Best Tent Camping near Arches National Park, UT

The campgrounds were basic, not many families. The sites had a good amount of space, picnic tables, fire ring, water, toilets and a sandy base to pitch the tent on. Not far from Arches National Park and just outside Moab so location was good.

I spent about a week here. Road in is primitive with slight washboards. Plenty of spots to choose from. It’s about 22 miles from Arches National Park and 25 from Moab but about 7 miles to Interstate 70. I was able to visit Arches and Cannonlands from here which was great. There is a train that runs twice a day, cows grazing every now and then and you can hear the traffic on the highway. Great cell service (I have Verizon).

Centrally located off the main road. About ten minutes from Arches National Park and twenty minutes from Canyonland Nation Park/Dead Horse State Park. Level camping pads. Clean drinking water. The bathrooms are nice but there are only four so it can get congested. Slight noise pollution from the main strip but worth it for the central location. Nice pool. Moderately priced gas station and camp store on site. Friendly staff. If you plan to visit Arches NP don’t forget make the mandatory reservation online with the NPS.

Amazing views of red rock cliffs along the Colorado river

Goose Island Campground is an amazing campground to get for a visit to Arches National Park. Located only 1.5 miles from Moab and 4.5 miles from Arches National Park's visitor, so close you can walk or bike to town. This campground is right on the Colorado River with towering red rock wall on the Arches National Park side of the river. The scenery is just amazing. This campground is on my all time favorite list. This is a first come first served campground and is very popular, I have been here twice once in July and once in October and both times were lucky to get a spot. Sites are nice and level with plenty of room to spread out and nicely spread apart. The campground has 18 sites and 2 group sites which can be reserved. Cost for individual sites are$20. The campground has three vault toilets, water and trash service. Each campsite has a picnic table and a metal fire ring.

Almost everything was booked up the day we tried to stay here, but there were some tent sites available for walk ins. Sites were pretty densely packed, but the beautiful views and uniqueness of each site were the highlights. Most sites seemed best suited for tent camping/lower impact setups, though we did see a handful of sites that accommodated RVs. About half were reservable ahead of time, with one loop reserved for walk ins.

After driving the majority of the day from Denver to Moab and managing to escape the upcoming winter weather blowing into the Colorado I-70 corridor, there was nothing I wanted more than to find a campsite which was dry and warm. Traveling with my friend, which had not been camping with me before it was imperative that we found a campground that would have facilities which were both accessible and acceptable.

Entering Moab we found a great fit in SlickRock Campground, just a 3 mile drive from Arches National Park, it was a perfect stop for the night. Arriving late in the day just before sunset, the campground host was pleasant and let us drive in to select which tent site we preferred. Offering both covered and uncovered sites as well as single and double sites it appeared to meet the needs of campers of all kinds.

The site offered a pool and hot tub for those wishing to soak a bit after a long day wandering around the natural wonders of Moab or just wanting to soak away the evening hours. The office offered a variety of supplies and snacks including canned goods, ice creams, drinks and beverages for adults and candy for the kids. Also inside were a full listing of attractions in the Moab area which could help the traveler still trying to figure out just what they wanted to do in their time away from home.

With three bathhouses throughout the property the campground really seemed to have the campers needs at heart offering services within only a short few yards of each campsite. The bathhouses are large with several showers as well as toilets and plenty of sink space for spreading out for your morning routine. A bathhouse of this size could easily accommodate the crowds during the busy season and prove to be a cool retreat during warm summer months.

When we actually arrived to our site we were pleased to find even ground free of debris or rocks, a picnic table and a charcoal bbq station. We selected an uncovered space, which turned out to be our only negative of the evening as in late fall the leaves were falling constantly and hitting the tent making for some adjustment when attempting to settle for the evening.

The campground was relatively quiet with only a little noise from fellow campers. Though it seemed to dwindle as quiet time hours fell around 10 p.m.

And the bigger bonus…. All tent sites were only $20 because of an offseason special being observed when we visited late in October. Typically for $20 you almost have to be in a primitive campsite without amenities or a state or nationally run facility, however this was a privately run facility with more than a few perks. In comparison, a campground just up the way was double in price point with similar amenities.

On the negative side around 7 a.m. nearby roadwork or construction woke us aggressively alongside the cold. The cold obviously was a product of our choice to camp during fall however the construction was a byproduct of local elements, so if you are choosing to visit Moab you might want to select a campsite toward the back of the property to avoid a bit of the sounds generated.

