Where to Camp in Moab: Best Free Dispersed and Paid Campsites

I live in Salt Lake City, just 3.5 hours from Moab, one of my favorite places to visit in Southern Utah. I’ve done A LOT of camping here over the years with my family and remember feeling overwhelmed by all of the camping possibilities on our first visits; so, I’ve compiled this guide to save you time scouring the hundreds of Moab camping options.

With easy access to two National Parks (Arches and Canyonlands) and other outdoorsy things to do in Moab, Moab is a must-visit for any adventure lover.

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.

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.

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Arches National Park Camping

Arches National Park is famous for its night sky, which is just one of the many reasons I love camping in the park.

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.

If you want the closest access to the best hikes in Arches National Park, staying at the Devils Garden Campground minimizes your drive times.

Between November and February, campsites are first-come, first-served.

Standard non-electric sites are $25 per night, accommodating up to 10 people and 2 vehicles each.

When I drove through the Devils Garden Campground, I was impressed by the views and the space between campsites.

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.

Canyonlands National Park Camping

When getting away from the crowds is my goal, I head to the Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground in Canyonlands National Park.

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.

Camping inside the park also means quick access to the trails – including the best hikes in Canyonlands.

I recommend filling up with water, firewood, and supplies before heading out there as there is no potable water or nearby services.

The Needles Campground is over an hour from Moab, Utah, but it offers 26 individual campsites and 3 group sites on 2 loops.

Loop A is open year-round, while Loop B is only open from spring through fall.

The campsites in Loop B can be reserved through Recreation.gov on a six-month rolling basis, while the sites in Loop A are all first-come, first-served.

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.

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.

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.

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.

More information can be found on the Canyonlands website.

Dead Horse Point State Park Campgrounds

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.

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.

Kayenta Campground offers 21 RV or tent sites, while Wingate Campground next door has 20 RV campsites, 11 tent-only campsites, and 4 yurts.

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.

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.

La Sal Mountains Camping

Whenever I visit Moab in the middle of summer, I know I can expect temperatures to be sweltering. During this time of year, my best bet to escape the heat is to head east of Moab up into the La Sal mountains.

Warner Lake is an awesome public campground to beat the summer heat, with an elevation of 9,200 feet. It has 19 sites that can be reserved online.

A potential downside of staying at Warner Lake Campground is its distance from Moab and the nearby National Parks. It’s about an hour to get to downtown and 1.5 hours to Arches or Canyonlands.

However, if you’re looking to get away from the crowds and cool down, this spot offers fishing, canoeing, and kayaking in the lake and an extensive trail system for hiking just a short walk from the campground.

Moab BLM Campgrounds

The Bureau of Land Management maintains 26 campgrounds in the Moab area. Out of these, 25 are first-come, first-served with no reservations accepted. You can pay upon arrival via cash or check.

The only reservable BLM campground in Moab is Ken’s Lake Campground. Located 10 miles south of Moab, this campground is part of a recreation area with opportunities for swimming, paddle boarding, boating, fishing, and hiking trails.

Bearfoot Theory contributor Kaylin has stayed here with her husband and dog. She said, “I camped in my tent and appreciated how the site was level and quiet. I enjoyed having a campfire in the provided ring at my campsite and taking my camp chair down to the lake to watch the sunset. My dog enjoyed dipping her feet in the water!”

Here are a few more BLM campgrounds in Moab that I’ve camped in or stand out to me as some of the best:

During the busy season (April to October), these campgrounds will be full by noon, so arrive early to snag a spot. Your best bet is to arrive on Sunday or Monday and avoid showing up on Friday.

All BLM campgrounds are open year-round and have vault toilets and fire rings. Most don’t have water, I always bring my own whenever I camp at any of these sites just in case.

Unlike other dispersed BLM camping in Southern Utah, these BLM sites are not free. Individual sites generally cost around $20 per night. Check out this handy map of all BLM campgrounds near Moab.

Dispersed Moab Campgrounds

Campsites can be expensive and can add up quickly. When I’m planning a long trip in my van, I try to stay in free campsites to minimize costs.

