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Camping near Thompson, UT

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    The Thompson, Utah region supports a variety of camping experiences ranging from developed RV sites to dispersed options on public lands. Located along Interstate 70 approximately 30 miles northwest of Moab, the area features established facilities like Ballard RV Park and Desert Moon Hotel & RV Park within Thompson proper, while nearby dispersed camping on BLM lands provides more primitive options. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some properties also offering cabin rentals. The proximity to Moab and national parks makes Thompson a strategic base for exploring southeastern Utah's public lands.

    Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with maintained paved access to developed campgrounds and rougher dirt roads leading to dispersed sites. BLM Road 144 southwest of Thompson serves as a primary access route to several free camping areas, though high clearance vehicles are recommended for some sections. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during peak season (June-August), while spring and fall offer milder conditions. Cell service is generally reliable near Interstate 70 and in Thompson but becomes spotty in more remote camping areas. A visitor noted, "This is a spot just south of Thompson Springs exit on I70. Take the exit road south, up the hill .2 mile and on left there is a large spot that was likely a highway materials depot at one time. Good cell signal, close to the store and gas at the exit."

    Camping experiences in the Thompson area range from full-service RV parks with hookups to rustic desert settings. The developed campgrounds in Thompson provide convenient overnight stops for travelers on I-70, offering amenities like showers, water, and electrical hookups. Dispersed camping areas attract those seeking more solitude and cost-free options, though they lack facilities. A camper observed that many travelers use Thompson as a strategic layover point: "Got into Moab later than expected on a Friday night around spring break time, so there were no campsites available at the BLM sites along the Colorado River. After looking around for an hour, we looped back up around the 128 to I-70 and got off at Thompson springs." The area's primary appeal lies in its accessibility from major travel routes and its position as a gateway to nearby national parks, with most visitors using it as either an overnight stop or a less crowded alternative to staying in Moab.

    Best Campgrounds near Thompson (219)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Devils Garden Campground — Arches National Park

      4.7(97)15mi from Thompson57 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      2. Utahraptor State Park Campground

      4.2(76)19mi from Thompson88 sitesRVs, Tents

      "But the best part is the setting: scrubby desert surrounded by craggy mountains and dramatic skies. What a beautiful place."

      "Lots of room for over 100 rigs, tents, vans, though some are in close proximity to each other."

      from $30 - $50 / night

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      3. South Klondike Bluffs / Road 142 Dispersed

      4.1(50)16mi from Thompson

      "Pretty much just flat land surrounded by a primitive fence. No porta potty when I was there. It’s far enough away from the highway that cars aren’t bothersome."

      "close to highway, quiet at night

      • 15 minute drive to Moab/services
      • less than 10 minutes to Arches/Canyonlands entrances/turnoffs
      • no plant/tree cover for 🚽
      • not many private sites but sites"

      4. Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab - Sovereign Lands

      4.2(55)17mi from Thompson

      "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."

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      5. BLM 144 Dispersed

      4.1(22)8mi from ThompsonRVs, Tents

      "It's close to the highway for quick overnighter and close enough to Moab if your headed that way in the morning. I went right and followed the path behind the hill."

      "Arrived around 9pm in the dark and was happy to see LOTS of empty flat space to camp for the night."

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      6. Willow Springs Trail

      4.4(54)19mi from ThompsonRVs, Tents

      "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"

      from $30 / night

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      7. Ballard RV Park

      4.6(14)0mi from ThompsonRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The office can provide great information on the nearby national parks and other attractions. Showers and laundry are available for a fee, though we did not use them. Propane was available."

      "RV parks in Moab are insane expensive, and this is a nice one that's about a 35 40 minute drive away!"

      from $23 - $50 / night

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      8. Salt Valley Dispersed Camping

      4.4(8)8mi from ThompsonRVs, Tents

      "Lots of nice remote site options and trail leads you right into Arches NP (dont forget parks pass unless government is still shut down) with some fun off roading trails for capable vehicles but did see"

      "I drove through Arches National Park on Salt Valley Road, until it exited the park onto BLM Land. Took an immediate right and followed the fence of the park."

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      9. State Land Road #144 Valley City Site

      3.4(10)8mi from ThompsonRVs, Tents

      "It's nice and close to the highway, but if you keep going, you can get a ways out there, and there is even some fins and an arch if you go in a few miles."

      "Nothing special but cell service was good and far enough from highway to not bother sleep"

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      10. Courthouse Rock

      4.0(22)17mi from Thompson10 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Great spot for unstructured camping (no sites, just a large dirt parking lot) surrounded by sagebrushy land. We landed a spot right across from Courthouse Rock (see photo)."

      "There are nice hikes close by looking in toward Canyonlands Nat’l park. We tried riding our bikes to the trails, but the deep sand made it very difficult. The kids enjoyed finding lots of lizards."

      from $20 / night

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    Recent Camping Photos near Thompson, UT

    593 Photos of 219 Thompson Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Thompson, UT

    2205 Reviews of 219 Thompson Campgrounds

    • Tom The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 25, 2026

      BLM Mineral Bottom Road Dispersed Camping

      Only 18 minutes from the entrence to Canyonlands this spot is nice. Stayed only one night here but multiple in the area with recent constant, steady rain. Main road held up fine and was NOT an issue to pass in a mid-size AWD crossover SUV. There doesnt appear to be many spots along the main road UNTIL you take one of them and discover that one spot that looks like a camping area is actually a spur road and leads to many. Cell service with T-Mobile: almost nonexistent. Sometimes you'll have, mostly you wont though.

    • Todd B.
      Oct. 24, 2026

      Kayenta Campground — Dead Horse Point State Park

      Sites are have good space. Most sites have an up hill to get into them but pretty level at the top. Nice covered picnic table. Views are nice and close to visitors center and hiking trails leaving from campground. Dump station.

    • Shantelle M.
      Oct. 24, 2026

      Grandstaff Campground

      Camping by the Colorado river but it is by a busy road. Only has a pit toilet. It is close to Moab and the bike trail goes by the camp.

    • Robert T.
      Oct. 23, 2026

      Utahraptor State Park Campground

      Stayed at primitive campgrounds easy to get into with a class b RV. Clean roads not washed out. Sites far apart from each other.

    • Lisa M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 23, 2026

      Sand Flats Recreation Area

      Beautiful scenery, okay campsite

      First off, the road from Moab, getting up to Sand Flats is very steep, probably 8% or 9% grade in a couple spots, and very winding. We stayed in campground A where there were a few pull out spots and several back in spots. Even though the Ranger said campgrounds A,B,E or J were suitable for big rigs, campground J is about 6 miles from the pay window and after about 2 miles it becomes dirt road very rough. I wouldn’t want to take my rig down there, but we did drive down there and there was a couple of big rigs there. As one could expect there were lots OHV vehicles driving all over the place but it quieted down after dark. Good spot to stage from to go to Arches or Canyonlands national parks. There are only pit toilets available and no trash receptacles that I could see.

    • JThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 22, 2026

      Yellow Circle Crossing

      Unreachable

      Road is terrible. 2.5 miles off road to find out the entrance is a wasteland.

    • sThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 22, 2026

      Horsethief BLM Campground

      This was on our way to Canyonlands and Arches after major rains the past few days…easy to find, roads not bad for any 4WD, restrooms in each loop, first come first serve basis with a self designated site kiosk at the entry! Beautifully laid out and peace of mind! Firepits and picnic tables and most spots are separated with beautiful trees and shrubs! Nice views and ok cell service.

    • Todd B.
      Oct. 22, 2026

      Devils Garden Campground — Arches National Park

      An amazing place with great views from almost every spot. Quite each night. It is at the very end of the Arches drive which in some ways is great. The sites have pretty level concrete pads (they run a little down hill but not a big deal). Great separation for other sites

    • CThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 21, 2026

      Big Bend Campground

      Beautiful location! Close to the National Parks. Potable water down the road at Lions Park (take a small hose). Light traffic at night but the sound of the river drowns it out. You can pay by credit card now too!!

    Guide to Thompson

    Dispersed camping opportunities dominate the Thompson area landscape with multiple Bureau of Land Management sites scattered throughout the region. Located at approximately 5,000 feet elevation, these sites experience temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night even during summer months. Most dispersed camping locations require at least 2-3 miles of travel on unpaved roads that deteriorate significantly after rain.

