Moab

Moab is a town in the Utah's Canyon Country and a gateway to the nearby Arches National Park and other attractions in Canyon Country.

Understand

Moab is a unique Western community situated in the red rock country of Southeastern Utah on the Colorado River. Arches National Park is only six miles from downtown and Canyonlands National Park is 32 miles from Moab. The city is surrounded by public lands which are used not only for grazing, drilling, and forestry but for recreation such as mountain biking, hiking, rafting, rock climbing, highlining, B.A.S.E. jumping, skydiving, disc golf and cross-country skiing. Because the area is rich in these recreational opportunities, Moab has become the hub of tourist activity and services.

Get in

By car

If you are approaching Moab while driving west along I-70, use Utah Route 128 for the beautiful scenery. About 10 minutes past the Colorado-Utah border is exit 214 on I-70, it is marked as "Cisco". The landscape at this point is extremely dry, slightly hilly. The road is narrow (no shoulder), and somewhat curvy, and it's about 80 km to Moab. About half-way, the road narrows, meets and then crosses the Colorado River, and the remainder of the trip is spent with the river on your right side and spectacular canyon walls surrounding you. This piece of pavement is one of the best drives in North America. Optimal times to take it are the morning (~9AM) or afternoon (after 3PM) for the light -- do not drive it at night (you can't see anything and it is more dangerous -- use US 191 instead). Watch for traffic, particularly bicycles as you approach Moab. The urge to rubber-neck is extreme, and needs to be resisted: be a passenger if you can. Eventually, UT 128 ends at US 191, a few minutes north of Moab.

By plane
  • 🌍 Canyonland Field Airport (CNY  IATA). has commuter service to Denver and Salt Lake City. Bookings from beyond can be ticketed with United or Delta to reach Moab. Ground transportation between Moab and the airport should be reserved in advance. (updated Apr 2021)

By train

Amtrak's California Zephyr route has a whistle stop in Green River, Utah (GRI). Combine the trail with your flights into Salt Lake City; Denver; or Grand Junction, Colorado, then reserve a taxi or shuttle service to travel 52 miles to the town of Moab.

By bus
  • Salt Lake Express stops in Moab on its route between Blanding and Salt Lake City. The buses stop at the Moab Chevron Food Mart at 817 S Main. The journey from Salt Lake City to Moab is estimated at 4 hours 35 minutes and costs $53.50 (2021).

Get around

Moab's Main Street is part of US Route 191. Traveling north on Main will get you to Arches National Park, Canyonland Field Airport, and Interstate 70. To get to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park, by backcountry dirt road use Utah State Route 279, which intersects US-191 near the entrance to Arches National Park. To access Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point by pavement continue farther north on Hwy 191 to Utah State Route 313.

See
  • Jeep trail, ☏ +1 858-998-9039. On Sand Flats Road, 2.3 miles from the intersection of the Sand Flats Road and Millcreek Drive in Moab. One of the most famous Mountain Biking trails in the world. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracks. Along this nature trail, which requires a moderate 1/2-mile hike, Morrison Formation dinosaur fossils and petrified wood may be seen in a natural setting. The trailhead is in Mill Canyon on a dirt road, accessible by passenger vehicle, off U.S. Highway 191, 13 miles north of Moab, Utah (near mile marker 141). 
  • 🌍 Dan O'Laurie Museum of Moab, 118 E Center St (Near Main Street). This 50-year-old museum specializes in the history of Moab, with exhibits on geology, paleontology, mining, history and anthropology. 

Do

River rafting

Moab lies along the Colorado River and offers excellent opportunities to get out on the river. The most popular option is a one-day trip on the Fisher Towers section. Also known as the "Moab daily" this 14 mile stretch of river is perfect for families with children or anyone wishing to escape the heat. Slashy and fun this is a wonderful way to take in the beauty of Moab from a different perspective.

  • NAVTEC Expeditions, 321 N. Main St, ☏ +1-435-259-7983. NAVTEC Expeditions is an established Colorado River Rafting and National Park back-country outfitter. Rafting trips include the Fisher Towers, Westwater Canyon, and Cataract Canyon. 4x4 and hiking tours to Canyonlands Island in the Sky, Needles, Maze, and Arches National Park. Canyoneering trips to the Robbers Roost, Blue John, and High Spur slot canyon. Trip lengths vary from half-day to multi-day. Raft rentals and all the required gear are available for do it yourself river trips. 
  • Red River Adventures, 1140 S. Main St, ☏ +1-435-259-4046. Red River Adventures is a ten year old company that is Moab's only adventure company permitted to guide rafting, canyoneering and rock climbing and does so in house. 
  • Tex's Riverways, 691 North 500 West, ☏ +1-435-259-5101. Since 1958, Tex's Riverways has provided professional canoe and kayak outfitting services to groups of all sizes traveling on the Colorado and Green Rivers. This family-owned and operated business emphasizes the ethical treatment of a pristine landscape and offers a personal experience on the Colorado River, the Green River, and in the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. 

