I stayed at Moab Valley RV Resort (some folks call it Sun Outdoors Moab Valley) for four nights in April. I pulled in with my 32-foot travel trailer and a dusty F-150. I was chasing warm sun and that glow on the red cliffs. For the full play-by-play of my stay, see my complete Moab Valley RV Resort basecamp story. You know what? I found both.
First things first: Check-in and first look
Check-in was easy. The front desk gave me a paper map with arrows and a big smile. I liked that. It felt simple after a long drive. I rolled to Site B12, a pull-through. The pad was gravel and mostly level. I used two blocks on the passenger side. No big deal.
The place sits right off Highway 191, about five minutes from the Arches entrance. If you're piecing together park logistics, the National Park Service maintains a helpful Arches basic information page that lists hours, fees, and seasonal alerts. You can see red cliffs right from camp. At sunset they look like they’re on fire. It made me stop and just stand there, with my coffee going cold in my hand.
There’s a paved bike path at the front gate. It slides down to Lions Park and keeps going. I rode it at sunrise. Soft light. Cool air. My legs woke up fast.
Our site: Nuts and bolts
- Full hookups. The pedestal had 50/30/20 amp. Power was steady.
- Water pressure felt strong. I used a regulator. Please do that. Your hoses will thank you.
- Sewer connection had a tight cap and good angle. No mess. Thank goodness.
- Picnic table was worn, but stable. One plank was cracked. I told the office, and maintenance swapped it the next afternoon.
- Shade? Kinda. We had one small tree that helped around 4 pm. Many sites are wide open, so bring your awning and a hat.
Spacing was fair. Not huge. Not tiny. I could put out my mat and still walk around without bumping elbows. The road turns are a bit tight for big Class A rigs. I saw a 40-footer take two tries on the bend near the laundry, and it was fine. Just slow and steady.
Stuff we used (and liked)
- Pool and hot tub: The pool was cool and clean. It opened late morning. The hot tub was hotter than I expected, in a good way. After hiking Park Avenue in Arches, I parked my sore knees there and just sighed.
- Showers: Clean floors. Good water temp. Real hooks. I didn’t have to juggle my towel like a circus act.
- Laundry: Mix of card readers and quarters. I ran two loads on day two. Dryers were hot, so watch your shirts.
- Store: Small but handy. Ice, ice cream bars, a few RV bits, propane exchange, and cold brew in cans. I grabbed a fuse and a bag of chips. Balanced diet, right?
- Wi-Fi and cell: Camp Wi-Fi worked in the morning for email (around 8–10 Mbps for me). It dragged at dinner time. I used my phone hotspot after 6 pm. Verizon had strong bars. My friend with AT&T had solid service too.
- Dog stuff: There’s a fenced dog area with bags. My mutt, Daisy, did zoomies while I watched the sky turn pink.
There’s also a small bike wash and a simple tuning stand near the office. I knocked red dust off my chain after riding Moab Canyon Pathway. That dust gets everywhere. Bring a brush.
If your idea of bliss involves sand between your toes after a morning paddle, Emerald Cove RV Resort down on the Colorado River delivers that same friendly vibe with a beach twist.
The good: What made me smile
- Location, location: Five minutes to Arches. Ten to town. You feel close to everything, but still tucked in.
- Quiet hours: 10 pm to 7 am. People actually followed it. It was peaceful except for the highway hum.
- Staff: Friendly, quick, and not fake. They handed me a trail sheet and circled two easy hikes for my mom.
- Clean spaces: Bathrooms and trash areas stayed tidy. I saw staff doing rounds more than once.
I also liked the little mix of rigs. Kids on scooters. A couple on bikes. A van with a surfboard for no reason at all. It felt like travel stew.
For fellow adults who’d like to step outside the campfire circle and meet locals while passing through Moab, FuckLocal lets you browse nearby singles and set up spontaneous meet-ups, so your evenings can be as lively as your daytime adventures. Folks steering their rig farther north into the Cowboy State can also browse the statewide classifieds at Backpage Wyoming to quickly sift through local personal listings, giving you options to socialize, grab a drink, or find a last-minute adventure partner once you roll into Jackson, Casper, or any other Wyoming stopover.
The not-so-good: What bugged me
- Highway noise: You’ll hear trucks at night. It’s a whoosh more than a roar, but it’s there. I used a white noise app. It helped.
- Dust: This is desert. One afternoon wind kicked up, and red grit moved in. A mat by the door saved my floor.
- Shade is hit or miss: Some sites have trees. Many don’t. Summer folks, plan for that.
- Price: It’s not cheap in spring. You’re paying for the spot and the location.
None of these were deal-breakers for me. But they’re real.
Little tips that helped
- Ask for a site farther from Highway 191. The back rows feel calmer.
- Bring a water pressure regulator and extra blocks.
- Pack a shade cloth or pop-up if you’ve got it.
- Ride the bike path at sunrise. Less wind. More joy.
- Book early for March–May. Weekends fill fast.
- Put a rug down for the dust and keep a brush by the step.
- If you’re a light sleeper, earplugs are gold.
What we did from camp
Day 1: Arches, Park Avenue at sunset. Easy and wow.
Day 2: Morning ride on the bike path to Lions Park. Afternoon pool. Evening hot tub.
Day 3: Windows Loop and Double Arch. Sandwiches at the picnic table, feet up, sky big.
Day 4: Lazy coffee, laundry, short walk by the river pullouts north of camp.
Nothing fancy. Just good.
Who should book here
- Families who want a clean base and a pool.
- First-timers to Arches who want to be close.
- Mountain bikers who like the path and a rinse station.
- RV folks who like full hookups and easy-in pull-throughs.
If you’re mapping a longer road trip through the mountain west, consider Log Cabin Resort and RV Park up near Island Park as a laid-back next stop with the same full-hookup ease. Or point your rig south for a week under the palms at Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort, another spot where full hookups meet desert sun.
If you want absolute silence and stars with no lights, you may be happier boondocking up on BLM land. Different vibe.
Final word
I’d stay here again without blinking. It’s an easy, friendly base with real convenience and real views. The highway hum is a trade you make for that quick hop to Arches and town. If you’re still sorting out your route, the Canyonlands Natural History Association posts a succinct Arches ‘Plan Your Visit’ guide that spells out entrance logistics, shuttle info, and what to expect in peak season. For me, it was worth it.
Score? 4.5 out of 5. Bring your hat, your patience, and maybe two extra blocks. The red rock will do the rest.