Where to Shower While Boondocking: 7 Practical Options Compared

Where to Shower While Boondocking: 7 Practical Options Compared

by | Apr 19, 2026 | Uncategorized


🔹 Quick Answer

Boondockers shower at Pilot/Flying J truck stops ($12–$15 per shower), Planet Fitness locations ($24.99/month Black Card, multi-location access), paid campground day-use showers, state park facilities, and rec centers or YMCAs in nearby towns. If your rig has a built-in shower, a solar shower bag or RV onboard system extends your range between facility visits.

The cheapest long-term strategy for full-timers is a Planet Fitness Black Card membership. The most reliable single-use option near any major interstate is a Pilot or Flying J travel center.

There is no shower at your dispersed campsite. There is no shower block on BLM land. If you’re 40 miles out on National Forest road, the nearest hot water is a drive away — and how far depends entirely on how well you planned before you left.

This is not a complicated problem. Boondockers have been solving it for decades with a short list of reliable options. What changes is the math: how often you actually need a full shower, what you’re willing to pay per visit, and how much water your rig carries between resupply runs. Get those three numbers right and the logistics run themselves.

Where to shower while boondocking: 7 options compared

The table covers the main options ranked by typical cost and availability. None of these requires a campsite booking or overnight stay.

Clean private shower room at Pilot Flying J truck stop

Pilot and Flying J travel centers offer private shower rooms to all travelers — not just truckers. Cost is $12–$15 per use at most locations. Towels included at select sites.
Option Cost Availability Notes
Pilot / Flying J truck stops $12–$15 per shower 750+ locations on major interstates Private rooms. Open to all travelers, not just truckers. myRewards Plus app: credits with diesel fill-ups. Pay at the counter.
Love’s Travel Stops $12–$14 per shower 600+ locations, 42 states Similar setup to Pilot/Flying J. MyLove Rewards app for credits. Slightly less coverage but comparable quality.
Planet Fitness (Black Card) $24.99/month + $49 annual fee 2,795+ locations nationwide Best value for full-timers. Multi-location access up to 10 visits/month at non-home clubs before $5/visit surcharge kicks in. No towels provided.
Paid campground day-use showers $5–$10 day-use fee State parks, Forest Service campgrounds near dispersed areas Call ahead. Not all campgrounds allow non-guest shower use. Some charge a nominal fee; others include it in day-use parking.
YMCA / recreation centers $5–$15 day pass (varies by location) Small towns and cities along your route Each YMCA sets its own guest pricing. Best for multi-purpose stops — shower + laundry + Wi-Fi in one town run.
Natural hot springs Free (undeveloped) to $15+ (developed) Select Western states — not nationwide Viable supplement, not a system. Biodegradable soap required at undeveloped springs. Check land management rules before use.
Onboard RV shower (water-conserving) No cost per use Your rig Requires water management discipline. A navy shower (wet, off, soap, rinse) uses roughly 2–3 gallons. Fresh tank capacity determines your range between resupply stops.

Truck stop showers: what to expect and how to use them

Pilot Flying J operates more than 750 travel centers across North America and explicitly opens its shower facilities to all travelers — not just commercial drivers. (pilotflyingj.com.) Love’s Travel Stops covers 600+ locations across 42 states with comparable facilities. Travel Centers of America (TA/Petro) add further coverage on less-trafficked corridors.

The process is straightforward. Go to the counter, ask for a shower, pay $12–$15 (current 2026 range at most locations), and you receive a room code or slip. The rooms are private — full bathroom, lockable door, bench, hook, and controlled-temperature shower. Towels are included at some locations; bring your own to be safe.

Loyalty programs cut the cost significantly over time. Both Pilot Flying J’s myRewards Plus and Love’s MyLove Rewards programs award shower credits with qualifying fuel purchases. Pilot’s myRewards app issues shower credits within minutes of fueling; credits expire after 7 days. The loyalty programs are structured for diesel commercial drivers, but RVers filling large tanks can qualify. Verify eligibility at the counter.

One practical note: if you and a travel partner arrive together, most truck stop locations allow both to use one shower purchase sequentially. Confirm at the counter before paying — policies vary by location and shift.

Planet Fitness Black Card: the full-timer’s math

Planet Fitness operates 2,795+ locations in the US as of early 2026. The Black Card membership ($24.99/month + $49 annual fee, per planetfitness.com) grants access to any location nationwide. Showers are included with all membership tiers at no per-use charge.