The good news is that Moab is surrounded by lots of public lands and is a goldmine for dispersed camping. Dispersed camping, where there are no assigned spots, is available if you venture a little further out of town.

Many of the dispersed campsites in Moab are only recommended for high-clearance vehicles with four-wheel drive. Remember to read reviews of spots carefully before attempting the drive, and look into weather conditions so you don’t accidentally get stuck on wet or muddy roads.

Use my ultimate guide to finding free campsites to help you find an awesome dispersed campsite during your next trip to Moab.

Popular Private Moab Campgrounds

During the busy season, the private campgrounds in Moab can be a little pricey, but they are great in a pinch when everything else is full or you want to stay right in town.

Up The Creek Campground

Up The Creek Campground offers 15 tent-only sites beside a perennial stream and underneath large cottonwood trees.

One of the best things about Up The Creek is its location. It’s just two blocks from Main Street which means you can grab dinner or catch live music at Woody’s Tavern and stroll back to your campsite at the end of the night.

A downside for those who travel with pets is that no dogs are allowed at Up The Creek Campground.

HTR Moab Lodge and Cottages

Whether you want a tent site or even a cabin-style room, HTR Moab Lodge and Campground is another popular option.

Recently, they’ve added safari tents, cottages, and lodge rooms as additional accommodation options.

My favorite part of HTR is that they have a common area kitchen for all guests that includes two gas ranges, sinks, and eating areas.

The campground strives to be as environmentally friendly as possible, utilizing solar power, recycling waste, and implementing efforts to conserve water.

Sun Outdoors Moab

If you’re looking for a campground with options for RV or van sites (with hook-ups), tent sites, or one-room cabins, check out Sun Outdoors in Moab.

There are actually four locations around Moab:

All of the campground locations are pet-friendly and feature amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, electrical hook-ups, water and sewer hook-ups, and a swimming pool.

Best Glamping in Moab

Dead Horse Point State Park Yurts

If you don’t want to camp, Dead Horse Point State Park also has a number of yurts. I stayed in one a few years ago the night before my White Rim Trail biking trip, and it was awesome. My yurt had a deck, grill, and room for 6 people to sleep.

There are 5 yurts in the Moenkopi area and 4 yurts in the Wingate Campground.

These yurts have a bunk bed, futon bed, indoor and outdoor tables, AC/heating units, a lamp, BBQ, and fire pit. Bedding is not provided.

Reservations for all Dead Horse Point State Park campsites and yurts can be made here.

Under Canvas

Under Canvas has a number of glamping tent locations in Utah, including Under Canvas Moab just outside of Arches National Park.

A stay with them is pretty pricey, but if you’re really looking for a luxury camping experience, then this might be just the right fit.

These tents are available to reserve between early March and late October. They have options ranging from tents that sleep 2 adults to tents that fit 4 adults + 2 kids.

Other Moab Lodging Options

If you decide you don’t want to camp during your entire trip, there is plenty of lodging in Moab. You’ll find all kinds of hotel and motel chains, as well as a few locally run options.

One newer option is Field Station Moab, an adventure hotel that features rooms and Van Life Posts where you can pay to park and sleep in your rig. Whether you stay in a room or your van, you can enjoy amenities including a swimming pool, hot tub, game room, Wi-Fi, free laundry, showers, and a store and cafe.

Bearfoot Theory contributor Kaylin Zittergruen stayed here in her van and said, “My husband and I loved having an air-conditioned space where we could use Wi-Fi, grab complimentary coffee, and work during the day. It’s dog-friendly so we brought our pup with us, and at night, we were able to do our laundry, shower, swim, play ping pong, and sit by the fire. It was worth every penny!”

My top pick? The Red Moon Lodge is just south of town. It’s a tranquil, retreat-style bed and breakfast complete with an organic garden, chickens, sheep, and views of the red mountains across the valley.

The owner, George, bakes homemade organic bagels, and a variety of breads and makes his own granola. Fresh eggs from the chickens are available and the whole place is run on solar.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is your favorite Moab campground? Did I leave one off this list? Leave a comment below!