Airport B Backcountry Campsite, near Moab, Utah, is a unique camping experience right in the heart of Canyonlands National Park. This site offers breathtaking views and direct access to the White Rim Trail, making it a prime location for adventurers looking to explore the stunning desert landscape.

The campsite features a vault toilet and plenty of open space for setting up tents, but keep in mind that there’s no drinking water or trash service, so you'll need to pack in and pack out everything you bring. Campers have noted the lack of shade, but the starry skies at night are nothing short of spectacular, with one visitor describing the stargazing as “EXCELLENT.”

Getting to the campsite can be a bit of a trek, with rough roads that require a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle. As one camper shared, “The views... man o man the views.” If you're up for the adventure, you’ll be rewarded with incredible scenery and a true sense of solitude, as this site feels like a world away from civilization. Just remember to secure your permits and prepare for some chilly nights, especially if you're visiting in the colder months.

**You must have an overnight permit for all overnight trips along the White Rim.** You can obtain a permit from https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675315

Airport has 4 designated campsites: 
Airport A
This is a small site set back from the road. It consists of mostly packed dirt with patches of slickrock. There is no shade or shelter from the wind. The area is wide open and exposed. It is within sight of Airport B.

Limits: 15 people and 3 vehicles

Toilets: Airport A and B share a toilet; site A is farther away.

River Access: The site has no river access, but you can reach the Colorado River by road 3.5 miles down the Lathrop Canyon spur which is 0.8 miles east of the site.

Airport B
This is a large, flat site consisting mostly of packed dirt with patches of slickrock. It is within sight of the nearest site, Airport A. There is no shade or shelter from the wind. The area is wide open and exposed. Airport A and B share a restroom and B is closer. There is no access to the Colorado River from the site, but it ca be accessed by road 3.5 miles down the Lathrop Canyon spur 0.8 miles east of the site. The Lathrop Trail meets the White Rim Road 0.8 miles east of the Airport campsites and provides hiking access 6 miles up to the mesa top.

Limits: 15 people and 3 vehicles

Toilets: Airport A and B share a toilet; site A is farther away.

River Access: The site has no river access, but you can reach the Colorado River by road 3.5 miles down the Lathrop Canyon spur which is 0.8 miles east of the site.

Airport C
This is a medium sized site. It is mostly packed dirt, but very rocky. You cannot see the nearest site, Airport D, from this site. There is no shade or shelter from the wind. The area is wide open and exposed.

Limits: 15 people and 3 vehicles

Toilets: Airport C and D share a toilet; site D is farther away.

Airport D
This is a large site consisting mostly of packed dirt with some rocky patches. You cannot see the nearest site, Airport C, from this site. There is no shade or shelter from the wind. The area is wide open and exposed.

Limits: 15 people and 3 vehicles

Toilets: Airport C and D share a toilet; site D is farther away.

River Access: The site has no river access, but you can reach the Colorado River by road 3.5 miles down the Lathrop Canyon spur which is 0.8 miles east of the site.

River Access: The site has no river access, but you can reach the Colorado River by road 3.5 miles down the Lathrop Canyon spur which is 0.8 miles east of the site.

The 100-mile White Rim Road loops around and below the Island in the Sky mesa top and provides expansive views of the surrounding area. Four-wheel-drive trips usually take two to three days, and mountain bike trips usually take three to four days.

Under favorable weather conditions, the White Rim Road is moderately difficult for high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. The steep, exposed sections of the Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Mineral Bottom switchbacks make the White Rim loop a challenging mountain bike ride, and require extreme caution for both vehicles and bikes during periods of inclement weather. During high water conditions on the Green River, sections of road on the west side can flood, making a complete loop impossible.

Bicyclists and four-wheel drivers must stay in designated campsites. There are 20 individual campsites arranged in 10 camping areas. There are toilets at each area. When there is more than one campsite at a location, they are generally positioned to be out of earshot and, as much as possible, sight of each other. Each campsite accommodates up to 15 people and 3 vehicles. Motorbikes and trailers are considered vehicles for these group size limits. Keep all camp activities within the post that mark the campsite boundaries. Campfires are not permitted.

Airport B Backcountry Campsite — Canyonlands National Park

Nestled in the sandstone of eastern Utah is the small town of Moab. This outdoor-lover’s paradise is the gateway to Arches National Park, with Canyonlands just a short drive away. Camping near Moab means unfettered access to BLM lands with rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, ATVing, horseback riding, rafting, and more.

Whether you’re heading in for a day-hike, scenic drive, or staking your tent at a campground, a visit to Arches is a must. Tent and RV camping near Moab provide easy access to one of Utah’s most iconic landmarks: Delicate Arch. (It’s even on their license plate!)

Downtown Moab is certainly worth a visit too. Grab an al fresco lunch at the Food Truck Park, visit the galleries and boutiques, or stock up on gear rentals for all your outdoor adventures. The area is also known for its petroglyphs and petrographs, which were created by Paleo-Indian, ancestral Puebloan, and Ute artists.

Moab

Searching for the best camping near Moab, UT? Moab is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Discover great camping spots near Moab, reviewed by campers like you.

The Best Moab Camping | Utah Campgrounds

I thought I was on Mars. No other life near by, but us. Giant bright Red canyons all over the place. With one significant red stone resembling an airport tower. Sun shine glowing across the rims of the canyons. Wowz. This campsite is one of the first campsites coming down shafer trail switch backs and bout couple hours south of white rim trail. Although shafer trail was closed at the time due to the roads being frozen over. I was told by the ranger a car had nearly slipped off one of the edges not to long ago. We went in late November. It was deceivingly freezing. We ended up taking the alternate route Potash. The roads to get to the camp is very narrow. Up on high edges and are not for the faint of heart .... and pretty beaten up and muddy at some parts. I'd recommend 4x4 with clearance. And the right shoes for your car. Good Terrain capable tires with big knobs. Although the views.... man o man the views. Temperature at the day times was about 30-36 degees F. The evenings were at one point 24 degrees. F. Amazingly, we we'rent the only campers there. Another family of four were at airport site A. And was well prepared in a large tent. We attempting cooking hot pot ( large pot of soup to filled with meats veggies, meatballs etc. ) for dinner. The large pot, with conventional butane stove could not heat up the soup. It was burning for over 30 minutes, on high. We ended up using a tiny JetBoil backpacking burner, which got the soup boiling within 5 minutes..... That jet boil was a dinner saver! There is a vault restroom (pretty roomy and clean) at each site, and of course no water. Must pack everything in and out! Will need to obtain an overnight permit to stay. 3 cars 15 people max per site

In the middle of Mars

EXCELLENT stargazing along the White Rim trail. There was a vault toilet available that smelled as though about 40 feral cats had painted the walls with urine, but it did the job. 

Pretty much just an empty patch of dirt

No shade. But the views are stunning. Does have a few dispersed vault toilets 

Day 1  

Nothing flashy. It has a clean bathroom a short distance away from the campground. Ground is level and has several open areas to setup tents as well as enough room to set up tables and an eating area.

Good for what it's for

Epic views, close to trail head, right off the white rim trail. One vault toilet, no access to water, rough road on the white rim. High clearance 4x4 is necessary, as well as obtaining permits from island in the sky visitor center. 

Photos of Airport B Backcountry Campsite — Canyonlands National Park

Real photos from real campers