The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
If you are interested in camping near the beautiful scenery of the cliffs of Utah, you may want to think about searching for "BLM camping near me" or camping through the Bureau of Land Management, which offers remote and generally inexpensive camping opportunities for both free camping and RV camping. More often than not, Bureau of Land Management Campgrounds will be primitive and first-come, first-served like they are at Goose Island Campground. Goose Island Campground offers riverside camping near the Colorado River; however, you cannot go into the river without your lifejacket on because the river has dangerous undercurrents. There are 20 individual sites that are limited to two vehicles per site. There are two group sites that you can reserve if you are camping with friends or family. There is no water or hook-ups, but there are restrooms on-site. If you are curious about things to do during the day, this campground is about four miles from the iconic Arches National Park and 31 miles from Canyonlands National Park. Being able to appreciate the natural landscape of Utah while still being close to Moab brings a lot of people to this particular campground.
There are many trails located at the nearby Arches National Park. You can also bike, but the rules are that you must always stay on a road.
From the trailhead in the Sand Dune Arch parking lot, you cross a meadow and finally reach the iconic arch of this National Park. You can either continue through the arch and keep hiking through a campground, seeing more of the park, or you can head back after seeing the sight. Round Trip Distance: 1.2 miles Intensity: Moderate
This is the tallest arch in the park with a height of 122 feet, and it is actually visible from The Windows parking loop. The trail is relatively flat and gravel surfaced, and with some assistance, it may be wheelchair accessible due to the shortness and relative ease of the trail. Round Trip Distance: 0.6 miles Intensity: Easy
If you are more interested in seeing the arches from a distance, then this trail may be best for you. The Lower Viewpoint is level and wheelchair accessible with a roundtrip distance of 200 feet, and the Upper Viewpoint is considered moderately strenuous and not wheelchair accessible. Round Trip Distance: 0.5 miles Intensity: Moderate
This trail leads to a ribbon of rock that spans longer than 300 feet with offshoot trails leading to other arches. There are some steeper slopes that could be wheelchair accessible with some assistance. The trail after this is difficult, so be mindful of continuing if you are not up for rock scrambling, narrow ledges, and heights. Round Trip Distance: 1.8 miles Intensity: Easy
Located right on the Colorado River, there are fishing and boating opportunities at the campsite itself. In fact, you can boat into the site itself if you want to go on an adventure. You can swim here as long as you are wearing the required lifejacket, as there are dangerous undercurrents.
Rock climbing is available at Arches National Park although you are heavily encouraged to register to get a free permit to do so. You can get your permit on the day of the climb, and you can get it through their online reservation system or the kiosk outside the visitor center. Most climbing routes at this park require advanced techniques. Each area has features on the route to look at.
Goose Island Campground has picnic tables at its campsites, but if you want to enjoy the scenery of a national park, you can also consider picnicking at Arches National Park. At the National Park, there are five spots with picnic tables: at the visitor center, across the road from Balanced Rock, at Panorama Point, at Delicate Arch Viewpoint, and at Devils Garden. If you want to see Canyonlands National Park, there are also picnicking areas there as well.
BLM RV camping at Goose Island Campgrounds is available here, and the plots are large enough to accommodate just about all RV sizes. Keep in mind that there are no hookups, water, or dump stations here, or at many of the other campsites in the area, so you may need to head closer into the city if you wish for these amenities.
If you would prefer, you can also opt to enjoy Bureau of Land Management free camping here instead. The campgrounds are primitive and equipped with a picnic table fire grates and shade shelters, allowing you to do what you wish with them within the rules.
There are a few rules to remember when you are camping here. You should always be aware of the weather. Gusty winds are possible at all times of the year, so you should secure your tent and any camping gear that you bring with you. Summer storms can cause flash flooding and bring gusts, so be mindful of the forecast if you are camping during this time of year. Wildlife frequents the site, so it is important not to leave food or trash unattended. You should always clean up after yourself. If you are camping during the summer, in addition to the storms, you should be wary of the heat. Average temperatures in summer months can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and while the camp offers some shade, there is no running water. Pack extra water and the appropriate clothes for desert weather. Across the river, you will be able to enjoy the view of the cliffs of the Arches National Park glowing in the afternoon light without the hustle and bustle of people from the city disturbing you. This is one of the benefits of choosing to camp at a BLM campsite, as they are often more remote than other campsites. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
One of the most important rules that you should remember while camping, especially on public BLM land, is the rule of "Leave No Trace." If you have any trash, you should make sure to take it with you, instead of tossing it into the campsite. Trash, particularly food trash, will attract wildlife that can be harmed by people. It also affects the ecosystem negatively. Clean up after yourself. Leave no trace!
Heading from Moab, drive northward on Highway 191 until you reach the junction of State Route 128, where you will turn onto the State Route. Drive two more miles on State Route 128 until you reach the entrance of Goose Island Campground, which should be on your left. Address: Goose Island Campground, Bureau of Land Management Moab, UT-128, Moab, UT 84532 Ready to visit Goose Island Campground? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
