Tips for Finding a Campsite in Moab
Are you planning a trip to the Moab area? Check out these tips for finding a campsite in Moab when you are on a road trip!
By Kim Merryman
Finding a campsite in Moab can be a struggle if you don’t know where to look. Many campsites in the area are first-come, first-served, so you often can’t guarantee yourself a spot until you get there. I spent a week in an Escape Campervan in Moab over spring break and checked out a bunch of different options. Take these tips for finding a campsite if you’re planning a trip to the red rocks of Moab.
Check Out First-Come, First-Served Camping in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Campgrounds
First-come, first-served camping in BLM campgrounds is my favorite way to camp in Moab, but it can also be a pain to get a site. Moab’s BLM campgrounds are in some of the most scenic places in the area. You’re more likely to get a spot in these campgrounds in the morning right after campers have packed up and headed home. We got ours along Highway 128 at about 10:30 a.m. on a Wednesday, but we wished we had tried earlier in the morning. I’ve listed a couple of my favorite areas to find these campgrounds below, but first, make sure you know how to snag a site when you find it.
Steps for claiming a BLM first-come, first-served campsite
- Get cash!
- Drive through campgrounds until you find a site that is open (no gear is left at the site, no receipt clipped to the post).
- While you get a payment envelope at the entrance, leave your Escape campervan at the open site so others see it’s occupied. Fill out the information on the envelope, insert your payment (don’t forget to bring cash!), tear off the receipt, and drop the envelope in the pay slot.
- Clip the tear-off receipt to the post at your campsite.
- While it’s not required, it’s best to leave something at the site that won’t blow away to show that you are coming back and others don’t think they can take your site.
TIP: Sometimes a site that looks empty will still have the receipt from the last group to camp there on the post. The receipt will say the date they are leaving so you’ll know if the site is actually open or if they’re coming back.
Highway 128
These are my favorite campsites, but they are also some of the hardest to get. There are several BLM campgrounds along Highway 128 in a beautiful canyon with most sites close to the river. It’s also pretty close to town and near a lot of great trails.
Kane Creek Road
From the south end of town, go west on Kane Creek Boulevard. You’ll find a few campgrounds along this road as it makes its way through some beautiful canyons. These campgrounds are fairly secluded, often shady, quiet, and close to many of Moab’s best biking and hiking trails.
TIP: On BLM lands, you can also try dispersed camping. However, in the Moab area, you’re required to pack out (rather than bury) your solid human waste, so keep that in mind and make sure you’re prepared. Here’s a guide for dispersed camping if you want to try it!
Plan Your Moab Trip and Then Hit The Road
Now that you know how to find the perfect campsite in Moab, book an Escape campervan from our Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, or Denver rental locations and go get it!
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