Moab, Utah is a destination for adventure enthusiasts. Vehicles along Main Street usually have mountain bikes, camping gear or off-road equipment like immense tires and winches attached.
Right outside Moab, you find Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Dead Horse Point State Park that feature amazing arches and rock formations, world-class hiking and biking trails and spectacular scenery.
Explore the area on your own or book a tour with one of the expert local guides offering a variety of services including biking, walking tours, stand-up paddle boarding, rafting, horseback riding, and even some incredible stargazing at night. Learn about the local geology, culture, and history, and see life-size replicas of dinosaurs.
Here are the seven best things to do in Moab, Utah, USA
1. Arches National Park
Arches National Park is best known for the iconic Delicate Arch. The park boasts a collection of 2,000 arches, slender spires, and spectacular hikes.
People of all ages and abilities can see and explore the park. Many formations can be seen from the scenic roads and parking lots. There are numerous easy hikes for families with children. The more advanced hiker will find difficult and primitive trails which lead to serenity away from the crowds.
For the best experience and photography, visit early or late in the day as the colors are more vibrant, crowds are lighter, and it allows you to avoid the heat of the mid-summer day.
2. Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is a much larger park than Arches. It provides opportunities for day hiking and backpacking. Mountain bikers can tackle challenging dirt roads that lead through the heart of the park. For those staying overnight, you will find incredibly peaceful campgrounds.
Canyonlands is split into four distinct “districts.” Island in the Sky is the most visited. Visitors hike to Mesa Arch, drive the Schaeffer Switchbacks and enjoy the many awe-inspiring viewpoints 2,000 feet above the Colorado River.
The Needles district contains excellent hiking. The Maze district is remote, rugged and remarkable. The Green and Colorado Rivers offer Single-day and multi-day rafting and paddling adventures.
3. Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park provides breathtaking desert landscapes as well as dramatic panoramic vistas of Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River.
Named after a natural corral by cowboys in the 19th century, Dead Horse Point rests 2,000 feet above a gooseneck in the Colorado River. It is famous for being featured in the final ‘Grand Canyon’ scene of the 1991 film Thelma & Louise.
The park features several incredible overlooks, picnic areas, a campground, a visitor’s center and a 9-mile loop hiking trail. A new network of singletrack trails has begun attracting mountain bikers who want epic views with moderate rides.
4. Corona Arch Trail
The Corona Arch Trail often gets overlooked. This 1.5-mile trail wanders over a Slickrock landscape and is marked with cairns that make it easy to follow. The trail gains 440 feet in elevation, most of it coming on a few short, steep scrambles equipped with steel cables (a trail version of handrails) for support.
The trail leads to various attractions, including the Corona Arch, Bow Tie Arch, beautiful views of the Colorado River, and a vast slick rock canyon. The trail is suitable for all ages and levels of hiker and is best hiked in the early morning or early evening due to the lack of shade.
5. Hell’s Revenge Trail
Hell’s Revenge is one of the most famous Jeep trails in Moab. It is known for its high steep climbs, heart-pounding descents and beautiful views of the La Sal Mountains and Negro Bill Canyon. The most spectacular view is from the overlook where you’re high above the Colorado River.
Feeling a little on the adventurous side? Take a Drive Along Tour where you get behind the wheel of a Jeep, and under the watchful eye of an experienced guide, follow their vehicle along this trail. You may also opt for the Ride Along Tour where the guide does the driving and you simply enjoy the ride. (We recommend Outlaw Jeep Tours).
6. Potash Road
This Scenic Byway provides great views of the Colorado River, ancient rock art, and dinosaur tracks. Begin this drive in the late afternoon so you can enjoy the spectacular color on the red sandstone cliffs on the return to Moab as the sun sets.
Potash Road begins about 4 miles north of Moab, where it turns off of Highway 191. The road first enters the deep gorge of the Colorado River. A few miles farther look for rock climbers on the cliffs which locals refer to as Wall Street.
Just beyond this, you can admire the petroglyphs; there are marked pull-offs and interpretive signs in the area. Further along, Potash Road is the “Dinosaur Tracks” turnout, where you can see a series of three-toed dinosaur tracks.
7. Stargaze
As cities around the world grow bigger and brighter, the night sky becomes dimmed by light pollution. Stargazing has become a tourist attraction at many Dark Sky locations around the world.
Moab, Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point are all internationally recognized as the best places for viewing stars and photographing the Milky Way due to their remote locations, altitude, and clear skies. The slogan “Half the Park is After Dark” encourages visiting these National Parks in Utah at night and simply LOOK UP!
8. Find accommodation in Moah, Utah
Where to Stay in Moab, Utah, USA
Best Budget Hotel in Moab, Utah, USA – Super 8
The Super 8 Moab is 1.6 km from the centre of Moab, and many area attractions.
In fact, this Utah motel is located 5 km from Arches National Park, the Colorado River, and is close to Canyonlands National Park. Guests will also have easy access to many recreational activities including Moab’s famous mountain cycle trails, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) trails, Utah’s best 4X4 jeep trails, and the 18-hole Moab Golf Course.
Best Mid-Range Hotel in Moab, Utah, USA – Kokopelli Inn
Each air-conditioned room provides a flat-screen satellite TV, a small refrigerator, and coffee-making facilities at Kokopelli Inn Bluff. An en suite bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries is also included.
At Bluff Kokopelli Inn you will find barbecue facilities and a mini-market on site. Other facilities offered include luggage and bicycle storage and a vending machine. The property offers free parking.
Best Luxury Hotel in Moab, Utah, USA – Homewood Suites by Hilton
Arches National Park and the Slickrock mountain bike trail are minutes from this Moab, Utah hotel. The hotel offers a free daily hot breakfast and free high-speed internet access. At the Hampton Inn Moab, every guest room includes a flat-screen LCD TV and a coffee maker. A work desk is also available in each room.
An outdoor pool and a fitness room are on-site at the Moab Hampton Inn. The hotel offers on-site laundry facilities as well.
Dead Horse Point State Park is a short drive from this Moab, Utah Hampton Inn. The Moab Golf Course is also within driving distance of the hotel.
A bit outside Moab is the Sorrel River Ranch and Spa
We recommend using condos with a kitchen to save on eating out. Our favorites: Purple Sage, we stay here every time we visit Moab and Moab Flats.
About the Writer
David enjoys photography and exploring areas off the beaten path in the jeep. Jamie plans and organizes the travel itineraries and details. We share our photos and stories to Inform and Inspire you to explore new places and capture your adventure with photographs.
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