Want to get away? Need a break from the stress of day to day life? 

Well, pack your bags, and get ready for an RV camping trip!

Destination: Canyonlands National Park 

From 4x4 offroading to mountain climbing, Canyonlands is an adventure lover’s paradise. If you want to rest and relax, there are enough quiet spaces and gorgeous views for a lifetime—no wonder the park receives over 770,000 visitors per year. 

So are you ready for an RV camping trip? We packed everything you need to know into this guide to RV camping in Canyonlands National Park.

Photo Credit: Instagram User @handsomerobinson

Canyonlands National Park Facts

Established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Canyonlands National Park covers an amazing 337,598 acres in southeast Utah’s high desert. 

Before you head off to go RV camping, learn more about this national treasure with a few Canyonlands National Park facts.

• The oldest evidence of human occupation in Canyonlands National Park dates back an incredible 10,000 years to nomadic groups of hunter-gatherers. 

• Canyonlands may not be as biodiverse as other national parks in the US, but it boasts hundreds of species of plants including, cacti, juniper, mosses, and much more.

• The Anasazi and Fremont Native Americans have occupied Canyonlands for thousands of years. Examples of their presence remain on the cliff walls of Horseshoe Canyon to this day.

• There are over 54 species of fish that inhabit the upper Colorado River basin inside Canyonlands National Park, and, unfortunately, over 95% are non-native species.  

• The lowest elevation inside Canyonlands National Park is still over 3,700 feet in altitude at the Colorado River. The highest elevation is over 7,100 feet at Cathedral Point.

• Around 50 species of mammals live within Canyonlands National Park, including Desert bighorn sheep and black bears.

Best Canyonlands National Park RV Parks and Campgrounds

The best way to see everything Canyonlands has to offer is in the comfort of an RV. Navigating Canyonlands National Park is a breeze if you know the best spots to stay. Here are a few top Canyonlands National Park RV parks and campgrounds.

Willow Flats Campground

Amenities: Willow Flats campground is one of the two RV camping options inside Canyonlands National Park. It’s a rustic campsite with the beautiful Green River Overlook nearby. There are picnic tables, toilets, and fire rings, but other than that, you’re on your own. The nightly camping fee is $15 per site.

Capacity: There are only 12 campsites available, and larger RVs (25’+) won’t be able to make the trip. There aren’t any full hookups or RV services available either.

More information: Willow Flats Campground

The Needles Campground

Amenities: Needles Campground is inside Canyonlands National Park. The nightly camping fee for an individual site is $20. The sites are rustic with toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, but that’s about it.

Capacity: There are 29 sites available, but no full RV hookups.

More information: The Needles Campground

Canyonlands RV Resort and Campground

Amenities: Despite its name, Canyonlands RV Resort and Campground is the furthest RV park from Canyonlands National Park on this list. However, if you’re looking for more amenities, you’ll need to make the trip. From picnic tables, fire ring, and Sun WiFi service to a pool for kids, this place has it all. 

Capacity: There are dozens of pull-through RV sites and plenty of full hookups.

More information: Canyonlands RV Resort and Campground

Kane Creek RV Park

Amenities: Kane Creek RV park is located three miles south of Moab between massive 600-foot red rock cliffs along the Colorado River. It’s an amazing spot, but, again, this is a rustic campsite with no WiFi or cell service. There is potable water, free showers, and toilets. 

Capacity: Kane Creek boasts dozens of RV sites, but no full hookups.

More information: Kane Creek RV Park

Horsethief Campground

Amenities: Horsethief Campground is one of the top Canyonlands National Park RV sites. Located nine minutes from the park entrance, Horsethief Campground sits on a mesa in a pinyon-juniper forest. It’s the perfect setting to relax after a long day of hiking. 

Capacity: There are 55 campsites available at Horsethief Campground, but there are no full hookups or dump stations.

More information: Horsethief Campground

Photo Credit: Instagram User @viajology

Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park for RV Camping

Now that you know where to stay, it’s time to talk about the best time to visit Canyonlands National Park. Although the park is open year-round, some times of the year offer more opportunities than others. 

Winter

Winter in Canyonlands National Park is the slowest season. Visitors are rare, and the park is quiet, but campgrounds are still open and first-come, first-serve during the winter months. Highs in the winter in Canyonlands average around 30 to 50°F and lows average just 0 to 20°F. 

The cold weather and impassable roads make visiting Canyonlands in the winter difficult, but it is still possible—especially if you’re looking to escape the crowds.

The Needles Visitor Center is also closed from late November to early March, but the Hans Flat Ranger Station at The Maze is open daily 8 am - 4:30 pm. Island in the Sky Visitor Center is closed January to March Wednesdays and Thursday, so be aware.

Spring

Spring is one of the best times to visit Canyonlands National Park. Spring wildflowers are in bloom, all the visitor centers and roads are open, it’s no wonder why thousands flock to the park this time of year.

From April through May, daytime highs also average a balmy 60º to 80ºF and lows reach from 0º to 50ºF. The warm spring days are perfect for 4x4 offroading, mountain biking, or hiking. 

Summer

Summer temperatures often exceed 100ºF in Canyonlands National Park. The late summer monsoon season brings violent storm cells, which can cause flash floods. 

Summer has a lot to offer—it’s the perfect time of year to head down to the Colorado or Green River for river fun. Fishing, kayaking, and boating are the most popular pastimes during the summer. 

Fall

Fall is not unlike spring in Canyonlands temperature-wise. Daytime highs average 60º to 70ºF and lows average 30º to 45ºF. The mild weather draws in thousands of visitors. 

Fall is the perfect time of year for ranger-led guided walks. The best of which is undoubtedly through the beautiful Horseshoe Canyon. You’ll see the changing colors of the leaves and a babbling brook with tons of wildlife. Don’t miss it!

Photo Credit: Instagram User @ryanresatka 

Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park offers so many recreational activities, beautiful vistas, and educational ranger programs—it can be hard to choose what to do!

That’s why we put together just a few of the best things to do in Canyonlands National Park for you to keep in mind.

• Try sightseeing by car at Island in the Sky, a 34-mile round trip scenic drive perched 1,000 feet above the Utah high desert. If you’re looking for a shorter drive, try the 6.5 mile-long trip to The Needles, which ends at the beautiful Big Spring Canyon Overlook.

• Canyonlands is one of the top rock climbing destinations inside the national park. The beautiful sandstone towers at Island in the Sky attract thousands of thrill-seeking climbers each year. 

• Head down Horseshoe Canyon on horseback! You can see ancient Native American rock carvings at the Great Gallery without breaking your back on the steep climb back.

• Try stargazing, and experience the night sky as it should be—without light pollution! There are over 2,000 visible stars and planets under normal conditions at Canyonlands.

• Are you looking for adventure? Take on the Class III to V whitewater of Cataract Canyon with a kayak! If you’re not the thrill-seeking type, go for a leisurely paddle down the flat water of the Green and Colorado Rivers on a canoe or raft.

• Try mountain biking across part of the 100-mile White Rim Road, which loops around and below the Island in the Sky mesa top.

Tips on Visiting Canyonlands National Park 

Now that you know what to do and where to stay, we want to leave you with a few tips for RV camping in Canyonlands National Park.

• Flash floods and large thunderstorms with lightning can occur in Canyonlands National Park. Remember to check the weather before you head out on your adventures. Or try the Island in the Sky webcam for an up to the minute view. 

• If you plan on biking or using a 4x4 inside the park, check the road conditions before taking off. Roads aren’t always maintained, especially after a storm. 

• Cellular service in many areas of the park is weak or non-existent, so remember always to tell people where you’re going and consider bringing a GPS, too.

• Dry conditions mean hydration is critical for safety! The National Park Services recommends drinking at least one gallon of water a day. You can refill your water supplies at either the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, The Needles Visitor Center, or the Needles Campground.

• Remember to be a good visitor at archeological sites. Disturbing, collecting artifacts, or camping within 300 feet of an archeological or historical site is prohibited.

• Black bears are known to wander into Canyonlands from the Abajo Mountains nearby. If you plan on backpacking or camping in the park, bring a bear canister to store your food and supplies. 

Photo Credit: Instagram User @geedirkis

RV Rental for Canyonlands National Park

Are you ready to explore the great outdoors with an RV?

You’re in luck—Cruise America is offering RV rental options starting at just $50/per night!

All Cruise America RVs have air conditioning, a freshwater toilet, a gas cooktop, a shower, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a generator. Plus, they are pet-friendly, and there are over 120 locations nationwide to rent from.

If you’re ready for an RV camping trip to Canyonlands National Park, call Cruise America today for a safe, comfortable, and affordable trip.