Bureau of Land Management

The Complete Local Guide to Camping, Trails, OHV, and Adventure on Moab’s Public Lands
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Moab is surrounded by some of the most iconic public lands anywhere in the Southwest, and the Bureau of Land Management is the backbone of that landscape. If you have ever camped under a wide desert sky, taken a Jeep down a rugged backcountry route, pedaled along a stretch of red rock singletrack, or dropped into a sandstone canyon with a rope and a grin, you’ve already experienced the freedom of BLM land near Moab.

This guide exists to help you understand how BLM land works, where you can go, what you can do, and how to enjoy it responsibly. You’ll find the rules that matter, the zones that locals love, the mistakes first timers often make, and every essential detail for planning your adventure. We’ll walk through dispersed camping, OHV routes, mountain biking areas, scenic drives, canyoneering access, rock climbing walls, and the permit system that keeps these places healthy and open.

Whether this is your first Moab trip or your twentieth, this is the complete guide to navigating BLM land with confidence. Think of it as the local friend who hands you the map, points out the best pullouts, shows you which roads get washed out, and explains when to chase sunrise instead of sunset.

Let’s get you ready for the trip.

BLM Land Near Moab

The Bureau of Land Management oversees a massive portion of southeastern Utah. Around Moab, BLM land stretches across canyons, mesas, mountain foothills, red rock fins, river corridors, and hundreds of miles of two track routes.

Here’s what makes Moab’s BLM landscape unique:

  • Most of the land surrounding town is managed by the Moab Field Office.

  • It creates a giant open space buffer around Arches and Canyonlands, making Moab feel wild even when you’re five minutes from town.

  • BLM allows camping, off roading, hiking, biking, climbing, canyoneering, and river access in ways that differ from national parks or state parks.

  • Many of the most famous Moab adventures take place entirely on BLM land.

BLM land is where Moab’s energy comes from. It’s where you go when you want freedom, space, silence, star filled nights, and the kind of landscape that rewards curiosity and rewards those who wander a little farther.

BLM Land for Moab Travelers

Moab’s national parks are incredible, but they come with entrance gates, timed entry, and well known crowds. BLM land offers an entirely different kind of experience.

Travelers love BLM land because:

  • It offers enormous space with room to breathe.

  • You can camp for free in dispersed zones where allowed.

  • Developed BLM campgrounds offer more availability than the parks.

  • Most Jeep, side by side, and mountain bike routes are on BLM land.

  • Canyoneering access is almost always on BLM land near Moab.

  • River launches for private trips often rely on BLM access roads.

If you want your Moab trip to feel adventurous, self directed, and a little wild, you’ll spend a lot of time on BLM land.

What to Expect on BLM Land Near Moab

Expect openness. Expect small dirt roads. Expect views that stretch for miles in every direction. Expect your phone to lose service. Expect some washboard roads, some soft sand, some scrapes under your vehicle if you go too far in the wrong rig. Expect quiet mornings. Expect sunset glow turning every sandstone face gold and rose colored. Expect winds that feel stronger than you imagined. Expect heat that demands respect. Expect cold nights in shoulder seasons.

Most of all, expect variety. Moab’s BLM land includes:

  • Slickrock mesas

  • River corridors

  • High desert shelf country

  • Narrow canyons

  • Rolling ridgelines

  • Foothills near the La Sal Mountains

  • Wide open plains beneath towering cliffs

This guide will take you through the major recreation categories and highlight the zones where each activity thrives.

Recreation on BLM Land Near Moab

BLM land is where Moab plays. Here’s a detailed look at the major ways people explore it.

Dispersed Camping on BLM Land Near Moab

Dispersed camping means camping outside of a developed campground in pullouts or previously established sites. It’s one of the most popular ways to stay near Moab, but the rules matter more here than almost anywhere else in Utah.

Where Dispersed Camping Is Allowed

You can only camp in signed designated dispersed camping areas near Moab. The days of pulling off anywhere along a dirt road are over. This protects the fragile desert and keeps Moab’s backcountry beautiful.

Common dispersed camping corridors include:

  • Dalton Wells

  • Willow Springs (designated only)

  • Klondike Bluffs area

  • Mineral Bottom road area (designated sites)

  • Dubinky Well Road

  • Monitor and Merrimac region

  • Certain pullouts near 191 north of town

Zone availability changes, especially during seasonal closures or maintenance. Always look for signs.