The access limit matters: Black Card members can visit non-home-club locations up to 10 times per month before a $5 per-visit surcharge applies. For a couple who showers every 3–4 days while boondocking, that’s 7–10 visits per month — right at or under the limit for one person. Two people require two memberships.

The annual cost math: At $24.99/month plus the $49 annual fee, a Black Card runs roughly $349/year per person. At $12–$15 per truck stop shower, that’s the equivalent of 23–29 individual visits to break even. Full-timers averaging one shower every 3 days hit that number in under 3 months.

No towels provided. Planet Fitness does not supply towels. Bring your own microfiber travel towel — this is consistent across all locations.

Compact RV shower stall inside a Class B motorhome showing water-conserving setup for boondocking

A navy shower in a Class B uses 2–3 gallons. On a 20-gallon fresh tank, that’s 6–10 on-rig showers before a water resupply is needed.

The core decision: Boondockers need a shower system, not a shower solution. Truck stops handle the single-use need on travel days. Planet Fitness covers the recurring need for full-timers at the lowest per-use cost. Your onboard shower extends the gap between facility visits when water management is tight. Build the system before your first extended trip.

Making your onboard shower work harder

If your rig has a shower, it is your cheapest per-use option — but only if you manage water well enough to extend your stay. The two levers are technique and tank capacity.

The navy shower method: Wet down, turn the water off, soap up, turn on to rinse. A disciplined navy shower uses 2–3 gallons of fresh water per person. On a 20-gallon fresh tank, that is 6–10 on-rig showers before a water fill is needed. On a 40-gallon tank, 13–20 showers. The technique is not uncomfortable once it becomes habit — the Hymer Aktiv’s 10-gallon tank pushed us to this approach quickly, and it’s been standard practice ever since.

Low-flow showerheads: Replacing a standard RV showerhead with a 1.0–1.5 GPM low-flow model cuts water use further without reducing pressure noticeably. This is a $20–$40 one-time modification with compounding benefit on every boondocking trip.

Gray tank is the real constraint, not fresh: On a Class B or small Class C, the gray tank often fills before the fresh tank empties. A 3-gallon shower creates 3 gallons of gray water. Time your dump station stops accordingly — don’t run out of gray capacity mid-site. For dump station planning, see our RV dump station guide.

Solar shower bags: the low-cost camp option

A solar camp shower bag costs $25–$40 and heats 5 gallons of water to a comfortable temperature in 3–4 hours of direct sun. (Current prices on Amazon.) This is not a replacement for a full shower system — it is a supplement for warm-weather boondocking when full facilities are days away.

How it works: Fill the bag from your fresh tank or a water jug in the morning. Lay it flat in direct sun on your rig’s roof or hood. By early afternoon, the water is warm enough for a comfortable outdoor rinse. Hang it from a tree or awning arm; use a pop-up privacy shelter if needed.

Where it fails: Cold weather, overcast days, and desert heat waves (water overheats past comfort level) all reduce reliability. Do not count on a solar bag as your primary shower system in fall or winter camping. It is a spring/summer supplement.

Water goes where your waste management rules allow. Gray water from a camp shower must be disposed of per BLM and Forest Service rules — not scattered near streams or water sources. The same 200-foot buffer that applies to other gray water applies here. For full waste management rules, see our boondocking waste disposal guide.

Common questions

Can you shower at a truck stop if you’re not a trucker?
Yes. Pilot Flying J explicitly states that all guests are welcome to use its shower network. Love’s and TA/Petro operate the same policy. Walk to the counter, ask for a shower, and pay. No commercial driver’s license or proof of occupation required.
Is Planet Fitness worth it just for showers while boondocking?
For full-timers, yes — if you’re within reasonable driving distance of towns with Planet Fitness locations (most mid-size towns qualify). At roughly $349/year, the Black Card breaks even at 23–29 truck stop showers at $15 each. If you boondock year-round and shower more than twice a week, the math favors Planet Fitness. If you’re on a short trip or primarily camping in rural areas far from any gym, truck stops are the better choice.
⚠ Planet Fitness Black Card: the 10-visit limit
Black Card members can visit locations other than their home club up to 10 times per month at no extra charge. After 10 visits, a $5 per-visit fee applies. For a boondocker showering every 3 days, that’s roughly 10 visits per month — right at the threshold. If you shower more frequently, budget for the overage fee or consider a second membership for a travel partner.
How do you find shower facilities along a boondocking route?
Three tools cover most cases: (1) the Pilot Flying J or Love’s apps for truck stop locations along your route; (2) the Planet Fitness app for gym locations in towns near your site; (3) Google Maps search for “recreation center” or “YMCA” in towns you’ll pass through for resupply. Map these stops during trip planning — not the morning you need a shower.
What about showering on BLM land in natural water sources?
Bathing in streams, rivers, or lakes on BLM land is generally not prohibited, but soap — including products marketed as biodegradable — should not be used in or near natural water. BLM requires all washing activity to take place at least 200 feet from any water source. (BLM, Camping on Public Lands.) A swim or rinse is viable in warm weather; it is not a substitute for a functional shower system on extended trips.

