Everything you need to know about camping in Joe’s Valley
Looking for a place to camp in Joe’s Valley? You’re in luck! There are countless camping options, both paid and free, with varying levels of climbing access and amenities. We’ll share some important guidelines to make sure you’re camping responsibly.
Photo by Three Peak Films
Paid Camping Areas
If you’re looking for the best New Joe’s climbing access (especially for Area 51), check out the New Joe's Campground, which is managed by the BLM. On top of great access, this site includes a clean pit toilet, fire rings, and picnic tables. As of January 2023, the New Joe’s Campground costs $15 per night (per campsite).
If you’re looking for the best Right Fork climbing access (especially for the Mansize and Boysize areas), check out the Cottonwood Canyon Campground. Just like the New Joe’s Campground, this campground is managed by the BLM, costs $15 per night (per campsite), and includes a pit toilet, fire rings, and picnic tables. These two BLM campgrounds are currently first-come-first-served, but the BLM plans to someday offer online reservations.
If you’re looking to get away from the crowds and don’t mind driving a bit further for climbing access, check out the Joe's Valley Reservoir Campground out past Left Fork, which offers paid sites with pit toilets, drinking water, and optional electric hookups. Prices currently range from $10-$18 per night depending on site. The Joe’s Valley Reservoir Campground is first-come-first-served from April 17 - May 3. Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov from May 4 - October 10, and then the sites become first-come-first-served again from October 11 - November 15, until eventually closing for the season on November 16.
FREE CAMPING AREAS
The land around Joe’s Valley is primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Forest Service (as part of the Manti-La Sal National Forest), which means there’s plenty of free, dispersed camping. Here are some guidelines and rules to keep in mind when looking for free camping:
In New Joe’s (along UT-57), much of the land is managed by the BLM. Free camping is allowed in established sites, but not under power lines, on top of vegetation, or for more than 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period.
In Right Fork, much of the land is also managed by the BLM and free camping is subject to the same rules listed above. The land near the Trail Mountain Mine (or Cabin Fever area) is private, then becomes U.S. Forest Service land as you approach Dairy Canyon, which means free camping as long as your’e not more than 150 feet off the road, under power lines, on top of vegetation, or camping for more than 14 days.
In Left Fork, there is a small amount of free camping on BLM land before the National Forest sign. Look for established sites and follow the same BLM rules listed above. No camping is allowed after the National Forest sign, until you reach the Joe’s Valley Reservoir - this decision was made in 2015 to improve public safety, keep parking available for recreation, and mitigate impacts from roadside camping.
How To Find Land Boundaries and Camping Guidelines
Again, most of the land around Joe’s is either BLM or U.S. Forest Service land, but there’s also private land and land managed by the State of Utah. When in doubt, check this interactive Utah land boundaries map to avoid camping where not allowed. Before camping on BLM land, review the BLM’s dispersed camping guidelines. Before camping on U.S. Forest Service land, review the rules for camping on the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
By educating ourselves as climbers, we show land agencies and other landowners that our community is serious about stewardship, ensuring continued access to the areas we love. Check out our Guide to Joe’s Valley for more info about climbing areas, where to find food and drinks, and other resources.
Sources
“BLM Utah Interactive Map.” Bureau of Land Management, https://blm-egis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=e84f92a84afb44b1ad7f65984332b4f2.
“Forest Service Closes Straight Canyon Roadside to Camping.” Deseret News, 10 Mar. 2015, https://www.deseret.com/2015/3/10/20560407/forest-service-closes-straight-canyon-roadside-to-camping.
“Joes Valley Reservoir, Manti-La Sal National Forest.” Recreation.gov, https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232253.
United States, Congress, Bureau of Land Management. Business Plan for Campgrounds within the BLM Price Field Office, June 2020. https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/UT_Business_Plan_PriceFO_Campground1.pdf.
United States, Congress, Bureau of Land Management. Camping on Public Lands. https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/camping.
United States, Congress, U.S. Forest Service. Rules for Camping and Traveling on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1091175.pdf.
