Canyonlands has three separate districts, and Island in the Sky is the most accessible, about 26 miles from Moab on paved road. Needles is roughly 80 miles from Moab via Monticello and has its own developed campground. The Maze is a four-wheel-drive backcountry district with no services and difficult access. Each district requires separate planning. Canyonlands-area dispersed camping covers the BLM land surrounding the park on multiple sides, where no fees and no reservations apply but full self-sufficiency is required.
Willow Flat Campground at Island in the Sky has 12 sites and fills fast on spring and fall weekends. It takes reservations through recreation.gov during peak season. Needles Campground has more sites, both reservable and first-come. Neither campground has water on-site, so all water must be brought in regardless of which district you camp in. Vault toilets are at both. RVs above 28 feet have tight maneuvering on Island in the Sky roads. Backcountry permits for the Maze and for backpacking are separate from campground reservations and require advance planning.
Arches National Park is about 26 miles from the Island in the Sky entrance, making it a realistic day trip from a Canyonlands base. Moab campgrounds cover the full range of private, state, and BLM options in town for those who prefer a base with more services. Spring and fall are peak seasons. Summer heat in the canyon bottoms is severe, regularly exceeding 100°F at lower elevations.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
"Spending the night on the rim of canyonlands national park— Definitely one of the most magical experiences of my life setting our tents up during sunset and waking up during sunrise overlooking the vast"
"It is 1.1 miles BEFORE Canyonland National Park sign or between mile marker 3 & 4. A little tough to sign and totally worth it."
"Willow Flat campground is located in the Canyonlands National Park: Island in the sky section. It’s rather small with only 12 spots on a a first come first serve basis. Most spot fill up by noon."
"Grabbing one of the few first come- first served sites at Canyonlands National Park is tough because this section of the park is immensely popular and there are only twelve available."
$60 / night
"Beautiful scenery, friendly staff, clean bathrooms and close to Canyonlands National Park."
"Well worth the visit, and close to Canyonlands National Park."
$45 - $150 / night
"Just outside Canyonlands National Park, if you can snag a spot...well worth making this your basecamp."
"We stayed here while visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. This setup is very nice with a great covered picnic table and grill, with a fire ring right next to it."
$13 - $25 / night
"Horsethief Campground is a BLM campground between Moab and the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park."
"This BLM campground is situated upon the plateau road near the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park."
"This is a private campground right outside of the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park. There are some really wonderful sites with a bit of privacy and great views."
"It’s right outside of Canyonlands national park. The bathrooms were super nice and there’s a little store. Some sites are right under the rocks which is the best."
$15 / night
"We hiked around back and camped back where it was pretty open with some nooks in the rocks. We had 7 high school students along."
"Hamburger Rock is a BLM campground located in the Indian Creek Unit of Bears Ears National Monument. Sites 1- 9 are at the base of the Hamburger Rock geologic feature."
"It's very close to the state park and it's along the way to Canyonlands (about 15 minutes away). The campground is quite simple. They're first-come, first-serve sites."
"Very close to Dead Horse Point state park. Easy to access. A few sites (6-7?). Pay cash or by check at the entrance. BLM. Great views. Vault toilet was very clean. Picnic table and fire ring."
$20 / night
"We stayed in the Dutch Oven group site, loop A, which was adjacent to the restrooms with running water, and very near to the Squaw Flat trailhead. I really appreciate how the NPS utilized the space."
"The good about that-even though the site next to me was reserved every night, only one person showed up and just for a night. So I had a lot of privacy. The appearance of the campground is rugged. "
"The Sun Outdoors Moab Utah camp grounds was great. Beautiful trees in the fall, laundry, clean showers, hookups, easy walk to downtown places, yet still quiet. Staff were very friendly and helpful."
"Tucked in behind the Texaco gas station/general store, this large campground has plenty of shade trees and all the hookups including cable TV for around $55/night."
GuideAs soon as I left 191, at the gate, there was a sign reading "no camping beyond this point". It was wrong. If you continue to follow the road, you will arrive at the location. It was a little rocky in the way up to the higher level, but doable in a 2wd pickup.
GuideRough road, but no issue with jeep 4x4. Secluded, cliffs edge - so beautiful
GuideLarge gravel lot with huge back in sites. No shade, primitive shelter over pit toilet. The dinosaur fossil trail is a beautiful scenic mile walk down the road and it’s really neat. Dino tracks are stones throw from actual campground. Not a lot of privacy but it’s near all the attractions around here. $20 a night, $10 with our access pass.
