Moab is compact, but the choice of base still shapes your trip. The two main options are downtown, where restaurants, outfitters and shops are within walking distance and the parks are a short drive, and the Highway 128 river corridor, where resorts and lodges sit in a scenic canyon farther from town. Your priorities, budget and tolerance for driving should decide.
Downtown Moab: the practical base
Staying in town makes early starts easy. Arches is about a ten-minute drive from the center, you can walk to dinner, and tour operators often pick up near Main Street. The Gonzo Inn is the boutique choice, a block off Main Street with condo-style suites, a saltwater pool, a hot tub that stays open year-round and good facilities for cyclists. The Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn, at 16 South Main Street, is the practical choice, with a free hot breakfast, a gym, a hot tub and a rooftop terrace, though the outdoor pool is seasonal and parking carries a nightly fee. The Apache Motel, at 166 South 400 East, is the budget and character pick, a historic roadside motel with a John Wayne Suite, kitchenette rooms, an outdoor pool and free parking.
The river corridor: scenery over convenience
Highway 128 follows the Colorado River northeast of town, and two lodges sit along it. Red Cliffs Lodge, at Milepost 14, is a rustic Western-style lodge beside the river with a restaurant, a bar and the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage on site. Sorrel River Ranch, at Mile 17, is the splurge, a riverside ranch resort about twenty miles from Moab with a spa, a restaurant, an outdoor pool, guided hikes and a family-friendly petting zoo. Both put you in a beautiful setting, but you will drive to the parks and to dinner in town, so they suit travelers who value atmosphere and a slower pace.
Choosing by trip type
First-time visitors on a short trip should stay downtown, because time in the car is time not in the parks. Couples celebrating something should consider Sorrel River Ranch or the Gonzo Inn. Families will appreciate the breakfast at the Best Western or the kitchens at the Apache Motel, which keep meal costs down. Cyclists will like the Gonzo Inn's bike storage and repair area. Budget travelers should book the Apache Motel early, because inexpensive rooms sell out first.
Timing and rates
Spring and autumn are the busiest and most expensive seasons, and weekends fill first. Summer is hot and slightly quieter, and winter offers the lowest rates and the quietest parks, though some seasonal amenities such as outdoor pools, rafting and parts of resort operations may be reduced, so confirm what is open when you book. Book several weeks ahead for any peak weekend.
Practical tips
Wherever you stay, you will want a car, so check parking rules and fees. Ask for a room away from the road if you are a light sleeper, particularly on Main Street and Highway 128. Fill your fuel tank in town before heading to the river lodges or the parks, and bring snacks and water for long days. Whichever base you choose, plan for early starts and long evenings, and the red rock will do the rest.
