Windwhistle is a picturesque campground situated between Moab and Canyonlands National Park. It is typically uncrowded, which is unusual considering its prime location, beautiful scenery, and small size. High elevation at nearly 6,000 feet makes it much cooler than the lower desert around Moab, as well, so it is bearable for more of the summer. It is within BLM's Canyon Rims Recreation Area, providing easy access to Needles Overlook, Anticline Overlook, Indian Creek, and other area destinations.
The campground has 15 drive-up sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. There are pit toilets, garbage receptacles, and drinking water spigots, though water is only guaranteed from May to October. Though most sites are first come first served, there is one reservable group tent site. Getting to it requires walking in about 40 yards, but it is relatively secluded from other sites. A half-mile nature trail with informative signs begins from near the group site and wanders among pinyon-juniper forest and desert wildflowers.
The campground sits partially tucked into a large alcove surrounded by the walls of Roan Bailey Mesa. This is one of the many sandstone domes scattered across this plateau that forms the eastern rim of Canyonlands. The horizon is dominated on one side by the towering La Sal Mountains and on another by the looming Abajo Mountains, and the rest is hemmed in by precipitous cliffs that fall away into Colorado River canyon country. The drive to Windwhistle is a tour of this impressive landscape that will have you itching to explore. This spot is a great base camp for far-flung adventures south of Moab.
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