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Moonflower Canyon Recreation Area

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

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Moonflower Canyon Recreation Area

The Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, is a federal government agency responsible for administering federal land all over the United States. With the task of protecting and maintaining more than 850 sites covering roughly 247 million acres of land, the BLM oversees many of the most beautiful camping destinations in the country. In fact, the majority of BLM sites feature one or more peaceful, well-maintained BLM campgrounds, as well as a variety of other opportunities for outdoor fun and adventure.

Located in eastern Utah, Moonflower Canyon Recreation Area is a scenic BLM area with a lot to offer visitors. The site, which is only a short drive northeast of Canyonlands National Park and just south of Arches National Park, serves as the perfect place to spend a few nights camping in the fresh air under the stars. The recreation area also features fascinating historical petroglyphs that anyone exploring the area can get a firsthand look at. If you're wondering whether there are any options for "BLM camping near me," all you need to do is check the BLM website.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Delicate Arch Trail

The Delicate Arch Trail is one of many beautiful hikes around Arches National Park. The trail takes you right to the park's most recognizable arch, which you will likely recognize from the Utah license plate. Those who make the trek will be rewarded with a number of breathtaking views. The trail doesn't contain much shade, so be sure to bring sun protection and lots of water.

Length: 3.2 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Grand View Point Trail

The Grand View Point Trail is located in Canyonlands National Park and is an excellent choice for anyone in search of a quick hike. The popular out-and-back trail, which offers scenic views and rocky cliff edges, typically only takes around an hour to complete. Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed at the Grand View Point Trail.

Length: 1.8 miles

Intensity: Easy

Grandstaff Trail

You'll find the Grandstaff Trail within the Grandstaff Canyon Wilderness Study Area. The relatively challenging trail tends to get pretty busy, so you'll likely encounter a handful of other people during your visit. The hike features water crossings and beautiful views, and if you reach the end, you'll find the breathtaking Morning Glory Natural Bridge. This trail is open year-round, and there's really no bad time to traverse it.

Length: 5.7 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing & Boating

The best and most convenient fishing destination near Moonflower Canyon is, without a doubt, the Colorado River. The majestic river flows right through the canyon, and its waters are known to be excellent for reeling in channel catfish. You'll find several peaceful sandy beaches along the river, and each one offers perfect opportunities to cast your line out from the shore. The river is also a wonderful option for a day of boating, kayaking, canoeing, or even swimming.

Climbing

Eastern Utah features some very rocky and mountainous areas, meaning there are quite a few opportunities for adventurous climbers. Perhaps the most desirable climbing destination near the Moonflower Canyon Recreation Area is nearby Arches National Park. At the park, not only are the majority of the climbing routes easily accessible from the road, but there are also several options to choose from. The park features challenging multi-pitch towers, easier one-pitch towers, and hard cracks on long buttresses.

Wildlife Viewing

With so many nearby mountains, forests, and bodies of water, the area around Moonflower Canyon is very active when it comes to wildlife. When exploring the area and nearby national parks, keep your eyes open and your camera ready if you're an animal enthusiast. Some of the cool creatures you may get to see up close include foxes, bobcats, elk, coyotes, skunks, black bears, badgers, ring-tailed cats, cougars, and desert bighorn sheep. Keep your eyes on the sky as well because you might spot a red-tailed hawk, Cooper's hawk, golden eagle, bald eagle, or any of the other fascinating birds that inhabit the area.

Picnicking

The Moonflower Canyon Recreation Site is a lovely destination for an afternoon picnic. In addition to offering a picturesque setting near the river, the BLM group campsite features picnic tables, grills/fire rings, shaded areas, campfire rings, and vault toilets.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

If you want to do any RV camping in the area, you'll need to do so away from the official Moonflower Canyon Group Site. You also won't find any other Bureau of Land Management campgrounds nearby that accommodate RVs, but that doesn't mean you won't have options. Due to the site's proximity to Moab, UT, there are numerous nearby campgrounds, and many of them feature RV campsites. You could camp at the Portal RV Resort - Moab or at the Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway.

Free Camping

The Moonflower Canyon Recreation Area offers plenty of peaceful spots for Bureau of Land Management free camping. In this remote part of Utah, many of the nearby trails and roads provide excellent opportunities for dispersed camping in a quiet, scenic setting. A few of the many places where you may find a nice spot to set up a campsite are Potash Road, the Willow Springs Trail, and Long Canyon Road.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Moonflower Canyon Recreation Area BLM trip

If you're planning a BLM RV camping trip to Moonflower Canyon, it's important that you first check the weather reports, especially during summer. At times, summer thunderstorms may cause powerful winds and flash flooding in the area, which may make the site inaccessible or hazardous. While visiting the area, you should also be careful not to leave food out. Animals such as ravens, chipmunks, and, in rare cases, even bears have been known to come poking around the site. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

During your visit to the site, the BLM requires that you follow certain guidelines to help preserve the natural land. Because the site is a 'pack in, pack out' area, you must remove all of your garbage from the site when you leave. Please also avoid disturbing the local wildlife or anything that you find in their habitat. Only set up campsites on durable land, and if you burn campfires, keep them contained in designated spaces and as small as possible. Your efforts will go a long way toward keeping Moonflower Canyon pristine.