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Anyone ever been camping in Moab, UT?

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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Me and a friend are driving from CO to Moab for 5 days. We plan on camping or sleeping in the car. Neither of us have been and we don't really have a plan on what were going to do.

So what are some things we can do. I want to mountain bike, hike, maybe rafting, but I really care or have a plan. What are some things to do that are popular and what are some of the unknown but awesome things to do? Where should we stay/camp? What do we need to bring?

Any suggestions?
Sep 1 2012 9:22PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9296 - Karma: 7,758
moab is fucking awesome, used to make a trip there every year. If you end up sleeping in your car, you're doing it wrong. moab is one of the sickest places to camp, you don't even need a tent just lay out a sleeping bag next to a fire and you'll be good (although I'm pretty sure there are some snakes/scorpions?) Most people go to Moab to raft/kayak/climb, but you can hike pretty much anywhere. I'd suggest picking up a lot of beer before leaving Colorado and getting into Utah.


Also, finding free camping spots can take a really long time, but it's worth it to keep driving around until you find one that allows camp fires. good luck I'm jealous, moab is awesome
Sep 1 2012 9:33PM
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NewEscuelers
Posts: 1210 - Karma: 10,960
i thought this was gonna be a retarded post about how the city name shares the name of the nuke in MW3.. im so glad its not
Sep 1 2012 9:38PM
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Big5hifty
Posts: 3243 - Karma: 1,253
you probably wont be able to build a fire due to the conditions unless theyve recently gotten rain, but Moab is sick. Tons of good climbing, bouldering, hiking, and rafting if you can. if you get a clear night, the stars are amazing. i would recommend not sleeping in your car to take in the views, but thats just me.
Sep 1 2012 9:41PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Okay, so toss the sleeping in the car idea. What are some essentials to bring?
Sep 1 2012 10:02PM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
Yeah it's pretty sick. Beautiful place
Sep 1 2012 10:37PM
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TallerThanThou
Posts: 615 - Karma: 13
I go down there a few times a year to mountain bike. It rarely rains, but bring a light jacket. Definitely bring shorts and shit for the day because it gets hot as fuck. Also bring a few layers for night because the desert cools off when the sun goes down.

If you're bringing your own bike, bring a shit ton of extra tubes, and stay on the trails. There are these little bur-like things everywhere off-trail called "goat heads" that will pop any tire. Bring some bomb shoes for hiking and a camelback or some shit because you'll get mad thirsty walking around in the sand all day.

Other than that, jsut bring your normal camping shit. If you're trying to find free camping, you may be a little way from town, but there is cheap camping in the Sand Flats BLM park just outside of town.

Here is Moab's site's page on camping around town.

http://www.discovermoab.com/campgrounds.htm

Good luck... and even if you have shitty luck it'll still be fucking fun.

Oh. And ride the trail, Porcupine Rim. It's not too hard but it has got a full range of terrain and it only takes about half a day. It's about 18 or 19 miles. You'll need to pay for a shuttle up to the top, but it's worth it.
Sep 2 2012 12:30AM
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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,884
127 hours.
Sep 2 2012 12:40AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Not quite. I will be traveling with a friend and people will know where and when I am going. That movie was educational. And he lived.

Any specific gear suggestions?
Sep 2 2012 1:04AM
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bnewbs6
Posts: 1919 - Karma: 1,463
Love that place. I've explored so much of the fiery furnace in Arches. It's so amazing. Google that and you'll know what I'm talking about.
Sep 2 2012 1:12AM
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
slickrock is where its at
Sep 2 2012 1:57AM
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Static
Posts: 8553 - Karma: 4,081
hit up the slickrock trail for sure

I've always found camp spots at the Fischer Towers campground, plus it's a cool place to stay,
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.728376,-109.309845&spn=0.018045,0.039053&t=h&z=15&iwloc=lyrftr:com.panoramio.all,9129144157320868863,38.723689,-109.308558&lci=com.panoramio.all

You might want to hit up arches park too just to hike around for a day.

There's a creek east of town you can swim in if it's real hot,
https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=38.565079,-109.515238&spn=0.017113,0.039053&t=h&z=15&iwloc=lyrftr:com.panoramio.all,7456916395468134094,38.562663,-109.517384&lci=com.panoramio.all
Sep 2 2012 4:15AM
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Static
Posts: 8553 - Karma: 4,081
you might also want to spend a night biking around 18 road trails just outside fruita on your way out there, it's super convenient to bike and camp at.
Sep 2 2012 4:18AM
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DERS.
Posts: 6299 - Karma: 1,293
camp up at either warner or oowah campground. its a way nicer/cooler area and is in the mountains rather than desertous moab. its like 25 minutes from town but well worth if its hot.
Sep 2 2012 4:20AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Thanks for the tips guys! If anyone knows any good deals on gear or wants to lend some to me lemme kno!
Sep 2 2012 12:23PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
bump
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Sep 2 2012 6:56PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Just got dicked out of a deal on a tent. Does anyone know of a good tent for my trip that is inexpensive?
Sep 4 2012 4:51PM
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ShreddAZ
Posts: 2548 - Karma: 41
you really shouldn't need one unless you feel more safe and comfortable in one...this may have been answered but what vehicle are you driving?
Sep 4 2012 4:58PM
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1337
Posts: 31053 - Karma: 29,231
Moab is probably the coolest non-ski town that i've been too. Rafting, Hiking in the NP's nearby, MBing, etc. So sick. I need to get back!

I can't remember where we camped when we were there, but i think it was near a stream or river that had a swimming hole near it, waterfall thing that you could slide down. Anyone?
Sep 4 2012 5:07PM
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Big5hifty
Posts: 3243 - Karma: 1,253
If you're a college student, go to your schools equivalent of the outdoor rec program. I haven't bought gear since I started at the U because they have everything. But it all depends on what your respective school has to offer.
Sep 4 2012 5:23PM
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