Best Campgrounds In and Around Arches National Park (2024)

• Cindy Chetley-Thomson
• May 29, 2024
• Arches

The best campgrounds for visiting Arches National Park are in the Moab area. Which ones are the best depends on the experience you are looking for, the equipment you have, and your level of camping comfort. The good news is, that there are so many camping options in the Moab area, there’s something for everyone from self-sustaining camping gurus, to those who have never camped before.

In the 20 years visiting Moab I’ve used hotel accommodations twice, the rest was camping. I love camping in Moab because it’s so easy and the campgrounds are in fantastic locations. The dry desert climate means camping is available year-round. I’ve camped using a motorhome, travel trailer (32 ft), and campground cabins.

My go-to campgrounds in Moab are Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway and Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown because of the convenient locations, amenities, and friendly staff.

Keep reading for a run-down of camping options in and around Arches National Park.

Best Time to Camp in the Moab Area

Camping is available in Moab all year thanks to its dry, temperate climate. Peak season runs from March to May and September to October, coinciding with cooler temperatures. First-come, first-serve campgrounds fill up daily during this time.

Summer in Moab is hot. Camping during the summer, especially in July and August, you will want a campground with something to help you beat the heat like a pool, shaded sites, air conditioning, and access to water and ice.

Moab hosts popular events and festivals year-round which can impact the availability of campsites, as well as the atmosphere so it’s a good idea to check for Moab events before you go.

If you’re traveling a significant distance or are on a specific itinerary, make a reservation. Typically we make a reservation a year in advance for a peak season stay. We’ve had success getting a reservation a few months in advance through last-minute cancellation spots. When we’ve been unable to get a reservation in the area for the length of our stay we stay in Green River or Fruita campgrounds until something becomes available.

Overview of Camping in the Moab Area

Camping in the Moab area is provided by four service operators: private, The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Parks, and State Parks.

Private campgrounds are mostly located in or close to Moab and cater to the ‘urban camper ’ who enjoys modern comforts, or camping newbies. They offer more amenities like full-service hook-ups, Wifi, shower and laundry facilities, cabins, and recreation activities like pools. Reservations are often required. Private campgrounds are the most expensive.

Bureau of Land Management operates campgrounds outside the urban areas in the Sand Flats area, along the Colorado River, and along Highway 191 and 313. These sites are great for the experienced or self-sustaining camper who wants to unplug and get away from the urban atmosphere. They operate mostly on a first-come, first-service basis and offer minimal to no amenities. Fees may be required to enter some areas but the camping fees are cheaper. These campgrounds are mostly self-serve with minimal operation oversite.

National and State Parks campgrounds in the Moab area are located at Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, or the Manti-La Sal National Forest. These campgrounds are for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of town but want a few more amenities. Campgrounds offer basic to minimal amenities, with a mix of reservations and first-come, first-serve sites. Most offer alternative camping like yurts or cabins so are appropriate for all camping comfort levels. Typically there is a fee to enter the area on top of the camping fee. The cost of camping is in the moderate range.

Campgrounds are pet-friendly which makes them perfect for travelling with your furry friend.

Best Private Campgrounds In and Around Moab

The private campgrounds in the Moab are mostly located along or near Highway 191. This makes for convenient access but also traffic noise so be prepared for it no matter what campground you stay at. Below is a brief outline of the main campgrounds to assist in determining the right stay for you. Visit the campground website for details on pricing and specific amenities.

Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway

• Location: 1773 N Highway 191, 4 miles north of Moab, 2.9 miles to Arches
• Season: Open year-round, reservations
• Type of Camping: RVs, Airstream trailer rentals, cabins, tents
• Price: $$$
• Best for:
  • large RVs or those traveling with ATVs or multiple vehicles
  • access to the Canyon and Colorado River paved trails
  • families and large groups

Spacious campground loaded with amenities and activities. It is located just outside Moab across from Lions Park with easy access to paved trails.

Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown

• Location: 555 S Main Street, Moab, 6 miles from Arches
• Season: Open year-round, reservations
• Type of Camping: RVs (up to 35 ft), cabins, tents
• Price: $$$
• Best for:
  • walkability and easy access to services in Moab
  • urban camping experience

Located on Main Street, you can stay here and never have to get into a vehicle. Mature full-service campground with all the amenities including a gas station and store. Fully fenced and backs onto the high school running track.

Portal RV Resort Campground

• Location: 1261 North Highway 191, 3 miles north of Moab, 4 miles from Arches
• Season: Open year-round, reservations
• Type of Camping: RVs, cabins, vacation homes
• Price: $$$-$$$$
• Best for:
  • the urban camper who wants all the amenities of a hotel
  • large RVs

Camping doesn’t get swankier than this full-service luxury resort. Amenities and onsite activities galore. Cabins, vacation homes, and some RV sites are privately owned. Backs onto protected wetlands. Free popcorn at the desk.

