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A bald eagle perched in a gnarly tree.
Photo by Kegen Benson, BLM Wildlife Biologist.

Press Release by the Bureau of Land Management


Media Contacts:
JD Mallory – BLM Utah, jmallory@blm.gov, 801-539-4089
Robyn Macduff – RINS, rmacduff@rins.org, 801-554-0807

For immediate release

Need an excuse to spend more time in Moab this year? The Bureau of Land Management’s Utah State Office is calling for community involvement in the Raptor Inventory Nest Survey (RINS), a unique opportunity to participate in a critical citizen science project focused on the state’s raptors, including eagles, hawks, falcons, osprey, and owls.

Through the RINS programs, citizens help collect data on these birds of prey, including identifying their presence and nesting behaviors. The data collected is crucial for the management and protection of these species in Utah.

Volunteers for this project do not need a scientific background. The program is open to anyone with a love for Utah’s natural landscapes, especially remote areas, and a commitment to conserving raptors. The key requirement is a willingness to engage in this important environmental initiative.

Training workshops for prospective volunteers are scheduled for February and March. These sessions will provide the necessary skills for identifying raptor nests and collecting vital data. Participants are encouraged to have their own binoculars, GPS unit, digital camera, and an active email address. The commitment involves regular monitoring visits to an assigned area from March through July.

For more information on the workshop locations, timings, and training details, interested individuals are encouraged to contact RINS at 801-554-0807 or via email at info@rins.org. Additional information about the Raptor Inventory Nest Survey can be found at http://rins.org/.

Have a press release or story you’d like to see published on Discover Moab? Email asst. marketing director Alison Harford at aharford@discovermoab.com.

Tessa Lark, a middle-aged brunette woman, lounging in a chair with her violin.

Press Release by the Moab Music Festival


The 2025 season runs from August 27 – September 12. To arrange for interviews or photos, contact Elizabeth Dworkin – elizabeth@dworkincompany.com, 914-244-3803.

For immediate release

[Moab, UT] — The Moab Music Festival today announces that violinist Tessa Lark has been named its next Artistic Director. Co-Founding Directors Michael Barrett and Leslie Tomkins will be stepping back from the award-winning Festival (MMF) after 33 years; Lark’s role will combine the co-founders’ artistic responsibilities.

Festival Board of Trustees President Anne Wilson said, “While it is bittersweet to be moving on to the next chapter of artistic leadership, we are grateful to have had our founders’ direction, guidance, and support in choosing their successor. This extraordinary festival is well positioned for the future, with the strong foundation they built, and their long and exemplary tenure. We are delighted to welcome Tessa as the Festival’s next Artistic Director. Her long history as a Festival violinist, coupled with her immense talent and creativity, make her a perfect fit. We are excited to see Tessa’s vision unfold, and work together to usher in a new generation of world-class music in concert with the landscape® experiences, for which the Festival has become famous.”

Since her Festival debut in 2016, Lark has delighted audiences with her technical mastery, stylistic fluidity, and welcoming spirit. She boasts a Grammy- nomination for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for her recording of Sky, the violin concerto Michael Torke wrote for her. She has been engaged by the San Francisco, Seattle, and BBC Symphonies, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, London’s Wigmore Hall, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. A recipient of Lincoln Center’s most prestigious honor for emerging artists, the Hunt Family Award, she also received a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and top prize at the Naumburg International Violin Competition. She serves as a Co-Host/Creative of From the Top, NPR’s famed showcase for young classical musicians, and is Artistic Director of the Musical Masterworks series in Old Lyme, CT.

During Moab’s 2024 season, Lark performed works from her latest album, The Stradgrass Sessions, which pays homage to her love for both Bluegrass and classical music, and her idyllic Kentucky upbringing. The variety of styles presented on the album offers a small window into her fresh take on Festival programming, enhancing what audiences have come to expect from the Festival over the last three decades. As Lark explains, “I’ve already fallen in love many times over with the Moab Music Festival and what makes the community unique: the impactful relationships that Michael Barrett and Leslie Tomkins have forged through their loving leadership, the symbiosis of new classical music with canonical favorites, the complex network of the Native cultures of the region, and the presence of myriad musical styles. I take genuine pleasure in personally connecting with folks from all backgrounds, and am passionate about creating spaces that joyfully embrace both musical and spiritual confluence. What makes the Festival extraordinary is also my ultimate life goal: relishing nature and music, all at once. Sharing that heaven-on-earth with others is a dream come true.”

Under the direction of Tomkins and Barrett, MMF has gained an award-winning national and international reputation, growing from a grassroots organization in a geodesic dome in 1992 to a globally respected institution attracting world-class artists and patrons who want to experience music among southeast Utah’s stunning red rock landscape. The founders were a critical part of selecting the incoming artistic director who will usher in the next generation of leadership as they become Directors Emeriti.

“I am beyond excited to be handing the reins of the Moab Music Festival to Tessa Lark,” shares Music Director Emeritus Michael Barrett. “I’ve known Tessa for nearly 20 years and have watched with admiration as she has fulfilled the promise of her immense talent in such creative and unexpected ways. It brings me great satisfaction that she has agreed to become Artistic Director. She has a finger on the pulse of musical life in America, and I’m certain her instinct and artistry will guide the Festival toward the synthesis of art, nature, and community Leslie and I first imagined 33 years ago.”

