Tyler S.
Guide
GuideKens Lake Group Sites
Ken’s lake
This lake is nice along with the stream that runs into which has hikes up it to the waterfalls. Not much trees for shade at this campground but other than that we’ve really enjoyed it here.
Camping near Castle Valley, UT
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The Castle Valley area in eastern Utah contains a mix of developed campgrounds and dispersed camping areas managed by various agencies including BLM and National Park Service. Camping options range from established sites in Arches National Park's Devils Garden Campground to more primitive spots near Castleton Tower and along scenic Highway 128. Several commercial campgrounds offer cabins and RV hookups, including Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown and Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway, while public lands support tent camping with varying levels of amenities.
Road conditions in the region vary significantly, with many dispersed camping areas requiring high-clearance vehicles for access. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, but summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing. BLM dispersed camping typically allows 14-day stays, while developed campgrounds may require reservations up to six months in advance. Cell coverage is spotty outside Moab proper, and many primitive areas lack potable water. A visitor noted, "Couldn't really find the BLM road to get to the actual camp. A lot of signs saying no camping, not sure where the actual BLM camping area is."
The Colorado River corridor provides several popular camping areas with riverside sites. The campgrounds along Highway 128, including Hal Canyon and Oak Grove, receive high ratings for their scenic beauty and access to the river. One camper described Hal Canyon as "tucked away from the road with lots of trees for shade," noting its popularity means "not many campsites, so get there early." Camping areas near Castleton Tower appeal to rock climbers and those seeking dramatic desert views, though recent reviews indicate confusion about where camping is permitted. Travelers should expect basic amenities at most public sites—typically pit toilets and fire rings, with no running water or electric hookups. Most campgrounds near Moab fill quickly during spring and fall peak seasons.
Best Campgrounds near Castle Valley (257)
1. Devils Garden Campground — Arches National Park
"This campground is surrounded by tall majestic rocks high in the Utah desert. Well located to visit several National parks. Toilets and water scattered around this large site."
"Depending on how far you want to walk, there is access to several of the park's arches right from the campsite. Beware of Ravens!"
from $25 - $250 / night
Check Availability2. Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown
"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."
3. Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway
"This park is very close to Arches entrance, so we chose it, that and we have stayed at several Sun properties. So we paid the higher than average price in the area to stay there."
"The park is ok but most sites are shared camp sides. And they aren’t very big. The park is in a cool location and has nice area amenities. Arches is 10 minutes, canyon lands is 45."
from $66 - $161 / night
Check Availability4. Grandstaff Campground
"If you're looking for beautiful scenery next to a nice cool water front then this place is your desert paradise. All campgrounds had permanent firerings and picnic tables."
"Minimal shade but a nice spot by the river on the edge of arches NP. Was very hot while we were there and pit toilets got very smelly. Great access to trails around. Fcfs site midweek no problem"
5. Sand Flats Recreation Area
"Sand Flats Recreation Area near Moab, Utah, is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, offering unmatched access to world-class trails like the famous Slickrock Bike Trail and stunning desert scenery."
"We choose this spot for a few different reasons: 1) My husband is an avid off roader/Jeep rock crawler and you are 5 minutes away from two popular and fun trails, 2) It is a big enough area where you can"
6. Moab Koa
"Nice Campground for exploring Moab and surrounding area. Clean, full hook up sites, and close to town. The pool area was awesome for cooling off after summer hikes."
"What a location to call “home” while visiting Moab. Very friendly staff and service and the facilities are clean and neat. They have an awesome pool and laundry facilities (2)."
7. Sun Outdoors North Moab
"The proximity to Moab, Arches and Canyonlands is ideal. The sites themselves were pretty packed in there so we didn’t have a ton of space outside our camper (21’ with one pop out)."
"Also it’s at the edge of Moab so it was a very close drive to Arches NP, etc. And it was also close to town so we were only maybe a 10 minute drive to the grocery store & the downtown area of Moab"
8. Utahraptor State Park Campground
"Lots of room for over 100 rigs, tents, vans, though some are in close proximity to each other."
"My class b van handled the road well. 15 dollars paid through the Utah park ap."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability9. Big Bend Campground
"We set our tent up right along the back border. We had an amazing view of the stars at night and woke up to the most amazing sunrise over the rock behind us."
