Introduction

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my ATV/UTV Street Legal?
Your vehicle must have (1) a license plate from your home state and (2) meet all of these requirements. If your home state does not issue license plates to ATV/UTVs, your vehicle cannot be street legal in Utah. If your vehicle is not street legal it must be trailered or towed to the trailheads.

Do I need a Utah Non-Resident OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) Permit?
If a street-legal ATV/UTV is registered and has a license plate from your home state, and it meets all of Utah’s street-legal requirements, then you do not need to purchase a Utah Non-Resident OHV Permit. If your vehicle is not street legal you need to purchase a permit either online or in town. Permits are available at the Moab Information Center or at either the North or South Maverik convenience stores in Moab. Permits are $30 and are good for a full year.

• Are there any airports located near Moab?

  Canyonlands Regional Airport is located 18 miles north of Moab. United Express, operated by SkyWest Airlines, provides daily jet service to Denver, Colorado. Visit our Airline Page for more information.

• 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!

• Is there anywhere for me to leave my car for several days?

  Although the city of Moab does not have any public long-term parking areas, these companies provide safe, secure storage. Canyonlands Regional Airport, 18 miles north of Moab, also allows overnight parking for $3.00/day.

• 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 two full-sized grocery stores, both containing a deli and bakery:

  City Market
  425 S Main Street

  Village Market
  702 S 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
  (435) 259-0491

  Dollar Tree
  1145 South Hwy. 191
  Moab, UT 84532
  (435) 383-2728

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

• Is there a hospital in Moab?

  Yes there is. In February, 2011 the new Moab Regional Hospital opened its doors to patients, replacing the 54-year old Allen Memorial Hospital. The new hospital is a 17-bed critical access hospital. 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.
  Items accepted are: Corrugated cardboard, green, brown and clear glass jars and bottles, aluminum cans, steel (tin) cans, any color see-through #1 plastic bottles or container (like most soda/sport drinks bottles. Some strawberry-type containers/laundry scoops are #1 plastic too), newspaper, white and mixed office paper.
  Recycling saves water, creates jobs, lowers pollution rates, preserves natural areas and promotes responsibility. Recycling matters!

  
  
• 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, 7-Eleven, Maverick, Texaco, City Market 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?

  See our Pet Information page.

  
  
• 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.

  For more information on the tamarisk and beetles, click here.

  
  
• 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?

  Visit udottraffic.utah.gov/

• 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. Check out the following page for a complete list:

  Where can I get a shower?

  
  
• Is there anywhere in Moab to rent a satellite phone or 2-way radio?

  Yes, WF Communications rents satellite phones and commercial grade 2-way radios. You can contact them at (800) 717-1895, (435) 259-8240, or visit their website at www.wfcommunications.net.