Campsite suggestions for Moab, Utah

[bogeyF250]

We are planning a trip to Moab and Arches area sometime in May. Looking for ideas from anyone who has stayed at any of the parks there. We have two dogs and always looking for pet friendly camps with a dog run. We travel with a 38 foot fifth wheel and need plenty of maneuvering room, so that would be helpful to know how tight the sites are.
I have looked at the Good Sam directory and also the RVparkreviews and there is so much plus and minus it's very hard to make a decision as to what is a good place. So, hope we have some RVers out there who can give me the straight scoop on some good places to go to and see. Looking for ideas for things to do there as well.
Thanks for any help you can provide.

[4runnerguy]

Another vote for taking bottled water. I've been to Moab twice in the last couple of weeks (it's mountain bike time already!) and was reminded again of how the water tastes. I think they have big tanks they store it in as it has that kind of taste. Now we're used to that so it doesn't bother us too much, but for those used to a "fresher" taste, bottled water is the ticket. Don't just get the 20 oz. size, but get some one or five gallon jugs to make coffee, cook, etc.

How long to stay partly depends on what activities you plan to do. If it's just sightseeing from your truck or if you'll get out for short hikes, longer hikes, 4x4 trips (of varying difficulties), rafting, etc. The best hiking is in Arches. But even outside the parks, the hikes up Negro Bill Canyon and to Fisher Towers are quite nice. I've probably spent nearly a year of time in the Moab area and still find new trails I have yet to do!

[tsetsaf]

Forget the directory and rvpr... see them all here.

In our opinion the nicest two parks for what you are looking for are:
Riverside Oasis
Moab KOA

The first being more convenient to town the later south of town (both are a couple miles from downtown)

[wintersun]

We found the best places to be the campgrounds on BLM land in the area. All are a forth the price of the private parks and a lot quieter. Dead Horse State Park that was mentioned is a favorite of ours. If you arrive before 3 pm you should have no difficulty in finding an open space.

[bogeyF250]

RaenMark wrote:
bogeyF250- I would recommend at least 1 LONG day for Arches and another for Canyonlands. With the addition of Dead Horse point, you could tack another half day in Canyonlands once you were done at the state park.

The drive along Hwy 128 is a couple of hours. We did that after going around the LaSalle Mountain loop, it's a very scenic drive around the "backside" of Moab. Very nice drive.

You can also head south from Moab to the 4 Corners area and Monument Valley.

We stayed 5 days and could have used another 3-4 to see everything we wanted to. Planning another spring visit to hit those places we didn't. The Needles area of Canyonlands, Cedar Breaks, Goosenecks State Park just to name a few. It's beautiful part of the country. Figure how long you think it will take and add at least half again to your estimate.

One word of caution, take plenty of water! The National Parks have a couple of potable hook-ups in each and don't sell bottled water anymore. We went in April and went through a case for the two of us in the 5 days, just while away from the rig.

Do some research ahead on access for your furry friends, they are welcome in some areas, but not in others.

RaenMark,
Thanks for the comments, I will definitely take along more water because we will most likely be in Moab in May so it may be a bit warmer by then.
Also the info on how long you stayed and visited is really useful, now I can plan a time line for the area and that will be a big help.
Thanks again to all that have answered my posting!

[RaenMark]

bogeyF250- I would recommend at least 1 LONG day for Arches and another for Canyonlands. With the addition of Dead Horse point, you could tack another half day in Canyonlands once you were done at the state park.

The drive along Hwy 128 is a couple of hours. We did that after going around the LaSalle Mountain loop, it's a very scenic drive around the "backside" of Moab. Very nice drive.

You can also head south from Moab to the 4 Corners area and Monument Valley.

We stayed 5 days and could have used another 3-4 to see everything we wanted to. Planning another spring visit to hit those places we didn't. The Needles area of Canyonlands, Cedar Breaks, Goosenecks State Park just to name a few. It's beautiful part of the country. Figure how long you think it will take and add at least half again to your estimate.

