Moab’s Best Hotels & Areas (My Guide for First-Timers)

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Moab

Moab is a relatively small desert town in Utah. There’s one main road in town and very few traffic lights, making it nearly impossible to get lost. Most accommodations are right off the main highway.

I’ll overview the best places to stay in Moab proper and the area just south of downtown, Spanish Valley. This guide also covers glamping retreats north of town, as well as remote luxury stays in the northeast region of Castle Valley.

Downtown Moab

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Downtown Moab Hotels: Moab Springs Ranch • Hoodoo Moab • Slackline Moab • Gravity Haus Moab

Most Moab accommodations are situated either in the heart of downtown or on the outskirts of the main drag. All of these hotels offer easy access to the national parks. The downtown area also features great bars, restaurants, and nightlife. 

I’d recommend staying at Slackline Moab because it’s a posh option just 5 minutes from downtown and the Arches National Park entrance. Its interior takes inspiration from outdoor sports like rock climbing and mountain biking, creating a fun and unique vibe. Amenities include a year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub, on-site dining, and fantastic common areas.   

Days spent in downtown Moab can be filled with locally-roasted coffee, shopping for handicrafts, and browsing around the funky thrift stores. One of my favorite aspects of Moab is that if you stay in town long enough, you’ll start to recognize the friendly locals and blend into the community.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Moab:

• Close to the national parks and popular activities
• Near shopping and dining 
• Options for all budgets 
• A great place to meet Moab locals

Cons of Staying in Downtown Moab:

• Accommodations can fill to capacity during the peak season
• Can be noisy at night, especially on the weekends
• Peak-season prices can be expensive

Spanish Valley

👉 Best Area For Budget Accommodations | ✨ Best Spanish Valley Hotels: Red Moon Lodge • Scenic View Inn & Suites • ULUM Moab

Spanish Valley is on the south side of town, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This neighborhood is where the bulk of the Moab residents live and is only a short drive into town.

Spanish Valley is close to the local bowling alley and Moab Brewery, as well as the Mill Creek waterfall trail and other La Sal Mountain hikes. If you’re looking for value, check out Scenic View Inn & Suites, which is a comfortable hotel with phenomenal prices.

One of the closest tourist attractions in Spanish Valley is the Hole ‘N’ the Rock Museum, a gigantic boulder just outside of town that was dynamited out by a miner and established as his home. Take an informative guided tour inside this granitic museum.

Further south, you’ll find ULUM Moab, an incredible glamping resort. It’s about 30 minutes from downtown, but luxurious amenities like a massage cave, thermal pools, and upscale dining make this one to highly consider.

Pros of Staying in Spanish Valley:

• Affordable hotel options 
• Accommodation rarely sells out
• Quieter than downtown Moab, but close by

Cons of Staying in Spanish Valley:

• Not as walkable as downtown
• A bit further from the national parks than downtown

North Moab

👉 Best Area For Glamping | ✨ Best North Moab Hotels: Under Canvas Moab • Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway

While there are plenty of campgrounds around town, you’re on vacation — there’s no need to rough it! This area, 20 minutes north of downtown, offers great glamping retreats like Under Canvas Moab. Sleep beneath the stars in a safari tent, enjoy live music while roasting s’mores, and wake up early for guided morning yoga. 

Under Canvas isn’t as luxurious as ULUM, but its location is truly unbeatable. North Moab is the closest area to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park. Arches is also a quick 15-minute drive away, as are downtown attractions.

Pros of Staying in North Moab:

• Unique glamping accommodations 
• Ultra-close to national parks 
• Downtown not too far away

Cons of Staying in North Moab:

• Not a walkable area 
• No traditional hotel options 
• Dining out requires a drive into downtown

Castle Valley

👉 Best Area For Peace & Quiet | ✨ Best Castle Valley Hotels: Red Cliffs Lodge • Castle Valley Inn • Sorrel River Ranch Resort

The small, quiet town of Castle Valley is located around 40 minutes northeast of downtown Moab. Though further from its amenities and the national parks, nearby activities include horseback riding, rafting, and guiding off-roading. Overall, this is the best place to stay for peace and quiet, as well as incredible stargazing. 

You’ll find my top luxury hotel pick, Red Cliffs Lodge, in this scenic area. It’s set right along the Colorado River and backdropped by gorgeous sandstone buttes. The views from Ember, the hotel’s upscale restaurant, are unbeatable. Rooms and suites are equally stunning, with modern interiors inspired by the West.

Pros of Staying in Castle Valley:

• Quiet and scenic  
• Upscale accommodations 
• Outdoor activities are less crowded  
• Far less touristy than downtown areas

Cons of Staying in Castle Valley:

• Further from national parks 
• More remote; few hotel and dining options 
• Not particularly budget-friendly

Tips for Staying in Moab

Consider Unique Accommodation Options

Moab has two reputations: It’s a hub for outdoor activities and an eccentric hippie town.

With both of these spirits combined, the town becomes an interesting getaway, to say the least. There’s even a community of broken-down school buses, otherwise known as “skoolies,” that are occupied by beatnik Moabians.

As a result, you can often find extraordinary accommodation options in Moab. Want to sleep under the stars, in a red rock cave (yes, really), or a glamping yurt in the middle of nowhere? Book a place like Under Canvas Moab, ULUM Moab, or The Cave Moab for an experience like no other.

