Ballard RV Park and Cabin Rentals

RV electrical hookup station at a campground in Arches National Park, with a numbered site sign and utility cables

Ballard RV Park in Thompson Springs serves as a practical base for exploring Arches and the Moab area. It offers 55 sites with full hookups, including 35 new RV pads, and accommodates RVs up to 70 ft (with some pull-throughs to 100 ft). Cabins and tent sites supplement the RV options, all on level gravel pads with picnic tables and fire rings where available. Open year-round, it sits about 30–35 minutes from Arches and keeps you within easy reach of Moab's services; train noise may intrude ...

Quick facts

Reservation System: Private—book by phone or email
Reservation Window: Not published; walk-ins possible off-peak
Reservation Tips: Call ahead for availability; walk-ins possible off-peak; no online booking
Season Dates: Year-round

Reservations & season

Reservation System: Private—book by phone or email
Reservation Window: Not published; walk-ins possible off-peak
Reservation Tips: Call ahead for availability; walk-ins possible off-peak; no online booking
Season Dates: Year-round
Fills Up Speed: Usually full in peak season; walk-ins possible off-peak
Per Night Cost: $44.79–$48 for RV sites; winter rate $33+ tax (Nov 15–Feb 28)
Passes Accepted: Not specified; no listed discount for America the Beautiful pass

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total: 55
Site Types: RV sites with full hookups, cabin rentals, tent camping
Site Type Breakdown: RV sites, cabins, tent sites
RV Max Length: 70 ft standard; up to 100 ft on some pull-throughs
Group Sites Available: 0
Hookups: Full hookups on RV sites: 30/50 amp, water, sewer
Site Features: Level gravel pads; fire rings at some sites; picnic tables; flush toilets; on-site dump station; potable water at full-hookup sites; propane refills on-site; 7-Eleven nearby for basic supplies
Ground Type: Gravel
Site Privacy: Sites are spacious; some privacy between pads

Facilities

Bathroom Types: Flush toilets; some bathrooms with private toilet/shower configurations
Showers Available: Yes; some showers may incur a $5 fee for non-guests
Potable Water: Potable water at all full-hookup sites
Dump Station: On-site dump station
Camp Store: Propane refills on-site; 7-Eleven nearby for basic supplies
Firewood Availability: Not specified; gathering firewood prohibited in the region
Cell Service: T-Mobile strong (5G); Verizon LTE good
Nearby Facilities: Nearest town Moab 30–40 minutes; 7-Eleven nearby; propane refills on-site

Access

Road Type: Gravel internal roads
Road Conditions: Level, well-maintained gravel; drive to Arches Entrance Station ~30–35 minutes
Vehicle Restrictions: No explicit trailer ban; accommodates up to 100 ft
Gate Hours: Check-in until 7:00 PM; after-hours check-in by arrangement
Distance From Entrance: 30–35 minutes to Arches Entrance Station
Nearest Gas Services: 7-Eleven nearby; Moab 30–40 minutes away
Elevation: Approximately 4,400 feet
Accessibility: Gravel roads; some sites may be accessible; confirm site-by-site

Rules & safety

Bear Country: Yes
Food Storage Requirements: Bear safety required; follow standard Utah food storage practices
Fire Restrictions: Fire rings at some sites; seasonal bans; verify local rules
Pets Allowed: Yes
Pet Restrictions: Leashed and cleaned up after; $25 per accommodation per stay + $10 cleaning fee
Quiet Hours: 10:00 PM–7:00 AM
Alcohol Permitted: 0

What it is like

Onsite Activities: Nearby hiking, ATV trails, petroglyphs, ghost towns, dinosaur tracks; stargazing good
Trailheads Nearby: Nearby Moab-area trails; no campground trailheads
Wildlife Viewing: Desert wildlife; bears in the region
Stargazing Quality: Excellent desert skies with limited light pollution
Shade Coverage: Limited shade; sparse trees
Scenic Views: Desert landscape with distant mesas and open skies
Noise Level: Occasional train noise; highway noise minimal
Vibe Check: Functional basecamp near Moab; not a forest getaway; proximity to services and Arches is the win; privacy modest
Camp Here If Skip If: ✅ BOOK IF: You need full hookups and big-RV capability within a reasonable drive to Arches; ❌ SKIP IF: You want a remote, forested campground with absolute quiet and no train noise
Tips Advice: Bring water and plan Arches day trips
Check fire bans; use on-site fire rings
Leash dogs and clean up after
Starry nights are prime—arrive early for unobstructed views

More details

Park Area: Thompson Springs, Utah / Moab area
Family Friendly Notes: Family-friendly with spacious sites; quiet nights; no on-site playground
Nearby Attractions: Arches National Park (≈30–35 min), Moab attractions (restaurants, services) within drive
Terrain Type: Flat with gravel sites
Wind Exposure: Desert wind possible
Setup Strategy: Primarily pull-through sites on gravel; very Long rigs up to 100 ft accommodated; internal roads are wide; check-in until 7 PM
Bath Laundry Recon: Shower facilities clean; some showers may incur a fee for non-guests; on-site laundry details not listed
Review Summary: Rated 4.5 stars from 359 reviews. Guests praise clean bathrooms, spacious RV pads, and proximity to Arches; occasional train noise; overall reliable base for Moab adventures