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Moab Public Campgrounds

Here is a super helpful PDF from Arches National Park on public camping locations in the Moab area (Click here to open the Moab Camping PDF).

If you are planning on staying in Arches National Park make your reservations early as the sites fill months in advance. If you are staying out of Arches here are a few tips.

Campgrounds that are nearest to Moab generally fill first. From April to October the race for a spot can be competitive, especially during the weekend. Outside of Arches sites are first come first served. Sometimes you will need to drive 30 to 45 minutes out of town to find a spot, but for most that is why they are here.

BLM managed campsites do not have water and wood gathering is prohibited, so bring in your own supplies. There are vault toilets, fire grates, and incredible red rock country at all of these locations.

If you are camping along hwy 128 ask our office about a pick up and drop off from your campsite on our Moab Rafting and Westwater Canyon Rafting trips.
 

Thanks for the Five Star Rating

Brian and Matt led a multi-day jeep tour into the Maze District in Canyonlands. Excellent tour, Brian knows the area very well. Great food, too -- chocolate-covered strawberries in the backcountry, seriously? The Maze District is pretty remote, so a good guide who takes appropriate safety precautions (good vehicles, sufficient water/food, etc.) is key. It's also relatively vast so it's helpful to have a guide who knows which specific areas are most compelling for the specific group of clients. I was impressed at Brian's ability to enjoy himself and keep the tour fun under any and all circumstances, including the 3:30 am coffee call for a pre-sunrise hike. Would go with him again in a second.

Postponed

A major storm system is moving in, and we are postponing the Clearwater Canyoneerring descent. Significant moisture will spread into the area today through early next week. The storm will produce heavy rain and gusty winds. Flash flooding is possible in dry washes and slot canyons. The boats and crew are being pulled from Cataract Canyon today with disappointment. We'll be back for another attempt, and who can complain about rain in the desert. Like Dolly Parton said "if you want a rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."

The Clearwater Route

High Clearance-Class IV-Grade V

Today we launch to exemplify “EXPEDITION”.  A team of four NAVTEC back-country guides will attempt to explore the Clearwater drainage of Canyonlands. The route is one of the most remote, rugged, and least explored canyons in the lower 48. Clearwater is rated 4BVR using the Canyoneering decimal system; however, there have not been enough descents of this canyon to validate a rating.

Technical Class 4- Route involves: difficult and exposed free climbing and/or down-climbing, multi-pitch rappels, complex rope work, obscure or indistinct natural anchors, advanced problem-solving and anchor-building skills.
Water B- Normally has water, very light current with deep wading, swimming and floating disconnects.
Grade V- An average one and a half days of serious commitment to complete route.
Rating R- One or more extraordinary risk factors exist that could complicate the descent. Solid technical skills and sound judgment are critical.

The logistics involved for the 3 day expedition include shooting the class IV rapids of Cataract Canyon to stage a boat, a high clearance 4x4 to drive the Orange Cliffs Trail, 5 miles of technical Canyoneering in over 1600 feet of elevation, 250 meters of Blue Water static rope to rappel the highest permanent waterfall on the Colorado Plateau, and a Cessna 172 for shuttle and style points.

The trip is due back late Saturday night after a visit to Stan Burger Shak. Check back in for the trip report.