Sand Flats Recreation Area

Show on map(435) 259-2444utmbmail@blm.gov
Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood
Moab, UT 84532

The Sand Flats Recreation Area (SFRA) near Moab, Utah is a nationally significant public lands treasure at the heart of the Colorado Plateau. A high plain of slickrock domes, bowls and fins, it rises in the east to meet the colorful mesas and nearly 13,000 foot peaks of the La Sal Mountains.

Bordering the area on the north and south are the canyons of the Grandstaff and Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Areas. Further north lies the deep gorge of the Colorado River and Arches National Park. Sand Flats famous Slickrock and Porcupine Rim bike trails and almost 30 miles of jeep trails are world-renowned for their combination of challenge and awesome scenery.

Sand Flats is popular for camping and has 140 first come, first serve campsites and six group campsites. The group campsites can be reserved through Recreation.gov.  Over 250,000 visitors enjoy this 9,000-acre recreation area annually. The Sand Flats Recreation Area is managed through a unique partnership between Grand County and the Bureau of Land Management. In 1995 this area was developed through the collaborative efforts of Americorps, the Bureau of Land Management, Grand County and the Moab community.

Sand Flats' mission is to protect the natural features of the area from adverse recreational impacts while providing access to sustainable and enjoyable recreational opportunities.

Passes and Fees

Sand Flats offers a few different types of passes.

  • Private Vehicle - 7 Day Pass $10.00
  • Bicycle or Motorcycle - 7 Day Pass $5.00
  • Annual Pass - $25.00 (admits the card-holder and passengers in a single, private vehicle for day use)
  • Camping: six group campsites are available for reservation on Recreation.gov.  All other camping is first-come, first-serve at $15.00 per night per vehicle. 

National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands, and Utah State Parks passes are not valid for entry, with the exception of the Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass.  

For more information visit the Grand County Sand Flats Recreation website.  

Directions

Directions can be found on the Grand County Sand Flats Recreation Area website.

Reviews

Sand Flats Recreation Area offers spacious campsites with beautiful desert views and proximity to Moab and local trails. Most campers appreciate the natural setting, cleanliness, and friendly staff. However, the campground has limited amenities, with some noting the lack of running water and basic pit toilets. Noise from nearby off-road vehicles is common, and reservation issues have caused frustration for some visitors.

Spacious campsites with great views
Close to Moab and biking/off-road trails
Clean and well-maintained pit toilets
Friendly and helpful staff
Good for groups and dogs
Limited amenities; no running water
Pit toilets sometimes smelly or uncovered
Noise from ATVs and off-road vehicles
Reservation system problems and site conflicts
Some sites have difficult parking or terrain
77 reviews
5 stars
40
4 stars
22
3 stars
4
2 stars
3
1 stars
8
Rachel D
Loop:Datura Campground
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Absolutely incredible! Campsites are spaced out so you feel like you have the whole desert to yourself. I didn’t see anywhere that allows for dumping water/trash, though.
Anna G
Loop:Datura Campground
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
This was a perfect group site for adult,kids, and dogs! The views were amazing you were in biking distance to trails and town was super close. We will be back.
Laurie H
Loop:Echo Campground
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Have always loved Camping at sand flats but this group site was not my favorite It’s a very small site for 16 people The road goes around the campsite, so there was not a lot of options on where to place tents. It’s also very close to the bathrooms. So you can smell them when the wind blows just right. It did have nice sunshade and two picnic tables We ended up grabbing two additional sites that were close to the group site to make it an enjoyable stay
Chris P
Loop:Datura Campground
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Showed up and a large party was in our site. Camp host station was closed. Had to find different site at 8pm. When we spoke to camp host next day they gave away our site without verification. All very disappointing since we booked 6 months in advance and drove 7 hours. I could not get a refund at the campground and am now dealing with Recreation.gov to get refunded.
emmy g
Loop:Echo Campground
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Great group spot, plenty of shade for doggos. Toilet nearby but not too close. Room to park 3 cars/trucks (4 small cars/trucks).
hans s
Loop:Datura Campground
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Love this site. Clean. Great gazebo. One Mile into town.
Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in August, when about 15% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 8 years of reservations.

Campgrounds

Sand Flats Recreation Area has 1 campground, 6 campsites in total.

Nearby Parks