Moab, Utah

Residents named the town Moab in 1880;{{Citation | last = Bearnson | first = Margaret S. | title = Utah History Encyclopedia | publisher = University of Utah Press | year = 1994 | chapter = Moab | chapter-url = https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/m/MOAB.shtml | url = https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240321165105/https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/m/MOAB.shtml | archive-date = March 21, 2024 | isbn =9780874804256 | access-date = October 3, 2024}} in the Bible this term refers to an area of land located on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Some historians believe the city in Utah came to use this name because of William Andrew Peirce, the first postmaster, believing that the biblical Moab and this part of Utah were both "the far country".{{cite book |publisher=Daughters of the Utah Pioneers |year=1972 |title=Grand Memories| location=Grand County, Utah |author=Daughters of the Utah Pioneers |author-link=Daughters of the Utah Pioneers |chapter=Moab |edition=2nd |oclc=4790603}}{{rp|16}}{{cite book |author=Tanner, Faun McConkie |year=1976 |title=The Far Country: A Regional History of Moab and La Sal, Utah |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |publisher=Olympus Publishing Company |page=89 |isbn=0-913420-63-8}} However, others believe the name has Paiute origins, referring to the word moapa, meaning "mosquito".{{cite web |url=http://www.moabcity.org/visitors/history.cfm |publisher=City of Moab |title=Moab — History |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061106183105/http://www.moabcity.org/visitors/history.cfm |archive-date=2006-11-06 }} Some of the area's early residents attempted to change the city's name, because in the Christian Bible, Moabites are demeaned as incestuous and idolatrous (but note, Ruth was a Moabite). One petition in 1890 had 59 signatures and requested a name change to "Vina".{{rp|50}} Another effort attempted to change the name to "Uvadalia". Both attempts failed.

During the period between 1829 and the early 1850s, the area around what is now Moab served as the Colorado River crossing along the Old Spanish Trail. Latter-day Saint settlers attempted to establish a trading fort at the river crossing called the Elk Mountain Mission in April 1855 to trade with travellers attempting to cross the river. Forty men were called on this mission. There were repeated Indian attacks, including one on September 23, 1855, in which James Hunt, companion to Peter Stubbs, was shot and killed by a Native American.{{cite book |last=Stubbs |first=Peter |title=Autobiography of Peter Stubbs |year=1890}}{{Cite web|url=http://stubbstervorthistory.50megs.com/Peter_Stubbs_1824.htm|title=Autobiography of}} After this last attack, the fort was abandoned.{{cite web |url=http://www.moabcity.org/visitors/history.cfm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2006-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061106183105/http://www.moabcity.org/visitors/history.cfm |archive-date=2006-11-06 }} A new group of settlers from Rich County, led by Randolph Hockaday Stewart, established a permanent settlement in 1878 under the direction of Brigham Young.[https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/66822fb5-5415-47aa-b96c-604c2afda185 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form for Moab cabin] Moab was incorporated as a town on December 20, 1902.

In 1883 the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad main line was constructed across eastern Utah. The rail line did not pass through Moab, instead passing through the towns of Thompson Springs {{cvt|38|mi}} and Cisco, {{convert|47|mi}} to the north.{{cite book |last=Carr |first=Stephen L. |author2=Edwards, Robert W. |title=Utah Ghost Rails |year=1989 |publisher=Western Epics |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |isbn=0-914740-34-2 |pages=188–194 |chapter=Denver and Rio Grande Western Railway}} Later, other places to cross the Colorado were constructed, such as Lee's Ferry, Navajo Bridge and Boulder Dam. These changes shifted the trade routes away from Moab. Moab farmers and merchants had to adapt from trading with passing travelers to shipping their goods to distant markets.{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} Soon Moab's origins as one of the few natural crossings of the Colorado River were forgotten.{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} Nevertheless, the U.S. military deemed the bridge over the Colorado River at Moab important enough to place it under guard as late as World War II.{{cite news |url=https://moabsunnews.com/2022/12/08/wwii-bridge-guards-honored/ |title=WWII Bridge Guards Honored|work=Moab Sun News |first=Rachel |last=Fixsen |date=Dec 2, 2022 |access-date=Oct 7, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.moabhappenings.com/Archives/historic0903RiverBridgeMemorial.htm |publisher=Moab Happenings |title=River Bridge Memorial |first=Vicki |last=Barker |date=March 1, 2009 |access-date=Oct 7, 2023}}

