Arches Access
Most visitors head straight for the main entrance near Moab. From Desert Moon, adventurous guests are also close to a lesser known north side approach toward the Klondike Bluffs / Salt Valley side of Arches National Park. It is a more scenic, backroad feeling way to start the adventure, and a very different experience from sitting in the usual line of cars.
Desert Moon is about 15 miles from the north boundary of Arches, which makes this route one of the more interesting perks of staying here. It is close, unusual, and much more in the spirit of a desert road trip than the standard approach. The road is generally considered a two wheel drive dirt road in normal conditions, but conditions can change quickly with weather, so it is always worth checking current park information before you go.
A Different Way Toward Arches
Use Our Pin to Navigate
We have an exact pin saved for the route our guests use most often. Click below to open it and start navigating from Desert Moon.
Good to Know Before You Go
This is the more backroad-feeling side of Arches, which is part of what makes it fun. It is less obvious, less built around the standard entrance experience, and a little more adventurous from the start.
If you would rather do it the usual way, you can always head to the main entrance near Moab, wait in line, and make a whole thing out of it. Totally up to you.
More to Explore Nearby
Arches is just one part of what makes this corner of Utah worth staying in.
From Desert Moon, you are also well positioned for a few other great adventures.
Canyonlands National Park
If you want bigger views, deeper canyons, and a more expansive sense of scale, Canyonlands makes an excellent day trip. Like Arches, it also charges a $30 private vehicle entrance fee.
Goblin Valley
For something weirder and more playful, Goblin Valley is packed with surreal sandstone formations and wide-open desert scenery. It is one of the most delightfully strange landscapes in Utah.
Dinosaur Tracks
If dinosaurs are more your thing, the area also has a few worthwhile stops. One of the best-known nearby sites is the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite, where the Bureau of Land Management says visitors can view more than 200 dinosaur tracks from the Early Cretaceous along an interpretive boardwalk.
Accommodations at Desert Moon
Historic Hotel
Stay upstairs in the historic Desert Moon Inn, where each room has its own artistic personality. The inn is more like a boutique boarding house, with private rooms, shared bathrooms, and a shared kitchenette.
RV Park
Settle in under the shade trees with full hookup RV sites offering water, electricity, and sewer.
A desert basecamp with easy access to Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, & the region.
Campgrounds
Pitch a tent and enjoy the quiet, open desert atmosphere. Campers have access to restrooms, showers, and water spigots, with plenty of room to take in the landscape.
Find Us in Thompson Springs
Located just off I-70 at Exit 187, Desert Moon is an easy stop on the way to Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, and the surrounding desert. Close enough for adventure, but far enough out to feel like its own experience.