Featured, U.S., Utah

Pack Up the Tent and Head to Moab

Have you ever wondered what Mars looks like? I imagine it looks a bit like Southern Utah. My eyes were about as big as saucers the first time I went to Moab and saw these massive other-worldly red rock cliffs. After roughly 15 trips there, we still seem to find something new and insanely cool every time we visit. It was also the site of my near-death “Jesus take the wheel” moment, during which I met my husband. We’ll save that story for another day though.

TYPICAL COSTS

AIRFARE

We are close enough to drive (at the moment), but for y’all who don’t live close enough to drive, there is an airport in Moab that you’ll pay a pretty penny to fly into. A cheaper option would be to fly into Provo and even cheaper would be Salt Lake City or St. George. From there you’d want to rent a car (a Jeep if you want it to be a really fun trip) and make your way to Moab.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Camping is a must in Moab. There aren’t many things more magical than waking up to the glowing red cliffs in every direction. There are lots of campgrounds to choose from, the most popular of which is arguably Goose Island. It’s right on the river with incredible red rock cliffs on both sides. All BLM campgrounds are first-come/first-served and will absolutely fill up quickly during busy season. If you plan to camp in Moab during peak tourist season (April-September), at least try to arrange your dates so you arrive on Thursday or very early Friday morning to avoid having to find a remote trailhead to sleep in, which is not allowed, will get you fined (if you get caught), and something we may or may not have had to do before. Check out Discover Moab to see all available BLM campsites.

If you want to bump it up a notch, there are cabin rentals available. Moab Rim Campark is on the very south end of town, but it’s inexpensive, clean, and perfect for people who don’t want to tent camp but still want to be able to get away with saying they’re “going camping”. Glamping would be a more accurate description, but hey, to each their own.

Of course, for those of us (ahem… my husband) who have a hard time camping, there are plenty of hotels in Moab. Hotels.com and Priceline are my main booking sources for Moab. It’s a small town, so make sure you plan ahead if you’re traveling during peak season or during a major event because prices will jump sky high and availability will quickly dwindle. During off-season, you’ll find great rates, empty hotels, and if you’ll be glad you decided to stay in a hotel if you’re traveling during the winter when temps drop below freezing at night.

CELL SERVICE

You’ll have spotty service on the drive down to Moab, but once you get there, cell service should be plentiful. That is, until you head out to the trails. Most areas outside of the town have little, if any, cell service so make sure you have a map, extra food and water, and a couple blankets in the car.

FOOD

As far as camping goes, Moab has lots of food options. Are there lots of great food options? Not so much. We have had a few great meals in Moab though.

City Market

My husband seems to LOVE the baked chicken from City Market. My opinion is they’re hit and miss. If you can catch that chicken when it’s hot off the grill, I’d say get a meal to go, take it over to the park, and have yourself a picnic.

The Blu Pig

3.5/5

If you want a sit-down restaurant, The Blu Pig is a decent option. Their food can be great or just “ok”, depending on the day.

Milt’s Stop & Eat

4/5

Great place to stop for a quick bite to eat! I would suggest taking your food to go because you can quickly start to feel as though you’re getting mauled by the flies in the seating area outside. There’s a great park nearby with picnic tables and plenty of grass if you’ve got a blanket to sit on.

GETTING AROUND

Vehicle requirements depend on what you want to do in Moab. Arches National Park is paved from beginning to end, though there are some dirt 4×4 roads you can venture off to. You can get to many trails with just a sedan, but to explore further off-road, you’ll need some sort of all terrain vehicle. 4WD/AWD with high clearance will get you to most places you’ll want to go, but there are some places that only a RZR could get through.

Stay tuned for the best things to do while visiting Moab!