Beas Lewis Flat Dispersed Camping

We stayed here 6 nights while exploring & hiking Capital Reef NP and the Burr Trail from Boulder, UT. We were in a 21 ft travel trailer facing north, on the edge of the rim overlooking the red rock Calf Canyon. What spectacular views in all directions!

The first 200-300 feet of the entrance road is very fine rust-colored powder this time of year, which caused a dust plume every time someone drove through it over 5mph, so we didn’t want to set up anywhere near this road. The wind kicked up every morning we were there (with some hefty gusts on the rim), however it let up considerably by late morning. We were fine in our travel trailer, but felt sorry for the people in tents. We did not see any noticeable trash, cigarette butts, or broken glass where we camped, or where we walked a one-mile loop from our trailer. Most of the trash & broken glass that others mentioned appeared to be in the area before the cattle guard. Most people were courteous about running their generators for only an hour or two during daylight, and the only noises we heard from other campers were late arrivals looking for a spot. Lots of room to spread out & to accommodate quite a considerable number of campers in all sizes of RVs. We thought it was one of the better boondocking spots & we hope people will continue to respect!

Found this well known spot after reading reviews. Any size rig can fit in here somewhere. This place is huge but we feel all alone. Sites have fire rings made out of the natural stones around. Keep going until you pass the cow grate. We went up on the rim first but then decided to go down the hill. Although you are down the hill you are still well above the canyon. My Subaru made it just fine.

REVIEW 230607
Bea's Lewis Flats Dispersed / Capitol Reef NP
Torrey, UT

14nts May/June 2023
GPS: 38.2940056, -111.3860725
Elev: 6,857'
Propane Fill: Blackburn Propane (aka Howie's Svc Sta) Bricknell, UT
(Campground in town has a fill station, but has it posted as 'not available', Visitor's Center directed us to Bricknell).
Dump: Fruita Campground $5, has potable water & trash at the Dump station. Loop A/B, 1ST left after CG entry.
Water: Fruita Campground, or Phillips 66, east side of building
Laundry: Chuckwagon, $2 Wash, $2 Dry
Groceries: Chuckwagon, limited. Royal's in Loa, small regular grocery store.
Cell: Verizon 4b / ATT 3b
OTA: 35 channels

Stayed here 14nts over Memorial Day weekend. A little crowded over the holiday, but late arrivals were still able to find spots. Could see others in the distance, but never felt crowded. Had a few over nighters park a bit close, but to be expected as we only went as far back as Breakoff One. There is a LOT of space further on if you have decent clearance.

ROAD OPTIONs:
After the cattle guard going straight: Lots of space here for all size rigs - even a semi towing a 5th wheel. Nice view of the cliffs across the highway. This area is the busiest area as it is easy in/out for overnighters. Not RV Park close, but you will see and possibly hear your neighbors on the weekends. Weekdays fairly spread out.

After the cattleguard turning right: That wash is no joke.
We're a 34' long 5th wheel and made it through, but did scrape the passenger side butt .... gotta love doing in field repairs.
The wash is deceptive, sloping entry isn't too bad, a steeper incline coming out is a challange for longer or low clearance rigs. The real challange is that it 'S curves' pretty sharply while you're going through it and the slab rocks at the bottom of the wash you cleared entering, are now to the side behind your wheel catching jacks or rear corner... if that makes sense? Had 1 other 5th wheel up here, a few TT of size and lots of smaller vans, truck tents, tents etc, but no one longer than 35' that I could see. Not sure a CA or CC could make the wash AND curve with no pivot point? Scout it out before entering. Great for small van, cars, tents though. Lots of space for privacy, especially going back further.

Trash: Our site was very clean with the exception of right after Memorial Day. Lots of tp & wipes blowing down the road after all the holiday campers. The entrance off 24 is a different story. Lots of burned cans, broken glass etc.... this is also not the camping area as far as i can tell? It is before the Limited Use sign and cattle guard... although no one was running people off, and there were several camped there.

Ranger came through Friday before Memorial Day, and we saw them pass through last weekend. Did not see any 'permanant campers' even in the remote areas when we went bike riding.

So will we be back? Yep, it is beautiful here, easy access to park and hikes, charming small town...Saturday Farmer's Market was fun, Slackers expensive but good..... when in the park, BUY THE PIE. As a matter of fact, buy one or two to take home. Seriously delicicious!

Next time we will either opt for the easy road, or more likely, do a much better scouting of that wash.... the view out all windows was worth the boo boo!

We went beyond several sites with more privacy but no big views. We turned around at the end of the rim area in order to park with our window facing the hills across from the rim. No trees or bushes in this area but you don't face others if you are parallel to the rim. Barely hear traffic, only a big truck once. No facilities. Tenters here as well as trailers and motorhomes.
Plenty of bars for using our phones. We have Consumer Cellular which usually uses at&t.

We arrived a couple hours before sunset and found a beautiful spot back to the left overlooking a canyon or maybe a quarry? Whatever, it was nice. We were in a van, but the people nearby had a Class A. I’m not sure I would have ventured back there with it, but they seem like it was fine. We had a cell signal for the first time in days. So, we were able to check in with friends and family. The night sky was unbelievable! I figured out where the Milky Way would be and got up at 3:30am and shot some amazing pictures of it. Only a few minutes from Capitol Reef and even closer to Torrey. This is dispersed land, don’t expect bathrooms or tables. But, if you like to Boondock, it’s a very good location.