As Artistic Director Emerita, Leslie Tomkins commented, “It has been a great honor and privilege to create and lead this organization for over three decades. Tessa came to mind immediately when considering a successor. She is a spectacular artist who brings joy and endless creativity to her playing and shines in musical genres beyond classical. Music in concert with the landscape distinguishes the Moab Music Festival from all others. Tessa has a deep connection to that special alchemy, and I look forward to seeing the Festival thrive and evolve under her imaginative, thoughtful leadership.”

**

ABOUT TESSA LARK
Violinist Tessa Lark is one of the most captivating artistic voices of our time, consistently praised by critics and audiences for her astounding range of sounds, technical agility, and musical elegance. Increasingly in demand in the classical realm, she was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Classical Instrumental Solo category. She is also a highly acclaimed fiddler in the tradition of her native Kentucky.

Highlights of Lark’s 2024-25 season include returns to the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, and the Rochester Philharmonic, and debut with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. In recital, she will debut with San Francisco Symphony and the University of California at Santa Barbara. She reprises Michael Torke’s bluegrass-inspired violin concerto, Sky – written for her – with the Boulder and Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as the West Michigan, Williamsburg, Shreveport, and Tallahassee Symphony Orchestras. As a chamber musician, she will tour with her string trio project with composer-bassist Edgar Meyer and cellist Joshua Roman.

Lark’s most recent album, The Stradgrass Sessions, features an all-star roster of collaborators and composers. Her debut recording was the Grammy-nominated Sky, which she performed with the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Her discography also includes Fantasy on First Hand Records; Invention, the debut album of her violin-bass duo with Michael Thurber; and a live performance of Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires with the Buffalo Philharmonic in honor of Piazzolla’s centenary.

Lark is a graduate of New England Conservatory and completed her Artist Diploma at The Juilliard School. She plays a ca. 1600 G.P. Maggini violin on loan from an anonymous donor through the Stradivari Society of Chicago.

ABOUT THE MOAB MUSIC FESTIVAL
Founded in 1992 by New York-based pianist and conductor Michael Barrett, and violist Leslie Tomkins, the Moab Music Festival has delighted audiences and adventurers for 32 seasons. On a rare vacation, Barrett and Tomkins fell in love with the red rocks of Moab and were inspired to introduce the joy of music-making to the magical landscape. “Starting a music festival seemed like the perfect way to make sure we would return again and again,” says Tomkins.

Noted for its distinctive programming, superb performances, and intimate concerts, the award-winning Moab Music Festival celebrates music in concert with the landscape®, and features chamber music in a variety of genres including classical, jazz, Latin, traditional music from around the globe, and works by living composers. Each season’s star-studded roster is a venerable Who’s Who, and has included the likes of George Takei, Paquito D’Rivera, Bela Fleck, Marcus Roberts, Chick Corea, Clarice and Sergio Assad, David Amram, Lukas Foss, Chris Thile, Time for Three, Ned Rorem, Jamie Bernstein, and many more.

The Festival presents approximately 20 concerts over the course of two weeks in late August/early September. Concerts are held in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues around Moab. Grotto Concerts, the Festival’s signature events, take place in a pristine wilderness grotto reached by jet boat some 30 miles down the Colorado River. Destination-worthy venues also include floating concerts along the Colorado at sunset, music hikes to secret wilderness locations, and 3- and 4-day Musical Raft Trips through Cataract and Westwater Canyons, or on the San Juan River.

The Moab Music Festival, from its inception, has been committed to education and cultural enrichment in the Moab area. The Board and leadership of the festival bring their passion for national arts education to the local level, and work to reach all Grand County students annually through assemblies with visiting Festival musicians. An artist-in-residence program also provides educational experiences for music lovers of all ages during the year.

The Moab Music Festival has received the Utah Arts Council’s Governor’s Award in the Arts, First Prize for “Adventurous Programming” from the American Society of Composers, Artists, and Publishers (ASCAP), and a Utah Governor’s Mansion Arts Award.

Have a press release or story you’d like to see published on Discover Moab? Email asst. marketing director Alison Harford at aharford@discovermoab.com.


By Moab Arts



Peruse Moab’s expansive art scene during four ArtWalk events on February 7, April 4, August 1, and November 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. at locations around Moab. These events are a chance to tour through Moab’s downtown, meet local artists, participate in interactive art events, and see fantastic works!



Canyonlands Field Airport Art Gallery at Moab Arts
Each year Moab Arts invites local artists to submit their works for a chance to be featured. A total of 30 spots are available for hanging artworks, with additional pieces to be displayed at Moab City Hall and the Moab Arts Center. This initiative is part of the City of Moab’s effort to showcase local art throughout Grand County.

Since 2018, Moab Arts has been featuring a rotating collection of works from Moab-area artists at the Moab Airport (CNY), transforming the public space into a vibrant gallery for visitors and locals to enjoy. Come see these works in the Moab Arts gallery space before they are displayed at the airport!



Erratics: A Portfolio by Saltgrass Printmakers at the Grand County Public Library, in partnership with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums
The artists in this exhibit conceptualized glacial erratic as a metaphor by exploring their relationship to Utah. How did you come to live in Utah? How has this varied landscape shaped you personally? How has your personal ‘bedrock’ informed your response to place?

