It’s time to camp among the beautiful sandstone arches and desert landscape of Arches National Park!
The vibrant red rock pressed against a bright blue sky is one of my favorite views in the National Park system, and the best part about camping in Arches is that you never have to leave the gorgeous scenery that you traveled so far to see. Numerous trails in the area provide some fantastic places to watch the sunset cast a rosy glow over the already colorful landscape.
What You Need to Know About Camping in Arches
- Reservations are required to stay in the campground from March 1 to October 31.
- No showers are available while camping in Arches.
- Each standard campsite only accommodates ten people. If you have a larger group, you will need to book two campsites or a group campsite.
- Dump stations and RV hookups are not available within Arches National Park.
- Firewood must be purchased from the camp host. Burning of collected wood is prohibited.
- Summer temperatures in Arches National Park can often be unbearably hot during the day. This area has very few trees and little to no shade, and your tent will likely be in direct sunlight for most of the day. I highly suggest bringing a canopy of some kind to create some shade on your site.
- Be sure to bring water bottles for every person in your group (preferably not disposable bottles). Arches National Park does not sell disposable bottles of water.
This article contains information on the frontcountry camping experiences that are available within Arches National Park. In other words, it covers places you can get to with your car! If you’re interested in hike-in backcountry camping options, click here.
Getting to the Devils Garden Campground
The Devils Garden Campground is located 18 miles from the Park Entrance. Drive along the Park Road until you reach the very end. The campground is on your right along the one-way loop in the Devils Garden area.
How to Get a Campsite in Arches
Based on how busy Arches National Park is, you may be surprised to find out that there is only one rather small established campground in the Park. If your vacation is between March 1 and October 31, click over to Recreation.gov to get a site. Sites are released 6 months in advance of the beginning date of your trip.
If you are visiting during the off-season, all sites are first-come, first-served.
Because Arches National Park only has one small campground, consider camping in a nearby campground in the Moab area if there is no availability. Check out this article for my recommendations on other campground options in the area!
Devils Garden Campground
Open Season: Year-round
Max RV Length: 40 feet
Generators: Ok from 8-10 a.m. and 4-8 p.m. only
Hookups: No
Dump Station: No
Reservations Required: Yes, for dates between March 1 and October 31. Click here to check availability.
Fee: $25
Number of Sites: 50 individual and 2 group sites
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review Arches’ Pet Policy
Restrooms: Pit and Flush toilets available
Wheelchair Accessibility: Site 007 and H01 are designated as accessible sites
Planning a trip to Arches can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Arches Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Now that you’ve taken a look at your camping options, are you ready to make sure you don’t miss any of the best sights in the park?
Click NEXT to learn about the 10 things you can’t miss on your first visit!
More Arches Trip Planning Information
Arches Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Arches — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Arches? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Arches — the top 10 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Ultimate Arches Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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Hello! If the campsite is booked is there a waiting list or a way to get notified of a cancelation?
Thank you!
There’s not. You’ll just need to check back often to see if there have been any cancellations. Good luck!
Hi! We’re camping in Arches at the end of October. Do you have recommendations for re tint camping gear? We’re flying to the area so may choose to just rent gear if that’s an option. Thanks for your help!
You can try this place for gear rental in Moab: https://www.moabwatersports.com/camping.php
Hi Ashley! I’m looking for a camping option that isn’t inside the park as those are all booked do you know if any private/public options that are pretty close to the Delicate Arch?
Hey Jay,
There are tons of camping options near Arches that should work for you! I really like the Campendium website for finding campsites…then you can pick the location/amenities/price that best fits your style. Have fun!
Hi, Ash. Thank you for this site and the info! Is it permissible to sleep in a pickup truck bed with a camper top in the parking lots to catch a few zzzz’s between sunset and sunrise photo opportunities?
It’s not. They don’t allow overnight camping anywhere in the park except the campground…and rangers do patrol the parking lots. There are lots of dispersed camping options just outside of the park near Moab though :)
My family and I are tent camping on a Monday to Wednesday in late June. Those first-come-first-served campgrounds along the Colorado River on Highway 128, do those fill up quickly, or do you think we’ll likely be able to find a spot?
Those campgrounds can fill quite quickly, especially Goose Island {the closer you get to Moab, the faster they fill generally.} Get there as early as you can and have a great time!
Hi Ash,
Thanks for the info. I’m considering renting an RV and heading that way as a special bday gift to my daughter. It is about a 3 hour drive and I’m concerned about not finding a place since we are now at the first come, first serve months not to mention it being a holiday weekend. Can you tell me if it typically fills up around thanksgiving and if so, another close by RV spot with great views?
Thanks,
Hey Dawn,
I would first try to get a spot in the park as early as you can, but if nothing is available then you can likely find something along Highway 128. Have fun!
Hi! Thanks for the info! We are planning to do some tent camping in the Arches in August. I am aware of the heat, we camped at Anza Borrego Desert before, but not with such high temps. Do you know which sites have some shade? Thanks!
I’m sorry, I don’t specifically know which sites have shade.
Thanks for the info!
I will be camping in a tent in August. Is the Devils Garden Campground cooler (relatively) than the city of Moab? And when you say “HOT” do you mean over 100 in August?
Thanks much,
Doug
Yes, over 100! The Devils Garden Campground should be about the same as Moab temperature-wise. What Moab has going for it is there are a few campgrounds right on the river so you’d have an opportunity to cool down that way. Devils Garden doesn’t have anything like that around. Water is scarce in the park…and so is shade.
Thanks for asking about it. Many people go into that area greatly underestimating how unforgiving the desert can be. Since you’re already thinking about it, I have no doubt that you would be prepared enough to enjoy yourself in either place!
Hi, we have just booked a two-night stay in Arches in July with an RV. I suppose no hook-up means no air-con. If it is that hot, how do you keep the temperature in the camper bearable?
Thank you for your tips!
Hi Clara, yeah it’s going to be hot! The only advice I can really give regarding your question is to try to park the RV so that the sun doesn’t beat directly into the windows. And also, you are definitely going to want to bring your own shade! If you can somehow rig a few tarps to shade your camper, that should definitely help. If you have a generator you could also buy a fan or two to plug in and circulate air. Hope that helps!
Hi, we’re planning an overnight stay at this campground in September 2016. I’m just wondering if we have to book one the two RV sites or if we also can use one of the standard sites with out RV (25ft).
Do you have any experiences with that?
You should just be able to use one of the standard sites, but I would call the Arches Visitor Center (435) 719-2299 for more specific information regarding your stay!