Due to high use, human and pet waste is a serious health issue at dispersed camping sites. All solid waste must be packed out in approved waste bags or portable toilet systems. These may be purchased at the Moab Information Center and Moab outdoor retailers.

To reduce damage to natural and cultural resources and to provide for public safety, the following ordinances have been passed. Compliance is mandatory for all dispersed campers.
Human Waste
No person shall dump or otherwise deposit human waste, or wastewater contaminated by fecal matter, on Public Lands except in a Sewage Facility. All persons are required to carry out solid human body waste and must possess and utilize a Sewage Facility that allows for the disposal of solid human waste through an authorized refuse container or sewage systems.
No compliance will result in a violation of Title 17 and guilty of a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.
Here is the link to the Grand County, Utah Ordinance 604 (2019)
Pet Waste
Grand County Title 6 Animals
6.16.030 Animal waste. The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his or her animal or animals on public walks, recreation areas, or private property. (Ord. 129 Art. IX, 1977)
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this title, any person who shall violate any provision of this title shall be deemed guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and shall be punished by a term of incarceration in the county jail not to exceed six months and fined in the sum not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by both such term of incarceration and fine. (Ord. 329 § 4 (part), 2000; Ord. 129 Art. XII, 1977)
Here is the link to the Grand County Ordinance Title 6
The areas with designated sites (marked with green hatch lines) are summarized below:
- Dubinky Well Road – 12 sites on the east side of the road
- Gemini Bridges Road – 6 campsites located in Bride Canyon.
- Cotter Mine Road- 10 sites located just off HWY 191 and north of SR 313
- Dripping Springs Area – 6 large campsites near Tenmile Wash
- Black Ridge Area – 6 sites located in the camping area.
- Picture Frame Arch Area – 4 sites located in the Behind the Rocks area located six miles southwest from Moab off Hwy. 191
There are several areas in which no sites are designated and camping is not allowed (orange). The Shafer Basin, which forms the viewshed of Dead Horse Point State Park and is important bighorn sheep habitat, has no sites. Long Canyon, which is subject to extreme flooding and is also important bighorn habitat, has no sites. No camping is allowed in the Mill Creek area immediately east of the city of Moab, or on the west side of Spanish Valley. No camping is allowed within one mile of developed recreation sites in the Canyon Rims Recreation Area. If you have any questions about primitive camping restrictions please contact the Moab BLM Office at (435) 259-2100.
Moab Outdoor Adventure Guide
The Moab Outdoor Adventure Guide is a new comprehensive guide to adventures and activities that are available on the public lands surrounding Moab. If you are interested in hiking, off-road driving, river activities, scenic byways, dark sky observing, mountain biking, e-biking, rock art tours, camping, dinosaur trails, or traveling with pets, this guide will set you on the right path. The Moab Outdoor Adventure Guide is NOW AVAILABLE for free at the Moab Information Center (corner of Main & Center Streets in Moab). The ebook version is also available for download.
Click here to view the Moab Outdoor Adventure Guide online.