TravelerMust have a high clearance vehicle. Our 2016 slightly lifted Toyota 4Runner could not clear the last section. There are signed that say no camping for the next 1/2 mile and once you pass the bike intersection you are able to camp wherever. Very quiet. Very private and limited traffic noise. Highly recommend but be sure to follow the signage.
ScoutExcellent facilities, perfect location. Pool is a plus!
ScoutStayed here to get much needed shower and laundry. Crowded so not too quiet with airstream running behind me. Very clean and well kept. Maybe for an overnighted not 2.
TravelerArrived at dusk on a Thursday. Crowded but everyone was quiet. It had been dry and made it in car. Possibly not if wet.
GuideKen’s Lake was a great little spot just outside Moab if you’re looking for rustic camping without a bunch of extra fluff.
There are pit toilets and no water, so bring your own and plan accordingly. Once you’ve accepted that, it’s a really nice place to camp.
One of the best parts was the walk to Faux Falls. My 10-year-old kept talking about wanting to go see “Fox Falls,” and for a while I genuinely thought he had somehow discovered some other waterfall in the area that I didn’t know about. I kept wondering how on earth he knew about this mystery waterfall considering he had never even been here before.
Eventually I realized he meant Faux Falls.
So naturally that turned into a family lesson on French words, silent letters, and why the French apparently decided spelling should just be more of a suggestion.
The kids and dogs absolutely loved it. They had a blast running around, exploring, and making the walk out to the falls.
Ken’s Lake is simple, scenic, close to Moab, and a great place to let the kids and dogs burn off some energy. Just bring plenty of water, be prepared for pit toilets, and don’t be surprised if your kid starts telling you about mysterious waterfalls that don’t actually exist.
TravelerThe rangers were great, very welcoming and knowledgeable. The campsites were close together with just low brush separating them, but each had a picnic table under a sun/wind block which was appreciated. Only one shower for each gender so timing was key. The park itself was amazing! The views went on forever and the colors changed with the angle of the sun.
Canyonlands National Park spans over 337,000 acres of high desert terrain at elevations ranging from 3,700 to 7,200 feet above sea level. The park's four distinct districts (Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers) offer vastly different camping experiences with temperature swings of 40°F between day and night common during spring and fall. Most campsites in and around the park sit on slickrock or sandstone surfaces where traditional tent stakes won't penetrate, requiring campers to use rocks or specialized anchors to secure tents.
Mountain biking from camp: At Horsethief Campground, trails connect directly to the campsite for immediate access. "There are so many awesome mountain bike trails right next to the campground that you don't have to drive to a trailhead unless you want to," notes Jenny R. The campground serves as a hub for riders of various skill levels, with "trails for all ability levels but definitely more options if you are an intermediate and above rider."
Rock scrambling at sunset: The terrain around Needles Outpost provides natural climbing opportunities steps from your tent. "You can climb up the rocks behind our site for 2 spectacular sunsets looking over the national park," reports Jennifer M. Sites positioned against the rock formations allow for exploration right from camp, with some visitors noting "we set up to a gorgeous sunset, and woke up to a full on blizzard" at nearby areas.
Stargazing without light pollution: The remote location creates exceptional night sky viewing conditions. "This is the quietest, darkest national park I've ever camped at," notes a visitor about the Island in the Sky area. Sites further from Moab offer even better conditions, with Ben reporting from Middle Fork Shafer Canyon that "the stars are unbelievable" and "going from 30mbps download down to nothing randomly but mostly worked okay at best."
Natural isolation between sites: At Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed, campers appreciate the spacing. "All spots are very spread out and easy to find with clear fire pits," notes Kristin M. The dispersed camping format allows for significant privacy with Ben observing, "2 of the 5 nights I stayed I was the only one here. Pretty wild."
Covered shelters at state park campgrounds: The Kayenta Campground at Dead Horse Point State Park provides essential protection from the elements. "Each campsite has a covered shelter with a table and a lockable cabinet," explains Michael H. These structures prove crucial during harsh weather with Lacey O. noting, "It was very windy while we were here so the camp shelter in each site was a life saver."
Proximity to canyon overlooks: Sites positioned near dramatic viewpoints allow for easy sunrise and sunset access. "Spent the night here before going into Canyonlands, and were really pleased with the location," writes Kylah W. about Hamburger Rock Campground. The convenience of having spectacular views within walking distance matters to campers, with Jordan W. noting "At sunset I walked only a few minutes to the green river overlook."
Weather extremes and preparation: Desert conditions create challenging camping environments. "We visited this campground in early summer and it was already super hot and dusty. I would recommend going there in the spring or fall," advises Amy S. Temperature variations can be dramatic, with Lacey O. warning, "We unfortunately made the mistake of only checking the weather in Moab and didn't pack enough warm clothes!"
