Desert Moon Inn

Built in 1936 as a boarding house for miners, the Desert Moon Inn offers a stay that feels historical, artistic , and unlike your typical hotel experience.

Located in Thompson Springs beneath the Book Cliffs, just off I-70, Desert Moon is a base for exploring southeastern Utah, including Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands.

Each room is private, uniquely decorated, and full of character.

BOOK HOTEL
A field of small purple flowers with a sunset in the background and hills in the distance.
Hallway with wooden trim, colorful mountain mural on walls, patterned runner rug, standing lamp with yellow shade, ceiling light fixture, and door marked 'Bathrooms' at end of hall. Light from outside creates rainbow patterns on the floor.
A blue house with a red roof, multiple windows, trees surrounding it, and a grassy lawn in the foreground.
A rustic bathroom with wooden accents, white vessel sink, and a large mirror, featuring a window with white curtains, a toilet, and various lighting fixtures in a cozy, cabin-style setting.
A sunset over a semi-arid landscape with low shrubs and a hill on the right side. The sky has scattered clouds illuminated with orange and yellow hues from the setting sun.

Explore All Rooms

The Desert Moon Inn features 6 private rooms on the second floor of the historic 1936 boarding house.

Guests have their own private room, along with access to two shared bathrooms and a shared kitchenette.

A cozy bedroom with green botanical themed wallpaper, a green bedspread, a mirror on the wall, a window with bright turquoise curtains, and various decorations including a neon cactus light, framed art, plants, and a vintage sink.

Plant Room

A lush green room with tropical murals and hanging plants. It feels fresh, earthy, and a little like stepping into a tiny jungle oasis in the desert.

A cozy bedroom with pink walls and colorful artwork, including a mural of a cityscape and a fantasy woman, a wooden desk with a chair, a bed with folded towels on it, and a glimpse into another room with sunset painting.

Crystal Room

A playful pink room inspired by crystal magic. It feels dreamy, whimsical, and just a little bit mystical.

A bedroom with turquoise walls decorated with geometric and southwestern patterns. There is a metal bed with a quilt and pillows. A window with curtains, a mirror, a nightstand with a lamp, and a small sink are also visible. The room has wood flooring and a cowhide rug.

Southwest Room

A vibrant room with a classic Southwestern geometric mural. It captures the spirit of the surrounding desert landscape.

A cozy bedroom with yellow textured walls, a large bed with a dark blue cover, and a brown blanket at the foot. On the bed, there are neatly folded towels. Two asymmetrical decorative mirrors hang on the wall, and a small window with reddish curtains lets in natural light. A vintage-style sink is mounted on the wall near the door, and a small wooden table with two chairs and a potted plant with red flowers are in the room.

Gold Disco Room

Our largest room, with a queen bed and a bold gold theme that gives it a lively feel. It is bright, fun, and a little glamourous.

A cozy bedroom with a bed covered in a green blanket and a decorative pillow, a window with wooden blinds and curtains, a small nightstand with a lamp, framed artwork on the dark-colored wall, and a wooden door marked 'The RAVEN ROOM.'

Raven Room

A poetically dark room with black walls, raven artwork. It feels thoughtful, creative, and a little haunting in the best way.

A cozy bedroom with vintage decor featuring a double bed with a quilted bedspread, a heart-shaped pillow, and neatly folded towels on a beige blanket. The walls are adorned with rich, red damask wallpaper and decorated with a large framed mirror, a small clock, and a wall sconce. There is a wooden door leading to a hallway, and a small sink is visible in the corner.

Victorian Room

A moodier room with a romantic old-world feel and a touch of fantasy. It is dramatic, a little mysterious, and full of vintage character.

BOOK HOTEL

Good to Know Before You Book

Desert Moon is best for guests who enjoy unique historic places.

A few important things to keep in mind:

  • The inn offers private rooms in a historic building, with 2 shared bathrooms

  • There is a shared kitchenette with a microwave, mini-fridge, and toaster oven

  • There is no stove

  • The rooms are on the smaller side

  • There are no televisions in the rooms

  • The Union Pacific Railroad is directly across the street, and trains pass by during the day and night

  • Earplugs and fans are provided in each room to help with sound

This is part of the charm for many guests, but it is best enjoyed by travelers who are drawn to history, atmosphere, and a more real, character filled kind of stay.

The old Desert Moon Hotel and Cactus Cabaret Dancehall were built in 1936 and have served miners, railroad workers, truck drivers, tourists, and travelers for generations. The property has a long and colorful history, including its days as the town bar and brothel, and remains one of the most distinctive places to stay in the area.

