As the gateway town to two of Utah’s iconic National Parks, Moab is one of the most popular Utah destinations. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited Moab, yet there are always new things to try. Every time I leave, I have a new list of things to do in Moab. My first trip to Moab was in 2011 for a Colorado River rafting trip, and I’m so glad I got to see it back then. It’s changed quite a bit!

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Best Hikes in Moab

There are endless opportunities for hiking near Moab. I have a huge list of Moab hikes and try to hit one or two when I’m in town. It’s safe to say, I won’t run out of new Moab hiking trails anytime soon. Here’s my current wishlist, followed by the Moab hikes I’ve already done and would recommend.

• Fisher Towers Trail – 4.2 miles round-trip hike amongst rock formations northeast of Moab
• Delicate Arch Trail – I cannot believe I haven’t hiked the most popular hiking trail in Arches, but I haven’t. I’m hoping to hike it on a full moon one of these days.
• Jeep Arch is a new one I just learned about

Park Avenue Trail

I loved this easy hike in Arches National Park. It’s not too far into the park and the parking lot and trailhead are on the left if you are coming into the park. The only elevation change in the 1.8-mile hike is a set of stairs at the beginning, as you descend into a mostly dry riverbed. You can do this as an out-and-back or leave a 2nd car at the Courthouse Towers parking lot.

Corona Arch Hike

This easy hike near Moab has been on my radar for a while now, but my last few visits were always too hot for hiking. I finally had a chance to go this past November. (By the way, November is perfect weather for hiking in Moab…as long as you don’t mind adding and removing layers frequently!)

At 2.4 miles round-trip, this is a super popular Moab hike, so go really early or you may have to extend your hike if the main parking lot is full. Technically, the trail is dog-friendly, but there are ladders and scrambles, so I wouldn’t recommend it for larger dogs that you can’t carry up the ladder.

Morning Glory Natural Bridge

This hike starts at the mouth of Grandstaff Canyon, where a Creek drains from the La Sal Mountains into the Colorado River. This hike is about 2.25 miles each way and crosses the creek several times until branching off to a side canyon that ends at Morning Glory Natural Bridge. The parking lot is on Highway 128 not far past the junction with 191 at the northern entrance to town. The parking lot is small and fills up quickly, so get there early. I started around 8:30 on a Sunday and it wasn’t too crowded yet.

When I arrived at Morning Glory Bridge, some people just rappelled down out of nowhere. Turns out they were on this guided rappelling tour with Red River Adventures. I’m totally signing up for this next time I visit Moab.

This is also a great hike for dogs near Moab if you go in the morning because it’s shady with lots of water and the sand is cool to the touch. At the ripe old age of 13, Bailey stayed behind in our air-conditioned Moab hotel.

Fiery Furnace

One of the best hikes in Arches Park is the Fiery Furnace tour. There are special requirements if you want to go on your own, or you can sign up for a ranger-led tour. It’s a maze of sandstone spires and arches and it would be really easy to get lost, so I think the ranger tour is the way to go.

Devil’s Garden is another great hiking trail in Arches National Park. As the longest trail in Arches, this is your best chance for ditching the crowds and experience some peace among the red rock hoodoos and arches.

Moab Parks

There are two Moab National Parks, and a state park nearby that are a big reason why Moab is such a popular destination.

Arches National Park

The main draw for most travelers visiting Moab is to visit Arches National Park. It’s getting pretty crowded these days, but that’s no surprise because the scenery is stunning! There are over 2,000 arches in the park. From the Insta-famous Delicate Arch to hidden arches that are only accessible on foot.

There is one road in and out of Arches National Park so the best thing you can do is to get there early before the crowds arrive. The park has a traffic webcam at the entrance so you can check on the lines. In 2026, Arches has eliminated the timed entry system, which means you have to show up and wait in line, which could take a couple of hours in peak season. Better yet, choose a campsite in Arches National Park, and you’ll be the first one in the park!