    What to Do

    Morning hiking at Klondike Bluffs: Located near South Klondike Bluffs / Road 142 Dispersed, these trails offer cooler temperatures before midday heat. "There's tons of sites if you keep going towards the back but I wanted service so I was just off the pull off. Beautiful sunset and my cat loved to roll on the dirt," reports camper atea J.

    Stargazing after 10pm: With minimal light pollution, most sites offer exceptional night sky viewing. At BLM 144 Dispersed, one visitor noted, "Plenty of room up there, gorgeous!" The best viewing occurs 2-3 hours after sunset when the moon is below the horizon.

    Photography at Salt Valley: Capture dramatic landscape shots during golden hour lighting. "Camped right on the rim. Limited AT&T service," reports a visitor at Salt Valley, making it ideal for those seeking solitude while shooting landscape photos without modern distractions.

    What Campers Like

    Proximity to national parks: Many campers appreciate the strategic location for accessing nearby attractions. "Only 30 minutes from both Canyonlands and Arches National Parks and is about 40 minutes from the town of Moab. The site is reasonably priced," notes Joshua G. at Ballard RV Park.

    Cell service reliability: For those needing to stay connected, certain areas maintain good coverage. "Full cell service w AT&T. Great sunrises. I found a spot near the entrance, but plenty of space to roam around," shares Malcolm C. about the State Land Road #144 Valley City sites.

    Cost-free alternatives to Moab: Budget-conscious travelers value the free options. "Anything goes, just pack out what you bring in! I ride an adventure motorcycle so I can hit all the trails from here!" explains Brian R. at Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab - Sovereign Lands, highlighting the accessibility for adventure motorcyclists.

    What You Should Know

    Vehicle requirements vary significantly: Many sites require appropriate vehicles. "High clearance would be good if you want to go deep down into spots that are more rocky and sandy but if not you can find spots right along the road," advises Luke L. about Salt Valley dispersed camping.

    Weather impacts road conditions: Clay roads become impassable when wet. "This area is a bentonite clay roads and DO NOT camp here if wet or possibility of significant moisture in future, you will get stuck," warns Greg L. about the State Land Road sites.

    Noise factors to consider: Highway and rail traffic affect some sites. At Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites, one camper observed, "Great sunset/view but cars were driving by a lot from about 6-9. You can hear and see the highway traffic. Also the train and power lines."

    Limited amenities: Most dispersed sites offer no facilities. "There are tons of spots to make your own little home for the night. Most spots have fire rings that have been made out of rocks by other campers or legit fire rings," explains Bailey A. about dispersed camping outside Moab.

    Tips for Camping with Families

    Seek out established sites with toilets: Some areas provide basic facilities suitable for families. "Very clean with hand sanitizer and GOOD, fluffy toilet paper. Ground is hard to drive stakes into, so bring some para cord if tenting. Watch out for cactuses," advises Ben R.

    Consider dinosaur-related activities: The region offers paleontological sites kids enjoy. "The kids loved climbing the rocks and bonus there is a trail with dinosaur tracks!" shares Chelsey M. about her experience at Willow Springs Trail.

    Timing matters for privacy: Early arrival ensures better site selection. "If you come after 3pm a lot of the good spots are taken and then you have to squeeze in so get there early to grab a spot!!" recommends Tris W. about dispersed camping areas.

    Tips from RVers

    Check road conditions first: Larger RVs should scout ahead. "NOT for bigger rigs! We knew better. Should not have been on that road in our fifth wheel. No turnarounds once we started on a steep, bumpy road with sharp turns. Broke a leaf spring," warns Kinnard about Salt Valley.

    Consider established RV parks in Thompson: For full hookups and amenities. "Sites are gravel, level and very well maintained. All are pull through. Hookups are in excellent condition. Sites had plenty of room, many had tables and some had fire pits," shares Richard &. about Ballard RV Park.

    Utilize early arrivals for level sites: Finding flat spots takes time in most areas. "There is a bit of a dip in the road so be careful on that but was fine to drive, go slow," advises Chrissy B. about accessing the best places to camp near Thompson, Utah.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Thompson, UT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Thompson, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 219 campgrounds and RV parks near Thompson, UT and 86 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Thompson, UT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Thompson, UT is Devils Garden Campground — Arches National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 97 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Thompson, UT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 86 free dispersed camping spots near Thompson, UT.

    What parks are near Thompson, UT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Thompson, UT that allow camping, notably Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.

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