Sandthrax Dispersed Camping

A lack of cell service anywhere between Hanksville and Blandon make it difficult to know exactly where you are along this route, but assuming this collection of open spaces between the cottonwoods and near th highway are campsites in the most authentic of notions. No services except a sign with some maps, a registration kiosk, presumably for the popular hike nearby, and some stone fire pits distinguish this area from many other, smaller pullouts along this gorgeous and less popular than the rest of Southeastern Utah’s seemingly endless public lands. Both a yellow and a bright green van occupied a few of the main area’s sites and, respecting privacy and admittedly being somewhat frightened by such unusual, brightly colored vehicles (we assumed they were time traveling circus folks from a near future where acceptable colors like black, silver and white had grown scarce), we ended up camping about ¼ mile or less west along 95, where a large sandy area along a mucky wash served as the last shaded spot before a popular trailhead, which gave us an intimate vantage point for millions of little biting bugs and trail hiking families alike. Both were somewhat annoying, but none so much that we couldn’t deal with them until the sun began to set and we were alone with our thoughts once more. Only a family in a decent sized Jayco travel trailer, some 50 yards away, occasionally broke that glorious silence and if there weren’t simply hundreds of options to camp somewhere new along Utah 95, we’d come back here again and again. Note that Hite, little more than a convenience store and small ranger station, is the only type of services for many, many beautiful miles, so stock up or expect to purchase little other than gas, bottled water and big spray once you’re here.

BLM calls this area, Irish Canyons. Although we used the Sandthrax coordinates to get to it. However, Sandthrax is an appropriate name in that the fine sand is the campground.

There are 2 entrances, one near the Irish Canyons trail head, right off the hwy, and the other approximately 400 feet further to the east. However, it is not advised that you try and enter one entrance and come out the other as there is a 'sand trap' of broken up sand that can bury most rigs. There was a 4x pickup truck towing another 4x pickup truck on a flat bed trailer that attempted to get across the trap and got stuck...at 2200 at night. They got unstuck by driving off the towed vehicle, driving around to the front of the stuck vehicle and pulling the truck the trailer out.

Some of the area actually has new fire rings at some of the sites. No water, trash, or any other convenience.

The view is very nice and the highway traffic is almost nothing at night.

Big rigs could use the entrance further to the west.

This place was awesome. Small, clean, comfortable, and absolutely beautiful. It also wasn’t super crowded, because it’s in a super remote area. Don’t make my mistake, and get gas at every opportunity you have a chance. Especially if you are driving Hankville to Blanding. There are 130 miles between the towns and absolutely no services, including cell service.

The campground is tucked between the canyons and it is a little desert oasis with trees perfect for setting up a hammock. It seems frequented by young Canyoneers that like to have a few drinks around the campfire before heading to an early bed, to be able to get up early and explore all of the slot canyons near by.

It’s definitely a beautiful place!

Heading east towards Blanding we took the first turn off for Leprechaun canyon trailhead just west of Sandthrax proper. There was one spot there, any further is a deep sand trap. Plenty of spots available at Sandthrax. No cell service. No water. No facilities. About 7 miles further on the highway there is a vault toilet at Hog Springs trailhead.