Arches National Park

[Brantlyj]

My non-camping wife actually suggested a trip out to Arches National Park. Just about fell out of my chair.

Who has gone and any recommendations on campgrounds? Fully aware they are probably booked for this year so looking at 2022.

Would love to stay in BLM land but I don’t want to buy a generator for one trip and I don’t want to push it by roughing it on my wife’s first major camping trip.

Also any must do’s for a family of 5, current kids ages of 11, 8, and 6.

[Canonman]

Good idea not dry camping/roughing it on the first major trip. Several good RV Parks in Moab. Moab Rim and Canyonlands are a couple I could recommend. We mostly dry camp on BLM land but it is hot and dusty. Might be too much for the uninitiated
Plan on visiting Arches EARLY in the morning. It's really busy to the point of closing during the day because of the crowds. Canyonlands is close by and worth a look as is Dead Horse Point state park. Lots of native indian rock art if that interests you and the kids. I told my grandkids we were going to have lunch with the "Ancient Aliens" (Thompson Springs). A really good way to keep the kids happy is a Colorado River rafting tour as well as a 4WD slickrock tour. PM me if you'd like more detailed info

[xrated]

We are going out west this late summer/early fall and Arches area (Moab, UT) is the last stop on our National Parks tour. I have not been yet, but we are staying at the Portal RV campground, based on recommendations from some friends that have stayed there. I've looked at it on their website and I have to agree....it looks really nice.

[notanlines]

I’m sure with those three I don’t have to tell you that they want to DO, not SEE. One arch looks just like another after seeing one. Keep the driving to a minimum and the doing to a maximum.
Three days going out and three coming back. Those are also going to need a little planning.
Fat lotta help I’ve been....

[Brantlyj]

Originally Posted by notanlines

I’m sure with those three I don’t have to tell you that they want to DO, not SEE. One arch looks just like another after seeing one. Keep the driving to a minimum and the doing to a maximum.
Three days going out and three coming back. Those are also going to need a little planning.
Fat lotta help I’ve been....

We are a family of does, but I’m an amateur photographer so I’ll be in heaven.

We are already looking into Jeep tours and water rafting. My wife found a park you can dig for Dino fossils.

Google tells me it’s 15 hours. I’m hoping we can do it in 2 days each way... maybe 4 days of exploring.

[CedarCreekWoody]

We stayed at Spanish Trail campground and it was fine.
Be sure to visit canyonlands national park as well, and perhaps Dead Horse state park.

[Canonman]

Originally Posted by Brantlyj

We are a family of does, but I’m an amateur photographer so I’ll be in heaven.

We are already looking into Jeep tours and water rafting. My wife found a park you can dig for Dino fossils.

Google tells me it’s 15 hours. I’m hoping we can do it in 2 days each way... maybe 4 days of exploring.

Lots to see both on the way and on the way back. Photography around the area is fantastic but you'll be amongst the many during peak season.
There are some cool ruins just south of Moab near Blanding. Just depends on what the kids might be into. Dinosaurs for sure! Getting them out of the pool will be the trick

[Blackrock]

Arch View is a very popular RV resort but if the wind is blowing it gets nasty. Next time if I ever stop there I'll try to get in a park down in town. I would like to boondock out on the BLM but the OL likes full service.