East side of Zion NP

TenOC wrote:
I am looking for a BLM or other low cost place to camp on the East side of Zion NP so I do not need to drive the tunnel each day we visit Zion. I think our 30 foot trailer is too big for Ponderosa Grove BLM campground. Any other suggestions.

If you stay on the East side of Zion, wont you still have to drive thru the tunnel to get to the valley?

rv2go wrote:

TenOC wrote:
I am looking for a BLM or other low cost place to camp on the East side of Zion NP so I do not need to drive the tunnel each day we visit Zion. I think our 30 foot trailer is too big for Ponderosa Grove BLM campground. Any other suggestions.

If you stay on the East side of Zion, wont you still have to drive thru the tunnel to get to the valley?

Yes, but not with the 30 foot long 12 foot tall trailer.

I recall looking for the same thing a while back, and the closest I could find looked like an hour-long drive up dirt roads into NF land to the north. Hopefully someone will chime in with something closer...

Precious few options east of Zion and all would involve a fair amount of driving every day you want to head into Zion. You'll also still get stuck in the traffic delays at the tunnel as they alternate travel directions.

I guess if you really want to stay on the east side, try finding a boondocking location. Not the easiest thing as finding a good land ownership map isn't easily done. You could try this site. Zoom to the area you are interested in, mark "Land Status" in the lower left hand corner, highlight BLM Lands in the left menu and see what you can find on a satellite image that has a place to park. I spent a little time trying this and found few places where it seems that a campsite was obvious, but you could spend more time and find something. You might also highlight State Lands as those are sometimes open to dispersed camping also.

There are also BLM lands west of the park around Gooseberry Mesa where I've seen people camping but it's been a few years and I can't point out a specific place to you.

Good Luck. Not an easy task.

4runnerguy wrote:
Precious few options east of Zion and all would involve a fair amount of driving every day you want to head into Zion. You'll also still get stuck in the traffic delays at the tunnel as they alternate travel directions.

I guess if you really want to stay on the east side, try finding a boondocking location. Not the easiest thing as finding a good land ownership map isn't easily done. You could try this site. Zoom to the area you are interested in, mark "Land Status" in the lower left hand corner, highlight BLM Lands in the left menu and see what you can find on a satellite image that has a place to park. I spent a little time trying this and found few places where it seems that a campsite was obvious, but you could spend more time and find something. You might also highlight State Lands as those are sometimes open to dispersed camping also.

There are also BLM lands west of the park around Gooseberry Mesa where I've seen people camping but it's been a few years and I can't point out a specific place to you.

Good Luck. Not an easy task.

That webpage is a nice resource, 4runnerguy! Thanks! Looks like there are some possibilities.

rexlion wrote:

4runnerguy wrote:
Precious few options east of Zion and all would involve a fair amount of driving every day you want to head into Zion. You'll also still get stuck in the traffic delays at the tunnel as they alternate travel directions.

I guess if you really want to stay on the east side, try finding a boondocking location. Not the easiest thing as finding a good land ownership map isn't easily done. You could try this site. Zoom to the area you are interested in, mark "Land Status" in the lower left hand corner, highlight BLM Lands in the left menu and see what you can find on a satellite image that has a place to park. I spent a little time trying this and found few places where it seems that a campsite was obvious, but you could spend more time and find something. You might also highlight State Lands as those are sometimes open to dispersed camping also.

There are also BLM lands west of the park around Gooseberry Mesa where I've seen people camping but it's been a few years and I can't point out a specific place to you.

Good Luck. Not an easy task.

That webpage is a nice resource, 4runnerguy! Thanks! Looks like there are some possibilities.

It's a tough area as there is a lot of private land interspersed with various government lands.

TenOC wrote:
I am looking for a BLM or other low cost place to camp on the East side of Zion NP so I do not need to drive the tunnel each day we visit Zion. I think our 30 foot trailer is too big for Ponderosa Grove BLM campground. Any other suggestions.

Try this website..16 free campsite near Zion NP

Regarding the tunnel; would a class A with a total height of 12' (to the top of A/C) be allowed through the tunnel?

4x4van wrote:
Regarding the tunnel; would a class A with a total height of 12' (to the top of A/C) be allowed through the tunnel?

I think you'll make it.

The answer is here...Zion NP tunnel

I have never stayed there, but the BLM land (and dispersion camps) just south of the junction of 9 and 89 is closer than Ponderosa Grove. Have fun.