Primitive Camping
The park offers many primitive and partially-developed camping opportunities in addition to our developed campground. These areas were added to the park in 2022 and management changes will be implemented over the next several years to protect natural resources. Please check for updates and follow all posted signs. Improvements in this area have been partially funded through Utah Outdoor Recreation Restoration Infrastructure and OHV grants.
Primitive Camping Rules- applies to all areas
- COMING SOON: $15 nightly fee required for camping per site for the Behind the Butte East campground. Please use the self-pay station or stop at the visitor center (does not apply to daily park entry fee). The fee will help maintain facilities and future vault toilets.
- Camping is allowed only in sites marked with a tent symbol on all sites along Little Wildhorse Canyon Road (Behind the Butte east, west and north). In all other areas, camping is allowed only in already developed sites that have a rock fire ring.
- All sites are first-come, first serve.
- 14 night camping limit.
- Vehicles and bicycles must remain on designated roads and camping areas only.
- Cross country riding or driving is not permitted.
- Do not widen roads or drive on vegetation.
- Site capacity: no more than 4 vehicles.
- Some small sites will only hold 2 vehicles.
- No shooting allowed in any camping site or area. No fireworks.
- Roads are primitive. High clearance is recommended, and roads may be impassable when wet.
Stay on Designated roads!
Why should you stay on designated roads and campsites?
We have many species of animals that depend on the desert ecosystem such as lizards, kit foxes, jack-rabbits, midget faded rattlesnake, badgers, white-tailed antelope squirrels and many more. Desert vegetation is fragile and can be damaged very easily, and the area contains several endangered species. The plants, and cryptobiotic soil, help keep the sand and soil in place during high wind storms and provide vital habitat.
The two images below show a kit fox whose habitat has been damaged and illegal cross-country driving that has damaged soil crusts and vegetation.
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Behind the Butte East Campground- Parking Area
- No overnight camping
- Fee not required for day use
- Overnight parking allowed
- Staging area for trailers
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Behind the Butte East Campground off of B7217/EM4030
- $15 nightly fee will be implemented per site in 2025.
- There are 32 designated sites marked with numbers and tent symbols.
- Picnic tables and fire-rings
- Fires are allowed in provided metal rings only.
- Vault toilets coming soon!
- Site 5 is great for equestrian camping! The Emery County Back Country Horseman donated highlines for this site for horse tie-outs.
Behind the Butte West Campground- Parking
- No overnight camping
- Overnight parking allowed
- Fee not required for day use
Goblin rocks
Goblin Rocks
Behind the Butte West Campground
- There are 30 designated sites
- Rock fire-rings
- Improvements coming in 2025-2026
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Goblin Rocks
Behind the Butte North Campground
- 4 designated sites.
- 4×4 and high clearance recommended for access.
- Not recommended when rain is forecasted due to wash.
- Rock fire-rings.
- goblin rocks
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- goblin rocks
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Other Primitive Camping Areas
Camping is currently allowed in multiple sites along the park entrance road, Buckskin Gulch and Indian Springs. Camping is allowed only in already established sites with existing rock fire rings. All primitive camping regulations and park rules apply.
Changes will be coming to these areas in the future, so please check for updates and follow posted signs.