Where Dispersed Camping Is Not Allowed

This is equally important:

  • No dispersed camping along Highway 128

  • No dispersed camping along Highway 279

  • No dispersed camping in Kane Creek Canyon past the designated areas

  • No dispersed camping near Sand Flats

  • No dispersed camping near the Colorado River campgrounds

  • No dispersed camping on the 313 corridor except in designated sites

If you see a sign that says “No Camping,” respect it. Enforcement is real.

What These Sites Are Like

Dispersed sites typically include:

  • A flat pullout

  • A fire ring (only use existing ones)

  • Open views of mesas, cliffs, or plains

  • No amenities

  • No bathrooms

  • No water

This is primitive backcountry camping close to a major hub. It feels wild, but comes with responsibility.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Camping too close to the road

  • Creating new fire rings

  • Driving off established routes

  • Leaving trash

  • Cutting vegetation

  • Digging new toilet holes in high use corridors

These mistakes lead to closures. Please protect the landscape.

Developed BLM Campgrounds Near Moab

These campgrounds offer vault toilets, picnic tables, and defined spaces. Many line the river corridors.

Common BLM campgrounds include:

  • Goose Island

  • Drinks Canyon

  • Big Bend

  • Hal Canyon

  • Oak Grove

  • Williams Bottom

  • Goldbar

  • Jaycee

  • Kings Bottom

  • Ken’s Lake region

  • Horsethief Campground

  • Cowboy Camp

Developed sites are perfect if you want convenience with the open feel of BLM land.

OHV and Jeep Trails on BLM Land

Moab’s legendary off roading happens almost entirely on BLM land. These roads range from scenic dirt routes to full technical challenges.

Popular OHV Zones

  • Fins and Things

  • Hell’s Revenge (partially)

  • Kane Creek trails

  • Behind the Rocks

  • Lockhart Basin

  • Gemini Bridges

  • Seven Mile Rim

  • Elephant Hill (Permit required, in Canyonlands but accessed via BLM roads)

  • Poison Spider Mesa

  • Golden Spike

  • Steel Bender

What to Expect

  • Slickrock ledges

  • Off camber traverses

  • Crawler sections

  • Sand

  • Washes

  • Exposed shelf roads

  • Incredible overlook views

Local Tip

Rain transforms these routes. Clay can turn into a slick paste that stops even built rigs. Always check weather.

Mountain Biking Areas on BLM Land

Moab’s mountain bike roots run deep, and BLM zones hold many of the region’s classics.

Major Riding Areas

  • Klondike Bluffs – Flow, tech, and fossil beds

  • Navajo Rocks – Rock rolls, views, and great loops

  • Horsethief Area – Good for intermediate and family riders

  • Amasa Back – Technical, exposed, spectacular

  • Slickrock / Sand Flats – World famous (BLM land around the edges)

  • Monitor and Merrimac – Quiet, remote, beautiful

Expect rock, flow, ledges, desert singletrack, and boundless horizons.

Canyoneering Access on BLM Land

Most canyoneering routes near Moab begin and end on BLM land. That makes navigation and careful planning essential.

Common BLM Based Canyons

  • U Turn Canyon

  • Medieval Chamber

  • Bow and Arrow

  • Tierdrop

  • Not Tierdrop

  • Lost and Found

  • Entrances to canyons near the Potash Road

Expectations

  • Open slickrock approaches

  • Dry falls

  • Anchor inspection

  • Rap sequences requiring competence

  • Navigation across rolling desert terrain

You’ll find solitude, silence, and big views.

Rock Climbing Areas on BLM Land

Moab’s desert cracks draw climbers from around the world.

Major BLM Climbing Zones

  • Big Bend

  • Ice Cream Parlor

  • Potash Road walls

  • Kane Creek walls

  • Pritchett Canyon walls

The sandstone varies from friendly and soft to sharp and demanding.

Scenic Drives on BLM Land

Some of Moab’s best sightseeing happens right from the driver’s seat.

Highway 128

Hugging the Colorado River, this corridor is lined with cliffs, campgrounds, and the entrance to Professor Valley.

Highway 279

Another river road, with long views, petroglyph walls, and climbing access.

Kane Creek Road

Winding along a sculpted canyon before climbing toward Hurrah Pass.

Gemini Bridges Road

A classic dirt route leading to a massive natural bridge formation.

These roads connect the Moab Field Office region and give you endless options.

