Getting There -- Situated on U.S. 191, Moab is 30 miles south of I-70 (take exit 182 at Crescent Junction) and 53 miles north of Monticello. Moab is 399 miles northeast of the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park and 238 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. From Salt Lake City, follow I-15 south to Spanish Fork, take U.S. 6 southeast to I-70, and follow that east to Crescent Junction, where you'll pick up U.S. 191 south to Moab.

Sixteen miles north of downtown Moab, Canyonlands Field (tel. 435/259-7419) has daily scheduled flights between Moab and Salt Lake City on Salmon Air (tel. 800/448-3413) and car rentals from Thrifty. Shuttle service into Moab is also available; check with the airport for details.

The closest major airport is Walker Field, in Grand Junction, Colorado (tel. 970/244-9100), about 125 miles east of Moab, which has direct flights or connections from most major cities on America West Express, Delta/Skywest, Frontier, Great Lakes, and United Express. Car rentals are available at the Grand Junction airport or nearby from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.

Another option for air travelers is to fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (tel. 800/595-2442 or 801/575-2400), about 240 miles from Moab, which has service from most major airlines and rental-car companies. From there, you can rent a car, take a Salmon Air flight, or take a shuttle van with Bighorn Express (tel. 888/655-7433 or 801/746-2417), which charges $56 each way.

Amtrak's (tel. 800/872-7245) California Zephyr stops in Green River, about 52 miles north of Moab, and provides service to Salt Lake City and Grand Junction, Colorado. If you plan to go from Green River to Moab, make reservations with Bighorn Express .

Visitor Information -- For area information, contact the Moab Area Travel Council, P.O. Box 550, Moab, UT 84532 (tel. 800/635-6622 or 435/259-1370). Once you arrive, stop at the Moab Information Center, located in the middle of town at the corner of Main and Center streets and open daily 8am to 9pm in the summer, with shorter winter hours. This multi-agency visitor center has information from the Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Grand County Travel Council, and Canyonlands Natural History Association. You can get advice, watch a number of videos on Southwest attractions, pick up brochures on local businesses and outfitters, and purchase books, videos, and other materials. A board displays current weather conditions and campsite availability.

Getting Around -- Rentals (standard passenger cars, vans, and four-wheel-drive vehicles) are available from Thrifty (tel. 435/259-7317). Rugged four-wheel-drive vehicles are available from Farabee Jeep Rentals (tel. 435/259-7494) and Slickrock Jeep Rentals (tel. 435/259-5678).

Fast Facts -- In an emergency, dial tel. 911. The full-service Allen Memorial Hospital, 719 W. 400 North (tel. 435/259-7191), offers 24-hour emergency care. The post office is at 50 E. 100 North (tel. 800/275-8777).

The best grocery store in town is City Market, 425 S. Main St. (tel. 435/259-5181), open daily from 6am to 10pm. Pick up sandwiches from the deli, mix it up at the excellent salad bar, or choose fresh-baked items from the bakery before hitting the trail. The store also sells fishing licenses, money orders, and stamps; offers photo finishing and Western Union services; and contains a pharmacy.