Frequently Asked Questions About Moab

 

The landscape of southeastern Utah is like no other place on Earth.  The ruggedly spectacular desert landscape and remote location of the adjoining towns often generates quite a few questions from first-time visitors.  The following list was compiled from some of the most frequently asked questions.

 

Are there any airports located near Moab?

Moab Airport is located 18 miles north of Moab.The closest major airport to Moab is located in Salt Lake City (236 miles from Moab). Walker Field, located in Grand Junction Colorado (110 miles from Moab), contains a small airport with daily commuter flights with United Express/Air Wisconsin, Skywest/Delta, and America West Express/Mesa Airlines.

Can I see Arches and Canyonlands National Park in a passenger car?

Yes, Arches National Park and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park contain paved scenic drives which go to all of the major viewpoints in the park.  The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park contains a short scenic drive, with the rest of the park accessible via backcountry hiking trails and 4 wheel drive roads.

How long should I allow to see Arches and Canyonlands National Parks?

The answer to this question depends upon what specific activities you are interested in doing. The scenic drives at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (Island in the Sky District) can be driven in a few hours each.  Therefore, if you have a limited amount of time to stay in the area, you can get a good sample of both parks in one day.  However, it is advisable to spend at least a full day at each park so you can enjoy a few hikes to better experience the parks.  Several days can be spent at each park if you enjoy hiking many of the longer trails, and Canyonlands National Park contains enough backcountry to keep dedicated hikers and backpackers busy for years!

Is it worth visiting both Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park?

Yes!  Arches and Canyonlands National Parks provide completely different experiences.  Arches National Park contains the world's largest concentration of natural stone openings.  The park provides visitors with an up-close experience of an unearthly, yet hauntingly beautiful, red rock landscape.  In contrast, the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park is located atop a 1000 foot mesa with viewpoints that encompass thousands of square miles of ruggedly spectacular canyon country.  Because of the varicolored landscape of southeastern Utah many people feel that the views from the Island in the Sky actually surpass those seen at the Grand Canyon!

Are there any babysitting services in Moab?

The following company provides vacation babysitting services in Moab:

Moab Kids Club
(720) 212-6328

Are there any supermarkets in Moab?

Yes, Moab has 2 full size grocery stores, both containing a deli and bakery:

City Market
425 S Main Street

Village Market
702 South Main Street

Are there any general merchandise stores in Moab?

Yes, Moab has several:

Dollar General
835 S. Highway 191
Moab, UT 84532
(435) 259-8784

Family Dollar
702 S Highway 191 Ste 4
Moab, UT 84532-2943
(435) 259-0491

Walker Drug
290 S. Highway 191
Moab, UT 84532
(435) 259-5959

Is there a hospital in Moab?

Yes there is. Services include a full-service emergency room, general and orthopedic surgical services, primary care physicians, obstetrical services, and a wide-range of other specialists.

Moab Regional Hospital
450 Williams Way
Moab, UT  84532
435-719-3500

Is there a recycling center in Moab?

Yes, it is located at 1000 Sand Flats Road (on the way to the beautiful Slick Rock Bike Trail). The center is staffed Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be reached at 259-8640.

Are there any Automated Teller Machines in Moab?

Yes, Moab contains quite a few ATMs. In addition to ATMs at Wells Fargo Bank and Zions National Bank, the supermarket and quite a few convenience stores also contain ATMs.

What Gas Stations are located in Moab?

Moab contains numerous gas stations including Shell, Phillips 66, Maverick, Black Oil, and Chevron.

Are there any public tennis courts in Moab?

Yes. The tennis courts at Grand County High School (608 South 400 East) are open to the public.

Can I hike with my pet?

There are many pet friendly hiking areas and hotels. Although the National and State parks do not allow dogs.

Why are the trees along the Colorado River turning brown and what are those tiny beetles near the river?

Those trees are actually tamarisk, an invasive and non-native plant. Riparian lands in the Western U.S. have been severely impacted by many human-related actions, but none so much as the introduction of tamarisk. The Colorado River Corridor is an ecosystem that has been out of balance for several decades, and now the tamarisk has spread to such an extent that it has effectively altered the natural functions and processes of the ecosystem.

In an effort to control the problem, the harmless tamarisk or saltcedar leaf beetle (Diorhabda elongata) has been released along the Colorado Riverway. Beetles are an effective biological control used to reduce or eradicate tamarisk. The beetles are a natural control agent from areas in the world where tamarisk originated. After much study, the beetles were brought to the U.S. in an attempt to stem the tide of the tamarisk invasion.

Are there any health food stores in Moab?

Yes - Moonflower Market - located on 100 North, across from the Post Office.  They can be reached at (435) 259-5712.

Is there any live music at night in Moab?

Yes! For a listing of live music in Moab click here.

What are the current road conditions in southern Utah?

24-hour automated road condition information can be accessed using any Utah-based phone by simply dialing 511. Outside Utah, you can access the same information by dialing toll-free 866-511-UTAH (8824). You can also access this information via the Internet at the following address:

511.commuterlink.utah.gov/tats.web.report/

I've been backcountry camping for over a week.  Can I get a shower in Moab?

For a small fee a few of the local campgrounds allow visitors to come in and take a shower.