Best Tent Camping near Castle Valley, UT

Dispersed tent camping options surround Castle Valley, Utah, with most sites located within nearby Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area offers free primitive tent sites approximately 10 miles from Castle Valley, while Behind the Rocks Road Dispersed provides tent campers with valley views and more seclusion. The Moab area, just 15 miles west, features additional tent campgrounds like Up the Creek Campground, which offers tent-only walk-in sites with amenities including showers and drinking water.

Tent campsites in this region typically feature minimal improvements beyond established fire rings. Many areas require campers to bring portable toilets or waste bags, as human waste disposal is strictly regulated. According to a recent review, "There is no water or restroom so be prepared with your own water and port-a-poty." High-clearance vehicles may be needed to access some tent sites, particularly in areas like Gemini Bridges Campground where rough roads with sharp rocks limit accessibility. Most dispersed camping areas enforce 14-day stay limits and require campers to use only existing sites to minimize environmental impact. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for tent camping.

The La Sal Mountains provide higher-elevation tent camping options that offer relief from desert heat. At Oowah Campground, tent sites sit near a small alpine lake at approximately 8,500 feet elevation, providing cooler temperatures and scenic mountain views. A camper noted that "Oowah lake is absolutely stunning. The deep, clear, emerald lake is perfect for a quick dip after a hot day." Tent campers seeking solitude can find more isolated sites by venturing farther from established roads, though this requires additional preparation with adequate water supplies. Areas like Behind the Rocks provide ample space between tent sites for privacy, while tent-only campgrounds like Up the Creek offer a communal atmosphere within walking distance of Moab's amenities.

Best Tent Sites Near Castle Valley, Utah (53)

    1. Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area

    31 Reviews
    La Sal, UT
    15 miles
    Website

    "This was our second night boondocking near Moab, and it was peaceful. We were the only ones out in this area camping with not a single car driving by while we were here."

    "AFTER CLEANING UP A HUGE MESS THAT SOME A HOLE LEFT, we arranged our gear and set up camp. Best time I have ever had camping. We were even greeted with 4" of snow our last day there!"

    2. Gemini Bridges Campground

    28 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 208-9692

    "No WiFi. No cell. Be prepared to enjoy fresh air, beauty, quiet.

    This is a narrow canyon, surrounded by high cliff walls. Everything echoes. Bring good quality firewood."

    "The drive to these campsites is steep and narrow. 4x4 advised. We drove the road in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and had no issues."

    3. Up the Creek Campground

    9 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 248-2001

    $28 / night

    "A few things set this place apart in Moab: Tent only campers, no dogs, showers, and there are Wheelbarrows to bring your camp gear to your site - there are no vehicles allowed past the parking lot."

    "Short drive to all the state/national parks, and just a walk to downtown."

    4. Behind the Rocks Road Dispersed

    13 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "This is an amazing place to come and get away from all the people in Moab! Beautiful place to set up and plenty of room to spread out and have a private area!"

    "We stayed here for a night while driving across the country. Our cell service only occasionally worked there. There is no facilities or trash cans. So pack it in and pack it out."

    5. BLM Lower Onion Creek Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Castle Valley, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "After searching for campsites around Moab, I drove out  128 and stumbled onto this gem. Just a clear spot on the side of the road adjacent to the Colorado river."

    "Great setting nestled next to the Colorado river and lower onion creek. Great views in every direction."

    6. Moonflower Canyon Group Site

    8 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    $125 / night

    "Great spot, close to the road, trailhead and river with some petroglyphs right there. 4 picnic tables, 1 fire pit and 1 bbq available as well as toilets, and large parking lots. flat sites in canyon for"

    "This campground is pretty primitive but that is just how I like it! All the parking is together and then you walk down a path to the different camping spots."

    7. Oowah Campground

    6 Reviews
    Castle Valley, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-7155

    "My sister and I recently visited this stunning campsite on our social distancing road trip. Oowah lake is absolutely stunning."

    "Ran trails for three days around Moab. It was worth the 1/2 hour drive to this wooded paradise to get out of the dust, dirt, heat and wind of desert campsites!"

    8. Masons Draw Campground

    5 Reviews
    Castle Valley, UT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 637-2817

    "Much cooler temps up here. Surrounded by aspens, lots of deer and elk. The pit toilet was pretty clean and the tables were in good shape. Fire pits and bbqs at each site."

    "Great place to escape the Moab heat. Stars were incredible! About a 50 minute drive from downtown Moab"

    9. Rock Castle Camping Area

    4 Reviews
    Castle Valley, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "Solitude, great views into Castle Valley, a little far from the action of Moab, but a great way to get out of town and void the crowds"

    "Site 2 was really nice and secluded and had some tree cover, you just had to walk down a short path to get to the site, but we liked how tucked in it was."

