Moab Rock Shop

Imagine a place where time is frozen in stone and the treasures of the ancient Earth are literally within arm's reach. The Moab Rock Shop is a legendary establishment in the city of Moab that has long outgrown the status of a simple souvenir shop, turning into a true open-air geological museum.

Founded in 1960 by the famous explorer Lin Ottinger, this family business in the USA has attracted scientists, collectors, and curious tourists for decades. Here, under one roof, sparkling quartz clusters coexist with fragments of real meteorites, ancient fossils, and even dinosaur bones found in the surrounding deserts.

The shop's main feature is its authenticity. Outside, visitors are greeted by old mining equipment and full-size models of prehistoric reptiles, while inside, there are labyrinths of shelves filled with minerals of every color of the rainbow. This place is rightfully considered one of the region's most iconic cultural and historical landmarks, reflecting the wealth of Utah's subsurface.

You can contact the shop or check the availability of specific specimens through official communication channels. Although the establishment does not have active social media pages, they are always available by phone during business hours.

Once inside, prepare for a real treasure hunt. You can spend time studying rare specimens of agates, geodes, and petrified wood that is millions of years old. For paleontology enthusiasts, there is a special program: viewing dinosaur replicas, including the famous Utahraptor and the unique Iguanodon ottingeri. Many of the originals of these finds are kept in major universities, but it is here that you can touch the history of their discovery.

Beyond just looking, the shop offers excellent shopping opportunities. Tourists often purchase handmade jewelry made from polished stones, themed toys, or even small fragments of dinosaur bones that are legally permitted for sale. It is the perfect place to find a gift that carries a piece of the ancient history of the Moab desert.

Don't forget to go out to the backyard to see the collection of old mining equipment—it's a great backdrop for atmospheric photos. If you're lucky, you can chat with the descendants of Lin Ottinger, who continue their grandfather's work and are always ready to tell a few exciting stories about the lives of adventurers during the "uranium" era.

Reaching this geological treasure trove is easy, as it is located at 600 N Main St, right on the city's main street. If you are traveling by car, look for highway US-191—the region's main transportation artery passing through the center. There is usually plenty of parking space near the shop, which is convenient if you plan to take home heavy specimens of petrified wood or large crystals.

For those arriving from afar, the nearest air hub is Canyonlands Field (CNY) airport, which is about a 30-minute drive away. The city can also be reached by commercial shuttles from Salt Lake City or Grand Junction. Public transportation within the city itself is limited, so most tourists prefer to get around by rental car or bicycle.

If you are staying in the central part of town, a walk to the shop can be a pleasant addition to your itinerary. If necessary, you can always use a local taxi, which will quickly take you from your hotel right to the doors of this "museum of stones."

The history of this place is inextricably linked with the personality of its founder, Lin Ottinger, whom locals and scientists respectfully call the "Dinosaur Man." Lin opened his shop in 1960, turning a passion for collecting into his life's work. Remarkably, Ottinger, being self-taught and having dropped out of school in the seventh grade, made a huge contribution to paleontology: he discovered the remains of four new dinosaur species. One of them, Iguanodon ottingeri, was named in his honor.

Lin's life story reads like an adventure novel: he was involved in uranium prospecting, worked as a stuntman and guide on Hollywood western sets, and led tours to the most remote corners of the desert. Even during his military service, he didn't give up his hobby, polishing stones to sell to fellow soldiers. His shop quickly became more than just a retail outlet; it became a cultural center where educational slide shows about the region's nature were held in the evenings.

Today, it is a truly family-run enterprise where traditions are carefully preserved. In 2005, Lin handed the reins to his son Sonny, and now the founder's grandchildren work in the shop. For over 60 years, the Moab Rock Shop has remained a living Utah legend, recalling the times of great geological discoveries and the enthusiasm of pioneers.

While a twenty-minute walk might be enough to just glance over the shelves, true enthusiasts should budget 1 to 2 hours for their visit. This place has a surprising ability to draw you in: you'll find yourself wanting to carefully examine every crystal, read the descriptions of rare fossils, and study the dinosaur replicas in the backyard.

If you plan to chat with the staff, who are happy to share stories about Lin Ottinger's finds, or if you're choosing a unique gift from hundreds of jewelry pieces and souvenirs, time will fly by unnoticed. Keep in mind that the concentration of interesting objects per square meter here is very high, so don't rush—the atmosphere of good old Moab is well worth it.

The shop follows a very traveler-friendly schedule. It is open daily, from Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Such long opening hours make it easy to drop by early in the morning before heading to the national parks or late in the evening after a long hike.

Please note that the shop may be closed on major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year's Day. At all other times, the doors of this treasure trove are open to everyone wishing to touch Utah's geological past.

A visit to the rock shop fits perfectly into a busy day around the city. After exploring ancient fossils, you can continue your discovery of the region's history and nature by visiting historical sites or trying local cuisine at iconic nearby establishments.