Saltgrass Printmakers is non-profit open print shop located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their goal is to support and promote printmaking as a first-class member of the fine-art community by providing education programs open to the public, open community access to professional-grade printmaking facilities and supporting collaborative opportunities for artists and for the public. Saltgrass Printmakers was founded by Erik Brunvand, Sandy Brunvand and Stefanie Dykes.

Participating artists: Gary Barton. Erik Brunvand, Haylee Canonico, Rob Chipman, Aloe Corry, Robert DeGroff, Jim Despain, Justin Diggle, Stefanie Dykes, Michael Gaffney, Trishelle Jeffery, Abraham Kimball, Wayne Kimball, Adam Larsen, Holland Larsen, Amanda Lee, Abraham McCowan, Deborah McDermott, Manie, Powers-Torrey, Kathy Puzey, James Rees, Andrew Rice, K. Stevenson, Mary Toscano.

Utah Arts & Museums’ Traveling Exhibit Program is a statewide outreach program that provides schools, museums, libraries, and community galleries with the opportunity to bring curated exhibitions to their community. This program is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.



U92: Moab’s Uranium Legacy by the Moab Museum, on display at the Grand County Public Library
History meets interactive art at the kickoff to this year’s ArtWalk series!

Join staff from the Moab Museum and Moab Arts at the Grand County Public Library to contribute to a paint-a-square mural project inspired by a historic photo from the Moab Museum collection. While you’re there, learn more about the upcoming Museum exhibition, “U92: Moab’s Uranium Legacy,” opening February 15!



Nick Eason at Gallery Moab
Nick Eason’s finely carved wood sculptures will be featured in February in “For the Love of Birds,” a group show by members of Gallery Moab that includes work in various mediums, all inspired by our avian friends.



Julia Buckwalter at Moonflower Community Cooperative
Artist Julia Buckwalter grew up under the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah, falling in love with the red rock of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks early on and vowing to live in Moab as an adult so that she could paint the landscape.

Before she settled in Moab, Julia studied Painting at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and also Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. She also visited and worked two seasons at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico during college, finding constant inspiration in Georgia O’Keeffe’s responses to her own “homeland”.

When not working from her home studio, Julia is often working as a Buyer at Back of Beyond Books, curating the Adult book department. She’ll often pack a book on long hikes, runs or bike rides to read by the river or under a shady tree, emotional inspiration and visual recognition to carry into the studio later. Landscapes and skies are the focus of her passion, and she has been painting our desert backyard now for the past 13 years, spending one year awarded as Artist in the Park with the Canyonlands Natural History Association.

Two packrafts on the shore of a river with bikes in them


Press Release by Desert Highlights

Contact: Kai Palmer at Desert Highlights – info@deserthighlights.com, 435-259-4433

[Moab, UT] – Since the opening of Desert Highlights in 1997, the guide company has been a cornerstone of adventure tourism in southeast Utah. The company was Moab’s first canyoneering guide service in town, and many of today’s adventures still follow original Desert Highlights routes.

For nearly three decades, Desert Highlights has been offering unique and personalized experiences. All trips are private, allowing guides to travel in small groups to ensure that trips minimize impacts and adhere to Leave No Trace principles. “We are fortunate to have a huge backyard with endless amounts of public land,” says Desert Highlights team member, Kai Palmer. “We strive to care for this environment, educating our guests about low impact travel in canyon country.”

A person rappelling down Looking Glass Arch
A person rappelling down Looking Glass Arch

What Desert Highlights offers:
● Private Guided ½ day, full day, and multi-day Canyoneering Trips
● Canyoneering & Climbing courses
● Private rock climbing trips, & tower climbing
● Packrafting trips & rentals
● Guided hiking in Arches & Canyonlands National Parks
● Custom private trips (single day to multi day adventures, the sky’s the limit!)

Visit Desert Highlights, call 435-259-4433, or stop by the shop at 16 S. 100 E. in Moab to learn more about guided tours and availability.
Have a press release or story you’d like to see published on Discover Moab? Email asst. marketing director Alison Harford at aharford@grandcountyutah.net.

A sign that says,

Press Release by the Moab Museum


Contact: Tara Beresh, Curatorial and Collections Manager, tara@moabmuseum.org 435-259-7985

For immediate release

[Moab, UT] – With a FREE public opening from 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday, February 15, 2025, the Moab Museum opens a new exhibition that transforms the gallery space — U92: Moab’s Uranium Legacy. Audiences will be Immersed in Moab’s uranium boom, a time which sparked a “frenzy” that lured thousands to Moab and a subsequent boom of the town that elevated Moab to the “richest town in America” for a short while.

The first phase, opening in February 2025, highlights the Cold War-driven uranium boom, the people who lived it, and the vibrant yet challenged infrastructure that emerged. The second phase, debuting in July 2025, draws on first-person accounts to explore the enduring environmental, health, and cultural impacts — and future consequences.

Visitors will follow the contributions of notable figures, both well-known and unsung, who played key roles during this important moment in American history. Alongside personal narratives of “boom,” visitors learn about the “bust” that launched the modern recreation economy and serves as a testament to Moab’s unwavering resilience.

Many uranium miners have passed, taking their memories with them; those still living are in their eighties and nineties. The Museum team has engaged many individuals and their families to capture first-hand accounts of life in Moab during the uranium frenzy that forever shaped the community. Collaborations with the Atomic Legacy Cabin in Grand Junction and scientific support from the Uranium Mill Tailings Remediation Action (UMTRA) project have been essential to ensure historical accuracy and enrich the exhibit narrative.