In 1943, a former Civilian Conservation Corps camp outside Moab was used as a Citizen Isolation Center to confine Japanese American internees labeled "troublemakers" by authorities in the War Relocation Authority, the government body responsible for overseeing the wartime incarceration program.{{cite web | title=Japanese American Internment Camps | url=http://www.bookmice.net/darkchilde/japan/camp.html | access-date= }} The Moab Isolation Center for "noncompliant" Japanese Americans was created in response to growing resistance to WRA policies within the camps; a December 1942 clash between guards and inmates known as the "Manzanar Riot", in which two were killed and ten injured, was the final push.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Hansen |first=Arthur A. |url=http://encyclopedia.densho.org/Moab/Leupp%20Isolation%20Centers%20%28detention%20facility%29/ |title=Moab/Leupp Isolation Centers |encyclopedia=Densho Encyclopedia |access-date=18 Jun 2014}} On January 11, 1943, the sixteen men who had initiated the two-day protests were transferred to Moab from the town jails where they were booked (without charges or access to hearings) after the riot. Having closed just fifteen months prior, all 18 military-style structures of the CCC camp were in good condition, and the site was converted to its new use with minimal renovation.Burton, Jeffery. Confinement and Ethnicity: An Overview of World War II Japanese American Relocation Sites (National Park Service, 2011) p. 325. 150 military police guarded the camp, and director Raymond Best and head of security Francis Frederick presided over administration. On February 18, thirteen transfers from Gila River, Arizona, were brought to Moab, and six days later, ten more arrived from Manzanar. An additional fifteen Tule Lake inmates were transferred on April 2. Most of these new arrivals were removed from the general camp population because of their resistance to the WRA's attempts to determine the loyalty of incarcerated Japanese Americans, met largely with confusion and anger because of a lack of explanation as to how and why internees would be assessed. The Moab Isolation Center remained open until April 27, when most of its inmates were bused to the larger and more secure Leupp Isolation Center. (Five men, serving sentences in the Grand County Jail after protesting conditions in Moab, were transported to Leupp in a five-by-six-foot box on the back of a truck. Their separate transfer was arranged by Francis Frederick, who had also handed down their prison sentences, using a law he later rescinded to charge them with unlawful assembly.)Redsteer, Debra. [http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2008/6/28/enduring-communities/ "Leupp, Arizona: A Shared Historic Space for the Navajo Nation and Japanese Americans"] Discover Nikkei, 28 Jun 2008 (accessed 18 Jun 2014). In 1994, the "Dalton Wells CCC Camp/Moab Relocation Center" was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and, although no marker exists on the site, an information plaque at the current site entrance and a photograph on display at the Dan O'Laurie Museum in Moab mention the former isolation center.Burton, Jeffery. Confinement and Ethnicity: An Overview of World War II Japanese American Relocation Sites (National Park Service, 2011) p. 330.

Moab's economy was originally based on agriculture, but gradually shifted to mining. Uranium and vanadium were discovered in the area in the 1910s and 1920s.{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} Potash and manganese came next, and then oil and gas were discovered.{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} In the 1950s Moab became the so-called "Uranium Capital of the World" after geologist Charles Steen found a rich deposit of uranium ore south of the city. This discovery coincided with the advent of the era of nuclear weapons and nuclear power in the United States, and Moab's boom years began.

The city population grew nearly 500% over the next few years, bringing the population to near 6,000 people. The explosion in population caused much construction of houses and schools. Charles Steen donated a great deal of money and land to create new houses and churches in Moab.[http://moabtimes.com/view/full_story/2795539/article--Charles-Steen--1919-2006 Moab Times]

With the winding down of the Cold War, Moab's uranium boom was over, and the city's population drastically declined. By the early 1980s a number of homes stood empty, and nearly all of the uranium mines had closed.{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}}

In 1949, Western movie director John Ford was persuaded to use the area for the movie Wagon Master.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-sep-20-ca-secondlook20-story.html|title = Archives|website = Los Angeles Times| date=20 September 2009 }} Ford had been using the area in Monument Valley around Mexican Hat, Utah, south of Moab, since he filmed Stagecoach there 10 years earlier in 1939. A local Moab rancher (George White) found Ford and persuaded him to come take a look at Moab.{{Cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/45170/MOAB-MOVIES--RESIDENT-HAD-LEADING-ROLE-IN-ATTRACTING-FILMMAKERS.html|title = Moab Movies: Resident Had Leading Role in Attracting Filmmakers|website = Deseret News|date = 4 May 1989}}{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission is a Moab City Department{{Cite web|url=https://moabcity.org/152/Departments|title=Departments | Moab, UT - Official Website}} and holds the title of the longest running film commission in the world. Established in 1949,{{cite web |url=https://www.filmmoab.com/ |title=Home |website=filmmoab.com}} the commission has overseen the production of the many movies filmed near Moab.

