Camping rules for BLM lands W. of Canyonlands?

[ZappBranigan]

Does anyone know what the camping rules (if any) are for the BLM land West of Canyonlands? I'm leaving CO on March 23 and heading towards the Maze district (got my "permission slips" for the 24-25 March time frame.) My plan is to come in through Green River and then head Southwest on UT24, turning off towards the East, towards Hans Flats RS, and to camp out somewhere along the road. My map shows that as being all BLM land until you get to the Glen Canyon NRA border at Hans Flat.

I know in CO you can generally camp anywhere in BLM land where it's not specifically prohibited (just like in the National Forests.) Is that true of the BLM land West of Canyonlands? I don't require much for an overnight stay, really just a place to pull over far enough off the main drag that I don't get covered with dust every time a vehicle goes by. I'll have water and will haul my trash out, and I don't even need to set up a tent since I can sleep in the back of my truck.

Can anyone recommend any good spots that are less than an hour off the paved road (Hwy 24)?

 

[utah4x4]

Are you heading for the Maze or the Doll House?

You will have to carry some sort of portable potty. They will check you at the Hans Flat Ranger station. That is a great trip. Both the Doll House and Maze have some great hiking. You can also exit from the south toward the lake when you are done. That is a little faster than climbing back out Hans Flat.

You can contact the ranger station, they do man the phones / messages and can answer any other questions you have.

Hans Flat Ranger Station: 435-259-2652
http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/mazeroads.htm
http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/maze.htm

 

[ZappBranigan]

Are you heading for the Maze or the Doll House?

You will have to carry some sort of portable potty. They will check you at the Hans Flat Ranger station. That is a great trip. Both the Doll House and Maze have some great hiking. You can also exit from the south toward the lake when you are done. That is a little faster than climbing back out Hans Flat.

You can contact the ranger station, they do man the phones / messages and can answer any other questions you have.

Hans Flat Ranger Station: 435-259-2652
http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/mazeroads.htm
http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/maze.htm

Not sure if I'll make it into the Maze proper but I definitely intend to hit Panorama Point/Cleopatra's Chair and the Maze Overlook. I'll have to make the decision when I get there based on the road conditions.

And yes, my plan is to exit south to the Hite Marina area and then pick up Burr Trail to Capitol Reef.

 

[Brett]

Anyone know if Hite Marina is even open anymore? I'm planning out a trip and have been wondering........

 

[utah4x4]

When we went a few years ago when the lake was really low, they still had shore operations running.

http://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/lake-powell-marinas.htm
"Hite
There are currently no water-based facilities or launching capabilities at Hite. There is a land-based pay-at-the-pump gas station and a small convenience store that is open intermittently. There is a ranger station at Hite that is also staffed intermittently."

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The Hite pumps have always been open when I've been through there (credit card at pump). When we were there in March last year, there were folks at the Marina, looked like they were getting things setup for the season?

The BLM is open camping as of current I beleive... so you can camp just off of any existing route. This will change with the new RMP to designated campsites only.