Questions
Frequently asked questions
If your question isn't here, ask the assistant in the corner of any page. If it doesn't know, it passes the question to us rather than guessing, and we'll email you back.
Arriving
- How do I get there from Moab?
- Take Highway 191 south for about 37 miles, then turn right onto US Highway 211. Do not take the earlier Needles Overlook turn. From there it is 12 miles to Newspaper Rock, which is worth a stop, and about another 22 miles on. Watch for the "Entering Canyonlands National Park" sign — we are roughly one mile past it, on the right. Allow about an hour and a half from Moab.
- How do I get there from Monticello?
- Take Highway 191 north for 15 miles, then turn left onto US Highway 211. From there it is the same as the Moab route: 12 miles to Newspaper Rock, then about 22 miles on, and we are roughly a mile past the "Entering Canyonlands National Park" sign, on the right.
- Will my GPS get me there?
- Often not. GPS systems have been wrong here by more than 20 miles, and there is no cell service in the canyon to look anything up once you are out of range. Screenshot, print or write the directions down before heading to the Outpost. Relying on GPS and not following the written directions is the single most common way people end up lost on the way in.
- What are the roads like?
- The drive is paved the whole way until arriving on our property where it changes over to gravel and still does not need four-wheel drive. RV's as well as standard 2wd vehicles are fine. There is no parking permitted anywhere along the driveway. There is a turnaround spot at our gate on the park property where parking is prohibited as well. The gravel section is 10 mph and has potholes, and you will want to be down to 5 mph before the parking area. We have a strict 5mph speed limit that starts as you approach the parking lot and all throughout the campground.
- What time do I need to arrive?
- The store closes at 6 PM. We do ask that everyone arrive before closing. Glamping and the Group site guests are all required to arrive before 5pm to keep your reservation. If you have a regular tent/rv site and are running late, you must email us to hold your site. There are absolutely no check ins past 8pm, giving you time to get set up and not be a disturbance to other guests past quiet hours. No amenities are available after the close of business hours, 6pm.
- How far are you from the park and the nearest towns?
- We are 1.5 miles from the entrance to the Needles District of Canyonlands. Moab and Arches are about an hour and a half away, and the Island in the Sky district is about two hours. There is no public transport out here. We are 45 miles from Monticello.
- Do you lock the gate?
- No, we do not lock or even close the gate during our open seasons. We just require guests to be checked in absolutely no later than 8 PM out of respect for us and consideration of other campers on the property. We ask that there not be any traffic in the campground at all after 9pm to keep it quiet and peaceful for all guests.
- Why is it difficult to contact you?
- We operate completely off-grid in the middle of the desert with no power lines or phone lines. We only have limited cell service and no receptionist to stay on the phones for us. P.S. if you would like to fill this position and work on trade, let us know. Until then, we are available via email if you cannot find the answers you are looking for here on our website. Thank you for your understanding.
- What should I bring and prepare for?
- - Bring your dry food in a tote so you have somewhere to store your food away from critters. - Bring a shade shelter of some kind if you camp with us in the summer. - Bring diesel cans if you expect to be out roaming (we only carry regular unleaded gasoline).
Booking
- How do I change or cancel my reservation?
- Your confirmation email has a private link to your reservation, where you can move your dates or cancel. A $10 change fee applies. If a change means we owe you money back, it comes to us to approve rather than happening instantly. If you have lost the email, you can look your booking up with your confirmation number and the email address you booked with.
- What is our cancellation policy?
- We offer a 100% refund minus the $10 processing fee 30 days prior to your check in date. 50% refund within 29-15 days of your check in date. Reservations are non-refundable within 14 days of your reservation. You may reschedule anytime prior to your reservation date with the understanding this negates any future cancellation refunds. There is a $10 fee for reservation changes. If you opted in for the travel protection plan you will communicate directly with them regarding cancellation refunds.
- Can I extend my stay after check-in?
- You must speak with the manager on duty at the time of check-in. Do not drop an envelope stating your extension without approval. This prevents us from overbooking. If we need to remove your things you will be charged to do so.
- Do you give refunds for bad weather?
- No.
Facilities
- Do you have WiFi and/or cell coverage?
- Neither works inside the campground. They work inside and around the store only. There is a cell booster inside the store that picks up AT&T service only. Usually, texts come through and send out without issue, but calls are not guaranteed. WiFi is $5 a day or $10 for the entirety of your stay. No streaming or downloading large files. We are off-grid with satellite internet and have this service as a way of contact out here in the middle of nowhere. WIFI is $10 for anyone not paying for a campsite. © 2026
- Do you have potable water?
