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Moab, Utah is an epicenter for outdoor adventure with endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, off-roading, and more. With easy access to two National Parks (Arches and Canyonlands) and plenty of other outdoor recreation opportunities, Moab is a must-visit for any outdoor lover.
But where should you stay when visiting? One of the best ways to experience Moab is by camping under the stars at one of Moab’s campgrounds. There are lots of great camping options to choose from, and in this guide, we share our top picks plus a few glamping and alternative lodging options.
Moab Campgrounds – Mapped
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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 you should plan on 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.
Between November and February, campsites are first-come, first-served.
Standard non-electric sites are $25 per night and can accommodate up to 10 people and 2 vehicles each.
When I drove through the Devil’s Garden Campground I was impressed by the views and how spread out some of the sites were.
Devil’s Garden Campground fills up very quickly during peak season so make sure to book far in advance on their reservation website.
Canyonlands National Park Camping
If getting away from the crowds is your goal, The Willow Flat Campground in the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands National Park might be right up your alley.
The campground is located about 30 minutes from Moab and offers 12 sites that are all available first-come, first-serve.
You will need to fill up with water and supplies before heading out there as there there is no potable water or nearby services.
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The Needles Campground is over an hour from Moab, Utah but it does offer 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 11 campsites in Loop B can be reserved through Recreation.gov while all other sites in both loops are first come first served.
Canyonlands, unlike Arches National Park, offers ample opportunities for remote backcountry camping.
Permits are required for backcountry camping whether you are backpacking, biking, or overlanding.
More information can be found on the Canyonlands website.
Dead Horse Point State Park Campgrounds
Dead Horse Point 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 one of the best places to camp near Moab.
There are two campgrounds here nestled in juniper trees with direct access to numerous trails in the park.
The Kayenta Campground offers 21 sites and the Wingate Campground next door has 23 RV campsites with tent pads, 11 tent-only campsites, and 4 yurts.
All sites are lightly shaded, have campfire rings and they even have RV electrical hook-ups available. Reservations for both campgrounds can be made here.
You will pay more for camping at Dead Horse State Park, but the views at sunset are worth it! This is also the site for the final scene of the movie Thelma and Louise.
La Sal Mountains Camping
If you find yourself in Moab in the middle of summer, expect temperatures to be sweltering. Your 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 22 sites that can be reserved online.
Moab BLM Campgrounds
The Bureau of Land Management maintains 24 campgrounds in the Moab area. Here are a few that stand out to us:
During the busy season, these campgrounds will be full by noon, so make sure you arrive early to snag a spot.
All BLM campgrounds are open year-round, have vault toilets and fire rings but most don’t have water so be sure to bring your own.
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.
The Sand Flats recreation area just east of town near the Slickrock Bike Trail also has a ton of camping. Sites here are nicely spread out nicely, but I should note this area is very popular with ATVers and can get noisy.
Free Moab Campgrounds
Campsites can be expensive and can add up quickly, especially if you’re planning a long trip.
The good news is that Moab is surrounded by lots of public lands and is a goldmine for dispersed camping.
Dispersed camping, aka free campsites, are available if you venture a little further out of town. One of the closest free campgrounds to Moab is Willow Springs road, just north of the turnoff to Dead Horse Point.
Use our ultimate guide to finding free campsites to help you find an awesome free 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 their location, they are just two blocks from Main Street which means you can go grab dinner and a beer or catch some live music at Woody’s Tavern and stroll back to your campsite at the end of the night.
No dogs are allowed at Up The Creek Campground.
ACT Campground
Whether you want an RV site, a tent site, or even a cabin-style room, ACT Campground in Moab is another popular option.
Recently, they’ve added cottages, lodge rooms, and a 30-foot Yurt as additional accommodation options.
Our favorite part of ACT 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.
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. Our Yurt had a deck and grill and room for 6 people to sleep.
There are 5 yurts in the Moenkopi area and 4 yurts in the new Wingate Campground.
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 in 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.
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.
Our 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.
Make the most of your trip to Moab with these helpful planning guides and blog posts:
What is your favorite Moab campground? Did we leave one off this list? Leave a comment below!
