SE Utah in October. Resevations?

In My Humble Opinion
1

No, I don’t mean the Navajo one.

Thinking about taking a trip to the Moab/Arches/Canyonlands vicinity in mid-October.

I’ve bought maps and hiking guides. I’ll take my trusty pack, hiking shoes and cameras, but not the 4x4, (passenger car will be the only wheeled vehicle this trip.)

My question: Am likely to be able to find campsites and hotel rooms available as needed or would I be better off with confirmed reservations? In other eords, I don’t know what the itinerant tourist load is like that time of year.

Also, any recommendations for “must see” or “must do” will be appreciated.

TIA

2

Reservations would definitely be a good idea if you’re planning on staying inside one of the National Parks. Otherwise, though, things are usually starting to wind down a bit by the middle of October so playing it by ear with hotels more off-the-beaten-path campsites would probably be okay. Definitely bring warm gear; even if it’s still in full Indian summer mode it’ll be cold overnight.

3

Bump, hoping that all the people who were camping in Utah are back now to see this.

Thanks, GreasyJack, looking at the maps makes me concerned about getting caught in an area with no hotels, no camping, and no place to just pull off the road and sleep.

4

I went to Zion last year over Memorial day weekend, and ended up with campsite reservations on the first and last night. The other two nights we spent camping on BLM land. Other options were forest land or state parks. And that was with a Honda Accord. A four wheel drive would have opened up quite a few more options. You should be fine if you can be a bit flexible.

5

There are loads of campgrounds in the area. Some take reservations, some don’t. If one is full, there is another one a few miles down the road. I’ve done over 100 camping trips in southern Utah and was almost always able to get a spot in my first choice campground.

Be aware that anything above 5000 feet is likely to get snow in mid October. Some of those areas will be closed / inaccessible.

6

They can most certainly have snow by October. Bring your winter coat.

7

The information is very much appreciated.

What had me concerned was that looking at the maps, there were many, many places that said “no camping in this area,” “no camping east of state land,” etc.

It’s good to know that I will probably be able to find a space. I will be taking my winter coat and heavy duty sleeping bag. Thanks all.

P.S. In Arizona you can not recreate on state land (specifically state trust land) without a permit. Is that a Western States thing?