Notom-Bullfrog Road — Waterpocket Fold Roadside Dispersed Camping

The Notom-Bullfrog Road runs the east flank of the Waterpocket Fold inside Capitol Reef National Park. It meets the Burr Trail near the top of the switchbacks. There are no numbered sites, no hosts, and no water. What you get is a scatter of previously used gravel pullouts with the Fold’s red and tan ridgeline standing over the road. It’s quiet, and the stars are the kind you don’t see anymore. Expect a handful of rigs at most, and shoulder seasons are the best time to find a spot. Park-managed roadside camping has its own rules about where you can pull off, how far from the road you can go, and whether a permit is needed. Check with the Capitol Reef visitor center before you commit. Pack in all your water and pack out everything else. Fire rules change with the season, so verify before you light anything.

The road is graded dirt and gravel, usually fine for a careful high-clearance 2WD in dry weather. Flash floods and washouts can close it fast, especially near the creek crossings. Do not drive it wet, because the clay turns to grease. Cell service is nonexistent, so fuel up in Boulder or Torrey before you come out. Have a dirty day.

Camp under the Waterpocket Fold, no services