    10. Jaycee Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Moab, UT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "Campground Review: All walk in campground near the Colorado river next to the Wall Street climbing area. I really liked this spot despite its location to the road."

    "The campground is $15/night, and comes with a reasonable amount of space per campsite with a fire pit and picnic table."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Castle Valley, UT

1849 Reviews of 53 Castle Valley Campgrounds


  • Mary S.
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Wingate Campground — Dead Horse Point State Park

    Brand new Wingate area, comfortable but no shade

    Dead Horse Point has a new section called Wingate. The older section is Kayenta.

    Wingate has wide asphalt spaces, electricity, fire rings, tent pads and picnic tables with wind blocks on 2 sides. There are very few trees...so no shade. (Kayenta has greater shade possibilities.) There may also be some sewer hookups.

    Another feature - walk-in tent sites and yurts. There are 4 great looking yurts in Wingate and 5 others near the park's Visitor Center.

    Bathrooms - they are private and include an automatic flush toilet, soap dispenser, automatic faucet and hand dryer. No showers but the bathrooms are very nice.

    There is a dishwashing sink outside the bathroom. It appears the water is potable but they ask you to arrive with water and help conserve water. Their water is trucked in from Moab....per reserveamerica.com.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2023

    Kayenta Campground — Dead Horse Point State Park

    Nicely laid out campground

    General & Site Quality: 56 electric sites, walk-in tent sites, and nine yurts in two loops: Kayenta and Wingate. Paved driveways, mostly level, a tent pad, fire ring, and a sheltered picnic table (from sun and wind) complete the electric sites. Back-in sites are on the inside of the loops while pull-thru sites are on the outside. There were three camp hosts in the Wingate loop, more than I usually see. 

    Bathhouse: Eight individual units in each loop with toilet, sink, soap, and hand dryer. Although the toilets were automatic flush, they didn’t always do the job and often took multiple tries. One toilet was clogged. There are also some vault toilets. No showers. 

    Activities: Nice and easy hiking trails. You can hike the west rim and east rim trails to make a loop for approximately five miles (depending on how many overlooks you include). Some trails are better marked than others, but we enjoyed a west-to-east rim hike from and returning to our campsite in Wingate. Designated mountain biking trails. 

    Unfortunately, we could only snag one night here but would have liked to have stayed longer.

  • Angee D.
    May. 17, 2019

    Elephant Canyon 3 (EC3) — Canyonlands National Park

    Views All Around

    This is a great backpacking campsite. Permit is required as are wag bags and leave no trace. I tracked it at 3 miles from Elephant Canyon trailhead. It was a 2 mile hike to Druid Arch from this site. No service and no water so plan accordingly.

  • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2016

    Horsethief Campground

    Best Views for Sunrise and Sunset - Close to Arches NP

    On Utah 313, 12 miles from Hwy 191 Elevation 5800 and offering 56 sites and can accommodate RV's (no hookups). Great views for sunrise and sunset! All BLM campgrounds and camping areas have vault toilets, fire rings, are open year round, and a fee is charged / collected at self pay station at entrance. No firewood gathering (available at convenience stores in Moab). Camping at all sites is limited to 14 days within a 30 day period. Be prepared for wind. Ground is pretty hard and tough to get tent stakes in - we tied down to rocks on site. About a 15 min ride from Arches and about 30 min from Moab. A great place to get away form the crowds!

  • Chase R.
    May. 24, 2024

    Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area

    Beautiful, Remote Views

    This was our second night boondocking near Moab, and it was peaceful. We were the only ones out in this area camping with not a single car driving by while we were here. On the way up we passed several campers right near the entrance of Yellow Circle Road. The campsite provides views of the mountains. The sunset was amazing even through the shrubbery. It does get windy out here in May; however, the shrubbery provides a solid wind break and the wind usually dies down in the evening. There was already a fire ring when we got here. Broken glass was found in some areas, be sure to watch where you step. If one doesn’t have firewood, there are plenty of dead branches laying around to use as firewood. There is potential room for other campers if one decided to come in a group with a similar set up to our camping set up. To get to this campsite, one doesn’t need high clearance; however, parts of the road aren’t crushed gravel (good tires are a must). Enjoy this beautifully, remote campsite!

  • Chuck S.
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Hamburger Rock Campground

    Primitive Hamburger

    Near the Needles. Lots of dispersed camping nearby. Vault toilets near road, 200 yards from sites. $15/night or $7.50 with senior pass. About 10 sites, butted against weird red mushroom-shaped rock. Sites not very level, 8’x8’ tent platforms, picnic table, iron fire ring and grate. No water. Nice, primitive sites with starry nights. No bugs (no water)!

  • Anthony P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2019

    Jaycee Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Gregory Zulu 40 at Jaycee Park Campgroud

    Campground Review: All walk in campground near the Colorado river next to the Wall Street climbing area. I really liked this spot despite its location to the road. There are 7 spots in total, they slightly vary in size. This is an all walk in campground, some spots are steps from the parking lot and others are about 100 feet or so. First com everest served, no reservations possible. Fee was $20 a night but can be reduced with a parks pass. One vault toilet and a large dumpster for trash. 

