An aerial view of Devils Playground in Utah.
Regular followers of this blog know that ferreting out intriguing, out-of-the-way places to visit in a RV is what I do. In my never ending search of new places to explore, I stumbled across an online reference to a place called Devils Playground in a remote region of northwestern Utah.
This virtually unknown geologic curiosity of rocks located on public land (BLM and State) is an adventurers dream. The Devils Playground features granite rock that has weathered into unique forms and ghostly shapes over thousands of years offering something for everyone in your RV. The area offers rock climbing, ATV riding, endless photo opportunities, geocaching, the chance to see wildlife, hours of wandering among the formations, boondocking and more!
Since the majority of the items listed are activities my wife and I enjoy, Devils Playground has gone on the “to do” list for a future RV adventure. While I was investigating Devils Playground online I started looking at the boondocking opportunities via GoogleEarth, quickly coming to the photo shown left.
While there are very few hard and fast etiquette rules when it comes to boondocking, I am sure camping in the middle of the road is not going to earn you any brownie points with others in the playground. Where’s the grade school playground monitor when you really need them? Boondocking and playing in Devils Playground with those that don’t like to share, just another adventure in RVing!
Click here to watch a short video on the Devils Playground.
Directions:
Coming from the North: From the northern I- 15/I-80 interchange in Salt Lake City, head north on I-15 for 69 miles to Tremonton (exit 382). At exit 382 the freeway splits; I-84 continues to the northwest, and I-15 forks off and goes north. Travel northwest on I-84 for 37 miles to exit 5. Turn left (west) on Highway 30 and travel 16 miles to Curlew Junction (a junction with Highway 42). Turn left (southwest) and proceed 74.5 miles to Emigrant Pass Rd. Turn right (north) and drive approximately 8.5 miles to the Devils Playground sign. Turn right (east) and proceed 0.2 miles to the first granitic outcrops of Devils Playground on the right (south) side of the road. If you proceed on this road for several miles, the road will end up in the heart of Devils Playground.
Coming from the West: From the northern I- 15/I-80 interchange in Salt Lake City, head west on I-80 153 miles to Oasis, Nevada (exit 378). Turn right (northeast) on Nevada State Highway 233 (also Utah State Highway 30) for 57 miles to Emigrant Pass road. Turn left (north) and travel approximately 8.5 miles to the Devils Playground sign. Turn right (east) and proceed 0.2 miles to the first granitic outcrops of Devils Playground.
Camping:
The BLM typically allows RVers to disperse camp for free (aka boondock) for two weeks. You will find the campsite pictured above at: N41° 31.893 W113° 41.349 If that one is full or someone is parked in the middle of the road, there is another campsite not far away at: N41° 31.891 W113° 41.163
If you are not the boondocking type, check out http://www.campgroundreviews.com/ to find a campground in the area that meets your needs.
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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