Smithsonian Butte Dispersed Camping
BLM
Write a Review South Bench Road Rockville, UT 84763 435-688-3200 Official WebsiteGPS: 37.1297, -113.0757
Overview of Smithsonian Butte Dispersed Camping
No camping within 1/2 mile of either side of the road along the Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway. Once on top of the plateau, there are 4x4 routes onto the mesa arms that are open to camping. Tall rigs may not have access to this area due to a 13'4" bridge on route.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by roadtrippers-Abenteuer1 on 10/14/2024
Longest RV Reported: 37 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Time2Geaux on 4/27/2021
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 4,527 ft / 1,379 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
Featured Video by Campendium360
360 video playback is not supported on this browser. Click here to view on YouTube.
Use your mouse to rotate the viewing angle. All videos are shot in 4K HD, so you may have to adjust the video quality to see these at maximum resolution.
Move your phone or tablet in the direction you want to see. Hit pause and have a look around! All videos are shot in 4K HD, so you may have to adjust the video quality to see these at maximum resolution.
Discover a smarter way to RV with Roadtrippers
All your Campendium favorites and more are now in Roadtrippers.
Q&A - Ask the Community about Smithsonian Butte Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 435-688-3200
Mary asked on 5/26/2021
Where is the closest place to get water, dump station, and shower?
Carissa asked on 12/31/2019
I have seen that the reviews say it is about 20 minutes from Zion. Is that the route going the Rockville way? Is it d...
Reviews of Smithsonian Butte Dispersed Camping 52 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 20 Users
Last reported 10/18/2023
Confirmed by 14 Users
Last reported 6/9/2023
Confirmed by 8 Users
Last reported 10/14/2024
“Basic camp sites, free near Zion”
Reviewed 5/18/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Rough road. Not too crowded. Multiple sites by the side of the road. Fire pits. Quiet. Low cell service with AT&T.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
AT&T 4G
CL would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome and way out there”
Reviewed 4/21/2022
| Days stayed: | 1 |
|---|
Overall Rating
Perfect desert experience! Site well spread out and off the beaten path! Road isn’t bad just very tall hills. Worth though for the amazing views!!
Angelica would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing!”
Reviewed 10/14/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
4x4 only if coming from Zion - lots of rocks, rutts and not maintained, once on top or if you go around apple valley side, you will find spots to camp more than a 1/4 mile from the byway. If you have a capable off-road vehicle the Mesa arms have some spectacular views and great spots to setup camp and get solid 2 bars of 5G with Veriz... more
4x4 only if coming from Zion - lots of rocks, rutts and not maintained, once on top or if you go around apple valley side, you will find spots to camp more than a 1/4 mile from the byway.
If you have a capable off-road vehicle the Mesa arms have some spectacular views and great spots to setup camp and get solid 2 bars of 5G with Verizon.
Hands down one of my favorite places to camp.. challenging to get to so it keeps the undesirables out and absolutely quiet and peaceful.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon 4G
theSteveChang would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful place to camp while at Zion”
Reviewed 7/1/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
This is one of my favorite dispersed campsites I've ever camped at. The views are insane and you are are surrounded by so many beautiful rock formations. Was especially pretty for sunset and sunrise. Everyone is right in saying that the road is pretty crazy to get up there. Definitely don't attempt if you don't have 4WD. It's steep and... more
This is one of my favorite dispersed campsites I've ever camped at. The views are insane and you are are surrounded by so many beautiful rock formations. Was especially pretty for sunset and sunrise. Everyone is right in saying that the road is pretty crazy to get up there. Definitely don't attempt if you don't have 4WD. It's steep and gets rockier as you go up. I was able to do in a 4Runner SR5 4WD without having lifted tires. I went late Feb/early March and was surprised at how many people were there for it being super cold. Probably even worse in the summer. Will definitely be back!