I tent camped here for a few days with my young children while we explored the local National Parks. There were ample convinces, including running water and a pinick table at each tent site, two separate bathrooms/showers locations within the park, sinks for dishes, laundromat, an outdoor pool (kids loved the pool), and a gas station/convenience store. The basic campsite was decent, although small and hard to drive tent stakes into the hard sand ground. There were shade trees thoughout the park. Also, there's a playground and grassy areas for group gatherings. Nice location in the heart of Moab. Only downsides are it being a busy, noisy, dusty, non-remote RV park. Definitely a good value for the price.

Staying at this little campground feels like you're on top of the world, which must be why this area of Canyonlands is called Island in the Sky. It made exploring this area of Canyonlands easy, and led to a very peaceful night.

The campground: With only twelve campsites, this campground has a slower and more intimate vibe. While it's not the highest elevation I have camped at, there's a feeling of being really high up, and because the trees in the campground are low shrub-y things, it also feels very wide open. (But still enough privacy to not see the campers on the other side of the loop.) Unless you stay here around a full moon, the stars are incredible.

My campsite had a parking spot I could pull in; the spot for the tent was dirt. It also included a small pavilion that provided a little shade for the picnic table below, and a fire ring with a grate. There was a vault toilet across the road from my site. There's no drinking water at this campground.

The area: There are multiple districts in Canyonlands National Park, and you have to go different ways to get to each of them. This area is called Island in the Sky; it has several hikes to scenic overlooks of the canyons. It's a bit of a drive to get to Island in the Sky if you're coming from Arches National Park, and I would recommend having all your supplies ahead of time; especially water.

Booking: First-come; first-served. I stayed here in November, arrived in the afternoon, and there were only three campsites open.

Cell service: None. Don't expect to have cell service in any part of this district of Canyonlands. I had some at the Visitor's Center right at the entrance to the Park.

I tent camped at this campground/RV park for 6 nights in early October 2020 and highly recommend this.  If you are looking for a secluded campsite in nature, this is not it.   However, I was looking for a location very close to the heart of Moab which great WiFi and cell service where I could work remotely and a nice camping set up.  This campground/RV park hit all those requirements and I highly recommend it.  The majority of the sites are RV sites here, but also several tent sites, both with and without power.  I booked a tent site with power so be able to work from the road and plug in chargers, etc.  The tent site power has 2 standard household plugs and was right next to the picnic table which was convenient.  I stayed in site G which had a fire pit, covered picnic table, and plenty of space for 2 tents.  All sites have picnic tables and fire pits, but not all are covered.  I worked from here for several days and the WiFi was awesome and my T-Mobile service had 3 bars.  I was able to participate in Zoom calls with no issue.  Bathrooms are extremely clean and there is a small room with a sink for washing dishes which is nice.  The office has a small store with camping essentials, firewood, and ice.  The staff is extremely helpful and friendly-- when I called with questions before booking, they talked me through everything in detail.  Aside from being in more of an RV park setting, there is a little bit of space between sites at least for an RV park style campground and the back of the property is against stunning red rock- which is probably why you came to Moab.  Less than a 5 minute drive to restaurants, shops, supermarkets in downtown Moab, short drive to Arches NP, also convenient to Canyonlands NP.  Highly recommend Moab Rim!

The guy at the front will tell you that you NEED a tent to use a tent site, but there is more than enough room to park a 20' van right next to the tent pad. Tell him you have a tent if you plan on vanning here, don't let him talk you into an RV site.

Other than that, the views here were amazing. It is a bit cramped, but it's less than 10 minutes to get to Arches National Park. Showers were hot, and the bathrooms/showers are cleaned regularly. It would have been nice to have individual fire pits, but there is a communal pit if you really feel inclined. There is WiFi, and the password was "Sunshine" as of 5/2/2022.

Overall, not a bad campground. Got burned by the "need a tent" thing, but otherwise a good experience.

Devils Garden is the only campground in Arches National Park and fills up quickly. On top of that Devils Garden does not have showers or laundry and with the high temperatures in the summer, a shower at the end of the day is a must. So your best option is staying at Moab Valley RV Resort. If you are tent camping there are large umbrellas that you can pitch your tent under for an extra shield from the sun. The shower houses are large, modern, and very clean. There is a nice sized pool where you can cool off at the end of the day, and the campground is right on the Colorado River with the mountains in the background. The best part is you are less than three miles from the park entrance. Especially if you have small children, enjoy the Arches and the amenities at Moab Valley RV Resort.

