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USFS•Moab, UT•14.5h from Austin
La Sal Mountain Loop Road (Manti-La Sal NF Dispersed)
mountainsforestcanyon
Accessibility baseline: Sites on this platform are reviewed for access with a standard 2WD pickup truck towing a 21-foot travel trailer unless otherwise noted below.
Fee
Free (14-day max)
Hookups
No hookups
Trailer
Accessible (2WD pickup + trailer)
Cell Signal
Poor
Water
Bring your own
Toilets
None
Best Season
May–Sep (elevation 7,000–9,000 ft; snow possible Oct–Apr)
Reservations
None — dispersed, first-come
Highlights
- ▶ Free mountain forest camping 20 miles from Moab at 7,000–9,000 ft — the cool-air escape when the valley hits 100°F, with aspen and ponderosa pine instead of red rock
- ▶ Porcupine Rim and Castle Valley canyon overlooks accessible via short side roads from the main loop — the same canyon country from above, for free
- ▶ One paved 60-mile loop with free USFS dispersed via side roads — no backtracking, no permit; pair a forest night with a Moab park day in the same trip
Planning Notes
Main loop paved; dispersed on USFS land via rocky gravel side roads (camp 150+ ft from road and water sources). First miles from Moab cross private land — wait for national forest boundary signs before camping. High-clearance 2WD trailer-capable in dry conditions. Snow possible in May at upper elevation. From Austin: ~14.5 hrs.