Upper Onion Creek Campground

Star4.06
81 reviews
Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, UT 84532, USA
Scenic ViewsStargazing

Quick Facts

10,200 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Bureau of Land Management (BLM) site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Upper Onion Creek Campground
$20.00 - $20.00 / night
Campsite Fees
$20/night. Payment accepted in cash or check only. Pay at campground.
Standard Site Fee$20.00
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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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(435) 259-2100utmbmail@blm.gov
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What Campers Say

4.06

Satisfactory

Based on 81 reviews

83 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulcleanspacious

"Users widely praised the campground for its breathtaking views, cleanliness, and convenience for various outdoor activities. However, some users pointed out the lack of shade, privacy, and cell service as potential drawbacks. Overall, the sentiment is positive, with an average rating of 4.27 out of 5 for campground-specific experiences."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, UT 84532, USA

Upper Onion Creek Campground

Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, UT 84532, USA

Driving directionsFrom the junction of Hwy. 191 & Hwy 128, drive east 22 miles along the Colorado River. Turn left (across from the "Fisher Towers" sign) and drive 1.5 miles up the gravel road.
Access road is gravel, and seasonal rains may cause flash floods. It is well-situated 0.7 miles off SR 128, providing direct access to the Onion Creek four-wheel drive road.
Nearby places
Moab (40 minutes, approximately 22 miles)
Nearby supplies
Supplies and essentials available in Moab, including dining, shopping, and camping gear.

Best Time to Camp at Upper Onion Creek Campground

Time your visit for the magical shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when crystal-clear skies frame perfect 70-degree days and wildflowers paint the desert floor. Summer transforms the canyon into a sun-drenched furnace that challenges even seasoned desert dwellers, while winter brings a stark, crystalline beauty alongside temperatures that can plummet below freezing after sunset.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
2.5 / 5

Summers hot with limited shade; less comfortable despite open scenery.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 14% in UT

Fall listed as a prime season: clear skies, ~70°F and peak conditions for hikes.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.5 / 5
Top 7% in UT

Spring noted for wildflower blooms, pleasant temps and peak visitation.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.5 / 5

Open year-round but high elevation brings cold/snow and potential access issues.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Spring and fall seasons are likely peak based on weather trends and reviews.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round, but seasonal conditions such as flash floods may affect usability.

About Upper Onion Creek Campground

Perched above the winding Onion Creek, this intimate campground serves as your gateway to some of Utah's most dramatic desert landscapes. Wake up to panoramic vistas of towering red rock cliffs and distant mountain peaks, where the Colorado River has carved its ancient path through layers of sandstone. This pristine, primitive camping experience keeps things simple with vault toilets and no running water, allowing you to truly disconnect and immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the high desert.
Upper Onion Creek Campground caters to primitive tent campers, RV users, and groups. It offers 14 individual and 2 group sites, all of which are first-come, first-serve except for the group sites that can be reserved.
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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
14 nights within a consecutive 30-day period.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Upper Onion Creek Campground is an excellent base for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular activities include hiking, off-roading, and camping under remarkable night skies. The surrounding area features the Fisher Towers and trails leading to the La Sal Mountains.
HikingThe proximity to trails like Fisher Towers and Onion Creek four-wheel drive road makes this location ideal for hikers. Specific difficulty levels and trail lengths are not mentioned, but the variety of terrain provides opportunities for both casual and more adventurous hikers.
Wildlife viewingThe remote and rugged surroundings offer chances to observe wildlife, although specific species are not detailed in the source materials.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSeasonal rains can cause flash floods, and there is no cell service, so navigational tools are essential.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Upper Onion Creek Campground

Reviews

4.1
81 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Upper Onion Creek Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Users widely praised the campground for its breathtaking views, cleanliness, and convenience for various outdoor activities. However, some users pointed out the lack of shade, privacy, and cell service as potential drawbacks. Overall, the sentiment is positive, with an average rating of 4.27 out of 5 for campground-specific experiences.
Review Summaries
Based on 81 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers frequently mentioned the stunning views of mesas and red rock formations, the peaceful atmosphere, and clean facilities. One user wrote, "I cried it was so beautiful!" Another praised,...
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Based on 81 reviews

Common Concerns

The most common complaints revolved around the limited shade, exposure to wind, and the lack of cell service. A reviewer noted, "Not much shade, and some sites may be more exposed to the wind."...
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Based on 81 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early to secure a site as the campground fills quickly. Prepare for sunny conditions by bringing shade if possible. Users also recommend having a compass or offline navigation tools due to the...
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Based on 81 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Busy during peak weekends and Jeep/RZR seasons. Summers may be less comfortable due to the heat and limited shade.
Based on 81 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Beautiful views, clean campsites, and the commode is open to the stars," one reviewer noted. Another wrote, "Not much shade, so don't hang around on a hot day, but the scenery seriously can't be...
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Based on 81 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsite 11 was specifically lauded for its beauty. One reviewer noted, "I cried it was so beautiful! We had campsite 11." Another described the sites as generally "gravel/dirt with plenty of room."
Based on 81 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is not frequently mentioned in reviews, but the remote and rugged conditions may not be ideal for all visitors.
Based on 81 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The campground is described as pet-friendly, though limited shade and wind exposure may affect the comfort of pets.
Based on 81 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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