In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
Delicate Arch in the evening light, the mesa rim at Dead Horse Point and the spires of Needles: one base camp in Moab, three completely different landscapes.
The spirit of the route
Moab smells of sagebrush, dust and coffee. Open the sliding door in the morning and you see red walls across which the first ray of sun travels like a spotlight, and you hear only ravens and the Colorado in the distance. In Arches National Park more than 2,000 natural stone arches stand in an area you can barely walk in two days; at Delicate Arch you wait with a hundred others for the evening light and are quiet all the same. On the mesa at Dead Horse Point the Colorado lies far below in a loop, in Island in the Sky the mesas jut out over steps of white and red rock, and further south in the Needles District rock spires stand in the red sand like a petrified city. The route rewards early starts, an eye for heat and water and the willingness to leave the camper standing now and then: many of the finest spots lie at the end of short trails.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Moab to Arches National Park (approx. 40 km)
- The drive
- From Moab take US-191 north, then turn right into the park and follow the park road (about 29 km, paved) in switchbacks to Devils Garden. Moderate gradients and climbs, tight bends, 15–45 mph; in the park be patient with photographers and coaches. Pure driving time around an hour, a full day with stops and walks. In 2026 the NPS requires no timed-entry reservation for Arches; reservations still apply for Devils Garden Campground and Fiery Furnace hikes. Check status and possible changes at nps.gov before the trip.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Delicate Arch: a trail of about 4.8 km out and back with 150 m of climb over slickrock, without shade; start for sunset with a head torch and water. If you are short of time there is the Delicate Arch Viewpoint with a short path.
- The Windows Section and Double Arch: a short walk to several arches, parking for long vehicles is tight; quietest in the morning.
- Devils Garden with Landscape Arch: about 3 km out and back to Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural arches in the world; the continuation to Double O Arch is for those with a head for heights.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Devils Garden Campground in Arches National Park: around 50 pitches among rocks, no hook-ups, with toilets and water (seasonal); reserve via Recreation.gov and check vehicle lengths on the booking page. In Moab itself: private RV parks with hook-ups. For large vehicles, a pitch in town and a day trip into the park is recommended.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Inside the national park, only on campgrounds. Around Moab, dispersed camping on BLM land is only partly permitted, often in designated areas such as Willow Springs Road, Mill Canyon Road and other corridors; check the map and current rules with the BLM Moab Field Office or Grand County, and observe the fire and toilet rules.
- Insider tip for campers
- Do Delicate Arch in the late afternoon with a head torch so that the way back is safe in the dark. Entry fees for non-US citizens: check current amounts at nps.gov. Fill up with water in Moab before the park and plan more than you need in the camper: there are only a few water points in the park.
2Stage 2: Moab to Dead Horse Point and Island in the Sky (approx. 65 km)
- The drive
- Take US-191 north to UT-313, then about 35 miles (about 55 km) on the road onto the high plateau: first a long climb onto the mesa, then a flat plateau with wide views. UT-313 is paved and well built, speeds up to 65 mph. Pure driving time about 1 hour 15 minutes to Dead Horse Point, 1.5 hours to Island in the Sky. No petrol station on the mesa, so fuel up in Moab beforehand.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Dead Horse Point State Park: the view of the Colorado’s gooseneck bends 600 m below, rewarding even against the light; short paths along the rim, Utah State Park entry fee.
- Island in the Sky, Mesa Arch: a circuit of about 1 km, where the morning sun glows through the arch; come early, the car park fills before sunrise.
- Grand View Point Overlook: view over the White Rim, the Colorado and the Needles in the distance; a short walk from the car park.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Kayenta Campground in Dead Horse Point State Park: some pitches with electric hook-up, water at the facility; check length and equipment details on the Utah State Parks site, reservation strongly recommended. Willow Flat Campground in Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky): simple pitches without water, first come, first served according to the NPS; dry and basic only. For motorhomes needing hook-ups, private sites in Moab are suitable.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On the plateau, camping outside the campgrounds is prohibited in the state park and the national park. BLM land outside the park boundaries along UT-313 (Mineral Bottom Road, Highway 313) offers dispersed camping with screening and wind; access roads are partly sandy or muddy, check the map.
- Insider tip for campers
- Strong winds often blow on the mesa, especially in the evening: roll in the awning. Fill up with water and fuel in Moab, as there is hardly any supply in the park. Dead Horse Point and Mesa Arch combine well in one night: Dead Horse Point in the evening, Mesa Arch early the next morning.
3Stage 3: Moab to Fisher Towers and Highway 128 (approx. 50 km)
- The drive
- From Moab take UT-128 east along the Colorado River: one of Utah’s loveliest river roads, with rock walls right at the water, 35–55 mph, a few tight bends and bridges. Pure driving time 45 minutes to Fisher Towers, a full day with a hike and swimming stops. No petrol station along the whole stretch, so fuel up in Moab.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Fisher Towers: rock towers over 250 m high; a trail of 7 km out and back with climbs, start early in summer. The view and car park are worthwhile even without a hike.