Build the system, not the workaround

The mistake most new boondockers make is treating showering as a one-off problem to solve on the fly. It isn’t. It’s a recurring logistics task that runs on the same schedule as water fills and tank dumps.

Set it up before your first extended trip: decide whether you’re a truck-stop user or a Planet Fitness member, identify three or four facility locations along your planned route, and bake the stops into your departure-day checklist. After the first trip, it becomes automatic.

If water management is still the limiting factor — you’re burning through your fresh tank faster than expected — the next thing to solve is your overall water resupply system. Our real-cost breakdown of boondocking covers water resupply costs alongside fuel, dump fees, and site logistics so you can budget the full picture.

Get the full boondocking logistics checklist

Water, power, waste, showers, and connectivity — everything in one field-tested PDF. No fluff.

Get the checklist →

References

Last reviewed: April 2026. Truck stop shower prices and gym membership rates are subject to change by location. Verify current pricing before your trip.

Chuck Price

RV Travel Writer & Boondocking Specialist | 35+ years RV experience | 26,000+ campsites explored

Chuck and his wife Cindy travel in a 2018 Hymer Aktiv Class B. BoondockOrBust.com is their field-tested resource for off-grid RV living, boondocking regulations, and no-cost camping strategy.

RV Membership Break-Even Calculator

RV Membership Break-Even Calculator

by | Jan 25, 2026 | Uncategorized

2026 Hidden Cost & Detour Model

TL;DR: This page is an economic model you can reuse. It doesn’t depend on a fixed price list. Plug in today’s membership terms, your travel nights, and your real-world constraints. The output is your restriction-adjusted break-even point.

By: Chuck Price Updated: January 5, 2026

If you’re deciding whether an RV membership saves money, the only honest answer is math plus your constraints. Marketing break-even claims usually ignore limits, blackouts, routing detours, and per-stay spending expectations.
Deep Dive Resource: Before running the numbers below, you may want to review our Complete Guide to RV Club Memberships for a list of current programs and their basic terms.
Diagram showing RV membership break-even calculation
This model remains accurate even when club prices and rules change.

Pillar 1: Illustrative economic inputs worksheet

Input What to enter Why it matters
Annual cost Today’s real price Fixed yearly cost
Mandatory add-ons Tiers, zones, or upgrades Often doubles true cost
Availability factor Fraction of nights usable Restrictions reduce value
Hidden costs Fuel, social spend, substitutes Where break-even flips

Pillar 2: The restriction-adjusted break-even formula

Break-Even Nights Formula:
Break-Even Nights = (Annual Cost + Mandatory Fees + Hidden Costs) ÷ (Average Nightly Savings × Availability Factor)
Chart comparing RV membership value vs restrictions

Pillar 3: Hidden costs & fuel detour math

Fuel detours are arithmetic, not opinion. If you drive 280 miles out of your way to “save” money, did you actually save anything?

Assumed MPG Gas ($3.00) Diesel ($3.53)
8 MPG $105.00 $123.55
12 MPG $70.00 $82.37

Pillar 4: The “Friction” Checklist

Most campers fail to break even because they assume an Availability Factor of 1.0 (perfect usage). In reality, “Friction” erodes your savings.

The Two Types of Friction

  • Logistical Friction: Booking friction and stay limits (e.g., “Max 3 days”). These create Rule-Induced Gaps—nights you want to use the membership but are barred from doing so.
  • Behavioral Friction: The “Social Spend.” In host networks, you may feel obligated to spend money. For a detailed look at how this impacts actual users, see our analysis of Boondockers Welcome Regrets.
Passport America card limitations

Pillar 5: Real-World Case Study (The “Detour Delta”)

How does “The Detour Delta” kill your savings? Let’s compare a $50 direct-route park against a $25 membership site that requires a 100-mile round-trip detour.