Every shared memory helps us understand more fully what Moab’s uranium era meant to those who lived it. We’re especially grateful for insights from the many community members who contributed stories that add depth and authenticity to the exhibition. This exhibition is a tribute to their legacy as much as it is a chronicle of Moab’s past.

U92: Moab’s Uranium Legacy opens to the public on Saturday, February 15, 2025. If you or someone you know is willing to share stories from the uranium era, we would love to hear from you; Please reach out to Tara (tara@moabmuseum.org) or Allie (allie@moabmuseum.org) at the Museum.


Events during the exhibit opening

U92 Moab’s Uranium Legacy opens FREE to the public on Saturday, February 15th, with programming from our partners from 11 am to 3 pm. Visitors are invited to explore a transformed Museum space and immersive exhibition following the boom and bust of our town which found itself at the center of the Cold War. Activities and community history opportunities with the Department of Energy, Utah Historical Society, the MARC, and Moab Museum staff will be hosted on the lawn.

Moab Museum Uranium Memories Project:
Share your uranium story, and join us in kicking off a year-long effort to tell a more complete uranium story with the Uranium Memories Project! Visitors are invited to share their own memories, or memories of loved ones involved in uranium mining or milling, to help us tell the story of Moab and add new perspectives to the Moab Museum’s Oral History Collection. At this table, participants may share a short story or schedule time to conduct a full oral history interview. This program has received funding from Utah Humanities and Utah Historical Society.

Utah Historical Society Scan & Share: (registration)
Visit with the Utah Historical Society to preserve and share your historical materials related to your connection with Moab’s uranium history. Bring up to ten of your photos, documents, letters, art, and other items to be scanned, digitized, and added to the Peoples of Utah Revisited online collection. These items can be historical or contemporary: from long ago to yesterday! *All of your items will be returned to you after they are scanned on the day of the event.

Department of Energy:
Environmental Management: Representatives from the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management and Moab’s Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project will be present. Visitors will also make and decorate seed balls using native seeds from the region.

Legacy Management:
Radiation is all around us, all the time, from natural and human-made sources. With the Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management, visitors will have the chance to learn what radiation is, the difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and the different types of radiation by safely exploring everyday items and examples of radiation.

MARC:
Join the staff of the Moab Arts and Recreation Center in a paint-a-square mural project! Visitors are invited to paint a small watercolor square to contribute to a larger recreation of a historic photograph from the Museum’s collection.

Have a press release or story you’d like to see published on Discover Moab? Email asst. marketing director Alison Harford at aharford@discovermoab.com.

A photo of Delicate Arch with two people beneath

Press Release


Contact: Tammy Howland, airport director (airport@grandcountyutah.net); Riley Musial, Contour Airlines marketing coordinator (615-534-4567)

For immediate release

[Moab, UT] – The Canyonlands Regional Airport in Moab, Utah, is pleased to announce daily flights between CNY and the Denver International Airport (DEN) in Denver, Colorado starting April 1.

The flights will be operated by Contour Airlines, the regional airline brand of Contour Aviation, which has operated flights out of CNY since early 2024. The flight is partnered with United Airlines, enabling passengers to book a single United ticket to fly between Moab, Denver, and any connecting destinations.

Contour will continue to operate daily flights between CNY and the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona.

“We are excited to now offer non-stop service from Moab to both Denver and Phoenix,” says Ben Munson, Contour Airlines President. “In addition to convenient access to these cities, with easy connections to partner airlines Alaska, American, and United, visitors and residents of Moab can better connect across the country and around the world.”

The return of the Denver to Moab route is a great benefit to the community, whether you are traveling for business or pleasure. The Denver International Airport provides passengers with a large hub airport experience to connect to the entire world. Additionally, the connection between Denver and Moab is crucial for healthcare services, ensuring that medical professionals can efficiently commute to provide essential care.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the management of Contour Airlines for their dedicated efforts in collaborating with United Airlines to bring this opportunity to Moab,” says Tammy Howland, CNY airport director. “Their commitment to enhancing travel options for the community is greatly appreciated.”

Flights depart from Moab each day at 2:50 p.m., landing in Denver at 4:20 p.m. Flights depart from Denver at 5:40 p.m., landing in Moab at 7:15 p.m. Rates start at $79 one-way.

Book your flights at ContourAirlines.com

A majestic view of the Colorado River from the Moab Rim Trail: the photo shows the clear, calm, and wide river next to canyon walls. The view of the Colorado River from the Moab Rim Trail.

By local experts at Discover Moab


My favorite place in the world is just a few minutes outside of downtown Moab, Utah. I turn off Main Street at Kane Creek Boulevard, a street that winds past the movie theater and through a few small neighborhoods before it lands next to the Colorado River. The road leads to campsites, canyons, hiking trails, biking trails, petroglyphs, off-road routes, climbing crags – Kane Creek Boulevard is one of Moab’s hidden gems, and it’d be easy to spend days here, especially if you snag a camping spot. It’s well-worth adding a day to your Moab trip just to explore this unique zone.

Something to keep in mind with activities down Kane Creek: there is very spotty cell service in this area! Download your maps beforehand and consider bringing a satellite communications device.

And another note: many of the trails get very hot in the summer – there isn’t a ton of shade out here – so be ready for the weather and bring snacks and water with you.