- Castle Valley and Castleton Tower: viewpoints on the access road to the small valley; access via the La Sal Mountain Loop Road only for short vehicles.
- Colorado River on UT-128: water sports (rafting operators in Moab), swimming at calm spots, especially in summer; mind the current and temperature.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Along UT-128, BLM campgrounds offer simple pitches right by the river, including Goose Island, Hal Canyon, Oak Grove and Big Bend (pitches of varying size, vehicle lengths often limited, toilets, some with water). Sand Flats Recreation Area above Moab: community sites with toilets, but only conditionally suitable for long vehicles. Check status and reservations with Recreation.gov and Grand County.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Dispersed camping along UT-128 is permitted in many places but heavily restricted: camping only on designated areas; take rubbish and toilet waste with you, no fire in the desert without a fire ring. Observe the BLM administration’s map.
- Insider tip for campers
- By the river it is hot from midday; plan hikes for the morning or late afternoon. A thunderstorm in the La Sal Mountains can cause rockfall and mudslides on UT-128: check the weather, and road conditions via UDOT Traffic. Do not take drinking water from the Colorado River.
4Stage 4: Moab to Needles District (Canyonlands) (approx. 130 km)
- The drive
- Take US-191 south until just before Monticello, then UT-211 about 35 miles (56 km) west into the Needles District: wide valleys, red walls, Indian Creek, paved all the way into the park. Moderate bends, slight climbs, 55–65 mph, tighter later. Pure driving time around 2 hours. No petrol station in the park: fuel up in Moab or Monticello.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Newspaper Rock: rock art on UT-211, a short stop right by the road, historic petroglyphs from several centuries.
- Cave Spring Trail and Pothole Point: short trails (1–1.5 km) with ladders, a cowboy cabin and rock hollows; for anyone with only an hour.
- Chesler Park Viewpoint: a trail from the Elephant Hill trailhead (about 10 km out and back) into a valley of rock spires; the trail is demanding, water and a map are needed.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Squaw Flat Campground in the Needles District: 26 pitches in two loops among rocks, no hook-ups, with toilets and water by season; some of the pitches (Loop A) can be reserved via Recreation.gov in high season, the rest first come, first served; check vehicle lengths on the booking page. Other options: private sites at Needles Outpost outside the park and in Monticello (RV parks with hook-ups).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Dispersed camping on BLM land along UT-211 is permitted (Indian Creek Corridor), in part with reservation or permit requirements in climbing zones; check location and rules with the BLM Moab or Monticello Field Office. Inside the national park itself, only on designated campgrounds.
- Insider tip for campers
- The approach to the Needles District is remote and manageable by camper; the track to the Elephant Hill trailhead is not: a short, light vehicle only as far as the car park. Pack water (4 l per person), sun protection and a map before setting off. There is hardly any mobile signal in the Needles District.
5Stage 5: Needles District to Moab (approx. 120 km)
- The drive
- Take UT-211 back to US-191, then north via Church Rock and Wilson Arch back to Moab: wide high plain, straight stretches, later switchbacks down to the Moab valley. 65 mph, in town 25–35. Pure driving time about 2 hours. Fuel up in Monticello or Moab.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Wilson Arch: natural arch right by US-191, car park and short access; a good photo stop against the light.
- Hole N’ the Rock: a home in the rock, a privately run attraction on the route; check opening times beforehand.
- Moab Museum and a stroll through town: shops, cafés, bakeries; a rest day between the parks.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Ken’s Lake Campground (BLM Moab Field Office) about 16 km south of Moab: simple pitches by the lake, toilets, no drinking water and no electricity; Loop A (larger vehicles) only seasonal, Loop B small and hard to turn in for large motorhomes; check status beforehand. Alternatively, private RV parks in Moab with hook-ups, showers, laundry and waste disposal; book early for high season.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Around Moab, dispersed camping is restricted: many BLM areas require camping in designated zones. If you have no pitch, move on to Monticello or Green River, where there are more options.
- Insider tip for campers
- Before handing back or travelling on, do the dump station, fresh water and shopping in Moab. Moab’s main street is slow in weekend traffic jams; start early on Sundays. If you have time, add a rafting trip on the Colorado or a jeep ride on the Shafer Trail (without your own camper).
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- Utah has no right to roam: overnighting is legal on BLM land and in National Forests (dispersed camping), usually up to 14 days in one place and only on pitches already in use near the access road, not on private land, state trust land (SITLA) or in national park and state park areas outside designated campgrounds. Stay friendly with rangers; violations can bring fines in the three-figure range.
- In several BLM areas (especially around Moab) special rules apply: designated camping corridors, fire bans, a requirement to carry toilet systems. Check the current map and rules with the relevant BLM Field Office or the municipality before relying on a spot.
