Backcountry Camping of Arches National Park

Moab, Utah

Save

View all 4 photos

All 4 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

3 miles

Elevation Gain

50 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Troy Cini

This is an amazing late afternoon backpacking route that leads to some incredible views of the sunset over Arches National Park.

This backcountry trek starts in Arches National Park in the parking lot for the windows arches. You must obtain a backcountry permit from the park headquarters before this hike, but it is fairly easy as long as you comply with park rules. Once you leave from the trail head you will hike through the beautiful window arches to see miles of moab Utah at your finger tips. After you have picked a wash to hike on heading east its up to you how long you with to walk. We picked a gorgeous spire to stop and camp at for the night about 3 miles back. The weather was perfect for just tent camping and once the sun set it was pure quiet. Camp facing west to watch the incredible sunset then gaze up to see the countless stars on a clear night. Just remember to stay on the washes(dried rivers) so as to not damage the wildlife!

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Rock Climbing

Canoeing

Cycling

Snowboarding

Camping

Photography

Mountain Biking

Surfing

Backpacking

Hiking

Diving

Easy Parking

Scenic

Wildlife

Backcountry Camping of Arches National Park Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Rock Climbing Moab's Wall Street

Moab's Wall Street is exactly what it sounds like, but nothing like the "Wall Street" you're familiar with. Several miles off Highway 279, it hugs the Colorado River on one side and a towering 500ft sandstone wall littered with climbing routes on the other. There is easy access to all of the climbing here and plenty of parking right along the routes. Bring your camp chairs to sit in while other...

Mountain Bike Portal Trail

If you are looking to ride one of Moab's famed mountain bike trails, then look no further than the Portal Trail. It's a short 2-mile trail that starts on the rim above the Colorado River and descends 1,388. To access the Portal Trail you can take a shuttle from town to the top of the Magnificent 7/Gemini Bridges trail system and there are multiple shuttle services (Coyote, Poison Spider, Moab ...

Visit the Potash Road Petroglyphs

Just north of Moab driving out on route 191, look for Potash Road, also known as route 279 just after the Colorado River. Turn left on Potash road and and drive five miles south. You will see a paved pull-out on the Colorado River side of the road with a sign for the petroglyphs. The rock art is about 25 feet up on the sandstone wall and it spans about 125 feet. Be careful crossing the road ...

Camp at King's Bottom

Kane Creek is a massive canyon, with the Colorado river at it's feet and red cliffs towering on either side. There are numerous trail heads and campgrounds the farther you explore into the canyon. However, these sites fill up fast. The canyon restricts camping to only designated sites, capping the number of campers allowed. This means if you arrive too late on a Saturday afternoon, it's likely ...

Camp at Williams Bottom Campground in Moab

Williams Bottom Campground and its 17 first-come first-serve campsites are tucked into the side of the Colorado River Canyon on Utah Highway 279 aka "Potash Road" just 15 minutes from downtown Moab. It is commonly known as one of *the* rock climbing campground on the west side of Moab, as there are numerous climbing routes all along State Highway 279 aka "Wall Street", several of which are dire...

Drive Hurrah Pass

Hurrah Pass is a 19.5 mile out and back trail/road that leads from the Colorado River Canyon through Kane Creek Canyon and up to Hurrah Pass at 4,780'. While technically considered a 4x4 trail once you begin your ascent out of Kane Creek Canyon, this can be done with a high clearance 2wd vehicle (and a little skill) if conditions permit i.e. not after a strong rain.l The views of Kane Creek Can...