Getting There

Situated on U.S. 191, Moab is 30 miles south of I-70 (take exit 182 at Crescent Junction) and 53 miles north of Monticello. Moab is 399 miles northeast of the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park and 238 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. From Salt Lake City, follow I-15 south to Spanish Fork, take U.S. 6 southeast to I-70, and follow that east to Crescent Junction, where you'll pick up U.S. 191 south to Moab.

Sixteen miles north of downtown Moab, Canyonlands Field (tel. 435/259-7419; www.moabairport.com) has daily scheduled flights between Moab and Denver on Great Lakes Airlines (tel. 800/554-5111 or 435/259-0566; www.flygreatlakes.com) and car rentals from Enterprise (tel. 435/260-6081; www.enterprise.com). Shuttle service into Moab is also available from several companies, including Roadrunner Shuttle (tel. 435/259-9402; www.roadrunnershuttle.com).

The closest major airport is Grand Junction Regional Airport, about 200 miles east in Grand Junction, Colorado (tel. 970/244-9100; fax 970/241-9103; www.gjairport.com). It has direct flights or connections from most major cities on Allegiant, American/American Eagle, Delta Connection/Skywest, Frontier, Great Lakes, United Express/Skywest, and US Airways. Car rentals are available at the airport from Alamo (tel. 970/243-3097; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel. 970/244-9170; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 970/244-9170; www.budget.com), Enterprise (tel. 970/254-1700; www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel. 970/243-0747; www.hertz.com), and National (tel. 970/243-6626; www.nationalcar.com).

Another option for air travelers is to fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (tel. 800/595-2442 or 801/575-2400; www.slcairport.com), about 240 miles from Moab, which has service from most major airlines and rental-car companies. From there, you can rent a car, take a US Airways Express flight , or take a shuttle van with Bighorn Express (tel. 888/655-7433 or 801/417-5191; www.bighornexpress.com), which charges $69 each way and operates a varied schedule throughout the year.

Amtrak's (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com) California Zephyr stops in Green River, about 52 miles north of Moab, and provides service to Salt Lake City and Grand Junction, Colorado. If you plan to go from Green River to Moab, make reservations with Bighorn Express .

Visitor Information

For area information, contact the Moab Area Travel Council, P.O. Box 550, Moab, UT 84532 (tel. 800/635-6622 or 435/259-8825; www.discovermoab.com). When you arrive, stop by the Moab Information Center, at the corner of Main and Center streets, open Monday through Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday from 9am to 7pm from July through September, with shorter hours the rest of the year. This multi-agency visitor center has information from the Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Grand County Travel Council, and Canyonlands Natural History Association. You can get advice, watch a number of videos on Southwest attractions, pick up brochures on local businesses and outfitters, and purchase books, videos, and other materials. A board displays current weather conditions and campsite availability.

Getting Around

Rentals (standard passenger cars, vans, and four-wheel-drive vehicles) are available from Enterprise (tel. 435/260-6081; www.enterprise.com). Rugged four-wheel-drive vehicles are available from Farabee's Jeep Rentals (tel. 877/970-5337 or 435/259-7494; www.farabeejeeprentals.com), Canyonlands Jeep Adventures (tel. 866/892-5337 or 435/259-4413; www.canyonlandsjeep.com), and Cliffhanger Jeep Rental (tel. 435/259-0889; www.cliffhangerjeeprental.com).

Fast Facts

The full-service Allen Memorial Hospital, 719 W. 400 North (tel. 435/259-7191; www.amhmoab.org), offers 24-hour emergency care. The post office is at 50 E. 100 North (tel. 800/275-8777; www.usps.com).

The best grocery store in town is City Market, 425 S. Main St. (tel. 435/259-5181; www.citymarket.com), open daily from 6am to 11pm. Pick up sandwiches from the deli, mix it up at the excellent salad bar, or choose fresh-baked items from the bakery before hitting the trail. The store also sells fishing licenses, money orders, and stamps; offers photo finishing; and has a pharmacy.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.