Places to camp along Kane Creek: Kings Bottom, Hunter Canyon/Spring Canyon, The Ledge

Kane Creek Boulevard leading toward the Colorado River.
A wall of petroglyphs with depictions of human figures and bighorn sheep.



Things to do along Kane Creek Boulevard – choose your own adventure style


Hike or off-road the Moab Rim Trail
Keep an eye out for a trailhead shortly after the road turns left and starts following the Colorado River. This is the Moab Rim Trail, a hiking and off-roading route that offers stunning views of the Colorado River and the town of Moab. It’s one mile to reach the stop, but it’s a steep mile – the hiking route is called “The Escalator” for a reason. Watch for local Moabites who run it.

Explore Moonflower Canyon
Just after Kings Bottom campground is Moonflower Canyon, which provides a shaded and cool walk through a beautiful, tree-lined canyon. This canyon floods during monsoon season in late summer: when you make it to the end, peer up at the canyon walls and you’ll get an idea of how large the cascade of water falls down into the canyon.

Before leaving the parking lot, head over to the right side (as you’re looking at the canyon) to spot your first petroglyphs of the day. Here’s what to know about petroglyphs before you go.

Hike or off-road at Pritchett Canyon
Pritchett Canyon provides another thrilling off-road or hiking experience. It’s the hardest off-road trail in Moab, so you may prefer to hike it–hiking three miles (six out and back) will get you near a number of arches and bridges formed in the rocks. The start of the canyon passes through private land, so you have to pay a small fee. These trails are a bit harder to follow, so make sure you do your research beforehand.

Explore Jackson’s Trail
Park at a large parking lot just past Pritchett Canyon for access to Jackson’s Trail. This is a bike-accessible trail as well, but mountain bikers will be coming down the trail, so keep an eye out for them as you explore. The trail follows the Colorado River for a mile or so, then switchbacks its way up to the top of a mesa, where it’ll connect to a few other trails. Stop here to take in views of the river, or continue on to the Rockstacker trail to find Pothole Arch. Beware of getting lost, and of a short icy stretch in the winter.

Bike, hike, climb, off-road, and watch basejumpers at the Amasa Back/Captain Ahab/Hymasa trailhead
Pull off at the Amasa Back/Captain Ahab/Hymasa trailhead on a nice, not-windy day and you’ll likely be able to spot basejumpers leaping from Tombstone Rock across the road. This trailhead is a hub of activity: It leads to a world-class mountain biking trail system and a popular off-road route. The most popular mountain biking trail accessible here is HyMasa/Captain Ahab: if you’re an expert-level mountain biker, this trail is not to be missed. Thousands of bikers come to this area each year to experience it! If you’re not on a bike, this trail makes for a lovely hike or trail run as well. You’ll likely pass by off-roaders testing their skills along the Cliffhanger road.

Rock climbers can also spend a few hours enjoying the Abraxas Wall, accessible from this trailhead, which has 10 trad climbs ranging from 5.10 to 5.11d.

This is a good spot for a picnic lunch!

Peer into the past at the Birthing Scene petroglyph
One of the most captivating petroglyphs in Moab (in this writer’s opinion) is the birthing scene petroglyph, which was carved onto a large boulder. The petroglyph shows, as you can guess, a birthing scene: there are two humanoid figures depicted, along with depictions of feet and animals. It’s a beautiful glimpse into the past and the lives of the people who first lived in this area.

Remember: do not touch the petroglyphs! We want to preserve these rocks as long as we can. Scratching on rocks causes irreparable damage and is illegal.

Scramble up to Funnel Arch (only if you have route-finding skills)
Continuing past the Birthing Scene petroglyph, you’ll find a small pull-off on the road to the left. This is the small trailhead to the Funnel Arch trail, a short and fun trail that leads to an impressive arch. This trail requires significant route-finding skills – the trail dips in and out of sight – and there’s a challenging rock climbing scramble right at the start.

Rock climb at the Ice Cream Parlor climbing wall
The Ice Cream Parlor climbing wall offers 45 sport and trad climbs from beginner 5.7 routes to a few challenging 5.12 PG13s. It’s south facing, so if you plan to climb, get here early to avoid the scorching sun – or visit during a sunny winter day, when the warm rock provides balmy respite from cold temperatures. This wall truly provides something for everyone, no matter what skill level climber you are.

Continue on to watch the canyon open up into a wide desert landscape – and find a few more camping options
The Ledge campsites are further down the road. Past here, the road turns into a 4×4 road – off-roaders will enjoy going through Hurrah Pass and along Lockhart Basin road as part of the Chicken Corners route.


The Moab Music Festival in late August and early September offers floating concerts.

By local experts at Discover Moab


According to Conde Nast Traveler, athletic adventures are in: travelers are bringing their sports with them, or seeking out destinations where they can really play. We expect that Moab, which has long been a hub of outdoor sports like mountain biking, trail running, and white water rafting, will see this trend guide the activities of our 2025 visitors. Other trends relevant to our little slice of the desert southwest? Detour destinations–think “getting a little lost on purpose” and “spotting a sign for an ancient ruin and deciding that your hotel can wait a bit”–cowboy core travel–“horse riding trips and camping under the stars”–and night tourism–Moab is a perfect spot to chase the stars. If you’re looking to add a bit of structure to your trip (there are so many things to do in Moab, it can feel a bit overwhelming!), consider planning your Moab trip around one of the many music festivals, off-road gatherings, trail running races, rodeos, or a free entrance day to our nearby national parks.