Moab KOA

• Location: 3225 South Highway 191, 10 miles from Arches
• Season: Open year-round
• Type of Camping: RVs (up to 80 ft), tents, cabins
• Price: $$$$
• Best for
  • Outdoor heated pool and hot tub
  • Families

KOAs are known for their family-friendly and quality camping experiences. This full-service campground has great views and plenty of on-site recreation activities.

Moab Rim Campark

• Location: 1900 S Highway 191, 2 miles from Moab, 8.2 miles from Arches
• Season: Open year-round, reservations
• Type of Camping: tents, RVs, cabins
• Price: $$
• Best for:
  • large RVs and those with additional parking requirements
  • last-minute travelers

Full-service family-run grassroots campground with a homey feel. Located on the outskirts of the Moabs south ends. No fancy amenities but known for its great and friendly service.

Spanish Trail RV Park

• Location: 2980 Highway 191, 3 miles south of Moab, 9 miles from Arches
• Season: Open year-round, reservations
• Type of Camping: RVs (45 ft), cabins
• Price: $$$
• Best for RVs

Mature RV campsite with full-service pull-thru hookup sites pool and hot tub. Has a slick online reservation system that tells you about the site you’re reserving so there are no surprises when you arrive with all your toys.

Under The Canvas Moab

• Location: 13784 N Highway 191, 7 miles north of Moab, 3 miles to Arches
• Season: March to October, reservations
• Type of Camping: Yurt tents
• Price: $$$$
• Best for:
  • yurts
  • minimalist eco-camping

Great for those looking for a true, unplugged camping experience. There are limited amenities and facilities so don’t expect a ‘hotel experience’.

Best BLM Places to Camp In and Around Moab

The Bureau of Land Management operates 26 campsites in the Moab area in the Sand Flats Recreation Area, along the Colorado River and beside Highway 191. The majority are first-come, first-serve with reservations available for group bookings. Campground fees are collected at night, in self-serve payment areas, or payment kiosks.

These are minimalist campgrounds with only toilets, fire rings, and trash bins. Be prepared to be self-supporting – this includes bringing water (stop at Matrimony Springs to fill up).

TIP: Some toilets are open air so remember to place the chain or rope across the entrance to indicate it’s in use and toilets can be smelly (especially in the summer) use caution in site selection.

Sand Flats Recreation Area

• Location: Sand Flats Road, Moab. 5 miles from Moab, 8.5 miles to Arches
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: FC/FS, group sites reservable from May to Oct on recreation.gov
• Type of Camping: RVs, tents
• Price: $
• Amenities: toilets, fire ring, picnic table
• Best for large group bookings, off-road enthusiasts
• Best campsites to accommodate RVs are Alcove (A), Bobcat (B), Echo (E), and Juniper

Located in the heart of Moab’s most popular 4 x 4 trails this is a favourite for off-road enthusiasts. Lots of room for motorized toys and vehicles and accommodates large groups.

Colorado River

• Goose Island Campground
• Location: Along Scenic Byway 128, 2 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS, 2 group sites reservable on recreation.gov
• Type of Camping: RVs, tents, trailers
• Amenities: shade in summer, toilets, no water, no hookups
• best for group bookings and close proximity to town

• Grandstaff Campground
• Location: Along Scenic Byway 128, 3 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS
• Type of Camping: tents only
• Amenities: shade in summer, toilets, no water or hookups
• Easy access to hiking as it’s located next to Grandstaff Canyon

• Drinks Canyon Campground
• Location: Along Scenic Byway 128, 6.2 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS
• Type of Camping: tents, small trailers
• Amenities: toilets, no water, no hookups
• Best for those who want to be beside the river

• Oak Grove Campground
• Location: Along Scenic Byway 128, 6.9 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS
• Type of Camping: tents only
• Amenities: toilets, no water, no hookups
• Best for night sky viewing by the river

• Big Bend Campground
• Location: Along Scenic Byway 128, 7.4 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS, 3 group sites reservable on recreation.gov
• Type of Camping: tents, trailers, large RVs
• Amenities: toilets, fire ring, no water, no hookups, sandy beach, boat launch, picnic tables
• Best for hanging out by the river on a beach

• Upper Big Bend Campground
• Location: Along Scenic Byway 128, 8.1 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS, one accessible site
• Type of Camping: tents only
• Amenities: toilets, no water, no hookups
• Best for scenic views

• Lower Onion Creek Campground
• Location: Along Scenic Byway 128, 23 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS, 2 group sites reservable on recreation.gov
• Type of Camping: tents only
• Amenities: toilets, no water, no hookups, two boat ramps, nearby 4WD roads, rock climbing, hiking and rafting
• Best for easy river access

• Upper Onion Creek Campground
• Location: Along Scenic Byway 128, 23 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS, 2 group sites reservable on recreation.gov
• Type of Camping: tents, trailers, RVs
• Amenities: toilets, no water, no hookups, great scenery, nearby 4WD roads, hiking
• best for those who want quiet as it’s further from the highway

• Hittle Bottom Campground
• Location: Along Scenic Byway 128, 23 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS, 1 group site reservable on recreation.gov
• Type of Camping: tents, trailers, large RVs
• Amenities: toilets, no water, no hookups, boat ramp, river rafting, beach access
• best for hanging out by the river on a beach and remoteness

These campgrounds are largely located along Scenic Byway 128 and the Colorado River. All individual campsites are about $20 per night and are first-come first-serve. They include toilets, but no water or hookups. Goose Island and the Big Bends campsites are the most popular and fill up quickly.

