Temple Mountain Campground – San Rafael Swell, Utah

Temple Mountain Campground (also known as the Temple Mountain Townsite Campground) in the southeastern section of the San Rafael Swell, Utah is a great option to consider if you’re looking for camping alternatives near Goblin Valley State Park. Camping here also puts you in a great position for exploring the southern section of the Swell.

The entire San Rafael Swell lies on BLM land (area managed by the Bureau of Land Management) where free dispersed camping is allowed (at this point), but that generally translates to no amenities, including the most basic things like water, trash collection, and… of course, toilets. What’s rare about the Temple Mountain Campground is that this is a free BLM campground WITH toilets.

Moreover, this is the edge of the San Rafael Swell, so the area is easily accessible as long as the access road isn’t in a bad shape due to flooding. Read about what to expect when you arrive, and what you shouldn’t miss while staying here!

Temple Mountain Campground – San Rafael Swell

Suitable for:

• tent camping
• van camping
• RV camping
• camping near Goblin Valley State Park (9 miles away)

The Temple Mountain Campground has multiple parking areas for large vehicles and plenty of space to set up camp for tent campers. This is a good spot for both tent camping, RV camping, and anything in between.

While any large vehicle will need to stay at the parking area, tent campers and compact vehicles can spread out. You can camp on both sides of the road, but if possible, always choose an established site over undisturbed land to minimize impact. Many spots have rock fire pits already set up.

The views are stunning all around. If choosing solely based on views, I can’t think of any losing spots.

The key advantage of staying within the main drag of the Temple Mountain Campground? The toilets, obviously. They are located at the parking lot, so take that into consideration when choosing a site if you don’t have your own provisions.

How long can you stay??? Camping at the Temple Mountain Campground (as well as general dispersed camping in the San Rafael Swell) is allowed for up to 14 days within a 28-day period. For longer stays, the BLM requests that you move to another site beyond a 25-mile radius of the current location, following the same rules. If you have any questions, you’ll find contact information for the local BLM office here.

Amenities

• large parking area
• shade shelter with picnic tables
• pit toilets (2)

No water or trash removal is available, so you’ll have to haul in all your water, and pack out all your trash.

Know before you go

• About the toilets…

They weren’t the cleanest during our visit (this award goes to the fabulous Junction Creek Campground in Durango, Colorado where you could literally eat off the bathroom floor) and that’s putting it nicely, but they were functional. Maybe it was just bad timing? My advice is: expect the worst (just in case), and bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer (neither was available).

• Watch your steps...

At first, this place seemed trashed.

I was appalled by all the broken glass on the ground once we started setting up camp. I picked up a small bag half full before realizing that it’s probably not your ordinary litter. The dead giveaway was getting my hands on a rusty old can with a very faded label clearly not from this era.

The iconic Temple Mountain that dominates the horizon to the north/northeast of the campground has a rich mining history. In fact, just a short walk north of the campground you’ll find an intriguing glimpse into the history of this place (more on that later).

Basically, much of the trash strewn about the land is part of the history of this place – objects that the miners used, consumed, or built or worked with. Some areas are much better than others. Camp away from obvious dumping grounds (there are several), watch where you step, and keep an eye on your kids or pets if you have any with you.

• How busy is the Temple Mountain Campground?

We arrived mid-week in early May (with spring considered high season here) and the place was eerily empty. Especially in combo with the plethora of abandoned mines that surround it.

Not gonna lie, I’ve never felt this close to living the Hills Have Eyes. But then one small group showed up and at least we knew there would be more brains to pick if any weirdos did start creeping down the mountain…

The campground did pack up on Friday a bit, but not terribly. Most people brought RVs or large trailers and stayed on the parking lot. However, with the ever increasing popularity of BLM camping, visitation to the area is likely steadily increasing, so your experience may be different from ours.

Directions

The campground is easily accessible from Hwy 24 in the segment between Hanksville, Utah and I-70 and for the most part shares the route to Goblin Valley State Park. (Your other option is to come from the west, cutting through the rugged Swell.)

