Ballard RV Park in Thompson accommodates tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin lodging with pets. This full-hookup facility maintains reasonable rates compared to Moab alternatives, with spacious pull-through sites set on level gravel pads. Dogs are welcome throughout the property with standard leash requirements. The park provides clean restrooms, hot showers, and a designated pet walking area, though some campers note the pet area contains occasional debris including glass and metal bits. Located approximately 30-35 minutes from both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the campground serves as a convenient base for exploring the region's natural attractions with pets.
Dispersed camping options surrounding Thompson offer alternatives for pet owners seeking more remote experiences. Several BLM areas permit pets without restrictions, including sites along County Road #146 and near Klondike Bluffs. These free camping locations provide ample space for dogs to explore while maintaining reasonable proximity to Thompson's limited services. Pet owners should prepare for basic conditions, as these dispersed sites lack facilities like running water and toilets. The climate presents significant considerations when camping with pets in this region, as summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F. Campers report trains passing nearby Ballard RV Park can be loud at night, which may disturb sensitive pets. For travelers seeking free overnight options, several pull-offs near I-70 accommodate both tent and RV camping while allowing pets to remain with their owners.
$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!"
$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."
"We saw RVs and camper and and cats and vans and ATVs. There’s paths for everyone and lots of availability"
"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!"
"Beautiful sunset and my cat loved to roll on the dirt."
"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."
"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."
"If you love space and nobody in your face, a place for your dogs to run freely, but this is not your final “destination”… this is your spot!"
$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"
"Our Toyota Highlander didn’t have the best time getting over some big rocks the deeper we went off the main road so we stayed close to the road."
$23 - $50 / night
"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."
"The dog walking area is full of glass and bits of rusty metal (I don’t think it is the campgrounds fault but just fair warning). Beautiful spot."
"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"
"I chose this site for proximity to the parks, as well as the lovely geological backdrop."
"Location is key with this site. You are 10 minutes from Arches National Park. You are also close to the state highway, train tracks, and powerlines. I didn’t mind the train."
"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."
RangerStayed here for a night after a long drive. We wanted to take showers and not have to search for a site. Hot showers, nice staff, dog park. Close to the highway and we backed right up to a motel 6 that was very busy all night. Dogs not allowed at tent sites, but luckily they made a last minute exception for us at the very end tent site.
GuideSome trees but lots of dirt and no grassy areas. Spaces were nicely distanced for the price ($59 a night for pull-thru FH). They do have a leash less dog park and very reasonably priced laundry.
GuideQuaint campground two blocks from downtown and a 7-11. Park in the lot and carry your gear (carts provided) to your site. Showers and dish washing area kept up very nicely twice a day. BBQs available to cook all set up and ready to go.
Cool vibe for adventurers. Most people were up and out before sunrise to hike Arches NP. We also used it a s a base for Canyonlands to do some off roading.
There is a dog park nearby, but you only heard it if you were still in camp at 10am.
LegendAbsolutely beautiful resort. Staff is awesome. Multiple pools, dog parks. Great water pressure. Lots of trees by sites
LegendAfter our water getting turned on in our trailer by mistake while driving, this site came as a relief. It was just plain EASY. Clean site, full hook ups. It gave us an opportunity to dry things out, have full power etc. They had a dog park. Store, Fuel and food.
A plane flew in 100 yards from our site, the freeway was adjacent, trucks rumbling AND a train track! Ha ha! But honestly, it was easy to get a good nights sleep, even so.
GuideVery, very tight RV spaces. Had to park truck perpendicular to trailer. At times we were blocked by neighbors vehicles, but they had nowhere else to park. Had to wait to leave because exiting from our site was blocked anytime someone used the dump station. Would be horrible for a one night stay. They have a “dog park” that is tiny. Pretty useless except for very small dogs. It is very obvious they tried to maximize the number of sites at the expense of ease of access.
The good things are the rest rooms were clean, the sites did have some shade, concrete pads for parking RV, and (depending on if this matters to you) it is right in town in Moab with easy walk to numerous restaurants, shops, and stores.
GuideGreat WiFi. Perfect hook-ups. The staff seems great.
We really enjoyed the crowd of campers here. Younger than a lot of places we’ve been. No kids though. Also, the rocky area is rough of your dog’s feet. There is a sandy dog park in Moab, that was pretty good.
RangerNice place. Laundry on site which was the biggest draw. Can’t find a laundromat in 100 miles of here lol. Reasonable prices. Clean. Has a fenced in dog park. Not many trees and dusty/sandy but I guess that comes with the area.
GuideStayed a week at the end of April. Weather was perfect. RV park is exactly as advertised. The sites were adequate, and the selling point for me was the patch of nice green grass! The dog park was ok…just a big patch of dirt. While not a big deal for some, I have two dogs, one of which finds it difficult to potty in unfamiliar places as well as those without grass. Such a big baby. I have nothing negative to say about this RV park and would stay here again as it is close to Moab and all the National Parks.
