Managed by the State of Utah Forrest, Fire and State Lands, Goose Island Group Campground sits along Highway 128 where the Colorado River cuts through canyon walls that form the eastern boundary of Arches National Park. The red rock faces rise directly across the water, visible from many of the 18 individual sites and 2 group sites that line the riverbank. Canyon walls provide natural shade in the late afternoon, which matters in summer when daytime temperatures climb. It fills fast. Sites go quickly on busy mornings, sometimes before 11am.
River-facing sites draw the most competition for good reason. Those spots have more tree cover, easier water access, and a bit more distance from the road noise that carries through the canyon from Highway 128. Alice C. notes the campground has "cell service," which she specifically sought out as a solo traveler in January, picking up 1-2 bars of AT&T. Reviews through multiple seasons confirm the campground stays open and occupied year-round, though winter visits offer more available sites. Gnats and small flying insects are common near the water at dusk.
Each site has a gravel parking pad, picnic table, and metal fire ring. Vault toilets are on-site, and multiple reviewers across several years note the bathrooms were consistently clean and stocked with paper. Michelle F. found "the bathroom was always clean and had plenty of paper." No showers are available at the campground. The group sites can be reserved in advance; individual sites are first-come, first-served. RVs up to 30 feet are accommodated, and the campground has drinking water, a dumpster, and cell service.
The location functions well as a base for the broader Moab corridor. Arches National Park is roughly a five-minute drive, and a paved bike path runs through the canyon along the river. Rock climbing on Wall Street, mountain biking, and Jeep trails are all within close range. Nearby alternatives include Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway, Moab Valley RV Resort, and Sun Outdoors North Moab for campers who arrive to find Goose Island full. One recurring note in reviews: there is no camp host, so noise enforcement after hours is inconsistent.
Campers planning a Moab trip who want direct river access, proximity to Arches, and a well-maintained but no-frills setup will find Goose Island worth arriving early to secure.
Description
Overview
The two sites at Goose Island are ideal for groups wishing to be close to the town of Moab and Arches National Park. The area offers outdoor enthusiasts many options for hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and four-wheel drive tours. The town of Moab is 10 minutes away and has dining, shopping, sports rentals, tour companies and museums.
Recreation
From Goose Island Campground, a paved bicycle trail leads to Arches National Park, the Bar M Mountain Bike Trailhead, the town of Moab, or up State Route (SR) 128 along the Colorado River. Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are nearby and have many scenic overlooks, hiking trails, and four-wheel drive roads. The SR 128 river corridor is filled with red rock canyons, hiking and equestrian trails, river access and activites, and scenic vistas.
Facilities
The group sites have fire grates, picnic tables, vault toilets and shade shelters. The group sites do not have water, dump stations or electric hook-ups. When you enter Goose Island the group sites are at the far end of the loop past the individual sites.
Natural Features
Goose Island is beside the Colorado River with cottonwood trees providing much sought after shade in the desert and striking canyon views. Across the river, the red cliffs of Arches National Park glow in the afternoon light.
Nearby Attractions
Goose Island is only 10 minutes from Arches National Park. Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park are within a half-hour drive. For people looking for guided tours or rentals, the town of Moab is only five minutes away.
Charges & Cancellations
Please contact the BLM Moab Field Office for assistance with changes and cancellations at 435-259-2100. Changes You can make changes to a reservation through your online Recreation.gov user account any time prior to the arrival/first date of the reservation. There is a $10 change fee If you wish to change to dates entirely outside of the original reservation dates. There is no change fee if you wish to extend or shorten the original reservation dates as long as the changes include dates from the original reservation. There is a $10 change fee if you wish to change to the other group campsite at Goose Island. You cannot make changes to your reservation after the arrival/first day through your Recreation.gov account. However, the BLM Moab Field Office may be able to assist you, 435-259-2100. For reservations with dates at the end of the available booking window (a.k.a. sliding window), you will not be able to make changes or cancellations until the site has been available to the general public for four days. Cancellations Please cancel your reservation if you do not plan to use it. This opens highly sought-after campsites for others to reserve. You can cancel your reservation online through your Recreation.gov user account or through the call center (call center incurs an additional fee). You may also contact the BLM Moab Field Office for assistance. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Late Cancellations A late cancellation occurs less the 14 days before the arrival/first date of the reservation (a.k.a. cut-off window). Late cancellations will incur a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Early Departures If you spend at least one night and then leave prior to the scheduled departure check-out date, please contact the BLM Moab Field Office (435-259-2100) to open the remaining nights for others to use. You will not be able to cancel these nights through your Recreation.gov account. You will be eligible for a partial refund of the nights AFTER you depart that you did not use. If you depart after the facility check-out time, you will not be eligible for a refund for that night No-Shows A No Show occurs if you do not arrive at your campsite or cancel your reservation by check-out time (Noon) on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time (Noon) on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed a $20.00 Recreation.gov service fee and forfeit the first nights recreation fee. Refunds You can submit a refund request through your Recreation.gov account within 7 days of the departure/end date of your reservation. Applicable fees, such as the Recreation.gov reservation fees, service/cancellation fees, lottery application fees, and change fees, are non-refundable. Refunds cannot be issued to any card other than the one used to pay. In the event of an emergency closure, all fees will be refunded. Attempts will be made to notify you using the contact information within your Recreation.gov customer profile. Interagency Pass Discounts Interagency Pass discounts do not apply to group campsite reservations.
Fee Info
Group Site A (max people 25): $125 Group Site B (max people 40): $175
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Stage 2 fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires. Generators and fires or stoves that use liquid petroleum (LPG) fuels are permitted, but must follow specific rules.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsGoose Island Group Campground is located in Utah near Moab
Directions
From Moab, drive north on Highway 191 to the junction of State Route 128. Drive two miles on SR 128 to the entrance to Goose Island campground. The group sites are at the far end of the campground.
Address
MOAB FIELD OFFICE
82 E. DOGWOOD AVE.
Moab, UT 84532
Coordinates
38.6096694 N
109.5578194 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/22/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 54 usersLast on 6/29/26
AT&TPossible CoverageVerified by 27 usersLast on 6/29/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/22/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 54 usersLast on 6/29/26
- AT&TPossible CoverageVerified by 27 usersLast on 6/29/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 31 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 2 hrs 57 min from Provo, UT
- 3 hrs 7 min from Farmington, NM
- 3 hrs 27 min from Salt Lake City, UT
