Dispersed camping dominates the La Sal area with primitive sites requiring varying levels of vehicle clearance. Campers should note that road conditions change drastically with weather, particularly after rainfall when many dirt access roads become impassable even for 4WD vehicles. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F in lower elevations while dropping to the 40s at night in higher elevations near La Sal Mountain camping areas.
What to do
Explore Needles Overlook: Take the paved road about 20 miles past Windwhistle Campground for spectacular canyon views. "Views out at Needles Overlook are stunning and are about 20 mi pavement past the CG," notes Greg L., who appreciates that "this is not an OHV area so the OHV trailer types are absent."
Night sky photography: The minimal light pollution makes campsites near La Sal perfect for stargazing and astrophotography. "We have never had WiFi nor cell service there," reports Mark M. at Windwhistle Campground, making it ideal for disconnecting and enjoying natural darkness. Another camper at Upper Onion Creek Campground shared it was "Great for night photography!"
Nearby water activities: During hot summer months, find relief at water access points. "10 minutes away from white water rafting site, multiple boat/water ramps, and close enough to town for all Moab has to offer," writes Tori M. about Upper Onion Creek Campground, making it a convenient base for cooling off during summer heat.
What campers like
Seclusion options: Many sites offer privacy despite the area's popularity. "We ended up camping multiple times in different spots. The best spot backed right up to the rocks and was cozy and very private," writes Sarah and James H. about Behind the Rocks Road Dispersed, suggesting campers explore various pullouts to find the right balance of views and privacy.
Convenient town access: Camping near La Sal provides accessibility to services while maintaining a wilderness feel. "Convenient location in downtown Moab, behind a Texaco station. We liked having one night in town, as we could walk to the restaurants, shops and stores," reports Paula O. about Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown, highlighting the ability to mix wilderness camping with urban amenities.
Cell service variability: Some sites offer surprisingly good connectivity for remote workers. "Cell signal on T-Mobile was marginal 2 bars lte," notes Greg L. at Windwhistle Campground, while a visitor to Behind the Rocks reported, "Verizon was only one bar." For reliable connectivity, Adventure Haven RV offers "lightning speed Wi-Fi," making it "a remote workers paradise."
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary seasonally: Regulations change throughout the year based on drought conditions. "We arrived after hours and the pickup of our site map and information was easy," explains a camper at Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown, highlighting the importance of checking current fire rules upon arrival.
Road conditions require preparation: Many dispersed sites demand careful driving. "The road to get there is bumpy with lots of tire ruts. I did still make it with my 2WD though!" shares Lindsey J. about Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area. Another camper warns, "Unless you've ample off roading experience, outfitted your rig with an assortment of lights, and a decent lift kit, please don't attempt to climb the mountain beyond a certain point at night."
Campsite availability timing: Sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "We arrived to this area quite at night. There was TONS of space for everyone to comfortably fit. We passed probably 20-30 vehicles camped throughout before we found space for ourselves," explains Ryan L. about Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area, suggesting late arrivals may still find options.
Tips for camping with families
Look for established campgrounds with amenities: Facilities make family camping more comfortable. "We had a tent but so happy we got the cabin. It was clean, comfortable and kept us out of the wind and rain. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked," shares Johnny V. about Moab KOA, highlighting the value of weather protection with children.
Find sites with natural exploration areas: Kids enjoy spaces to roam safely. "There's a horse trail right behind the campground that was perfect for walking our dog along, and the site had plenty of room for her to explore without bothering anyone else," notes Lauren at Upper Onion Creek Campground, describing terrain that works well for supervised children too.
Plan for extreme temperature fluctuations: Desert camping requires preparation for both hot days and cold nights. "It was 105 degrees," recalls Kathleen H. at Moab KOA, while evening temperatures can drop significantly. Pack appropriate clothing layers for children who may be more sensitive to temperature changes.
Tips from RVers
Assess site access carefully: "This is a pretty big area so there's space for trailers etc. The road is a bit rough, but manageable for most vehicles," explains Alex P. about Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area, suggesting drivers check conditions before committing to routes with larger vehicles.
Consider seasonal timing for comfort: Extreme temperatures affect RV camping differently. "We got here to find it relatively busy, we are here in a Tuesday and there are at least 10 other campers here. It's a rough road in, the higher up you go on the road, the rougher. We took our travel trailer(22' total) up, just have to be careful," shares Nathan L., highlighting both crowd factors and road challenges.
Evaluate hookup needs against solitude preferences: Balance service needs with location appeal. "Nicely secluded BLM CG. 16 sites, all FCFS no reserved. Water and host in season. Cell fair depending on camp, vault toilets, tables, fire-rings. No RV dump. Dumpster for trash," describes Greg L. about Windwhistle Campground, providing the practical information RVers need for planning.
