Moab Campgrounds

Your Guide to Moab Campgrounds

Camping in Moab is one of the best ways to experience the desert at full volume. Warm red sandstone. Bright starry nights. The soft sound of the Colorado River moving in the dark. If you want to feel Moab instead of just visiting it, campgrounds in Moab deliver the full experience. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about Moab campgrounds, campgrounds near Moab Utah, camping near Arches National Park, camping near Canyonlands National Park, Moab BLM campgrounds, Moab dispersed camping, camping along the Colorado River in Moab, and Moab Sand Flats camping.

I live here. I camp here. I explore these roads, washes, canyons, and rims all year long. My goal is to give you the real, local knowledge so you can choose the right campground, book at the right time, stay safe in the desert, and enjoy the scenery that makes this place unforgettable.

This guide covers every official and private campground in the Moab region so you can plan your stay with complete confidence.

What Moab Campgrounds Are and Why You Should Stay

Moab campgrounds include a mix of federal public land sites, state park campgrounds, recreation area campgrounds, private RV parks, and large areas of dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management land. These campgrounds give you direct access to the landscapes that make Moab famous. Whether you want to wake up beside towering cliffs along the river, sleep under pinion pines on the slickrock of Sand Flats, or enjoy full RV hookups close to town, there is an option for you.

Camping here matters because it puts you in the heart of Moab’s adventure landscape. You can roll out of your tent and be on a trail or a canyon approach before sunrise. You can cook dinner with a view of the cliffs glowing orange at sunset. You can build a whole vacation around simple outdoor living.

What to Expect at Moab Campgrounds

Moab’s campgrounds vary widely, so your experience depends on where you choose:

  • Colorado River campgrounds are scenic, close to Moab, and excellent for beginners.

  • BLM campgrounds are simple, quiet, and spread along beautiful red rock corridors.

  • Sand Flats Recreation Area sits on top of a sandstone world overlooking town.

  • Arches and Canyonlands have classic national park campgrounds with limited availability.

  • Dead Horse Point offers high desert rim views that feel endless.

  • Dispersed camping offers the most freedom but also the least comfort.

  • Private RV parks offer shade, amenities, hookups, showers, and easy access to town.

Every region has its own mood. In this guide, you will learn what each one feels like, when to go, and how to secure a good campsite.

THE COMPLETE LIST OF MOAB CAMPGROUNDS

Below is the full breakdown of every Moab campground category. All distances and facts reflect the current best information. If something varies by season or policy, it is noted.

1. COLORADO RIVER CAMPGROUNDS (BLM)

These campgrounds stretch along Highway 128 and Highway 279. They sit directly beside the Colorado River with soaring cliffs, shade from cottonwoods, and great access to trails.

Campgrounds Along Highway 128

  • Goose Island

  • Drinks Canyon

  • Hal Canyon

  • Oak Grove

  • Big Bend

  • Hittle Bottom

  • Dewey Bridge

Campgrounds Along Highway 279 (Potash Road)

  • Gold Bar

  • Williams Bottom

Experience

These sites offer some of the most iconic riverside camping in the Southwest. Expect dramatic cliffs rising thousands of feet above your camp and warm breezes drifting off the water.

Best For

  • Families

  • Scenic campers

  • First time desert visitors

  • Easy access to town

What to Know

  • Most sites are first come first served.

  • They fill early in spring and fall.

  • No hookups.

  • Vault toilets at most locations.

2. SAND FLATS RECREATION AREA CAMPING

This area sits on a high slickrock mesa above Moab with views of the La Sal Mountains and the Colorado River canyon systems.

Experience

You camp among sandstone domes and fins with open sky from horizon to horizon. It feels wild, open, and rugged.

Best For

  • Mountain bikers

  • Off road drivers

  • Stargazers

  • Adventurous families

What to Know

  • Over 120 sites across multiple loops

  • First come first served

  • No hookups

  • Great sunrise light across the sandstone

3. ARCHES NATIONAL PARK CAMPING

Campground

  • Devils Garden Campground

Experience

This is classic national park camping surrounded by sandstone fins, arches, and desert trails that begin right beside your site.

Reservations

Required most of the year. Fill extremely quickly.

Best For

  • Visitors who want to stay inside the park

  • Photographers

  • Hikers planning sunrise starts

4. CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK CAMPING

Island in the Sky

  • Willow Flat Campground

The Needles District

  • The Needles Campground

Experience

These areas offer deep silence, dark skies, and a remote desert atmosphere with some of the best overlooks in the region.

5. DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK CAMPING

Campgrounds

  • Kayenta Campground

  • Wingate Campground

  • Moenkopi Yurts

Experience

Camp at the edge of a stunning canyon rim with sweeping views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands. Facilities are well maintained.

6. MOAB BLM CAMPGROUNDS BEYOND THE RIVER CORRIDORS

These include campgrounds in side canyons, along open desert mesas, and near popular hiking and biking areas.

Examples

  • Horsethief

  • Lone Mesa

  • Cowboy

  • Ledge Campgrounds

Experience

Quieter, more remote, and open desert landscapes with easy access to Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point.

7. DISPERSED CAMPING NEAR MOAB

Large areas of public land allow dispersed camping where you can choose your own site as long as you follow Leave No Trace practices.

