Travel & Lodging
Getting to
Moab.
Moab in April is one of the best times to be here — warm days, clear skies, and the canyon country before the summer crowds arrive.
Photo © Bruce Hucko
Where to stay
Lodging in and around Moab.
We hold a group rate at the Moab Valley Inn — the symposium venue, where presentations, PhotoJAMs, and field session departures all happen. You're welcome to stay anywhere in Moab; the alternatives below are the ones we get asked about most often.
The symposium's home base — all presentations, field workshop departures, and PhotoJAM gatherings take place here. Staying on-site means you're never scrambling for parking or worried about timing, and the included continental breakfast saves a step in the morning. The group block stays open until 30 days before the event. Rooms at the group rate may book up sooner — reserving early is recommended.
Booking the group rate
Once you register, the booking phone number and group code arrive in your confirmation email, with a reminder follow-up the next day so they're easy to find.
Standard rooms at the lower end, suites at the upper end · group rate available until 30 days before the event
Other options in and around Moab
A run of established hotels and motels along Main Street, most within walking distance — or a short drive — of the symposium venue. Convenience is the win. April fills up; book early.
Houses and casitas in town and along the river — usually the best fit for couples, families, or small groups splitting costs. Spring availability shifts quickly; the good listings book months ahead.
Safari-style canvas tents with real beds, private bathrooms, and views of the La Sal Mountains. More a memorable desert-stay experience than a budget option — and ~9 miles out of town, so a car is required for daily symposium travel.
A solid pick if you want to camp in a tent, an RV, or a small cabin. Tent sites, RV hookups, and KOA's "Camping Kabins" (basic and deluxe) are all on the same property, about 4 miles south of downtown on US-191. Pool and laundry on site.
Primitive BLM and public-land sites along the river run modest; other private RV parks and developed campgrounds within a few miles of downtown sit higher. Plan well ahead either way — spring weekends fill months out.
Quieter B&Bs and rentals tucked into Castle Valley and the La Sal foothills — extraordinary settings, a 20–30 minute daily drive into town. Worth it if landscape immersion matters more than convenience.
Not sure which option fits your travel plans? Reach out before booking and we'll help you think through convenience, cost, atmosphere, and daily drive time. Ask us →
Getting to Moab
By air, by road, at your own pace.
Flying In
Moab’s own small airport with direct flights from Salt Lake City via SkyWest/United. Eighteen miles from town — the most convenient option when available. Flights are limited and book up fast.
~18 mi / 25 min from venueThe closest major airport with broader flight connections. A scenic 1.5-hour drive through the Colorado River canyon on I-70 south to US-191. Car rental available on-site.
~1.5 hrs from venueMost connected regional hub — flights from nearly everywhere. A 4-hour drive south through Price and Helper. The route through Castle Gate is particularly good in spring.
~4 hrs from venueGood option for East Coast and Midwest travelers. The drive west on I-70 through the Rockies and across the plateau is excellent in April — snow may linger in higher passes.
~4.5 hrs from venueGetting Around Moab
Moab has no meaningful public transit. Most symposium sessions depart from the Moab Valley Inn, but having your own vehicle is important for meals, mornings, and any extra exploring.
Uber and Lyft operate in Moab but with few drivers. Don’t rely on them for time-sensitive arrivals or early field workshop departures.
The main strip — restaurants, coffee, the symposium hotel — is compact and easy to navigate on foot. Many attendees staying nearby walk to sessions without issue.
Registered attendees are invited into the private MPS Facebook group — a good place to coordinate shared rides from Grand Junction or SLC with fellow attendees.
Around Moab
A real town with good food, good coffee, and extraordinary surroundings.
Where to Eat
Coffee & Breakfast
Worth Seeing
Arches National Park requires timed entry reservations from late March through October. If you plan to visit during your stay, book in advance at recreation.gov. MPS field workshops do not use Arches — sessions take place in less-visited areas.
Questions about getting here?
We’re happy to help point you in the right direction before you book.