When you’re ready to hit the hay at night after a day of desert fun, you can stay in National Park campgrounds (Arches and Canyonlands), state park campgrounds, paid BLM campsites, free dispersed land, private campgrounds, and even yurts.<\/p>\n
If you’re wondering about the best places to camp (or glamp) during your visit, you’ve come to the right place! In this post, I share the best Moab camping options, including my favorites that I’ve stayed at over the years.<\/p>\n
Arches National Park Camping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nDevils Garden Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\n- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong> Available between March and October on a six-month rolling basis; available between November and February on a first-come, first-served basis<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> 51<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $25\/night<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Dump station, water, electric hook-ups, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Arches National Park is famous for its night sky, which is just one of the many reasons I love camping in the park.<\/p>\n
Devils Garden Campground is the only campground in the Park and features 51 sites that can be reserved between March 1 and October 31 on a 6-month rolling basis. <\/p>\n
If you want the closest access to the best hikes in Arches National Park<\/a>, staying at the Devils Garden Campground minimizes your drive times.<\/p>\n![\"Devils](\"https:\/\/horviklazenu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Campground-Arches-National-Park.jpg\")
The Devils Garden campground in Arches features plenty of spread-out campsites<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBetween November and February, campsites are first-come, first-served. <\/p>\n
Standard non-electric sites are $25 per night, accommodating up to 10 people and 2 vehicles each.<\/p>\n
When I drove through the Devils Garden Campground, I was impressed by the views and the space between campsites.<\/p>\n
Devils Garden Campground fills up quickly during peak season, so don’t expect a site to be available unless you book ahead on their reservation website<\/a>.<\/p>\nCanyonlands National Park Camping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nIsland in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\n- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong> Available on a first-come, first-served basis year-round<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> 12<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $15\/night<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Water, dump station, electric hook-ups, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
When getting away from the crowds is my goal, I head to the Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground in Canyonlands National Park.<\/p>\n
The campground is about 30 minutes from Moab and offers 12 sites on a first-come, first-serve basis. I like that the limited number of campsites means this campground is often peaceful and quiet.<\/p>\n
Camping inside the park also means quick access to the trails – including the best hikes in Canyonlands<\/a>.<\/p>\nI recommend filling up with water, firewood, and supplies before heading out there as there is no potable water or nearby services.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nNeedles Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\n- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong>
Loop A: <\/em>First-come, first-served year-round
Loop B: <\/em>Available between March and November on a six-month rolling basis<\/span><\/li>\n- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> 26<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $20\/night<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Water (seasonal), flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Dump station, electric hook-ups, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Needles Campground is over an hour from Moab, Utah, but it offers 26 individual campsites and 3 group sites on 2 loops.<\/p>\n
Loop A is open year-round, while Loop B is only open from spring through fall.<\/p>\n
The campsites in Loop B can be reserved through Recreation.gov<\/a> on a six-month rolling basis, while the sites in Loop A are all first-come, first-served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nCanyonlands Backcountry Camping<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\n- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong> Permits required (allows up to 14 consecutive nights)<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> Varies<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $36 + $5 per person, per night<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Varies by dispersed site<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Water, toilets, electric hook-ups, dump station, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Canyonlands National Park, unlike Arches, offers ample opportunities for remote backcountry camping. There are vehicle campsites and backpacking sites in the Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze.<\/p>\n
Permits are required for all backcountry camping, and you can stay up to 14 consecutive nights in the backcountry. However, due to the lack of water, the length of your stay will be determined by the amount of water you bring.<\/p>\n
If you’re car camping, you must have a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle, camp in designated sites, and stay on established roads. If you need a tow, it can cost upwards of $1,500. <\/p>\n
Backpackers, bike packers, and pack rafters must be experienced and prepared for remote sites with no reliable water sources. You should have a plan and experience navigating the boundaries of the zones with topographic maps.<\/p>\n