The Math: $25 (Site) + $35 (Fuel for 100 miles) = $60 total cost. By trying to save $25, you actually spent $10 more.

For more specific head-to-head math between programs, check our comparison of RV Overnights vs. Harvest Hosts.

Pillar 6: The 5-Question Decision Matrix

RVer researching membership options
  1. Nights: How many nights will you travel?
  2. Availability: What fraction are usable after rules and blackouts?
  3. Substitution: What do you pay for non-usable nights?
  4. Detour Delta: How much extra fuel will you burn to stay “in-network”?
  5. Outcome: Is the math a win under conservative inputs?
BLM SR9 Campground Project

BLM SR9 Campground Project

by | Dec 20, 2025 | Uncategorized

 

 


 

Dispersed Camping Restrictions Near Zion National Park

By Chuck Price | Last Updated: December 20, 2025

Document Status: This analysis covers the SR9 Campground Management Project Draft Environmental Assessment released by BLM in December 2025. Details may change in the final decision. Check BLM’s ePlanning site for current status.

Quick Summary

  • Impact: 15,087 acres of BLM land near Zion facing dispersed camping restrictions under Alternative B
  • Current Status: Draft EA comment period ends December 24, 2025
  • Site Reduction: From 56+ existing dispersed sites to maximum 30 designated sites (46% reduction)
  • Cost Impact: $420-595 weekly savings at risk per RV family
  • Replacement Uncertainty: 255 potential new sites proposed but contingent on future funding
  • Alternatives Available: 4 backup locations identified for boondockers

The Bureau of Land Management has released a Draft Environmental Assessment for the SR9 Campground Management Project that would fundamentally change how boondockers access free camping near Zion National Park. After 35 years of RV travel across federal lands, I’ve watched this pattern repeat: popular dispersed camping areas near major attractions get “managed” until they’re no longer dispersed or free.

Here’s what the proposal actually means for boondockers, backed by the numbers from BLM’s own documents.

What is Dispersed Camping?

Dispersed camping refers to camping on public lands outside designated campgrounds, typically free of charge and without developed amenities like water, electric hookups, or restrooms. On BLM land, dispersed camping is generally allowed unless specifically restricted by local land use plans or resource management objectives.

What is the SR9 Campground Management Project?

The SR9 Campground Management Project is BLM’s proposed plan to restrict and manage dispersed camping across 15,087 acres of public land in southwestern Utah’s SR9 corridor. The project area spans from La Verkin to Zion National Park’s western boundary, including Gooseberry Mesa, Hurricane Cliffs, Smithsonian Butte Scenic Byway, and North Creek areas.

Under BLM’s preferred alternative (Alternative B, detailed in Section 2.2 of the Draft EA), dispersed camping would be limited to designated sites only across nearly 14,000 acres. I’ve camped this corridor multiple times over the past decade. The math here matters.

The Numbers Don’t Add Up

BLM currently maintains 56 designated dispersed sites in the Hurricane Cliffs Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), as documented in the existing resource management plan. Alternative B would restrict the entire 15,087-acre project area to a maximum of 30 designated dispersed sites while simultaneously closing and reclaiming existing user-created campsites.

Current vs. Proposed Camping Capacity Near Zion
Metric Current (2024-2025) Proposed Under Alternative B Change
Designated Dispersed Sites 56 sites (Hurricane Cliffs SRMA) 30 sites maximum (project-wide) -46% reduction
User-Created Sites Approx. 60 acres of established sites 0 (to be reclaimed) Complete closure
Total Acreage Affected 15,087 acres (generally open) 15,087 acres (designated sites only) Loss of dispersed flexibility
Flagstone Quarry Campground 0 sites Up to 150 sites (phased, funding dependent) Potential addition*
Gooseberry Mesa Campground 0 sites Up to 80 sites (phased, funding dependent) Potential addition*
Gooseberry Mesa Designated Dispersed User-created mix 25 designated sites Uncertain net change

*Draft EA Section 2.2.3 states campground development would occur “as funding becomes available” with no guaranteed timeline or construction commitment.

Translation: Fewer official sites covering more territory, with replacement capacity contingent on future appropriations. If you’ve ever tried to find an empty campsite near a national park on a Friday afternoon, you know this creates immediate capacity problems.

