Moab Lodging Guide: From Free Camping to $1,200 Luxury

A travel writer with decades of visits to Moab has compiled a personal guide to staying in the Utah adventure hub. The guide spans options from free camping to lodges costing $1,200 per night, detailing the pros, cons, and local tips for each.

According to the author, who writes for Outside, availability and rates change drastically with the season. Winter, from December through February, is now the only quiet period. Rates typically drop by 40 percent in winter but rise during spring break. The rest of the year requires reservations well in advance.

Free and Dispersed Camping

Free dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management land is available for vans and tents around Moab. A once-popular spot along U.S. Highway 191 has been converted into campgrounds with the creation of Utahraptor State Park. Dispersed camping is still accessible beyond the Dalton Wells Dinosaur Quarry to the east or further south near the Klonzo and Sovereign trailheads, though entry requires passing through the state park. The author suggests trying to "sweet talk" a ranger or entering during unmanned hours to avoid a fee.

Another option is along La Sal Mountain Loop Road, which is ideal from late spring through early fall for escaping the heat. The author advises checking a BLM map to identify legal camping zones. A key local tip is to purchase 'wag bags' from a gear shop like Gearheads Outdoor Store for responsible human waste disposal, as waste can take over a decade to break down in the desert.

Budget Roofs and Campgrounds

For those needing a roof on a tight budget, the Lazy Lizard Hostel is Moab's only hostel. The author has not stayed there but included it in a Moon travel guide based on positive reports and its 4.5-star Google rating. The locally owned hostel, operating since 1987, offers the cheapest rooms. Private two-person guest rooms cost $48, and log cabins sleeping up to six range from $53 to $70. The tip is to bring coins for the onsite laundry.

The author's favorite campground is Devils Garden in Arches National Park, about 22 miles north of Moab. It offers prime access for sunrise, sunset, and stargazing near the arches without crowds. Reservations are essential in peak season, but sites are first-come, first-served from November through February. The campground has bathrooms and water but no hook-ups or firewood sales. The author recommends picking up food from Moonflower Co-op in town.

Mid-Range and Splurge Stays

The Gonzo Inn, where the author first stayed in 1999, offers reasonable rates and is a block from Main Street. The locally owned hotel has standard rooms, condo suites, a pool, and a firepit. It describes its vibe as "desert chic." Rooms include a $14 daily breakfast voucher per person, though the onsite cafe can be crowded. The hotel provides secure bike storage.

Red Cliffs Lodge, located 17 miles northeast of Moab along the Colorado River, has been a guest destination since the 1980s. Recently acquired and renovated by Marriott, it features a museum of film memorabilia. A key perk is the ability to book rafting or stand-up paddleboarding trips directly. Accommodations include rooms in the main lodge and more expensive cabins.

The lodge's restaurant, Ember, offers New American cuisine. The author considers it a favorite for balancing a day of adventure with luxury, despite the 30-minute drive to town. A tip is to take a scenic drive into the nearby La Sal Mountains.

High-End Glamping

ULUM Moab, opened in 2023 by the founders of Under Canvas, offers a luxury glamping experience. Located about 30 minutes south of Moab in a sandstone cliff enclosure, it is near the Looking Glass rock feature for hiking and climbing. Every tent is a suite with a private bathroom. The author, who has stayed at the nearby Under Canvas Moab, finds the ULUM location significantly more scenic, describing the Under Canvas site as sitting "right off Highway 191 amid wind-blown sagebrush lands."