Arches National Park Winter Camping Guide

Visiting Arches National Park in the winter the park transforms into a tranquil, frost-tipped wilderness, making it a perfect getaway for those craving solitude with nature. Here’s all the information you need to know about Arches National park winter camping.

However, it’s important to come prepared with the right gear to fully enjoy your Arches winter camping experience. We recommend a four-season tent, sleeping bag rated for cold weather, and plenty of warm clothing layers.

This Arches National Park travel guide details the campground facilities available and reservation information for winter camping in the park.

It’s important to note the weather, services available, and what to expect when visiting in the winter. The weather in December, January, and February can be unpredictable with snow and cold temperatures so it’s not for everyone.

We live close enough to the park to visit various times throughout year so we have lots of Arches National Park vacation ideas to share! The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years, and specifically for the winter months.

The biggest tip we can give for visiting Arches in the winter is to plan for the cold temperatures and unpredictable weather that could include snow! Use our Arches National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in the winter. Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!

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A Photo Tour of Arches National Park

Take a visual tour through Arches National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!

Arches National Park in the Winter

The Arches National Park weather in the winter will be cold: temperatures can drop below freezing, particularly during the night hours. Icy winds can contribute to the chill, making it feel even colder than the actual temperature.

Arches in December: Highs 45 | Lows 23 degrees F
Arches in January: Highs 44 | Lows 22 degrees F
Arches in February: Highs 52 | Lows 28 degrees F

During the winter you need to be prepared for rain and snow. You will definitely want to pack winter clothing and dress in layers.

fleece jacket
insulated jacket
waterproof hiking boots
Darn Tough socks
winter hat
gloves
lip balm and lotion – it’s a dry environment!

Do the Roads Close at Arches in the Winter?

The park road might be closed after a snowfall for several hours for plowing. For road conditions getting to Arches, check the Utah Road Weather Forecast or call 1-866-511-UTAH (8824).

Park roads, parking lots, and pullouts can still be icy, especially in shaded areas. Check at the visitor center for the latest information on road conditions.

Winter Activities at Arches National Park

There are quite a few Arches National Park winter activities to enjoy during the off-season like scenic drives, hiking, and photography:

tent camping at Arches National Park — Tent camping at Arches National Park

Arches National Park Winter Camping

In the winter between November 1 and February 28, all camping sites at Arches are first-come, first served. (Arches camping reservations are required from March 1 to October 31.)

Devils Garden Campground in the Winter

There is only one small campground at Arches National Park: The Devil’s Garden Campground.

It’s awesome to camp in a location surrounded by juniper and pinyon pines, and beautiful slickrock landscape. There are many Arches National Park hiking trails in the area to explore.

Devil’s Garden Campground Facilities

53 sites
Potable water
Grills
Picnic tables
Pit-style and flush toilets
Pets are allowed in the campgrounds

The campground does not have the following:

RV hook-ups
Dump station
Shower facilities

Devils Garden Campground Accessibility

Two ADA accessible campsites – in the winter both sites are first-come, first-served.

The accessible sites are paved for wheelchair ease of use. The tent pad is dirt, but the rest of the area surrounding the picnic table, grill, and fire ring is paved.

Accessible bathroom two sites from the ADA accessible campsite via a paved road.

The campground road has slopes, speed bumps, and drainage ditches that may make travel by wheelchair difficult.

RV & Trailer Information

Sites range in length from 20 to 40 feet.
RV Allowed – Yes
RV Max Length in Feet – 40
Trailer Allowed – Yes
Classification – This campground is a limited development campground.

RV camping at Arches National Park — RV at Arches National Park

RV Parks Open in the Winter Near Arches National Park

Here’s a list of RV parks near Arches National Park open in the winter if you’re looking for a campground with more amenities than Devil’s Garden Campground in the park.

Arches Gateway Campground

Formerly Moab Valley RV Resort, Arches Gateway Campground is minutes away from Moab and Arches National Park. There are RV sites, tent sites, cabins, and fun Airstream rentals at this pet-friendly resort!

For RVs, you can pull in or back into sites that accommodate RVs between 20-45 feet in length. All areas come with full hookups of 30- or 50-amp electricity. Each site has a charcoal grill, picnic table, and WiFi access.

The amenities here include: on-site store, restroom & shower facilities, laundry, swimming pool, bicycle wash & repair station, life-size chess & checkers, dog park, putting green, and a playground!

North Moab Campground

Formerly Slickrock Campground, North Moab Campground is a pet-friendly, year-round campground close to several restaurants and shopping areas. The RV park offers RV sites, tent sites and cabin vacation rentals.

Various amenities are available on-site including WiFi, cable TV access, laundry, restrooms & showers, store, swimming pool, and playground.

RV sites at the campground are suitable for RVs from 25 to 50 feet in length, including those with slide-outs, back-ins, and pull-throughs.

On-site water and electric outlets are available for rooftop tents, vans, small campers, and large tents.

Moab Downtown Campground

Formerly known as Canyonlands RV Resort & Campground, Moab Downtown Campground is open year-round. There are RV sites, tent sites, and camping cabins.

Amenities include a general store, gas station, showers, laundry facilities, swimming pool, splash pad, playground, cable and WiFi access, and an ATM.

A full hookup is provided at each RV site, including a natural or cement pad, picnic table, and fire pit. They can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet in length at these sites. The sites have a picnic table and a fire pit. An on-site dump station is also available.

OK RV Park

There is no doubt that OK RV Park is one of the most popular RV campgrounds near Arches National Park. OK RV Park offers RV sites, glamping tents, glamping tipis, or cabins.

RV sites include full hookups (water, sewer, electric), free WiFi and cable, and access to the park facilities and common areas.

The amenities here include laundry facilities, showers, toilets, and pet-friendly accommodations in your own RV.

Check out the other rentals available at OK RV Park:

Moab Rim Campground

Located in the Spanish Valley just two miles south of Moab, the Moab Rim Campground offers RV sites, tent sites and cabin rentals at Moab Rim.

The amenities include restrooms, showers, WiFi, cable TV, playground, pet station, and snack items for sale on site. Most of the sites have fire rings and grass.

The campground has large additional parking areas to fit in dozens of accessory trucks and trailers at no extra charge!

tent-camping-in-Moab-in-the-winter — Winter camping near Moab

BLM Winter Camping Near Arches National Park

You’ll find good winter camping at BLM Campgrounds in the Moab area. Most individual campsites are first-come, first-served (no reservations available). Be prepared to pay at the campground with exact cash or check.

Some campgrounds are closed seasonally from the end of November to mid-February so be sure to check updated information!

Facilities and guidelines:

picnic tables
vault toilets
fire rings
NO drinking water available
bring your own firewood (firewood gathering is not allowed)
campsites limited to 10 people and two vehicles (or one vehicle and a trailer)
RV sites have no hook-ups – generator hours are 8am to 8pm
14-day limit

Here’s a list of some of the campgrounds near Arches National Park that are open in the winter:

BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps

Arches National Park Itineraries

We’ve created some done-for-you itineraries for visiting Arches depending on the time you have to spend at the park. Click the graphic below to get a free travel bundle that includes printable daily itineraries. Or click the links below to see detailed itineraries of the best things to do at Arches!