    The spots themselves are typical. Fire ring and a picnic table. We stayed din spot two, it was a little more secluded from the rest but on had room for one tent. Other spots are able to accommodate up to 3 tents. For our few nights there the campground was quiet and once night fell the cars all but stopped. It ended up being a great spot. 

    The campground is near climbing, river access, hiking (Corona Arch is just a few minute drive) and only a 10 minute drive into Moab. Overall it was a great spot, the only draw backs being so close to the road (unavoidable in that area) and the campsites being right on top of each other. 

    _________________

    Product Review:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products from time to time. Today i tested the Gregory Zulu 40 Backpack. I decided on this pack for long day trips or over nights. It advertises as good fro short backpacking trips. I think this bag excels as a day trip bag, i think it would work for overnights as long as you pack light. The bag itself is really nice, i love the design and colors. The pockets are all well placed and its very spacious. In the interest of testing the bag, i decided to carry every thing for 2 people just to see how well this holds up. It did not disappoint. 

    I had way more than enough room to carry extra clothes, water, snacks, camera and anything else we needed for two people. The bag opens via the top or can be opened by a front zipper. The zipper on the front is great for grabbing gear near the bottom of the bag. My favorite part about the bag, the included rain fly its own pocket. We didn't need to use it but we did get rained on and its great always having one just in case. 

    Overall, great bag. I cant wait to give it a try on a backpacking trip!!

  • Mary S.
    Jun. 12, 2018

    Saddlehorn Campground — Colorado National Monument

    Great base for exploring the Colorado Nat'l Monument

    This campground is near the visitor center just off the rim road, about a 25 mile road from one entrance to the other. There are several hiking trails for exploring the Colorado National Monument; you could keep busy for a couple days or more, depending on how much you enjoy hiking. There is also rock climbing.

    The campground has 3 loops:

    • A: no reservations, open year round

    • B: reservations and walkup. If you have a reservation, your site will have a "Reserved" sign along with dates and your last name. No check in is required. Open sites have an "Open" sign.

    • C: doesn't show up on recreation.gov so it looks like it is also walkup. I think groups can reserve it. There are tent pads which I didn't see in A and B (but you can pitch a tent in A and B). Only tents and truck campers are allowed, and no generators are allowed in loop C.

    Bathrooms seem fairly new with auto flush toilets, motion sensor faucets and hand dryers. There is potable water at various locations clearly marked with a "water" sign. No electric, water or sewer at sites.

    There are a few "driveway" styles in loops A and B: back in/pull in, pull alongside and pull through. Picnic tables and grills are back among juniper and pine trees, and you can pitch a tent. I would stay in loop C if I had a tent...very nice sites.

    And the views are beautiful, especially at sunset.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2019

    Drinks Canyon Camping Area

    Nice views of the Colorado river right from your tent

    The sign on the highway reads Drinks Canyon campground, but once you enter the campground the information sign reads Middle Drinks Canyon Campground. This nice campground situated between the highway and the Colorado river was full when we stopped. How ever while we didn't get to stay here this is a nice little campground. Nice views of the red rock walls of the Colorado are just out side your tent in all 9 campsites which all sit along the river. Like all the campgrounds in the canyon you are right next to the highway, but the low speed limit and the curvy road keep traffic noise to a minimum. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. This is a first come first served campground. Be prepared campground has no water or trash service. Campground has one vault toilet.


Guide to Castle Valley

Nestled near Castle Valley, Utah, tent camping offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning landscapes and enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of options available, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and explore the natural beauty of the region.

Tips for tent camping near Castle Valley

Tent campers should check out Oowah Campground

  • Located about 30-40 minutes from Moab, Oowah Campground provides a serene escape with beautiful lake views and plenty of shaded spots to set up your tent.
  • This campground features well-maintained facilities, including toilets and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.
  • Enjoy hiking trails nearby, such as the one leading to Clarke Lake, which offers stunning scenery and a chance to cool off in the water.

Explore local activities around Castle Valley

  • The Moonflower Canyon Group Site is perfect for groups looking to hike and explore petroglyphs along the river, providing a unique cultural experience.
  • For those interested in rock climbing, Jaycee Park Campground is conveniently located near popular climbing spots, making it an ideal base for adventurers.
  • If you're seeking a more luxurious experience, Under Canvas Moab offers glamping options with stunning views and amenities, perfect for a special occasion or a comfortable retreat after a day of outdoor activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Castle Valley, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Castle Valley, UT is Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area with a 4.4-star rating from 31 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Castle Valley, UT?

TheDyrt.com has all 53 tent camping locations near Castle Valley, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.