Moab, Utah, is located in the southern half of the Beehive State and is perfectly situated for campers who are in search of canyon camping destinations and adventure in red-rock landscapes. We recommend making home base as close to town as possible for easy access to a huge range of outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, four-wheeling, horseback riding or just exploring the charm of one of America’s classic desert towns. RV campers who choose to camp in Moab Valley have great options like Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground. For National Park enthusiasts, Moab offers quick and easy access to both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
Amazing RV Camping in Moab
Moab is a camper’s dream. There are great campgrounds north and south of Moab along U.S. Highway 191. If you want to be right in on all the action, consider Good Sam’s campground Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground. This campground has everything you need after a day of exploring the canyons and national parks. The campground has a hot tub, dog park and even a bicycle wash and repair station! Aside from the great amenities, what we most like about Moab Valley RV is its proximity to all the fun in Moab.
Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground
Camp close to the action
Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground is situated in the north of town, just before the bridge over the Colorado River. The campground is less than 5 minutes from the entrance gate to Arches National Park and is just a 30-minute drive to the southwest to Canyonlands National Park.
Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground is also within the town limits of Moab, so after a day out in the canyons, we love being able to quickly get to Main Street to do some shopping, grab dinner, and enjoy some ice cream made with liquid nitrogen from Moab Garage Co.
Pointing the way to Dead Horse Point. Photo: Alaina Elliott
Arches National Park
A visit to Moab, Utah, cannot be considered complete without a trip to Arches National Park. Arches is a great park for anyone who enjoys a hike but who also likes to be able to enjoy the sites and sights from a vehicle. All of the major sites inside of Arches NP are drive-to destinations with good parking for those who want to explore the red rocks more closely. Keep in mind this park does get very busy so if you plan to enjoy the Arches Visitor Center or famous rock formations like Balanced Rock and The Windows Section, try to get there as early in the day as possible.
A rock cairn in the Windows area of Arches National Park. Photo: Alaina Elliott
Home While We Roam Tip
Delicate Arch is world-famous for its sunset pictures. It truly is amazing at sunset, so are the crowds. To beat the crowds, consider a hike to Delicate Arch at sunrise!
Pothole Point in the Needles. Photo: NPS/Neal Herbert
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is comprised of nearly 400,000 acres of red rock canyons and rock formations in Utah’s high desert. As compared to Arches, Canyonlands offers a much more wild National Park. Canyonlands is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, the Maze, and the Rivers (Colorado and Green). For those that are looking for true wilderness, Canyonlands has everything to offer. Keep in mind that this park is truly a wilderness and the districts are not linked directly by any roads. If you are heading to Canyonlands to enjoy the backcountry, make sure you plan appropriately so you have plenty of time to take in the sights.
Blissfully lost in the backcountry of Moab. Photo: Alaina Elliott
Adventuring on ATVs and UTVs
When we visited Moab the first time, we weren’t prepared for how enthusiastic the ATV and UTV community was going to be. For starters, we didn’t even know what a UTV was 😉 We now understand that the Utility Terrain Vehicle designation typically means passengers get to sit side by side much like in the family car. Of course, that is where the similarities to the family car end. We highly recommend you consider renting a UTV for a half day. These vehicles are street legal, so you can drive them right of the rental company’s lot and into the red rock backcountry for some truly amazing off-road fun! We used the Moab Tour Company and had an amazing time.
Horseback Riding
If off-roading isn’t your speed, but you still want to get out into the wild red rocks without having to hike in, consider a horse or mule tour. This is a great adventure for the whole family. Moab Horses offers short half-day rides. Their horses are well trained, and beginners are always welcome. If you elect this trip, know you will be in the saddle for about two hours. In our experience, this is just enough time to have a great amount of fun for even the smallest riders without spending too much time in the desert heat. Just remember to wear a big hat and long pants and your trip will be a memory your family will treasure.
Explore Moab
Moab is such a cool town, make sure to leave yourself at least half a day to explore. Everything is situated along Main Street so you can walk down one side, then turn around and come back along the other side of the street. Stop to sample treats from the many restaurants and maybe pick up a souvenir or two from one of the shops. We recommend you check out the Moab Information Center, which is located at Main and Center streets. It includes interpretive displays and lots of information on what to do during your stay. There is also an incredible 4k theater film shown throughout the day highlighting the Moab Area. If you take the time to watch the film before you start your adventure, you won’t be disappointed.
Photo: Alaina Elliott
Moab is Your Gateway to Canyon Camping
If your RV travel plans have you craving destinations in the American Southwest, Moab Utah should be on the top of your list. Moab is our go-to when we are in that part of the country. It is central to two of the most spectacular National Parks in Utah, Arches and Canyonlands and has no shortage of things to do. Check out the video below to get a taste of what you can expect in Utah’s wide-open spaces.
When you stay in Moab you will have your pick of things to do, from exploring canyons, hiking red rocks, or taking the family off-roading in a UTV. We like to make our home base as central to the action as possible. Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground is situated perfectly and offers great amenities for restful days spent at the campsite. When your family has had their fill of sun and adventure, you will be happy you can take a quick trip to explore the unique and eccentric shops and restaurants that line Main Street. Moab is an amazing destination for canyon camping, national park enthusiasts and adventure junkies, so enjoy your stay in those wild red rocks!