Considering camping near Arches National Park? Excellent call! Arches NP and all of the surrounding areas are absolutely gorgeous, making this the perfect place to do some camping and spend time in the great outdoors.
That said, there are some things you will want to know before you go camping near Arches National Park. Below are our top tips for getting the most out of your camping trip in the Arches area.
When to Go Camping near Arches National Park
The first thing you need to decide is when to take your trip. The thing is, the weather in Arches isn’t always ideal. The winters can be quite cold, and the summers can be very, very hot. While any season is doable, if you want to spend the majority of your time outdoors—and especially if you plan to boondock while you’re there—we highly recommend visiting in the spring or fall.
The Best Places to Go Camping Near Arches National Park
We mentioned boondocking while camping near Arches National Park above. This is totally an option and is absolutely the best choice if you’re A) visiting on a budget, B) looking for an adventure, or C) just don’t love campgrounds.
That said, there are also plenty of options as far as RV parks and campgrounds go. Below are some of our favorite places to set up camp near Arches.
Gemini Bridges Road Dispersed Camping
While there are many amazing places to do some dry camping near Arches National Park, Gemini Bridges Road Dispersed Camping is our top pick. This spot puts you just a few minutes outside of Arches and Canyonlands and is just a short drive away from the amenities offered by the town of Moab. It can get crowded, but there’s almost always room for one more!
Quick Tips: A free dump station is available at the Maverick gas station in town, and fresh water can be obtained at the same station. Delicious drinking water is free at the nearby Gearheads Outdoor Store.
Devils Garden Campground
Do you prefer to camp in an established campground or to stay in the national park? Devils Garden Campground is the place for you. This is a lovely campground that can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. The campground does not offer hookups, but trash and flush toilets are available to campers. You will want to make sure to make reservations in advance, as this campground does fill up!
Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown
Finally, there is Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown. This is the place to be if you want to camp in the lap of luxury. The sites here are level and have full hookups. There is a pool onsite and the park is set right in the middle of downtown Moab, meaning you can walk to nearly everything the town has to offer. Camping near Arches National Park has never been more comfortable!
What to Do When Camping near Arches National Park
Now that you’ve decided when and where to go camping near Arches National Park, let’s talk a little about what to do while you’re in the area.
Head to the Visitor Center
Obviously, you will want to spend time in Arches National Park itself, and we recommend starting your park visit at the visitor center. Here, you can explore exhibits about the park, watch the park movie, and even attend a ranger program to learn more about this amazing place.
Walk to Double Arch and the Windows
Once you’re done at the visitor center, head to The Windows area of the park. Here, you can take the short stroll to the incredible Double Arch, do the short hike to the Windows, and do some rock scrambling while you’re at it.
Hike the Sand Dune Arch Trail
The Sand Dune Arch Trail is another short and sweet trail that is absolutely worth checking out. It features a small slot canyon and plenty of scrambling opportunities and is absolutely perfect for families or those who prefer easy yet rewarding hikes.
Explore Canyonlands National Park
Arches is just down the road from Canyonlands National Park, so it only makes sense to check this park out as well. It’s actually quite lovely and well worth your time. We recommend exploring the visitor center here as well. From there, hike the Mesa Arch Trail and Grand View Point Trail.
Go Swimming at the Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center
Arches National Park can get hot. This makes taking a swim at the super awesome Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center extra appealing. The pool features slides and even has some inflatables up on certain days of the week. Best of all, boondockers can get a shower in while they’re there!
Note: It is possible to pay for only a shower without paying for a swim session, something that boondockers will appreciate.
Attend Community Events
One of the things we love most about Moab is the fact that it has such a thriving little community. We’ve attended family outdoor skate nights and free concerts downtown. We’ve also seen car shows, parades, and a variety of other events happening in this bustling place.
About the author: Chelsea Gonzales
Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.
You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.
Mason H. ~ “Across the board – totally professional! Thanks, Coach-Net!”