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. It’s important to come prepared with the right gear to fully enjoy your winter camping experience. We recommend a four-season tent, sleeping bag rated for cold weather, and plenty of warm clothing layers.
The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting Moab during the winter months. The most important tip is to have the right clothing and gear for the weather and temperatures for the time you’ll be there. Grab your free Moab, Utah packing list by clicking the image below!
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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
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.
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!
LAYERS: We recommend at the minimum a fleece jacket, gloves, and winter hat for the cold mornings and evenings. Waterproof hiking shoes are good too!
WATER: Moab is a high desert area so you should drink at least one gallon of water per day, and always carry water with you – hydration packs or carry refillable bottles in your backpack.
FOOD: Pack and eat healthy snacks because there may be NO services on the trails or scenic drives.
SUN PROTECTION: Wear a sunhat and use sunscreen . Carry lip balm with sunscreen and hydrating lotion to apply as needed.
Moab Winter Activities
Moab is one of the most popular places to visit in Utah to enjoy the outdoors. There are two National Parks: Arches and Canyonlands as well as one State Park: Dead Horse Point.
Besides camping, you’ll find a variety of things to do like hiking, biking, scenic drives, photography, and more!
- Moab Winter Activities
- Moab Winter Hikes
- Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway
- Arches National Park Winter Activities
- Arches National Park Winter Hikes
- Canyonlands Winter Activities
- Canyonlands National Park Winter Hikes
- Dead Horse Point State Park Hiking Trails
Moab Winter Camping
Sure, camping in colder weather with the possibility of snow might put a little extra demand on your preparation and gear. But the payoff? You get serene, crowd-free access to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in America.
So, grab your insulated sleeping bag, and check out the different 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!
Arches National Park Winter Camping
There is only one small campground if you want to do Arches National Park winter camping.
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 in the winter include:
- 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
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.
Canyonlands Island in the Sky Winter Camping
There is only one option for Canyonlands winter camping at Island in the Sky.
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 in the Winter include:
- Areas for pitching tents
- Fire pits with grill plates
- Pit toilets
- Covered and uncovered picnic tables with benches
Murphy Point Overlook Campground: 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
There is only one location for Needles Canyonlands 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.
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!
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!
BLM Campground 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:
- Goose Island Campground
- Grandstaff Campground
- Upper Onion Creek Campground
- Lower Onion Creek Campground
- Gold Bar Campground
- Sand Flats Recreation Area
