According to the official website for the Hole
n' the Rock, travelers along U.S. Highway 191 in Southeastern Utah
will find a unique 5,000 square foot home and gift shop.
Hole n the Rock Billboard
UT Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Welcome to the world famous Hole n the Rock. Travelers heading south from Moab along U.S. Highway 191 have been stopping here for generations, and once you see it, it's easy to understand why.
The story begins with Albert and Gladys Christensen, who decided that instead of building a house, they would carve one into the side of a massive sandstone rock. Albert spent years blasting, chiseling, and excavating the rock by hand until he created a 14-room, 5,000-square-foot home. Along the way, the property also became a roadside diner, a gathering place, and eventually one of Utah's most unusual roadside attractions.
The diner opened in 1945 and occupied what is now the kitchen area. Albert did all of the excavation work himself and was also a taxidermist. His first project was his pet donkey, Harry. Maybe he should have started on roadkill first. Poor Harry. Harry still greets visitors today and remains one of the more memorable residents of the place.
Of course, the house itself is only part of the attraction. Long before you arrive, giant white letters painted across the rock announce your destination. The grounds are filled with sculptures, roadside art, old signs, and enough oddities to keep curious travelers wandering around for quite a while. The donkey statues, unusual artwork, and collection of roadside Americana fit perfectly with the spirit of the place.
I've always thought Hole n the Rock represents the best kind of roadside attraction. It's quirky, a little strange, completely unique, and impossible to duplicate. In an era when so many places feel the same, this is the kind of stop that reminds you why getting off the interstate and exploring back roads can still be rewarding.
Whether you stop because of the giant letters on the cliff, the unusual house, the stories about Albert and Gladys, or simply because you're curious, Hole n the Rock is one of those places you'll remember long after you've driven away. 10-06
UPDATE: Hole n the Rock remains open today and continues to attract visitors from around the world. Guests can still tour the famous 14-room home carved into the sandstone, visit Harry the donkey, explore the grounds, browse the gift shop, and enjoy one of the most recognizable roadside attractions in the American West. The giant letters on the cliff remain a familiar sight for travelers heading between Moab and Canyonlands. 06-26
The arrow on the cliff points to the Hole n the Rock
UT Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Hole n the Rock Billboard
destination. The grounds are filled with sculptures, roadside art, old signs, and enough oddities to keep curious travelers wandering around for quite a while. The donkey statues, unusual artwork, and collection of roadside Americana fit perfectly with the spirit of the place.
