Devils Garden Campground provides a strategic basecamp for exploring Arches National Park near Cisco, Utah. Located at an elevation of 5,200 feet, the campground experiences temperature swings of up to 40 degrees between day and night. Most sites remain shaded during morning hours but receive full sun exposure by afternoon, with average summer high temperatures reaching 100°F.
What to do
Hiking to secluded arches: Access multiple trail networks directly from Devils Garden Campground. "It has a fun little trail connected to it. The grounds were crowded, but we felt like our site was really secluded and private," reports David S. These trails lead to less-visited arches, particularly during early morning hours.
Stargazing at designated viewpoints: The dark skies over Oak Grove Campground offer exceptional celestial viewing. "Beautiful night skies and a great place to spend sunrise/sunset," notes Chris P. The limited light pollution allows for visibility of the Milky Way on clear nights, best viewed between 10 PM and 2 AM.
Off-roading access points: Several trailheads near Williams Bottom provide direct entry to popular 4x4 routes. "Located near the poison spider and Potash road 4x4 trails. 5.6 Miles from Highway 191 and about 20 Minutes from Moab," explains Erin M. Most trails require high-clearance vehicles with 4WD capability.
What campers like
Proximity to national parks: Guests appreciate how Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway provides convenient access to both parks. "Great location right at the doorstep of Arches, and a bit outside of downtown Moab," notes David S. The campground sits approximately 10 minutes from the Arches entrance station.
Shade structures and cooling options: Many glamping sites close to Cisco, Utah feature covered areas to escape midday heat. At Sun Outdoors North Moab, "Each tent site had a charcoal grill and weather canopy. It was nice," reports Emily C. These weather canopies provide crucial protection when summer temperatures exceed 95°F.
River access for cooling off: Several campgrounds provide direct Colorado River access. "Great site along the river right off of SR-128. Toilets are clean. Peaceful site that offers privacy from the freeway," writes Sidney D. The river water stays cool even during peak summer months, maintaining temperatures around 65°F.
What you should know
Weather preparedness essential: The desert climate demands advance planning. "We loved this campground but we stayed here for a night, and it was amazing. It has a fun little trail connected to it," shares David S. about Devils Garden. Summer afternoon temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically between campgrounds. "At times, 1-2 bars of T-Mobile LTE. Most of the time no cell service," reports Chris P. WiFi availability is limited primarily to established RV parks and glamping locations, with most wilderness sites offering no connectivity.
Reservation timing matters: For glamping accommodations near Cisco, Utah, early booking is critical. At Moab KOA, "We arrived on the later side of things and every camp area was full, in all of Moab, KOA had four cabins available so we snatched one up," reports Melissa K. During peak season (March-October), reservations should be made 3-6 months in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Protected camping shelters: Families benefit from sites with structural protection. "We stayed in one of the small RV spots. It was nice that we were the only ones on the north side of the campground," explains Tina S. about winter camping at Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway. These shelters provide crucial protection from sudden weather changes.
Kid-friendly amenities: Seek campgrounds with facilities designed for children. "Nice playground and splash pad for the kids! We were at a tent sight which was close to the playground and bathrooms! We were able to pack up while the kids played," notes Caitlin C. about Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway.
Evening wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe desert wildlife. "We had a kit fox follow us around on a evening hike and even visited us at our campfire and hung out!!" shares Lauryn V. These experiences typically occur at dusk when temperatures begin cooling.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RVers recommend choosing specific sites at glamping resorts. "Sites are so narrow that you are 3 feet from your neighbor. We didn't even have our own table. Had to share a table if we wanted to use a table," warns Janine J. Requesting end sites or premium locations provides additional space.
Electric reliability concerns: Some glamping locations experience power issues during peak usage. "50A service at our site and a couple next to us was spotty in its overall quality - probably an open ground or something," notes David S. Traveling with surge protectors is recommended, especially during summer months when air conditioning demand increases.
Alternative hookup considerations: Seasonal factors affect hookup functionality. At Kayenta Campground, "Hook ups for trailers and plugs to charge devices if needed. Tent pads really nice and flat," reports Lauryn V. Water hookups may require heat tape protection during winter months to prevent freezing.
