{"id":17079,"date":"2026-09-07T09:22:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T09:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=17079"},"modified":"2026-09-07T09:22:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T09:22:51","slug":"7-best-places-to-stay-in-moab-from-camping-to-riverside-splurges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=17079","title":{"rendered":"7 Best Places to Stay in Moab, From Camping to Riverside Splurges"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Published September 7, 2026 03:06AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

On my very first trip to Moab at age 10, I stayed at a very memorable hotel called the Gonzo Inn. I formed indelible memories of the hotel sign adorned with a clothed lizard straight out of the 1998 film (and 1972 novel) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas<\/i>, and of a sunlit glorious pool\u2014a reprieve from the hot, dry days of Southeastern Utah. This little lodge had just opened in 1998; the town was rather quiet back then. Nearly three decades later, the Gonzo Inn is still there every time I return to Moab, which is approximately twice a year when I can get away from my home in northern Utah a few hours away.<\/p>\n

In my dozens of pilgrimages to the desert, I\u2019ve stayed just about everywhere you can imagine in the adventure capital of Utah (and arguably the Southwest). I\u2019ve pulled over on the side of BLM roads at dusk, set up my tent in sandy dispersed campsites, started campfires that cast shadows against stone, settled for budget hotel rooms in tighter times, booked Airbnbs and VRBOs for large crews, and splurged on lodges right on the Colorado River.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re headed to Moab, I\u2019ve put together my personal guide to where to bed down between adventures. From Free 99 to $1,200, here\u2019s the best places to stay in Moab for every budget, the pros and cons of each spot, and some insider tips. My favorite Moab trips often include a mix of camping with a splurge night or two at a hotel.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that availability and rates fluctuate dramatically depending on the season. Though these days, winter (December through February) is just about the only time Moab isn\u2019t busy. During the rest of the year, make reservations well in advance. In winter, rates typically drop 40 percent, and during spring break season, prices tend to rise.<\/p>\n

The Best Places to Stay in Moab, Ranked by Price<\/h2>\n

Camping on BLM Land, $0<\/h2>\n

Best for: <\/b>True dirtbags<\/h3>\n
My daughter and my late dog Uinta at a dispersed campsite off Highway 191 en route to Moab. Now, this land is guarded and partially managed by the new Utahraptor State Park, which offers two developed campgrounds. <\/span> (Photo: Maya Silver)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you know where to look, you can find free dispersed camping on BLM land to park your van or pitch your tent around Moab. A popular spot where I used to camp was once along U.S. 191 heading into town. But the new Utahraptor State Park<\/a> has turned some of the dispersed camping into two campgrounds<\/a>. You can still access dispersed camping beyond the Dalton Wells Dinosaur Quarry to the east, or further south near the Klonzo and Sovereign trailheads, but you\u2019ll need to enter the state park to get there. If you want to avoid a fee, you can try sweet talking the state park ranger, or entering at odd hours when the entrance is unmanned.<\/p>\n

You can also find some dispersed camping along La Sal Mountain Loop Road. This is an especially great option in late spring through early fall, when the mountains are the place to escape the heat. Check out this map<\/a> to see where the BLM land that allows dispersed camping exists\u2014and where camping is explicitly banned.<\/p>\n

Location:<\/b> Across the Moab area<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/b> Free peace and quiet<\/p>\n

Cons: <\/b>May require some questing<\/p>\n

Local tip: <\/b>Buy some wag bags at a local gear shop (like Gearheads Outdoor Store<\/a>) to responsibly dispose of your human waste. It can take 10 or more years to break down in the desert, so digging a deep hole ain\u2019t cutting it. You can dispose of those wag bags in trash receptacles marked accordingly in downtown Moab.<\/p>\n

Lazy Lizard Hostel \u2013 $18<\/h2>\n

Best for: <\/b>Social travelers in search of adventure partners<\/h3>\n