BLM camping in Moab offers outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes of the American West while experiencing the freedom and flexibility of camping on public lands managed by the federal government.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands are vast expanses of public lands managed by the United States Bureau of Land Management. Such lands in Moab are open for dispersed camping, allowing visitors to camp in undeveloped sites without designated campsites or amenities.

But how does it work? What are the rules when BLM camping in Moab? Where can you experience it? We’ll discuss these topics in this article.

Basic Rules For Moab BLM Camping

With the freedom to camp on public lands comes the responsibility to practice Leave No Trace principles. According to the Bureau of Land Management, BLM campers are expected to minimize their impact on the environment by:

Traveling and camping on durable surfaces

• Durable surfaces are established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses, or snow.
• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Altering a site is not necessary.

In popular areas:

• Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
• Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
• Focus activity in areas where vegetation is present.

In pristine areas:

• Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
• Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Planning ahead and preparing

• Know the regulations and special concerns in the area you’ll visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Visit in small groups when possible. For large groups, consider splitting into smaller ones.

Minimizing campfire impacts

• Use a lightweight stove for cooking and a candle lantern for light.
• Use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires where fires are permitted.
• Keep fires small. Use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Disposing of waste properly

• Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled food. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 – 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• Carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes when washing yourself or your dishes. Use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwasher.

BLM Campgrounds In Moab You Should Check Out

A map of BLM campgrounds in Moab by Discover Moab

In the Moab region, there are 26 campgrounds that are maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The majority of individual campsites—aside from Ken’s Lake—are first-come, first-served, and reservations are not accepted. Each campground has a $20 nightly fee that may only be paid with cash or checks.

Along Highway 128

Google Island Campground

This campground is ideal for visitors who want to be close to Arches National Park and Moab town but far enough away to appreciate the breathtaking canyon views. Because of its position, Goose Island is the busiest and most well-liked campground, and it often fills up in the morning. On-site pit toilets are available.

Grandstaff Campground

Adjacent to Grandstaff Canyon, a well-liked hiking destination for both locals and tourists, this campsite is ideal for those who enjoy the outside. On-site pit toilets are available.

Drinks Canyon Campground

There aren’t many campsites available at this riverfront location. There are picnic tables, fire pits, and pit toilets available on the property.

Hal Canyon Campground

The highway and the campsites are divided by a grove of scrub oak trees at this riverfront campground. On-site pit toilets are available.

Oak Grove Campground

Situated next to Hal Canyon Campground, Oak Grove Campground is a lovely riverfront camping encircled by scrub oak trees. Oak Grove is wide open, and wonderful to see the starry sky.

Big Bend Campground

Visitors find this campground to be quite well-liked. This is ideal for relaxing and taking in the river because it has few beaches. Please note that the river’s treacherous undercurrents make swimming in it unsafe without a life jacket. On-site pit toilets are available.

Upper Big Bend Campground

Upper Big Bend Campground is a popular first-come, first-served camping area, much like the lower campground. Every camping area has beautiful scenery views. On-site pit toilets are available.

Lower Onion Creek Campground

For those wishing to escape the bustling town of Moab, this campground—which is around thirty minutes from town—is a terrific option. On-site pit toilets are available.

Upper Onion Creek Campground

The Upper Campground is well distant from the roadway and very picturesque. Before you reach Lower Onion Creek Campground, there is a turnoff for Upper Onion Creek Campground. The night sky will display the stars in a way you’ve never seen them before because it’s outside of town. On-site pit toilets are available.

Fishers Towers Campground

With only tents (no RVs or trailers permitted), this little campground boasts some of the most breathtaking vistas. Beautiful views of the Colorado River basin may be seen, including those of Castle Rock, Castle Valley, and the Bookcliffs to the north. Excellent Moab stargazing chances arise at night. Expert climbers are drawn to the towers themselves.

Hittle Bottom Campground

This campground is ideal for those seeking a site that isn’t too close to the busy city of Moab. About 45 minutes out of town, the night sky will light up like nothing you’ve ever seen.

Dewey Bridge Campground

The picturesque “Entrada Bluffs” section of sandstone is seen from the campgrounds situated along the Colorado River’s banks. The campground offers peaceful, shaded campsites that can accommodate tents and small RVs. Small boats can enter the river, and the old Dewey Bridge’s remnants can be found nearby. Avoid entering the river without the necessary life jackets as the current can be rather dangerous.

Along Highway 279

Jaycee Park Campground

With the river across the road, this campground, nestled in a small grove of trees, offers the best of both worlds. This one is one of the few campgrounds with some tree shade in the Moab area. Onsite amenities include picnic tables and pit toilets. This is the ideal place for those who want to be somewhat close to the action in Moab but still want a little peace and quiet. 

Williams Bottom Campground

Due to the restricted number of campsites, this small campsite is ideal for those looking for a more tranquil camping experience. This one is one of the few campgrounds with some tree shade in the Moab area as well. Across the street from the campground are pit toilets.

Gold Bar Campground

Since this is one of the few reservable campsites with plenty of space, it is a popular destination for tourists, especially big groups. Every aspect offers serene vistas, and the campground is conveniently situated right next to the Corona Arch trailhead. On-site pit toilets are available.