Dispersed camping areas surrounding Thompson offer more pet-friendly options than many realize. Located at 5,200 feet elevation between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the region combines desert terrain with significant temperature fluctuations. Most dispersed sites on BLM land near Thompson have no designated pet areas but allow dogs to accompany their owners throughout the camping area with standard leash requirements.
Explore ancient petroglyphs: Only 8 minutes from Ballard RV Park, Sego Canyon features remarkable rock art. "We've been here about a month. The staff is super friendly, the park is clean, the showers are hot and clean and it's only about 40 mins. to Moab," notes James C., who found this historical site easily accessible from the Thompson area.
Dinosaur tracking: Visit dinosaur tracks near Willow Springs Trail. "Our caravan had 3 campers and 15 people, plenty of space even with it being Jeep safari and spring break. The kids loved climbing the rocks and bonus there is a trail with dinosaur tracks!" reports Chelsey M., highlighting one of the area's unique paleontological features.
Sunrise photography: The landscape provides excellent sunrise opportunities at Devils Garden Campground. "Spent (3) wonderful nights at Devil's Garden CG. Despite 'FULL' indicators at the park and campground entrances, I drove through and noticed a couple of sites open (cancellations)... Beautiful night skies and a great place to spend sunrise/sunset," shares Chris P.
Star visibility: Clear, dark skies create spectacular stargazing conditions at Willow Springs Road dispersed camping area. "If you are a star gazer then this would be your 5 star place. With no light noise you can see every star in the night sky!" notes Alisa P., highlighting one of the main natural attractions for campers.
Affordability: Many sites near Thompson remain free or cost significantly less than Moab options. "This place was $35 a night and was the cheapest spot I could find in the Moab area," mentions Wendy C. about her stay at Ballard RV Park, noting the cost savings compared to sites closer to park entrances.
Wildlife encounters: Evening wildlife viewing adds to the camping experience. "Loved it. It was active, but we just grabbed the first spot we found. Perfect place to set up shop for the night... Loved it," says Adria K. about Salt Valley Dispersed Camping, where many campers report seeing coyotes and antelope.
Weather preparation: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing. "We tent camped here in mid December and it was cold at night, but nothing too terrible if you have the right sleeping bags," advises Bailey A. about camping with the appropriate gear.
Ground conditions: Terrain at most dog-friendly campgrounds near Thompson can be challenging. "Ground is hard to drive stakes into, so bring some para cord if tenting. Watch out for cactuses," warns Ben R. about Utahraptor State Park, where the desert soil conditions affect campsite setup.
Arrival timing: Securing preferred campsites requires planning. "Plenty of open space and spots to choose from. Approximately 50 different campers, lots of vans and just all types of rigs. Good gravel road in, some spots on slick rock and some in sand," reports VanpeDiem D., noting the variety of terrain and occupancy levels even during busy periods.
Pet safety considerations: Examine camping areas for hazards before allowing pets to explore. "The dog walking area is full of glass and bits of rusty metal (I don't think it is the campgrounds fault but just fair warning)," cautions Wendy C., highlighting potential dangers for pets at certain sites.
Multiple bathroom options: Some dispersed areas now have portable facilities. "Free, dispersed camping on BLM land. There are porta potties along the road, which was great for someone like me who sleeps in the back of their SUV," mentions Dale, describing the unexpected amenities at BLM Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab.
Access road assessment: Road conditions vary dramatically by season and recent weather. "If rainy/wet and in 2wd beware. I got stuck, luckily got myself out. It was about 930p and I didn't notice just how muddy it was until I was sliding. Good spot if dry," warns Jessica K. about her experience on wet roads near Thompson.
Late arrival options: For those arriving after dark, certain areas provide easier navigation. "Arrived late at night and were a little nervous—no troubles though! Well maintained dirt road, ample pull-offs for camping, nicely spread out, very quiet," reports Eric S. about his experience at BLM 144 Dispersed.
Level site selection: Finding level parking requires searching beyond initial pull-offs. "Easy access to all size rv. Easy to get level. Near hwy so a bit of road noise. Wide open space," notes Karla R. about camping areas outside Thompson where the terrain varies considerably.
Power needs: Plan for self-contained power at most dispersed sites. "I needed a place to get electricity for AC when Temps hit 100+ degrees consistently. Found this campground unexpectedly and couldn't have been happier! Super clean, friendly management," shares Deb, describing how Ballard RV Park met her power needs during extreme heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Thompson, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Thompson, UT is Devils Garden Campground — Arches National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 96 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Thompson, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 138 dog-friendly camping locations near Thompson, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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