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Moab, Utah, is known as the home of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. But did you know Moab also has a roadside attraction called the Hole in the Rock?
A local family carved this 5,000-square-foot home into the sandstone cliffs that make the Moab area famous almost a century ago.
So don’t skip out on the lesser-known quirky attractions when you visit the Beehive State. Let’s take a look at why Hole in the Rock Moab should be on your trip itinerary!
Where Is Moab?
You’ll find the city of Moab, known as the gateway to Arches National Park, in eastern Utah along Highway 191. It’s about 30-35 minutes south of Interstate 70 that runs east to west across Utah’s midsection.
It’s also less than an hour from the Colorado border. If you want to head southeast to Moab from Salt Lake City, it’ll take about 4 hours.
Where Is Hole in the Rock Moab?
Hole in the Rock lies about 15 miles south of Moab and 38 miles north of Monticello, Utah, off Highway 191. You’ll find numerous places nearby, such as campgrounds, off-road rentals, and iconic photo locations.
By adding Hole in the Rock Moab to your trip itinerary, you’ll enjoy a quirky roadside attraction without having to venture far off-course.
What Is Hole in the Rock in Moab?
This unique roadside attraction, known as the Hole in the Rock, is a historic 5,000-square-foot home carved out of a huge rock in Moab, Utah. It includes a gift shop, a trading post, and a small exotic zoo.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the house and meander along the property to view antique tools, vintage neon signs, mining equipment, and metal art sculptures by Lyle Nichols.
Things You Can Do at Hole in the Rock
Although the property isn’t huge, it’s worth a stop to check out the house and novelty items inside the gift shop. And the kids may enjoy the petting zoo and exotic animals.
The Christensen’s House
The Christensen family began carving their home in the rock near Moab almost a century ago.
Visitors can see a fireplace with a 65-foot chimney, 14 rooms, a deep bathtub built into the rock, original furnishings, paintings, a doll collection, many tools used to create the home, and more.
When Albert died in 1957, the home wasn’t yet finished, but his wife, Gladys, continued to develop the property. She opened a gift shop and gave tours until she passed away in 1974.
The Gift Shop and General Store
Ice cream cones, novelty items, locally made knives, t-shirts, and more fill the gift shop and general store at Hole in the Rock Moab.
In the Trading Post, you’ll find locally made Native American pottery, jewelry, dream catchers, and other souvenirs. It’s a great place to pick up unique gifts for family and friends during your travels.
The Petting Zoo
Visitors also have access to the petting zoo on-site. You can see Annie the ostrich, Harry the miniature donkey, Bo and Gregory the sheep, and Willie and Millie the goats.
Plus, it has exotic birds, a camel, an albino raccoon, and a watusi who all live here. You can even feed some of the animals!
When Is Hole in the Rock Moab Open?
Open seven days a week, Hole in the Rock Moab welcomes visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You have free access to the house, but you’ll have to pay for a ticket for a guided tour. The petting zoo also has a small fee.
Bigger Destinations in Moab to Visit After Hole N” the Rock
Once you’ve seen Hole in the Rock in Moab, you can visit many other places that draw larger crowds.
Expect to wait in line to enter the national parks and journey the trails with other hikers. But these places are worth a visit when in Moab.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is truly a red rock wonderland, with over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. For 2023, you must obtain a park reservation to enter between April 1 through October 31.
Popular outdoor recreational activities include canyoneering, hiking, biking, and star gazing. Devils Garden Campground is the only campground at the park.
Additionally, Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock are two of the most photographed locations in Arches National Park.
Keep in Mind: Is Devil’s Bridge in Sedona Worth It? Let’s take a look.
Canyonlands National Park
Just a few miles southwest of Arches is Canyonlands National Park, known for its canyons and buttes formed by the Colorado River.
This park has four distinct areas. The 337,598 acres protect countless canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches, spires, and the area’s human history.
The archeology of Horseshoe Canyon dates back as early as 9000 to 7000 BCE and contains some of North America’s most significant rock markings.
Like Arches, canyoneering, hiking, biking, and stargazing are popular outdoor activities. And it has two developed campgrounds within the park’s boundaries.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Next to Canyonlands is a state park that ranks at the top of the list of best state parks in the country. Dead Horse State Park is much like Arches and Canyonlands.
It acts like a third National Park in Moab. You can make campground reservations or rent mountain bikes to enjoy the scenery. It also has several different trails within the state park with numerous overlooks.
Is a Visit to Hole in the Rock Moab Worth It?
With 4.4/5 stars on Google, Hole in the Rock Moab is a fun, quirky roadside attraction. One reviewer wrote, “I love roadside attractions, and this one is a gem! The home is unique and has a great story to go along with it. The outside area is great for kids of all ages, and you might just find a zoo tucked in somewhere. All in all, two thumbs up!”
Another happy customer shared, “Great roadside attraction. A 5,000 sq foot home blasted out of living rock? Awesome. The grounds also have a great little petting zoo…you [can] feed all the animals which include goats, a camel, an albino buffalo, a watusi, and more! Lots of great photo opportunities. The staff was very friendly.”
So is a visit to Hole in the Rock in Moab worth it? It sounds like it!
But only you can give an honest review. When will you visit this roadside attraction on your way through Utah’s Big Five national parks?
