This epic Utah camping trip is perfect for first-timers, park lovers

USA Today

6 days ago

I unzipped my tent just as the early morning sun hit the sandstone buttes of Big Bend Campground in Moab, Utah, illuminating their vivid umber and amber stratas. It was an incredible view to wake up to – and a first for a newbie camper like myself.
Like many others, I've seen images of the Colorado Plateau's ancient arches, buttes, fins and towering pinnacles before, but actually being in their presence is a different experience. From seeing their massive scale up close to how some rock formations seemingly defy gravity, the nature around Moab, Utah is captivating.
On a three-night Women's Best of Moab Basecamp Tour in Moab with Wildland Trekking, an Intrepid Travel Company, I had the chance to fully immerse myself in the stunning red rocks landscape of the Southwest. In just a few days, I learned that Moab makes for the perfect home base to explore the natural wonders of such an iconic landscape.
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"(The landscapes are) incredible, awe-inspiring and wonder-inspiring. You feel like you're on another planet, right?" said my Wildland Trekking guide Michelle Beebe, who has been working in Moab for the last three years. "The energy here is spectacular and every time you come back here, it's just like something that comes over your body." (She attributes that to the iron oxide in the red rocks, for those drawn to spiritual energy.)
My brief camping stint with Wildland Trekking allowed me to fully appreciate Moab's nature while also giving me a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, a notion that many other campers can relate to. In Campspot's 2025 trend survey, 82% of the 2,594 respondents said they "seek solace" in camping when feeling "overwhelmed by modern life."
Camping continues to be a favorite escape for millions of Americans, even as inflation can make it seem like other types of travel are more costly, according to Dyrt's 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks, which was conducted in late 2024. The report also found that 81.1 million Americans went camping last year, with 5.8 million doing it for the first time, slightly down from 84.3 million in 2023.
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Here's what travelers should know about camping in Moab.
Why should travelers visit Moab?
Moab is a visual treat, but this place has layers – literally. The geological story of time is told through the ancient rock formations, from when the landscape was underwater during the lower Triassic Period to many years of wind and rock erosion that shaped the striking formations and strata. Even today, the stunning rock formations that make Moab such an iconic landscape are still being eroded, so the arches and pinnacles won't always be here.
"It's a great place to start just to capture your imagination, right?" said Beebe. "Those arches, the formations, it really piques your interest (if) it's something that you haven't really experienced before. So it makes you want to come back for more." Traveling with a guide made it easier to navigate the park crowds and gave me a deeper insight of the history and geology of the area.
The two parks we went to were Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, just two of Utah's Mighty 5 national parks (the other include Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.) We also trekked Fisher Towers, the impressive dark red sandstone monuments beloved by rock climbers, which are considered public lands with the Bureau of Land Management.
What is it like to camp in Moab?
My base camp was at Big Bend Bend Recreation Site, which belongs to the Bureau of Land Management. Perched along the Colorado River, the campsite is centrally located near trails, rivers, and routes perfect for mountain biking, whitewater rafting, off-roading, driving and hiking. By car, Arches National Park is a 15-minute drive, with Canyonlands National Park about an hour away, and the town of Moab is 30 minutes away. The campsite included pit latrines and a dumpster, but no running water. (We had a chance to shower at a recreation center halfway through the trip.)
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You can also book a campsite within Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, but being in Big Bend made it easy to access both parks.
What is it like to camp with Wildland Trekking?
Wildland Trekking's camping trips are all-inclusive for an introductory taste of Moab, especially for first-time campers or visitors. Although we did plenty of outdoor exploring, the days never felt rushed. We could sip coffee and have breakfast in the morning, and after hitting the trails, got downtime back at basecamp in the evenings. Each day totaled six to eight miles of hiking, either from one long hike or hitting multiple highlights in the parks.
What's included with Wildland Trekking trips:
While all you have to do is essentially show up, it's still important to pack some items that'll make your camping experience easier. Here's what I recommend:
What is the weather like in Moab?
Although Moab is stunning year-round, the spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures plus fewer crowds. In the summer, the arid high desert can get quite hot, reaching temperatures of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to Beebe, our visit in late May was perfect timing. Although we experienced chilly mornings and nights along with a bit of rain, we did have to wear sweaters and jackets, but it never felt too hot while we were on the trails. Once the sun came in, hiking felt pretty comfortable. The rain also brought the desert to life, with apparently rare swaths of green and wildflowers carpeting the landscape. Typically, Moab receives around 10 inches of rain a year.
How much does Wildland Trekking camping trips cost?
My Moab basecamp trip costs between $1,985 and $2,045, depending on the trip dates. Wildland Trekking also offers other kinds of outdoors trips, from guided backpacking tours, guided llama hikes, show shoe hikes and ones where you stay in an inn or lodge.
The reporter on this story received access from Intrepid Travel. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.