Here’s an overview of not-to-miss events in Moab this year, or check out our full events calendar!

FREE NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE DAYS


Monday, January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Saturday, April 19 – First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 – National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 – Veterans Day


ANNUAL CULTURAL AND OUTDOOR EVENTS

January


January 25: Arches Ultra
The Arches Ultra offers four distances of a running race: 9K, half marathon, 50K, and 50 mile. The courses are lower elevation, taking runners along the border of Arches National Park using the Bar M, Klonzo, and Klondike Trail Systems.

January 25 to February 1: Moab Music Festival “Winterlude”
Community and education take centerstage during the Moab Music Festival’s Winterlude, a week of workshops and concerts. Guest ensembles include W4RP, Pascal Le Bouef, and Sara Carswell. Workshops include a potluck and play (bring an instrument and a dish!) and musical coaching. There will be two formal concerts, plus a casual “sips and sounds.”


February


February 7: ArtWalk
Explore art exhibits all over town during ArtWalk! Featured locations this year include the Grand County Library, Moab Museum, Gallery Moab, Moonflower Co-op, and Moab Arts.

February 7, 14, and 21: Moab SyFy Film Festival
Join the Moab community in enjoying classic films of the science fiction genre, for free! Event-goers are encouraged to dress up as they watch Day of the Triffids (1963) on Feb. 7, When Worlds Collide (1951) on Feb. 14, and Europa Report (2013) on Feb. 21.

February 22: Buckers & Barrels Unlimited Rodeo
Bull teams, barrel racing, bronc riding: attend an action-packed rodeo day in Moab. Don’t miss out on the chance to witness some of the best riders in the country showcase their skills, whether you’re a seasoned cowboy or just looking for a bit of excitement!

February 22: Moab’s Red Hot Ultra
Runners of Moab’s Red Hot Ultra choose between four distances: 15K, 33K, 50K, and 50 mile. Each course utilizes a mixture of double and single track trails over a variety of terrain and elevation.


March


March 7-9: Moab Run the Rocks
A three-day trail running race on singletrack trails around Moab with two distances: 85K and 53K.

March 8-11: Skinny Tire Festival
A road biking event that will take bikers through Arches National Park, up to Dead Horse Point State Park, and alongside the Colorado River. $15 for every paid registration goes toward the Moab Cancer Treatment Center, and bikers can register for all four days or join just two.

March 15: Canyonlands Half Marathon and 5 Mile Run
Celebrate 50 years of the Canyonlands Half Marathon in 2025! This race is known locally as the Moab Half Marathon: the first event was run on May 1, 1976 and had 22 finishers (including a dog). The course follows the Colorado River and has been named one of the world’s greatest races.

March 22: Behind the Rocks Ultra
The Behind the Rocks Ultra (distances: 10 mile, 30K, 50K, 50 mile) starts and ends at the Behind the Rocks Trail, following the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area. The courses traverse remote trails, sandy washes, and double and single track trails.


April


April 4: ArtWalk
Explore art exhibits all over town during ArtWalk! Featured locations this year include the Grand County Library, Moab Museum, Gallery Moab, Moonflower Co-op, and Moab Arts.

April 5-7: Moab Rocks
A three day mountain biking race covering 76 miles and over 7,800 feet of elevation across classic Moab trails. A race, festival, family-friendly vacation, and adventure all rolled into one weekend!

April 12: Amasa Trail Race
Explore the Amasa Back trail system on foot during the Amasa Trail Race at three distances: 10K, 15K, and 25K.

April 12-20: Easter Jeep Safari
The Red Rock 4 Wheelers most popular event returns on April 12: the Easter Jeep Safari. Attendees are invited to join trail rides departing from Moab each day to explore the vast array of trails that the area has to offer with a community of likeminded souls!

April 23-27: Cruise Moab
A Toyota Land Cruiser Association sanctioned event that has occurred every year since 1999. Attendees will explore off-road trails around Moab together during guided trail runs.

April 25-27: Moab Rotary/April Action Car Show
Gather with fellow car enthusiasts to explore the best cars the Moab region has to offer. There are typically 13 award classes for cars, including best muscle car, best truck, best hot rod, and best import; attendees can expect to see modified and stock cars and motorcycles dating back to 1900.

April 26: Thelma and Louise

A women’s running event with races at four distances: 15K, half-marathon, marathon, and 50K – because every girls’ weekend should include an exciting challenge!


May


May 1-4: Moab Grenadier 4×4 Gathering
Bring your Grenadier Station Wagon to Moab to explore the epic 4×4 trails this area has to offer – and meet a community of off-roaders to adventure with.

May 2: Arts&Ag Market
Peruse locally-grown produce and artisanal goods with live music at this evening market.

May 3-4: Moab Fondo Fest
Prepare for a remarkable cycling experience during one of Utah’s premiere Gran Fondo-style events. The course will take riders on a journey through challenging terrain and captivating scenery.

May 8-11: Raptors on the Rocks
Explore the off-road trails in the Moab area in your Ford Raptor and enjoy the camaraderie of others who are equally passionate for this off-road vehicle! Four days of world-class off-roading, giveaways, and an opportunity to learn from guides.

May 17: C10 Red Rock Retreat
A charity event for the City of Moab and the Grand County Search and Rescue Team! Peruse classic GM trucks under the red rock cliffs and peruse items from a large silent auction.

