Castleton Tower

Facility · Utah ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Moab Field Office (Bureau of Land Management UT) · Open Access

6,239 ft
Elevation
Castleton Tower is probably the most famous desert tower in the world, and was the first major tower climbed in the Moab area. The Kor-Ingalls route is one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America, and Castleton also has one other 5.9 route of the same caliber. Harder classic routes both aid and free exist on its fantastic Wingate sandstone with its unique calcite crust (from Mountain Project website). There is a small (free) campground on private land adjacent to the approach trail for the climb.

Getting there

From Moab, Utah, drive 15.5 miles on SR 128 and turn right onto the Castle Valley road. Proceed another 4.6 miles. You will find the campground on Castle Valley road about 1/4 to a 1/2 mile after the cattle guard in the road on the left. From the campground/parking lot hike up the wash following the cairns until you get to a dirt road. Cross this road at a cairn and a signpost with an arrow pointing along the trail.

38.65100, -109.36800 · 38°39'3.6"N 109°22'4.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 96°F in Jul, down to 41°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F414960677890969384715542
Low °F202634405060656355413021
Precip in0.80.70.91.00.80.40.80.80.91.30.70.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Stay limit: 14 days

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Member photos

Common questions about Castleton Tower

Can you reserve a site at Castleton Tower?
No. Castleton Tower is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
How long can you stay at Castleton Tower?
14 days

Camping near Castleton Tower

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.