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MOAB, UTAH

Moab River Camping: BLM Campground Guide

River flowing through a canyon; campground along the bank with trees, red rock cliffs in background.

Why Camp Along the Colorado River near Moab?

Few camping spots capture the spirit of Moab like the BLM campgrounds lining the Colorado River along Highway 128. Just minutes from town, these sites put you right at the water’s edge, with red cliffs rising above and star-filled skies overhead. They’re first-come, first-served and offer basic amenities like picnic tables and vault toilets, making them a favorite for families, road-trippers, and adventurers who want a true desert experience without straying far from Moab.

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River Camping along Scenic Byway 128

Highway 128 offers some of the most sought-after riverfront camping near Moab, with sites stretching along the Colorado just 5 to 30 minutes from town. Many of the campgrounds along Highway 128 also give you dramatic red cliff backdrops and easy access to Moab’s paved bike path that follows the river. Many campers choose this area for its convenience—close enough to town for tours, dining, or supplies—while still delivering that classic canyon-and-river experience that makes Moab river camping memorable.

RV parked near a canyon, road in foreground, golden sunlight on canyon walls, blue sky.

Goose Island Campground

16 CAMPSITES + 2 GROUP SITES

This campground is perfect for guests looking to remain in close proximity to the town of Moab and Arches National Park. Goose Island is the busiest/most popular campground due to its location and usually fills in the morning hours. Pit toilets are available on site. No water spigots are available. Individual sites are first-come-first-served. Goose Island group campsites can be reserved online.

Silver camper parked at a campsite, with a picnic table and red rock cliffs in the background on a sunny day.

Grandstaff Campground

16 CAMPSITES

Located next to Grandstaff Canyon - a popular hiking area among locals and visitors to the area - this camp spot is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts! Pit toilets are available on site. No water spigots are available. This campsite is first-come-first-served, so it is recommended to snag a spot earlier in the day as opposed to later.

Campsite at base of large red rock cliffs; vehicles, dry vegetation, and a partly cloudy sky.

Drinks Canyon Campground

17 CAMPSITES

This campsite is located right next to the river and spots are limited, so be sure to set up camp early as spots are first-come-first-served. Pit toilets are available on site, as well as fire pits and picnic tables. No water spigots.

Red rock canyon with green foliage in foreground, lit by sunlight.

Hal Canyon Campground

11 CAMPSITES

This first-come-first-served campground is located along the river with a grove of scrub oak trees separating the highway from the sites themselves. There are 17 camp spots. Pit toilets are available on site. No water spigots.

Dirt road leading to a campsite near a red rock cliff face, with parked cars and tents visible.

Oak Grove Campground

7 CAMPSITES

Oak Grove Campground, located directly next to Hal Canyon Campground, is a beautiful campsite surrounded by scrub oaks and located next to the river. Oak Grove, however, is very open and great for viewing the majestic night sky. Both campgrounds are first-come-first-served and have pit toilets on site.

River canyon with green water, red rock cliffs, a road, and trees. Campground loop road and sites are visible.

Big Bend Campground

33 CAMPSITES

This campground is an extremely popular campground among visitors and is available at a first-come-first-served basis. With small beaches, this is the perfect area to hang out and enjoy the river. *It is very important to note that the river is not safe to swim in without a life jacket due to tricky undercurrents.* Pit toilets available on site. Reserve Big Bend group sites here. No water spigots.

A gravel parking area next to a river with trees and a small restroom.

Upper Big Bend Campground

6 CAMPSITES

Similar to the lower campground, Upper Big Bend Campground is a high demand first-come-first-served camping location. Great scenic views are available at all camping spots. Pit toilets are available on site.

Camping area with RVs amidst red rock formations under a blue sky with puffy clouds.

Lower Onion Creek Campground

21 CAMPSITES

Located approximately 30 minutes from town, this campground is great for visitors who are looking to get away from the busy town of Moab. Pit toilets are available on site. Individual sites are first-come-first-served. Group sites may be reserved. Reserve Lower Onion Creek group site here

Sun obscured by haze over a desert landscape with red rocks and scrub brush.

Upper Onion Creek Campground

14 CAMPSITES   -  2 GROUP SITES (RESERVABLE)

The Upper campground is extremely scenic and away from the highway. The turn off for Upper Onion Creek Campground is located before the Lower Onion Creek Campground. Located out of town, the night sky will showcase the stars like you’ve never seen before. Pit toilets are available on site. Individual sites are first-come-first-served. Group sites may be reserved. One group site caters primarily to equestrian use. Reserve Upper Onion Creek group site here

Red rock mesa in desert landscape with a blue sky and low bushes next to a campground entrance sign.

Hittle Bottom Campground

15 CAMPSITES  -  1 GROUP SITE (RESERVABLE)

This campground is perfect for visitors looking for a campsite that isn’t too close to the bustling city of Moab. Located about 45 minutes from town, the night sky will illuminate like you have never seen before.Spots are available at a first come - first served basis. Pit toilets are available on site. Reserve Hittle Bottom group sites here.