In recent years, Moab has experienced a surge of second-home owners.{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} The relatively mild winters and enjoyable summers have attracted many people to build such homes throughout the area. In a situation mirroring that of other resort towns in the American West, controversy has arisen over these new residents and their houses, which in many cases remain unoccupied for most of the year. Many Moab citizens are concerned that the town is seeing changes similar to those experienced in Vail and Aspen in neighboring Colorado: skyrocketing property values, a rising cost of living, and corresponding effects on local low- and middle-income workers.Stiles, Jim. Brave New West: Morphing Moab at the Speed of Greed. Tucson, Arizona: University of Arizona Press, 2007[http://www.hcn.org/issues/199/10379 "Luxury looms over Moab"] High Country News, March 26, 2001

File:Steen's $11 million dollar Uranium Reduction Co. Moab,Utah.jpg|Charlie Steen's $11 million Uranium Reduction Co. that became the Atlas Uranium Mill

File:County-sponsored sign promoting manufacturing in Moab during the early 1970s.jpg|County-sponsored sign promoting manufacturing in Moab during the early 1970s

File:Uranium Building, Moab.jpg|Uranium building's historic storefront, 2019

File:Lin Ottinger’s eccentric rock shop, Moab.jpg|A rock shop, 2019

Moab hosts several cultural events and festivals including the Moab Music Festival, LGBT Pride Festival, Folk Festival, Skinny Tire Festival, and others. The annual music festival occurs in September, and was founded in 1992 by several musicians from New York.{{cite web |title=About the Moab Music Festival |url=https://moabmusicfest.org/about/ |website=Moab Music Festival |date=12 March 2020 |access-date=15 December 2022}} The Moab Folk Festival features concerts by numerous folk musicians every November.{{cite web |title=Moab Folk Festival |url=https://www.moabfolkfestival.com |website=Moab Folk Festival |access-date=15 December 2022}} Since 2011 Moab has hosted an LGBT Pride festival.{{cite news |title=Now in its 9th year, Moab Pride inspires visibility |url=https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/now-in-its-9th-year-moab-pride-inspires-visibility/ |access-date=15 December 2022 |publisher=The Times Independent |date=20 September 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Kovash |first1=Jon |title=Pride Festival in Moab Ushered in by "Visibility March" |url=https://www.upr.org/utah-news/2012-10-03/pride-festival-in-moab-ushered-in-by-visibility-march |access-date=15 December 2022 |publisher=Utah Public Radio |date=3 October 2021}}{{cite web |url=http://moabpride.org/index.html |title=Moab Pride |publisher=Moab Pride |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919074509/http://www.moabpride.org/index.html |archive-date=19 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52615177-78/moab-festival-pride-gay.html.csp |title=Moab gets First Gay Pride Festival |work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=25 September 2011|access-date= 16 September 2015}} The first festival included a "visibility" march which drew more than 350 people; in its second year's festival had over 600 in attendance.{{cite news |url=http://www.moabtimes.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Moab+Pride+Festival+expected+to+draw+more+than+600+participants%20&id=20290473 |title=Moab Pride Festival Expected to Draw More than 600 Participants |publisher=The Times Independent |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-date=28 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128042830/http://www.moabtimes.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Moab+Pride+Festival+expected+to+draw+more+than+600+participants%20&id=20290473 |url-status=dead }} The Skinny Tire Festival is a road bike festival that occurs in March each year and raises funds for cancer research and survivors.{{cite web |title=About Skinny Tire Festival in Moab, Utah |url=https://www.skinnytireevents.com/why-we-ride |website=Skinny Tire Events |access-date=15 December 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Harford |first1=Alison |title=Skinny Tire Festival returns to Moab |url=https://moabsunnews.com/2022/03/11/skinny-tire-festival-returns-to-moab/ |access-date=15 December 2022 |publisher=Moab Sun News |date=11 March 2022}} Additionally, Moab sponsors the Moab Art Walk at multiple venues throughout the year, highlighting local artists' work.{{cite web |title=Moab Art Walk |url=https://www.moabarts.org/artwalk |website=Moab Arts |access-date=15 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=Art Walk |url=https://moabmuseum.org/art-walk/ |website=Moab Museum |access-date=15 December 2022}}

