Wedge Overlook Dispersed Camping

We found this location on Campendium and knew we had to spend at least one night here. It's a good thing this website exists because we'd never have stumbled on this spot in a million years.

The landscape is breathtaking. The fact that these spots are free is amazing and incomprehensible to me. Being from Canada, there is no such thing as free camping, never mind next to the mini Grand Canyon.

When we pulled in on a Saturday night, all of the designated spots with number posts were occupied. We saw an unmarked pullout on the way to the lookout/loop so we pulled over and set up camp. We were there two nights and never had an issue or saw a ranger. Our view was unbelievable and the sunrises/sets were magnificent. There isn't a lot to do in the area so if you're just looking for a free, relaxing place to read a book next to an awesome view, this is the place.

My traveling companion and I camped last night in a primitive site at the Wedge. We were both extremely impressed with the amount of privacy we had... we could not see or hear other campers at all, despite the fact that all the numbered campsites were taken, as well as many of the primitive ones.

The view into the canyon is stunning. Make sure you check out the overlook!

Next time, we'll make sure we bring bikes and we'll allow for more time so we can check out nearby hikes.

Video of the annual San Rafael Swell Mountain Bike Festival and camping at The Wedge Overlook is located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il2gGkXq8fc

While visitors struggle to find a place to park their rigs in places like Canyonlands National Park, this part of the San Rafael Swell is largely devoid of visitors and offers a respite from the crowds, with no less stunning views.

Here, you can boondock right on the rim of the San Rafael Gorge, a.k.a. the "Little Grand Canyon". The entire Wedge area, on the north side of the Gorge and south of Buckhorn Draw, is BLM land. Within the Wedge Recreation Area itself, the BLM has marked out several permissible boondocking sites. At the Wedge Overlook is a large group site with a pit toilet, but by heading east on the Lower Wedge Road a couple of miles north of the Overlook you'll find numerous marked individual camping areas, some of which offer multiple potential sites. None of these have any facilities whatsoever, other than perhaps a rock fire ring that a previous camper left in place.

Getting to the Wedge requires about 25 miles of travel on graded dirt road from either Huntington, or from an intersection just north of Castle Dale, both off UT-10. As of this writing, in spring 2017 these roads were oiled to keep the dust down and you can easily travel at 40-50 mph on these roads. The Lower Wedge Road is somewhat narrower and not oiled, but still well graded. A couple of tight turns between cedar trees will stop the biggest of rigs, and will block even some moderately-sized ones on the spur road out to Site 2.

For mountain bikers, the Good Water Trail links the group camping area with Site 2. Although it's only about 3 or 4 miles between them as the crow flies, the trail stretches for roughly 17 miles by following every little contour of the Gorge's north rim and that of Good Water Canyon, a side drainage off the main canyon. The trail is mostly flat, but is rocky and a couple of technical turns and the proximity to the rim will keep cyclists of all abilities entertained. The MECCA bike club of nearby Huntington, which built the trail, holds its fall Bike the Swell mountain bike festival here during the last weekend of September every year. This small but spirited gathering camps in the group camping area throughout the festival. For more information, visit http://www.biketheswell.org. In my photos I've included a topo map I made of the trail with GPS, and a couple of photos from the festival.

A number of cell carriers maintain a tower atop nearby Cedar Mountain, just to the north, and we receive decent service on Verizon.

Whats to say that hasnt been said...free and peaceful...ride in was pretty good considering its a county dirt road but not the worst i've taken - like a mini GC verizon jetpack and phone were good

Read a review on FB from Driven N Vibing. Amazing campground. We have a 37 foot Class A, and there are plenty of spots on the loops to the Right on the rim, plus there are a couple 5th wheels camping here right now.

This campground is not for the Faint at Hart. You will have second and third thought navigation the 20 miles of some of the greatest gravel roads you will ever see. And still You have to be committed to the goal, or your inner voice inside you will keep telling you, "Is this worth it".....

Absolutely, Positively, 100%

There's not much to add above and beyond the other reviews. Simply stated, if you enjoy your free camping to come with amazing views, quiet nights, and some of the best mountain biking around, this is the spot for you.

With a 25 mile of dirt road to get there and lots of camping options, I doubt it's ever very busy here. We stayed a week and only saw a handful of other campers. Plenty of options for parking on or near the rim.

Just look at the photos for the amazing views this area has to offer. I took off one star for the following things. 20 miles of dirt road into the area. Only 10 designated sites most are not very level and they can be a little tough for a larger rig. We found space 4 with has a large circle turnaround. Could easily fit 2 to 3 campers. When you arrive to the main sign the road splits sites 8-10 are to the right and sites 1-7 are to the left. There are at least 2 areas you can pull right on the rim and camp but only smaller rigs would fit. If you head towards site 10 there is a circle pull around to head back out. I didn't chance it when we arrived as I knew we would be on the canyon edge.

Well then. The other reviews are correct. Perfect views (at the edge in campsite #2) (and well, except, can someone put the sun on MY side of the canyon?? 😂 Photos aren't the best with the shadows on the canyon walls across the way. That's like my ONLY complaint! 🤣)

It is crazy that places like this are free. Thank goodness they are. We are so lucky! Also- no problems whatsoever with internet, either Verizon or ATT. I can stream away on both flawlessly. What's not to like? Great trail right here, perfect mountain biking, and even if someone IS camping fairly close to you, you likely won't even see them. I had some spring breakers parked pretty close. They were noisy, but I had to work to ever see them.

You WILL be a good 40 minutes from town. Plan your trips to get everything all at once.

Awesome place.

Really liked this one, it's a keeper and the price is right.
Websites, also listed as the 'Little Grand Canyon', are a little confusing on the number of sites available. Along the rim, both sides if you're daring, there are turnouts, some small, some bigger.
Road to the Right of the main rim intersection, Restroom, is a little rough so you might walk it first for the bigger rigs. Some sites have been blocked with rocks, not numbered but you can see the previous campfire rigs. Other site seem obvious.
Views, Yikes.. heheh, Really kewl.
Enjoying the views by sitting right on the rim are well worth it. Various trails/dirt roads wander around along the rim as shown in other pics. Nice for Mtn Biking along the rim.
Long well maintained dirt road, apx 40+mph is fine.
Dump N Fill station I used was the Huntington Res State Park just north on the highway at the reservoir. Again, confusing as there's a 'Day use' fee but no envelopes and no one around Oct 2017.
Over all, I think the Name, "Little Grand Canyon" fits the area better. Apparently, there is boondocking across to the SE of the view area which might be fun next time.
FYI: Camping along the rim road does have the noise/dust of the day users which can be a few.. You're right on the road to the view point.
More pics here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/V9dON8gcrxrHcJ4A2

Very quiet. Almost no one here although it is the middle of the week. We're parked maybe 40 feet from the edge of the Little Grand Canyon in a 30' fifth wheel. Incredible view. Over the air TV reception is great. Spring and Fall are the best times to visit. Summer is WAY too hot.
If you have a larger RV the choose on of the sites before you get to the overlook. Lots of sites for tent camping.

ATV & OHV Paradise. Many trails for hiking or biking around the rim.