The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Ken's Lake Campground is situated inside Ken's Lake Recreation Area near Moab, UT. The area includes several hiking and biking trails, two campground loops, a man-made reservoir, and a day-use area. Beautiful red rock ridges and sagebrush flats surround the campsites. In the distance, you can spot Moab Rim and the La Sal Mountains. Loop A is available by reservation only while Loop B is a first-come, first-served area. Ken's Lake Campground is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a federal agency that oversees almost 23 million acres of breathtaking deserts and mountains in Utah.
Arches National Park is only about a 30-minute drive to the north. Canyonlands National Park is around 40 miles away near Dead Horse Point State Park. Drive 20 minutes north along Highway 191 to find Moab, home to 5,366 people. This city is popular with those visiting the nearby national parks as well as explorers with mountain bikes and off-roading vehicles.
This exciting sandy trail has several river crossings and a few sections that require easy scrambling. There's also a diving hole near a gorgeous waterfall. The road to the trailhead can only accommodate vehicles up to 22 feet long and doesn't permit any trailers or RVs. Length: 1.6 miles Intensity: Moderate
Experienced off-roaders don't want to miss out on tackling this long, rocky road. It runs around the Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area to the airport. Take your time riding over the difficult hills and bubbling streams, catching glimpses of rock art and stunning landscape. Length: 17.2 miles Intensity: Hard
The reservoir near Ken's Lake Campground only allows boats with electric motors. The day-use area offers a gravel boat ramp for easy access. You'll find the Colorado River near Moab, where you can fish and whitewater raft. This river is home to 14 native fish like cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout. Various rapids, like Onion Creek Rapids and Salt Wash Rapids, are upstream, bordering Arches National Park.
One of the most popular climbing spots near Moab is in Canyonlands National Park. The Island in the Sky Mesa has several sandstone cliffs reaching more than 1,000 feet high. Referred to as a "climbing island," this mesa promises nine established rock climbing areas with intensities ranging from 5.6 to 5.12b. Some routes include Aftershock Wall, the South End, and Breakfast Nook. It's important to note that you must check the quality and safety of all existing anchor systems.
While hiking or ATVing, watch out for roaming skunks, coyotes, foxes, badgers, desert cottontails, or bighorn sheep. You may spot red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, northern harriers, herons, screech owls, or swallows. Larger mammals like black bears, cougars, and bobcats aren't commonly spotted, but they're still known to live and hunt in the area.
You're welcome to take advantage of the fire rings and picnic tables at Ken's Lake Campground. Anticline Overlook is another great place for picnicking if you're interested in viewing or photographing the Intrepid Potash mining facility or the Kane Creek Anticline. While this is not a Bureau of Land Management free camping site, it provides a pit toilet, shade shelters, and interpretive signs.
Dead Horse Point State Park was made an International Dark Sky Park in 2016. It's one of the most popular and accessible places to stargaze near Moab. Located high up on a plateau and far from any city, you can enjoy an almost completely unobstructed nighttime sky. The park's staff regularly holds stargazing events like moonwalks and telescope explorations. Don't forget to plan a visit to Canyonlands National Park, which was recently upgraded to have "night-sky friendly" lights.
Loop A at Ken's Lake Campground has minimal shade and is closed during winter and summer. It's mainly used for trailers and RV camping. It doesn't offer any water or motorhome hookups. Loop B is open year-round and provides smaller sites and limited turn-around capabilities. It's surrounded by cottonwood and juniper trees that promise more shade and privacy. Each site costs $20 a night along with a reservation fee. Visit recreation.gov to reserve your campsite at Loop A up to six months in advance. Other local Bureau of Land Management campgrounds include the Williams Bottom Camping Area and Juniper Campground. These sites are near the Sand Flats Recreation Area and offer limited amenities. Consider staying at the Spanish Trail RV Park just three miles away from downtown Moab for a more modern experience. You'll love the free Wi-Fi, pool and spa, laundry facilities, and full hookups. The standard 45-foot site starts at $81 a night.
Widen your search for "BLM camping near me" to include free dispersed camping opportunities. Klondike Bluff Road is only 20 minutes from Arches National Park and has wide spaces that can fit any size RV. Dalton Wells Road may not have the best cell service, but you'll see several camping spots after the first half-mile. The BLM Bartlett Wash is another great option close to several popular hiking trails.
Many regions can have limited to no cell services, making it necessary to download your trail guides ahead of time or bring along paper copies. When trudging through the sweltering Utah desert, it's best to bring along at least 2 gallons per person per day. Try to camp higher near a mountainous or plateau region in the summer to avoid the worst of the high temperatures. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Maximize your camping experience while protecting the environment by thoroughly planning your trip before you arrive. Knowing the trails and roads will prevent you from getting lost or damaging the flora. Preserve indigenous cultural landmarks by leaving all artifacts where you found them. You should also avoid touching, stepping on, or harming historic petroglyphs. Remember to always practice the "Leave No Trace" principles.
Starting in Moab, head south on Highway 191 for eight miles until you see signage for Ken's Lake. Turn left and follow these signs to find the campground just beyond the lake. Address: 82 East Dogwood Avenue, Moab, UT 84532 Ready to visit Ken's Lake 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.
