Behind the Butte East Primitive Permit

Behind the Butte East Campground is one of three Behind the Butte primitive campgrounds along Little Wildhorse Canyon Road at Goblin Valley State Park. These areas were added to the park in 2022, and the park says management changes will be implemented over the next several years to protect natural resources.

Behind the Butte East is the largest and most developed of the three. The park lists 32 designated sites marked with numbers and tent symbols, with picnic tables and fire rings, and says fires are allowed in provided metal rings only. Vault toilets are described as coming soon. Site 5 is called out as good for equestrian camping - the Emery County Back Country Horsemen donated highlines there for horse tie-outs. The park has also announced that a $15 nightly fee per site will be implemented for this campground, payable at the self-pay station or the visitor center, and that it does not cover the daily park entry fee.

The campground is reached off B7217/EM4030. A separate parking area serves it: no overnight camping there, but overnight parking is allowed, no day-use fee is required, and it works as a staging area for trailers.

The rules are the same across all three. Camping is allowed only in sites marked with a tent symbol. All sites are first-come, first served. There is a 14-night camping limit. Site capacity is no more than 4 vehicles, and some small sites will only hold 2. Vehicles and bicycles must remain on designated roads and camping areas, and cross-country riding or driving is not permitted.

The roads are primitive, high clearance is recommended, and they may be impassable when wet. Goblin Valley is a certified International Dark Sky Park, so the park asks campers to limit light use, favour red lights, and avoid shining spotlights on the rock walls.

This is first-come camping, not a reservation system - Utah State Parks reservations through ReserveAmerica cover the developed campground and the yurts, not these sites.