Moab, Utah (2020): Red Rock Roads and Desert Adventures

Looking back, our 2020 trip to Moab stands out as one of those perfectly timed escapes—taken during Covid and before we began formally sharing our travel experiences, when the road felt wide open and the crowds were thin.

We started the journey with a flight from Houston to Denver, picked up a rental car, and set off west toward Utah. With flight schedules and driving distance in mind, we spent our first night in Grand Junction, Colorado. It’s a small college town with a charming downtown and a laid-back vibe, made even better by its outdoor dining options when the weather cooperates.

The next morning, we continued on to Moab, a drive that builds anticipation with every mile. Along the way, you pass the gateways to some of the region’s most iconic landscapes—Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point—each hinting at the adventures ahead.

In Moab, we stayed at the Hoodoo Hotel, which had recently opened and was, at the time, the only true luxury hotel located right in town. We were immediately impressed by the design, décor, and genuinely welcoming staff. Covid brought a few unexpected perks as well—most notably relaxed liquor rules that allowed us to enjoy drinks by the pool, something not normally permitted in Utah.

Staying in the center of town did mean daily drives to and from the parks, but the surrounding desert scenery made those miles easy to appreciate. Arches and Canyonlands lived up to their reputations, but one of our favorite days was spent at Dead Horse State Park. Compared to the national parks, it was refreshingly quiet, giving us space to explore and fully take in the dramatic views.

We also carved out time for a half-day canyoneering trip just outside Moab. It was an incredible experience and left us eager to add more adventures like it to future trips.

From Moab, we pointed the car north to Deer Valley for a one-night stay at the Montage, perched above Park City. Traveling during the offseason and Covid meant rates that were far more approachable than the usual winter or Sundance prices. The hotel’s complimentary limo service into town made exploring effortless, and we spent the afternoon wandering local shops and bars before wrapping up the trip with a memorable dinner at Grappa.

The following day, we drove to Salt Lake City for our flight back to Houston. This was our second visit to Utah (our first included Bryce Canyon and Zion), and once again, the state’s national and state parks left a lasting impression. Utah has a way of doing that—and Moab, in particular, keeps calling us back.