- No. There is a free refill station inside the park at the visitors center. We do sell gallons of water in the store during open hours 9am-6pm.
- How do I purchase showers?
- Guests must arrive at the store before 6 PM to purchase shower tokens at $3 for 5 minutes each. The bathhouse does not have any heating, AC, or power receptacles. The showers operate at a preset comfortably warm temperature.
- Can I shower if I am not camping here?
- Yes. Showers are available to people who are not camping with us, at $10 per token, between 9 AM and 6 PM.
- Can I wash dishes?
- You are welcome to collect water from the sink in the bathhouse, use a pot to boil water to wash your dishes. It is fine to dump the dirty water outside in the bushes, they could use the water as long as there was no bleach used to wash. No dishwashing inside the bathhouse to keep critters out and sinks clear from clogs.
- Is there a laundry?
- No. We are off-grid with limited resources.
- Where can I fill my RV with water or dump gray/black water?
- The closest place is Monticello to fill and empty tanks. Monticello is 45 minutes away. The park does not allow RV fills either. Water is scarce in the desert.
- Do you have trash receptacles?
- Yes, we do have trash cans outside of the bathhouse for our campers. We ask that you do not bring trash in from previous locations. We are so far from our local dumpster where we drive it out once a week and get overwhelmed when guests bring in extra. WE DO NOT TAKE TRASH FROM NON GUESTS.
- Can I charge my phone or other electronics?
- Yes — on the porch or inside the store during open hours.
General
- How much is gas?
- We only sell 87 octane at $10.00 per gallon. We do not carry diesel.
- Can I run my generator
- Generators can be operated during summer from 8am=9pm June 1st to September 1st. During spring and fall seasons generator hours are 9am - 9pm.
- Can I book half the campground
- You can book half the campground by booking the number of sites you wish to occupy. The rest of the campground will remain open to the public. You would need to coordinate with ownership if you want the sites to be adjacent, and that arrangement cannot be guaranteed, but we can make the attempt to accommodate.
- Can I charge my car here
- We do not have the electrical capacity to charge electric vehicles, unfortunately, as we rely solely on solar power.
- Can I have my dog in the morockin tent
- Sorry, we cannot allow pets or emotional support animals in the glamping tent. Being off grid makes cleaning much more difficult, and we have to account for allergies — cleaning dander would take more time than we have. Service animals are welcome. We would appreciate some notice so we can allow for the extra cleaning.
- Can I leave my trailer somewhere
- Parking is allowed for a fee on a case by case basis. Generally $10-$20/day depending on the size of the vehicle/trailer.
- Is there a save place to keep my bike
- We do not have lockable storage here.
- Are there wild animals to worry about
- We have badgers, coyotes, lots of mice, and the occasional rattlesnake, as will any other camping opportunity in these regions. Generally they aren't a concern, but staying alert is recommended.
- Is it safe to bring toddlers
- Toddlers are welcome but please do not let them roam unattended on the property. There are hazards unsuitable for small children.
- Are there snakes
- Yes, rarely seen rattlesnakes are here, along with bull snakes, corn snakes, gopher snakes, and probably a few more species.
- Is there security here
- Security is generally on the property in the form of an owner who is friendly during store hours and cantankerous when enforcing the courtesy rules after hours. People should be prepared to coexist peacefully and respectfully, and we do our best to cultivate a courteous environment to the benefit of our guests.
- Is someone on the property at all times
- Yes.
- Do you allow Marijuana
- No. Illicit drugs are prohibited on the premises.
- Do you allow alcohol
- You are allowed to bring your own, but please be courteous.,
- Can I drive on the rocks
- Absolutely not. All vehicle traffic is confined to improved roadways in the campground and in front of the store only. Anyone caught driving in unapproved areas will be presented with a civil suit for damages. Zero tolerance.
- What's the weather like in March
- Generally chilly in early March, warming later, with a mix of sun and cold rain, sometimes high winds. It can be beautiful because of the weather and it can be beautiful in spite of it, but it' can be a great time to visit regardless. Just prepare for the occasional high winds.
- Is there work trade opportunity here?
- We are open to work camping and hosting options seasonally. Please email caleb@needlesoutpost.com to send an inquiry.
- When do I have to check out?
- General check out time is 11am for all sites except for the glamping tent, which is 10am.
- What's the earliest I Can check in?
- You are welcome to check in as early as 9am but better site selection starts at 11am after check out.
- Oh! I didn’t know I needed to email someone else. What’s Caleb’s email please?
