Williams Bottom Camping Area

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

Home
Bureau of Land Management
Utah
Williams Bottom Camping Area

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency of the federal government, and they have the important job of maintaining some of our country's greatest natural lands. With oversight of roughly one-eighth of the landmass in the United States, the BLM administers and protects many unique sites that feature beautiful camping areas, fascinating historical attractions, and diverse geographical features. One such area is the Williams Bottom Camping Area, which is located in eastern Utah, right beside the Utah-Colorado border.

The Williams Bottom Camping Area is a scenic campground, which features 17 campsites and offers visitors the opportunity to climb at the nearby Wall Street Climbing Area, go off-roading at the Poison Spider 4x4 route, or hike and explore the beautiful surrounding area and views of the impressive Colorado River Canyon. Many who journey to the area also take the great opportunity to visit one of the nearby national parks—Arches National Park to the north of the site, and Canyonlands National Park to the southwest—where they can explore and participate in multiple outdoor recreational activities. There may be BLM sites with camping opportunities in your local area, and you can locate any that are close by with a search for "BLM camping near me," or any similar search.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Delicate Arch Trail

The Delicate Arch Trail, found within the Arches National Park, is a heavily-trafficked out and back trail that's great for hikers of all skill levels. The hike features beautiful wildflowers and makes for an absolutely perfect spot to watch a sunset. The trail is accessible year-round and gives visitors the chance to check out some of the impressive natural arches in the area.

Length: 3.2 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Park Avenue Trail

This heavily-trafficked out and back trail is also found in the Arches National Park area near the town of Moab. The unique, rocky landscape of the area makes for a fascinating hike, and those who traverse the trail will have a great view of the many interesting and colorful land formations that the area offers. The trail is accessible year-round, though dogs are not permitted to use it.

Length: 1.8 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

The La Sal National Forest, located just to the southeast of the Williams Bottom Camping Area, offers many excellent fishing opportunities. The forest offers eight different lakes and many streams where anglers can try their luck at reeling in some of the local fish species. Found within the waters of the forest include rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. Another good option for fishing enthusiasts is the Colorado River, which flows very close to the Williams Bottom Campground. In addition to trout, channel catfish have also been known to occupy the river's waters, and many choose to take rafts out on the river as well, with most opting to use the boat launch located near Moab.

Climbing

The Wall Street climbing area is located right near the Williams Bottom Camping Area, in the town of Moab. This easy access climbing area consists of a one-mile stretch of sandstone, which features 130 different climbs of varying difficulty. As for other nearby options, the Arches National Park features many rocky sections and natural formations that an adventurous climber can attempt to take on, and the many canyons of Canyonlands National Park to the south also offer many rock-climbing opportunities. Due to the rocky and rugged geology that covers large portions of this region, anyone who enjoys climbing should have plenty of chances to have some fun and challenge themselves.

Wildlife Viewing

Visitors to the Williams Bottom Camping Area may have a chance to see some of the local wildlife, but there will likely be a higher concentration of interesting animals in the nearby forests and national parks. Within the Canyonlands National Park, while exploring the rugged terrain, you may come across mule deer, coyotes, porcupines, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, and a variety of songbirds, snakes, lizards, and rodents. If you happen to be observing wildlife in the park at night, you may be lucky enough to spot bobcats, mountain lions, foxes, skunks, bats, and owls.

Picnicking

There are scattered picnic tables at the Williams Bottom Camping Area, and each individual campsite comes with one, as well as a fire pit. There are also toilet and trash facilities, though there is no potable water available. Despite much of the surrounding region being relatively arid, the riverside location of the campground is peaceful and shady, making it an excellent place to enjoy a picnic meal.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

The Williams Bottom Campground doesn't have any RV hookup sites, but RV camping is still completely possible at the site. Typically, those bringing RVs to the campground should bring somewhat smaller rigs, but otherwise, the site should be able to fully accommodate RV campers. If you're RV camping in the area and prefer a site with electrical hookups, you have quite a few nearby choices, though there aren't any Bureau of Land Management campgrounds that fit this criteria. One option is the very nearby Portal RV Resort, which is located near Moab and offers both an 'RV resort' and a campground. They have full electrical hookup sites as well as many modern amenities.

Free Camping

Though there are quite a few nearby primitive campgrounds that require small fees, anyone hoping for true Bureau of Land Management free camping will need to stake out their own campsite. If you choose to do so, you will need to find a spot that isn't already covered by an established campground, but if you're willing to put in some time searching along the area near the banks of the Colorado River, there should be scattered spots that are suitable.

RV Rentals Near Williams Bottom Camping Area Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Williams Bottom Camping Area BLM trip

If you're planning a trip to the Williams Bottom Camping Area and plan to stay at one of the campsites there, remember that the sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because there are only 17 sites, if you're making your trip during a busy time of year, you may want to have a backup plan to stay at one of the other nearby campgrounds in case Williams Bottom is at capacity. Many people have also reported having no cell phone service at the campgrounds in this area, so it would be wise to be prepared for that.

If you plan on doing any hiking or exploring in the area of the BLM site or either of the nearby national parks, remember to watch where you're walking. Not only are these rugged and rocky landscapes where you may trip or injure yourself if you're not careful, but many snakes and lizards, including several types of rattlesnakes, have been known to inhabit the area. Additionally, if you end up climbing at the Wall Street Climbing Area, remember to use all proper safety equipment and follow posted regulations, and do not climb the sandstone if it's wet, as you will not be able to consistently grip it. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

You can do your part to help preserve this incredible natural area by treating it with proper respect during your visit. The BLM requires that all visitors do their best to follow the guidelines laid out by the "Leave No Trace" principles. This includes several important responsibilities, including properly disposing of any trash that you produce, keeping your camping limited to durable land surfaces, making sure anything that you find remains exactly as you found it, keeping a safe and respectful distance from any wildlife that you encounter, and respecting your fellow campers.

Williams Bottom Camping Area Location

To reach the campground from Moab, head north on US Hwy 191 to US Hwy 279, just south of the entrance to Arches National Park. Turn left (west) onto US Hwy 279, and follow it for 5.5 miles. The Williams Bottom Camping Area will be on your right.

Ready to visit Williams Bottom Camping Area? 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.