"Along the Colorado River right outside Moab lie many lovely, simple, riverside campgrounds that even in the early spring can be crowded."
from $20 / night
Check Availability10. Moab Rim RV Campark
"Right on the edge of Moab with access to everything. About 10 minutes from arches and 30 from Canyonlands. Bathrooms were clean and camp store had most things you’d need."
"We stayed at Moab Rim RV Campark in March 2021 on our way to visit Arches National Park (which is only 15 minutes drive from the campark). "
from $9 - $125 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 36 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 32 min from Provo, UT
- 3 hrs 43 min from Farmington, NM
- 4 hrs 3 min from Salt Lake City, UT
Recent Camping Photos near Castle Valley, UT
673 Photos of 257 Castle Valley Campgrounds
Austin G.
Castleton Tower
McKenzie M.
Hal Canyon Campground
Julianne M.
Oak Grove Campground
Diana C.
Big Bend Campground
Madison G.
Big Bend Group Sites
Jordan N.
Drinks Canyon Campground
Madison G.
Drinks Canyon Camping Area
jill M.
Upper Big Bend Campground
Abigail R.
Porcupine rim campground
Andrew K.
National Forest Dispersed - Lupe2 Dispersed
Jason B.
Tracking Station Road
JEREMY W.
Lower Onion Creek Campground
Recent Reviews near Castle Valley, UT
2283 Reviews of 257 Castle Valley Campgrounds
- AAshley B.
TravelerCrystal Geyser Dispersed Camp
Amazing oasis in a gravel pit
The previous reviews had us a little worried. Since they were a year ago we decided to give it a go! The road wasn’t bad at all anymore. Seems like they filled the pot holes previously mentioned. It is a couple miles off the path but completely worth it. There’s a small waterfall from the geyser/spring head that is beautiful. We backed into the canyon spot and watch the sunset across the water. At night the stars lit up the sky and gave an amazing show! This site is totally worth it!!!
Greg T.
ScoutVillage Camp Moab
Village Camp
Pretty nice RV park. Nice folks, not quite as luxurious as advertised, but very good. Close to town, river, Arches NP, okay views. Sites were just spacious enough, but no real privacy. Your neighbor's sewer hookup may be next to your picnic table in some sites. We used our Starlink and not their internet.
- AAaron S.Scout
BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon Dispersed
Cliff camping
Great views but a lot of spiders
- Jason D.Guide
BLM Lone Mesa Dispersed Camping
Easy location for canyonlands and arches NP
Don’t need 4wd to access off of lone messa.
Tiana Y.TravelerThe Ledge Campground
By far my favorite place to camp in Moab
At only $20 a night you get access to like 100 different campsites, bathrooms and dumpsters. Money goes back into managing the land.
Would recommend 4x4 or AWD high clearance due to steep inclines/switchbacks and rough road.
Ton of privacy, incredible views and lots of trails for both hiking and off roading vehicles.
Have been back a few times. Hot in summer and nice in spring/fall.
There are reservable group sites and a ton of first come first served campgrounds from a-e. Very much out there it’s like 30 minute drive from the main road.
Went in early June for a few days and did not see another person in my campground the whole time I was there.
Lou P.TravelerHigh North BLM Campground
Once a popular boondocking site
This was greatly developed after Covid and after transitioning from dispersed camping to reservations/fees, it is much less popular. Note the bathroom (pit toilet) is usually very clean, but very often devoid of toilet paper. Plan accordingly. Also note the approach from I-70 can be daunting for bigger trailers, a far easier approach is coming in from Mack on old 6&50.
- OOliver M.Traveler
BLM Pulloff Near Arches National Park
Good site, rough road
Good size sure with a stone fire pit built on it. Can see and hear the 191 highway. No shade or shrubs just a gravel clearing. Access is very steep with large potholes. Probably better for a 4x4 with clearance. I manged it in a 2wd sprinter van with technical manoeuvring
Stephanie K.TravelerSouth Klondike Bluffs / Road 142 Dispersed
Easy access
Wide open space. Just off of road but far enough away to feel safe. Some road noise but not bad for a quick night of rest! Random firepits in area.
Guide to Castle Valley
Castle Valley is situated at approximately 4,500-5,000 feet elevation in the Colorado Plateau region, characterized by sandstone formations and expansive desert landscapes. The area experiences extreme temperature variations, with summer highs reaching 105°F during the day while dropping to the 60s at night. Camping options near Castle Valley range from primitive BLM sites without amenities to full-service campgrounds with cabins and RV hookups.
What to do
Mountain biking near trails: At Sand Flats Recreation Area, campers have direct access to world-class trails. "This is a great spot for riding a number of mountain bike and/or moto trails. Beautiful sun rises and sun sets!" says Katrina. The recreation area serves as an ideal base for the famous Slickrock Bike Trail system.
Dinosaur track hunting: Willow Springs Trail area offers unique paleontological features for families. "The kids loved climbing the rocks and bonus there is a trail with dinosaur tracks! Even with the crazy wind we still had fun!" shares Chelsey M. The trail is approximately 20 minutes north of Moab and offers free dispersed camping options.
Colorado River access: When staying at Grandstaff Campground, visitors can enjoy easy river access. "Outside Moab you can find a string of campgrounds along a scenic drive along the Colorado River. I tent camped at Grandstaff which is sandwiched between the river and the road like all campgrounds along the corridor," notes Deborah D. The sites provide opportunities for wading, swimming, and enjoying the riparian ecosystem.
What campers like
Proximity to national parks: Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown provides strategic positioning for park visits. "Very nice clean camping area. All the amenities you could ask for. Pool, gas station attached for extra convenience. Easy access to the Arches," says Joyce C. The location allows campers to reach Arches National Park in under 10 minutes.
Desert seclusion with amenities: When seeking a balance between isolation and comfort, Utahraptor State Park Campground delivers both. "Free, dispersed camping on BLM land. There are porta potties along the road, which was great for someone like me who sleeps in the back of their SUV. Decently flat spots to park. Verizon signal was good," reports Dale. The campground offers basic facilities while maintaining a true desert camping experience.
Night sky viewing: The area's dark skies provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. "A quiet campsite tucked in along the Colorado River under the cliffs of Moab, this is literally my fav place I have ever camped," Andrew S. says about Grandstaff Campground. Many campgrounds minimize light pollution, with campers reporting incredible astronomical visibility.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Devils Garden Campground fills quickly despite appearing available. "Spent (3) wonderful nights at Devil's Garden CG. Despite 'FULL' indicators at the park and campground entrances, I drove through and noticed a couple of sites open (cancellations)," Chris P. reports. Reservations for prime sites should be made 6 months in advance.
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F with minimal shade at most sites. "The summer heat. Even at night, the temperatures remain uncomfortably warm, making it difficult to cool down or sleep well during peak summer months," notes Paulina B. about Sand Flats Recreation Area. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures for camping near Castle Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Castle Valley campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Castle Valley campgrounds?
Amenities vary across Castle Valley area campgrounds. Grandstaff Campground offers permanent fire rings and picnic tables with the bonus of beautiful waterfront scenery. Goose Island Campground provides basic facilities as a BLM campground. For those seeking more amenities, Ok RV Park & Canyonlands Stables offers clean and quiet sites with helpful staff and full hookups. Most public campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like vault toilets and fire rings, while dispersed camping areas typically have no facilities and require pack-in, pack-out practices.
Do I need reservations for camping in Castle Valley?
Do I need reservations for camping in Castle Valley?
Reservations are highly recommended for camping in the Castle Valley area, especially during peak seasons (spring and fall). Upper Big Bend Campground and other sites along the Colorado River fill up quickly due to their proximity to popular destinations. Fisher Towers Campground, while offering amazing views and access to outdoor activities, is quite small and can be difficult to secure without planning ahead. At Hittle Bottom, you might occasionally find availability with camp host assistance, but this shouldn't be relied upon. For the most reliable camping experience, make reservations well in advance, particularly during Moab's busy seasons and special events like Jeep Safari week.
Where can I find camping in Castle Valley?
Where can I find camping in Castle Valley?
Castle Valley offers several excellent camping options. Rock Castle Camping Area provides solitude and spectacular views into Castle Valley, though it's a bit farther from Moab. For those interested in climbing, Castleton Tower dispersed camping area offers stunning views of the famous desert towers, including Castleton Tower, the Rectory, and the Priest. Additional options can be found along Highway 128 following the Colorado River, which provides access to Castle Valley and features several campgrounds with beautiful red rock scenery.
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