It almost seems like a shame to stay in a hotel and not bring home all that red dirt that you’re going to clean up for a month. Travel to Moab = camping in Moab. Camping allows you to relax, build a campfire, and then gaze at the millions of stars while you fall asleep. Here’s the best camping in Moab as well as a few other non-hotel options if camping isn’t your thing. These sites are close to mountain bike trails and will delight all members of the family.
Need more information about Moab? Check out our Moab Destination Guide.
Campgrounds in Moab
Kayenta Campground – This campsite is located Dead Horse State Park 32 miles northwest of Moab. This campground is close to Canyonlands National Park, making it a good place to stay when visiting both parks. There are great covered picnic tables at each site, modern bathrooms with flush toilets and running water. Campfires are NOT permitted. There are hiking trails nearby and a great mountain bike trail that parallels the canyon rim. There is a small concession stand at the visitor center if you need a cup of coffee or a small snack. Drinking water is also available. Kayenta Campground is open all year round. You can reserve a campsite or sites are available on a first come, first served basis.
Big turn – This campground, about 20 minutes from Moab, is on Highway 128 or what locals call “The River Road.” It’s nestled right on the Colorado River and offers your kids great places along the river to play. The end of the Porcupine Rim Trail is just a few miles away. This is a more primitive campground with vault toilets and no drinking water. Campsites here are first come, first served.
Sand flats – There are 9 campgrounds located in the Sand Flats area and depending on which campground you stay at, your drive to town may take 15 minutes or less. It’s very convenient to most areas around Moab, and the Slickrock mountain bike trail, and the new Falcon Flow trail, are within walking distance of some campgrounds. Sand Flats is a large sandbox and haven for your children to play. Bring sand toys for hours of fun. Picnic tables, fire pits and vault toilets are available but water is not. Be sure to bring your own water and firewood.
Best Free Camping Near Moab
Klondike Cliffs Route – Great views of Arches National Park and the Klondike Bluffs mountain bike trails. There is cell service. Klondike Bluffs Road is about 15 miles from Arches National Park and a little further from Moab. The road is rocky in places, but can be cleared by any vehicle, just go slowly in places. It’s a fairly long road with many camping areas along it. The first 8 large spots can accommodate larger RVs and trailers and have cell reception, after which reception is harder to find. It’s free camping so there are no amenities.
2022 Update: Some campsites now cost $20. There are 25 individual campsites, each with parking for two vehicles, a picnic table, a fire pit, a shade shelter and near a vault toilet and trash can. There are also two group spaces for up to six vehicles; These sites can be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov, while individual sites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Group site fees are $5 per person and individual campsites are $20 per site. The campsite terminals have QR codes that users can scan to pay with their smartphone.
Willow Springs Road – Our favorite place to take a “camp” location. This is not a developed campsite but rather a free BLM camping area. There are no services but the location is perfect as a base camp for horse riding. You are within walking distance of the Klonzo trails and Bar M. Turn onto the road then look for an established campsite.
2022 Update: This area is in the process of becoming a state park. You can still camp there (for now) but there is a fee of $15 per night.
RV Parks in Moab
After playing in the dirt, you might want to get back into your own bed at a nice RV park. RV parks in Moab have amenities like showers, running water, RV hookups, flush toilets, and even swimming pools and hot tubs. They also accept reservations so you don’t have to worry about fighting with other people for a spot. Here are two of our favorite RV parks for mountain bikers in Moab.
Moab Valley RV Resort & Campground – We like this RV park because it’s on the bike path into town, on the branded trails, and/or on the shuttles. Take advantage of a campervan site, a tent site or even a vintage Airstream. This is a family campground with a playground, dog park and barbecue grill. As an added bonus, there’s also a bike wash and repair station, a hot tub, and a putting green. For RVs, there are 30/50 amp sites with room for slide-outs, picnic tables, grills and Wi-Fi.
RV Resort Portal – Here you will find the largest RV sites in Moab and close to downtown and mountain biking trails. There are beautiful views of the campground and it feels like a resort rather than an RV park. The camping section is available for short stays, while the resort has a property section on the same property. For campers, there are sites that can accommodate campers up to 65 feet. You can also use the pool, hot tub, laundry facilities, children’s play area, dump station and hiking trail around the property. If you want to be a little spoiled, this is a good option.
Unusual accommodations in Moab
Moab under the canvas is located on 40 acres, seven miles north of Moab, Utah, minutes from the entrance to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park and close to mountain biking trails at Klonzo and Brand Trails .
Tent Camping in Moab
Campground down to the creek – Up the Creek is aimed at tent campers and is right downtown, just two blocks from Main Street. There are 18 spots here where you park and walk around, surrounded by trees. It’s a little off the beaten path yet within walking distance of many shops and restaurants. It’s close to the Slick Rock bike trail and the tasty Milt’s Diner. There is a public bath with toilets and showers, an area for cleaning dishes and grills.
Did you camp in Moab? What is your favorite place?