Devils Garden Campground offers camping sites within Arches National Park at an elevation of 5,200 feet. The campground operates from March through October, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F during daytime hours. Nighttime temperatures can drop significantly, creating a 30-40°F difference between day and night, especially during spring and fall seasons.
What to do
Explore backcountry arches: Hike directly from Devils Garden Campground to several iconic rock formations. "We stayed here for a night, and it was amazing. It has a fun little trail connected to it. The grounds were crowded, but we felt like our site was really secluded and private," shares David S.
Night photography opportunities: The dark skies over the desert offer exceptional stargazing and photography conditions. "Beautiful night skies and a great place to spend sunrise/sunset," notes Chris P., who stayed at Devils Garden Campground.
Visit nearby Dead Horse Point: Drive approximately 35 minutes to Dead Horse Point State Park for panoramic canyon views. A visitor mentions, "The sky at night is breathtaking. It's like being at a planetarium. There are a number of walking trails from the campground that are all fairly easy and provide great views."
Mountain biking trails: Access popular trails from campgrounds outside the national park. "Immediate trails from the campground," explains a visitor about Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway, noting it's perfect "if you are into ATV vehicles."
What campers like
Shaded tent sites: Several campgrounds offer structures to protect from intense desert sun. "Each tent site had a nice canopy so your tent stays shaded and dry. Power and potable water," mentions Nathan H. at Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-serviced bathroom and shower facilities. At Wingate Campground, a camper found "super clean flush toilets and more importantly individual restrooms (not gender shared)," while noting "the campsite is a mile from the dead horse point overlook."
Proximity to attractions: Many campgrounds are strategically located for park access. "Very close to hiking, the river and off roading. Corona Arch is a great close hike," notes Alex P. about Williams Bottom Campground, which provides easy access to popular trails.
Year-round options: While Devils Garden closes seasonally, other campgrounds remain open through winter. "We camped in the winter. We were surprised that it was not noisy. We were about two blocks from the highway and could barely hear it," reports Sarah G. about OK RV Park.
What you should know
Advance reservations essential: Devils Garden sites book months ahead, especially during peak season. "Devils garden is one of the main attractions in Arches national park... it is by appointment and I believe it's 30 a night... you must sign up for a spot far in advance as they fill up quickly," advises John M.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is unreliable throughout the area. "At times, 1-2 bars of T-Mobile LTE. Most of the time no cell service," reports a Devils Garden camper.
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. Williams Bottom Campground has "1 bathroom (Vault) and no water... Bring BUG SPRAY, with the Colorado River nearby we noticed increased bug activity in the evening."
Weather extremes: Prepare for significant temperature fluctuations and high winds. A camper at Moab KOA reported, "Sunny days, windy nights. At night, there were terrible wind storms that filled our tent with blowing sand. (It came up and under the rain fly.)"
Tips for camping with families
Consider yurt camping near Arches National Park: Dead Horse Point State Park offers yurt accommodations with more comfort than tents. "This is a great pet friendly campground. They even have little cabins with yards with fences around them to let your buddy stretch his legs," notes a visitor about Moab KOA.
Seek campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Some properties provide recreational facilities. "Nice playground and splash pad for the kids," reports a visitor at Sun Outdoors North Moab, while a camper at Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway enjoyed "a fun little water pad for the kids."
Pack for varied conditions: Desert camping requires special preparation. "The morning sun is super hot and bright so you may want a shade of some sort. The shelter blocks the evening sun," advises Jenni O. from Wingate Campground, adding, "Bring lots of water and ice in summer, it's HOT!"
Alternative yurt options for extreme weather: During peak summer heat or cold winters, consider furnished yurts. At HTR Moab, "Both times I've stayed here we stayed in the big yurt in the center. You have access to great bathrooms and showers right next door, the yurt has AC for during the night."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on size requirements and amenities. "We had an ideal site with a nice big lawn area we set up a whole game area in," notes Jennifer H. about Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway, while mentioning they "love the arches gateway for its more spacious sites."
Hook-up reliability: Quality of electrical service can vary. "50A service at our site and a couple next to us was spotty in its overall quality - probably an open ground or something. We made it work, though," shares a visitor at Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway.
Distance planning: Consider location relative to attractions. At Devils Garden, "Expect at least a 30 minute drive from the entrance to the CG. If staying at this CG supply well so you don't have to leave the park," advises Bryan K., highlighting the importance of planning for remote locations.
Boondocking options: For self-contained RVs, primitive camping may provide better value and views. Williams Bottom offers sites that are "First Come first serve and owned by the BLM... Not bad for $20 bucks a night!"
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