There is no better way to enjoy Moab’s outdoors than by camping. You’ll have star-filled skies after dark and witness beautiful sunrises and sunsets daily. Camping is a more affordable, but popular way to visit, so reserve your stay in advance or try your luck with finding a dispersed site.

If renting lodging is more your style, check out this blog.

Want to skip to the campground recommendations? Click on a link to jump to a section.

Arches National Park

Dead Horse State Park

Canyonlands Nati onal Park

Tent campgrounds in Moab

Dry camping

RV parks in Moab

Campground reservations

If you’re interested in camping, we recommend creating logins to reservation sites in advance and reserving sites as soon as they go on sale. Campsite reservations are highly competitive and sell out immediately in the spring and fall.

If the state and national park run campgrounds are full, consider using Hipcamp to reserve a spot at a private campground.

First-come, first-served campsites

Some campgrounds offer a small number of first-come, first-served campsites. To get one of these sites during spring or fall you’ll need to arrive early in the day. Usually by Thursday all first-come, first-served campsites are reserved for the entirety of the weekend.

Camping gear

If you’re from out of state or don’t have camping gear, consider renting gear from REI. If exploring in a van is more your style, check out Indie Campers and Escape Campervans.

Campground basics

All campgrounds – aside from the dry campgrounds mentioned – provide water, flush or vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits (more on these below). If you’re interested in having full RV hookups, you’ll only find those in town at RV resorts.

Check in and out times vary but are generally around 2 p.m. for check in and 12 p.m. for checkout. All campgrounds have quiet hours that are usually around 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

If you’ll be pitching a tent, look for a tent pad at your campsite – it will be a flat square with a wood perimeter to pitch your tent on. They vary in size, and not all campgrounds have them, but if your site does have a tent pad, you must pitch your tent there. If your campground does not have tent pads, find a space in your campsite that is relatively open, flat, and previously used to pitch your tent.

When booking, pay attention to campsite size. Most campsites fit between four and eight people.

Campfires

Fire pits can only be used when there is not a burn ban in place. You can check here to see fire danger levels and burn bans throughout Utah, but fire bans are usually in place between July and November.

If there is not a burn ban in place, please purchase local firewood to burn to prevent bringing in invasive pests. Collecting firewood around the campground is not allowed – this wood is an important part of the ecosystem.

Are Moab’s campgrounds pet friendly?

Some of the campgrounds in Moab are pet friendly; however, the national parks are limiting. Arches National Park allows pets in campgrounds, picnic areas, and parking areas, while Canyonlands has a strict no pet policy. For more pet-friendly areas, stick to camping in state parks or dry camping on BLM land.

Campground recomendations

Arches National Park

Devils Garden Campground

This is the only campground within Arches National Park, and it’s an ideal location for exploring the park. Campground reservations excuse your need to have timed entry reservations between April and October, but these spots go quickly!

Amenities:

Pet friendly
Accessible campsites

RV and trailer length: 20 feet

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 51

Typically open: March to October

Maximum length of stay: 7 days

Dead Horse State Park

Kayenta Campground

These campsites are nicely shaded, private, and are in such an ideal location. From camp, walk the Rim Trail and check out all the major viewpoints.

Amenities:

Pet friendly
Electrical hookups
Dump station
Accessible Campsites

RV and trailer length: 40 feet

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 21

Typically open: Mid-February to November

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Wingate Campground

Of the two campgrounds inside Dead Horse State Park, this is the larger of the two. It offers a few pull-through RV sites, tent sites, and four yurts.

Amenities:

Pet friendly
Electrical hookups
Dump station
Accessible campsites

RV and trailer length: 40 feet

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 31

Typically open: Mid-February to November

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Canyonlands National Park

Island in the Sky Campground (also known as Willow Flat Campground)

This campground does not take reservations, has no cell reception or Wi-Fi, but you can expect it to fill up early most days in the spring and fall. It’s located in the middle of Canyonlands National Park and the setting is ideal. The views from camp are stunning, and more sights are just a hike or short drive away.

Amenities:

Accessible campsites

RV and trailer length: 28 feet

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 12

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 7 days

The Needles Campground

You’ll find spacious campsites but very little shade here. It’s more remote than the Islands in the Sky District with incredible hiking trails nearby.

Amenities:

Accessible campsites

RV and trailer length: 28 feet

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 26

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 7 days

Tent campgrounds in Moab

Up The Creek

Located a few blocks away from Main Street in Moab, this tent-only campground is a ten-minute walk from shopping and restaurants downtown. The campground is on the smaller side, is generally quiet, and shaded.

Amenities:

Showers
BBQ grills
Accessible campsites

RV and trailer length: None

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 15

Typically open: March to November

Maximum length of stay: Unknown

Moab KOA Holiday

Unlike many of Moab’s RV parks, this KOA offers tent sites with pergolas and cabin stays in addition to RV sites. It’s larger but comes with more amenities.

