We will be going to Utah to tour around the national parks in mid to late August, more than likely around Arches/Canyonlands. Since we are not sure where we will be from day to day, I thought about just going there without hotel reservations. Do the hotels in this area (Moab particularly) usually fill up this time of year? Would I be able to get a hotel without an advanced reservation same day? Any advice for those who have been to this area this time of year would be great. I like the flexibility to get up and go from town to town without the constraint of a hotel reservation if you know what I mean. Would also be open to other lodging ideas. Since we will be flying in, can't bring a bunch of camping gear with us.
hotels/lodging around national parks
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Where are you flying into? If it is SLC, try your first night in Green River. My DW and I stayed for a full week at the Robbers Roost motel in Green River since it was cheaper than anything in Moab.
I fear that if you go without reservations you will end up with the more expensive rooms.
Make sure to eat at least one meal at the Moab Diner.
Whether you should book rooms ahead depends on how annoyed you will be if the price of your flexibility is to stay in the kinds of places that are last to put out "vacancy" signs.
We book ahead because we don't want to search for a rooms at the end of a long days of driving, and we want to have the reasonable expectation that we will be comfortable in the rooms at our destinations.
HTTY
If you have trouble finding lodging in the Moab area, Green River is indeed a good choice. We've stayed at River Terrace Inn a couple of times. It is really a motel, but has a very nice breakfast included.