Potash Road

• Jaycee Park Campground
• Location: Along Potash Road, 8 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS
• Type of Camping: tents only
• Amenities: Toilets, no water, shade

• Williams Bottom Campground
• Location: Along Potash Road, 10 miles from Moab
• Season: Closed during winter
• Reservations: FC/FS
• Type of Camping: tents, small RVs 24 ft or under
• Amenities: Toilets, no water, no hookups, picnic table, fire ring, peace and quiet

• Gold Bar Campground
• Location: Along Potash Road, 14 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS, 4 group sites reservable on recreation.gov
• Type of Camping: tents, trailers, RVs
• Amenities: toilets, fire grate, picnic table, boat ramp, beach, no water
• Best for groups and boat ramp access

Sites located along Potash Road (Hwy 279) off Highway 191. Mostly tent sites, some RVs. All sites are about $20 per night and have toilets, but no water. All but the Williams Bottom Campground are open year-round.

Kane Creek Road

• Kings Bottom Campground
• Location: Along Kane Creek Road, 3 miles from Moab
• Reservations: FC/FS
• Type of Camping: tents, small RVs
• Amenities: toilets, no water or hookups

• Moonflower Campground
• Location: Along Kane Creek Road, 3 miles from Moab
• Reservations: Group site only reservable on recreation.gov
• Price: $125
• Type of Camping: tents only
• Amenities: toilets, fire ring, picnic table, no water or hookups, petroglyphs in the area

Kane Creek Road campsites are very close to Moab. Mostly tent camping and 1 group site with no water or hookups.

Best Places to Camp in National and State Parks In and Around Moab

National and State Parks operate campsites in Arches National Park, Manti-La Sal National Forest, and Dead Horse State Park. Reservations are available and recommended. These sites offer a few more amenities than BML areas, as well as alternative camping options.

Arches National Park

• The Devil’s Garden
• Location: Arches National Park Highway 191, 18 miles from the entrance, 23 miles to Moab.
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: March to October on recreation.gov. FC/FS November to March
• Type of Camping: tents, RVs
• Price: $
• Amenities: flush toilets, water, picnic tables, fire rings, no hookups.
• Best for exploring Arches National Park, sky gazing, and for those who want to unplug.

This is Arches only campground and it’s popular so reservations need to be made months in advance. It offers basic amenities (flush toilets and washing water) but generators are allowed.

Manti-La Sal National Forest

• Warner Lake Campground
• Location: La Sal Mountains, 30 miles from Moab, 33 miles to Arches
• Season: Open May to December
• Reservations: June to September on recreation.gov
• Type of Camping: tents, RVs, one cabin
• Price: $
• Amenities: toilets, campfire rings, picnic tables
• Best for lake water activities like fishing, swimming, and paddling sports. Also good for nature lovers, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

The only campground in the area, it offers an alpine forest experience next to Warner Lake. A rustic, minimalist campground with amenities limited to vault toilets, campfire rings, and picnic tables.

Dead Horse State Park

• Wingate Campground, Kayenta Campground, and Moenkipi Yurts
• Location: Highway 313 of Highway 191, 32 miles from Moab, 26 miles to Arches
• Season: Year-round, peak season is from March to October
• Reservations: reserveamerica.com
• Type of Camping: tents, RVs-50 ft, Yurts
• Price: $$-$$$
• Amenities: Range from standard RV hook-ups, to flush toilets to full A/C and heated yurts.
• Best for scenic views, stargazing, biking, hiking, photography, and for getting away from it all.

Dead Horse State Park offers a variety of camping experiences from urban to minimalist through its three campgrounds, Wingate, Keyanta, and Moenkipi Yurts. Amenities range from standard RV hook-ups, to flush toilets to full A/C and heated yurts.

Enjoying the Best of Camping in Moab

Anywhere you camp in Moab the landscape and scenery is spectacular. Arches and Moab are popular places, to ensure you have the best camping experience keep in mind the following:

• Expect noise. You will likely be surrounded by others looking for the same experience.
• Bring water and ice, especially in the summer season.
• Expect no amenities the further you move from town.
• Expect sketchy WiFi and cellphone access the further you move from town.
• The Moab area is subject to weather events like high winds (think mini-sandstorms), flash floods, and high temperatures (for the most part the weather is tame – except for the winds).

Happy camping!

Need Help Planning a Trip to Moab?

Moab is a great place to visit, but planning a vacation shouldn’t be stressful. We created a detailed itinerary so you can visit the best places at the right times.

Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid crowds. Our itinerary gives you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to the best places at the right times!