Hal Canyon Campground

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Hal Canyon Campground

The Bureau of Land Management, also known as BLM, is responsible for maintaining publically owned land throughout the United States. The mission is to make these lands available for public use, ranging from recreation to commercial applications. For anyone exploring the RV life, BLM land presents a low- to no-cost option for camping, including places you can stay for up to 14 days. Hal Canyon Campground is one of the campgrounds maintained by the BLM, located in Moab, UT, about 230 miles southeast of Salt Lake City just south of I-70. Hal Canyon Campground rests on the banks of the Colorado River, on the southeast corner of Arches National Park. Take a short 34-mile drive to the southwest, and you'll arrive at the northern end of Canyonlands National Park. People visit the area for the unique view of the buttes on the Colorado River, fishing, boating, and ATV riding.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Delicate Arch Trail

This partially paved there-and-back trail has a total elevation gain of 629 feet. It culminates at the Delicate Arch, one of the most iconic natural arches, appearing on Utah license plates. It's a popular hiking destination, so you'll likely encounter others as you explore and enjoy. Length: 3.2 miles Intensity: Moderate

Devils Garden

This loop trail takes you through seven natural rock arches as you put your hiking skills to the test. Be sure to wear quality hiking boots and leave your dog in your RV since they aren't allowed on the trail. Length: 7.9 miles Intensity: Difficult

Landscape Arch Trail

Take a short hike to explore this trail; however, keep in mind there isn't much shade, so you'll want to bring plenty of water. Length: 1.9 miles Intensity: Easy

Lower Courthouse Wash Trail

You can enjoy this trail year-round, but the weather may impact how far you can go. High water on the river may wash over parts of the trail, but when you can pass, it's a popular adventure for many visitors to the area. Length: 1.7 miles Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

The Colorado River that forms Hal Canyon is a perfect place to wrangle in the catch of the day for dinner. Channel catfish are some of the most bountiful and popular on the river. You may also find walleye, black crappie, striped bass, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and even rainbow trout. Try Ken's Lake, about 20 miles south on US-171 if you prefer lake fishing over the river. You may find brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, or bream. You can boat on the Colorado River with any oar-powered craft; just keep in mind that life jackets are required to enter the water because of the strong undercurrents.

Climbing

If you're staying at the Hal Canyon Campground, one of the best places to climb is Arches National Park, just north of the campground. You'll have your choice of more than 10 different features to climb, with a little something for every skill level. The park recommends registering for a free climbing permit to help increase the safety of your climb. Keep in mind that most climbing routes are closed between January and August to protect raptors while they breed and nest. Owl Rock is one of the more popular climbs, with a single-pitch tower that sits close to the road.

Wildlife Viewing

Most animals in the desert are nocturnal, so you'll want to plan some evening viewing. Some animals that you may encounter include fox, bobcat, mountain lion, skunk, bat, owl, mule deer, coyote, and black-tailed jackrabbit.

Picnicking

The campsites at Hal Canyon have picnic tables so that you have someplace to enjoy eating during your stay. There's also a fire pit at each site, which includes a grated grill for cooking and to help contain embers. There are also shared outhouse toilets available at the campground.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

The Hal Canyon campground offers RV camping for $20 per night, payable at the campground. There are no water, sewage, or electrical hookups, so be sure that you come with plenty of potable water and empty your tanks before heading out to the campground. Hal Canyon Campground offers a total of 11 campsites, but four are walk-in-only tent sites. If Hal Canyon is full or doesn't suit your needs, you won't have to ask, "Is there another BLM camping near me?" There are an additional six Bureau of Land Management campgrounds along the southern edge of Arches National Park.

Free Camping

If you're looking for Bureau of Land Management free camping options, there are dispersed BLM camping options around Moab. Dispersed camping means there isn't a cultivated campsite; the site is a pull-off or other area that's used for camping but not maintained by the Bureau. Check out BLM Road 144 in Crescent Junction just north of Arches National Park, especially if you have a large rig. Head south of Moab, and there are plenty of easy-access options on Yellow Circle Road. This also puts you closer to Ken's Lake and Faux Falls for additional exploring and recreation adventures.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Hal Canyon Campground BLM trip

Visiting Hal Canyon and Arches National Park is an incredible way to experience nature that most people only see in books or online. There are some things to consider when visiting the desert to make sure you stay safe and have a good time. First, know that the temperature commonly swings 40 degrees from the heat of the day through the evening. As you plan what clothes to bring, be sure that you pack to layer so that you stay comfortable throughout the day. Being the desert, you'll want to bring plenty of water. The closest place to resupply is Moab, which is about a 15-minute drive from the campground. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

When camping on public BLM land, you're entering nature and the habitat of all the creatures and plants in the area. The idea of "Leave No Trace" is to leave no evidence that you were there. The obvious part of this is to remove all of your trash when you leave. However, you should also avoid dumping anything on the ground and put everything into a container or bag you'll pack out. If you're making a fire, use an existing fire ring, and only use wood that's already dead and on the ground. Don't try to cut anything to burn.

Hal Canyon Campground Location

Hal Canyon Campground is located about 10 miles northeast of Moab on Utah State Route 128. Follow Interstate 70 west to State Route 128 and then turn south. The campground is about 40 miles south of the Interstate. Address: UT-128, Moab, UT 84532 Ready to visit Hal Canyon 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.