In late September, I set off on my Utah road trip, chasing historical sites, canyon views, and stunning skies. Over two weeks, I made my way from Price to Blanding, dipping into some remote BLM sites, small town Walmarts, and a couple of well-worth-it paid campgrounds. Here’s a look at the route, the stops, and what each place had to offer.
September 27 – Woodside BLM, Between Price and Green River
After leaving Wyoming and a long drive, I landed at a dispersed BLM spot near the ghost town of Woodside. It’s tucked off Highway 6 between Price and Green River — a wide, flat desert landscape with big skies and not a soul in sight. Cell service was spotty, but it made for a peaceful night under the stars.
September 28 – October 2 – Canyon Walls BLM, Near Capitol Reef
Next stop: one of my favorite finds of the trip was just outside Capitol Reef National Park. This park is in south-central Utah and known for its unique geological formations, and rich history.
I spent several days here hiking nearby in the National Park, taking photos of the changing light on the rocks, exploring the small town Torrey and the surrounding area.
The BLM area where I camped sits along towering red canyon walls. It’s free, quiet, and has surprisingly decent cell service, which was a bonus for doing relaxing and doing some remote work. Early October brought cool nights and sunny days, perfect van camping weather.
October 3 – Walmart, Price, Utah
After several days off-grid, I back tracked a bit to make a pit stop at the Walmart in Price. I needed an oil change for my van, to restock supplies, and grab some groceries. Not the most scenic overnight spot, but sometimes you need a little civilization for the essentials.
October 4–5 – BLM East of Green River, Utah
Back to the wild on my Utah road trip. I headed east of Green River picking up some roadside watermelon along the way. The area is renowned for growing exceptional watermelons. I found another quiet out of the way BLM site in the open desert, wide views, and no one else around. Sunset here painted the cliffs and mesas in unbelievable colours. The nights were crisp and quiet, with coyotes yipping in the distance.
October 6 – Recapture Reservoir Recreation Site, Near Blanding, Utah
Southbound, I arrived at Recapture Reservoir, just outside Blanding. It’s a free recreation site with a few spots right by the water. Poor cell service, but it was peaceful and perfect for the night. The morning mist over the reservoir made for a beautiful start to the day.
October 7 – BLM Near Natural Bridges National Monument
I drove the scenic dirve through Natural Bridges National Monument and stopped to view the rock bridges. This monument is located in southeastern Utah. It is renowned for its three Majestic natural bridges. Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo. Each were sculpted over millennia by the erosive forces of water in the arid landscape.
This was one of the most remote-feeling camping spots on the trip. I camped on BLM land just outside the National Monument. No cell signal here, but plenty of space, silence, and stars. If you’re a fan of dark skies, this is the place to be.
October 8–9 – Recapture Reservoir Recreation Site (Again)
I headed back to Recapture for two more nights. Still poor service, but I didn’t mind as I was close to town. I visited the tourist office, had a meal out and stocked up. It was quiet, restful, and a good spot to relax for a couple days before continuing my Utah road trip.
On my way south I drove through Valley of the Gods. An extremely bumpy, dusty intense 2 hour scenic drive. If I had known it was so rough I may not have driven it. Valley of the Gods is a miniature Monument Valley and filled with towering sandstone formations. Definitely a scenice area to visit with the right vehicle.
October 10 – Goosenecks State Park Campground
For $10 a night, this was a memorable stop. The Goosenecks overlook is famous for its views of the San Juan River. Over millons of years the river has carved a 1000 foot deep canyon, creating a series of tight loops known a “goosenecks”.
The campground is basic with no hookups, but it does have a good cell signal. I watched the sunset from the rim and stargazed late into the night. It was a busy little spot with several other campers around.
I had to stop off and visit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park as it was nearby. It is an iconic destination not to be missed. It borders Utah and Arizona and is known for its towering sandstone buttes and mesas.
The Valley Drive is a 17 mile dirt loop accessible by my van, just barely. It was another rough dusty road that wasn’t to be missed. Check out my article “My Amazing Off Road Adventure”.
October 11–12 – Cottonwood Campground, Canyon de Chelly
Canyon de Chelly National Monument was on my “must see list” so after crossing into Arizona, I spent two nights at Cottonwood Campground in the park. It was $20 a night with bathrooms, picnic tables and other travellers to chat with. Cell service was decent. The canyon drives and overlooks here were incredible, especially Spider Rock and White House Ruin. A rich mix of natural beauty and Navajo history made this a meaningful and fabulous place to visit. This will be a place I visit again.
Final Thoughts on my Utah Road Trip
This loop through southeastern Utah and into northern Arizona was a perfect blend of remote BLM camping, convenient town stops, and stunning desert landscapes. Cell service was hit or miss, but the solitude and scenery more than made up for it. If you’re traveling this way, be sure to stock up in Price or Green River, carry extra water, and take your time on those dusty backroads. This is a stunningly beautiful area with much more for me to explore, I will be back.