Comb Wash
Region: Bears Ears & Cedar Mesa | Land Manager: BLM (Bears Ears National Monument) | Cost: Free
Comb Ridge. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Comb Wash sits within Bears Ears National Monument, running along the western side of Comb Ridge. It's a solid, easy-to-reach base camp for exploring Cedar Mesa's canyons, petroglyphs, and ancestral sites, with camping options ranging from simple pullouts near the road to more remote spots across the wash.
Quick Facts
| Distance from Blanding | About 25 minutes |
| Road & Clearance | Sites nearest the main road (County Road 235) are accessible to most vehicles; sites further back require crossing a wash and need 4WD with high clearance |
| Rig Suitability | Standard vehicles at the front sites; 4WD/high-clearance further in |
| Amenities | Vault toilets; no water, no trash service |
| Cell Signal | None reported in the camping area |
| Best Season | Spring and fall, summer is hot, winter can bring snow at this elevation |
| Stay Limit | 14 days within 28, standard BLM rule |
Map
Getting There
From Bluff or Blanding, Comb Wash Road (County Road 235) runs along the west side of Comb Ridge, linking to UT-95 at its north end. The front sites, with picnic tables and metal fire rings, sit close to the road; further back, you'll cross a wash to reach more secluded spots.
What to Expect
A good base for exploring Fish Canyon, nearby petroglyphs, and the wider Cedar Mesa area, with a mix of established sites, some with tables and metal rings, others marked only by a stone fire ring. Keep to previously disturbed areas within 150 feet of designated routes; new campsites aren't permitted, and camping inside ruins is strictly prohibited.
Good to Know
Bears Ears National Monument protects an extraordinary density of archaeological sites. Respect any closures, don't camp inside or near visible ruins or rock art, and pack out everything, cell service is nonexistent here, so let someone know your plans before you head in.
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