Leeds Canyon Designated Dispersed Camping

I hesitate the write this review, because it would give away our favorite boondocking spot yet. But we're gonna be generous and share the wealth.

There aren't a lot of spots on this road suitable for big setups like ours, but if you can score one, you'll be a happy camper.

The AT&T and Verizon signal strengths are fantastic, and the views are unreal. It's an easy 20 minute drive to either St. George or Hurricane to run errands, and the lesser-visited Kolob Canyon side of Zion National Park is just down the road. Also, Silver Reef (the residential area you go through by Leeds to enter the National Forest) is built around an old mining ghost town that is neat to explore.

The downside: Leeds is often the hottest place in the state of Utah at any given time, so unless you bring your generators, you might do a little melting.

When I pulled in to the Dixie National Forest, I grabbed the first site I came to. Camping is only allowed in official sites, and I happened to get site 1. At first I had trouble getting my trailer level, but after examining the area, I discovered that If I parked perpendicular to the road, I didn't need to use any leveling blocks. The site got a lot of sun, so my solar panels kept the batteries fully charged. Behind my campsite was another campsite that tent campers used. If you are lucky enough to get this site, you should make sure that the access to the rear site isn't blocked.
The day I pulled in, there were climbers rappelling up and down a small cliff just behind my campsite, as well. If you are a climber, you might have a spot right in your backyard.
When you are getting close to the entrance to the forest, there are a couple of speed bumps that will get your attention, if you don't slow down.
I have Verizon, and the coverage was variable. For the most part, I was able to get on and do what I needed to do.

We stayed here after attempting to get into both the Sheep Bridge Road BLM area as well as the Flying Monkey Mesa BLM areas. Recent rains made those impassable. This camping area is part of the Dixie National Forest and has a decently maintained dirt/gravel mix road (much friendlier in recent rains).

Camping is only allowed in designated sites and there are only 4 of these before reaching the sign that recommends that trailers don't continue further on the road... for good reason! We surveyed the road in advance and felt we could make it, but I would strongly urge caution to anyone who decides to pass it just cause we did. There is a narrow winding road with a rock wall on one side (rocks jet out toward road so watch for potential to hit side of trailer on these rocks), and a complete drop off on the other size. Any mistakes or accidents here would be very devistating.

We stayed in site 9 which is the midway back into the canyon and far from other sites. This particular site is also set off the road more than others. Site 9 was the last one available on the road before the gates were closed that allowed access to north part of the canyon or to the Oak Grove Campground (must have Ben closed for the season).

We picked up some broken glass and trash around the site that had sadly been left by folks who don't respect the land. There is some minor traffic that came by during the days... mostly day hikers and a few 4-wheelers. I would guess when the upper parts of the canyon opens that there would likely be a bit more traffic. We mostly had the entire canyon in that area to ourselves.

***note on cell reception... we only had service because we used a direction cell boost antenna on a 20' rod. Prior to setting up, our cell phones showed "no service."

Leeds Canyon is very beautiful. Some nice hikes through out the area and great designated campsites. If you stay in Campsite 1 make sure you don't block the road coming out the back of your site as this is the access to the tent site #2. I really loved the area, it was close to town and not as dusty as Sheep Bridge road, but I work full-time from my rig and had issues with dependable cellular and had to drive into town daily to work.

Check out Main Street Cafe in Hurricane, UT. Meetups in St. George area (lots of groups for pickle ball and hiking). Easy access to shopping and such.

If you have a trailer, you won't want to go much past site #4 as it can become tricky and narrow, but I did see trailers go past but you might want to scout.

BLM camping up to 16 days. It is a busy road, especially in the weekends. Off road vehicles. Past campsite 5 there is a sign that says trailers not recommended beyond this point. I drove up the road and I would have taken my small trailer to campsite 8 but if I had a bigger one, absolutely not! I camped in early March. Had some snow and rain plus the road to Oak Creek campground is closed until May. Lots of traffic, another road that may be 4wd to St George splits off the road to Oak Creek. Pretty spot with the creek down in the canyon. Amazing views!!

Camping among the red rocks is beautiful, but we found the sites to be very small and close to the road. We were looking for a site large enough for our small trailer and a tent and weren’t super impressed with our options. There were a couple exceptions, but they were already occupied even during the week, so moved on and found a great spot near Virgin. This area is better suited for van life or small trailers looking for a stop over near the interstate.

We camped past the fork in the road. If you camp before the fork or on the right fork, you have to camp in a numbered camp spot. They were all taken, so, after talking to a ranger and finding out we could camp beyond the fork in a non-numbered spot, we found one with a beautiful view.
Before coming (mid-March), the weather report said no rain with highs in the mid to high 60s and lows in the mid to low 40s. That was just fine with us. We arrived on a Monday. Beautiful weather all day Tuesday until around 7 pm. HIGH winds came in and we had to take down our canopy (breaking part of it in the process). Those winds were bringing in a low front that lingered the rest of the time we were there. Rain AND snow (didn't stick) and much lower temperatures than we were prepared for. We ended up packing everything up in the mud and bringing it home to air out and clean later.

About an hour from Zion and about 40 minutes from Snow Canyon.

We had a great time meeting up with friends at Leeds Canyon. Following the Google directions appeared to be taking us on a wild ride - but despite the entry through a residential area, you will end up in the park. Space 1 and 2 are large with room for multiple vehicles. We fit a big airstream, 1 class A and a tent camper in the space. (Space 2 is located above and through space 1, for tenters only with great views).

The entry road is well maintained and easy access (the road grader came by 4 times while we were there). We had no problem with access in/out when we had rain.

Lots of red dust and road dust is just part of the desert deal - but the views make up for it. We even had rock climbers right out our window one day.

There is a small 1-mile loop just off Space 3 which is a great evening sundowner walk. Also located just past Silver Reef Ghost Town for a bit of wandering around and seeing the silver rush history of the area. But don't get excited - it is no Bodie.

Close access to town made grocery runs easy. We also found some nearby waterfalls (Toquerville Falls) and dinosaur tracks (Dino Cliffs).

Cell service was great and we had no problem working or streaming. Service might be limited as you go farther up the canyon.

I’m a tent camper and this was perfect for me. I showed up mid-week in July around 7 pm and there was only one other tent camper in site 2. Google maps brought me here correctly and it was pretty self explanatory to camp only in designated camp sites. The sites are well marked and spread out enough that you aren’t directly next to the neighboring site. I don’t know much about RVing, but these sites don’t really seem like RV sites. There are pull throughs at every site so I guess that could make for an RV stay, but there’s fire pits and flat spots for tents as well. No facilities or water. Got 3 bar Verizon service. Beautiful views!

This is a must visit place. We camped at site 1 and there were a few others. Nice stream near by giving a nice Ambience. Views were amazing at night and my wife and I woke up to watch the sun rise. A little road traffic as people came in/out but that’s it. Ours even had a fire pit - not that we used it.