Moab is just south of the Colorado River, at an elevation of {{convert|4025|ft}} on the Colorado Plateau. It is {{convert|18|mi}} west of the Utah/Colorado state line. Via U.S. Route 191, it is {{convert|31|mi}} south of Interstate 70 at Crescent Junction, and it is {{convert|54|mi}} north of Monticello. Via Utah State Route 128 it is {{convert|46|mi}} southwest of Cisco. The entrance to Arches National Park is {{convert|4|mi|0}} north of Moab on US 191. Hurrah Pass is located on the trail between Moab and Chicken Corners.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} Kokopelli's Trail, a 142-mile mountain biking trail which begins near Loma, Colorado, ends in Moab.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|4.8|sqmi|order=flip}}, all land.

Moab has a semi-arid climate bordering on arid (Köppen BSk) characterized by hot summers and chilly winters, with precipitation evenly spread over the year (usually less than one inch per month). There are an average of 41 days with temperatures reaching {{convert|100|°F|0}}, 109 days reaching {{convert|90|°F|0}}, and 3.6 days per winter where the temperature remains at or below freezing. The highest temperature was {{convert|114|°F|0}} on July 7, 1989. The lowest temperature was {{convert|-24|°F|0}} on January 22, 1930.

Average annual precipitation in Moab is {{convert|9.02|in|mm}}. There are an average of 55 days annually with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1983 with {{convert|16.42|in|mm}} and the driest year was 1898 with {{convert|4.32|in|mm}}. The most precipitation in one month was {{convert|6.63|in|mm}} in July 1918. The most precipitation in 24 hours was {{convert|2.77|in|mm|abbr=on}} on July 23, 1983.

Average seasonal snowfall for 1981–2011 is {{convert|6.9|in|cm}}. The most snow in a season was {{convert|74|in|cm|abbr=on}} during 1914–15, and the snowiest month on average is December, with the record set in 1915 at {{convert|46.0|in|cm|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ut5733 |title=MOAB, UTAH — Climate Summary |publisher=Wrcc.dri.edu |access-date=2012-01-30}}

{{Weather box|location = Moab, Utah, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present