- Caleb@needlesoutpost.com
- Are there toilets
- Yes there are flush toilets.
- Hey. WHen I made my reservation I did not see the arrival time, and then we I was in my way I got the message saying we could not arrive after 8. Since we arrived at 11:30 we just stayed at a blm campground because we did not want to disturb your campers. Can we get a refund? Thanks Troy Porras 303-995-7221 troyporras@gmail.com
- Hello Troy, we do not offer a credit for guests who cancel last minute. We do state the check in requirements in our FAQ page, the rules, as well as on your confirmation email. I understand that not everyone reads everything before they book. Typically, you would just be out. I am willing to send you a credit for a future stay if you would like. Thank you for your understanding.
- Do you have a place to put air in tires
- Yes, we do. We provide it free for our customers.
Planning
- When is the campground open?
- The campground is open from March 1 through November 15. The camp store is open a little later in the spring, from March 15 through November 15. We cannot take bookings for dates outside the season.
- Do I get to pick my own campsite?
- Yes. You book a site TYPE rather than a numbered spot, and you choose whichever site you like when you arrive. The only exceptions are our glamping tents and the group site, which are specific units.
- What kinds of sites do you have?
- Standard dry camping for tents and any vehicle, medium RV sites for rigs 24ft and up, large RV sites for rigs 30ft and up, furnished glamping tents, and a group site. Rates and availability for your dates are on the booking page.
The store
- What does the store sell?
- Camp dinners and backpacking meals, snacks, cold drinks, ice cream, lunch meats, fresh produce, firewood, propane canisters, ice, toiletries, first aid, and souvenirs. We also rent books and board games. Open 9 AM to 6 PM.
- Do you sell gas or diesel?
- We have gasoline during open hours, 9 AM to 6 PM. We do not sell diesel at this time.
- Do you sell propane?
- Not at this time, we plan to get a new dispensing tank soon. We will update here when we do. We do sell the small green propane cans for camp stoves.
- Do you sell hot food?
- Not at this time, hopefully soon! We will announce it on our website when we do.
- Do you sell alcohol or tobacco?
- No, not at this time. We do not have a license to sell. If this changes, we will announce it.
- Do you sell/rent camping gear?
- We do have camping chairs, coolers, tents, sleeping pads, battery operated fans, buddy heaters, and sleeping bags for rent. You do not need to reserve them at this time; inquire at check-in. We currently do not have any gear for sale. We also have board games for rent.
Your site
- How do we get sites next to each other?
- Site selection is first come, first served, so arrive early if you want to be near each other. The surest option is to book the group site, which keeps your whole party together.
- How many tents or RVs can I have on one site?
- One RV per site, or two small tents. You may put a small tent beside a single RV, but not a full-sized family tent.
- How many vehicles can I have in a single standard RV/tent site?
- Up to two — truck, van or car — as long as they both fit in the parking area of the site you choose.
- Do children count toward the six-person limit?
- chilcren under 18 count as half a person toward the occupancy limit in an effort to accomodate larger families, however our sites are only so big, so we have to have a limit somewhere, so 2 adults plus up to 8 children is the limit, and even then you may want to consider booking two adjacent sites and arriving early to ensure the sites you get to choose are, in fact, adjacent, and even then you may want to consier booking the group site.
- Is there an RV size limit?
- More experienced guests are able to maneuver their 42 ft campers into our sites, some are not. If you are able to maneuver your camper around tighter turns and bumpy, sandy roads, you will be fine; if not, you may not want to attempt our campground.
- Can I use a hammock?
- We do not allow anything to be hung in the trees. We have found that hanging hammocks, clotheslines, trash bags, etc., caused damage to our trees. We will be installing poles for hanging hammocks in the near future. Free-standing hammocks are acceptable.
- Can I fly a drone?
- Let us know at check-in and we will show you the areas where flying is allowed.
- Can we play acoustic instruments?
- No, no music at all since the rocks echo too much. Not everyone likes to hear music when they come out to the middle of nowhere. This is a place to escape the noises of the towns and cities. We are happy to provide this peace and quiet for our guests. You are welcome to play on our covered porch that faces west with views of the park as well as the gorgeous sunsets.
- Do you allow pets?
- At this time, we still allow dogs. They must be on a leash and controlled at all times with no exceptions (not roaming free while dragging the leash around). No dogs inside the store or the bathhouse. They must be picked up after at all times. Please help us remain a dog-friendly campground by following these rules. This is the desert, and poop does not disintegrate.
Ready to book? Check availability — or contact the campground if you'd rather ask a person.