Areas Where It Is Commonly Allowed

  • North of Moab along 313

  • Some regions along 191

  • Between Moab and Canyonlands (outside restricted corridors)

What to Know

  • No amenities

  • Pack out everything

  • Fires restricted depending on season

  • Use existing sites only

8. PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS AND RV PARKS IN MOAB

These campgrounds offer amenities, shade, full hookups, showers, laundry, and easy access to downtown Moab.

Private RV Parks by Name

  • Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground

  • Slickrock Campground

  • Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway

  • Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway

  • OK RV Park

  • Portal RV Resort

  • Canyonlands RV Resort

  • Moab KOA Holiday

  • Spanish Trail RV Park

Best For

  • Comfort seekers

  • RV travelers

  • Visitors who want amenities

  • Summer travelers seeking shade and electric hookups

BEST TIME TO CAMP IN MOAB

Spring

The most popular season. Warm days, cool nights, and perfect hiking weather.

Fall

The best all around weather with golden cottonwoods along the river.

Summer

Very hot during the day. Best for river camps, shady RV sites, and early starts.

Winter

Quiet, peaceful, and spacious. Cold at night. Ideal for stargazing.

BEST TIME OF DAY TO ARRIVE

  • First come first served campgrounds fill early.

  • Arrive at or before 8 am for BLM sites during spring and fall.

  • Private campgrounds are best booked weeks or months ahead.

INSIDER LOCAL TIPS

  • Bring shade. Many campsites have none.

  • Always carry more water than you think you need.

  • Use metal fire pans or designated rings only.

  • Watch for flash flood watches near river corridors.

  • Do not assume campsites will be available on weekends.

MISTAKES TO AVOID

  • Arriving in late afternoon expecting open sites

  • Setting up camp outside designated areas

  • Ignoring fire restrictions

  • Leaving food where animals can reach it

  • Parking on soft sand without checking the ground

WHAT TO BRING

  • Five to seven gallons of water per person per day

  • A strong shade shelter

  • A cooler that can handle the heat

  • Ground stakes designed for sand

  • Bug spray for river corridor sites

  • Headlamps for walking around at night

  • Extra fuel and ice

MOAB WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS

Moab often brings extreme sun, low humidity, sudden wind, and big temperature swings. Expect:

  • Hot days in late spring through early fall

  • Cool mornings even in warm months

  • Afternoon winds

  • Occasional summer thunderstorms

SAFETY NOTES

  • Heat exhaustion is common. Hydrate constantly.

  • Winds can destroy poorly secured tents.

  • Do not camp in dry washes.

  • Use designated toilets where provided.

  • Wildlife is often active at night.

DIRECTIONS TO MAJOR CAMPING AREAS

Colorado River Corridor (Highway 128)

Head north from Moab and turn right onto Highway 128.

Potash Road (Highway 279)

Turn west from Moab and follow signs toward Potash.

Sand Flats Recreation Area

Follow 400 East to Mill Creek Drive and continue uphill into Sand Flats.

Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands

Drive north on 191, turn left on Highway 313, and follow signs for the parks.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

  • Arches National Park

  • Canyonlands National Park

  • Dead Horse Point State Park

  • Corona Arch

  • Fisher Towers

  • Sand Flats biking trails

  • Moab Food Truck Park

  • Moab Giants

GUIDED TOUR RECOMMENDATIONS

Camping pairs perfectly with:

  • Guided canyoneering tours

  • Guided rafting trips

  • Guided off road tours

  • Guided hiking tours

Booking ahead is recommended during spring and fall.

WHEN THIS IS THE BEST CHOICE

Camping is the right choice when you want direct access to trails, great sunrise views, and a deeper experience with Moab’s landscape. It lets you slow down and connect with the desert.

IF YOU ONLY REMEMBER ONE THING

Arrive early and bring shade.

LOCAL TIP

If all BLM campgrounds are full, Sand Flats often still has openings if you get there early.

PRO TIP

On busy weekends, check for sites along Highway 279 before Highway 128. They fill slower.

FAQ SECTION

1. What are the best campgrounds near Moab Utah?

The best campgrounds include Goose Island, Big Bend, Sand Flats, Devils Garden, Kayenta, and the private Moab Valley RV Resort depending on your camping style.

2. Where can I camp for free near Moab?

Dispersed camping is available on certain BLM lands outside restricted corridors. Always use existing sites and follow posted rules.

3. Can you camp inside Arches National Park?

Yes. Devils Garden Campground offers year round campsites with reservations required much of the year.

4. When do Moab BLM campgrounds fill?

In spring and fall, most fill by early morning. Summer afternoons may have openings.

5. Is camping allowed along the Colorado River in Moab?

Yes. Multiple BLM campgrounds sit right beside the river on Highway 128 and Highway 279.

6. Are campfires allowed in Moab?

Only in designated fire rings or fire pans. Restrictions are common in summer.

7. What is the best season for Moab camping?

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures and predictable weather.

8. Do private RV parks in Moab offer full hookups?

Most do. Moab Valley RV Resort, Portal RV Resort, and the KOA offer full RV amenities.

9. Is dispersed camping near Arches allowed?

Not directly beside the park. Restricted corridors limit camping. Check BLM maps.

10. Does Moab have campground showers?

Private campgrounds do. Public BLM and national park campgrounds do not.