Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)
Welcome to the wild and remote canyons and rivers of Eastern Utah. The Westwater Group Site is located next to the Westwater Ranger Station; the take-out for the Ruby-Horsethief and put-in for the Westwater Canyon sections of the Colorado River. This site is ideal for large groups looking to camp along the river.
This is the group site. Looking for the main campground? Westwater Campground (Ranger Station), 11 sites, is next door.
More like this: reservable in Utah · pets allowed in Utah · group sites in Utah
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗



Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westwater Group Site | 25 | Gravel | None | Riverfront | 30 / 10 | Yes | Basic |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:01 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 25 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Group Site (max 30 people): $50 per night per site |
The group site includes a shade shelter with picnic tables, a fire ring, and a vault toilet where groups of up to 30 people can gather. There are parking spaces for up to 10 vehicles.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Grand Junction Colorado (westbound traffic). Take I-70 from Grand Junction for approximately 35 miles to exit 227. Turn south at the stop sign and proceed for nine miles to the Ranger Station and put-in. From the west (eastbound traffic). Take exit 227 on I-70, then head south at the stop sign.
| Nearest town | Westwater, Utah |
| Coordinates | 39.0888° N, 109.1040° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
- Please contact the BLM Moab Field Office for assistance with changes and cancellations at 435-259-2100.
- Changes
- You can make changes to a reservation through your online Recreation.gov user account any time prior to the arrival/first date of the reservation.
- There is a $10 change fee If you wish to change to dates entirely outside of the original reservation dates.
- There is no change fee if you wish to extend or shorten the original reservation dates as long as the changes include dates from the original reservation.
- You cannot make changes to your reservation after the arrival/first day through your Recreation.gov account. However, the BLM Moab Field Office may be able to assist you, 435-259-2100.
- For reservations with dates at the end of the available booking window (a.k.a. sliding window), you will not be able to make changes or cancellations until the site has been available to the general public for four days.
- Cancellations
- Please cancel your reservation if you do not plan to use it. This opens highly sought-after campsites for others to reserve.
- You can cancel your reservation online through your Recreation.gov user account or through the call center (call center incurs an additional fee). A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
- Late Cancellations
- A late cancellation occurs less the 14 days before the arrival/first date of the reservation (a.k.a. cut-off window).
- Late cancellations will incur a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
- Early Departures
- If you spend at least one night and then leave prior to the scheduled departure check-out date, please contact the BLM Moab Field Office (435-259-2100) to open the remaining nights for others to use. You will not be able to cancel these nights through your Recreation.gov account.
- You will be eligible for a partial refund of the nights AFTER you depart that you did not use. If you depart after the facility check-out time, you will not be eligible for a refund for that night
- No-Shows
- A No Show occurs if you do not arrive at your campsite or cancel your reservation by check-out time (Noon) on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time (Noon) on the day following the arrival date.
- No-shows are assessed a $20.00 Recreation.gov service fee and forfeit the first night’s recreation fee.
- Refunds
Fire nearby
- WildfireSlough Canyon
48 mi from the campground · 4,774 acres · 80% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 20.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Bass Pro Shops ↗ | 26.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Centennial RV ↗ | 26.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The town of Moab, UT, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park are located approximately 70 miles to the southwest. The cities of Grand Junction and Fruita, CO along with McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and Colorado National Monument are located approximately 35 miles to the east.
- 6.4 miMcdonald Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.6 miRabbits Ear Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Public land it sits in
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area begins about 1.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.9 miMcInnis Canyons National Conservation Area ↗National Conservation Area · Bureau of Land Management · 124,157 acres
- 3.3 miBlack Ridge Canyons Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 75,479 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Coates Creek SchoolhouseBuilding · Glade Park · 11.9 mi
Natural features
The site is adjacent to the Colorado River as it meanders through a valley. Views of Navajo Sandstone walls surrounding the valley can be seen from the site.
Recreation
The Colorado River is known for extraordinary boating trips including the Ruby-Horsethief section up-river of Westwater Canyon and the Cataract Canyon and Grand Canyon sections downstream. The Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River, from Loma, Colorado, to Westwater, Utah, is a 25-mile stretch of mostly flat-water with sections of Class I and II rapids. This section of the Colorado runs through beautiful red rock canyons and has many day hiking opportunities offering both solitude and exploration. Westwater Canyon offers boating excitement for experienced adventurers to test their skills navigating 11 named rapids ranging in difficulty from class I to class IV. While boating down the canyon, the area offers views of incredible geology and day hiking with glimpses of abandoned settler cabins and caves. Approximately 10,000 people float this section of the Colorado River each year. The 17-mile stretch is surrounded by the Westwater Wilderness Study Area. North of the site are many motorized and non-motorized trails. These trails include Kokopelli’s Trail, one of Colorado's and Utah's premiere mountain bike trails.
Guidebooks for Utah
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)?
Sites at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station) are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)?
Group Site (max 30 people): $50 per night per site
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)?
Check-in 12:01 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)?
You can cancel your reservation online through your Recreation.gov user account or through the call center (call center incurs an additional fee). A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station) have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)?
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)?
Yes, pets are allowed at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station). Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)?
The Colorado River is known for extraordinary boating trips including the Ruby-Horsethief section up-river of Westwater Canyon and the Cataract Canyon and Grand Canyon sections downstream. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)?
Westwater, Utah. The town of Moab, UT, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park are located approximately 70 miles to the southwest.
Source: Getting there
What if Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station) is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Westwater Campground (Ranger Station) (0.1 mi, partly first-come), Knowles Overlook Campground (5.1 mi, first-come), and Jouflas Campground (7.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby