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River Campgrounds along Potash Road

Potash Road follows the Colorado River downstream from Moab, with campgrounds set against towering canyon walls and access to some of the area’s most unique sites. Just 10 to 25 minutes from town, this stretch is quieter than Highway 128 and offers easy access to rock art panels, climbing areas, and the scenic drive toward Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands. Campers often choose Potash for its balance of convenience and seclusion—close enough for daily adventures in Moab, but with a more tucked-away feel along the river.

Roadside campsite with trees and red rock cliffs. Cars parked near a picnic area.

Jaycee Park Campground

7 CAMPSITES

This first come - first served campground, set in a small grove of trees, gets the best of both worlds with the river just across the road. This is one of the few campgrounds in the Moab area that offers some tree shade. Pit toilets and picnic tables are also available on site. This spot is the perfect location for those wanting to remain fairly close to town, while also wanting a little quiet from the bustling town of Moab. No water spigots.

Red rock formation in front of a river, with canyon walls and cloudy sky in the background.

Williams Bottom Campground

17 CAMPSITES

This small first come - first served campground is great for visitors who would like a more peaceful camping experience, as camp spots are limited. This is one of the few campgrounds in the Moab area that offers some tree shade. Pit toilets are available across the road from the campground. No water spigots.

Covered picnic table area with a view of red rock cliffs and green foliage.

Gold Bar Campground

4 LARGE GROUP CAMPSITES (RESERVABLE)

This campground is an extremely popular site among visitors; especially large groups as it is one of the few reservable camp spots that offers large sites as well. Serene views are found at every angle and the campground is conveniently located just up the road from the Corona Arch trailhead. Pit toilets are available on site. Individual sites are first-come-first-served. Group sites may be reserved. Reserve Gold Bar group sites here.

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Camping along Kane Creek Road

Kane Creek Road winds along the Colorado River just a few minutes from downtown Moab before turning into a rugged backroad. Campgrounds here feel more secluded than those on Highway 128 or Potash, with sites tucked between river bends and sheer sandstone cliffs. Many campers choose Kane Creek for its quieter atmosphere, proximity to off-road trails, and access to popular hikes like Moonflower Canyon. It’s a great option if you want to stay close to town while enjoying a more out-of-the-way riverside setting.

Green trees at the base of a red rock canyon. Sunny day, dirt ground.

Moonflower Canyon

1 GROUP CAMPSITE

This campground is set in the beautiful Moonflower Canyon - and a short hike up the canyon will lead campers to the quaint pond that forms from rainfall each year. During the late summer, this campground can get a bit buggy; so remember the bug spray! This is a group campsite only, with no individual sites available. The nearest individual sites are available at Kings Bottom campground. Moonflower group site reservations can be made here.

A camper truck parked by a river with rocky cliffs, bright blue sky, and calm water reflecting the surroundings.

Kings Bottom Campground

22 CAMPSITES

This riverside campground is great for visitors who are looking to stay relatively close to town, but far enough for a quiet sleep spot. With the open landscape, panoramic views are available from each camp site. This campground is prone to get mosquitos in the later summer months, make sure to bring plenty of bug spray! Spots are first come - first served, so be sure to snag your spot earlier in the day.

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Private River Camping

For the most exclusive way to camp along the Colorado River, consider joining a guided rafting trip. Unlike public campgrounds, private river camps are only accessible by boat, giving you a stretch of beach and canyon wall scenery all to yourself. Guides handle the gear, cook hearty riverside meals, and set up a comfortable camp so you can focus on the adventure. At night, you’ll fall asleep on soft sand under some of the darkest skies in Utah. It’s a one-of-a-kind camping experience you'll never forget.

Stunning view from riverside camp overlooking Fisher Towers and cliffs ablaze with orange from sunset.

Southwest Sampler

PRIVATE RIVER CAMP ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY RAFT

In addition to visiting Arches and Hummer Safari, one of the highlights of the Southwest Sampler is the overnight rafting trip on the Colorado River. By day, you’ll float through red rock canyons, splash through gentle rapids, and enjoy riverside hikes. At night, you’ll camp on a sandy beach beneath a canopy of stars, with guides preparing hearty meals while you relax. It’s the perfect taste of river life and the best camping spot on the river!

Couple relaxing in camping cots by a river, with red rock mountains in the background.

Desolation Canyon 5-Day Expedition

PRIVATE RIVER CAMP ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY RAFT

Desolation Canyon is one of the premier places to experience private river camping in Utah. Over five days, you’ll float nearly 90 miles of the Green River through a remote wilderness of towering cliffs, sandy beaches, and hidden side canyons. Each night, you’ll camp on wide riverbanks with guides preparing meals and sharing stories under the stars. Desolation Canyon delivers both adventure and serenity in one unforgettable journey.

River flows around a red rock island under a blue sky. Raft visible at a beach camp.

Cataract Canyon & Canyonlands NP

PRIVATE RIVER CAMP ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY RAFT

The Cataract Canyon 4-Day Adventure is the ultimate way to experience river camping in the heart of Canyonlands National Park. By day, you’ll raft quiet stretches of the Colorado, hike to hidden viewpoints, and tackle some of the biggest whitewater rapids in North America. Each night brings riverside camping on sandy beaches, hearty guide-prepared meals, and a sky blazing with stars.

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