Soap Creek Dispersed Camping In Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
- Date Visited: April 26-May 5 2021
- GPS: 36.7526, -111.7176
- Phone: 602-417-9200
- Website
- Hours: 24/7
- Price: Free
- Reservations: No
- Stay Limit: 14 Days
- Pets: Yes
- Restrooms: No
- Water: No
- Trash: No
- Hookups: No
- Cell Service: Verizon and AT&T
Soap Creek Dispersed Camping can be found near Marble Canyon, Arizona. It is actually located within the absolutely gorgeous Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and is an incredible spot to camp.
This free boondocking area is run by the Bureau of Land Management and has a 14 day stay limit.
Campsites are on a first come, first served basis and it is open year round, but it would be a pretty toasty spot in the summer.
The area is able to accommodate any size vehicle and the access road is located right off Hwy 89A.
There is a bit of a dip on one section as you turn off the highway and onto the dirt road. Be careful when making the turn and you’ll be fine.
You must open a gate and cross a cattle guard to access the camping area.
Be sure to close the gate after you travel through. Though no cows were there during our stay this is a grazing area so we don’t want anyone to escape if it is in use.
You will come to a fork in the road not far from the entrance and unless your in a 4WD vehicle I highly suggest taking a right. You will pass the fenced-in radio tower and continue down the road to multiple camping spots. There are even spots near the tower.
Be careful while driving down this road, because there are sections that are a bit rocky.
If you take your time though you shouldn’t have any issues. There are maybe 10 spots along the road that have looked occupied before. If all the spots are taken there is a place to turn around at the end.
If you do have 4WD or are feeling adventurous you can take the road to the left. I’m warning you now though, the first section is extremely rough.
Large pointy rocks and deep ruts make it very hard to navigate. A low clearance rig would not be able to make it.
Get out and scout before attempting to take your vehicle through.
With that being said, if you are able to make it down the road you will be rewarded with absolutely amazing camping spots on the edge of Marble Canyon overlooking the Colorado river.
We chose the right fork in the road to boondock, but took our truck to the canyon edge a couple times. It is pretty amazing there.
This is boondocking so no water or hook-ups can be found here.
There are no toilets or trashcans so whatever you pack in make sure you pack out. Pets are allowed, but please be sure to pick up after them. Our dog had fun running around, but rattlesnakes and cacti are in the area so be careful.
There were homemade firepits at many of the sites.
Be sure to contact the local ranger office to verify if there are any fire bans in effect though. It can get quite windy here at times as well so always make sure every spark is out before going to bed or leaving camp.
Speaking of the wind be sure awnings and anything you have outside is properly secured.
One day we watched a woman chase down her beach umbrella she was using as shade. For what seemed like an eternity she crossed the desert landscape trying to get her umbrella back. I felt bad for her, but it was funny at the same time (I know I’m evil).
There is absolutely no shade here so plan accordingly. If you’re running solar you shouldn’t have any problems topping off those batteries every day.
Let’s talk about cell service for a moment.
It’s been a hot minute since we’ve visited, but I remember we had both Verizon and AT&T during our stay. They were both pretty weak though with only a bar or two.
After we hooked up the booster the signal did get better especially with AT&T. We were able to work still, but not really stream anything.
As long as we can work we’re good though.
Since you are right in the middle of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument there is a lot to do.
The scenic drive through the monument, HWY 89A, should not be missed. Be sure to stop at the Cliff Dwellers Stone House or hike to an abandoned mine shaft.
There are actually a lot of hiking opportunities in the monument.
Lee’s Ferry is just fifteen minutes down the road and they have a beach right on the Colorado river to hang out on.
I mean you can’t pass up the chance to lay on a beach in the middle of the desert, right? Explore the Lonely Dell Ranch Historic District or take a gorgeous hike on the banks of the river.
The Navajo Bridge And Interpretive Center is also only fifteen minutes away and it’s a very cool place to check out. You might even get to see an endangered California condor.
Horseshoe Bend and the town of Page, Arizona are about 45 minutes away. Page has a Walmart and anything else you might need. It’s also a very popular spot for many outdoor activities.
Located in the monument right off HWY 89A near Lee’s Ferry Lodge at Vermilion Cliffs you will find a gas station and souvenir shop.
There is also a laundromat located there with coin-operated showers which we took advantage of a couple of times during our stay.
I am not 100% that this is the exact location, but you won’t miss the laundromat while driving by.
I’ve said this about a couple places before, but this was one of our favorite boondocking spots in our travels so far and the hubby was completely in love with this place.
Sunsets are incredible and there are a ton of stars at night. Clouds rolled by in the mornings and were so cool to watch.
You are surrounded by the Vermilion Cliffs and they are just breathtaking.
The colors change depending on the time of day and how the sun hits the rocks. We just had an amazing time exploring everything the area has to offer and there’s a lot.
We would spend another two weeks at this location in a heartbeat.
I can’t wait to get back!
Always follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and try to leave your camp nicer than you found it. Please research campgrounds before visiting. Rules and regulations may have changed since we stayed there.