BLM · Moab Field Office (BLM) · Moab, UT

Upper Onion Creek Group Site

Upper Onion Creek Group Sites are ideal for small family or group gatherings. Group Site A is designed for people with horses and has a horse corral and nearby equestrian trails. The campground offers striking views of the Colorado River canyon and the surrounding red rock cliffs, mesas and spires, with the La Sal Mountains as a dramatic back-drop. There is direct access to the Onion Creek four-wheel drive road (watch for seasonal rains and flash floods). The town of Moab is approximately 40 minutes away and has dining, shopping, sports rentals, tour companies and museums.

More like this: reservable in Utah · pets allowed in Utah · group sites in Utah

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Upper Onion Creek Group Site AUpper Onion Creek Group SiteUpper Onion Creek Group Site (5)Upper Onion Creek Group Site (6)
Photos courtesy of Moab BLM · Recreation.gov

Site mix

group equestrian1
Group sites1
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

2 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfacePeople / vehiclesFiresRating
Group AGroup EquestrianPull-through250Gravel20 / 15YesBasic
Group BGroup250Gravel25 / 15YesBasic

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:59 AM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length20 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesGroup Site A (Equestrian Site, max 20 people): $100. Group Site B (max 25 people): $125

Group sites have fire grates, picnic tables, vault toilets and shade shelters. Group Site A has a horse corral. The group sites do not have water, dump stations or electric hook-ups.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Upper Onion Creek Group Site20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 29.0°F averageFebruary: 37.8°F averageMarch: 47.6°F averageApril: 54.8°F averageMay: 64.3°F averageJune: 74.1°F averageJuly: 80.4°F averageAugust: 78.2°F averageSeptember: 68.9°F averageOctober: 54.2°F averageNovember: 40.7°F averageDecember: 30.6°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Dewey, 6 miles from the campground at 4,120 feet, station USC00422150 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

From Moab, drive north to Highway 128, turn right on 128. Between mile markers 21 and 22 you will see the sign marking the Onion Creek road. Turn right and go about a half a mile. The group areas are on the left side of the road.

Nearest townMoab, Utah
Coordinates38.7383° N, 109.3518° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

  • You may 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.
  • There is a $10 change fee if you wish to change to another group site within the Upper Onion Creek area.
  • 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 the (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.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearCanyon Voyages ↗15.5 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗16.1 mi
RV sales & serviceCentennial RV ↗47 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Worth a stop

There are many hiking trails and viewpoints along State Route 128. The Fisher Towers area offers hiking, rock climbing and scenic vistas. There are boat launches at nearby Lower Onion Creek and Hittle Bottom Campgrounds. Upper Onion Creek Campground is about 40 minutes from Arches National Park and 55 minutes from Canyonlands National Park.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Upper Onion Creek Campground is located along State Route 128. The views from the campground are spectacular and include Fisher Towers, Castle Valley and the Colorado River Canyon. The La Sal Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the red rock cliffs, spires and mesas.

Recreation

Group Site A is designed for guests with horses and has a horse corral and nearby equestrian trails. Access to Onion Creek four-wheel drive road is adjacent to the campground and is popular for motorized and horse travel. The road has 27 wash crossings (be careful of seasonal rain and flooding hazards). Within close proximity to national parks and open space, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and four-wheel drive tours in the surrounding area.

Guidebooks for Utah

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Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

Sites at Upper Onion Creek Group Site 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 Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

Group Site A (Equestrian Site, max 20 people): $100. Group Site B (max 25 people): $125

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:59 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

You can cancel your reservation online through your Recreation.gov user account or through the call center the (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 Upper Onion Creek Group Site have?

2 sites, including 1 group equestrian and 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

The longest site here provides 20 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 there showers or a dump station at Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

The group sites do not have water, dump stations or electric hook-ups.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Onion Creek Group Site. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

Group Site A is designed for guests with horses and has a horse corral and nearby equestrian trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Upper Onion Creek Group Site?

Moab, Utah. There are many hiking trails and viewpoints along State Route 128.

Source: Getting there

What if Upper Onion Creek Group Site is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Lower Onion Creek Group Sites (under 0.1 mi), Lower Onion Creek Campground (0.4 mi, first-come), and Hittle Bottom Group Site (2.1 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby