Island In The Sky (Willow Flat) Campground

4.60

97 reviews

2282 Resource Blvd., Moab, UT, 84532, USA

Scenic ViewsStargazing

Featured in:Camping Near Canyonlands National Park#2 Primitive Camping Utah#3 Camping Near Arches National Park +3 more

Quick Facts

6,093 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

6,093 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Island In The Sky (Willow Flat) Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fee is $15 per night per site, first-come, first-served. No additional reservation fees apply.

Standard Site Fee$15.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider

(435) 719-2313canyinfo@nps.gov

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What Campers Say

4.60

Top-Rated

Based on 97 reviews

80 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanlocation

"Overall, users praise the campground for its scenic beauty, proximity to overlooks, and quiet atmosphere. However, they note the lack of water and the first-come, first-served system as potential downsides."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

2282 Resource Blvd., Moab, UT, 84532, USA

Island In The Sky (Willow Flat) Campground

2282 Resource Blvd., Moab, UT, 84532, USA

Driving directionsTurn on UT 313, approximately 10 miles north of Moab or 22 miles south of I-70. Follow the road 22 miles to the entrance to Canyonlands National Park - Island in the Sky district. Continue on the park road approximately 7 miles. Make a right turn toward Upheaval Dome, and follow signs to the campground.

Roads are paved and accessible year-round. Visitors should plan for a roughly 29-mile drive from Moab to the campground entrance. Remote locations may make navigation difficult; ensure you have maps or GPS.

Nearby places

Moab: ~29 miles (~45 minutes)

Green River: ~40 miles (~50 minutes)

Monticello: ~65 miles (~1.5 hours).

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies, including groceries, camping equipment, and fuel, are available in Moab (~29 miles).

Best Time to Camp at Island In The Sky (Willow Flat) Campground

Mother Nature paints with extremes across this high-desert canvas, where temperatures dance between dramatic highs and lows throughout the day. Spring and fall emerge as the golden seasons, offering comfortable days perfect for exploration and crisp nights ideal for stargazing. Summer transforms the landscape into a sun-drenched wonderland, though the elevation provides welcome relief from the scorching heat found in lower desert regions. Winter wraps the campground in a quieter mood, with cold temperatures and occasional snow dustings creating an entirely different desert experience. The persistent wind—a constant companion mentioned by many visitors—adds its own wild character to the landscape, making sturdy tent stakes and weighted gear essential companions for any stay.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Summer is busy and hot; sites fill quickly making conditions average for summer stay.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall cited as a golden season with cooler weather and excellent conditions for visits.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring is a peak, popular season with cooler temps and excellent hiking conditions.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Open year-round but reviewers note harsh winter weather; offers solitude but limited comforts.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Spring through fall seasons are busiest; sites fill quickly during these times.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Campground is open year-round.

About Island In The Sky (Willow Flat) Campground

Perched high above the canyon country, Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground offers 12 intimate campsites where adventurers can experience the raw beauty of Canyonlands National Park. This first-come, first-served sanctuary operates year-round, welcoming those who seek solitude among the stars and sandstone. Each site comes equipped with essential amenities—a picnic table for sunset dinners, a fire ring for evening gatherings, and a protective shade structure to escape the desert sun. While vault toilets are available, the absence of running water adds to the wilderness experience, requiring visitors to arrive self-sufficient. Just moments away, the Green River Overlook awaits with its legendary dawn and dusk light shows. During peak season from spring through fall, early birds catch more than worms—they secure coveted campsites in this high-desert haven.

The Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground is a dry camping facility with basic amenities for tent and RV camping.

Historical SignificanceThis windswept plateau holds stories written in stone, where ancient Indigenous peoples once traversed the rugged terrain, leaving behind whispers of their presence in the form of rock art and artifacts. The campground sits within a living museum of time, where millions of years of patient erosion have carved one of Earth's most spectacular geological galleries. Every vista from this elevated perch reveals chapters of our planet's autobiography, from ancient seas to wandering rivers that sculpted the impossibly deep canyons below. Camping here means sleeping where countless generations have witnessed the slow, magnificent dance of geological time.

Weather and SeasonsMother Nature paints with extremes across this high-desert canvas, where temperatures dance between dramatic highs and lows throughout the day. Spring and fall emerge as the golden seasons, offering comfortable days perfect for exploration and crisp nights ideal for stargazing. Summer transforms the landscape into a sun-drenched wonderland, though the elevation provides welcome relief from the scorching heat found in lower desert regions. Winter wraps the campground in a quieter mood, with cold temperatures and occasional snow dustings creating an entirely different desert experience. The persistent wind—a constant companion mentioned by many visitors—adds its own wild character to the landscape, making sturdy tent stakes and weighted gear essential companions for any stay.

ElevationAt 6,093 feet above sea level, this sky-high campground offers a refreshing escape from the desert's notorious heat. The elevation creates a unique microclimate where summer nights bring welcome coolness and afternoon temperatures remain surprisingly comfortable. However, this lofty position also means winter visitors should pack for alpine-like conditions, as snow can transform the red rock landscape into a stunning winter wonderland. The thin air at this elevation makes sunrises and sunsets particularly vivid, painting the canyon walls in colors that seem almost supernatural.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to a landscape that defies imagination—where the earth falls away in magnificent terraces of red and white stone, creating a maze of canyons that stretch to the horizon. The campground's high-desert setting features hardy junipers and pinyon pines that frame endless views, while the sparse vegetation allows unobstructed vistas in every direction. A short walk leads to the Green River Overlook, where the landscape opens into a breathtaking amphitheater of stone, revealing the serpentine path of the Green River thousands of feet below. Here, mesa tops serve as natural balconies overlooking one of America's last great wildernesses, where eagles soar on thermals and the silence is so complete you can hear your own heartbeat.

Geological RegionWelcome to the crown jewel of southeastern Utah's canyon country, where the Island in the Sky District rises like a massive natural fortress above the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. This elevated mesa represents millions of years of geological artistry, where ancient seas, wandering rivers, and relentless wind have collaborated to create a masterpiece of erosion. The campground sits atop this sky island, surrounded by sheer cliffs that drop away to reveal layer upon layer of Earth's history—from the white rim sandstone beneath your feet to the ancient Paradox Formation hidden in the depths below. This is where the high desert meets the sky, creating a landscape so surreal it challenges the imagination while rewarding those who venture here with views that stretch across four states on clear days.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

First-come, first-served basis
no specific check-in time.

Check-out

Open departure policy
no specific check-out time.

Stay Limit

Stay is limited to 7 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Single site occupancy rules are not specified beyond general usage.

Groups

There are no group camping sites explicitly mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutCampground consists of 12 individual sites, including one ADA-accessible spot. Sites are equipped with shade structures, picnic tables, and fire rings.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations needed or supported; all sites are first-come, first-served.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll 12 sites are first-come, first-served. No reservations are accepted. Sites are frequently full by mid-morning, particularly in spring through fall.

Cancellation PolicyReservations are not available as all sites are first-come, first-served. Cancellation policies do not apply.

AccessibilityThe campground has one ADA-accessible site and paved parking spots, as mentioned in reviews.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious with ample room for tents and RVs, as noted in user reviews.

PrivacySites are somewhat close to each other, but some users note an impressive level of privacy due to the layout and natural surroundings.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesArrive early (by 10:00 AM) to secure a spot during peak seasons. Opt for sites further from bathrooms to avoid odors during windy conditions. Sites with shade structures are recommended for summer visits.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a range of nature-centric activities including hiking, stargazing, and enjoying nearby scenic overlooks such as the Green River Overlook.

HikingThe campground is close to hiking trails, including Mesa Arch and Aztec Butte trails, which are highly recommended in user reviews.

Wildlife viewingCampers report observing ravens as part of the wildlife experience. The natural setting offers opportunities for general wildlife viewing.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include high winds, extreme temperatures, and lack of running water. Wildlife such as ravens may disturb trash if left unattended. Reports of mice or rats causing damage to vehicles were noted in one user review.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed in designated fire rings.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are not explicitly stated.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are in Moab (~29 miles). Includes Moab Regional Hospital and police services.

Trash & RecyclingUser reviews mention trash facilities available, but ravens may disturb trash if not secured properly.

Water FeaturesNo direct water features at the campground. Green River is visible from nearby overlooks.

Camp HostNo campground hosts are mentioned.

Weather at Island In The Sky (Willow Flat) Campground

Reviews

4.6

97 reviews

Top-Rated

Island In The Sky (Willow Flat) Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, users praise the campground for its scenic beauty, proximity to overlooks, and quiet atmosphere. However, they note the lack of water and the first-come, first-served system as potential downsides.

Review Summaries

Based on 97 reviews

What Campers Love

'One of the best dry camp camping grounds I have ever been to.' 'Beautiful location close to Arches also.' 'Great for stargazing.' 'The campground is clean, and the pit toilets are the cleanest in...

Based on 97 reviews

Common Concerns

'The campground fills up quickly, so arrive early.' 'No water on-site, so bring your own.' 'It would be better if the rangers could indicate site availability at the entrance.'

Based on 97 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

'Get there early to secure a spot.' 'Bring plenty of water.' 'Stake your tent securely as it can get windy.' 'Avoid sites near the bathrooms to prevent unpleasant smells when the wind shifts.'

Based on 97 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring to fall is the most popular time due to cooler weather and the high demand for sites. Winter offers solitude, but weather conditions can be harsh.

Based on 97 reviews

Camper Quotes

'If you are lucky enough to get a spot, it's incredible!' 'At night you can see every star you can ever imagine.' 'Super secluded camp spots with ample space.' 'Bathrooms are cleaned daily, but no...

Based on 97 reviews