South Temple Wash Dispersed Camping

There's not a lot to say about a large parking lot. It was very large, reasonably level, and complete with 2 vented outhouses. There were 6 units the first night, and 7 units the second night, but the lot was large enough to support 50 if it was organized like a trailer park. It's actually one of three locations near this point. There is a small spot closer to the intersection with the Goblin Valley road, and there's another, rougher area without the outhouses on the north side of the road about 1/2 mile west. That location has a view of a pictograph panel that is slowly but surely peeling off the cliff.

I used this location as a base for a hike to the Great Gallery in Horseshoe Canyon because my other options included dragging the trailer for 60 miles on gravel or paying for a site at the State Park. Apparently, some of the users of this location use it as a base for ATV operations to the west. There were a number of ATVs in camps here, but I never experienced any ATV noise or dust. There was some road noise.

No AT&T cell coverage.

As you go past the campground road and the information board there are areas to camp out in the field areas or at the edge of the mountains. As mentioned, as you continue on the blacktop road there is the large parking area with two outhouses. This is about the easiest place to stay.

As you continue on past this parking area the road has a couple areas that the wash runs over and is rough. There are places to camp along the rocks on the right side as you go in but they were primarily smaller travel trailers and a couple fifth wheels. If you go to N38.66768 W110.68515 you will be at the last possible camping area. It's good size area and there was a FW parked there. I wouldn't take a class A back there. If it rained hard you could be stuck back there for awhile and the road would be a real mess.

There was a minimal Verizon texting signal at times out around the info board. When we ventured into the rocks there was no text, no phone and no air TV. There is some recreational vehicle noise during the day but very quiet at night.

There are driving and hiking trails without paying to go into the park. As you drive in toward the state park you can make a right turn on a good road that goes west to the trail head of one of the more popular hikes.

If you go back to the coordinates posted above and look for " Behind the wall trail" it will take you in about 5 miles and past a few hiking trails. 4X4 trail

Out near the info board there is a trail called 1015 that goes back through a wash to an old mining camp and cabin. 4X4 trail.

Closest fuel etc is in Hanksville. Firewood at the SP was $8.00 !!!!!

Skip the big parking lot and keep driving up the road. There are several spots that are beautiful and easily accessible with a big rig. We didn't even unhooked the Westy from our 35 feet long bus! We stayed at Temple Mountain Campground which has picnic tables, fire rinks and outhouses.

There are also plenty of spots along Goblin Valley Rd before getting into the park that are still on BLM land. This spot is the perfect place to spend the night to go see the Goblins at sunrise (or better, at sunset) to beat the crowd. Don't miss the beautiful new bike trail system in Goblin Valley State Park that brings you right by the San Rafael Swell (you could also hike there, about 6 km).

We were looking for a boondocking spot in the general area to break up a long drive. We're self contained and don't use the facilities. We stayed here on a weeknight in early May.

Following the directions, we found a large gravel parking area with 2 pit toilets that would fit over 50 RVs. There were 5 others already there. We parked at the far end of the lot and needed just a little leveling. Although the other RVs had ATVs, the site was quiet all night.

The road turns to dirt just beyond this campsite and would be ok for RVs, including big rigs (maybe not after rains). We found several distributed campsites of different sizes that were relatively private and another larger gravel parking area with pit toilets and a gorgeous view of Temple Mountain. Although we did not hike, our map showed several hikes starting from a trailhead further on up the dirt road.

After passing the turnoff to Goblin Valley State Park, continue on Temple Mountain Rd for some great boondocking opportunities. The road is paved for several miles and there are sites on either side. There is a large level gravel area to the left which can accommodate numerous rigs of any size. We skipped that in hopes of a more private spot. Further along there are more secluded/rustic sites, but when we arrived early Sunday afternoon most were either occupied or the access wasn’t very big rig friendly. The road turned to gravel and less than a mile in there is a large camping/day use area on the right. Score!

You can choose a level gravel site or park out on the dirt with some vegetation for privacy. There are firepits and space for several rigs. A day use/small rig camping area has a covered picnic area. Several other picnic tables were scattered around. There were two pit toilets, but no other amenities. What you do have are drop-dead gorgeous views of Temple Mountain and the surrounding golden sandstone cliffs. Awesome!

There are info boards telling about the mining history in the area and some old mining equipment and stone buildings within easy walking distance of the camping area. If you choose to go past the camping/day use area the road climbs up a hill and there are a few more boondocking sites but we were thrilled with our spot.

We enjoyed Goblin Valley State Park including the hike to the Goblin’s Lair. Little Wild Horse Canyon is a fantastic slot canyon hike and you can do it as a 9 mile loop with Bell Canyon. There are several other highly-rated slot canyon hikes that we didn’t have time for.

We had no Verizon signal at the campsite.

Pay the $13 entrance fee to Goblin Valley State Park and you can dump and take on water there (and enjoy the Goblins!). Water jugs can be filled at the visitor’s center without entering the park.

This location encompasses a few area, one being the “parking lot”, next was the campground, and last was the other areas. Other reviews have talked about the first two, so we checked them out. Well, we were here April 4, 2019 and during spring break. All the locations were packed! We got very lucky to find one location for two rigs, not level, but we made it work. A lot of noise from OHV traffic! Not too mention dirt/dust. Some roads are very rough, and we didn’t go on them. But the one just west of the Kiosk was the one we took, as we saw a space from the road. No Verizon cell or mifi service!

Great boondocking site with great views!

Coming from the Netherlands we liked this place.
We stayed here 1 night in May after visiting Goblin Valley, what a surprise was that!
The big campground is paved with gravel, so it is flat and nice for RV's. There is place enough.
Maybe when you go furter on the road, there is more space with privacy. But after this place the asphalt stops and it is a dirt road. We would not take the risk with our rental RV. So we were happy with this flat campground.

Big open area with fire pits spaced out. View was amazing. Easy to get to since it was a paved road.

You have a choice of camping in the wash of up on one of the ridges. Be aware of the weather, it there is rain planned, the road will more than likely impassable also don’t camp in the wash if there will be rain. With no rain, the road is good, just your standard dirt road. Nothing crazy. Plenty of open space and the scenery is breathtaking. I camped there solo and felt safe. LOVE this place.