One word of caution, take plenty of water! The National Parks have a couple of potable hook-ups in each and don't sell bottled water anymore. We went in April and went through a case for the two of us in the 5 days, just while away from the rig.

Do some research ahead on access for your furry friends, they are welcome in some areas, but not in others.

[bogeyF250]

LindaAnn wrote:
We stayed at Spanish Trail RV Park just south of town and liked it. The sites were fine--we were in a motorhome. The views were really pretty and the park was quiet. There was a nice big area to walk our dog.

After Arches and Canyonlands, I would definitely recommend Dead Horse Point State Park for beautiful views. Also just north of town, There is scenic Hwy 128 which runs alongside the Colorado River--lots of great views and one of the pull-offs is a short drive to Fisher Towers, one of the rock formations is the one used in the Citibank commercial of the woman rock-climber! Also, not long after you begin the drive, you will see the Red Cliffs Lodge. They have a wonderful free museum with lots of memorabilia from the many movies made in and around Moab.


Just for fun, you might want to visit the Hole in the Rock, just south of town!

We loved Moab and the surrounding area--hope you enjoy as much as we did!

Thanks to all for your comments, and LindaAnn thanks for the extra info on Dead Horse Point as well as the other things to do in Moab. I don't know anything about Moab but I have seen pics of it and I hope it all works out that we get to see a lot of it. I am not sure of my time line for our stay as I do have a deadline for my return home. So, not sure how much time to allot to our visit in Moab and be able to visit Arches and surrounding area, any suggestions on amount of time to do these things?

[RaenMark]

We stayed at the OK RV park in April of 2012 and really liked it. It's off the main highway and quiet. About 5 miles south of town, which we didn't mind. Price was good. The workampers there were great. We were there with a 40' fiver and had plenty of room.

OK RV Park

[magnusfide]

Woodalls has an excellent rating system in their cg search. Here are the results for Moab.
http://woodalls.com/Campground/Default.aspx?city=moab&zip=&state=UT&country=USA&name=&goodsam=0

[Impkitti]

On our trip this past September/October, we stayed at Arches View RV for a few days. Very quiet, very close to both The Arches NP, Canyon Land NP and Dead Horse Point.

Not a lot of trees, they are planted, just still in the 10 - 15 ft range, friendly staff, clean showers. Certain slots have a view into the Arches.

Arch View Resort

[OH48Lt]

We liked Archview when we were there in a 33' 5ver. FHU, pull-throughs on the east side, roomy. North side of Moab where the road to Dead Horse SP turns off.

[Nutinelse2do]

Portal RV park, the back private section. Very quiet, excellent view, huge sites.

[Veebyes]

No question. Dead Horse Point State Park. Power only. Not many big rig sites. The stars at night are unbelievable.

[LindaAnn]

We stayed at Spanish Trail RV Park just south of town and liked it. The sites were fine--we were in a motorhome. The views were really pretty and the park was quiet. There was a nice big area to walk our dog.

After Arches and Canyonlands, I would definitely recommend Dead Horse Point State Park for beautiful views. Also just north of town, There is scenic Hwy 128 which runs alongside the Colorado River--lots of great views and one of the pull-offs is a short drive to Fisher Towers, one of the rock formations is the one used in the Citibank commercial of the woman rock-climber! Also, not long after you begin the drive, you will see the Red Cliffs Lodge. They have a wonderful free museum with lots of memorabilia from the many movies made in and around Moab.

Just for fun, you might want to visit the Hole in the Rock, just south of town!

We loved Moab and the surrounding area--hope you enjoy as much as we did!

[TenOC]

TucsonJim wrote:
There are so many to choose from. This link might help you:

RV Park Reviews

Horsethief Campground BLM I think it is dry camping, but lots of room if I remember correctly and the price is right.