Located in Thompson Springs, a former mining town with a current population of around 50 people, Desert Moon is one of a kind. It is both a historic relic of the wild west, and an evolving creative property, with ongoing restoration, artistic touches, and a small on site community continuing to shape what it becomes.

A Historic Desert Stop with a Wild Western Past

Learn More About History

Check In & Practical Details

Check-in: anytime between 3:00 PM and 11:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM

Check-in style: simple self checkin instructions provided via email within 24 hours of check in.

Our staff is available to answer phone calls between 9:00 AM and 11:00 PM. For late arrivals after 11:00 we will not be available to assist if guests run into issues during self check in.

Thompson Springs is a very small ghost town with no restaurants in town. Guests should plan to pick up food in Moab, Grand Junction, or Green River before arriving. There is a 7-Eleven about a mile away that offers pizza and a few basic food items.

What Guests are Saying

"Unbelievably unique and beautiful!!! Each room in this old boarding house was artistically hand painted. Then there is a shared kitchen area, a balcony and a shared bathroom… I just have never seen anything like it!"

"The Desert Moon is an absolute hidden gem! The couple that owns this place were very welcoming and you can tell they put their hearts into restoring this place. I loved the eclectic decor and the themed rooms. The historic vibe of this place really comes through, the train rolling by and the horn sang out topped it off for me."

“My family and I loved staying here! Can't wait to come back and stay in other "themed" rooms. Loved the crystal room! A little off the beaten path but a cool experience. The building was super neat, remodeled after being used to house miners long ago. Highly recommend!”

"I love the unique experience this place provides. So close to the national park and also tons of other amazing places I'd never heard of until the friendly staff directed me to sego canyon and shwayzes Beach. Can't wait to come back.”

Our little town offers a central location to many activities, and we have some pretty amazing views of our own.

A landscape of a desert area with a large mountain or mesa in the background, dry vegetation, and a clear blue sky with some scattered clouds.

One of the best parts of staying at Desert Moon is the setting itself. The property sits at the base of the Book Cliffs, surrounded by open desert, shifting light, and ancient pictographs. Sunrise & sunset are especially beautiful here. Desert Moon offers a beautiful setting to experience this area.

More Things To Do
Ancient petroglyphs painted in red on a rock face in a desert landscape.

Just up the road, Sego Canyon adds another layer to that experience, with ancient Archaic and Fremont pictographs and petroglyphs, dramatic canyon walls, and traces of the area’s old mining history. It is one of the most remarkable nearby places to explore, and a reminder that this landscape has held meaning for a very long time.

Visit Sego Canyon

Arches Access

Most visitors head to the main entrance. Guests at Desert Moon have access to a lesser known north side entrance to Arches.

Learn More

Accommodations at Desert Moon

Historic Hotel

A bedroom with teal walls featuring southwestern-style geometric wall art. A black metal bed has a colorful quilt and a decorative pillow. Nearby, a small black side table holds a white lamp and books. There is a window with gray curtains, and a mirror with a plant on a small shelf beside it. A cowhide rug lies on the wooden floor, and a white sink is visible in the corner.

Stay upstairs in the historic Desert Moon Inn, where each room has its own artistic personality. The inn is more like a boutique boarding house, with private rooms, shared bathrooms, and a shared kitchenette.

BOOK HOTEL
Learn More

RV Park

Sign for Desert Moon Hotel and RV Park with a smiley face emoji on top, surrounded by trees, RVs, and trucks in a remote area with clear blue sky.

Settle in under the shade trees with full hookup RV sites offering water, electricity, and sewer.
A desert basecamp with easy access to Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, & the region.

BOOK RV PARK
Learn More

Campgrounds

A camping scene in a desert landscape at sunset with a tent, two trees, and a parked car near a wooden fence.

Pitch a tent and enjoy the quiet, open desert atmosphere. Campers have access to restrooms, showers, and water spigots, with plenty of room to take in the landscape.

BOOK CAMPGROUND
Learn More

Stay Somewhere with a Story

The Historic Hotel at Desert Moon is not for people looking for a generic overnight stay. It is for travelers who want atmosphere, history, and artistic character.

Here, the old railroad town setting, the historic boarding house, the passing trains, and the eccentric spirit of the property are all part of the experience.

If that sounds like your kind of stay, we’d love to host you.

BOOK HOTEL

Find Us in Thompson Springs

Desert highway with a Shell gas station, trucks parked, and a sign for Thompson Springs.

Located just off I-70 at Exit 187, Desert Moon is an easy stop on the way to Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, and the surrounding desert. Close enough for adventure, but far enough out to feel like its own experience.