Tent anchoring challenges: The rocky desert terrain makes traditional tent setup difficult. "Super rocky so you'll have to use rocks to weigh down your tent corners since you can't stake them down," explains Brittany P. from BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed. This issue affects most camping areas near Canyonlands where soil is minimal.
Wind vulnerability: Open plateau locations experience significant wind events. "We tried to wait it out but it became unbearable and we feared our gear breaking so we packed up and left (and we weren't the only ones)," reports Brittany P. about a sudden windstorm. Sites with natural rock formations provide some shelter, but exposed locations require extra preparation.
Access to climbing features: The Needles Campground offers natural playground features for children. "The camp sites are far enough apart for completely privacy and quiet," notes Shavit L., while another camper mentions how "the children had a lot of area to run and climb" in the canyon area. The rocky terrain provides built-in recreation opportunities.
Insect awareness: Seasonal bug populations can affect comfort levels. "Note that this review is from June 2019 when we came during a freak accident of mosquitoes basically overtaking the entire national park of Canyonlands and surrounding areas," shares Brady R. Another camper mentioned "meat bees than seem to hang out in the mornings and nights" requiring "simple screen room under the shade shelters."
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs enhance the camping experience for young visitors. One camper reported "I listened to a ranger give a speech about the stars after dark" at a campground in the Island in the Sky district. These programs provide contextual learning about the unique desert ecosystem and geology.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Most Canyonlands National Park campgrounds have size limitations. "Most sites are small backin but only a few are good for smaller TTs or RVs. One big handicap accessible site," explains Greg L. about Willow Flat Campground. For RVs over 25 feet, look to Wingate Campground where "most campsites have electrical hookups and some with very large pull throughs / driveways."
Road access considerations: High-clearance vehicles provide better access to dispersed sites. "I was able to pull my Jayco Popup with the Baja Offroad package to a site right up on the rim with my Bronco," reports Ben from Middle Fork Shafer Canyon. Rough roads leading to prime camping locations require careful vehicle selection with Austin T. recommending "a truck" for certain areas.
Campground utilities: Water availability varies widely across the area. "No water here so bring your own. Nearest hospital and store are 30 minutes away," advises Colleen B. about Dead Horse Point State Park. Most developed campgrounds offer at least vault toilets, with Eric P. noting the facilities are "spotless" at Wingate Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds located in Canyonlands National Park?
Canyonlands National Park has campgrounds in two main districts. In the Needles District, you'll find The Needles Campground, which offers drive-in sites with water and toilets. For a backcountry experience, Taylor Backcountry Campsites provide more remote camping options within the park. The Island in the Sky District has fewer developed camping options within the park boundaries, which is why many visitors choose to stay at nearby BLM campgrounds or in Moab. Each district of Canyonlands is relatively isolated from the others, requiring significant driving time between them, so choosing a campground near your planned activities is important.
What are the camping options near Canyonlands National Park if the park campgrounds are full?
If Canyonlands campgrounds are full, several excellent alternatives exist nearby. Horsethief Campground is a BLM option between Moab and the Island in the Sky district, offering simple sites with picnic tables and fire rings. It's an ideal base camp for exploring both Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Dead Horse Point State Park offers Wingate Campground with spectacular views and well-maintained facilities just outside Canyonlands. For more primitive options, BLM dispersed camping is available on Mineral Bottom Road and Sovereign Lands outside Moab. These free sites provide basic camping with no amenities but offer convenient access to the parks.
What types of camping are available in Canyonlands National Park?
Canyonlands National Park offers several camping styles to suit different preferences. Developed camping is available at designated campgrounds with basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. For groups, Split Top Group Campsite in the Needles District accommodates larger parties with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access. Backcountry camping is permitted with proper permits in designated areas, allowing for a more immersive wilderness experience. For those seeking solitude, Hamburger Rock Campground and nearby dispersed camping areas offer primitive sites with stunning surroundings. Vehicle camping is restricted to designated roads and campsites to protect the fragile desert environment.
Are there any private campgrounds with additional amenities near Canyonlands?
Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway is centrally located off the main road, about twenty minutes from Canyonlands National Park. This private campground offers level camping pads, clean drinking water, and nice bathrooms. It's also conveniently close to Arches National Park and Dead Horse State Park. Another option is Needles Outpost Campground, a private facility right outside the Needles district with wonderful sites offering privacy and great views. It features showers, flush toilets, and a small store. The campground provides access to fantastic hiking and climbing, though shade is limited. Both locations offer more amenities than public campgrounds in the area.
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