Demand vs. Supply: The Capacity Gap

Zion National Park recorded 4.6 million visitors in 2023, making it the third most-visited national park in the United States (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The park’s three campgrounds (South and Watchman inside the park, plus Lava Point) offer approximately 200 total sites combined.

Here’s the capacity calculation that matters: If even 5% of Zion’s visitors camp overnight (a conservative estimate based on NPS overnight visitor data), that’s 230,000 camper-nights annually. With 200 park sites operating roughly 300 days per year, the park can accommodate approximately 60,000 camper-nights—leaving a 170,000+ camper-night deficit that disperses to surrounding BLM and Forest Service lands.

Methodology Note: The cost calculations in this article are based on documented camping expenses I tracked from March 2022 through November 2025 across 47 states. Sample includes 217 campground stays with recorded rack rates (not discounted or membership rates), split between developed public campgrounds (n=89), private RV parks (n=76), and comparison data from dispersed camping locations (n=52). Prices reflect standard hookup sites (water/electric) where applicable, current as of the stay date.

During peak season (March-November), Zion’s campgrounds fill by 6 AM—sometimes earlier. I’ve documented this firsthand in May 2023, September 2023, and April 2024 visits. The average developed campground near a national park charges $35-50 per night (based on my tracking of 89 public campground stays 2022-2025). Private RV parks near Zion run $60-85 per night (verified rates from 12 parks within 30 miles, current as of December 2025).

Free dispersed camping on BLM land represents a $420-595 savings over a week-long visit for the typical RV family. That’s not rhetoric—it’s arithmetic: 7 nights × $60-85 (private park average) = $420-595 vs. $0 for dispersed camping.

Cost Comparison: 7-Night Stay Near Zion National Park
Camping Option Nightly Rate 7-Night Total Annual Cost (4 trips/year)
BLM Dispersed (Current) $0 $0 $0
Developed Public Campground $35-50 $245-350 $980-1,400
Private RV Park $60-85 $420-595 $1,680-2,380

Specific Area Closures

Alternative B (Section 2.2.4 of the Draft EA) would prohibit camping entirely in:

  • North Creek: Popular dispersed area north of Virgin, Utah—historically used as overflow when park campgrounds fill
  • Mosquito Cove: Backcountry camping zone with established use history
  • Smithsonian Butte: Scenic byway corridor with documented camping spanning 20+ years

These aren’t obscure locations. North Creek, in particular, has served as overflow camping for decades when the park fills up. The Draft EA (Table 2-1) identifies these areas as “closed to camping” without replacement sites designated in the immediate vicinity. Closing North Creek without replacement capacity guarantees more boondockers get pushed into increasingly limited options or forced into commercial campgrounds.

Documented Precedents: This Pattern Has Happened Before

I’ve tracked similar BLM dispersed camping restrictions at three other high-visitation areas over the past decade:

Case Study 1: Gemini Bridges / Labyrinth Rims, Moab, Utah (2018-2020)

BLM’s Moab Field Office implemented designated camping requirements across 35,000 acres near Gemini Bridges and Labyrinth Rims in 2019. Initial proposal promised 50 designated sites to replace unrestricted dispersed camping. As of December 2025, only 31 sites have been developed. Enforcement reports from BLM show a 300% increase in camping violations during the 18-month transition period as boondockers struggled to find legal alternatives.

Case Study 2: Capitol Reef / Beas Lewis Flat, Wayne County, Utah (2021-2023)

The Capitol Reef Travel Management Plan restricted dispersed camping on 12,000 acres of BLM land east of the park. BLM proposed 40 designated dispersed sites as replacements. Three years post-implementation, only 24 sites exist. During peak season (April-October), these sites fill by noon, pushing overflow to commercial campgrounds 45+ miles away in Torrey or Hanksville.

Case Study 3: Red Rock Canyon NCA, Las Vegas, Nevada (2016-2018)

BLM eliminated dispersed camping across the entire Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (195,000 acres) in 2017, citing resource damage. The Red Rock Canyon NCA management plan promised developed campground expansion. Seven years later, camping capacity has increased by only 13 sites (from 70 to 83 sites). Las Vegas visitation to Red Rock increased 40% during this same period.

Pattern Analysis: Across these three precedents, BLM’s replacement site promises delivered an average of 61% of projected capacity, taking 3-7 years to implement. Meanwhile, restrictions happened within 6-18 months of final decisions. This isn’t speculation—it’s documented outcomes from projects with publicly available implementation records.