May 17-18: Barrels 4 Bucks
See the best barrel racers in the region compete during the Barrels 4 Bucks event in Moab!

May 24-25: Moab Arts Festival
Peruse a broad selection of original art – textiles, fine art, glasswork, jewelry, metal and wood – created by local and regional artists! There is also a kids corner with activities for children, live performances, live music, and a beer and wine garden. The arts festival is free to attend!

May 30 – June 1: Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo
The Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo is part of the All American ProRodeo Series and is a member of the PRCA Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association. Classic rodeo events include steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and bareback riding.


June


June 6: Arts&Ag Market
Peruse locally-grown produce and artisanal goods with live music at this evening market.

June 7-8: Crystal Festival
A rock, gem, and mineral festival with a vendor market and rockhounding trips!

June 11-14: RedRok Rally
A rally for UTV enthusiasts! Attend guided trail rides (including Hells Revenge and Fins N’ Things), peruse vendor markets, and enjoy live music with likeminded community.


July


July 3-5: Grand County Fair
Fair activities include eating contests, relay games, exhibits, sporting tournaments and derbies, and a car show! Admission is free.

People sitting on the lawn of Swanny City Park
The Moab Free Concert series takes place every summer.




August


August 1: ArtWalk
Explore art exhibits all over town during ArtWalk! Featured locations this year include the Grand County Library, Moab Museum, Gallery Moab, Moonflower Co-op, and Moab Arts.

August 27-September 12: Moab Music Festival
Enjoy performances of chamber music, jazz, and Latin music within the beautiful red rock landscapes near Moab. That’s right: this is a music festival performed in wilderness and historic venues unlike any other! Concerts range from family-friendly music in local parks to accessible-by-jet-boat-only grottos carved from rocks where musicians play odes to timeless masterpieces.


September


September 5: Arts&Ag Market
Peruse locally-grown produce and artisanal goods with live music at this evening market.

September 18-21: Moab Festival of Science
A fantastic variety of free events showcasing the wonders and value of science, with a special focus on Colorado Plateau science! Events include activities with the National Park Service; astronomy, archaeology, and geology tours; and keynote speakers.

September 20-22: Skinny Tire Fall Festival
A brand new event showcasing Moab’s full geographical beauty to road cyclists from across the country! Ride to the Bull Canyon Overlook, through the River Portal, and up to Dead Horse Point State Park.

September 25-28: Red Rock Arts Festival
Three days of art celebrating a theme announced in spring 2025! Programming will feature collaborative projects, art experiences, music performances, a community art show, and an artisan vendor market: the perfect way to get a taste for Moab’s exuberant arts community.

September 27-28: Barrels 4 Bucks
See the best barrel racers in the region compete during the Barrels 4 Bucks event in Moab!


October


October 3: Arts&Ag Market
Peruse locally-grown produce and artisanal goods with live music at this evening market.

October 3-5: Outerbike
A mountain bike festival that is not to be missed! Experience the red rock beauty and world-class mountain biking trails in the desert sunshine before winter sets in. Shuttles, catered lunches, vendor market, and bike demos are included in registration.

October 4: Arches Marathon and Half
Runners can explore the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area and the remote Picture Frame Arch over four distances: 15K, half marathon, marathon, and 50K.

October 10-15: Moab 240
Runners will complete 240 miles in one loop around Moab and the surrounding areas with a 117 hour cutoff.

October 23-25: Moab Jeep Jamboree
Attendees will spend the weekend exploring offroad trails around Moab with a guide, then enjoy dinner together.

October 25: Canyonlands Ultra
Runners will immerse themselves in the nearby landscapes through six offered course lengths: 100K, 50 mile, 50K, marathon, half marathon, and 15K.

October 25-26: Barrels 4 Bucks
See the best barrel racers in the region compete during the Barrels 4 Bucks event in Moab!


November


November 2-7: Moab Folk Camp
A week of music classes for musicians of every skill level! Classes last year included a singing workshop, guitar theory, beginning dobro g-tuning, songwriting 101, basic jazz, and beginning mandoline with a variety of instructors. Attendees will complete four classes per day and evening activities.

November 7: ArtWalk
Explore art exhibits all over town during ArtWalk! Featured locations this year include the Grand County Library, Moab Museum, Gallery Moab, Moonflower Co-op, and Moab Arts.

November 7-9: Moab Folk Festival
Over 10 bands and musicians play at the annual Moab Folk Festival, a celebration of folk music in downtown Moab. Each festival includes two days of outdoor concerts, but also free community concerts, student assemblies, music workshops, and artist residency programming.

November 8-9: Moab Trail Marathon
An unforgettable run through the Kane Creek Canyon area at four distances: marathon, half marathon, 10K adventure run, and kid’s K. In 2024, this race was the host of the USATF trail half marathon national championships and collegiate trail running championships.

November 15: Dead Horse Ultra

Runners will explore the Magnificent 7 singletrack trail system over four distances: 15K, 30K, 50K, and 50 mile.


December


December 6: Holiday Light Parade
Kick off the holiday season with the electric light parade on Main Street, a chance to see local floats decorated with hundreds of holiday lights.


