Willow Springs Trail Boondocking

Willow Springs Trail is a dirt road leading into Arches National Park from Highway 191. It is 12 miles north of Moab between mile-markers 138 and 139. It is clearly marked from both North and South directions.

I was lucky enough to get the exact boondocking site I scouted out two weeks prior. When I first arrived to Willow Springs Trail on Sunday afternoon, a large 5th Wheel was occupying the site I wanted, so I took up a neighboring spot and was content enough to un-hitch the trailer. As luck would have it, a few hours later the 5th Wheel left, so I quickly re-hitched and  grabbed up the premium spot. We are on a large slickrock area which minimizes dust and mud (if it rains) and only 200 yards away from the highway for quick in and outs with all the activities planned. I stayed here for nearly a week, and although the wind can trap you “indoors” from time to time, the stars at night offset that little issue.

Willow Springs Trail is a commonly used 4wd trail and boondocking area. Thankfully I did not expect seclusion here as there is a steady flow of mountain bikers, motorcyclists, RV’ers, and 4-wheelers rolling through. I could resolve some of this by camping further down the dirt road, but for this week it all worked out perfectly.