• Follow Temple Mountain Road at the junction with Hwy 24 about halfway between Hanksville, Utah and I-70 (the road heads west only).
• About 5 miles later you’ll reach a turnoff to Goblin Valley State Park (left) – Goblin Valley Road. Continue straight on Temple Mountain Rd. The paved road will soon turn to dirt, but the dirt road is in a good shape and easily accessible with any type of a vehicle or an RV.
• The campground is located 2 miles further down the road from the turnoff to the state park. It will be on your right-hand side. About half a mile after the intersection with Goblin Valley Road you will first pass by another camping area on your left side – continue on, this is the less scenic cousin of the Temple Mountain Campground (see below).

GPS coordinates: 38.66784, -110.68519

For details, see a map here.

There is another camping area along the access road – East Temple Mountain Campground (also called South Temple Wash Campground). It will be on your left-hand side about half a mile past the turnoff to Goblin Valley State Park. In comparison, this is just a large desert parking lot. It’s far less scenic than the Temple Mountain Campground (AKA Temple Mountain Townsite Campground), but if you just need a place to crash, this spot will certainly accomplish that. It is, however, most suitable for RVs, large trailers, and vans. (Free, some firepits, pit toilets, no water.)

Things to do near the Temple Mountain Campground

Within 1 mile of the campground:

Pay a visit to the historic Temple Mountain townsite, located within walking distance of the campground. It has mostly vanished by now, but a few remaining structures still haven’t fully succumbed to the elements. Among the ruins there is one fallen cabin of interest where Madame Marie Curie is said to have stayed once.

It wouldn’t be an old mining district without a few rusted-out bullet-ridden cars, right?

Other highlights in close proximity include a pictograph panel with some really unique designs, located about a mile back on the access road.

And, of course, there are plenty of hiking options and ATV trails in just about any direction that take off straight from the campground.

Within 9+ miles:

• Goblin Valley State Park (9 miles)
• Little Wild Horse Canyon (13 miles)
• Swasey Cabin (21-60 miles, depends on route)
• Lone Warrior Pictograph (near the Swasey Cabin)
• Lucky Strike Mine (23 miles, 4×4 recommended)
• Head of Sinbad Pictographs (24-60 miles, depends on route, need 4×4/high clearance)

The access road to the Temple Mountain Campground continues into the Swell if you’re up for a good adventure. Pop in even if you don’t have a destination in mind. The further in you go, the more scenic it gets.

You’ll need a high clearance 4×4 to get into some areas of the Swell. Most of the roads aren’t in a bad shape but can became challenging with just a little rain.

If you don’t have a high clearance 4×4, you’ll be able to access all locations on the above list with the exception of the Head of Sinbad Panel (a small but incredibly well preserved pictograph site), and I wouldn’t recommend visiting the Lucky Strike Mine either.

Tips for camping at Temple Mountain

• Best time to come?

Summers can be brutal here, winters can be unpleasantly cold (but snowfall tends to be light). Spring and fall are the best times to visit the San Rafael Swell. That being said, keep in mind that this is a land of extremes. Having stayed here in early May, we’ve seen both winter and summer almost on a daily basis (it even legit snowed one day).

• Come prepared.

Bring more than enough water to sustain you/your group for the time being. Besides drinking, you’ll also need water for personal hygiene, cooking, and dishwashing.

Pack it in, pack it out, and dispose of trash properly. Please, and thank you. Added points for picking up trash left over by the previous visitors. It’s a small contribution to make in exchange for the ability to camp for free. Plus it will make you feel damn good.

The closest services are in Green River, Utah (44 miles) and Hanksville, Utah (27 miles). Both are very small towns. You should be able to find basic supplies at gas stations, but probably not much beyond that.

• Stay safe.

Don’t camp or park your vehicle in a wash. Even mild rain or a nearby storm can quickly bring flash floods into the area.

Be cautious of wildlife – snakes, scorpions, and the occasional mountain lion can creep up (yes, the Swell is mountain lion country!). We haven’t noticed any danger elements in that regard, but that doesn’t mean they hadn’t checked us out. Keep your kids and pets close.

By camping here, you’re losing the “safety in numbers” factor. Depending on when you come, you may be the only group (or a person) here far and wide. While this scenario may not be for everyone, I will add that there was never any point that we had felt unsafe while staying here. Keep an eye on your surroundings and take precautions. Play it safe and don’t leave belongings out for grabs. You know, the basics.

Any questions about the Temple Mountain Campground in the San Rafael Swell? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

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