Moab Accomodations

I've stayed in Moab on quite a few occasions when I go down with my brother and his family, who live in Salt Lake. We usually stay 3-4 days in a house owned by friends of theirs, and I've never noticed any issues with parking availability. Traffic is usually not bad, even during the high season, although you might run into some traffic driving there, depending on where you're coming from.

I'm not sure I can help you with Salt Lake. My brother and his family live in the Avenues, which is a great location, but it's pretty residential. I don't know if there are any hotels in that area or not. I love it because you can go hiking up in the hills and still get downtown very easily. I probably wouldn't stay at the airport. Salt Lake is a really nice city and is not as congested as bigger cities. And I've never had any trouble finding parking in the city, and I've driven all over it.

If you're at all interested in family genealogy, you might want to consider a visit to the Family History Library there. It's really amazing, and it's free. They give you an iPad when you come in, and you can find your ancestors, look up all the information they have there. It's a lot of fun. My niece and I went over there the last time I was there and were there for hours. If you do that, I would suggest signing up ahead of time for a free account on familysearch.org, which is their website.

Thank you Mardee. Good to know parking should not be an issue. So now it's just deciding on hotel or condo. The geneology library sounds really interesting. Years ago I tried doing some research when ancestry.com first became a thing, but was not able to get very far. Thanks for the information!

Joann, I love both Salt Lake City and Moab. They're both really great places. Moab gets very active at night, and there will be a lot of people out partying, but it's always a fun and attractive place to visit. And if you have time, definitely stop at Milt's, which is known for its burgers and shakes. We go there every visit. 😊 It's been around forever, and is Moab's oldest restaurant. I know it's older than me, and I'm 71. 😂

I'd also recommend walking along the Colorado Riverway Bike-Hike Bridge. There are some gorgeous views there. You can park your car and then walk across the bridge and then walk along the river. It's really nice—we usually go in the evening when it's a bit cooler.

Good luck with the lodging search!

Keep your car while in SLC and drop it off when you fly home. Parking and traffic is never a problem and having your own car gives you much more freedom. IMHO I wouldn't bother with a city tour. Instead use that time to go to the Great Salt Lake State Park. It is definitely something to see and there are some nice hiking paths. To see the vastness of the city, take the short hike up Ensign Peak where you will also learn about the city's history. Red Butte Gardens may be what you are referring to as the botanic gardens, is beautiful for a few hours. There is a nice art museum on the UT campus along with another stunning museum. I also wouldn't take the time to go on a food tour. SLC has terrific restaurants - choose one that fits into your day. To end what sounds like a special trip consider Log Haven in Mill Creek Canyon for dinner. A fun place to stay is in the Sugarhouse neighborhood with shops and restaurants. For the boat ride is this in Provo on a river? I spoke with someone and she did not enjoy it because a road ran along side the river. So something to consider if you only have 2-3 nights in SLC. And there is plenty of hiking that is also available. And A full day could be spent in Park City. There a many possibilities so you will have a good time.

During our May trip to Moab, I was able to find a great price at the Fairfield Inn. When we would go in to town, there was never an issue finding parking. If you decide to go the hotel route, then I recommend you see if Sweet Cravings Bakery is still offerering early morning pick ups for lunch to take into the park, since there are no food service options there. We had to order that a day or two ahead. We also loved Quesadilla Mobilla food truck for dinner. The best quesadillas, and they are large enough for two people to share one.

Mardee – thank you for the additional recommendations. I am beginning to feel like we are not going to have enough time in SLC now.

Lynne – based on the feedback I will definitely keep the car. I don’t think I have ever been to a city where parking is not a problem, it will be a nice change! It looks like the boat tour I’m looking at departs from Salt Lake City Park (https://www.parkcityactivities.info/great-salt-lake-boat-tours.htm.) I will make sure to allow extra time to explore the park before or after.

Travelbug – thank you for the heads up re: food options (or lack thereof) in the park. I checked Sweet Craving website and it looks like you can still order for pick. The menu looks lovely.

Thank you all so much. Now I am getting excited about the SLC portion. I initially added it only because we are flying in and out there and thought it would be nice to mix in a little city stop. Now it looks like I may need to get together with the girls and revisit our SLC plans. There is so much more to do than my initial searches indicated. Hopefully they can both take off an extra day from work!

Thanks again!

Please be advised that the SLC Temple is having its open house, following its multi year renovation and before its rededication, from April 5 to October 1 of 2027, with millions of visitors from around the world booking 1 hour timed tours. The downtown area is likely to have an altogether different level of congestion and hotel booking than normal. Probably a bigger impact even than the conventions that they are used to hosting. I was already seeing some hotels fully booked in April.

https://www.templesquare.org/eng/celebration

Confirmed: Streets in the immediate vicinity of the SLC Temple will be closed, see next post.

"Please note that downtown parking will not be available during the celebration. West Temple and North Temple streets will be closed to all traffic."

Here's some info on the street closures in SLC, where they are expecting millions of visitors, estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 per day.

https://www.slc.gov/council/temporary-street-closure-for-temple-square-2027-reopening/

I'm reading that the Family Search Center (genealogy library) is also expected to be much busier than usual during the months of the Temple open house, with new AI displays and ramped up volunteers to help visitors. The research areas may not be as crowded as the main floor.

CW - Thank you for information about the Temple celebration and street closures. I will book my hotel soon then.

