where to camp in moab, utah

When I told people, I was headed to Moab for a long weekend full of hiking, camping, and general exploring, the general consensus was – “ohhhh, you can literally camp anywhereeee in Moab.”

Since this is a post on camping in Moab, let me tell y’all this is NOT true (or else you know, this post wouldn’t need to be written). Since my travels in South America, I went from an extreme planner to more of a winging it kind of style. However, since I would be arriving at 10pm on a Friday in May aka a weekend AND pitch black during the busy season… I figured I better dig in a little. Wrapping my head around everything was a little confusing since nothing seemed to be in one place, but hopefully, this is a one shop stop!

So, in terms of camping, you basically have three options – commercial/private campsites, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) campsites, or primitive campsites. Well, there is a fourth option, camping within Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Parks, but those require permits and reservations monthssss in advance (so I won’t be discussing that).

---

commercial/private campsites

These are spots that generally have both RV and tent spots. In addition, bathrooms, showers, RV hookups, etc are also generally available. Here is a great list of the options in town as well as a link to their websites where you can find reservation information (recommended during prime season aka March-May and September/October).

---

blm campsites

In the Moab area, the BLM operates 26 developed campsites. Each of them is first come first serve and cost $20 a night. While they are developed, this really just means bathrooms (most likely just a vault toilet) and waste receptacles are available – no water, RV hookups, etc. Each individual site includes a fire pit and picnic table.

Lucky for all of us, the BLM Moab field site provides a great camping guide which includes vital info like the distance from Highway 191 (main road), the number of campsites, maximum RV length, as well as if group sites are available.

The main campground areas are:

• Highway 128
• Highway 279
• Highway 313
• Kane Creek Road
• Ken’s Lake
• Mill’s Canyon
• Sand Flats Rec Area

Here is the interactive map BLM provides:

what ones are the most popular? blm notes the following:

• Goose Island and Grandstaff typically fill between 8:00-11:00 a.m. every day
• Big Bend and the surrounding campgrounds are typically fill by mid-to-late afternoon
• Upper Colorado River (Hwy 128) campgrounds usually fill in the evenings
• Anything within 10 miles of Moab and Horsethief Campground on Hwy 313 often fill in the early to late-afternoon (sometimes earlier on busy weekends)
• The Ledges campgrounds (5) typically do not fill except for busy holiday weekends due to the distance from Moab

Aka the further you are from town, the better your luck if you aren’t there first thing in the morning slash there during the busy season.

As an FYI, campgrounds will post a “Full” sign, so be respectful and don’t drive through when you see that!

before ya go:

• all sites are first come first serve
• $20/night, per site, paid in cash or check
• no water or electricity – stock up on water in Moab
• no gathering of firewood is allowed – buy in convenience stores in town
• camping on public lands is limited to 14 days at a single location

---

primitive campsites

Primitive campsites include both designated and dispersed.

• Designated = campsites marked with a post with a tent symbol
• Dispersed = camping where others have camped (AND where allowed on the map below)

Both are free, but with either option, no facilities are provided and leave no trace principles apply! This doesn’t just mean oh take your candy wrappers with you (but this also includes human waste, no digging catholes here y’all), but also only driving on designated roads and camping at previously disturbed sites (you may see an established fire pit).

designated camping:

• Dubinky Well Road – 12 sites on the east side of the road
• Gemini Bridges Road – 6 campsites located in Bride Canyon.
• Cotter Mine Road- 10 sites located just off HWY 191 and north of SR 313
• Dripping Springs Area – 6 large campsites near Tenmile Wash
• Black Ridge Area – 6 sites located in the camping area.
• Picture Frame Arch Area – 4 sites located in the Behind the Rocks area located six miles southwest from Moab off Hwy. 191

dispersed camping:

So the ever elusive dispersed camping… where is that?! Well, for one thing, there are no spots within the town of Moab, so know it will be a little bit of a hike to get any essentials.

The most popular and well-known spot is Willow Springs Road. This road is north of town, is accessible by all vehicle types, and has spots for everything from RVs to tent spots. Heads up, while yes, even sedans can find spots on this road, the road gets rougher the further you get from 191 (eventually you will reach a sign on this road which indicates 4wd/high clearance vehicles only sign). And take note if it recently rained… RVs can really tear up the dirt/gravel road. Since this spot is THE spot and one of the first spots you hit (at least coming from Colorado), know that it is a happening spot so there will be a lot of traffic on busy weekends (and potentially loud).

Never fear, there are more possibilities in the surrounding areas of Moab. I’m not going to go into detail about every spot, but check out the websites and apps I linked below for suggestions. However, please please please cross check your planned spot with the map above! For one, to preserve the land, but also, know you may get a hefty ticket.

For my first time, I was anxious on figuring out where to camp in Moab, however I decided to continue south on 191 and camp off Yellow Circle Road. Pulling in (in the dark mind you), I was a little (okay, VERY) anxious seeing RVs already parked and the condition of the road (it had rained the week before and the grooves were looking like something else). I continued slowlyyyyy up the hill (my Prius made it!) past what seemed to be the two designated RV sites/fields and happened upon the perfect spot! It was situated at the top of the hill with no other campsites nearby, so it quiet and with gorgeous views! While I loved my spot, I already have my eye on a few spots for my next trip.

before ya go:

• sites are free!
• only camp at previously disturbed sites
• no new fire rings are allowed
• no facilities are provided so this means – all campers are required to possess, set-up and use portable toilets or approved human waste bags. Campers may not bury or leave solid human body waste and toilet paper. The disposal of solid human waste off public land is required
• no water – stock up on water in Moab
• no gathering of firewood is allowed – buy in convenience stores in town
• this is the desert (duh), so trees and shade is hard to comeby, so just be prepared!
• if you have any questions about primitive camping restrictions please contact the Moab BLM Office at (435) 259-2100

free camping resources:

• https://freecampsites.net/
• https://www.campendium.com/free-camping
• http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/index.php/products/full-map
• iOverlander App

There ya have it – my guide to camping in Moab!

---

Did this help you figure out where to camp to Moab? Let me know any questions you may have!