Moab: Travel Guide

Moab is a small city of approximately 5,200 residents in Grand County, southeastern Utah, at an elevation of approximately 4,026 feet. It sits in a canyon carved by the Colorado River, flanked by red Entrada and Navajo sandstone. Nearly all visitors come for outdoor recreation: Arches National Park is 5 miles north, Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district is 35 miles northwest, and the Colorado River runs through town. Moab is the most significant outdoor recreation hub in the American Southwest that is not itself a national park.

The city’s permanent population is small, but it receives well over a million visitors annually. Main Street is a functional tourist strip — outfitters, gear shops, restaurants, and hotels — compressed into a few walkable blocks. The surrounding canyon country is the actual destination.

Getting to Moab

By air: Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY, 18 miles north of town) has scheduled service from Denver (United) and seasonal service from other cities — but schedules are limited and change frequently. Most visitors drive. Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT, Colorado, 110 miles northeast, approximately 2 hours) offers more reliable connections. Salt Lake City International (SLC, 235 miles north, approximately 3.5 hours) is the most common arrival hub for international visitors.

By car: From Salt Lake City approximately 235 miles via US-6 south and US-191 south (3.5 hours). From Denver approximately 350 miles via I-70 west and US-191 south (5 hours). From Las Vegas approximately 400 miles via I-15 north and US-191 (6 hours). From Phoenix approximately 450 miles (7 hours). All routes involve significant driving on secondary roads through canyon and desert terrain.

Getting Around Moab

Moab has no public transit of significance. A car is required for everything beyond Main Street. The national park entrances are not within walking distance of downtown. Bicycle and e-bike rentals are available for town use; most trailheads and attractions require driving. Outfitter shuttle services run to specific trailheads.

What to See

Arches National Park — 5 miles north on US-191. Over 2,000 documented natural stone arches — the highest concentration in the world. Delicate Arch (a freestanding 65-foot arch) is the most famous. The 18-mile scenic drive passes Windows Section, Balanced Rock, and the Fiery Furnace. Entry approximately $35 per vehicle as of 2026; America the Beautiful pass valid. Timed entry permits required for Delicate Arch trailhead and Windows parking areas during peak season (April-October) — reserve well in advance at recreation.gov. Open year-round but summer (June-August) temperatures exceed 100°F; spring and fall are optimal.

Canyonlands National Park — two primary districts. Island in the Sky (35 miles from Moab via US-313) offers the most accessible panoramic views — the canyon system visible from Mesa Arch and Grand View Point overlook is on the scale of the Grand Canyon. Entry approximately $35 per vehicle; same pass as Arches. The Needles district (85 miles south) is less visited and requires more commitment.

Dead Horse Point State Park — 32 miles from Moab via US-313. A narrow promontory above a dramatic 2,000-foot canyon meander of the Colorado River. One of the most photographed overlooks in the Southwest; entry approximately $20 per vehicle as of 2026. Open year-round.

Colorado River — rafting runs range from calm flatwater floats (Class I-II suitable for families) to technical whitewater in Cataract Canyon downstream (Class IV-V). Half-day calm water trips from approximately $60-$90 per person. Full-day or multi-day Cataract Canyon trips from approximately $200-$400 per person. Multiple outfitters operate from Moab: Tag-A-Long Expeditions, Moab Adventure Center, Navtec Expeditions.

Mountain biking: Slickrock Bike Trail (6 miles east of town via Sand Flats Rd — the most famous mountain bike trail in the United States; challenging technical slickrock with painted dotted-line trail markers; approximately $10 day-use fee). Amasa Back, Portal Trail, and the Whole Enchilada (a full-day downhill epic) are among the other major trails. Bike rentals from approximately $45-$75 per day.

Hotels

Under Canvas Moab — 13 miles north of town, near Arches. A glamping operation of safari-style tents with en-suite bathrooms, beds, and wood stoves. The closest accommodation to Arches National Park entrance. From approximately $250-$550 per night as of 2026.

Hyatt Place Moab — 1415 N Main St. The most reliably comfortable standard hotel in Moab; 151 rooms. From approximately $150-$280 per night.

Moab Valley Inn — 711 S Main St. A well-maintained independent hotel with a pool. From approximately $130-$200 per night.

Red Stone Inn — 535 S Main St. A budget-oriented independent motel with courtyard and pool; one of the better-value options on Main Street. From approximately $90-$140 per night.

Camping: Arches Campground (Devils Garden, within the park — books out months ahead via recreation.gov), Kane Creek Campground (BLM, along the Colorado River, dispersed sites), and extensive dispersed BLM camping outside town require advance research. Camping within the parks is the most sought-after option in spring and fall.

Budget: Lazy Lizard International Hostel (1213 S US-191) — dorm beds from approximately $18-$25, private rooms from approximately $50-$70.

Restaurants

Desert Bistro — 36 S 100 W. The most ambitious kitchen in Moab; seasonal menu with regional sourcing. Mains approximately $28-$52. Open for dinner Thursday-Tuesday; reservations recommended.

Pasta Jay’s — 4 S 100 W. Reliable Italian-American in a modest building; popular with visitors and locals. Mains approximately $14-$26.

Milt’s Stop & Eat — 356 Mill Creek Dr. A 1954 drive-in burger stand; burgers, milkshakes, and onion rings in minimal surroundings. One of the few places in Moab unchanged by the tourism boom. Mains approximately $8-$14.

Love Muffin — 139 N Main St. Breakfast and brunch; biscuit sandwiches, eggs, bowls. Mains approximately $10-$16.

Moab Brewery — 686 S Main St. The local brewery producing a range of craft ales and lagers. Burgers, wraps, and pub food alongside the house beers. Mains approximately $12-$22.

Practical Notes

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are the optimal seasons: temperatures in the 60s-80s°F, manageable crowds, and full trail access. Summer (June-August) regularly exceeds 100°F — hiking before 9am and after 4pm is strongly advisable, and many visitors avoid strenuous activity entirely. Winter (December-February) is cold but uncrowded; most facilities remain open and snow occasionally dusts the red rock formations. Moab hotel inventory is limited and fills completely on peak spring and fall weekends — advance booking of 2-4 months is standard for those periods.