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Lizzie Larsen, a local Moab cowgirl, sitting on a horse: the photo is in black and white and is clearly older, as it's blurred. Lizzie Larsen at Westwater Ranch with angora chaps. [J. Willard Marriott Library Archives]

By the Moab Museum, originally published in the Moab Sun News


“The right to ride astride,” was a movement founded in practicality and a rejection of misogynist cultural norms. Historic cowgirls in Moab participated in the movement in their own ways!

Riding horses sidesaddle was criticized during the women’s suffrage movement for prioritizing fashion over the safety, independence, and control of the female rider. While it is uncommon to find photos of women riding astride prior to 1930, when only sidesaddle was socially acceptable, women on the range were breaking down this particular social structure even before the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession (the march on Washington D.C. that took place on March 3, 1913, in part for which we designate March as Women’s History Month).

From the wives and daughters of the Indian Creek Cattle Company (est. 1885) to the present, the women of this region are just as full of spirit and grit as their male counterparts. Gertrude “Gertie” Goudelock (1880-1933) was a partner to her husband David Lafayette Goudelock (1866-1952) as much on the range as in marriage—not only did she run the household at Moab’s old Darrow Hotel and raise their family, but she also saddled up alongside David to move livestock, cut cows, and brand hides. She also fulfilled duties as a civic leader in Moab. Gertrude instilled her many merits in her daughter Helen (1907-2003), who would inherit her mother’s ranch saddle and join her own husband, Lester Taylor (1905-1987), in raising their children and livestock. Helen also became a local civic leader and school superintendent.

A black and white photo showing cowgirls driving cattle.
Cowboys drive Scorup-Somerville cattle. [Moab Museum Collection]

The community of Moab can thank the men and women of the Indian Creek Cattle Co. for providing much of the city’s original infrastructure. Today, the surrounding range lands are still stewarded by the cowgirls of Canyonlands: conservationist Heidi Redd runs the Dugout Ranch in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the Canyonlands Research Center; and local equine expert Kandace Peterson runs The Cowgirls Secret, an equine wellness retreat company which employs all women.

“Twenty years ago, a girl who rode astride was looked on as a creature with a shocking lack of modesty whose only reason for adopting this style must be a desire to ape masculine ways and make herself duly conspicuous.” –Ivy Maddison, 1923. This quote is included in the Museum’s “Spirit and Grit: Ranching in Canyonlands” exhibit on display at Dead Horse Point State Park. The exhibit highlights women who were involved as cowgirls on family ranches and who held board seats on land and cattle companies—the narrative of cowboys riding the range is so ingrained in us by historic filmmakers like John Ford that the idea of women as cattle hands, rather than as just token sideshows, may seem implausible. But while dime store novels and Hollywood Westerns omitted these tough-as-nails women from their stories, the truth is that women have always rode the range with the same grit as any cowboy.

The Moab Museum is dedicated to sharing stories of the natural and human history of the Moab area. To explore more of Moab’s stories and artifacts and find out about upcoming programs, visit MoabMuseum.org

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

By local experts at Discover Moab

Planning to visit Arches National Park this year? You’ll need a timed entry reservation, in addition to your parks pass! Nine national parks across the country require timed entry reservations this year.

During high visitation days of 2025, Arches National Park is implementing a timed entry system to reduce crowing in the park. That means during certain hours in certain months of the year, you need to reserve a time to enter the park, like you would make a table reservation at a restaurant. The system guarantees you will be able to enter the park during peak times of the year.

Reservations are required for visitors wishing to enter the park between 7 am and 4 pm daily, from April 1 to July 6 and from August 28 to October 31. Yes, that means there is a pause in the reservation requirement from July 7 to August 27. You can enter the park during those dates without a reservation.

Keep in mind, the park is open 24 hours! You can always enter the park outside of the hours of 7 am and 4 pm, and you do not need a reservation to do so. Starting your hikes early is a good way to avoid the heat, and Arches National Park is a dark sky park, meaning the night sky is spectacular!

When you enter the park at any time on any day of the year, you still need to pay the entrance fee to the park, which is $30 (or have a parks pass, such as the America the Beautiful pass). You can pay the entrance fee at the gate or pay online.

Landscape Arch at night: the Milky Way is pictured above it.
The Three Gossips pictured with a storm in the background

Okay, so, how do you enter the park between the hours of 7 am and 4 pm from April 1 to July 6 and August 28 to October 31?

  • Timed entry reservations are available six months in advance starting at 8 am MST. You can reserve your entry time on Recreation.gov for $2.
  • Next-day reservations become available at 7 pm daily. That means that if you missed reserving your entry time, you still have a chance to reserve a time the night before the day you want to go. Any unreserved timeslots remain open for same-day booking.
  • You can enter the park before 7 am or after 4 pm without a reservation.
  • You can enter the park without a reservation if you have booked a campsite or other activity within the park, such as a Fiery Furnace tour. You can book those activities at Recreation.gov.
  • When you arrive, you will also need to purchase a park pass at the gate (or online). Passes are $30 per vehicle. You can also buy an “America the Beautiful” pass for $80, which will get you into any National Park for a year.
For more information about the 2025 Timed Entry Pilot, including a complete schedule of ticket releases, visit: go.nps.gov/ArchesTicket! And save this graphic to your phone or social media pages:

A graphic that reads - To enter the park April 1-July 6 and August 28-October 31,2025 between 7am and 4 pm: One night to six months before you go: Reserve a time to enter the park on Recreation.gov; When you go: Pay the entrance fee or bring your park pass to the gate.