are dispersed sites along both the Comb Wash Road – County Road 235 on the west side of Comb Ridge and Butler Wash Road – County Road 230 on the east side of Comb Ridge. You may find a good site right on these roads or follow a spur road for more choices. There are usually dispersed campsites at the trailheads.

Manti-La Sal National Forest Dispersed Camping – The national forest lands between the Abajo Mountains and UT 95 are included in the Bear’s Ears National Monument. In fact, the namesake Bear’s Ears peaks are on forest land. This entire area is open to dispersed camping. There are a number of roads into the area so get a good map and go exploring.

Always be aware of road conditions. While most of the roads on the map are decent, some can be technical 4wd roads and many are impassable when wet and muddy.

Backcountry Camping

Most of Bear’s Ears is open to backcountry camping, typically backpacking. All backcountry camping is controlled by the BLM through the Kane Gulch Ranger Station. At times it’s possible to secure a permit on-site at the ranger station. However, it’s almost always best to secure a reservation in advance. There is full info at the link above.

Bear’s Ears Camping FAQ

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