Moab in first week of Oct - reservations needed?

[mavapa]

I have checked some of the previous posts on similar questions, but nothing answered the question exactly -- do we need to make reservations to get a camp site in the Moab area in the first week of October? We'll have a 28-ft trailer and will want full hookups.

If we need reservations, we'll have to plan our trip schedule from Georgia a lot more carefully.

[mavapa]

Well, after checking into it a little more, I think we may change the dates of our visit to the last week of October. The Arches Web site shows a chart with number of vehicles entering each day of the year ( https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/traffic.htm ) There is a line across this chart, where if the number of cars is above it, the parking areas are typically full. That condition extends into October but pretty much ends on the last week of October. I also looked at the Web cam showing the entrance to the park. We just don't want to deal with that kind of hassle. The average temperatures are fairly mild at the end of October, although the nights can be cold. So, going later may solve our problem. We'll just need to be able to dress in layers.

The last time I visited Arches was in the late 1970's. Back then I found a camp site in the park late in the afternoon, which apparently is virtually impossible these days (of course, the campground is closed now because roadwork is closing the park weekdays from 7 pm to 7 am.) About four times as many people visit the park a year now.

[mavapa]

Thanks for the replies. Based on what you all said I think we'll try to plan our trip and call some campgrounds to see what they say. Fortunately we can build some slack into the trip because we have some friends in Denver we can visit for a few days.

[F-TROUP]

Stayed in Arch View RV Park last Oct cause we like riding right out of the park. Called 3 days ahead as we were in Colorado at our sons place, we got the last site that day. The weather is nice and the area is great I'd make them. We will be there in starting Oct 1st and made reservations 2 months ago. Have fun.

[Lauren]

Spanish Trail was just sold about maybe 3 months ago to a fantastic RV resort ownership up in Heber City, UT. I think we will see some great improvements.

[Flapper]

Was there for a week on either side of Oct. 1 last year. Stayed at Spanish Trail. they turned away three others ahead of us while we waited to check in, and then two more as I finished the check-in process. I dawdled and had made the reservations about 2 months out, and Spanish Trail was one of the few in the area that had openings to reserve.
BTW - nothing to complain about, but they are pretty much just a big parking lot. Not a place you want to hang out at for the day. Grass patches at each site. Things in reasonable condition. But, easy to get to, just on the far edge of town.

[Veebyes]

Dead Horse Point SP is in high demand, for good reason, however the in-town CGs should be fine for drive ups.

[Searching_Ut]

I haven't been following MOAB events much this year as it isn't on our radar for a change. It's one of those areas that tend to really fill up in the spring and fall on event weekends especially. Doing a quick look at a MOAB calendar of events I didn't see anything that stood out as one of the events that draw large crowds of campers, but I can't say for sure that it won't be hard to find a spot. As mentioned, there are a lot of areas surrounding MOAB, especially to the south that offer so good options as well.

[Busskipper]

mavapa wrote:
I have checked some of the previous posts on similar questions, but nothing answered the question exactly -- do we need to make reservations to get a camp site in the Moab area in the first week of October? We'll have a 28-ft trailer and will want full hookups.

If we need reservations, we'll have to plan our trip schedule from Georgia a lot more carefully.

Passport America works so likely you can get in there.

We have never made reservation unless we Know we will be somewhere on a date - worst case call a couple days before - Don't over plan - Enjoy the trip

While in Moab make it a point to Drive RT 128 along the Colorado River.

Best of Luck,

[linnemj]

We reserved sites at Dead Horse Point State Park in October.

Many people on the forum claim they have been camping for xx years and never made reservations. Also claim they always find a campsite. We are more comfortable with reservations!

[suprz]

We were I'm moab last Sept / early Oct and it was getting busy

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Was in SW Utah and Moab during Oct last year and the only reservation I had (and I needed it) was for Devils Garden in Arches. After three days in the park, we drove into Moab and there were many, many parks with space and good rates.

[jfkmk]

We are going to Moab this year, but not camping (not enough time). We called the Moab travel bearau and they said it is very crowded in October. You may want to call ahead and check.

[D_E_Bishop]

Where are you going to explore, Moab is just a town that is more famous for biking activities than camping. There are some nice campgrounds around, up the Colorado, Arches, Dead Horse Point, and quite a few places as far down as Monticello or ever further south. They are all close to the various sites in the area. I don't think you'll need reservations but you will have a lot of fun.

[BB_TX]

I would call 2-3 RV parks there and ask their opinion. May not need them at all. Or maybe call a day or two before arrival for peace of mind.