Contemporary Hotel in Red-Rock Country

The desert town of Moab lies near the Colorado River in one of red-rock country’s most beautiful areas. It’s been a shooting location for major Hollywood films and numerous TV commercials, and it’s home to what some consider the world’s most popular mountain-biking route—the 13-mile Slickrock Trail. Hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive in the area every year to hike, bike, and kayak amid some spectacular scenery. 

Located in the heart of downtown Moab and within a half-hour drive of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, the Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn makes for a convenient home base for exploring the region. It reflects Moab’s small-town mentality by focusing on friendly customer service.

Guest rooms feature granite vanities, photos of western landscapes, and an earthy color palette of green and brown. You can take in views of the landscape from the hotel’s rooftop patio, where plush chairs surround a freestanding fireplace.

Onsite dining options include the Peace Tree Juice Café, an open-air spot serving organic salads and sandwiches as well as smoothies and craft beers. There’s also Pasta Jay’s, an Italian restaurant where chefs use old family recipes to make cheese ravioli and pesto gnocchi. In the morning, you’ll find a complimentary breakfast buffet near the lobby.

Moab, Utah: Recreation Playground in Red-Rock Country

Though the population numbers only about 5,000, Moab is southeast Utah’s largest town. It was named after a biblical kingdom, and—like most towns in this area—was established by Mormon pioneers. But it’s best known today for its natural scenery and world-class outdoor recreation.

Set near the Colorado River in a green valley surrounded by dramatic sandstone cliffs, the desert town is a microcosm of the great western landscape. It’s been the backdrop for major Hollywood films, including Thelma & Louise and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. One of its landmark stones, Castle Rock, starred in several Chevrolet commercials.

Hundreds of miles of trails, a variety of terrains, and breathtaking scenery make Moab a top destination for mountain bikers. The area’s most famous trail, Slickrock Bike Trail, follows a difficult 13-mile loop through orange Navajo sandstone about 3 miles from the hotel. Rafting rides along the Colorado River are popular, too.

Moab is also an ideal base camp for exploring the nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Arches is home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, as well as pinnacles and staggering red-rock formations. At Canyonlands, you’ll find the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers, along with sheer sandstone cliffs and buttes and canyons carved into the sandstone by the rivers themselves.

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