Stayed here last weekend and had a great time with our large group! Plenty of camp sites along the main road and smaller connecting side roads. Some of the side roads definitely require 4x4 and high clearance to drive.

We found an amazing site overlooking Arches National Park in the distance. Plenty of spaces for campers, RVs, trailers and tents. Sites are simple and marked by fire rings. Not much shade so it would be pretty hot out here in the summer. Gorgeous views! 

It was super crowded this time of year but still very clean, no trash, bathrooms in great shape too!

RANGER REVIEW:

CAMPGROUND REVIEW: SLICKROCK CAMPGROUND, MOAB, UTAH http://slickrockcampground.com/

The Office/store/pool/hot tubs/laundry room/pool baths located to the right as you enter the campground..

The clerk was pleasant and informative. Registration was quick and you are encouraged to drive through the campground to choose the site of your liking. Tent sites were a flat $20.

PROS:

•Relatively inexpensive

•Pool

•Hot tubs (2)

•Stocked store

•Free showers

•Clean spacious restroom/shower house

•Close proximity to everything in area

CONS:

•Stacked on top of each other

•Tent sites aren’t clearly discernible

•Tent camping in Moab in August is unpleasant due to heat and blowing dust (campground cannot control this one)

•Road noise

•Pool is only open 10:00-10:00 (I really wanted to cool off at 2:00 a.m.😉)

If you are purely looking for an inexpensive place to plop your tent or RV/Camper that is conveniently located to all things Moab…choose Slickrock campground. Slickrock Campground is located directly between Arches National Park and the cool little town of Moab.

In mid-August, it’s hotter than hot…87 degrees at night with no wind (which may keep you up at night) as I write this at 1:00 a.m. 108 degrees during the day.

Very diverse crowd, as foreigners choose economy camping to tour USA. Which is pretty cool.

RV/Campers have full hookups/electric and are priced higher, and A/C Cabins are also available for rental.

Tent sites are entirely dirt/powered sand. No electric, no water. Some offer a corrugated plastic shed roof shelter, others do not. We were early enough on a Sunday to secure a shelter. We also waited until evening to erect the tent due to a fine dusty sand that permeates everything…and to attempt to keep things cooler. Each site has an elevated charcoal grill and a stunted picnic table. If you drive a small economy vehicle you park that between the grill and your tent for line of sight barrier from your neighbor. The slightest squeak is heard from site to site.

We chose site 126, along the back of the property, furthest from the roadway. We still needed earplugs. A property line wire fence separates from the neighboring company that just so happened to leave their overhead light on all night…a small annoyance. Site 127’s vehicle was a few feet from our tent. No measure of privacy. But again, the price for the area…and a pool.

Arches National Park is 3 minutes north, Trendy Moab 3 minutes south. We visited both. Being a cyclist,..it’s Nirvana. Never have I seen so many bicycle/outdoor shops within one square mile…I trembled with excitement.

If you are looking to get away, enjoy solitude and be immersed in nature…Slickrock Campground is not for you.

If you are looking for a place to lay your head with pretty decent amenities within a rocks throw of all things cool…Slickrock is a great choice.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Inno Racks INH330 Two Bike hitch mount.

Inno Racks is not new to the bike rack community. Originating in the 60’s in Japan, they have been in the U.S. for almost two decades. Inno Racks offers several dIfferent style bIke racks, as well as attachments for wInter sports, water sports and cargo boxes. http://usa.innoracks.com/

The INH330 came packaged lIke Fort Knox…every part securely In Its place. No assembly required. DIrectIons do come wIth the rack, but adjustments are intuItIve and simple. Pop-pIns secure the wheel trays either flat for mountIng bicycles or uprIght/folded for storage. A pop-pIn also allows for angled tIlt.

The Inno INH330 can fit eIther 1.25 or 2 Inch receIvers and comes wIth an allen key to help wIth that transItIon.

Also Included Is a four foot cable and keys to secure your bIkes or rack to your receIver via an integrated lock.

Adjustable Wheel Trays slide along the horizontal rails to accommodate bicycles of varying lengths. To adjust, simply unloosen a large nylon wingnut and slide…when the wheel tray is in the desired position, tighten the wingnut securely. That simple. Each Wheel Tray has a dual ratcheting strap that is slipped through the bicycle wheels spokes and over the rim to secure the bicycle wheels and prevent the bicycle wheels from bouncing out of the wheel trays during transport. Wheel Trays accommodate tire sizes from less than an inch wide to five inches wide.