Canyonlands National Park

I spent four days in Canyonlands National Park on the river, but I have not spent much time there otherwise. My first glimpse from the visitor center near Moab had me convinced I had made a wrong turn and ended up at the Grand Canyon. It can be an intimidating park to explore because there aren’t the usual tourist trails (and roads) you would find in other national parks. Most people I know who have explored Canyonlands have done so in the backcountry, either with a 4WD vehicle or by backpacking. Fortunately, Kristie at World is Wide has a great post on exploring Canyonlands Island in the Sky for an afternoon!

Dead Horse Point State Park

Set between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park outside of Moab, this state park is every bit as stunning as the National Parks, albeit on a much smaller scale. Start with the scenic drive through the park, ending at Dead Horse Point Overlook. Enjoy the astounding views in every direction before circling back to the Visitor Center, where several hiking trails begin. The park also has mountain biking trails, two campgrounds, and two yurt villages with overnight accommodations. The entrance to Dead Horse Point State Park is along the road to Canyonlands Island in the Sky district, so it’s a quick and easy side trip that is well worth the detour.

You’ll need a Utah State Parks pass for this one.

Other Moab Activities

Moab is an outdoor adventurers’ paradise. Visitors come from all over the world to hike, bike, raft, and Jeep around the Moab area. From its origins as “the Uranium Capital of the World” in 1950, Moab is now an adventure tourism mecca.

Moab Whitewater Rafting

A multi-day rafting trip in Canyonlands National Park first brought me to Moab. I chose the Cataract Canyon 4-Day Rafting trip with OARS. My big dream was to raft through the Grand Canyon, so this Canyonlands trip was a trial for me. (Spoiler Alert: it was amazing and I rafted the Grand Canyon just a few years later with OARS!)

I highly recommend a multi-day rafting trip from Moab. The scenery, the campsites, the hiking, and the food are all amazing! It was this trip that taught me about the “river blues” as I was pretty depressed when it all came to an end. However, I realize not everyone can spare the time or money to spend four days on the river. If that’s the case, there are still some Moab rafting trips you can take for a day or a half-day. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the landscape from the river that helped shape it!

Moab Scenic Flights

I got to experience the area around Moab from a seven-seat Cessna airplane, which was amazing! It happened to be included in our four-day Moab rafting trip, but you can also book these separately.

I was super nervous about flying in a tiny plane as I was dealing with a fear of flying at the time (thankfully resolved), but there was no time to be scared on this flight. The scenery is just too incredible. I actually fell in love with small planes on this trip; they don’t bother me at all anymore. This is one of the coolest things to do in Moab, Utah, especially if you take a river trip because you can retrace your path from the air.

Browse Moab Tours by Plane, Helicopter, and Hot-Air Balloon

Moab e-Bike Tour

On a more recent trip to Moab, I joined tour guide Ron for a Petroglyph Tour by E-Bike along the Colorado River. This was a super fun way to explore some petroglyph sites along the east shore of the river. I’ve explored the other shore several times but hadn’t yet been on this side of the river. We started at Moonflower Canyon and continued downriver a few miles until we reached Birthing Rock. We stopped several times along the way to check out various petroglyph panels.

Even on a cold, November morning, I had a blast zooming around the canyon on an e-bike. You feel like you’re being active, but there’s practically no exertion…my kind of tour! Ron also offers a Moab Back Roads, History, and Winery E-Bike Tour which will definitely be on my list next time I visit Moab!

Rent your own E-Bike for a self-guided tour of Moab!

Moab Jeep Tours

Another fun thing to do in Moab is to get off-road into the red desert backcountry. Guided Jeep tours and ATV tours are super popular in Moab and they’re a great way to see some cool stuff that you wouldn’t normally get to see, like ancient petroglyphs and pictographs. If you don’t have your own off-road toys, there are plenty of Moab tours that will take you out into the backcountry in cool spots like Deadhorse Point State Park.

Moab SUP

Outside of the Colorado River, there isn't much water to be found around Moab. But my last trip came at the end of September, and I was hoping to extend the paddling season just a bit. I wouldn't call Moab a destination for paddleboarding in Utah, but we threw our boards in at Ken's Lake for a quick paddle. It's pretty small, but the backdrop is beautiful. This is so refreshing on a hot day!

We really wanted to SUP on the Colorado River but we couldn't find a good put-in spot and didn't have a ton of time, so next time we'll plan ahead and schedule a guided tour from Paddle Moab.

Moab Giants Dinosaur Park

This dinosaur fun park outside of Moab is perfect for anyone obsessed with dinosaurs. Start your visit with a ten-minute film about the history of our planet. Next, head to the 5D prehistoric aquarium, a really cool virtual underwater experience, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. In the Interactive Tracks Museum, you can learn about all the different kinds of dinosaur tracks and how they are discovered. Before heading out for a hike on the Dinosaur Trail, take a quick trip up the view tower for an aerial view. The ½-mile trail winds through a series of dinosaur replicas, with some fun sandboxes along the way where kids can hunt for bones. There’s also a playground, cafe, and gift shop.  

Moab Rock Art

One of the coolest things about the Southwest United States is the Native history that is found throughout the Four Corners region. There are lots of really neat Indian ruins in Arizona and Utah and many places where you can find rock art in the Moab area. One of the best day trips from Moab is a tour of the various petroglyphs and pictographs left behind. Remember, these are irreplaceable artifacts and should not be touched or defaced in any way.

• Sego Canyon – exit I-70 at Thompson Springs and head north into Sego Canyon, where you’ll see rock art from three different Native American periods. The Barrier Canyon style is mostly unique to Utah, and is some of the oldest rock art, dating back 7,000 years.
• Potash Road – just before you reach the Arches entrance (coming from Moab) turn left on Potash Road. Scenic Byway U-279 follows the Colorado River and has a great rock art site on the right side of the road. The site is marked and there is room to pull off the road. The trailhead for Corona Arch is also on this road; this hike is on my list for my next trip to Moab!
• Nine Mile Canyon is quite a bit farther from Moab, but it’s worth a detour if you drive from Salt Lake City. There are few other tourists here as it’s off the beaten path, but there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

Best Dining in Moab Utah

I wouldn’t say it's a foodie destination, and there are a lot of overpriced tourist restaurants with mediocre food. But there are some decent places to eat in Moab; it’s just good to have reasonable expectations. (Moab Diner and Moab Grill were both meh.) The town gets super busy, so if there’s someplace you must eat, call ahead for reservations.

• Sweet Cravings Bakery + Bistro has the best food in Moab. Their breakfast and lunch options are so good. I go at least twice every visit. The breakfast burritos are super yummy and a great way to fuel up for a day of hiking in Moab!
• Moab Food Truck Park gets my vote if you're going to eat lunch in Moab. Located right off Main Street, there are lots of vendors here selling all kinds of food. The food trucks are seasonal, so they are often closed in the winter.
• Miguel’s Baja Grill claims to have Moab’s best seafood and that could very well be true. The fish tacos are pretty delish!
• The Spoke on Center is a fun place with a good beer selection and tasty cocktails. I had a burger and it hit the spot after a day of exploring Moab.
• Red Cliffs Lodge is a cool place to stop along Highway 128. I arrived just after the lunch service at the Cowboy Grill, but I was able to eat on the river deck, which serves a buffet-style prix fixe menu of burgers, salads, chips, and cookies. I also had dinner at the Cowboy Grill on another trip; it was good, but I enjoyed the riverside lunch more.
• I had a great dinner at the Broken Oar as well. It was a popular place and had a bit of a wait, but the staff and the food were both worth recommending.
• Moab Brewery is always packed. I ate there many years ago on my first trip, and always enjoy brewpub food, but every time I try to return, I can't find parking! So, go during the off hours.
• Antica Forma seems to be one of the top-rated restaurants in Moab. I finally got to try it on my last visit and their pizza was really good. I went at a weird hour, so I was the only person dining, so I can't speak to the atmosphere, but I think it gets pretty crowded in the evenings.

Best Lodging in Moab

I'll start by saying lodging in Moab is expensive! It’s a small town with a huge demand for accommodation. After my tent blew away when camping at Arches National Park, I decided to head into town and get a “cheap” room at the Motel 6 and it was close to $200. And that was at least 10 years ago. That said, it’s nice to have a cool air-conditioned room to come back to after a day of exploring all the fun things to do in Moab. Since becoming a Utah resident, I've worked for Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott, so I've stayed at their hotels in Moab.

