Wedge Recreation Area~Utah

Flickr album link: Wedge Recreation Area

The San Rafael Swell region of Utah is well worth exploring and adventures in these parts are time consuming, so it is best to plan on doing a few camping overnighters in order to take it all in. There are several dispersed camping areas and developed campgrounds to choose from in this vast high desert wilderness and one of the best can be found at the Wedge Recreation Area. The Wedge is located just a few miles past the San Rafael Swell Visitor Center, which offers a wealth of information about points of interest in this unique geological area. For this reason, the visitor center is the best starting point for experiencing The Swell and since the Wedge Recreation Area right next door, it gets top bids as a place to rest up while camping after the long dusty ride. 

The Wedge Recreation Area is nestled in a juniper forest next to the towering cliffs that overlook the San Rafael River. The dispersed campsites are available on a first come-first serve basis and there are plenty of nooks that are large enough for rugged RV campers or trailer haulers. It does take a little bit of searching in the forest to discover the individual campsites, but privacy is easy to find, since the trees hide whoever shows up as neighbors. This rustic dispersed campground features basic facilities and no water is available, so it is best to stock up heavy prior to arrival. This is a 100% pack it in-pack it out camping area and there are other rules to be aware of, which include fire restrictions. Camping next to the rim of the canyon is forbidden too, because this section is a day use picnic area that serves as a place for onlookers to park vehicles.

Just one peek from the Wedge Overlook is enough to inspire sticking around for an extended stay. This deep canyon is also known as the Little Grand Canyon Of The San Rafael River and the picturesque views certainly live up to the reputation. The Wedge upheaval zone definitely is a scientific study of colliding tectonic plates and the extremely buckled bedrock landscape will simply captivate those who are into earth sciences. The Wedge Overlook is a fascinating landscape that attracts artists worldwide, so be sure to pack a canvas and paint brush or a good camera for the ride. The Wedge Recreation Area definitely is one of the best lesser known destinations in the entire west, so be sure to chalk it up when planning a tour of the San Rafael Swell!     
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