Potato Bottom Campground is a remote backcountry camping area along the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district, situated along the banks of the Green River. The campground features three designated sites (Potato Bottom A, B, and C), each accommodating up to three vehicles and 15 people, designed to provide privacy with sites spaced to minimize visibility and noise from one another. Located at approximately 4,100 feet elevation, the campground offers scenic views of the Green River, surrounded by red rock cliffs, cottonwood trees, and open desert landscapes, with distant mesas visible on clear days. The sites are primitive, with no potable water, limited shade, or wind protection, requiring campers to bring all supplies, including at least 1 gallon (4 liters) of water per person per day. A vault toilet is shared among the sites, though some campers note odors during warmer months. The terrain is a mix of sandy and rocky ground, suitable for tents but potentially challenging for securing stakes in sandy areas near the river. Stargazing is exceptional due to the remote location and minimal light pollution, with visitors describing the night sky as “breathtakingly clear.” Access requires a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle, as the trail to Potato Bottom includes rugged sections, sandy washes, and occasional river-adjacent paths, making it 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. Potato Bottom’s riverside setting and relatively flat terrain make it a favored stop for White Rim Trail adventurers seeking a serene, scenic campsite.
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 stunning desert scenery. This high-clearance 4×4 route, also popular among 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 vistas of the Maze and Needles districts), and Murphy Hogback, known for its 360-degree panoramas. The trail features a mix of wide dirt roads, sandy stretches, and technical jeep trails with cliff exposure, particularly 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 taking 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 Potato Bottom 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 brings extreme heat and winter may bring closures.