More information can be found on the Canyonlands website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n![\"Truck](\"https:\/\/horviklazenu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/IMG_7112.jpg\")
There are tons of backcountry campsites to explore (with a permit) in Canyonlands. This is from my White Rim Trail<\/a> biking trip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n#1 campsite finder app<\/h5>\nTry The Dyrt PRO free for 30 days<\/h3>\n
Get a FREE 30-Day membership to The Dyrt PRO, one of our favorite apps for finding campsites. <\/p>\n
Perks include:
\u2022 5,000+ free camping locations
\u2022 1,000+ campground discount network
\u2022 $0 extra booking fees
\u2022 Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds, and more<\/p>\n
Use the code BEARFOOT<\/strong> to get 30 days free!<\/p>\nGo to the Deal<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nDead Horse Point State Park Campgrounds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nKayenta Campground and Wingate
Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\n- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong> Available between mid-February and December on a 4-month rolling basis; closed December to mid-February<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong>
Kayenta campground:<\/em> 21 standard
Wingate campground:<\/em> 20 standard, 11 tent-only, 4 yurts<\/span><\/li>\n- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $50\/night for RV, $40\/night for tent-only<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Shade structure, picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, RV electrical hook-ups (20\/30\/50) for RV sites, flush toilets, dump station<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Water fill-ups, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Dead Horse Point State Park sits 2,000 feet above a twist in the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. Sunset views up here really can’t be beat, making it a prime place to camp near Moab.<\/p>\n
I firmly believe it’s one of the best state parks in Utah for outdoor adventures. There are two campgrounds here (Kayenta and Wingate) nestled in juniper trees with direct access to numerous trails in the park.<\/p>\n
Kayenta Campground offers 21 RV or tent sites, while Wingate Campground next door has 20 RV campsites, 11 tent-only campsites, and 4 yurts. <\/p>\n
All sites include a shade structure, campfire rings, and picnic tables. They even have electrical hook-ups at all RV sites. Reservations for both campgrounds can be made here<\/a>.<\/p>\nYou will pay more for camping at Dead Horse State Park, but the views (especially at sunrise and sunset) are worth it! This is also the site for the final scene of the movie Thelma and Louise<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n![\"Kristen](\"https:\/\/horviklazenu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Utah_Moab_Deadhorse-Point-Loop-Trail-2-winter-hiking-dogs.jpg\")
The views in Dead Horse Point are beautiful – plus, many trails and both campgrounds are dog-friendly!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLa Sal Mountains Camping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nWarner Lake Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
Devils Garden Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
- \n
- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong> Available between March and October on a six-month rolling basis; available between November and February on a first-come, first-served basis<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> 51<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $25\/night<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Dump station, water, electric hook-ups, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Arches National Park is famous for its night sky, which is just one of the many reasons I love camping in the park.<\/p>\n
Devils Garden Campground is the only campground in the Park and features 51 sites that can be reserved between March 1 and October 31 on a 6-month rolling basis. <\/p>\n
If you want the closest access to the best hikes in Arches National Park<\/a>, staying at the Devils Garden Campground minimizes your drive times.<\/p>\n
The Devils Garden campground in Arches features plenty of spread-out campsites<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Between November and February, campsites are first-come, first-served. <\/p>\n
Standard non-electric sites are $25 per night, accommodating up to 10 people and 2 vehicles each.<\/p>\n
When I drove through the Devils Garden Campground, I was impressed by the views and the space between campsites.<\/p>\n
Devils Garden Campground fills up quickly during peak season, so don’t expect a site to be available unless you book ahead on their reservation website<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Canyonlands National Park Camping<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nIsland in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n- \n
- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong> Available on a first-come, first-served basis year-round<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> 12<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $15\/night<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Water, dump station, electric hook-ups, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
When getting away from the crowds is my goal, I head to the Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground in Canyonlands National Park.<\/p>\n
The campground is about 30 minutes from Moab and offers 12 sites on a first-come, first-serve basis. I like that the limited number of campsites means this campground is often peaceful and quiet.<\/p>\n
Camping inside the park also means quick access to the trails – including the best hikes in Canyonlands<\/a>.<\/p>\n