Jeeping

Moab is home to the Semi-Annual Jeep Safari, which can give you some wild rides with difficult obstacles. Go 4-wheeling on the trails that stretch just outside the city. Many trails are a less than a few miles away, while some may take a short while to find and can be tricky. Trails rank from easy to difficult.

  • Cliffhanger Jeep Rentals, 1551 North Hwy. 191. 
  • Slickrock Jeep Rentals, 900 South Hwy. 191. 

Other things to do
  • 🌍 Canyonlands Field Institute, 1320 South Highway 191, toll-free: +1-800-860-5262. 9-4:30. Canyonlands Field Institute is an educational nonprofit specializing in informative adventures on the Colorado Plateau. They have day tours of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks as well as rafting or floating adventures on the Green, San Juan, Dolores, and Colorado rivers. Your Ed-Venture with CFI helps support and underwrite their school and youth programs. 
  • Skydive Moab, 114 W Aviation Way, North Highway 191, ☏ +1 435-259-5867. Sunrise - Sunset. could experience dives incorporating some of the most picturesque vistas in North America, with views of the Merrimac and Monitor rock formations, Dead Horse Point, the Colorado River, and the world-famous buttes of Arches National Park. 

Buy

Eat

Drink
  • Moab Brewery, 686 S Main St, ☏ +1 435-259-6333, . Su-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11PM. Great food and great beer since 1996. They have a separate dining and bar area. Billiards and TV are available in the bar area. The Black Raven Stout is to die for. On weekends get here early or prepare to wait. (updated Apr 2019)
  • Spanish Valley Vineyards. Produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Riesling and Gewurztraminer wines. Purchase at the Moab liquor store and look for bottles on the menu of Moab restaurants. 

Sleep
  • Aarchway Inn, 1551 North Highway 191, toll-free: +1-800-341-9359. Aarchway Inn is a 97-room Moab lodging facility nestled between the picturesque red rock cliffs and buttes of the Colorado River. Offers guest shuttle service. Serves a complimentary hot breakfast and offer indoor secure storage for bicycles. 
  • Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn, 16 S Main St, ☏ +1 435 259-5167, fax: +1 435 259-2301. Offers rooms and suites. Amenities include a pool, hot tub and secure bike storage. 
  • Best Western Greenwell Inn, 105 S Main St, ☏ +1 435 259-6151, fax: +1 435 259-4397. 
  • Cali Cochitta Bed & Breakfast, 110 South 200 East, ☏ +1 435-259-4961. Check-in: 4-6PM, check-out: 10AM. This B&B is a renovated late 1800s home in a quiet neighborhood. The rooms are comfortable, clean and relaxing and offer a blend of vintage and new furnishings which add warmth and personality. The grounds offer lots of trees, furniture, herb and rose gardens. Wonderful homemade upscale breakfast is included in the room rate. Other amenities include hammocks and a hot tub. $85-165. 
  • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1515 Hwy 191 North, ☏ +1 435 259-1150. 
  • Motel 6, 1089 N Main St, ☏ +1 435 259-6686, fax: +1 435 259-6838. 
  • The River Canyon Lodge, 71 West 200 North, ☏ +1 435 259-8838, toll-free: +1-866-486-6738, fax: +1 435 259-0519, . It offers modern and comfortable hotel rooms for business and leisure traveler. Offers a pool, hot tub and secure bike storage. Pets are welcomed. 
  • Lazy Lizard Hostel, 1213 S Hwy 191, ☏ +1 435 259-6057, . Probably the cheapest accommodation in Moab and its only youth hostel, a word of caution is warranted. While you will find necessary accommodations (a bed, sheets, walls and a roof), some of these accommodations can be a surprising state. Some walls may not seal properly and you may find weeds growing between the shower tiles in the bathroom. Seasoned hostelers accustomed to HI standards may find a stay here to be closer to camping. Dorms from $13/bed, Private rooms from $35/single. (updated Apr 2019)

Stay safe

In summer time, Moab can get very hot. Drink extra fluids as needed. If you plan to go off-roading or camping out on the trails, take at least one gallon of water per person per day.

Cope

Media

Nearby

Cisco

A ghost old west rail town which once served as a saloon and water-refilling station for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The town declined with the demise of the steam locomotive. Ruins are visible near the junction of State Route 128 and Interstate 70 but are heavily damaged by vandals.

Go next
Routes through Moab
Vernal ← Thompson Springs ←  N  S  → Monticello → Eagar-Springerville


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