San Rafael Swell Area (BLM), Utah
We arrived at Goblin Valley State Park in the late afternoon and after claiming a spot to set up camp on the adjacent BLM San Rafael Swell Area, we decided to look for a place to hike. Only about a mile down the dirt road we found such a place near a few abandoned buildings which had been constructed during a uranium exploration. After looking at the ruins we walked towards Temple Mountain, climbing through small canyons and hiking through the washes. We discovered a few neat eroded rocks but what was most impressive – other than the consistent backdrop of Temple Mountain – was the view into the larger canyon and the fractured plateau beyond.
San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
Abandoned uranium mine buildings, San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
Cottonwood Tree in front of Temple Mountain, San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
Temple Mountain with canyon in forefront, San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
Canyon, San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
Tom and Abby surveying the canyon, San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
Canyon, San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
San Rafael Swell BLM Area, Utah
Thanks for the heads up on the BLM land. I wanted to camp at the state park but it appeared to be all booked up thus we took a pass. Now I know there’s another option 🙂
Hi Ingrid. The BLM land is more specifically a very large level parking lot that’s located just past the turn off for the state park entrance, which is a seven mile access road. It serves as an ATV/OHV staging area as well and has fire rings and pit toilets. If you continued down the road from the lot for less than a mile there are at least a couple unofficial campsites that are probably better suited to tent camping due to sand and less-than level circumstances (though one was occupied by a fifth wheel so not impossible) and another large parking area. Unless you need hookups or are in an RV without a tow vehicle I would highly recommend staying on BLM land here.
Thanks for the info. We boondock in a similar situation north of Moab 🙂