River Recreation on BLM Land

BLM corridors support rafting, paddleboarding, and boating access.

Common BLM River Access Points

  • Takeout Boat Ramp (Potash Road)

  • Big Bend

  • Hittle Bottom (128 corridor)

  • Dewey Bridge

  • Lower put ins along the daily section

Expectations

  • Smooth launches

  • Scenic corridors

  • Camping zones

  • Shifting river flows

  • Seasonal wind patterns

Wind in the afternoons can be strong. Plan morning departures.

Moab BLM Camping Rules You Must Know

Fire Rules

  • Use existing fire rings

  • Pack out all ash when required

  • Expect seasonal fire bans

Human Waste Rules

Many BLM corridors require a portable toilet. High use areas are strict because the desert cannot break down waste.

Dog Rules

  • Keep dogs under control

  • Pack out pet waste

  • Avoid hot sand pads in summer

Group Size

Most groups should stay under 10 unless a permit allows otherwise.

Length of Stay

The standard limit is 14 days within a 28 day period in most zones.

Vegetation and Soil Protection

Cryptobiotic soil is extremely fragile. Stay on durable surfaces.

Vehicle Rules

  • Stay on designated routes

  • Never drive on slickrock unless on a mapped road

  • Do not widen trails or bypass obstacles

Permits on BLM Land Near Moab

Most BLM activities near Moab do not require a permit, but there are exceptions.

Permits Sometimes Required

  • River trips with camping

  • Group events

  • Certain commercial activities

  • Some canyoneering routes when monitored

  • Elephant Hill (Canyonlands, accessed via BLM roads)

  • Organized OHV events

When in doubt, always check seasonally.

Maps and Navigation on BLM Land

Navigation on BLM land demands preparation.

Best Tools

  • Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM)

  • BLM travel management maps

  • Offline mapping apps

  • Paper maps for redundancy

Expect Terrain Changes

  • Rain reshapes washes

  • Rockfall changes access

  • Sand shifts

  • Roads wash out during monsoon season

Always have a backup plan.

Best Time to Visit BLM Land Near Moab

Spring

Ideal temperatures, popular season.

Fall

Stable weather, stunning light, great for camping.

Summer

Hot. Doable if you plan sunrise and sunset rhythm.

Winter

Quiet, cold nights, beautiful solitude.

Best Time of Day

  • Morning: cool air, still winds

  • Evening: golden hour, but windy afternoons possible

Safety Essentials on BLM Land

Water

Carry more than you think. Minimum of one gallon per person per day for basic activities.

Heat Awareness

Desert heat is dry and sneaky. Hydrate before you are thirsty.

Weather

Lightning, flash floods, and wind can appear quickly.

Driving Safety

  • Use high clearance for many routes

  • Check road conditions

  • Never cross flooded washes

Emergency Communication

Cell service is unreliable. Satellite devices are useful.

What to Bring

Camping Gear

  • Tent that handles wind

  • Warm sleeping bag in shoulder seasons

  • Ground protection

Navigation

  • Offline maps

  • Paper backup

Food and Water

  • Extra days’ supply

  • Electrolytes

  • Shade options

Vehicle Gear

  • Spare tire

  • Air compressor

  • Tools

  • Recovery gear if venturing farther

Directions to Major BLM Zones

Kane Creek

Drive south from town, turn right at Kane Creek Boulevard, follow the river into a soaring canyon.

Gemini Bridges

Accessible from Highway 191 or Highway 313 via graded dirt.

128 Corridor

Head east from town along the river.

313 Corridor

Road to Canyonlands Island in the Sky, with spurs into Horsethief and Mineral Bottom.

Klondike Bluffs

North of town on Highway 191, signed turnoffs.

La Sal Access

East of Moab via the La Sal Loop Road.

When BLM Land is the Best Choice

Choose BLM land when:

  • You want more freedom

  • You prefer fewer crowds

  • You want longer stays

  • You want OHV or mountain biking routes

  • You want to camp under open sky

Choose national or state parks when:

  • You want infrastructure

  • You need designated trails

  • You want restrooms and consistent access

If You Only Remember One Thing

BLM land gives you freedom, but it asks for responsibility. Know the rules, respect the land, and leave every site better than you found it.

Local Tip

If you want true quiet, camp at least one mile away from a major corridor. Moab feels different once you step away from headlights and river traffic.

Pro Tip

Plan your adventures around wind patterns. Winds peak in late afternoon. Mornings are golden.