Recommended campsites on White Rim Trail?

Damdifino wrote:
I'll be driving the WRT in Canyonlands toward the end of July and plan to spend one night camping on it. Can anyone recommend a favored campsite somewhere around the halfway point? I need to get my permit reservation soon.

Is this your first trip? White Crack is considered about half way on the WRT trail, but to me Murphy's Campsite gives a all around best viewing due to it being up high.

White Crack campsite


Views around White Crack







Murphy Hogback


Stopped for lunch at Murphy's campsite.


Green River side of Murphy's


I would suggest you to read the many trip report posted in the Truck Camper forum on the White Rim Trail.

Any questions, PM me.

sealevel ram wrote:
Still screaming about some of the inclines.

Except for the side trip into Lathrop Canyon, the WRT is pretty tame by 4x4 standards. The approach to Murphys Hogback is the only place with a modicum of challenge at all.

We once met up with a 40 year old 2WD bus loaded with girls coming off the river going up the Horsethief switchbacks on the Mineral Road. They were stopped at the top. Seemed way overloaded but they made it up. (A bunch of well-tanned, bikini-clad young women did seem like a mirage in the desert -- maybe I just imagined it ;) )

We did the WR road three years ago in late June. Spent a night at Murphy Hogback.
Reserved the A site, but squatters bigger than us already had it.

Most miserable adventure ever camping. Hot wind was blowing sand through the tent walls all night. Finally got in 4WD to catch a few ZZs. Impossible to keep sand out of anything, including food. Road is like nothing you can imagine. Still screaming about some of the inclines.

Looking forward to doing it again sometime.

End of July, wow it will be hot, have plenty of H20.

White Crack is out on the point and has great views of both the Colorado River and Green River drainages. But, few trees out there. Toughest spot to get a reservation.

Murphy's hogback has a few more trees. We like "A". There's a big rock that dominates the campsite. We've stayed here a couple of times. Our favorite on the hogback and probably the second most difficult to get into. Great views of the Green River side of the Island. "C" would be my next choice, with views to the north. A little more isolated from the other two at Murphy's.

The nights are amazing out there. Few lights visible anywhere.

Take the short hike out to Musselman Arch and get the obligatory picture of someone standing on it. Do take the side trip down Lathrop Canyon if you're in your Cruiser. But I'm not so sure I'd try to navigate down there in your PU. Also, keep an eye out for the Holman Slot. Fun to climb a ways down if you're so inclined.