Moab is a mecca for outdoor activity. From world-class mountain biking and scenic hikes to incredible arches and vistas to whitewater rafting on the Colorado River and rock climbing massive desert towers – Moab has something for every visitor. The Moab area has unlimited camping options with two National Parks (Arches and Canyonlands), Deadhorse Point State Park, and acres upon acres of Public and National Forest Land.
Camping at Arches National Park
The Devils Garden Campground is located inside Arches National Park at the north end of the park’s scenic drive, about 18 miles from the entrance. The campsites are situated between rocks and juniper trees, sage, and pinion. The campsites include picnic tables, grills, access to potable water, and both pit and flush toilets. Devils Garden has 52 individual sites of which 28 can be reserved in advance (from 4 days to no more than 180 days in advance. Information about making reservations can be found on the park website. The other 24 campsites are available on a first-come basis and during summer months these sites tend to fill-up very fast. It is best to get to the visitor center by 8am to try to get a campsite in the park.
Camping at Canyonlands National Park – The Island in the Sky District
The Willow Flat Campground located inside Canyonlands National Park only has 12 campsites that are all available on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites fill up very early in late spring and fall – so get there early in the morning to try and get a site. The campsites come with picnic tables and fire grates, but no available water or flush toilets (only pit toilets).
Camping at Deadhorse Point State Park
Deadhorse Point State Park is an often overlooked park by tourists visiting the Moab area. The Park offers an incredible panorama of the Colorado River and its remarkably carved canyons 2000 feet below the viewpoint. The Kayenta campground at Deadhorse has 21 campsites that are equipped with electricity, a sandy tent pad, a sheltered picnic table, a charcoal grill, and flush toilets. Some drinking water is available but campers are advised to bring their own water since it is a desert climate and water has to be trucked in from Moab. Campsites are $20 a night (as of Spring 2009) and reservations are recommended.
BLM Campgrounds Located along Colorado River Scenic Byway and Kane Creek Canyon
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offers more than 20 campgrounds in the Moab Area. All campgrounds are on a first-come first-served basis and most visitors can usually find a camp spot although it may be more difficult of weekends during the spring and fall months. Most of the campgrounds are located along the Colorado River on scenic Highway 128 or along Highway 279 and are in incredible settings and close to popular trailheads. The sites all have pit toilets or open-air toilets and most of them do not have any drinking water available. For more information on the specific campsites see the BLM Campgrounds.
Moab RV and Town Camping
There are also many in town commercial camping options that cater more to RV traveler. There are more than a dozen options that have RV hookups, showers, and many other amenities. The Arch View Camp Park, Canyonlands Camp Park, and the Moab KOA are just a few of them.
For hiking and backpacking ideas for your trip to Moab – see Popular Family Hiking Trails in Moab, Hiking in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park, and Exploring the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
Amiee Maxwell - Amiee Maxwell is based out of Salt Lake City and spends as much time as possible living out of her Subaru in the Utah and Nevada desert. ...
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