Airport Campground A

For Utah locals, Moab is synonymous with unparalleled outdoor adventure, from challenging off-road trails to serene desert landscapes. Tucked away within this iconic region, Airport Campground A offers a distinctive and highly desirable primitive camping experience. While its name might evoke images of nearby air traffic, real customer reviews confirm it's anything but noisy, often described as "Super quiet. Good place to camp for the 1st night in if you’re planning your loop." This makes it an ideal spot for those seeking solitude and a genuine connection with the vast Utah wilderness.

Airport Campground A, and its close counterpart Airport Campground B, provides a less-developed camping option compared to the more established campgrounds closer to Moab town. It caters to adventurers who are well-equipped and eager to embrace a rugged, self-sufficient experience. The beauty of this campground lies in its simplicity and its profound sense of remoteness, allowing campers to truly disconnect and absorb the spectacular natural environment that surrounds them.

One of the most captivating aspects highlighted by a previous visitor was the rare sighting of "some sort of aurora boreal light beam I happened to see around 11:30.. took a horrible picture to prove I wasn’t going nuts." While an aurora sighting in Utah is indeed extraordinary, this anecdote speaks volumes about the incredibly dark skies and minimal light pollution that characterize the area around Airport Campground A. For Utahns passionate about stargazing or astrophotography, this campground promises an unparalleled celestial display.

Airport Campground A is strategically located at Airport Campground Rd, Moab, UT 84532, USA. This address places it within the vast and beautiful backcountry surrounding Moab, offering a truly immersive desert experience. Importantly, its access via Potash Road (State Route 279) is a significant point for accessibility.

A past visitor noted, "The access through 279 (potash road) is easier than the Shafer canyon switchbacks," indicating a relatively manageable approach for a primitive backcountry site. While the "road is a bit rough," it's navigable for "any 4x4" vehicle, with one reviewer successfully making it in a Sprinter van. This suggests that while a high-clearance, 4x4 vehicle is recommended and often necessary for comfort and safety on unpaved Moab roads, the access to Airport Campground A might be less daunting than some of the more extreme trails in the region.

Potash Road (SR 279) itself is a scenic byway that traces the Colorado River, offering stunning views, access to popular climbing areas like Wall Street, dinosaur tracks, and trailheads for iconic hikes such as Corona Arch and Poison Spider Mesa. This means that Airport Campground A is not only a remote retreat but also a convenient base for exploring some of Moab's most famous natural attractions. For Utahns, this blend of seclusion and accessibility to beloved outdoor activities makes it a highly attractive camping option.

As a primitive backcountry campground, Airport Campground A focuses on providing a fundamental camping experience with minimal amenities, emphasizing self-reliance. Based on typical BLM (Bureau of Land Management) campground standards in the Moab area and visitor reviews, the services offered usually include:

• Designated Campsites: Airport Campground A offers individual sites that provide space for tents, vehicles, and camping setups. While specific site counts for A are not always isolated from B, these sites are typically well-spaced for privacy, as evidenced by reviews mentioning "super quiet" and other sites being "very far away." BLM sites generally limit occupancy to 10 people and two vehicles (or one vehicle and a trailer) per site.
• Vault Toilets: Reviews confirm "The bathrooms were clean and well maintained." These are typically pit or vault toilets, which are non-flush facilities essential for waste management in remote areas.
• Picnic Tables: Most BLM campsites are equipped with a picnic table at each designated site, offering a surface for meal preparation and dining.
• Fire Rings: Fire rings are usually provided at each campsite for campfires. However, campers must bring their own firewood, and it is crucial to check for current fire restrictions with the local BLM office, as fire bans are common in the dry Utah desert. Gas stoves are often permitted even when wood fires are not.
• No Potable Water: A critical piece of information for all primitive campgrounds in this region: there is no potable (drinking) water available at Airport Campground A. Campers must bring all the water they will need for drinking, cooking, and sanitation for the duration of their stay.
• No Hook-ups: This is a primitive campground, meaning there are no electrical, water, or sewer hook-ups for RVs. It is designed for self-contained camping.
• Trash Management: Campers are generally expected to follow "Leave No Trace" principles, which include packing out all trash and waste.

These basic amenities allow for a comfortable stay while preserving the natural integrity of the desert environment.

Airport Campground A boasts several compelling features and highlights that make it a desirable destination for Utah locals:

• Exceptional Seclusion and Quiet: As highlighted by a reviewer, the campground is "Super quiet" and offers a profound sense of being "tucked away into the canyon," with other sites being "very far away." This makes it perfect for those seeking to escape the noise and crowds.
• Dark Skies and Stargazing: The remote location minimizes light pollution, leading to "night sky is really rare" and "very little light pollution." The anecdote of seeing "some sort of aurora boreal light beam" further underscores the extraordinary celestial viewing opportunities, making it a prime spot for stargazers and astrophotographers.
• Suitable for Sprinter Vans & 4x4s: Despite the "rough" road, it's navigable by "any 4x4" and even "Made it there in a sprinter van," indicating a certain level of accessibility for diverse adventure vehicles beyond just traditional off-roaders.
• Easier Access Route: The access via Potash Road (SR 279) is noted as "easier than the Shafer canyon switchbacks," which is a significant advantage for those less experienced with extreme off-roading or with larger, high-clearance vehicles.
• Clean and Well-Maintained Facilities: The "bathrooms were clean and well maintained," a valuable detail for primitive campgrounds, ensuring a more comfortable experience.
• Strategic "First Night" Stop: One review recommends it as a "Good place to camp for the 1st night in if you’re planning your loop," suggesting its prime position for multi-day expeditions into Canyonlands.
• Proximity to Iconic Attractions: Its location along Potash Road means easy access to popular sites like Corona Arch trailhead, Wall Street climbing, and dinosaur tracks, enriching the overall outdoor experience.

These highlights combine to offer a unique blend of adventure, tranquility, and access to Utah's celebrated natural wonders.

For those planning a trip to Airport Campground A and seeking further information, here is the available contact information:

Address: Airport Campground Rd, Moab, UT 84532, USA

While no specific phone number for Airport Campground A itself is provided, the phone numbers for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Moab Field Office, which manages these campgrounds, are typically:

Phone: (435) 259-2100 (BLM Moab Field Office)

It's important to remember that most individual BLM campgrounds in the Moab area, including Airport Campground A, operate on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted for individual sites, so campers should plan to arrive early, especially during peak seasons (spring and fall) to secure a spot. Contacting the BLM Moab Field Office can provide crucial real-time information on campground availability, current road conditions (especially after rain), fire restrictions, and any changes in regulations. Always check for advisories before heading out into the backcountry.

For Utah locals, Airport Campground A is an exceptionally suitable camping destination due to its unique blend of accessibility, seclusion, and proximity to some of the state's most iconic landscapes. Its location just outside Moab via Potash Road provides a relatively easier entry point compared to some of the more extreme backcountry roads, making it a viable option for a wider range of high-clearance and 4x4 vehicles, including Sprinter vans. This means more Utahns can experience the deep wilderness without needing highly specialized off-road rigs.

The campground's "super quiet" atmosphere and remarkable dark skies offer a profound escape from urban noise and light pollution, allowing locals to truly connect with the vastness of the cosmos and the tranquility of the desert—experiences that define the Utah outdoor spirit. Whether you're planning a multi-day loop through Canyonlands or simply seeking a peaceful overnight stay under a blanket of stars, Airport Campground A serves as an excellent base for exploration or a serene retreat. It embodies the adventurous yet accessible spirit of Utah's backcountry, making it a highly cherished spot for those who call this beautiful state home.