I am mostly concerned with needing to drive and park in town if we
stay at a condo.

We are in (chilly and wet) Moab as I'm typing this. Parking is largely free all over town although some spots, such as at the Information Center, have time limits, and some others are reserved for the businesses they're adjacent to. You shouldn't have any issues, especially if willing to walk a couple of blocks to the main drag (VERY busy 191) where the largest concentration of shops and restaurants are. Here's the page on the city's government website that addresses parking...although you can park many places besides the couple of lots highlighted.

https://www.moabcity.gov/513/Parking-Information

Side note: new to us since our last revisit in 2024, IDs must be presented for scanning when ordering adult beverages anywhere they're served, even if you are very obviously of age. I guess it's a law that's been on the books for years but hadn't been as strictly observed, especially in Moab, on prior trips. No problem: just have them out and ready. As well, if interested in a wine or beer you're unfamiliar with be aware that tasting is not allowed as it is in many other states so order at your own risk. I ended up with a positively yucky Pinot Grigio that was the only one on the menu, and which I never would have ordered if allowed to sample first. LOL, and here I thought we had a handle on the plethora of confusing liquor laws in Utah! :O)

Editing to add: we are staying just 3 blocks from that main drag so are walking to/from anything involving an adult beverage.

Hi Kate, Thank you for taking time out of your holiday to respond. So sorry you don’t have better weather! I just booked my accommodations today in town at BW Plus Canyonlands but am already second guessing myself. I don’t know why I seem to be having trouble making hotel decisions for my last few trips. I seem to keep waffling (maybe it’s a sign of age?)

Thanks for confirming the available parking situation in case I change my mind (again). Also, for letting me know about the need for an ID. Particularly if I’m not driving, often times I no longer carry a purse with ID and credit cards since everything I usually need is on my phone.

Oh no on the wine! That’s usually my drink of choice and I can usually drink anything but have had a few over the years that I couldn’t finish.

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

If it's any help, Joann, when I was there the last time with my brother and his family, we met some people at Arches, and we were talking to them for quite a while. They mentioned that they were staying at the Best Western and they really liked it. They said the breakfast was good and their rooms were very nice. That was a little over a year ago.

Also, I usually don't drink wine in restaurants there, because of that exact issue. I'd rather buy a bottle and have a glass in the evening where we're staying.

Mardee, yes, actually it does help. I’m just going to keep my reservations and stop looking! I don’t know why I have become so indecisive the past couple of years. It’s to the point I’m considering my first ever tour for the next trip after Utah. Once I make up my mind where that next destination is 😂

Me again!
Ugh, we had 2 solid days of rain heavy enough to scrap some plans. We're not wimpy about a bit of wet but this was enough that my DH flat-out refused to go mucking about in red-dirt mud. No whine though as the area desperately needed it, and we've pretty much covered the parks on our 4 prior trips. Yesterday was sunny, and we've been amused at the large numbers of jeeps and UTVs about so covered in mud that you wonder how the drivers can see! Lots of cheerful, adventurous folks have been out having a VERY good time offroad, wet be damned!

The wine thingy: Evidently they CAN provide tastes; they just have to charge for them. One establishment did just that, for 25¢. I've a hunch that having to account for a lot of little bits might be a big enough PITA for very busy establishments that they just say no, and they do so apologetically. For international travelers using this thread for their trips, do be aware that only your passport is acceptable for ordering alcoholic beverages where offered. Your non-US driver's license is not (I checked.) Welcome to Utah: even Moab locals roll their eyes. :O)

Backing up Mardee, the BW Plus Canyonlands is very close to where we're staying (Purple Sage Flats) and has been "No Vacancy" all week, although that's true of all the decent hotels here during busy high season. It's highly rated (as I'm sure you know) and certainly has a good location for walking to dinner and whatnot. I've no doubt that you'll be fine there.

I'm looking forward to a trip review when your adventure is in the rearview, Joann. I've a soft spot for Moab and hope you have a wonderful time next spring!

The wine thingy: Evidently they CAN provide tastes; they just have to charge for them. One establishment did just that, for 25¢.

Ohio has that same law. Ohio, for some reason, is one of the most strictly regulated when it comes to liquor laws and heavily taxed. It's why Two-Buck Chuck is never $2 in Ohio. It's more like $3. And no free wine tastings—there is a minimum charge of 25 cents.

Of course, then I moved to Minnesota, which had just changed their ancient blue laws mandating no liquor sales on Sunday. I was so happy about that. It used to drive me crazy when I would come to visit my daughter and I couldn't get a bottle of wine for Sunday dinner without driving to Wisconsin .

It’s to the point I’m considering my first ever tour for the next trip after Utah. Once I make up my mind where that next destination is.

Haha!! I totally get that, Joann. Well, if you do your first tour, make sure and let us know how it goes! I keep thinking that at some point I'm going to succumb to that, so I'll be researching it heavily.

Two solid days of rain – ugh! I’m with your husband and would not want to venture out into the mud either. Glad you are ending your trip with sunshine!

Also feeling good now about my hotel choice. Thank you both for your feedback and encouragement.

I will definitely write a trip report if I end up giving in to a tour next year. It’s just hard to let go of control after a lifetime of independent travel. There are a few places I have in mind that I might be more comfortable letting someone else handle the logistics. We’ll see…