Cowboy Camp Campground
4.6610 reviewsCowboy Camp Campground
$20.00 - $20.00 / night
Campsite Fees
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
$20 per site per night camping fee payable at self-service fee station at campground (exact cash or check accepted).
About this campground
Perched high above the red rock wilderness of Moab, this intimate mesa-top retreat offers just seven coveted campsites for those seeking solitude among the canyons. Your high-clearance vehicle will carry you up winding roads to this exclusive escape, where adventure beckons at every turn. With world-renowned Canyonlands National Park and the dramatic precipice of Dead Horse Point State Park as your neighbors, you'll find yourself at the crossroads of Utah's most legendary 4WD trails and mountain biking routes. This is tent camping at its most raw and rewarding—no RVs, no trailers, just you and the vast desert sky.
Cowboy Camp Campground accommodates primitive tent camping with no reservations required, serving as overflow for nearby parks.
Historical SignificanceThe stories of this land remain untold in official records, leaving visitors to imagine the ancient peoples and pioneers who once gazed upon these same timeless vistas.
Weather and SeasonsWinter transforms this high desert sanctuary into a crystalline wonderland, where temperatures dance between a crisp 16°F at dawn and a mild 36°F by afternoon. These dry, cold months offer their own stark beauty, with frost-kissed mornings giving way to brilliant sunshine that warms the red rocks. While winter weather patterns are well-documented here, each season brings its own magic to this elevated desert perch.
ElevationFrom your lofty mesa-top campsite, the world drops away in layers of sculpted sandstone. Though the exact elevation remains unrecorded, you'll feel the altitude in the thin, pure air and the way the landscape unfolds endlessly below your ridge-top vantage point.
Natural Features and SceneryWake to a symphony of light as dawn paints the canyon walls in shades of coral and gold from your ridgeline perch above Moab's legendary landscape. By day, endless vistas stretch toward the maze of Canyonlands and the sheer cliffs of Dead Horse Point. But it's the evening show that steals hearts—as the sun melts into the western horizon, the sky erupts in colors that defy description. When darkness falls, the absence of city lights reveals a cosmic display that reminds you why ancient peoples saw stories written in the stars.
Geological RegionYour campsite sits atop the ancient mesas that crown Moab's geological wonderland, where millions of years of wind and water have carved a masterpiece in stone. From this elevated theater, you'll witness the grand drama of canyon country unfold—layer upon layer of Earth's history exposed in the towering walls and plunging depths. The nearby icons of Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park serve as monuments to the powerful forces that shaped this extraordinary landscape, where every vista tells a story written in rock.
Campsite details
AccessibilityNo information provided regarding accessibility features for campers with disabilities.
Sites SizeThe campground contains seven individual sites with a maximum capacity of 10 people and two vehicles per site.
Sites PrivacyMultiple user reviews highlight the campground's adequate spacing between sites, ensuring privacy for visitors.
Total Campsites7 campsites
Recommended CampsitesSites have fire rings and tables but lack water and trash services. Reviewers recommend caution regarding the twisty unpaved road.
Best CampsitesSpecific sites not mentioned as best.
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
No explicit check-in deadline mentioned.
Check-out
No explicit check-out deadline mentioned.
Stay Limit
No explicit stay limit mentioned.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Limited to 10 people per site and two vehicles per site.
Groups
No designated group camping sites are available.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutSeven individual sites spread along a ridge on the mesa.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; specific seasonal closures are not mentioned.
Reservation PlatformsNot reservable; only payable at the self-service fee station.
Walk-in AvailabilitySites are first-come, first-served basis; often full as per user reviews mentioning frequent turnover.
Cancellation PolicyNon-reservable; no cancellations or modifications allowed per Scan & Pay rules.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Cowboy Camp Campground is surrounded by recreational opportunities including mountain biking routes and 4WD roads, making it a prime location for adventure seekers. Proximity to famed Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park also offers hiking and stunning vistas.
Hiking
The campground is near Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, both of which offer numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty levels.Biking
The area surrounding the campground offers several mountain biking routes suitable for different skill levels.Wildlife viewing
Cowboy Camp Campground provides excellent opportunities for observing local wildlife due to its secluded location.Winter Activities
Winter activities were not detailed.Water Sports
No non-motorized water sports facilities or opportunities such as kayaking were noted in authoritative sources or user reviews.Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Campfires allowed with fire rings provided at each site.
- Quiet hours are not explicitly mentioned.
Hazards
General hazardsSteep, twisty, unpaved roads may be difficult for oversized vehicles; vault toilets noted by one user as poorly maintained.
Active alertsNo specific alerts mentioned.
Weather forecast
85
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 21%
Very dry conditions, stay hydrated
Wind: 8.1 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Overcast
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Emergency services in Moab (~18 miles) including hospital and police.
Good to know
Peak season datesPeak seasons can be inferred based on high popularity near summer months but specific dates are not mentioned.
Trash and recyclingThere is no trash or recycling service available; campers are expected to pack out their trash.
Proximity to water featuresNo water features are near the campground.
Common complaintsVault toilets described as unpleasant due to lack of roof and fullness; sites frequently full leading to nighttime turnover of visitors searching for availability.
HostUsers mention helpful hosts providing maps and hiking advice, but official host details are not provided.
Campground Map
Driving directionsFrom the center of Moab (at Center and Main) head north on Hwy. 191 to Hwy.313. Turn left (west) on Hwy 313 and drive 18 miles. You will see the small campground sign on the right.
High-clearance vehicles required; no RVs, trailers, or pull campers.Nearby places
Moab (~18 miles, ~25 minutes drive).
Nearby supplies
Supplies available in Moab (~18 miles away) including groceries, camping supplies, and fuel.
Camper Reviews
4.7
10 reviews
Cowboy Camp Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews emphasize the campground's scenic location, quietness, and proximity to national parks, but also note its limited facilities and frequent over-occupancy.
Review Summaries
Based on 10 reviews
What Campers Love
Users have praised the spectacular views, peaceful atmosphere, and convenient location. "Great dry camping with no trailers permitted... Awesome views and sunset," noted Bill Westervelt. Amber Diaz...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Complaints focus on the lack of water, limited trash service, and vault toilets described as both full and roofless by Amber Diaz: "No roof on a pit toilet isn't the total deal breaker for me, but...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Visitors recommend arriving early to secure a spot due to the high demand. Bringing all necessary supplies, including water, is essential since the campground lacks these amenities.
Based on 10 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Reviews suggest that summer months may be ideal due to clear skies and stunning sunsets, but the campground's lack of water makes preparation crucial.
Based on 10 reviewsCamper Quotes
"Seven camp sights. Much quiet. Much beauty." - Brett Potter. "Watching them try to navigate the twisty, rutted unpaved road in their humungous RVs provides the nightly entertainment." - Priscilla...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
No specific site numbers were reviewed as better or worse.
Based on 10 reviewsAccessibility Features
No reviews specifically addressed accessibility features or experiences.
Based on 10 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Reviews indicate the campground is pet-friendly as long as dogs remain on a leash. "Dog-friendly campground but dogs have to be on leash," noted Janice Lee.
Based on 10 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025