Amenities:

Pet friendly – with a dog park
Showers
Laundry
Full hookups
Trailer dump
Pool
Accessible campsites
Additional lodging
Tent sites

RV and trailer length: 50 feet

Accepts reservations: Up to ten months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 135

Typically open: March to October

Maximum length of stay: 27 days

Dry camping

Moab is known for having great dispersed camping sites on BLM lands; however, following leave no trace principles is so important in such a popular area. As always, you should pack out your trash and only camp in designated areas. Do not leave food or trash unattended – it will be raided by chipmunks, ravens, and other wildlife.

You’ll find a more extensive list of campgrounds here, but we’re listing our favorites below. Bring exact cash or checks to pay fees at each campground’s service fee station.

Dry campsites will not have any hookups, including water. The campgrounds we’ve listed below have vault toilets, while only some have garbage pickup. Pack in everything you need and be prepared to pack out your garbage if receptacles are full.

North of Moab

Klondike Bluff Road

Camping here is true dispersed camping, without any amenities or vault toilets. There are a few established campgrounds in the area, but there are many places to pull over and camp for free along this gravel road.

Highway 313

Horsetheif Campground

Horsethief Campground is right outside Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands National Park. Sites are primitive, with little shade or privacy, but the sunsets are ideal.

Amenities:

Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: 40 feet

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 88

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Highway 128

Campgrounds here are generally located right off the highway next to the Colorado River. Most reviews mention road noise dies down during the evening, but shade is hard to come by.

Goose Island Campground

Located four miles outside of Moab, this campground is the closest you’ll find to town. Enjoy the bike path into town (beware of the goat heads) and the beautiful cliffside views from camp. Arrive early to find a site!

Amenities:

Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: 40 feet

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 16

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Granstaff Campground

This is a tent-only campground, and since it’s only six miles from Moab it fills up early in the busy season. If you’re lucky, you can snag a site with some shade.

Amenities:

Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: None

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 16

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Drinks Canyon Campground

Camping along Highway 128 is popular because you can keep driving along, finding campground after campground. Drinks Canyon Campground is eight miles out of town, so you can expect it to fill up quickly despite not having much shade cover.

Amenities:

Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: NA

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 1

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Big Bend Campground

This campground is well-loved because it has great views and a sandy beach. There are a few trees and more space between sites, offering better privacy than other campgrounds closer to Moab.

Amenities:

Pet friendly
Boat launch

RV and trailer length: 40 feet

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 16

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Lower Onion Creek

Lower Onion Creek is a popular rafting spot with strong currents. The campground is located a short way off the main road so there is much less road noise than other sites along highway 128, although there isn’t any shade.

Amenities:

Pet friendly
Boat launch

RV and trailer length: Up to large RVs

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 21

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

South of Moab

Ken’s Lake Campground

Located 20 minutes from Moab, Ken’s Lake Campground offers a great spot to camp and play in the seasonal reservoir (electric motors only, no gas-powered engines). Campsites are spread out, but only Loop B has shade.

This is a popular spot for OHV users – drive the La Sal Mountain Loop on day four of our itinerary for a great adventure here!

Amenities:

Pet friendly
Boat launch

RV and trailer length: 40 feet

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 48

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Warner Lake Campground

Head to the La Sal Mountains to beat the summer heat. Warner Lake is the perfect place for this because its higher elevation makes it a bit cooler than town. The only downside is that it’s an hour away from Moab, and even further to the national parks.

Amenities:

Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: 20 feet

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 19

Typically open: May to December

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

East of Moab

Sand Flats campground

This campground is typically full between Thursday and Saturday in the spring and fall, so it’s best to arrive before noon to snag a site. In the area you’ll find some of the area’s most famous OHV trails like Hells Revenge and Fins and Things, as well as the Slickrock and Porcupine Rim bike trails.

Amenities:

Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: 40 feet

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 140

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Potash Road

William’s Bottom Campground

Enjoy some shade from the canyon wall at camp, with plenty of OHV trails, hikes, and climbing spots nearby.

Amenities:

Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: 24 feet

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 17

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Jaycee Park Campground

Of all the campgrounds mentioned, this is the smallest. All the sites are a short walk from parking and feature nearly full shade – a rarity!

Amenities:

Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: None

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 7

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

RV parks in Moab

Moab RV & Glamping Resort

The Moab RV Resort is a great spot to camp because it’s located off the main highway, making it a bit quieter. It has some shade and a great sun deck to watch the sunset light up the surrounding red rocks.

Aside from RV parking, it also offers glamping in tents and tipis – perfect for when you’re camping with extra guests that won’t fit in your RV.

Amenities:

Pet friendly
Showers
Laundry
Full hookups
Accessible campsites
Additional lodging

RV and trailer length: Can accommodate up to 40 feet

Accepts reservations: Over a year in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 60+

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 30+ days

Moab KOA Holiday

This is the largest RV park mentioned, but it offers great amenities, as well as additional tent and cabin lodging.

Amenities:

Pet friendly – with a dog park
Showers
Laundry
Full hookups
Trailer dump
Pool
Accessible campsites
Additional lodging
Tent sites

RV and trailer length: 50 feet

Accepts reservations: Up to ten months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 135

Typically open: March to October

Maximum length of stay: 27 days

Spanish Valley RV Park

This park is right off the main road, easy to reach, and every site is a graveled pull-through site. It has overflow parking for offroad vehicles and trailers, although there is more than enough space for a big rig and a car at each campsite.

Amenities: