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, the Hole in the Rock?
A local family carved this 5,000-square-foot home nearly a century ago into the sandstone cliffs for which the Moab area is famous.
So when you visit the Beehive State, don’t skip the lesser-known attractions. Let’s take a look at why Hole in the Rock Moab should be on your itinerary!
Where is Moab located?
The town of Moab, known as the gateway to Arches National Park, is located in eastern Utah on Highway 191, about 30-35 minutes south of Interstate 70, which runs east to west through central Utah.
It is also less than an hour from the Colorado border. If you want to drive southeast to Moab from Salt Lake City, it will take you about 4 hours.
Where is Hole in the Rock Moab located?
Hole in the Rock is located about 15 miles south of Moab and 38 miles north of Monticello, Utah, on Highway 191. Nearby you’ll find numerous places like campgrounds, off-road vehicle rentals, and iconic photo spots.
Add Hole in the Rock Moab to your itinerary, and you’ll get to enjoy a whimsical roadside attraction without veering far off course.
What is Hole in the Rock in Moab?
This unique roadside attraction, known as Hole in the Rock, is a historic 5,000-square-foot house carved out of a huge rock in Moab, Utah. It includes a gift store, trading post and small exotic zoo.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the house and view antique tools, old neon signs, mining equipment, and metal sculptures by Lyle Nichols on the grounds.
What to do at Hole in the Rock
Although the grounds aren’t very big, it’s worth checking out the house and the novelty items in the gift store. And kids will enjoy the petting zoo and exotic animals.
The house of the Christensens
The Christensen family began carving their home into the rock at Moab nearly a century ago.
Visitors can see a fireplace with a 65-foot chimney, 14 rooms, a deep bathtub carved into the rock, original furniture, paintings, a doll collection, many tools used to build the house, and much more.
When Albert died in 1957, the house was still unfinished, but his wife Gladys continued to develop the property. She opened a gift store and conducted tours until she passed away in 1974.
The gift store and general store
The Hole in the Rock Moab gift store and general store features ice cream cones, novelty items, locally made knives, t-shirts and more.
At the Trading Post you’ll find locally made Native American pottery, jewelry, dream catchers and other souvenirs. It’s a great place to buy unique gifts for family and friends during your trip.
The Petting Zoo
Visitors also have access to the petting zoo on the grounds. They can see Annie the ostrich, Harry the miniature donkey, Bo and Gregory the sheep, and Willie and Millie the goats.
There are also exotic birds, a camel, an albino raccoon and a watusi. You can even feed some of the animals!
When is Hole in the Rock Moab open?
Hole in the Rock Moab is open to visitors seven days a week from 9 am to 4 pm.
Admission to the house is free, but you must purchase a ticket for a guided tour. There is also a small fee for the petting zoo.
Greater Moab destinations to Hole N” the Rock
Once you’ve seen Hole in the Rock in Moab, there are many other places to visit that draw larger crowds.
Be prepared to wait in line to enter the national parks and to be on the trails with other hikers. But these places are worth a visit when you are in Moab.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a true red rock wonderland with over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of towering rock needles, massive rock fins and huge balanced cliffs. For 2023, you must make a park reservation to enter the park between April 1 and October 31.
Popular outdoor recreation activities include canyoneering, hiking, biking, and stargazing. Devils Garden Campground is the only campground in the park.
In addition, Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock are two of the most photographed sites in Arches National Park.
Please note: Is the 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 carved by the Colorado River.
This park consists of four distinct areas. The 337,598 acres protect countless canyons, mesas, buttes, arches, towers and the history of the people in the area.
Archaeological findings in Horseshoe Canyon date back to between 9000 and 7000 B.C. and include some of the most significant petroglyphs in North America.
As at Arches, canyoneering, hiking, biking, and stargazing are popular outdoor activities. There are also two developed campgrounds within the park boundaries.
Dead Horse Point State Park
In addition to Canyonlands, there is a state park that is high on the list of best state parks in the country. Dead Horse State Park is similar to Arches and Canyonlands.
It acts like a third national park in Moab. You can reserve campsites or rent mountain bikes to enjoy the scenery. There are also several different hiking trails within the state park with numerous viewpoints.
Is it worth a visit to Hole in the Rock Moab?
With 4.4/5 stars on Google, Hole in the Rock Moab is a fun, whimsical roadside attraction. One reviewer wrote, “I love roadside attractions, and this one is a gem! The house is unique and has a great story to go with it. The outdoor area is great for kids of all ages, and you might find a zoo hidden somewhere. All in all, two thumbs up!”
Another satisfied customer said, “Great roadside attraction. A 5,000 square foot house blasted out of living rock? Awesome. There’s also a great little petting zoo on the grounds…you [can] feed all the animals, including goats, a camel, an albino buffalo, a watusi and many more! Lots of great photo opportunities. The staff was very friendly.”
So is a visit to the Hole in the Rock in Moab worth it? It sounds like it!
But only you can give an honest assessment. When will you visit this roadside attraction on your way through Utah’s Big Five National Parks?