Moab Winter Camping Guide + Travel Tips

There are many Moab winter activities to enjoy during the off-season. Here’s all the information you need to know about Moab winter camping.

This Moab Utah Vacation Guide details the campground facilities available and reservation information for winter camping in the area. We also list the Moab RV Parks that are open in the winter.

When visiting Moab in the winter, you’ll want to know what to expect: weather, services available, what to pack, and things to do.

You’ll find everything you need to know to plan for winter camping in Moab!

Moab packing lists for spring summer fall and winter

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A Photo Tour of Moab, Utah

Take a visual tour through the Moab, Utah area to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!

Moab Winter Weather

Moab, Utah is about 4,000 feet above sea level so it does get cold in the winter, even if the sun is out. The Moab weather in the winter is cold and unpredictable, especially when a rain or snow storm rolls through.

Here’s what to expect during the winter months:

Moab in December: high 45 / low 22 – 3 days rain/snow
Moab in January: high 44 / low 22 – 3 days rain/snow
Moab in February: high 52 / low 26 – 3 days rain/snow

Dress in layers and pack warm winter clothing so you’ll actually want to get out of the car and enjoy the outdoor activities! Your hiking boots should be warm and waterproof. No one wants soggy feet!

After a snow storm, the roads around Moab and in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks might be closed for plowing for a few hours. Keep in mind that the roads, parking lots, and pullouts in the parks can still be icy, especially in shaded areas.

Moab Winter Activities

Moab is one of the most popular places to visit in Utah to enjoy the outdoors.

You’ll be able to enjoy many outdoor Moab adventures and activities, even in the winter.

Moab Winter Camping

There are a variety of ways to camp in the Moab area in the winter: RV Parks and Campgrounds, National Park Campgrounds, State Park Campgrounds, and BLM camping.

Here’s the full list of camping options near Moab, Utah!

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

Arches National Park Winter Camping

Devil’s Garden Campground

There is only one small campground if you want to do Arches National Park winter camping.

The Devil’s Garden Campground is open 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.)

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.

Devil’s Garden 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.

snow at Canyonlands in the winter — Snow at Canyonlands in the winter

Canyonlands Island in the Sky Winter Camping

Willow Flat Campground

There is only one option for Canyonlands winter camping at Island in the Sky.

The Willow Flat Campground is small with only 12 sites. It is fully operational all-year-round, but the sites fill quickly. It’s located close to the Green River Overlook. The campground has pit toilets, several picnic tables, and fire rings.

There is no potable water, so make sure you pack water for your stay. The campground also allows pets.

The site has a “first come, first served” policy. You can stay for a maximum of seven days.

Willow Flat Facilities:

Areas for pitching tents
Fire pits with grill plates
Pit toilets
Covered and uncovered picnic tables with benches

Murphy Point Overlook

Some campers believe that Murphy Point Overlook offers one of the best-kept secrets in camping due the view, especially at sunrise and sunset.

There is a 1.8-mile hike to get to the overlook and camping area. There is a limit of one permit (1 group up to 7 people) for this camping zone. Murphy Point Overlook is an open desert site without facilities nearby

Syncline Campsite

The campsite is reached via the Syncline loop trail. The trail is a strenuous 7.9 miles round trip. It’s a primitive camping site.

The Needles Canyonlands Winter Camping

The Needles Campground

Fourteen campsites in Loop A at The Needles Campground are always on a “first come, first served” basis. RVs and trailers are allowed, but there’s a maximum of length of 28 feet.

There is NO potable water in the winter at Needles. Camp sites have toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and trash cans.

Camp only in designated sites.
Maximum occupancy: 10 people, 2 vehicles per campsite.
Maximum stay: 7 consecutive nights.
Quiet hours: 8 pm to 8 am.
Check-out time: 10 am.
Pets must be leashed at all times.
Wood fires in grates only. Wood gathering is prohibited. Do not leave garbage in fire grates.
Charcoal cooking fires are allowed in fire pans and grills. Place ashes in fire grates.
Properly extinguish all fires.
Generators may only be used between 8 am and 10 am, or from 4 pm to 8 pm.

RV camper in Canyonlands — RV camper in Moab

Moab RV Parks Open in the Winter

Here’s a list of RV parks in Moab that are open in the winter if you’re looking for a campground with more amenities.

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

Winter Camping at BLM Campgrounds in Moab

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 in the Moab area that are open in the winter:

Moab maps and travel guides