Updated September 7, 2026
For nearly three decades, travel writer and editor Maya Silver has made the biannual pilgrimage to Moab, Utah, watching the quiet desert outpost transform into the undisputed adventure capital of the American Southwest. Her earliest memories of the Southeastern Utah town date back to a 10-year-old’s stay at the Gonzo Inn in 1998—a quirky lodge defined by a colorful sign featuring a clothed lizard plucked straight from Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and a sunlit pool offering a vital reprieve from the searing desert heat. Nearly thirty years later, the Gonzo Inn remains a steadfast fixture of a town that has experienced unprecedented growth, drawing millions of outdoor enthusiasts annually.
Over dozens of expeditions into the red-rock desert, Silver has experienced virtually every lodging option the region has to offer. Her stays have ranged from pulling over at dusk onto Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roads and setting up tents in sandy dispersed campsites to booking budget motels, coordinating large group rentals through Airbnb and VRBO, and indulging in high-end luxury lodges positioned directly on the banks of the Colorado River. Drawing from decades of firsthand experience and her work updating travel guides to Utah, Silver has compiled a comprehensive overview of where to sleep between desert adventures, outlining accommodations spanning from completely free campsites to ultra-luxury retreats priced at $1,200 per night.
Travelers planning a trip to the region must account for dramatic seasonal fluctuations in both availability and pricing. Aside from the winter months spanning from December through February—the sole window when Moab experiences a noticeable lull—the destination operates at a near-constant hum of high activity. During the peak tourism windows, particularly around spring break, securing lodging requires advanced planning, while winter rates typically plummet by roughly 40 percent.
The Best Places to Stay in Moab, Ranked by Price
Camping on BLM Land, $0
Best for: True dirtbags
For travelers willing to embrace a rustic, self-sufficient experience, free dispersed camping on BLM land provides an accessible way to park a camper van or pitch a tent. Historically, popular roadside options dotted U.S. Highway 191 heading into town. However, the establishment of the new Utahraptor State Park has transitioned portions of these traditional areas into two developed campgrounds.
Dispersed camping remains accessible beyond the Dalton Wells Dinosaur Quarry to the east and further south near the Klonzo and Sovereign trailheads, though visitors must navigate state park boundaries to reach them. Alternative dispersed camping options exist along the La Sal Mountain Loop Road, serving as an ideal strategy from late spring through early fall to escape the oppressive valley heat.
Because human waste breaks down exceedingly slowly in the arid desert environment—often taking a decade or more—environmental responsibility is paramount. Local outfitters, such as Gearheads Outdoor Store, supply specialized waste disposal bags that must be packed out and deposited in designated receptacles in downtown Moab.
Lazy Lizard Hostel — $18
Best for: Social travelers in search of adventure partners
For budget-conscious travelers seeking a roof over their heads without the need for camping gear—or for those caught in cold and rainy weather—Moab’s sole hostel offers an economical alternative. Operating locally since 1987, the Lazy Lizard Hostel provides dormitory-style accommodations starting at $18 per night, making it an enduring option for cost-effective lodging.
Guests seeking privacy can upgrade to a two-person guest room for approximately $48 or rent a log cabin accommodating up to six people for $53 to $70 per night. Situated one mile south of town, the property provides coin-operated laundry facilities, though it falls outside comfortable walking distance to the downtown commercial district.
Devils Garden Campground — $25
Best for: Stargazers and hikers
Tucked deep within Arches National Park, Devils Garden Campground stands out as one of the premier camping locations in the American Southwest. Positioned amid towering slickrock formations, the campground places visitors within steps of trailheads leading to scenic desert arches while offering prime vantage points for sunrises, sunsets, and dark-sky stargazing away from daytime crowds.
Reservations during peak seasons require booking well in advance through recreation.gov. Conversely, the campground transitions to a first-come, first-served operation from November through February, though winter visitors must arrive prepared with cold-weather layers. The facility provides potable water and restrooms, though electrical hookups and firewood sales are unavailable. Campers seeking convenience can easily pick up prepared meals at the Moonflower Co-op in downtown Moab before driving up to their sites. If campsites within the park are fully occupied, the Sand Flats Recreation Area, situated on the plateau just east of Moab, offers similarly dramatic scenery and nearby dinosaur tracks.
The Gonzo Inn — $140–$420
Best for: Road and mountain bikers looking to ride straight from town, and Hunter S. Thompson fans
Positioned just one block west of Main Street, the Gonzo Inn captures a vibrant, "desert chic" aesthetic inspired by its literary namesake. Offering a combination of standard rooms and condo-style suites, the locally owned property features an outdoor pool and a communal fire pit area.
A major practical benefit for active travelers is the hotel’s secure gear storage facility, which accommodates mud-caked mountain bikes upon request at the front desk. Additionally, overnight stays include a daily breakfast voucher per registered guest, though the popularity of the onsite cafe can result in extended morning lines during peak periods.
Red Cliffs Lodge — $225–$1,200
Best for: River enthusiasts and Western film historians
Situated along Highway 191 in Grandstaff Canyon, roughly 17 miles northeast of downtown Moab, Red Cliffs Lodge occupies a dramatic setting directly on the banks of the Colorado River. Operating on a historic ranch site dating back to the 19th century, the property has undergone significant modern renovations following its acquisition by Marriott.
The lodge serves as a cultural hub for cinema history, housing the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage in its lower level. The museum preserves extensive memorabilia from classic Westerns filmed throughout the surrounding region, including Wagon Master, Son of Cochise, Warlock, and John Wayne’s Rio Grande, alongside preserved costumes from films like Thelma and Louise, which shot pivotal scenes at nearby Dead Horse Point State Park.
Guests can book direct river excursions, including stand-up paddleboarding and rafting trips, right from the property. Accommodations range from standard lodge rooms to spacious riverside cabins featuring modern decor. An onsite New American restaurant, Ember, features a lounge and an outdoor patio overlooking the water. While cabin rates reach the higher end of the spectrum, main lodge rooms offer a more moderate entry point for visitors balancing rugged outdoor pursuits with upscale comforts.
ULUM Moab — $550–$850
Best for: Climbers seeking upscale amenities and exceptional stargazing
Located approximately 25 miles south of Moab off Highway 191, ULUM Moab offers an elevated glamping experience developed by the team behind Under Canvas. Unlike sister properties situated near windy highway corridors, ULUM Moab is nestled within a protected natural amphitheater of towering sandstone cliffs, positioned near the prominent Looking Glass Rock formation.
Every canvas accommodation functions as a suite complete with an ensuite bathroom, mitigating the logistical drawbacks common to traditional tent camping. Onsite amenities include warm and cold plunge pools, a massage cave, and an upscale dining venue. Operating from late March through late October, the remote resort serves as a strategic basecamp for exploring Indian Creek, the Newspaper Rock Petroglyph Panel, and the remote Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, as well as southern destinations like Bears Ears National Monument.
Sorrel River Ranch — $820–$1,200
Best for: Equestrian enthusiasts and travelers seeking historic ranch luxury
Positioned further up Grandstaff Canyon along the Colorado River, Sorrel River Ranch operates on a historic property established in 1903. The resort features multi-level log cabins styled with rustic Western decor, including natural wood beds and curated ranch-themed artwork.
The ranch offers extensive family-oriented programming, including guided horseback rides, a junior wrangler initiative for children, and interactions with resident farm animals. Situated just 10 minutes from the trailhead for Fisher Towers, the luxury property places guests within close proximity to some of the region’s most iconic climbing walls and hiking routes.
