Many consider southeast Utah as a less of a destination and more of a place you have to drive through to get to where you really want to go. Virtually treeless, this barren landscape is little more than rocks and shrubbery. It is one of these rocks, however, that has drawn a lot of attention. Out in Moab, Utah someone put a hole in a rock; a rather big hole in fact. Initially this area was home to migrant miner families who often camped out under the stars. One of these miners decided to make his family a little more comfortable by carving out a small area of the red sandstone for a more stable shelter. What makes it interesting is that the carving did not stop for over two decades. When Albert and Gladys Christensen were done with the place, over 50,000 cubic feet of stone was excavated leaving a 5,000 square foot, 14 room house smack dab in the middle of a mini mountain. Welcome my friends to “Hole N” The Rock”!
Now, honestly, if someone asked you if you wanted to go to a place called Hole N” The Rock, you would probably roll your eyes. But don’t let the name fool you; this is really a fascinating and interesting tourist destination. The detail and attention that went into carving out this home away from home is crazy. Most people’s first reaction is simply, “Wow!” Starting in the 1940s Albert Christensen carved, chiseled, and blasted out bathrooms, bedrooms, luxurious living areas, and even a huge fireplace with a 65 foot tall chimney carved straight though the cliff side. A few years later, he and his family opened up a small diner in this man made cave catering to travelers from far and wide. Adding more and more features, Hole N” The Rock became not just a stopover point; it was oftentimes the end game. Especially because in the harsh desert extremes, the temperatures in here remain a constant and comfortable 65 to 70 degrees year round.
Today, you can tour not just the weird and wonderful treasures inside the cave home, but there is also lots of fun stuff to check out on the rest of the grounds as well. There is a trading post with beautiful locally made pottery and jewelry, an awesome sculpture garden, exhibits of unusual antique tools and mining equipment, and a General Store to stock up on all those road trip necessities. Children and adults alike will love the exotic animal zoo on the premises which houses wallabies, emus, pigmy goats, and even a zebra. Definitely one of the more unique places you will ever go, Hole N” The Rock is well worth the trip even if it’s just for some out of the ordinary photo opportunities. Open 9 to 5 seven days a week, this is one rest stop you won’t soon forget!
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