Frame Attachment: The Inno INH330 utilizes two vertical telescopic/ratcheting center posts with swivel-style ratcheting adjustment strap for each bike frame. Directions display this attachment on the bicycle's "down tube." The strap has both a sliding rubber bushing and a rubber pad on the center post to prevent damage to the bicycle finish. I found that I could also utilize the "seat tube" for attachment to the vertical attachment posts…if a water bottle cage was not attached to the bicycle seat tube.

Once secured properly at the horizontal center post and each wheel tray, the bicycle was held fast…no movement was observed…which is imperative if you don't want damage to bicycle frame or finish.

Removal is equally quick and simple…both the bicycles from the carrier and the carrier from your vehicle. (See video below)

A single Pop-pin through each horizontal wheel tray arm pops out with a pull, which allows you to fold the wheel tray arm up and re-insert the pop-pin. A directional pop-pin secures the INH330 in your vehicle's receiver, a push and twist removes the pop-pin and the bicycle carrier can be slid out of the vehicle's receiver. A centered T-handle between the vertical/ratcheting posts allows you to easily carry the INH330 to storage. At 30lbs, the INH330 is manageable.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I liked the simplicity of the INNO INH330. Over the past four decades I have owned a myriad of different bike racks from various high profile companies…roof mounts, gutter mounts, window/trunk mounts, and hitch mounts. Some racks required removal of wheels with fork attachments. I suppose each have their place. For fuel economy reasons, I no longer desire a roof rack style carrier. The rear liftgate/trunk style rack has contact points on my vehicle's paint, which I no longer desire. The hitch style is my preferred method of attachment as it prevents the rack from stealing away fuel consumption, it doesn't mar my vehicle's paint or dent it's metal, furthermore, I have easy accessibility waist-to-shoulder height to my bicycles (a plus for aged and repaired shoulders).

I believe INNO Racks has a winner! (I would like to see the ability to add a third and fourth bike attachment, though😏).

Campground review: We made or tent site reservations online en route to Moab. When we arrived there was a sign stating they had a special for $20 night for tent camping. The office honored the special and reimbursed us the difference that we had already paid. The young man helping us check in was very kind and helpful. Unfortunately the pool was closed due to some plumbing issues in Moab. Kind of a bummer because it was super hot and it would have been nice. We were provided direction to site 138. It was a nice site with a couple shade trees. Since it is a commercial campground in town it is noisy and you hear highway traffic. Sites are pretty close together. Just bring ear plugs and you’ll be okay. The site had a picnic table and a grill. No campfires are allowed. Some of the other tent sites had canopies for shade and rain protection.

Product Review: Stream2Sea https://stream2sea.com/ I sampled a variety of products from Steam2Sea. In the sunny desert, I was most interested in sun protection. Their sunscreen products are titanium dioxide based. They are all eco conscious, biodegradable and reef friendly. These products do what they say they will do, I did not get sunburned. Even in a sudden rain storm and sweating in the heat. I did reapply once after the rain.
To apply, rub product between palms then pat over the area you wish to apply then begin to rub it in. It will leave your skin whitish and a bit sticky feeling. I honestly did not like the feel of the sunscreen. It did protect me from the sun and it is eco friendly, but I prefer the bad for you chemical sun screen. Just my opinion. It is not a bad product, just not for me. I tried their sun protect lip balm with spf 30. It left my lips white and the cherry flavor just didn’t do it for me. I also tried their Tinted Sunscreen. This seemed better than the original, but still felt a bit sticky.

The product I love and will repurchase is their Nourishing Body Lotion. It is packed with good for you ingredients and has a nice coconut scent. It absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling soft and healthy. It is one of my favorite lotions.

My overall option on Stream2Sea is: If you are looking for an eco-conscious product then this is likely on of the best options on the market. For me, I think I will stick with spray on coppertone.

Plenty of areas for tent camping. But as for fifth wheels it’s not good.

More of an RV & trailer campground, but they do have a row of tent sites. Each tent site has a picnic table and space for your tent and car, but not much (if anything) else. Unfortunately we had LOTS of ants on our site when we stayed here overnight in late June. Thankfully there was a flatbed trailer parked right next to our site and we were able to pitch our tent on the trailer, safe from the ants (thank you awesome couple from Chicago who let us use their trailer!). The staff was very friendly & there are plenty of facilities (showers & bathrooms) and WiFi for campers, too!