I recommend filling up with water, firewood, and supplies before heading out there as there is no potable water or nearby services.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nNeedles Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n- \n
- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong>
Loop A: <\/em>First-come, first-served year-round
Loop B: <\/em>Available between March and November on a six-month rolling basis<\/span><\/li>\n- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> 26<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $20\/night<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Water (seasonal), flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Dump station, electric hook-ups, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Needles Campground is over an hour from Moab, Utah, but it offers 26 individual campsites and 3 group sites on 2 loops.<\/p>\n
Loop A is open year-round, while Loop B is only open from spring through fall.<\/p>\n
The campsites in Loop B can be reserved through Recreation.gov<\/a> on a six-month rolling basis, while the sites in Loop A are all first-come, first-served.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nCanyonlands Backcountry Camping<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n- \n
- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong> Permits required (allows up to 14 consecutive nights)<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> Varies<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $36 + $5 per person, per night<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Varies by dispersed site<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Water, toilets, electric hook-ups, dump station, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Canyonlands National Park, unlike Arches, offers ample opportunities for remote backcountry camping. There are vehicle campsites and backpacking sites in the Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze.<\/p>\n
Permits are required for all backcountry camping, and you can stay up to 14 consecutive nights in the backcountry. However, due to the lack of water, the length of your stay will be determined by the amount of water you bring.<\/p>\n
If you’re car camping, you must have a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle, camp in designated sites, and stay on established roads. If you need a tow, it can cost upwards of $1,500. <\/p>\n
Backpackers, bike packers, and pack rafters must be experienced and prepared for remote sites with no reliable water sources. You should have a plan and experience navigating the boundaries of the zones with topographic maps.<\/p>\n
More information can be found on the Canyonlands website<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nThere are tons of backcountry campsites to explore (with a permit) in Canyonlands. This is from my White Rim Trail<\/a> biking trip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n#1 campsite finder app<\/h5>\n
Try The Dyrt PRO free for 30 days<\/h3>\n
Get a FREE 30-Day membership to The Dyrt PRO, one of our favorite apps for finding campsites. <\/p>\n
Perks include:
\u2022 5,000+ free camping locations
\u2022 1,000+ campground discount network
\u2022 $0 extra booking fees
\u2022 Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds, and more<\/p>\nUse the code BEARFOOT<\/strong> to get 30 days free!<\/p>\n
Go to the Deal<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nDead Horse Point State Park Campgrounds<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nKayenta Campground and Wingate
Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
\n- \n
- <\/span>RESERVATIONS:<\/strong> Available between mid-February and December on a 4-month rolling basis; closed December to mid-February<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong>
Kayenta campground:<\/em> 21 standard
Wingate campground:<\/em> 20 standard, 11 tent-only, 4 yurts<\/span><\/li>\n- <\/span>STANDARD SITE FEE:<\/strong> $50\/night for RV, $40\/night for tent-only<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>AVAILABLE AMENITIES:<\/strong> Shade structure, picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, RV electrical hook-ups (20\/30\/50) for RV sites, flush toilets, dump station<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>UNAVAILABLE AMENITIES<\/strong>: Water fill-ups, showers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Dead Horse Point State Park sits 2,000 feet above a twist in the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. Sunset views up here really can’t be beat, making it a prime place to camp near Moab.<\/p>\n
I firmly believe it’s one of the best state parks in Utah for outdoor adventures. There are two campgrounds here (Kayenta and Wingate) nestled in juniper trees with direct access to numerous trails in the park.<\/p>\n
Kayenta Campground offers 21 RV or tent sites, while Wingate Campground next door has 20 RV campsites, 11 tent-only campsites, and 4 yurts. <\/p>\n
All sites include a shade structure, campfire rings, and picnic tables. They even have electrical hook-ups at all RV sites. Reservations for both campgrounds can be made here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
You will pay more for camping at Dead Horse State Park, but the views (especially at sunrise and sunset) are worth it! This is also the site for the final scene of the movie Thelma and Louise<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nThe views in Dead Horse Point are beautiful – plus, many trails and both campgrounds are dog-friendly!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n La Sal Mountains Camping<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nWarner Lake Campground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong>
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> Varies<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> 26<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> 12<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>NUMBER OF SITES:<\/strong> 51<\/span><\/li>\n