Camping in Moab, Utah

Arches National Park lies north of Moab. Bordered by the pristine Colorado River, it's known for its remarkable sandstone arches, such as the massive Delicate Arch. The grounds are just bewildering: It's as if you are making your way through a Jurassic-aged wonderland with beautiful surface sandstones and fins that look like something out of a painting. These gentle geologic forces are of international acclaim, serving as a stop on the Olympic torch relay ahead of the Salt Lake City Winter Games in 2002.

The Devils Garden Campground provides campers with a fairly intimate, well-spaced venue to take in these amazing large rock formations. These campsites get packed up pretty quickly, so be sure to plan for your visit and reserve your space in advance. Don't worry if you happen to miss out on Devils Garden, because there are so many more amazing campsites outside of Arches National Park.

Canyonlands National Park is just another gem of Eastern Utah and Moab in particular. The park is divided into four unique districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the combined rivers—the Green and Colorado—which carved two large canyons into the Colorado Plateau. In addition to the geologic wonders of this national park, it's also a preserved, sacred ground for Native American history with the Native American rock paintings in Horseshoe Canyon paying tribute to the original settling tribes of the region.

As one of the few places left on the plateau to be declared a light pollution-free zone, Canyonlands National Park is perfect for taking in a nightscape that shines bright and will simply leave you awestruck. Canyonlands affords campers the beauty of the desert along with a brilliant display of stars each and every night. These campsites are first come, first served, so it's highly recommended that you make your travel arrangements to settle into a site early.

Located approximately 40 minutes from Moab, Dead Horse Point State Park lies just outside of Canyonlands. The park features a dramatic overlook of the Colorado River, as well as the Canyonlands. Dead Horse Point has emerged as a destination for mountain bikers with scenic routes within the Intrepid Trail System. These 17 miles of single-track mountain bike trails with loops of varying levels of difficulty make for an attraction for visitors across the U.S. and globally.

This beautiful park, recognized as an International Dark Sky Park in 2016, is home to some of the most exquisite starry night skies because of these picturesque landscapes. With 21 campsites available, 17 of which must be booked in advance, this is a camping opportunity you won't want to miss in the heart of Eastern Utah.

Bureau of Land Management camping, also known as BLM camping, affords campers and visitors access to undeveloped public lands with dispersed camping options for those seeking a little bit of solitude. Campsites along the Colorado River are among the more coveted panoramic viewpoints amongst BLM sites. The Upper Colorado River Recreation Area spans a unique landscape of water features, with an abundance of wildlife and cultural landscapes. Within these sites, one will also discover the history within the plateau, from the indigenous tribes to the statehood of Utah. Whether it's Jaycee Park or Williams Bottom, these campgrounds leave guests mesmerized by the environment around them. The quiet location and lack of city lights also create a tranquil setting for stargazing that campers can't even imagine until they see it for themselves.

For more athletic campers, the Sand Flats Recreation Area offers incredible views of the La Sal Mountains and amazing opportunities to take part in activities like biking, hiking, and driving on ATV trails. Set among the spectacular vistas of sandstone domes and mesas, these nine campgrounds and about 120 sites offer awe-inspiring sunsets and stars beyond your wildest dreams. The Sand Flats area is also a premier destination for 4x4 and backcountry motorcycle enthusiasts. There are nearly 40 miles of off-highway vehicle trails to explore within the recreation area. These campsites are also equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, making for the perfect campfire setting under the night sky. Sites cannot be reserved and are usually filled up for the weekend. Be sure to arrive early and secure your site.

If you're looking to get beautiful scenery with a little more seclusion, you can choose from over a dozen private campgrounds within Moab and Eastern Utah. Campgrounds vary based on location. Some will offer features like fire pits, vault toilets, and other amenities. Other private campgrounds are more family-oriented with playgrounds, hot tubs, pools, and even laundry facilities.

Among these private grounds is the Up The Creek Campground. Just two blocks from Main Street in downtown Moab, the campground is within walking distance of many local restaurants and shops. There's also KOA, which sits in the quiet Spanish Valley. RV sites, cabins, and campsites are available to reserve so you can enjoy not only nature's wonders within Moab but what this quaint little town has to offer as well.

Some visitors want to be able to take in the sights of the natural desert of Moab without having to sleep on the ground or bring their own camping equipment. Thankfully, you no longer have to sacrifice a cozy bed for gorgeous natural scenery. "Glamping" has been a growing trend across the United States, including in the Moab area. Visitors are able to enjoy a starry sky from the comfort of a furnished canvas abode located near the Arches National Park and just 15 minutes away from the town of Moab.