Moab, Utah, USA

Moab Utah, Canyanlands National Park

Moab, Utah – Timeless, Rugged Beauty

In 1939 Hollywood came calling. The red-orange hued canyons and rugged scenery provided the perfect backdrop for the movie “Stagecoach.”  John Wayne took to the screen in his first staring role in the then little known town of Moab, Utah. Hollywood kept coming, featuring the semi-desert beauty in feature films such as “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” the 2009 “Star Trek” movie, and many more Westerns.

Today, this quaint resort town in Southern Utah is a draw for hikers, mountain bikers, white-water rafters, ATV riders and campers. Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are within easy reach of town. Rent an RV and enjoy your camping experience in one of these parks or in a commercial RV setting. Either way the age-old landscape and the celestial beauty of countless stars in a jet black night sky should not be missed.

Arches National Park RV Camping

Named for the more than 2,000 naturally formed arches within its boundaries, Arches National Park is five miles north of Moab town. Hike around Balanced Rock and marvel at how it stays in place, or past the famed Delicate Arch that’s been seen in several films. Take to the trails through Devil’s Garden and discover arches seemingly so delicate you wonder how they don’t crumble in a hefty gust of wind. The Arches Visitors Center is just one mile inside the park boundaries. Drinking water is available here 24/7 and it’s a handy place to top off your fresh water tank. Groceries and other necessities are available in Moab town.

Devils Garden Campground

RV camping is available at the Devils Garden Campground, a 17 mile drive from the visitor center. Reservations are taken for stays between March and the end of October, with the rest of the year being first come, first serve. Water is available at the campground, but there are no hook-ups or dump stations so make sure your waste tanks are empty. Maximum RV or trailer length is 40 feet. Tent campers share the campground with RV campers. Pets on leash are welcome.

Canyonlands National Park RV Camping

The colorful canyons, arches and scalloped spires of Canyonlands National Park were largely carved by erosion and the relentless power of the Colorado River. Spend a week in this ancient land, covering some 337,598 acres, and you’ll barely scratch the surface. Divided into four sections, you’ll find the Island in the Sky area the most accessible. It’s also home to the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, a great place to get your bearings and pick up maps or back country permits. 

RV camping is offered at two locations in the park, the Island in the Sky Campground and the Needles Campground. Neither camp has hook-ups and most spots are first-come, first-served. Sites are mixed use, so you’ll be sharing your RV adventure with tent campers. Maximum length for your RV or trailer is 28 feet. There are no dump stations in the park so make sure your waste tanks are empty. Food, firewood and other supplies are available in Moab town, about an hour away.  Pets on leash are welcome in either campground.

Island in the Sky Campground

Open year-round, this 12 site campground is near the popular Green River Overlook. It is the most rustic of the two, with no services, including potable water. Fill your fresh water tanks at the nearby Island in the Sky Visitor Center.

Needles or Squaw Flat Campground

Needles Campground, near the Needles Overlook, is larger, with 29 sites, and does offer reservations for some sites for spring and fall camping. It does have potable water available on a seasonal basis, but it’s still a good idea to fill your tank before arrival.

Sampling of Commercial RV Campgrounds

Prefer an RV campground with more amenities or perhaps to accommodate your larger rig? One example is the Moab KOA on Hwy 191. It can handle RV truck/trailer combinations up to 80 feet, has 135 sites with hook-ups, laundry, pool, kid’s playground and WiFi. Pets are welcome.

The Canyonlands RV Resort on S Main St can handle rigs of up to 40 feet, while ACT Campground offers sites for RVs up to 45 feet. Amenities, including hook-ups, are similar. All three campgrounds are closer to town, the latter only 2.5 miles away. Other options are available.