Jane would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“ROUGH ROAD”
Reviewed 6/27/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
Overall Rating
We really wanted to stay here, but the road was inaccessible without lifted 4 wheel drive. High clearance is needed, our SUV couldn’t make it. Could be do-able with a pickup truck. Also some of the sites towards the front of the campground are marked “no camping” so be sure you’re allowed to camp there if staying here.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Better have clearance ”
Reviewed 6/14/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
| Site Number: | N/A |
Overall Rating
The Apple valley road side is fine. The other side to get to Zion is brutal. Just a rough/hazardous road. You absolutely have to have a high clearance and a good off road capable car. If you plan on doing Zion early, don’t stay here because it takes a terrifying 30 minutes to get there from this spot. Gorgeous spot if you plan on just ... more
The Apple valley road side is fine. The other side to get to Zion is brutal. Just a rough/hazardous road. You absolutely have to have a high clearance and a good off road capable car. If you plan on doing Zion early, don’t stay here because it takes a terrifying 30 minutes to get there from this spot. Gorgeous spot if you plan on just hanging out or don’t have the proper vehicle.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not big rig friendly”
Reviewed 4/27/2021
| Days stayed: | 0 |
|---|---|
| RV Length: | 37' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
Followed directions to specified spot but cannot get rig in and as there is a one lane bridge that is 13‘4“ in height. No where is to turn around once you turn on this road, police had to come and back us out, residents were very angry. Police officer specified that there is not much on the other side of bridge for big rigs that the ro... more
Followed directions to specified spot but cannot get rig in and as there is a one lane bridge that is 13‘4“ in height. No where is to turn around once you turn on this road, police had to come and back us out, residents were very angry. Police officer specified that there is not much on the other side of bridge for big rigs that the road was very sketchy even on a good day.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Site Quality |
AT&T 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Unreal beauty and soul-restorative quiet! ”
Reviewed 4/21/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Every review about the road access is accurate. Washboards are endless coming in from Apple Valley. We are in a Dodge 3500 dual with Lance 1172. We had to remove our access stairs to navigate the gullies in the roads to access campsites. BUT... it was completely worth it! Views are utterly stunning and every few moments the light chang... more
Every review about the road access is accurate. Washboards are endless coming in from Apple Valley. We are in a Dodge 3500 dual with Lance 1172. We had to remove our access stairs to navigate the gullies in the roads to access campsites. BUT... it was completely worth it! Views are utterly stunning and every few moments the light changes to magical frame-worthy shots. Serenely quiet. The few other campers were friendly and offered unreserved help when they saw us with tools out. The “no camping” and restrictive postings on road side sites are a bit misleading and are ignored. As others have mentioned, this is not “big rig friendly” option. Take your time, be patient, and enjoy the glorious views!
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality |
Verizon 4G
SwissCat would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“We gambled and lost”
Reviewed 4/16/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
| Site Number: | n/a |
Overall Rating
We chanced it in a spot that was posted “No camping”. Right after it got dark dark, around 9pm, local officer of some sort came and booted us. The views are amazing. The road from Rockville is bumpy, washboard and the steep hills are the worst parts obviously. Im sure the spots on top are great but I wouldn't attempt to go from ... more
We chanced it in a spot that was posted “No camping”. Right after it got dark dark, around 9pm, local officer of some sort came and booted us.
The views are amazing. The road from Rockville is bumpy, washboard and the steep hills are the worst parts obviously.
Im sure the spots on top are great but I wouldn't attempt to go from this side without a nice suspension set up. Our on road standard class B Van was not thrilled.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness |
Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Loved this spot so much!”
Reviewed 12/12/2020
| Days stayed: | 1 |
|---|---|
| RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We loved our night here. At first we weren’t sure about the road as other reviews mentioned, although we went slowly and were fine. We ended up finding a turnout about 1.5 miles down the road on the left. It was perfect and had the most beautiful views. In the morning we went on a nice hike and explored the area - it was definitely hot... more
We loved our night here. At first we weren’t sure about the road as other reviews mentioned, although we went slowly and were fine. We ended up finding a turnout about 1.5 miles down the road on the left. It was perfect and had the most beautiful views. In the morning we went on a nice hike and explored the area - it was definitely hot with tons of mosquitoes but it was June so we expected it. This land is beautiful and highly recommended!!
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon 4G
ciao.zen would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 2 of 6
Have you written a blog post about Smithsonian Butte Dispersed Camping?
Contact us to update this listing.
Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Nearby RV Rentals
In partnership with
Nearby RV Rentals
In partnership with
4 Reviews
2024 TRAVEL TRAILER
Dutchmen RV Coleman Lantern LT Series 17B
$85 /night | Sleeps 5 Guests
6 Reviews
2019 TRAVEL TRAILER
Keystone RV Outback Ultra Lite 290UBH
$118 /night | Sleeps 10 Guests
5 Reviews
2019 CLASS C MOTOR HOME
Thor Motor Coach Four Winds 31E
$199 /night | Sleeps 10 Guests
New Listing
2024 TRAVEL TRAILER
Dutchmen RV Coleman Lantern LT Series 17B
$85 /night | Sleeps 5 Guests
3 Reviews
2014 TRAVEL TRAILER
Heartland North Trail 28BRS
$99 /night | Sleeps 8 Guests
15 Reviews
2021 TRAVEL TRAILER
Grand Design Imagine XLS 23BHE
$109 /night | Sleeps 7 Guests
Please select a reason for flagging this item: