The Colorado River corridor near Cisco, Utah provides a range of camping options from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Established campgrounds like Hittle Bottom and Dewey Bridge Group Sites along Highway 128 offer designated tent and RV camping with basic amenities, while dispersed camping opportunities exist on surrounding BLM lands. The area sits within a dramatic red rock landscape approximately 20 miles northeast of Moab, featuring campgrounds positioned along the Colorado River with views of towering mesas and desert formations. Most established sites include fire rings and vault toilets, while dispersed areas typically offer more primitive experiences.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally with sites filling quickly during spring and fall peak seasons when temperatures are moderate. The region experiences extreme summer heat and occasional flash flooding during monsoon season. As a camper noted, "Quiet and secluded. You hear a car go by once in a while otherwise just crickets." Many camping areas require high clearance vehicles to navigate unmaintained roads, particularly for accessing dispersed sites. Designated campgrounds like Hittle Bottom charge approximately $20 per night, while dispersed camping on BLM land is generally free but requires visitors to follow Leave No Trace principles. Cellular coverage is limited throughout the area, with virtually no service at most campsites.
Proximity to the Colorado River distinguishes many campgrounds in this region, offering opportunities for swimming and boating access. Campers consistently highlight the dramatic scenery as a major draw. According to one visitor, "We were alone in the entire campsite. Amazing location, clean vault toilets, boat launch." Sites along Highway 128 provide convenient river access points while still maintaining reasonable privacy between campsites. Fisher Towers and other nearby hiking trails offer recreational opportunities within short driving distance from most camping areas. While sites closer to Moab experience more traffic and visitation, campgrounds further northeast toward Cisco tend to be quieter and less crowded even during peak seasons. The contrast between developed riverside campgrounds and more isolated dispersed sites allows visitors to choose their preferred camping style based on desired amenities and solitude level.
$25 - $250 / night
"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!"
$150 / night
"Swam in the cold river, steps away from our tent. Great camp hosts."
"A little buggy but to be expected in July in Utah. Lots of space and great views."
"Small campground outside of Moab, Utah...the views, hiking, and access to the Colorado River are awesome."
"This is one of our absolute favorite campgrounds in all of Utah! Not only are you surrounded by the tallest desert towers in the entire US! "
$30 - $50 / night
"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."
"Low clearance vehicles can access sights closer to highway. Lots of camping spots tucked away if you continue down the road. Cattle around but bothersome. gorgeous red rock!"
"Lots of peeps camping here for the off-road experience and dirt bike/mountain biking trails."
$15 / night
"Willow Springs is awesome for the person that wants to be out in the middle of nowhere without really being super far away from something... it’s about 15 minutes outside of moab and directly off of the"
"this is the same campground as BLM dispersed camping outside of Moab, at blm378/willow springs trail roughly 12 miles north of Moab. plenty of space as there really are no designated spots, just be mindful"
$20 / night
"There are some campsites closer to the highway, but if you are intrepid you can travel a little further down and really nestle into some rocks in a small canyon."
"Great location, about an hour and a half from Moab, Utah which was our next destination. We were both impressed and will definitely camp here again."
$100 / night
"This is a great place to stay with access to the river. The only disappointing thing is that there are limited sites and they fill up quickly most weekends."
"Stopping here for the night, there are about 4 or 6 single campsite next to the group sites very spread out, level and a picnic table, quality new pit toilets is just fine"
$28 / night
"My wife found this spot while we were heading back to New Hampshire after 4 weeks in Utah. The trails getting in are fairly sandy but very easy to follow, I recommend 4WD and some clearence."
"Easy to get to, short ~20 off road to get to the camp site. Good signage along the way. Had a hard time finding in Apple Maps, but Google maps worked better."
GuideI LOVED swaseys beach. It was a hidden gem. I stopped here coming back from Vegas and I will be back because it was so beautiful and fun. Water was warm so we enjoyed that.
GuideDecent spot I suppose. Close to some trails. Small, but spread out ok. Your not going to get much privacy, but your not going to hear your neighbors snoring. It’s literally right off the road, traffic noise. If you’re looking for solitude, this isn’t the spot for you.
ScoutWe were able to get around the huge potholes in our Subaru Crosstrek. We camped in February and did get dusted by some snow (thankfully didn’t affect our drive out). We loved the amazing views! But be careful as you’re literally on a cliffside.
ScoutCampsite was clean and flat and easy enough to set up. Extreme winds blew our tent over and we ended up sleeping in the car. A little bit of noise from the main road and a spectacular view.
ScoutReally beautiful spot to camp lots of walking. Big dog park just a couple min of a walk, really friendly neighbors and the people working there are awesome highly recommend this spot Will definitely be coming back awesome river right next to it as well give it a 5 stars for sure free coffee every morning too can't beat that 😍
GuideCamped in a 26’ Class C. As long as you go slow the road is fine. A little more challenging to find a spot but doable. I’d check Horsethief first.
ScoutThere are ton of sites back here. Not too many with views and only a few with fire rings but it was quiet even in peak season.
ScoutShowers are $6, hot and unlimited. Just stop in at the front desk.
GuideEasily accessible in our 26’ Class C. Lots of campers but we didn’t feel crowded. Great view of the snow capped La Sal Mountains.
The Colorado River region near Cisco, Utah sits at approximately 4,300 feet elevation, characterized by arid conditions with summer temperatures often exceeding 100°F and winter lows dropping below freezing. The landscape transitions from red rock canyons to high desert plains, creating diverse camping environments that offer varying levels of accessibility. The camping season extends from March through November, with extremes of both temperature and isolation defining the experience.
Hiking at Fisher Towers: This 2.2 mile trail leads to impressive viewpoints with minimal elevation gain. As Alan B. notes about Fisher Towers Campground: "Not only are you surrounded by the tallest desert towers in the entire US! The 'Titan' stands at just over 700' tall and is surrounded by other towers shooting into the hundreds of feet as well!"
Mountain biking at Sovereign Lands: Located about 20 miles from Moab, these trails offer technical terrain for intermediate to advanced riders. A visitor to the Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab mentioned: "Plenty of access to mountain bike trails in the area as well. Fire bans were in place at the time through summer to Nov 1st."
River activities year-round: The Colorado River corridor provides kayaking, rafting, and swimming opportunities. At Onion Creek, one camper reported: "Kayaking the Colorado River is always fun, might have almost died but still fun. We went during a hot week and boy was it hot. Hard to find shade other than the rock walls."
Night skies and astronomy: The area offers exceptional dark skies for stargazing, especially during new moon periods. A camper at Hittle Bottom observed: "We went in Mid April and it was quite windy, but the weather was beautiful. When you go on the no moon days you can see all the stars."
Smaller crowds at northern sites: Campgrounds further from Moab typically have fewer visitors. At Lower Onion Creek Campground, one visitor mentioned: "The campground is about .75mi off the road, so it is very quiet with no road noise from Hwy 128. The road was freshly graded that day so it was smooth despite the rain."
River access points: Many campsites feature direct access to the Colorado River. A visitor to Dewey Bridge Group Sites shared: "Literally on the Colorado River. Bring lots of water and tarps for hot sunny days. You can dip in the Colorado River. Just be safe."
Seasonal challenges: Summer brings intense heat while winter can bring snow and ice on access roads. A visitor to Knowles Overlook Campground warned: "Signage say high clearance 4x4 required, you could probably do it in dry weather slowly with 2 wheels."
Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal amenities and no water sources. At Fisher Towers Campground, a camper noted: "There are picnic tables and metal fire rings, along with vault toilets, but there are no other amenities. So bring all your water and pack out everything."
Wildlife encounters: The area hosts numerous small animals including rodents, scorpions, and snakes. One camper at Hittle Bottom observed: "The critters are abundant, ants were awful, and apparently did bite according to our students that slept under the stars."
River safety protocols: The Colorado River current can be strong and unpredictable. A visitor to Lower Onion Creek Campground cautioned: "The river is nice to hang out in and maybe take a swim (if you're a strong swimmer) the current was strong."
Educational opportunities: Several areas offer dinosaur tracks and geological features for children to explore. At Willow Springs Trail, a camper mentioned: "The kids loved climbing the rocks and bonus there is a trail with dinosaur tracks! Even with the crazy wind we still had fun!"
Temperature planning: Consider bringing shade structures for daytime use. A visitor to Dewey Bridge Group Sites advised: "Bring lots of water and tarps for hot sunny days. You can dip in the Colorado River. Just be safe."
Road condition alerts: Many access roads require high clearance vehicles. At Willow Springs Trail, one RVer noted: "Open dispersed free camping along a gravel BLM road. Went all the way to the end and the road was fairly smooth in our dodge promaster."
Size limitations: Several campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. At Fisher Towers Campground, a visitor warned: "The campground itself is nothing special amenity wise. It is a small CG that is first come first served for 5 sites that hold 10 people max and cost $15. These sites are tent only so no RVs."
Early arrival strategy: Sites fill quickly during peak seasons. A visitor to Hittle Bottom recommended: "We arrived on a wed around 5pm in Sep and there were still a couple of tent sites available while all other campgrounds were full. They have fire pits so make sure you bring wood to make a campfire."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cisco campground located and how do I get there?
Cisco is located near Moab, Utah, with excellent access to the Colorado River and surrounding red rock country. Similar to Hal Canyon Campground, which is situated right off Route 128, Cisco provides convenient access to the area's natural attractions. To get there, you'll need to drive along Highway 128, which runs alongside the Colorado River. The campground is accessible by standard vehicles, though some of the more remote camping areas in the region, like those at Rabbit Valley — Mc Innis Canyons National Conservation Area, may require 4WD capabilities.
What amenities are available at Cisco campground?
Cisco campground offers basic amenities similar to other BLM sites in the area. For comparison, Goose Island Campground along Highway 128 costs $15/night and includes walk-in sites with water access. Most campgrounds in this region provide toilet facilities and access to the Colorado River. If you're looking for more amenities, Seven Mile RV Park offers a simplistic but beautiful alternative just a few miles from Moab with excellent stargazing opportunities and sunset views, though without resort-style facilities like pools or organized activities.
When is the best time of year to camp at Cisco?
Spring and fall are the best times to camp at Cisco, offering pleasant temperatures and stunning scenery. Sand Flats Recreation Area near Moab experiences similar ideal conditions during these seasons, with campsites featuring incredible views of red rock formations. Summer months can be extremely hot, while Fisher Towers Campground visitors note that despite the beautiful views, hiking, and river access, summer heat can be challenging. Winter camping is possible but comes with colder temperatures, though you'll enjoy fewer crowds. The desert climate means dramatic temperature swings between day and night regardless of season.
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