"Where Adventure Begins."
Founded in 1879, Moab, UT, has become a vacation mecca for adventure travelers from around the world. The terrain in and around Moab offers a diverse assortment of activities, from mountainbiking on the world-famous Slickrock Bike Trail to whitewater rafting on the Colorado River; and destinations, from awe-inspiring rock formations in Arches National Park to a tour of the area's wineries. There is something for every adventurous taste. Whet your appetite by viewing the video, All of Your Outdoor Dreams in One Place, or by reading Gloria J. Maschmeyer's December 2009 article in the Anchorage Daily News about Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point.
There is no charge for the Miatas in Moab IV event (May 14-16, 2010), which is sponsored by the Utah Miata Club.
Check the growing list of non-generic T-shirts available from Moab businesses and event sponsors. Currently, there has been a demand for T-shirts from the Red Hot 50K, coming up in February, but these do not appear to be available outside of the event.
For those who are planning to visit in the near future, check Moab's extended weather forecast, courtesy of Yahoo Weather.
History
Prior to its settlement in 1879, Moab was explored in 1765 by Juan Maria Antonio de Rivera on an expedition to reconnoiter both sides of the Colorado River. In 1880, the town was named after the strip of mountainous land in modern Jordan and, in 1890, became the county seat when Grand County was created from portions of Emery and Uintah counties. A ferry across the Colorado River was in operation by 1885, and the first bridge across the Colorado, a three-span steel bridge, was completed in 1912. By 1910, Moab had been developed as one of Utah's finest fruit-growing areas, producing peaches, apples, and grapes. Moab was incorporated as a town in January 1903 and became a third-class city in December 1936. Moab's largest industry, at least for the last quarter century, is tourism. As early as 1906, the Grand Valley Times began promoting the tourism possibilities of the area, and, in 1909, the Moab Commercial Club was organized to advertise the scenic attractions and recreational advantages of the Moab region. http://www.onlineutah.com/moabhistory.shtml <ref>
Attractions
ACTIVITIES * ATV and UTV Offroading * Backpacking * Ballooning * BASE Jumping * Birdwatching * Bowhunting * Camping * Canoeing * Canyoneering * Cycling * Fishing * Golfing * Hanggliding * Hiking * Horseback Riding * Jeep Touring * Jet Boating * Kayaking * Marathoning * Motorcycling * Mountainbiking * Offroading * Racing * Rafting * Rock Climbing * Rockcrawling * Rope Jumping * Running * Skiing * Skydiving * Snowmobiling * Snowshoeing * Swimming * Unicycling *
DESTINATIONS * Arches National Park * Canyonlands National Park * Canyon Rims Recreation Area * Cataract Canyon * Colorado River * Dead Horse Point State Park * Green River * La Sal Mountains * Manti-La Sal National Forest * Matheson Wetlands Preserve * Mill Creek Canyon * Petroglyphs * Sand Flats Recreation Area * Slickrock Bike Trail * Westwater Canyon * Wineries *
Canyonlands Half Marathon (Mar. > Running)
Desert R.A.T.S. (Jun. > Running)
Easter Jeep Safari (Easter > Jeep Touring)
Fruita (CO) Fat Tire Festival (Apr. > Mountainbiking)
Miatas in Moab (May. > Car Touring)
M.O.A.B. Boogie (Sep. > Skydiving)
Moab Century Tour (Sep. > Cycling)
Moab Ho-Down Bike Fest (Oct. > Mountainbiking)
Moab Iron Horse Rally (Aug. > Motorcycling)
Moab MUni Fest (Mar. > Unicycling)
Moab's Alpine-to-Slickrock 50K (MAS 50) (Sep. > Running)
Moab Skinny Tire Festival (Mar. > Cycling)
Moab's Red Hot 50K / 33K (Feb. > Running)
Videos
All of Your Outdoor Dreams in One Place (4:42) * Arches National Park (7:37) * BASE Jumping (1:16) * Canyoneering (5:00) * Easter Jeep Safari (10.01) * Jet Boating (7:05) * Moab MUni Fest (6:45) * Moab Trailer (2:08) * Mountainbiking (9:02) * Rafting (1:20) * Rock Climbing (4:05) * Rope Jumping (9:55) * Skydiving (7:27) * UTV Rally (3:17) *
All of Your Outdoor Dreams in One Place
ACTIVITIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS * ATV and UTV Offroading * Backpacking * Ballooning * BASE Jumping * Birdwatching * Bowhunting * Camping * Canoeing * Canyoneering * Cycling * Fishing * Golfing * Hanggliding * Hiking * Horseback Riding * Jeep Touring * Jet Boating * Kayaking * Marathoning * Motorcycling * Mountainbiking * Offroading * Racing * Rafting * Rock Climbing * Rockcrawling * Rope Jumping * Running * Skiing * Skydiving * Snowmobiling * Snowshoeing * Swimming * Unicycling *
Mountainbiking Video
This video features the Porcupine Rim Trail, the location of the annual Moab Ho-Down Bike Fest's downhill mountainbike race, held every Halloween weekend. Details about 2009's event can be found here.
Resources:
1. Chile Pepper Bike Shop 2. Moab Cyclery 3. Poison Spider Bicycles
Rafting Video
Rope-Jumping Video
DESTINATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS * Arches National Park * Canyon Rims Recreation Area * Canyonlands National Park * Cataract Canyon * Colorado River * Dead Horse Point State Park * Green River * La Sal Mountains * Manti-La Sal National Forest * Matheson Wetlands Preserve * Mill Creek Canyon * Petroglyphs * Sand Flats Recreation Area * Slickrock Bike Trail * Westwater Canyon * Wineries *
Arches National Park
Best known for the Delicate Arch rock formation, Arches National Park has more natural, sandstone arches than any other place in the world. Sandstone arches, which are created by wind erosion and precipitation, are different from sand bridges, which are created by irregular water erosion. {1} The park features over 2,000 arches within 76,000 acres. Other formations include spires and massive, balanced rocks. Plan to spend several days exploring the park by car or on a motorcycle, a bicycle, or on foot. {2}
The park is open 24 hours a day, year round. Entrance fees are good for seven days and cost $10.00 per vehicle or $5.00 per individual (on motorcycle, bicycle, or foot). Check here for further information about activity and camping fees. The visitors' center is also open year round except for Christmas Day. {3}
1. fiveutahparks.com 2. discovermoab.com 3. arches.national-park.com
SPORTING EVENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS * Canyonlands Half Marathon (Mar. > Running) * Desert R.A.T.S. (Jun. > Running) * Easter Jeep Safari (Easter > Jeep Touring) * Fruita (CO) Fat Tire Festival (Apr. > Mountainbiking) * Miatas in Moab (May > Car Touring) * M.O.A.B. Boogie (Sep. > Skydiving) * Moab Century Tour (Sep. > Cycling) * Moab Iron Horse Rally (Aug. > Motorcycling) * Moab MUni Fest (Mar. > Unicycling) * Moab Skinny Tire Festival (Mar. > Cycling) * Moab's Red Hot 50K / 33K (Feb. > Mountainbiking) * UTV Rally (May > Offroading) * Winter Sun 10K (Dec. > Running) *
Fruita Fat Tire Festival
Mountainbiking: In 1995, Troy Rarick had opened Over the Edge Sports, and began to ride and map the cow trails north of Fruita, near the Bookcliffs. A year later, Tony and friends launched the first Fat Tire Festival, a three-day mountain-bike extravaganza. The terrain is diverse, from sandy washes and 10"-wide, ultra hardpack to slickrock. [1] The next event will be held between April 29 and May 2, 2010. [2] For details and reservations, see active.com.
Miatas in Moab
Car Touring: For the Mazda Miata enthusiast, Miatas in Moab IV will be held May 14-16, 2010. The 2007 event, sponsored by the Utah Miata Club, attracted nearly 300 cars. There is no cost for registration. Parties and games are planned for this event {1}. Check here for more details.
Resources:
Moab MUni Fest
Unicycling: Moab is the ultimate two- and four-wheeled sport mecca but it also attracts unicycle enthusiasts from all over the world at its annual March event. In 2008, over 200 people attended the Moab Mountain Unicycling (MUni) Fest. The video, of the 2008 event, gives would-be enthusiasts a glimpse of the development of the sport, as riders negotiate the slickrock trials course. The 2010 event has not yet been announced, but riders can expect a late March event.
Watch for updates on the festival site, moabmunifest.com.
Moab's Red Hot 50K and 33K
Running: Moab’s Red Hot 50K and 33K races usually take place around Valentine’s Day. The next races will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2010, beginning at 8:00 a.m., and are limited to 250 participants for the 50K and 125 participants for the 33K. Registration begins on September 19, 2009, and ends on February 6, 2010. The race fee for the 50K is $63.00 before, and $75.00 after, January 14, 2010.[1]
Runners can expect gravel and 4wd roads, slickrock, and some sandy areas. The race starts at the Gemini Bridges Trail tail (Hwy 191) and ends at Poison Spider Trail head (Potash Road). Be prepared for spectacular views as the race winds through Gemini Bridges, Metal Masher, Gold Bar, Gold Spike, and Poison Spider trail systems.[2]
Contact Greg Poettgen or Chris Martinez at moabultra@gmail.com.
More race details can be found at mas50.com and active.com.
Moab Skinny Tire Festival
Cycling: Many mountainbikers come to Moab to experience the famous Slickrock Trail. But Moab is also home to some great road-biking routes. In 2010, the Skinny Tire Festival features three different routes: Dead Horse Point, Arches National Park, and the Colorado River. Held from March 12 through 16, 2010, cyclists should be prepared for unpredictable weather, which can range from temperatures in the 60s to cooler temperatures in the canyons. Warm clothing and raingear are recommended. The Festival registration fee is $100.00 and rides are fully supported with aid stations, mechanics, and sag wagons.[1]
Contact the Skinny Tire Events office at 435.259.2698 and 2760 or P.O. Box 934, Moab, UT 84532.
Festival details may be found at skinnytireevents.com.
The Other Half
Running: Sponsored by Moab Half Marathon, Inc., The Other Half is 13.1-mile run in Moab. The next event will be held on October 17, 2010.[1]
As the event draws near, more information may be found at moabhalfmarathon.org.
Winter Sun 10K
Running: Sponsored by Moab Half Marathon, Inc., the Winter Sun 10K occurs in early December. The run begins at the Moab Golf Course and, after winding through neighborhoods, ends at Grand County High School. The course is mostly flat or downhill. Many local merchants donate prizes and each runner receives a long-sleeved shirt. After the race, runners are encouraged to stick around for the festivities, which include a tree-lighting ceremony and an electric-light parade.[1]
Contact Moab Area Chamber of Commerce: 435-259-7814.[2]
Visit moabhalfmarathon.org for more details and for registration.
Moab Trailer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Food and Lodging
Bed-and-Breakfasts: Check discovermoab.com for a complete list of bed-and-breakfasts in the Moab area. Prices range from $65.00 to $225.00 per night. Since these tend to have fewer units than conventional lodging, it is recommended that reservations be made well in advance when planning a vacation during peak season or during a popular event.
Camping and RV Sites: For those who prefer to camp, the Moab area provides a variety of options. Privately owned sites include campgrounds and cabins. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 25 sites within 32 miles of Moab, although many do not offer RV hook ups. There are five national /state park and forest campgrounds in the Moab area, but only one offers RV hookups.
Hotels and Motels: For those who prefer conventional lodging, discovermoab.com provides a complete list of area accommodations. Prices range from $35.00 to $199.00 per night. This list also includes condos. Check, also, moabutahlodging.com, which may offer additional information.
Hostel: For the budget-conscious traveler, the The Lazy Lizard Hostel is a great alternative, which offers overnight dormitory, camping, private-room, and cabin accommodations, ranging from $7.00, for one person, to $48.00, for up to six people.
Rentals: Vacation rentals are ideal for large groups, who wish to rent by the night or the week, and can include apartments, condos, and houses. For commercial accommodations, Moabcondorentals.com offers a variety of options. For those who prefer to rent from private parties, Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) provides a list of homes available. Nightly accommodations begin at $50.00.
Restaurants: Moabhappenings.com offers an overview of the restaurants in the Moab area. Each description features a link to that restaurant's menu to help visitors to plan ahead.
Moab T-Shirts
Whether or not you're planning a visit, or simply didn't buy your favorite T-shirt during your last visit, you can order non-generic Moab T-shirts from a variety of area businesses, organizations, and event sponsors.
References
Fast Facts
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Population
5,500
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Area
Southeastern Utah
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Elevation
4,025 feet
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Founded
1879
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Official language
English
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Climate
Hot, dry summers; mild winters.
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Time zone
