Muddy Creek Wilderness
Muddy Creek flows east across the northern portion of the Muddy Creek Wilderness, then south through the eastern portion, and forms a deep canyon through Wilderness. The south-central portion of the Wilderness consists of steep mesas. The southern part is a mesa bisected by Muddy Creek Canyon and is locally referred to as "The Pasture" west of the canyon and "Keesle Country" east of the canyon. Pinyon, juniper, and desert shrub are the predominant types of vegetation, but the plant cover in the Wilderness is generally sparse, The upper reaches provide dramatic views of the twisted and carved character of the area, surrounded by the volcanic evidence and up thrust rock structures.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | Utah |
| Size | 98,023 acres |
| Designated | 2019, by Congress |
| Center point | 38.62° N, 110.95° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 29) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
3 federal campgrounds sit inside the boundary and 1 more is within ten miles of it. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Fire nearby
- Prescribed12 Mile Rx
48 mi from the center point · 350 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 13.6 miHanksville Meetinghouse--School ↗Hanksville, UT
- 13.8 miCathedral Valley Corral ↗Torrey, UT
- 14.2 miEmery Lds Church ↗Emery, UT
- 14.6 miMorrell, Lesley, Line Cabin and Corral ↗Torrey, UT
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Utah
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Muddy Creek Wilderness?
98,023 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Muddy Creek Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Muddy Creek Wilderness in?
Utah.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Muddy Creek Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 2019.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Muddy Creek Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Muddy Creek Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 38.619° N, 110.950° W. Capitol Reef National Park is 17 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Muddy Creek Wilderness right now?
1 active incident within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest 12 Mile Rx at 48 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Which national parks are near Muddy Creek Wilderness?
Capitol Reef National Park (17 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Muddy Creek Wilderness?
The National Register has 4 listings within 15 miles, including Hanksville Meetinghouse--School and Cathedral Valley Corral.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.