On my last two trips to Moab, I stayed at the brand-new Element by Westin, which is super nice and dog-friendly! The outdoor hot tub is the perfect way to end a day of hiking.

Luxury Moab Hotels

Moab is not necessarily a luxury destination. It's mostly full of dirtbag mountain bikers and river rats, but there are a few upscale places to stay near Moab.

• Sorrel River Ranch is a gorgeous luxury dude ranch set along the Colorado River about 20 minutes from Moab.
• Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton is the nicest hotel that's right in Moab. I loved the decor which reflects the surrounding area as well as the mining history in the area. It's one block from Main Street, so you can easily walk to Moab's bars and restaurants.

Mid-Range Moab Hotels

As a former Marriott employee, I have stayed many times at the Element by Westin. The suites have a kitchenette, a ton of space, and amazingly comfortable Heavenly beds! It's located halfway between Arches National Park and downtown Moab. There's a lovely hot tub that I really enjoy at the end of the day, in any season!

Now that I work for Hyatt, I stayed at the Hyatt Place Moab on my most recent visit. (Although I'm banking my Hilton points to cash in at the Hoodoo, which is probably my favorite hotel in Moab.) The Hyatt Place was actually quite nice and I loved the outdoor area by the pool with a fireplace and huge hot tub. Definitely a great place to soak after a day of hiking in Moab.

The closest hotels to Arches are two other Marriott properties. Springhill Suites and the Fairfield Inn & Suites are just minutes from the park, and share what looks like a really fun outdoor pool with slides and splash pads. I could never get an employee rate at these properties, so I don't have first-hand experience with these properties.

Moab Glamping

There has been an explosion in glamping in Utah recently, and there are a ton of Moab glamping sites. From simple state park yurts to a glamping resort with two Michelin keys, these are a few places to stay near Moab if you're looking for a fun glamping experience.

• Under Canvas is a glamping chain that has several locations in Utah, including Under Canvas Moab. While I think winter is the best time to visit Moab, Under Canvas and its luxe sister property Ulum, close between October and March.

• Dead Horse Point State Park has glamping yurts that are a bit more affordable than the glamping resorts. I haven't stayed at these yet, but have stayed at the Goblin Valley yurts, which are similar.

Moab Campgrounds

I camped at Arches National Park for a couple of nights on my first visit. There is no lodge in Arches National Park, so you either have to camp or choose a hotel in Moab. The Devil’s Garden campground has really cool campsites but also has bathrooms and sinks for dishwashing. You can reserve a campsite up to six months in advance unless you are visiting in the winter when the campsites are first-come, first-served.

If you want RV hookups or more plush accommodations, there are plenty of other Moab campgrounds to choose from. If you want something more secluded (and free) there is a ton of BLM land around Moab. A great place to start planning your Moab camping trip is on the Discover Moab campground page.

Getting to Moab

Canyonlands Regional Airport in Moab has direct flights from Denver and Salt Lake City. However, most people will drive from one of those cities, as there's so much to see along the way. Las Vegas is another popular arrival city for travelers visiting Utah's National Parks and Monuments.

If you are driving to Moab, plan on at least the amount of time listed below, but you'll want to stop many times along the way to gawk at the scenery,

• Denver to Moab: 3 hours and 45 minutes
• Salt Lake City to Moab: 5 hours and 45 minutes
• Las Vegas to Moab: 6 hours and 45 minutes
• Capitol Reef National Park to Moab: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Don't miss the beautiful scenery from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef!
• Zion National Park to Moab is between five and six hours.

Best Time to Visit Moab

Anytime school is not in session, Moab is packed. Expect long lines or required reservations to get into Arches National Park, and packed trailheads. Spring and fall have the best weather in Moab, so naturally those are also crowded times to visit. My last few visits have taken place in November, and because I don't like crowds, I think winter is the best time to visit Moab. You'll have the parks to yourself and it's very pleasant if you have the right layers to wear. It can get pretty cold at night, and snow is possible, but for me, it's worth the tradeoff.

Now that I live in Utah, Moab is an easy weekend getaway for me. I can’t wait to continue to find more fun things to do in Moab! I definitely want to plan a trip just for hiking in Canyonlands and I think a full moon hiking trip to Arches would be a blast!