Is there free or dispersed camping near Arches National Park?

Dispersed camping isn't allowed within Arches National Park, but may be permitted in specific locations on Bureau of Land Management land around Moab, including along the Colorado River corridor. Popular areas fill up during spring and fall weekends, despite lacking services. Choose Harvest Hosts stays for a level pad and a guaranteed spot over a gamble.

Is Harvest Hosts worth it for an Arches trip?

Yes, most RVers find Harvest Hosts worth it for an Arches trip. A single campground that's only reservable for part of the year makes for stiff competition when attempting to plan a visit. RVers often combine their trip to Arches National Park with a visit to Canyonlands National Park, especially if they stay in or near Moab. Utah has 0 Harvest Hosts locations.

Arches National Park RV Camping

More stunning than the simpler golden arches you're probably more familiar with, the red sandstone structures characteristic of Arches National Park in eastern Utah seem to defy gravity. Home to more than 2,000 natural stone arch formations, this national park is part of . Popular park attractions include the Island in the Sky District, Balanced Rock, Landscape Arch, the Windows, Delicate Arch, and Devils Garden. With over 76,000 acres to explore, it's worth RV camping in Arches National Park for a week or more if possible. As you hike, you're bound to encounter mule deer, jackrabbits, foxes, lizards, and maybe even the occasional mountain lion. Harvest Hosts has plenty of locations within an hour of the entrance where you can park your RV overnight at a working farm, brewery, or distillery.

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Arches National Park RV Camping Guide

When to Go

Arches National Park sees more than 1.5 million visitors annually. The park's busiest times are around 8 a.m. until mid-afternoon, typically from March through October. Fall in Arches is typically the most popular time to visit, not just for leaf peeping. Weather tends to be better suited to hiking, and visitors can take the free Moab-Arches shuttle. If you want to avoid most crowds, aim to visit in summer or winter; if you do visit in spring and fall, arrive early morning or late afternoon. The park doesn't host any ranger programs in the winter, but seeing snow on the red rocks puts the arches in a new perspective. Summer is the best time for stargazing.

Know Before You Go

Timed-entry reservations are not required. However, camping reservations are required to stay from March through the end of October. During the winter months (November through February), campsites are claimed on a first-come, first-served basis only.
Traverse Arches National Park using the fee-free Moab-Arches shuttle. In September and October and March through June, this shuttle services two routes, each starting at the Visitor Center. One travels through downtown Moab while the other drops visitors off at the Delicate Arch Trailhead at the Wolfe Ranch parking lot. Shuttles run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Some of the best hiking trails in Arches National Park require the most effort. For example, Tower Arch Trail and Devils Garden Trail challenge most visitors' fitness. Rangers also lead a Fiery Furnace hike (reservations required) that's not for the unseasoned hiking enthusiast. Other popular trails include Broken Arch Trail, Courthouse Towers Viewpoint and Trailhead, Double Arch Viewpoint and Trailhead, and Sand Dune Arch Trail.
Man-made groupings of rocks, called cairns, dot the landscape along popular hiking paths. These formations are not only intentional, but also serve a specific purpose: they demarcate the hiking route, so it's important not to disturb them.
Balanced Rock is one of the best places for stargazing, along with the Windows, Garden of Eden Viewpoint, and Panorama Point. Arches National Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Pets are not allowed on the trails or in the Arches Visitor Center. While pets are allowed in campgrounds, owners must pick up after them and keep them on a leash no longer than six feet.

Nearby Attractions

The only entrance to Arches National Park sits off Highway 191, which runs north of Moab. The iconic adventure spot draws countless enthusiasts year-round. Cool off with a bracing trip down the Colorado River, or go back in time with Moab Giants. Explore the La Sal Mountains, visit Goblin Valley State Park, or head further southwest toward Capitol Reef National Park.

Where to Camp

Inside the park. RV camping in Arches National Park is limited to the sole campground, known as Devils Garden Campground. Although campsites don't offer hookups and the campground lacks a dump station, spots tend to fill up fast. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance for visits between the first of March and the end of October, but sites switch to first-come, first-served from November until February. Devils Garden Campground is typically open year-round.

Tips on reserving a campsite. Campsites are located off a single road that branches off from the Arches Main Road. As you wind your way south, you'll eventually come to a loop that redirects you back up the same path. Campsite numbers 44 through 54 are scattered along this loop and tend to see less traffic.

Camping outside the park with Harvest Hosts. With a single campground available for reservations only part of the year, finding somewhere to stay overnight typically requires looking outside the park. Lucky RVers might find an open spot at Dead Horse Point State Park in Moab, but probably not for the length of time they're looking for. Harvest Hosts simplifies RV camping near Arches National Park by partnering with owners of local breweries, working farms, distilleries, and attractions. Patronize these businesses while you stay on private property, and you can avoid camping fees for the length of your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can you sleep in your RV in Arches National Park?

You can only sleep in your RV in Arches National Park in Devils Garden Campground. Campsites don't have hookups, and there's no dump station. The campground is typically open year-round, and most sites range in length from 20 to 40 feet.

Where can I camp in an RV near Arches National Park?

You can camp in an RV near Arches National Park in or around Moab. Most people staying outside the park camp here because it's close to the entrance. Harvest Hosts has many locations in the Moab area and along the Highway 191 corridor, with more toward Green River and Monticello. If you're headed to Arches from the west through Colorado, stay at this orchard country farm retreat in Grand Junction. North of the park lies Price, Utah, and a serene desert farm retreat.

Do you need a reservation to enter Arches National Park?

You don't need a timed-entry reservation to enter Arches National Park. However, Devils Garden Campground requires reservations to stay between March 1 and October 31. Sites revert to first-come, first-served beginning in November and throughout February. You can reserve campsites up to six months in advance.

What size RV fits in Arches National Park?

RVs up to 40 feet long can fit in Arches National Park, specifically Devils Garden Campground. Parking for long RVs is limited throughout the park. The paved scenic drive through the park can easily handle larger RVs, but some access roads may be narrow and winding.