Green River, Utah sits at 4,080 feet elevation between the Book Cliffs and the San Rafael Swell, creating a desert environment with temperature extremes. Summer days regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing. The camping season extends from March through October, with late spring and early fall offering the most moderate conditions for outdoor activities.
What to do
Biking trails near Moab: The area serves as an ideal base for cyclists exploring the renowned trails 45-60 minutes away. At Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway, one visitor noted, "Great bike wash, loved the playground, nice staff, great amenities. We had an ideal site with a nice big lawn area we set up a whole game area in."
Stargazing opportunities: Dark sky viewing is exceptional throughout the region. A camper at Goblin Valley State Park Campground reported, "Dark skies offer amazing star gazing. Very hot & windy when we were there in June. Clean bathrooms and free, private showers."
Accessible hiking from campsites: Many campgrounds connect directly to trail systems. At Kayenta Campground, one reviewer shared, "Beautiful campsite, well maintained. Great hiking from campsite. Everything was clean and well kept up."
What campers like
Cooling options during summer heat: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming pools for relief from the desert climate. At Green River KOA, a visitor mentioned, "The campground is beautiful. Clean and updated. The pull throughs are flat ground. Picnic tables, grills, pool. Staff is really nice."
Geological explorations: The unique rock formations are a major draw for visitors seeking distinctive landscape photography. At Sun Outdoors North Moab, one camper noted, "Each tent site had a charcoal grill and weather canopy. It was nice. Bathrooms were air conditioned and had a nice shower. The views of the mountains are great!"
Shade structures at desert sites: Many campgrounds provide shelters to mitigate the intense sun. A camper at Wingate Campground said, "Very clean site! Sturdy, 2 walled shelter with picnic table, nice fire pit. The shelter blocks the evening sun. The camp hosts are super friendly."
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Service varies significantly across campgrounds. A visitor to Williams Bottom Campground reported, "No cell service for T mobile or Verizon. Fire pits. Right by the road. Easy access. Multiple pit toilets."
Water availability concerns: Many sites require bringing your own water supply. A camper noted, "No water here so bring your own. Nearest hospital and store are 30 minutes away."
Reservation timing: For premium glamping options in Green River, Utah, planning ahead is essential. One reviewer advised, "It's functional. Small sites and ours was next to the highway. Hook ups work, free WiFi is slow but works. A little light on number of rest rooms."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with play areas: Several locations offer recreational facilities specifically for children. One visitor to Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway remarked, "Clean. The tent spots had a nice canopy so your tent stays shaded and dry. Power and potable water. The staff was super helpful. Amenities included a pool and hot tub."
Consider tent site locations: Some campgrounds place tents in less convenient areas. A reviewer at Shady Acres RV Park observed, "Tent sites are almost non existent. Showers were clean. The door to our cabin had some pretty severe gaps. And overall there was faint but lingering smell of hot garbage."
Check for off-leash areas: Some campgrounds accommodate pets with dedicated spaces. A camper at Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway mentioned, "They do have a leash less dog park and very reasonably priced laundry."
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality varies: Electrical service reliability differs between sites. One RVer noted, "50A service at our site and a couple next to us was spotty in its overall quality - probably an open ground or something. We made it work, though."
Site width considerations: Many campgrounds have tight spacing between units. A visitor mentioned, "We were on the side with smaller RVs and tent campers and the spots were close and tight. We would not stay here again."
Proximity to parks: The glamping options in Green River, Utah offer varying access to national parks. A reviewer stated, "Great location with quick access to Arches/Downtown Moab. Spots are all fairly close together."