|single line = Y |collapsed = {{{collapsed|}}}

|Jan high F = 43.5

|Feb high F = 52.1

|Mar high F = 64.6

|Apr high F = 72.4

|May high F = 82.6

|Jun high F = 93.9

|Jul high F = 99.2

|Aug high F = 95.9

|Sep high F = 87.7

|Oct high F = 73.5

|Nov high F = 57.1

|Dec high F = 43.9

|year high F=

|Jan mean F = 32.4

|Feb mean F = 39.6

|Mar mean F = 50.1

|Apr mean F = 57.4

|May mean F = 66.7

|Jun mean F = 76.4

|Jul mean F = 82.7

|Aug mean F = 80.0

|Sep mean F = 71.2

|Oct mean F = 57.6

|Nov mean F = 43.7

|Dec mean F = 33.0

|year mean F=

|Jan low F = 21.4

|Feb low F = 27.2

|Mar low F = 35.6

|Apr low F = 42.6

|May low F = 50.7

|Jun low F = 58.9

|Jul low F = 66.3

|Aug low F = 64.1

|Sep low F = 54.7

|Oct low F = 41.7

|Nov low F = 30.3

|Dec low F = 22.0

|year low F=

|Jan record high F = 67

|Feb record high F = 78

|Mar record high F = 88

|Apr record high F = 96

|May record high F = 109

|Jun record high F = 113

|Jul record high F = 114

|Aug record high F = 110

|Sep record high F = 108

|Oct record high F = 97

|Nov record high F = 82

|Dec record high F = 67

|year record high F= 114

|Jan record low F = −24

|Feb record low F = −13

|Mar record low F = 8

|Apr record low F = 15

|May record low F = 27

|Jun record low F = 36

|Jul record low F = 43

|Aug record low F = 40

|Sep record low F = 28

|Oct record low F = 15

|Nov record low F = 2

|Dec record low F = −19

|year record low F= −24

| Jan avg record high F = 57.2

| Feb avg record high F = 65.4

| Mar avg record high F = 78.2

| Apr avg record high F = 86.2

| May avg record high F = 95.8

| Jun avg record high F = 104.1

| Jul avg record high F = 106.9

| Aug avg record high F = 103.7

| Sep avg record high F = 98.7

| Oct avg record high F = 88.4

| Nov avg record high F = 71.7

| Dec avg record high F = 58.1

| year avg record high F = 107.4

| Jan avg record low F = 10.0

| Feb avg record low F = 15.6

| Mar avg record low F = 23.1

| Apr avg record low F = 29.9

| May avg record low F = 38.1

| Jun avg record low F = 47.6

| Jul avg record low F = 56.4

| Aug avg record low F = 54.9

| Sep avg record low F = 41.5

| Oct avg record low F = 28.0

| Nov avg record low F = 17.4

| Dec avg record low F = 9.3

| year avg record low F = 6.8

|precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 0.65

| Feb precipitation inch = 0.66

| Mar precipitation inch = 0.70

| Apr precipitation inch = 0.77

| May precipitation inch = 0.82

| Jun precipitation inch = 0.35

| Jul precipitation inch = 0.92

| Aug precipitation inch = 0.88

| Sep precipitation inch = 0.89

| Oct precipitation inch = 1.03

| Nov precipitation inch = 0.70

| Dec precipitation inch = 0.76

| year precipitation inch =

| Jan snow inch = 1.7

| Feb snow inch = 1.4

| Mar snow inch = 0.2

| Apr snow inch = 0.0

| May snow inch = 0.0

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.0

| Oct snow inch = 0.1

| Nov snow inch = 1.0

| Dec snow inch = 4.9

|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 5.4

| Feb precipitation days = 6.2

| Mar precipitation days = 5.5

| Apr precipitation days = 5.4

| May precipitation days = 4.8

| Jun precipitation days = 2.5

| Jul precipitation days = 4.7

| Aug precipitation days = 6.4

| Sep precipitation days = 5.4

| Oct precipitation days = 5.4

| Nov precipitation days = 4.4

| Dec precipitation days = 5.5

|year precipitation days =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 1.2

| Feb snow days = 0.7

| Mar snow days = 0.2

| Apr snow days = 0.0

| May snow days = 0.0

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.1

| Nov snow days = 0.4

| Dec snow days = 2.1

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00425733&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station:

|access-date = July 25, 2024

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=gjt

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Grand Junction

|access-date = July 25, 2024

}}

}}

{{clear}}

{{US Census population

|1890=333

|1900=376

|1910=586

|1920=856

|1930=863

|1940=1084

|1950=1274

|1960=4682

|1970=4793

|1980=5333

|1990=3971

|2000=4779

|2010=5046

|2020=5366

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the census of 2000,{{update after|2012|12|3}} there were 4,779 people, 1,936 households, and 1,169 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,313.1 people per square mile (506.9/km²). There were 2,148 housing units at an average density of 590.2 per square mile (227.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.35% White, 5.46% Native American, 0.36% African American, 0.29% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.44% of the population. There were 1,936 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.10. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $32,620, and the median income for a family was $38,214. Males had a median income of $35,291 versus $21,339 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,228. About 12.0% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

The following public schools serve Moab area students:

• Helen M. Knight Elementary School, Grades K-6
• Moab Charter School, Grades K-6
• Margaret L. Hopkin Middle School, Grades 7-8
• Grand County High School, Grades 9-12

Moab is home to a regional campus of Utah State University.