What BLM Says vs. What I’ve Observed

BLM’s stated justification (Draft EA Section 1.3, “Purpose and Need”) focuses on environmental impacts: soil compaction, vegetation loss, human waste, and litter at user-created sites. These are legitimate concerns I’ve witnessed firsthand. Gooseberry Mesa, in particular, has seen degradation from increased visitation—I documented 14 user-created sites with visible resource damage during a May 2024 field visit.

The disconnect: BLM’s proposed solution eliminates legal alternatives before creating replacement capacity. This approach doesn’t reduce camping pressure—it concentrates it. When you close 60 acres of dispersed sites and promise 255 campsites “if funded,” you haven’t solved the problem. You’ve created enforcement issues and pushed responsible boondockers into either paying for commercial sites or dispersing illegally.

I’ve measured this effect near other restricted areas (see precedent cases above). Closure announcements typically drive a 6-12 month spike in use as boondockers rush to visit “one last time,” accelerating the very degradation BLM aims to prevent. Moab Field Office enforcement data from 2019 showed this exact pattern: camping violations increased 300% during the transition period before eventually declining 18 months post-implementation.

Potential for Fees and Reduced Access

More concerning: the Draft EA (Section 2.2.5) explicitly preserves BLM’s discretion to implement fees at designated sites in the future. The document states: “BLM retains the authority to establish recreation fees consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.” Once camping is restricted to specific locations, fee implementation becomes administratively simple.

The progression I’ve documented at other BLM districts: free dispersed → designated dispersed (free) → designated dispersed (fee-based) → developed campground (higher fees). This happened at Sand Flats Recreation Area near Moab (free dispersed until 2005, now $20/night for designated sites), Lone Rock Beach at Glen Canyon NRA (free dispersed until 2010, now $20/night), and multiple Montana BLM campgrounds in the Missoula District.

This isn’t speculation. It’s documented pattern across BLM districts from Arizona to Montana over the past 15 years.

The Comment Period Timeline

The original scoping period ran from May 1 to June 2, 2025. BLM released the Draft Environmental Assessment in mid-December 2025 with a comment deadline of December 24, 2025—five days before Christmas, during a week when most people are traveling.

That timeline raises questions about meaningful public participation. The Draft EA itself runs 267 pages across the main document and appendices. Reading, analyzing, and preparing substantive comments on complex land use proposals in five days during Christmas week effectively limits detailed feedback to organizations with dedicated staff and established comment processes.

What Boondockers Can Do Now

If you’ve relied on dispersed camping near Zion, here’s the practical reality:

Short-Term (Next 6-12 Months)

  • Existing dispersed camping remains legal until BLM issues a final decision and implements restrictions (estimated timeline: early-to-mid 2026 based on typical NEPA processes)
  • Monitor BLM’s ePlanning page for implementation timeline and final decision
  • If commenting on the Draft EA, document current campsite conditions with photos, GPS coordinates, and usage observations—specific field data strengthens public record

Alternative Locations to Research

  • Kolob Terrace Road (north): Currently outside the restricted zone, though historically subject to seasonal closures (winter). Dispersed camping allowed on Forest Service land along the upper sections (above Lava Point). Verify current status via Dixie National Forest before travel.
  • Dixie National Forest (east): Forest Service land with different regulations than BLM. Check current forest orders for motor vehicle use maps and camping restrictions. Kolob Reservoir area has historically allowed dispersed camping 100+ feet from water sources.
  • Arizona Strip (west): BLM land 60-90 miles from Zion, less convenient but more open. Areas near Mt. Trumbull and Toroweap still allow unrestricted dispersed camping as of December 2025. Verify via Arizona Strip District Office.
  • Sand Hollow State Park: Developed sites, fees apply ($35-40/night), but reliable availability outside peak season (December-February). Reserve via Recreation.gov or Utah State Parks.

Long-Term Strategy

This proposal represents a broader trend I’ve documented: popular dispersed camping areas near national parks face increasing restrictions as visitation grows. Zion, Moab, Sedona, and Estes Park have all followed similar trajectories over the past decade.

Boondockers who depend on free camping near major attractions need backup plans—plural. I maintain a minimum of three alternative locations for any destination in my route planning specifically because of this pattern. When one area gets restricted, you need options researched in advance, not scrambling for alternatives when you arrive.

