Moab, Arches and Canyonlands

Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from DEN

Denver to Moab RV Road Trip

West on I-70 across the Rockies and down to Moab, the base for Arches and Canyonlands.

Photo: NPS Natural Resources (Public domain)

Denver to Moab by RV is about 379 miles and about 7 hours of driving via Silverthorne, New Castle. This round trip covers 758 miles in 6 nights (7 days): Moab (3 nights), then back to Denver. Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. In season now · best Apr–May, Sep–Oct.

At a glance

Trip length
6 nights · 7 days
Route
Denver → Moab → Denver · 758 mi · about 14 hours driving
Longest driving day
About 5 hours
Arrive and depart
Denver International Airport (DEN)
RV pickup and return
Denver area (rental listings around Denver)
Overnights
Minturn, CO → Moab → New Castle, CO → Denver (near the airport and RV return)
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct

Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.

Route map and itinerary

Loading map…
  1. Day 1 Minturn, CO · about 2 hours
  2. Day 2 Moab · about 5 hours
  3. Day 3 Moab (night 2)
  4. Day 4 Moab (night 3)
  5. Day 5 New Castle, CO · about 3½ hours
  6. Day 6 Denver (near the airport and RV return) · about 3½ hours
  7. Day 7 Fly home from DEN

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Denver and pick up your RV

    Experience

    Land at DEN, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.

    Getting there

    After pickup: about 2 hours · 108 mi to Minturn, CO. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.

    Your stay: 1 night

    Along the routeGore Creek CampgroundMinturn, CO · about 10 min to Minturn, CO (estimate) · 5.0★ (231)Why stay here: A practical overnight on the way; lists RV sites up to 35 ft; 5.0★ from 231 reviews.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Along the routeHeaton BaySilverthorne, CO · about 15 min to Minturn, CO (estimate) · 5.0★ (561)Site length not listed: ask the campground
    • Along the routePeak OneSilverthorne, CO · about 15 min to Minturn, CO (estimate) · 4.0★ (439)Site length not listed: ask the campground

  2. Day 2 Drive to Moab

    Experience

    Three nights in Moab cover Arches one day and Canyonlands' Island in the Sky the next.

    Getting there

    about 5 hours · 271 mi

    Your stay: 3 nights (check out Day 5)

    Inside the parkDevils Garden CampgroundMoab, UT · inside the park · 5.0★ (1282)Why stay here: Inside the park, so no daily drive to the entrance; lists RV sites up to 40 ft; 5.0★ from 1,282 reviews.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 3 other campgrounds
    • Close to MoabSun Outdoors Moab DowntownMoab, UT · about 5 min to Moab (estimate) · 4.3★ (274)Lists sites up to 37 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Close to MoabSun Outdoors Arches GatewayMoab, UT · about 5 min to Moab (estimate) · 4.6★ (183)Lists sites up to 45 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Close to MoabSun Outdoors North MoabMoab, UT · about 5 min to Moab (estimate) · 4.4★ (215)Lists sites up to 50 ft; confirm your site fits

    Getting around Moab

    From Devils Garden Campground: you're inside the park.

    Driving the RV
    • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
    Shuttles

    We don't have verified shuttle information for Moab; check the park or town's official site.

    Activities with pickup

    Loading activities…

    Other local transport
    • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

  3. Day 3 Moab: explore

    Experience

    Three nights in Moab cover Arches one day and Canyonlands' Island in the Sky the next.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a second night at Devils Garden Campground · same site, no packing up

  4. Day 4 Moab: explore

    Experience

    A free day: revisit a favorite viewpoint or take a longer hike.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a third night at Devils Garden Campground · same site, no packing up

  5. Day 5 Start the drive back: New Castle, CO

    Experience

    Break the return drive into an easy day.

    Getting there

    about 3½ hours · 190 mi

    Your stay: 1 night

    Along the routeThe Hideout at Glenwood SpringsGlenwood Springs, CO · about 15 min to New Castle, CO (estimate) · 4.2★ (40)Why stay here: A practical overnight on the way; lists RV sites up to 27 ft; 4.2★ from 40 reviews.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Along the routeGlenwood Springs Lodging & RV SitesGlenwood Springs, CO · about 15 min to New Castle, CO (estimate)Lists sites up to 24 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Along the routeRifle Falls State ParkRifle, CO · about 30 min to New Castle, CO (estimate)Lists sites up to 49 ft; confirm your site fits

  6. Day 6 Drive back toward Denver

    Experience

    Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.

    Getting there

    about 3½ hours · 190 mi

    Your stay: 1 night

    Near the airportRidgeline at River Run (Age Restricted 55+)Englewood, CO · about 45 min from the RV return area · 4.2★ (181)Why stay here: About 45 minutes from the RV return area; lists RV sites up to 42 ft; full hookups listed; 4.2★ from 181 reviews.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds

  7. Day 7 Return the RV and fly home from DEN

    Experience

    Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.

    Getting there

    Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.

Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.

RV pickup and return

Pick up and return the RV in the Denver area. Day 1 allows time to get from DEN to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 2 hours to Minturn, CO. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.

Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 758 miles.

RV rentals near Denver airport

Before you go

  • I-70 crosses high passes (Vail Pass, Eisenhower Tunnel); winter storms can close them.
  • Arches has required timed-entry reservations in peak season in recent years; check nps.gov/arch.
  • Summer highs in Moab often pass 100°F.

Official National Park Service pages: Plan your visit · Alerts & conditions · Directions & access · Fees & passes · Camping (official) · Hours & seasons

Denver to Moab by RV: common questions

How far is it from Denver to Moab?

Denver to Moab is about 379 miles, roughly about 7 hours of driving via Silverthorne, New Castle without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 758 miles.

How many days do you need for Denver to moab by RV?

Plan on 6 nights (7 days): Moab (3 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 5 hours.

When is the best time to go?

Apr–May, Sep–Oct. I-70 crosses high passes (Vail Pass, Eisenhower Tunnel); winter storms can close them.

Where can you camp with an RV?

Suggested RV campgrounds near Moab, Arches and Canyonlands include Devils Garden Campground, Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown, Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway. Inside the park: Devils Garden Campground. Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.

Can you rent an RV near Denver International Airport?

Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around Denver. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.

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RV parks near Arches National Park · All fly-and-drive trips · Road trip planner

Denver to Moab
6 nights · round trip