Along Highway 313

Lone Mesa Group Sites

Group sites at Lone Mesa are perfect for large gatherings like school assemblies or family get-togethers. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and four-wheel drive adventures in the surrounding area, which is adjacent to national parks and open spaces. With an elevation of 1,000 feet higher than Moab, you can expect somewhat cooler weather in Lone Mesa.

Horsethief Campground

Nestled amidst the dense pygmy pinyon-juniper forest on the mesas above Moab, the campsites provide breathtaking views. Four loops comprise the campground: Appaloosa, Buckskin, Cayuse, and Dapple. There are 56 RV-friendly campsites on the Appaloosa, Buckskin, and Cayuse loops. There are 28 tent campsites at Dapple Loop; generators are not permitted. Group camping reservations are available. There are numerous 4WD roads and mountain biking paths in the vicinity. Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park are also near the campground.

Cowboy Campground 

Tucked up along a ridge on the mesas above Moab, these remote campsites provide breathtaking views of the canyon landscape. Pull campers, RVs, or trailers are not permitted; high clearance is needed. There are several mountain biking trails and 4WD roads in the vicinity. The campground is close to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park. It features seven separate campsites, each accommodating up to 10 people and two vehicles. The sites lack hookups and water but do have bathrooms.

Along Kane Creek Road

King’s Bottom Campground

This riverbank campground is excellent for those who want to stay quite close to the city yet far enough away for a peaceful place to sleep. Every campsite has panoramic views due to the open nature. In the later summer months, this campground is likely to be infested with mosquitoes, so bring plenty of bug spray.

Moonflower Group Site

This campground is located in the stunning Moonflower Canyon. Campers may reach the charming pond that blooms every year from a short climb up the canyon. This campground can get a little bit pest-filled in the late summer, so bring bug repellent! There are no individual sites available; this is a group campsite only. The closest individual sites are available in the campground King’s Bottom.

Hunter Canyon Group Site

For those who wish to explore the Hunter Canyon trail and gain access to the area’s well-known rock-climbing routes, the Hunter Canyon Group Site is a great choice. A narrow, steep switchback on a gravel/dirt road leads to the Hunter Canyon Campground. It is not advised for cars longer than 22 feet or for cars towing lengthy trailers. It is located off of Kane Creek Road, which is occasionally congested with OHV traffic and noise. 

Naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts will love the nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and other open spaces. Designated roads offer breathtaking scenery for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and four-wheeling.

The Ledge A, B, C, D, & E Campgrounds

The Ledge is a popular destination for all-terrain vehicles and four-wheel drive enthusiasts, consisting of five distinct campgrounds with 105 sites situated in a picturesque red granite valley. Ten persons and two cars can be accommodated at a single site. Groups of fifteen to thirty persons can reserve the Ledge Group Site and the Ledge E Site. This is a popular spot in the spring and fall, but it is very hot in the summer and offers little shade. Hookups and water are not available at this location.

Ken’s Lake Campground

This campground is located within the Ken’s Lake Recreation Area. Ken’s Lake, an artificial reservoir accessible exclusively with electric motors—gas-powered engines are forbidden—as well as a day-use area featuring a gravel boat launch, a campground, and hiking and horseback riding trails are all part of the property. 

Loops A and B form this campground. Loop A is closed during low use season (summer and winter; dates vary annually) and lacks vegetation to provide shade. Loop B is open year-round and offers a range of spots shaded and private by cottonwood and juniper trees. 

North of Moab

Courthouse Rock

Situated 16 miles north of Moab, Utah, the Courthouse Rock Campground is close to Courthouse Rock. Large rock formations may be seen in the distance, surrounded by an open landscape of hills covered with sagebrush and black brush. There are ten campsites in total, and they can all fit big RVs and trailers. There isn’t any other shade or greenery on this site.

North Klondike

Situated just a short bike ride from the North Klondike trail system, the North Klondike Campground is a haven for Moab mountain biking enthusiasts. Along with the many other outdoor leisure options the area has to offer, you will find yourself tented next to other internationally recognized Moab mountain biking trail systems. You’ll enjoy views of the Klondike Bluffs and La Sal mountains at your campground while you unwind in the evening.

Sand Flats Recreation Area

In the center of the Colorado Plateau, close to Moab, Utah, sits the Sand Flats Recreation Area (SFRA), a nationally significant public lands asset. It rises in the east to meet the vibrant mesas and approximately 13,000-foot peaks of the La Sal Mountains, forming a high plain of slick rock domes, bowls, and fins. 

Camping is also very popular on Sand Flats. Every year, more than 225,000 people come to enjoy this 9,000-acre recreation area. There are 140 private campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis and six group campsites that can be reserved.

Enjoy Dispersed Camping In Moab

Dispersed camping in Moab offers a unique and adventurous way to experience the stunning landscapes of Utah’s red rock country. Before heading out, make sure to research BLM (Bureau of Land Management) maps or online resources to find dispersed camping areas near Moab. Remember to also leave your campsite cleaner than you found it to minimize impact on the environment and preserve the beauty of the area.

Dispersed camping in Moab offers a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse yourself in nature. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore Moab’s incredible natural beauty, but do so responsibly.

BLM Camping In Moab FAQs