The Bigger Picture

I’ve spent 35 years advocating for responsible boondocking. That includes acknowledging legitimate environmental concerns and supporting reasonable regulations. Resource damage at high-use dispersed sites is real, and concentrated impacts at popular areas like Gooseberry Mesa warrant management attention.

But “reasonable” requires replacement capacity before implementing restrictions.

BLM’s proposal offers promises instead of certainty: maybe 150 sites at Flagstone Quarry, possibly 80 at Gooseberry Mesa, if funding materializes, sometime in the future. The Draft EA (Section 2.2.3) provides no construction timeline, no funding commitment, and no performance metrics for replacement site development. Meanwhile, the closures and restrictions happen immediately upon final decision.

That’s a fundamentally problematic approach to public land management. Four million annual visitors to Zion don’t suddenly need less camping—they need more. Restricting supply while demand increases doesn’t improve environmental outcomes. It creates enforcement challenges, pushes users into illegal camping, and undermines the public trust BLM is supposed to serve.

Based on the three precedent cases documented above, this approach is likely to reduce legal dispersed capacity before replacement sites exist, pushing demand into fewer remaining areas or commercial parks—exactly the pattern I’ve observed at Moab, Capitol Reef, and Red Rock Canyon over the past decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will BLM implement these camping restrictions?

BLM has not set a final implementation date. The Draft EA comment period ends December 24, 2025. Based on typical NEPA timelines, a final decision is expected in early-to-mid 2026, with implementation following 30-90 days after the decision record is signed. Current dispersed camping remains legal until the final decision is implemented.

Can I still camp at Gooseberry Mesa for free?

Currently, yes—dispersed camping is still allowed at Gooseberry Mesa as of December 2025. Under Alternative B, Gooseberry Mesa would be limited to 25 designated dispersed sites (location to be determined), with all other camping prohibited. The Draft EA preserves BLM’s discretion to implement fees in the future, though no fees are proposed in the current plan.

Is North Creek camping closed?

Not yet. North Creek dispersed camping is currently legal (as of December 2025). Alternative B proposes closing North Creek entirely to camping with no replacement sites designated in that specific area. This closure would take effect only after BLM issues a final decision and implements the restrictions, estimated for 2026.

How do I submit comments on the SR9 Environmental Assessment?

Comments must be submitted by December 24, 2025, via BLM’s ePlanning website. Click “Participate Now” and follow the comment submission process. Comments should reference the project name (SR9 Campground Management Project) and specific sections or alternatives you’re addressing. Include specific observations, data, or local knowledge to strengthen the administrative record.

What are the best alternatives to BLM dispersed camping near Zion?

Four primary alternatives exist: (1) Kolob Terrace Road on Dixie National Forest land (different agency, different regulations), (2) Arizona Strip BLM land 60-90 miles west (Mt. Trumbull/Toroweap areas still allow unrestricted dispersed camping), (3) Sand Hollow State Park (developed sites, $35-40/night), and (4) Dixie National Forest areas east of the park near Kolob Reservoir. Always verify current restrictions before traveling, as forest orders and BLM decisions change seasonally.

Will the new Flagstone Quarry and Gooseberry Mesa campgrounds be free?

Unknown. The Draft EA does not specify whether the proposed developed campgrounds would charge fees. Section 2.2.5 explicitly states BLM “retains the authority to establish recreation fees” at both developed campgrounds and designated dispersed sites. Based on precedent at other BLM developed campgrounds near national parks (Sand Flats near Moab: $20/night; Lone Rock Beach at Glen Canyon: $20/night), fees are likely if the campgrounds are built.

How long does dispersed camping typically remain legal after BLM proposes restrictions?

Based on precedent cases (Moab/Gemini Bridges, Capitol Reef/Beas Lewis Flat, Red Rock Canyon NCA), dispersed camping typically remains legal for 6-18 months after the Draft EA is released. The timeline includes: Draft EA comment period (30-60 days), BLM response to comments (3-6 months), final decision (Record of Decision), implementation notice (30-90 days), and physical restriction/signing (variable). Current dispersed camping near Zion is legal until BLM completes this process and posts closure notices on the ground.

Resources

Official BLM Documents:

National Park Service Data:

Alternative Camping Options:

About the Author

Chuck Price has documented dispersed camping regulations, costs, and access across federal lands for over three decades. He operates BoondockOrBust.com, providing evidence-based analysis for RV boondockers navigating changing land use policies. Cost data and field observations in this article derive from documented camping experiences across 47 states from March 2022 through November 2025.