Moab Motel Guide · Reviewed by Locals
Expedition Lodge: The Moab Motel With a Waterslide
A 1960s motor lodge that got rescued, rebuilt, and turned into the most kid-proof basecamp on Main Street — year round heated pool with a slide, a free arcade, rooms with two sets of queen bunk beds, and dogs for $25. Here's our honest local take.
Why We Recommend It
Moab's Worst Hotel, Rebuilt Into Its Most Fun
In 2016 Justin Mabey bought what was then the lowest-rated hotel in Moab. He'd spent his childhood exploring the Uintas in his grandfather's Jeep, and he rebuilt the place around that idea — the Jeep is in the logo, and there's one parked on the property. What came out the other end is a retro motor lodge that leans all the way into being playful instead of pretending to be a boutique hotel.
The practical result is the best family motel in town, and it isn't close. The heated pool has an actual waterslide and runs year round, which almost nothing else in Moab does. The arcade room is free and open any hour, which matters more than you'd think when a thunderstorm parks over the valley and a 9 year old has nowhere to put their energy. And the room layouts are built for real groups: one room sleeps eight on two sets of queen-size bunk beds.
The character is real, too. Every room hangs original paintings by Jerry Ehlers, a local artist, framed in reclaimed barn wood — scenes of 1970s Moab from someone who was here for it. Combined with the vintage-look mini fridges and microwaves, it reads as a deliberate design decision rather than a theme applied with a stencil.
Two honest caveats. This is a converted motel, so rooms open to the outside and the pool is the social center of the property — light sleepers who want quiet at 9 PM should look at the quieter picks in our motels guide. And there's no full kitchen anywhere on site, just a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker in each room plus a shared gas grill.
Local tip: Ask for a bike-friendly room and bring the bikes inside — the floors are laminate hardwood specifically so you can. It's a better answer than a locked shed, and it's free. Also worth knowing: the property runs its own direct-booking promo codes, so it's worth a rate comparison before you commit.
Rooms
Five Room Types, All Named for the Trip You're On
Every room includes a mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, air conditioning, flat screen TV with cable, free WiFi, free parking, and toiletries with a hairdryer. Rooms run 338 sq ft with one exception, and each one has original Jerry Ehlers artwork on the wall.
The Voyager
Two queen bunk beds · 338 sq ft
Two full sets of queen-size bunk beds — the highest headcount in one room you'll find at this price in Moab. Built for cousins, scout groups, and riding crews splitting a bill four ways.
The Traveler
One queen + one queen bunk · 338 sq ft
A standalone queen for the adults plus a set of queen bunks for the kids. The most family-practical layout on the property.
The Wanderer
Three queen beds · 390 sq ft
The largest room here, with three queens and no bunks — the pick when six adults are traveling together and nobody wants the top bunk.
The Explorer
Two queen beds · 338 sq ft
Two queens, a two-seater dining table, and deliberate floor space for staging bikes and gear overnight.
The Pioneer
One queen bed · 338 sq ft
One queen with a small living area — the value room for a couple or a solo trip, in the same square footage as the family rooms.
What No Room Has
Setting expectations honestly
No full kitchens, no king beds, and no suites with separate bedrooms. Every bed on the property is a queen. If you need a kitchen for a long stay, our hotels guide covers the all-suite options.
Amenities
The Six That Decide Whether the Kids Have a Good Trip
Most Moab motels give you a bed and a pool that closes in October. Expedition Lodge is stacked differently, and the difference shows up hardest on family trips and rainy afternoons.
Heated Pool With a Waterslide — Year Round
Open 7 AM to 11 PM and heated through the winter, which sets it apart from nearly every seasonal pool in town. There's a hot tub alongside it. No lifeguard, so kids need an adult.
Free Arcade & Game Room
Classic arcade cabinets and a ping pong table, free to guests and open at any hour. The single best amenity in Moab for a hot afternoon or an unexpected thunderstorm.
Bikes Sleep in Your Room
The rooms have laminate hardwood floors specifically so you can roll your bike inside. No shed, no rack, no worrying about it overnight — it's parked next to you.
Free Breakfast, 7 to 10 AM
Complimentary breakfast daily with waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and hot chocolate for the kids. Early enough to eat and still beat the Arches entrance queue.
Dogs for $25 Per Stay
Not per night — per stay, which is one of the better pet deals in a dog-heavy town. Pets can't be left unattended in rooms, and they're not allowed in the pool area.
Grill, Laundry & Ice
A shared gas grill for cooking your own dinner, coin-operated washers and dryers for red-dirt laundry, and a ground-floor ice machine for filling coolers before you head out.
Location
168 North Main: You Can Walk to Dinner
Expedition Lodge sits on the north end of downtown Moab, which means restaurants, gear shops, galleries, and outfitters are a walk rather than a drive — and the Arches entrance is a short run up Highway 191 for a pre-crowd start.
How Far Is Everything From Expedition Lodge?
Walking times on foot · driving times from the parking lot, light traffic
Worth noting for anyone comparing options: Expedition Lodge and the Bowen Motel sit directly across Main Street from each other, so the location argument between them is a wash. The decision comes down to what's on the property, and that's where these two diverge sharply. From either address you can start early at Arches, ride the Slickrock Trail, or day trip to Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point.
The Honest Rundown
Who Should Book It — and Who Shouldn't
Book it if you're…
Traveling with kids who will lose their minds over a waterslide and a free arcade. A group of six to eight who want one room instead of three. A dog owner tired of $25-per-night pet fees. A mountain biker who'd rather sleep next to the bike. Anyone who'd take a place with real character over a beige chain room.
Look elsewhere if you're…
A light sleeper or a couple wanting a quiet evening — the pool and arcade are the heart of this property, by design. Needing a full kitchen, a king bed, or a separate bedroom, none of which exist here. Or looking for the absolute lowest rate in town, in which case our motels guide has cheaper picks.
Compare Before You Book
Expedition Lodge vs. Other Top Moab Motels
All four earn spots in our motels guide. Here's the head-to-head so you book the right one the first time.
| Motel | Standout Strengths | Pool | Max in One Room | Pets | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition Lodge Our best family pick |
Waterslide, free arcade and ping pong, queen bunk rooms, bikes allowed in rooms, local artwork throughout | Heated, year round, plus hot tub | 8 guests | Yes, $25 per stay | Check rates |
| Bowen Motel Best overall · across the street |
Family run since 1975, guest houses for large groups, bike wash, trailer parking lot | Heated, seasonal | 5–6 guests | No | Check rates |
| Moab Rustic Inn Best budget |
Among the lowest rates in town, kitchenettes in select rooms, downtown location | Seasonal | 4 guests | Yes, with fee | Check rates |
| Moab Valley Inn Best views |
Mountain views, family rooms and suites, more polish than a classic motel | Seasonal | Varies by suite | Confirm with property | Check rates |
How to Book
Lock In Your Room in Four Steps
Pick Your Dates Wisely
Spring and fall are peak — book 2–3 months out. Because the pool is heated year round, winter here is a genuinely better deal than at seasonal-pool properties. See our month by month guide.
Count Heads Before You Choose
Seven or eight people: the Voyager. Two adults plus kids: the Traveler. Six adults, no bunks: the Wanderer. Couples: the Pioneer. Bikes to store: the Explorer.
Compare Rates & Book
Check live rates on Expedia, and look for free-cancellation options. Note the property's own cancellation cutoff is 11:59 PM the night before arrival, or you're charged one night plus tax.
Call With the Specifics
Bringing a dog, a trailer, or bikes you want inside? Call (435) 259-6147 to confirm. Worth asking about pool status too, though it's heated through the winter.
Quick Answers
Expedition Lodge Moab FAQ
Does Expedition Lodge really have a waterslide?
Yes. The outdoor heated pool has a waterslide, and there's a hot tub alongside it. The pool is open 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. There's no lifeguard on duty, so minors need to be accompanied by an adult, and glass and pets aren't allowed in the pool area.
Is the pool open in winter?
Yes — the pool is heated and operates year round, which makes Expedition Lodge unusual in Moab. Most motel and hotel pools in town are seasonal and close roughly October through April, so this is a real advantage for a winter or early spring trip.
How many people can sleep in one room?
Up to eight. The Voyager room has two full sets of queen-size bunk beds in 338 square feet. The Traveler sleeps up to six with one queen plus a queen bunk set, and the Wanderer sleeps up to six across three queen beds in 390 square feet.
Is Expedition Lodge pet friendly, and what's the fee?
Yes, dogs are welcome for $25 per stay — not per night, which makes it one of the better pet rates in Moab. Pets can't be left unattended in rooms and aren't permitted in the pool area.
Is breakfast included?
Yes, a complimentary breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, with waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and hot chocolate among the options. Starting at 7:00 gives you time to eat and still reach the Arches entrance ahead of the mid-morning line.
Can I keep my mountain bike in the room?
Yes, and it's encouraged. The rooms have laminate hardwood floors chosen specifically so guests can bring bikes inside. For a bike worth thousands, sleeping in the same room as it beats any storage shed.
Do the rooms have kitchens?
No. Every room has a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker, but there are no full kitchens, kitchenettes, or dishwashers on the property. There is a shared gas grill for guest use, and you're responsible for cleaning it after you cook.
What is the artwork in the rooms?
Every room features original paintings by local artist Jerry Ehlers, framed in reclaimed barn wood, depicting Moab as it looked in the 1970s. It's one of the details that makes the property feel specific to this town rather than generically themed.
What are check-in, check-out, and the cancellation policy?
Check-in is from 3:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM. The property's own policy requires cancelling by 11:59 PM the night before arrival to avoid a charge of one night's room and tax — if you book through a third party, your rate's cancellation terms apply, so read them.
Ready to Book the Fun One?
A waterslide that runs in January, a free arcade, one room that sleeps eight, and $25 for the dog. If your trip includes kids, this is the easiest lodging decision you'll make in Moab.
Check Rates & Book Your StayKeep Planning Your Trip
Moabing.com is a participant in affiliate programs including Expedia. When you book through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep our guides free. Rates, policies, and amenities are set by the property and can change — always confirm details when booking. Room specifications, pool and breakfast hours, pet fee, and cancellation terms verified against the property's published information. Last reviewed July 2026.