- Wild camping along highways, at rest areas and in Walmart car parks is not tolerated everywhere; in towns such as Moab, Kanab and Springdale, checks are made at night. If you arrive somewhere without a pitch, it is best to ask a campground operator about short-notice vacancies.
- Wildfire and fire orders apply in summer almost every year; gas stoves are usually still allowed, open fires are not. Never leave a fire unattended and light one only in fire rings; check status with the BLM, Forest Service and utah.gov/fire.
- Water is the bottleneck: filter or boil water from streams and lakes in the highlands; in the desert there is often no water at the pitches. Desert soils are fragile: stay on rocky or already used areas, and do not walk on biocrust (dark, knobbly soil crusts).
- Apps and sites: Recreation.gov (NPS, BLM, Forest Service), Utah State Parks Reservation (stateparks.utah.gov), iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt, Gaia GPS with the BLM layer. Road conditions via UDOT Traffic (udottraffic.utah.gov or 511).
- Moab is a heavily visited hub: camping corridors apply, fees on some BLM areas and in part a reservation requirement; without advance planning it is often fully booked in spring and autumn.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Dump stations and fresh water are not available in every park: in towns (Moab, Kanab, Bluff, Escalante, Torrey) for a fee at petrol stations or private sites, in some state parks for guests. Never release grey water onto the ground or into streams. sanidumps.com lists locations.
- Drinking water: tap water is drinkable in Utah. In national parks there are water points at the visitor centres and at campgrounds with water; in the desert and on BLM sites, take canisters (at least 4 l per person per day).
- Propane at petrol stations and dealers in Moab, Kanab, Cedar City, Blanding and St. George; European bottles need adapters and are mostly not refilled, rental motorhomes use fixed US tanks.
- Fuel: stretches between towns are long and there are many dead zones for mobile signal. Fill up fully before each section; in small towns petrol stations are more expensive and close early.
- Shopping: larger supermarkets in Moab, Kanab, Cedar City, St. George and Blanding; in small towns (Boulder, Torrey, Escalante, Mexican Hat), small shops with a limited range. Stock up on ice and fresh food beforehand.
- Electricity: pitches with hook-ups have 30 and 50 A (120 V); rental motorhomes bring the matching US cables. On pitches without electricity use the leisure battery and solar; generators are allowed in parks only at set times.
- Moab has several dump stations for a fee, laundries, supermarkets and propane dealers; there is no supply in the Needles District or on the mesa, so fill up with fuel, water and food beforehand.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits in mph: interstates 75–80, highways 55–65, in towns 25–35. Trailer combinations and larger motorhomes drive as signed, slower on mountain stretches because of the gradients. Use pullouts when vehicles collect behind the camper.
- Dimensions: legal maximum height 14 ft (4.27 m), width 8.5 ft (2.59 m). Watch for tunnels, rock overhangs and tight bends in parks; car parks at sights are often small and tight for vehicles over 25–30 ft.
- National parks: since 2026, higher fees or surcharges apply in some heavily visited parks for visitors without US residence; check current amounts at nps.gov. The America the Beautiful Pass is valid in NPS and BLM areas, not in Utah State Parks.
- Reservations: campgrounds in national parks and Forest Service via Recreation.gov (up to six months ahead), state parks via the Utah State Parks system; some pitches first come, first served only. In high season (April–May, September–October), advance planning makes sense.
- Weather: spring to early autumn is hot at low elevations (over 35 °C), at altitude (Bryce, Boulder Mountain) frost at night until May and from September. Thunderstorms and flash floods in canyons from July to September: never enter slot canyons when there is a risk of rain, and check the forecast the day before.
- Traffic law: right turn on red after a full stop, except where prohibited; at stop signs, order of arrival applies. Open alcohol containers in the vehicle prohibited, mobile phones hands-free only. A German driving licence is enough, an international one is recommended. Child-seat and seat-belt rules apply in motorhomes too.
- Emergencies: 911. Mobile signal often drops out in canyon areas; do not leave the vehicle if you break down off the road, and tell someone your route in advance. Always plan a larger water reserve in the vehicle than necessary.
- Arches and Canyonlands: park roads with tight bends and some steep sections; car parks at Delicate Arch, Windows and Mesa Arch are tight for long vehicles. Tracks such as Elephant Hill, Shafer Trail and White Rim Road are only for off-road vehicles, not for campers.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Water canister (20 l) and hydration system: in Arches and Canyonlands there is hardly any drinking water away from the visitor centres, summer over 35 °C.
- Head torch: Delicate Arch and Mesa Arch are worthwhile at sunrise and sunset respectively, and the way back is in the dark.
- Levelling ramps and sand ladders: soft ground on access roads, especially on BLM land.
- Sun protection, hat, walking shoes with a good sole: slickrock heats up, and there is almost no shade anywhere.
- Offline maps (Gaia GPS) and a BLM map of the Moab region: mobile signal drops out in Needles and in the canyon.
- Binoculars and a camera with tripod for sunrise and starry-sky shots: Moab and Arches have dark skies.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
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