Gooseberry Campground is a remote backcountry camping area located along the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district. The campground consists of two designated sites (Gooseberry A and B), each accommodating up to three vehicles and 15 people, designed to provide privacy with sites spaced to minimize visibility and noise from one another. Situated at approximately 4,600 feet elevation, the campground offers stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape, including red rock canyons, mesas, and distant buttes, with the La Sal Mountains visible on clear days. The sites are primitive, lacking potable water, shade, or wind protection, so campers must bring all supplies, including at least 1 gallon (4 liters) of water per person per day. Each site shares a vault toilet, though reviews mention occasional odors, especially in warmer months. The terrain is rocky and hard-packed, suitable for tents but challenging for securing stakes. Stargazing is a highlight due to the remote location and minimal light pollution, with campers noting the night sky’s clarity as a standout feature. Access requires a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle, as the trail’s rugged roads are unsuitable for standard vehicles or large trucks with oversized campers (e.g., Ford F-350 with large campers). Overnight permits are required, costing $36 for the reservation plus $5 per person per night, and are highly competitive, particularly in spring and fall. Gooseberry’s location near the trail’s midpoint makes it a strategic stop for multi-day White Rim Trail adventures.
White Rim Trail
The White Rim Trail is a renowned 100-mile loop in Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district, celebrated for its challenging terrain and breathtaking desert scenery. This high-clearance 4×4 route, also popular with mountain bikers, traces the “white rim” ledge between the mesa top and the Green and Colorado Rivers below, offering panoramic views of red rock canyons, towering buttes, and river valleys. Key highlights include Gooseneck Overlook, Musselman Arch, White Crack (with views of the Maze and Needles districts), and Murphy Hogback, known for its 360-degree vistas. The trail features a mix of wide dirt roads, sandy patches, and technical jeep trails with some cliff exposure, notably at Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and Mineral Bottom switchbacks. With an elevation gain of approximately 9,160 feet, the route is moderately difficult for vehicles and strenuous for cyclists, typically requiring 2-3 days to complete, though experienced bikers may attempt it in one day. Permits are required for both day-use and overnight trips, with 20 designated campsites across 10 areas, including Gooseberry Campground. No potable water is available, and high water on the Green River (May-June) can flood western sections, potentially preventing a full loop. The best seasons are spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) for milder temperatures and stable weather, as summer is extremely hot and winter may bring closures.