Just throwing this out there, going any where semi-technical off road with a one year old is not a great idea, as their necks are't fully stable and supported. I waited until mine were 3 at least.

Man time goes by quick my boy is almost 7.

I've never been to Utah but it is on my list of things to do with the family. I will be subbing to this forum and referencing it in the I future.

I bare no answers but I will add a question ..... how are the campgrounds up there? in abundance or scarce? how long in advance do you have to book?

Very good point @DannyLlama

My youngest (of three) turns 11 next week, so I’m apparently too far from thinking about that... but you are absolutely right.

Good point... may just need to stick to fire roads hopefully leading to beautiful scenery and off the road sites

That's a great point. We were not really equipped to handle actual 4x4 trails when our little one was 1yo. We drove some muddy dirt roads, but that's it.

Well, there are three ways to camp in the area, generally if you open Google Maps, you will go "WHOA!". The situation is not as rosy as the map would make it seem, but is fine.

1/ Developed campgrounds:

The campground situation around Moab is neither great, nor bad. You have a KOA outside of town, a little to the south with kinda shaded tent sites (not really shaded) and cabins; they just made upgrades so I am not sure how many cheap vs pricey cabins. It is not the best KOA, but good and you know what you get.

In town, there are two I have stayed in. The one on the northern end, which I think is called Slickrock Campground, is more cramped than the KOA but ok for short stays. Good facilities. The one that is on the south-central part of town (it is really a 5 min drive from the other one), Canyonlands RV and Campground offers more room and more options, but in my experience also a higher chance for noisy neighbors, etc. Then there is a third, called Up the Creek Campground.

So all three are acceptable, none is great. The KOA requires you to drive to town; too far to walk. So that's a big plus for the other two, especially the one on the southern side, near the City Market.

To the north of town, there is a campground called Archview Resort and Campground right at the intersection with the paved road that goes to Canyonlands/Dead Horse Point SP. I have not tried it. It is very exposed and definitely out of town but it is also very conveniently located with respect to north side trails.


II. Park and BLM semi-developed campgrounds:

The Arches and Canyonlands campgrounds, good luck. The same applies to all the campgrounds along the Colorado river. I am sure there is a special way of hunting for the cheap campsites there.

I am not sure how bad the large campground at the TH for Kane Creek and Hurrah Pass gets in season. I always see it rather empty. Don't think it has any facilities besides the vault toilets. There is another large campground along Sand Flats rd. You can bet on noise and heavy traffic on that one. That's where Hells and Fins and Things are as well as some less known 4x4 trails (Porcupine 4x4 Trail, Porcupine Rim, Mill Creek Rim). Sand Flats also connect up to the paved mountain road, so lots and lots of traffic.

III. Open camping

There are many areas where you could camp on your own. There is a wide, open BLM area beyond Arches NP that is accessible only via one 4x4 trail, which is called Cache Valley. The portion inside the park is a moderately rated Massey trail (but clay so stay out if wet), but beyond that you have to get past Limo Hill. Limo Hill (Limo for JKU Rubicon) is so named because it is likely to turn a stock JKU Rubicon back. I have not been there, but you could have a very large area entirely to yourself. Or a very large problem to solve if you insist but fail

Hurrah Pass is very smooth and short. The dirt road that leads to the TH is super beautiful in its own right.