Need some advice for a trip to moab utah

[blk.rain51]

Sorry mods I don’t know where to set this thread at.

My wife and I first time going to Moab Labor Day weekend renting a mini camper van for the trip we are going to be in Moab 3 days and then staying in salt lake for couple days after.

What are some places you stayed primitive camping in Moab?

I looked into first come first serve camp sites such as Goose island campground, Grandstaff campground, Jaycee campground... but knowing those will be taken up real fast. Suggestions would be great. Thanks

 

[Volcom]

Good luck, Moab has eliminated a lot of the primitive camping around Moab.

 

[Roccoeight]

Good luck, Moab has eliminated a lot of the primitive camping around Moab.

Yes, The BLM has gone to a full blown dictatorship and will give you a ticket for parking overnight!

Have fun, R

 

[mteolus]

I don't know how close you you want to be to Moab, but when I was there 11 years ago, we camped at Mason's Draw Campground in the La Sals. Google Maps it and it will take you there. It is at the base of Gold Knob mountain. I bushwhacked up the mountain from the campground when I was there. Memorial Day so Mt. Waas was too snowed in but that would be a great mountain to hike up too.

Beautiful drive and beautiful scenery on the loop road that takes you by the La Sal Mountains and Fisher's Spire. A must drive if you go there. I saw some other areas around there that looked like people were car camping in non-designated campgrounds as well. There some other designated campgrounds too. If it's Labor Day, then it will be crowded. I would talk to the forest service before you go as well. The campground was not crowded when we were there over Memorial Day because the forest service was telling people there was too much snow. We drove up there and the campground was uncrowded and no snow. It was perfect. Labor Day may be a different story.

Get GAIA maps. It will tell you where you can camp. You can get an awesome discount in the show more details section of this YouTube video. Then you can watch this YouTube video to learn the basics of how to use it. It basically is a GPS plus a whole lot more. Records distance, altitude, etc...

Canyonlands is cool, drive all the way to the end where you get the overlook of the Colorado and Green rivers intersecting. I thought Arches was overrated and crowded, but it's probably something you may want to do once in your life. Shafer Trail is a cool road that they will tell you it is a 4x4 road. I did it in a 2-wheel drive Ford Escape. Awesome road.

 

[Jdog]

I stayed in the sand flats recreation area when I was there in April. They are very pretty places to stay. They do charge per night but you get the option to stay right on the fins and things trail.

 

[MAST4R]

I agree that Sand Flats is an excellent option. They just changed the entrance to Fins and Things, so that's a plus for some of the campsites.

There is another large basic campground right at Hurrah Pass trailhead, an exceptionally pretty area. It is at the end of the big dirt road, on the right. There are spots along the river on the way there as well.

In terms of developed campgrounds, in addition to those in Moab, there is one at the intersection with the paved road to Island in the Sky and Dead Horse (313). Not much shade, but great location (have not stayed there). I think it is safe to say forget about the campsites along 128.

 

[blk.rain51]

Thanks all for the replies! Ended up getting the last site at goose island campground. We arrived around 2p it’s been an awesome trip so far.