The intrepid explorer can pilot their own ATV/UTV up and down the precarious rock formations following in the footsteps of many a skilled driver. After scarfing down the meal, Jailhouse Cafe earned its place on my must-visit list for Moab. How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Car Dolly, How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car for a Week, Portland to Olympic National Park Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Driving Route, Portland to San Francisco Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Driving Route, Rapid City to Badlands National Park Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Driving Route, Rent a Car in Siesta Key: $35+ Per Day To Enjoy Your Vacation. In 2019, Canyonlands welcomed 733,996 visitors, according to the National Park Service. Note: Some information in this piece was obtained during a sponsored press trip, but all recommendations are my own. It features a pleasant outdoor patio for Tex-Mex fare. We originally wanted to visit the Mighty 5. In pioneer days, wranglers would drive wild horses into the flat and barricade the entrance, corralling them on the inescapable point. A straightforward road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park will take 310 miles. Written by Tom Hindle Reviewed by Carrie Adkins Updated on Jun 27, 2022 Table of Contents Though Utah may appear arid and sparse, there's plenty to do in the Beehive State. Crescent Junction 24F. According to Atlas Obscura, this set of petroglyphs is one of the world's largest collections and looks much more vividthan the ones I saw in Thompson Springs, based on pictures I've viewed online. Either way, youll want to make sure you plan enough time for a lunchtime break in Green River at Rays Tavern or Tamarisk, which boasts river-side views. If you're planning a road trip to Salt Lake City, you can research locations to stop along the way. I found the experience of driving up to a soda drive-thru anytime during the day since many open as early as 7 a.m. to be simple, cheap, and fun. Visitors can snorkel or scuba dive in the warm waters, which hover around 94 Fahrenheit degrees year round. Road conditions from Salt Lake City to Moab Utah Sign up today for monthly giveaways, engaging stories & videos, special offers & more! Springdale, right on the southern tip of Zion, has a number of cozy hotels. I grabbed a seat, watched the rehearsal for a few minutes, and then headed back to my car to finish my drive. follow the path of explorer John Wesley Powell, Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. A trip time between March and May will offer you the most comfortable temperatures while also avoiding some of the summer crowds. Its a great place to stop for a meal or to explore the historic downtown area. The Best Road Trip from Salt Lake City To Moab. With obstacles to attack with names like the Tip-Over Challenge and Rubble Trouble, you know you are in for an exciting ride. Home of Brigham Young University, Provo is a good spot to stop and stretch your legs. Moab is a city full of adventures just waiting to be discovered. With the Colorado and Green Rivers flowing nearby, theres no better place on the planet to start a river trip than Moab. day 1 driving 4 hours. If youre planning to drive from Salt Lake City to Moab, renting a car is the best option. Road Trip From Salt Lake City Airport Top Travel Destinations For a Southern Utah Road Trip The State of Utah has just about every kind of terrain that an adventurer could want. As the rehearsal began, I observed a slow but steady stream of people who walked into the building to watch. : This national park is a must-see once you make your way to Moab. Wandering around campus grounds brings back the halcyon days of college life. Salt Lake Citys Little America Hotel is a big surprise wrapped up in a neat package. This leg is a two-for-one national park special, and while the parks are relatively close together, youll want to be up with the sun to pack in as much exploring as possible if you plan to do both in the same day. Another option is to take a shuttle service, such as Moab Express or Road Runner Shuttle, which offer door-to-door service from Salt Lake City to Moab. How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a Uhaul? If you can, plan a layover day here and snag a permit to do a top-down hike of Zions Narrows. OARS is a proud member of Adventure Collection, a partnership of the world's premiere adventure travel companies. While in Iosepa, they maintained their Hawaiian language, culture, and traditions, Insider previously reported. This is a short drive from the airport, and if you have the extra time, it is totally worth it. Moab and Salt Lake City are about a 4-hour drive apart if you navigate straight through from one to the other. Suggestions appreciated. If youre on a budget and looking for the cheapest way to get from Salt Lake City to Moab, taking a bus is your best option. West, Inc. holds Transportation Charter Permits (TCP0022913 - C and TCP0022913 A) with the California Public Utilities Commission. Moab was once home to some of these prehistoric creatures, so be sure to visit the spots that showcase the dinosaur fossils, like the Moab Giants. The Aggies are proud of their university and take great care in maintaining the museum for their guests to enjoy. A trip into the Utah desert requires an extensive packing list. SLC in mid-March - Salt Lake City Forum - Tripadvisor San Francisco to Salt Lake City - Road Trips Message Board - Tripadvisor . In 2012, after the church clarified that cold caffeinated drinks like soda are allowed, soda shops started popping up selling what's been nicknamed "Dirty Sodas," Vice reported. The flight distance from Salt Lake City to Moab, Utah is approximately 196 miles (315.4 km). At the top of Dead Horse Point State Park, there is a large flat area the point surrounded by deep, rocky canyons with precipitous drops. The parking lot was on the edge of a grassy park with the limestone amphitheater towering over it. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. Utah and Colorado National Parks Road Trip Real tracks from nearly a dozen different dinosaurs are on display, and your family can walk the same path they did. If youre looking for a short hike, Bridal Veil Falls is also in this area. You can also take a short detour to Goblin Valley State Park. Between eating, hiking, and exploring Utah, there are plenty of places I'm daydreaming about returning to, but there were a few pit stops that I don't think were worth my time. Salt Lake City to Moab, Utah - Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Day 2: Arches National Park As you pull into the downtown area of Salt Lake City, the pretty views of the Wasatch Mountains explain why the Mormon leaders decided to call it home. Next time, I'll opt for one of the less-crowded parks in Southern Utah like Dead Horse Point State Park or Canyonlands National Park, both of which don't require a reservation. This route is approximately 225 miles long and takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes. From Salt Lake City, hop on I-15 south for a straight shot to the states southern reaches. On the surface, the water was a crystal-blue color and I thought it had the relaxing temperature of a warm bath. 33 minutes Jackson. Of all the tours available in the Moab area, Hells Revenge is the one you cant miss! Tucked in an old courthouse, Utah locals told me that the Jailhouse Cafe is a Moab staple when it comes to breakfast. 48 minutes Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway. You could do it in a week, but with all that red rock country has to offer, its worth treating yourself to some extra time. Day 1: Salt Lake City A full day in Salt Lake City is an ideal way to start your trip. I tried it before heading into Arches National Park, and easily saw why the breakfast eatery attracts both locals and tourists alike. To that end, this is not your typical weekend road trip itinerary. Many people will start their Moab vacation from the Salt Lake City area or the SLC airport. OARS is proud to be an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and a permitted outfitter under the National Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. As I dropped off my car and boarded a plane home to Denver, Colorado, I felt like a road trip across Utah was the best way to see the state for the first time. Salt Lake City to Moab in 2023: The Best Route & What to Do When You If you're coming from Denver take the scenic Highway 128 instead of Highway 191. During my short time in Moab, the Sunset Grill was mentioned multiple times by residents and due to its location, I was told it's supposed to be the best place to view a sunset (besides inside the nearby national parks). The landscape along the way makes you want to grab your water bottle a must-have in the hot, desert environment and hike through the red rock formations. Trips from Moab to Salt Lake City That question followed me for the rest of my afternoon in the national park that's located outside Moab. For thrill-seekers who are happy to hand over the controls to a professional, there are large all-terrain vehicles where you can buckle in and enjoy the scenic route. Park Fees: We recommend that you buy the $80 National Parks Pass that will allow you into all National Parks and Monuments. Spring and fall are the best times to visit Moab. While I visited in the spring, I'm eager to return to Midway in the winter, when winter activities are in full swing and the town is blanketed in snow. Emma Walker is the author of the book Dead Reckoning: Learning from Accidents in the Outdoors. She earned her M.S. The Best Road Trip from Salt Lake City To Moab Drive through the Utah desert, visiting four national parks before arriving in Moab. In May, I disembarked the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train and arrived in Moab, Utah. I experienced crowdsand had to contend with the hassle of needing a timed reservation to enter the park. Both offer killer views of the towering rock formations. , a rustic hotel right on the banks of the Colorado River. If youre looking to explore Salt Lake and the surrounding areas along the way to Moab over an extended period of time, you might want to consider renting an RV. Price is another small town with a rich mining history. After failing for the third time, I got the sense that the owners don't want visitors getting close to the abandoned mine. The John Wesley Powell River History Museum and Black Canyon Dragon Viewpoint are both in Green River. The many mesas at Moabs Dead Horse Point State Park, Penne di caprino at Caffe Molise in Salt Lake City, Utah, Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. Be sure to check out the Bean Life Science Museum and the BYU Museum of Paleontology. Road Trip Conditions. Moab, Ut Backroads & 4 Wheel Drive Trails, Hells Revenge 44 Off-Roading Tour from Moab, Introductory Moab Courthouse Loop Mountain Biking Tour, Guide to the Best Hotels in Downtown Moab, Everything to Know About Jeep Tours in Moab.