• Films
• Films shot in the Moab area include:
• Wagon Master (1950)
• Rio Grande (1950)
• Warlock (1958)
• Rio Conchos (1964)
• Fade In (1968)
• Nightmare at Noon (1988)
• Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1988)
• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
• Lightning Jack (1994)
• Riders of the Purple Sage (1996)
• RocketMan (1997)
• Breakdown (1997)
• John Carter (2012)
• Books
• Books set partially in Moab include:
• Fall; or, Dodge in Hell (2019)
• Desert Solitaire (1968)
• The Scholar of Moab (2011)
• The Man Who Quit Money (2012)

File:MAIN STREET OF MOAB. TRAFFIC IS BEGINNING TO BRING POLLUTION PROBLEMS TO A REGION LONG NOTED FOR THE CRYSTAL CLARITY... - NARA - 545618.jpg

Prior to the construction of the railroad in 1883, Moab was a strategic place to cross the Colorado River. A toll ferry service across the river ended when a permanent bridge was built in 1911.{{cite news |title=Southeastern Utah Rejoices Over Bridge |newspaper=Grand Valley Times |publisher=Utah Digital Newspaper Archive |date=1912-04-12 |url=http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/timind1/id/55017/show/55018/rec/107 |access-date=2013-05-21}} This bridge was replaced with a new bridge in 1955, which was in turn replaced by another new bridge in 2010. The 1955 bridge was subsequently demolished. The highway that uses this bridge has been renumbered multiple times and is now numbered U.S. Route 191.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Moab gained freight railroad access in 1962,{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} when a spur railroad line (now the Union Pacific Railroad's Cane Creek Subdivision) was built to serve the Cane Creek potash mine. Moab has never had passenger rail service, although the California Zephyr has advertised service to Moab in the past via stops at Thompson Springs (no longer a scheduled stop), Green River or Grand Junction, Colorado.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} Beginning on August 15, 2021, the excursion company Rocky Mountaineer began operating passenger rail service between Moab and Denver, Colorado, in the form of the Rockies to the Red Rocks.{{Cite web|author=Will McGough|title=Canadian luxury scenic train line debuts its first US route|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/rocky-mountaineer-train-route-united-states/index.html|access-date=2021-08-17|website=CNN|date=16 August 2021 |language=en}}

Bus service is provided by Salt Lake Express.{{cite news |last1=Harford |first1=Alison |title=Salt Lake Express expands services to Moab, Green River |url=https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_ddac91f4-578b-11ec-986d-4f40fb016a14.html |access-date=20 December 2021 |work=Moab Sun News |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Daily Shuttles to Moab |url=https://saltlakeexpress.com/destination/moab-ut/ |website=Salt Lake Express |access-date=20 December 2021}} There are a number of locally owned shuttle services that provide transportation to Salt Lake City and Grand Junction, CO.{{cite web|url=https://www.discovermoab.com/transportation-services/|title=Moab Transportation Services}}

Air service is available at Canyonlands Field, with daily nonstop flights to Denver International Airport via SkyWest Airlines/United Express.{{cite web|url=http://www.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/RouteMaps/UnitedRoutesNOV18.pdf|title=SkyWest United Routes November 2018}}

• Robert Fulghum, author
• Steven L. Peck, author and professor
• Suelo, simple living adherent
• Zane Taylor, former NFL football center for the New York Jets

• Edward Abbey
• List of cities and towns in Utah
• Moab uranium mill tailings pile, the former Atlas mill site
• Slickrock Trail
• The Lion's Back
• Upheaval Dome
• Westwater Canyon
• Utah monolith, located in the desert near the town
• Yellowcake boomtown
• American Discovery Trail a coast to coast trail that passes through Moab.

{{Reflist|22em}}

{{commons category|Moab, Utah}}

{{wikivoyage|Moab}}

• [http://www.moabcity.org/ City of Moab official website]
• [http://nrwrt1.nr.state.ut.us/quads/q024/pq3038.gif 7.5' Moab Area topographic map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072833/http://nrwrt1.nr.state.ut.us/quads/q024/pq3038.gif |date=2016-03-04 }} - Utah Geological Survey

{{Geographic Location

| Centre = Moab

| North = Vernal
Green River
Arches National Park

| Northeast = Castle Valley

| East = {{flagicon|Colorado}} Olathe
{{flagicon|Colorado}} Montrose

| Southeast = {{flagicon|Colorado}} Nucla
{{flagicon|Colorado}} Naturita

| South = Monticello

| Southwest = Canyonlands National Park

| West = Goblin Valley State Park
Hanksville / Green River

| Northwest = Green River

}}

{{Grand County, Utah}}

{{Utah county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places established in 1878

Category:Cities in Utah

Category:Cities in Grand County, Utah

Category:County seats in Utah

Category:Mining communities in Utah

Category:Old Spanish Trail (trade route)

Category:1878 establishments in Utah Territory