Don’t Forget to Bring Your Hiking Gear

Hiking is among the top outdoor activities in Moab, so don’t forget to bring the essential hiking gear. 

Besides comfortable hiking boots and water, the most important hiking gear to bring to Moab is sun protection. The desert sun is no joke. Make sure your Utah packing list includes sunscreen, a sun hat, a large water bottle, and an SPF sun shirt.

One of my favorite hiking trails in Utah is the Mill Creek Trail. This easy Moab trail is suited for hikers of all fitness levels, allows dogs, and the waterfall pool is an ideal place to hang out in the hot summer months.

Explore the Town

There are so many quirky mom-and-pop shops in downtown Moab, and exploring these spots is a must — especially since some of them made my list of the best things to do in Moab!

From eclectic thrift stores to the town’s only independent bookstore, local coffee shops, and “Moab Made” handicrafts, this hip town has it all.

Outdoor enthusiasts and national park goers often skip exploring the town, but this is the best way to get to know the local community. Stop by the Friday farmers market or swing by the bowling alley for weekly karaoke night.

Rent a Car and Go Off-Roading

Most of the top Moab sites are only accessible via a personal vehicle. If you didn’t drive your own car to Moab, I recommend renting a 4WD truck from Discover Cars for an unstoppable, rock-crawling experience.

Besides hiking, rock climbing, and canyoneering, off-roading is one of the best activities in Moab. There are hundreds of miles of off-road trails around town, making Moab a Jeep owner’s playground.

Some top off-road spots include Sand Flats Recreation Area, the Hell’s Revenge Trail, and White Rim Overlook in Canyonlands. For an even cooler experience, snag a backcountry camping permit from the national park visitor center and camp in the middle of the remote wilderness right off an off-road trail.

Take Day Trips

Moab is located in one of the state’s most nature-dense locations. Red rock sandstone mesas give way to high-altitude snow-capped mountains, the Colorado and Green Rivers, and deep valleys and gorges. Why not explore several of the places to visit in Utah when in the area?

One of my favorite day trips from the city is to Capitol Reef National Park, 2 hours outside of town. This less-visited destination is the perfect place to escape intense summer crowds. The park also offers its own special mystique. 

Monument Valley is another epic trip outside of Moab. Though it’s a bit longer of a drive, it’s entirely worth the road trip. See Abigail’s short video of Monument Valley to see why!

Take a Tour

While exploring on your own is always a fun option, I recommend taking at least one guided tour if it’s your first time in Moab. This is the best way to explore some local spots that most visitors don’t know about and learn more about the natural environment from a professional. Check out the top Moab tours to explore the area like a local.

Hit Both National Parks

Visit both nearby national parks for the coolest Moab experience. Both Arches and Canyonlands offer unique landscapes and activities that shouldn’t be missed while in this eastern Utah town. 

Arches National Park is more recognized as a hotspot for hiking and rock climbing, whereas Canyonlands is ideal for those searching for scenic overlooks and off-road trails. Both national parks are spectacular in their own right and well worth the side trip.

Enjoy the Nightlife

If you’re not absolutely tanked after exploring the deep trenches of Moab all day under the hot desert sun, then you must stop into town after dark to enjoy the local nightlife.

Fun bars like Josie Wyatt’s and the Moab Brewery are local hotspots most nights of the week. I strongly suggest exploring the Moab nightlife, especially if you’re a solo adventurer. This is the best way to meet local friends or other explorers on the road. 

Visit in the Off-Season

Moabs’ peak season is the spring and early summer. One of the best times to visit Utah is in the winter months, especially if you prefer cooler weather and fewer crowds. 

I’ve visited Moab in every season and love the solitude of spending winter in the desert without the crowds. There’s no better sight than snow-crested red sandstone buttes and mesas. Winter is also one of the best times to visit Moab for striking nature photography.

For more, see my guide to the best time to visit Moab.

Consider Camping

There are many cool hotels in Moab, but I recommend camping for at least one night if on a multi-day Moab tour. Tent, RV, and car camping provide a totally unique and more personal experience, especially in Utah’s national parks.

My favorite place to camp is on Potash Road in Moab. Although there is no cell service, the affordable primitive campsites sit right on the Colorado River, one of the most scenic places in the whole town.

There used to be quite a variety of free, public camping spots, but recent regulations have changed that. Check out free camping apps before your trip to discover free spots to camp outside of town.

FAQs

Is it worth staying in Moab?

It is definitely worth your time to stay in Moab. Get the most out of your visit to the remote town by staying as long as possible. There are so many outdoor activities to do in Moab that a few days only scratches the surface.

What is the best month to visit Moab?

Late fall to early spring is the best time to visit Moab. This is when the weather is the most agreeable and outdoor activities aren’t limited by the excruciating heat. November to April is the prime time to visit Moab.

Can you stay in a national park near Moab?

There are two national parks near downtown Moab: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Both national parks have primitive campsites, inviting tent and dry RV campers to stay a while and enjoy the dense national park activities.

Where should I stay between Moab and Canyonlands?

Setting up base camp in North Moab is the best in-between place to explore both downtown Moab and Canyonlands National Park. There is also a campsite inside the national park for easy park access.

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I hope I’ve helped you find the best places to stay in Moab! For more fun, check out my list of the top things to do in Moab to start adding excursions to your itinerary!

Editor Abigail Bliss contributed to this article.