The 6 Best Things To Do in Moab, Utah
By Carrie Green Zinn
Are you looking for the best things to do in Moab, Utah?
Moab is a treasure of a city in the eastern part of Utah approximately 230 miles south of Salt Lake City.
After visiting the Salt Flats then head down to Moab!
It’s the home of the remarkable Arches National Park with its breathtaking red rock formations, and is just 30 miles from the stellar Canyonlands National Park.
The Colorado and Green Rivers travel through these regions adding to the color palette of oranges, reds, greens, and blues.
Arches and Canyonlands are two of the Mighty Five National Parks in Utah, which include Capital Reef, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.
There are so many fun things to do in Moab, it might be difficult to decide.
Here’s my list of the top 6 things to see in Moab.
For a quick summary, the 6 best things are:
1. Arches National Park – The Delicate Arch
2. Dead Horse Point State Park
3. Route 128 & The Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway
4. Potash Road & Route 279 & The Lower COlorado River Scenic Byway
5. Canyonlands National Park
6. Ken’s Lake
Quick & Easy Links
Flights & Hotels: I recommend Expedia
Vacation rentals: I recommend VRBO
Car Rental: I recommend Hertz
Tours: I recommend Viator
Gear: Check out my Travel Stuff
Create Your Travel Memory Books with MILK
#1. Arches National Park
Arches National Park is THE reason to visit Moab.
Unique for its 2000 massive rock arches, formations, and pinnacles, Arches is one of the most inspirational places I have ever been.
These rock formations began with geological forces 65 million years ago!
How to hike to Delicate Arch in
Arches National Park
You’ll have plenty of time, if you follow these instructions:
GET UP EARLY!!! Be at the park entrance by 6-6:30 AM.
The park is open 24 hours, so you may encounter lines and have to pay a $30 per vehicle fee (good for 7 days). (We did not have to pay. For some mysterious reason they were not collecting fees that day).
The Delicate Arch
Drive the 11 miles through the gorgeous landscape. Do Not Stop to take photos, just get to the parking lot at Delicate Arch. Signs will direct you.
The lots in the park fill up very quickly and since Delicate Arch is the most popular hike, you’ll want to do it early in the day to beat the heat.
The trail to the arch is 1.5 miles (3 miles round trip), on an incline with a gain of 430 feet.
It’s billed as a moderate hike, but if you are an avid hiker and in fairly good shape, you’ll find it fairly easy.
Plan on a three hour visit, that way you can sit and relax at the arch, drink water, have a breakfast bar, have your photos taken by all your fellow hikers, and take your time climbing down and taking lots of pictures.
Don’t miss the path to the Ute Indian Petroglyphs on the rocks near the parking lot before you head back to your car.
#2. Dead Horse Point State Park
Your second priority when it comes to the best things to do in Moab, Utah is Dead Horse Point State Park just 33 miles (40 minutes) from Moab on route 313.
Dead Horse Point is another breathtaking desert landscape of canyons, river views, and rock formations.
I recommend you plan to be there late afternoon or near sunset. There should be plenty of parking at that time of day and fewer people walking the trails.
There are over seven miles of hiking trails in the park and all are considered “easy.”
Most trails begin at the Visitor Center. There are two campgrounds in the park and even four yurts which sleep up to six people each for only $140 per night! How cool is that?
#3. Route 128/ The Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway
Rocks along one side, and the river on the other, make for a spectacular ride. It’s very relaxing and serene. You’ll see river cruises, kayaks, and stand up paddles.
Begin at the Colorado River Bridge in Moab and end in Cisco, a ghost town that was used as a water refilling station for locomotives.
About 24 miles in, look for the red rock Fisher Towers against the backdrop of the La Sal Mountains.
#4. Potash Road/ Route 279/ The Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway
At 5 miles in you will see ancient petroglyph drawings in the rocks on your right. And if you stop at 5.9 miles to park in the Poison Spider Trail, you’ll find a map to a short trail to dinosaur tracks and more petroglyphs!
At 9.9 miles in is another trailhead which will lead you to the famous Corona and Bowtie Arches.
Keep going even further, and you will see 15 miles of sheer Wingate sandstone. When you get to the Potash boat ramp, you can turn around, unless you have a 4X4 and want to continue onto Shafer Basin Road to find the canyon where Thelma and Louise drove off into the sunset!
#5. Canyonlands National Park
When it comes to the best things to do in Moab, Utah, Canyonlands National Park is at the top. It spans almost 340,000 acres of canyons, rock formations, arches, mesas, and buttes just 33 miles southeast of Moab.
The Green River and Colorado River divide these areas, but make it difficult to access the districts in single trips.
If you’re planning on extending your stay in Moab to see Canyonlands, you’ll need to plan ahead and decide what you have time for. You might just need to return for another trip!
The Island in the Skye district is considered the most accessible and easiest to see in a short trip from Moab.
You can enjoy views from a paved highway and find trailheads for great hikes. The other districts require boats, hiking, and four-wheel driving.
#6. Ken’s Lake
Just 11 miles south of Moab on Route 191, is the beautiful Ken’s Lake set against the backdrop of the La Sal Mountains.
It’s a popular campground and swimming lake perfect for cooling off in the desert heat.
You can easily walk to the Faux Falls from the campground and enjoy the crisp mountain water.
OK people, get out there and start exploring “the mighty five” National Parks in UTAH and tell us all about it!!!
When is the best time to visit Moab?
Late Spring and Early Fall are great times to be in Moab, the temperatures will be mild (between 60-80 degrees fahrenheit) and the crowds will be small.
The Summer is hot (up to 100 degrees fahrenheit), but that should not discourage you from visiting. If you plan your hikes for early in the morning or later in the day, you should be OK.
The Winter months may be much less crowded, however, some trails may be unsafe to manage in the snow.
What is the best way to get to Moab?
Moab is 234 miles from the Salt Lake City Airport. I recommend you rent a car at Hertz from the airport and drive the 3.5 hours to Moab. The scenery is exquisite, the two and three lane highway is great, and there is basically no traffic.
Moab has a small airport, called Canyonlands Field Airport which has flights from Salt Lake and other international airports.
Where to eat in Moab
Moab has a bunch of excellent restaurants, and many with gluten free options!
The choices range from basic American fare to Italian, Chinese, and Indian food.
I can personally recommend:
Zax – for lunches and dinner
Spokes – for lunches and dinner
Gloria’s Cafe – for lunches and dinner
Love Muffin – for breakfast
Doughbird – for breakfasts
The Best Place to Stay in Moab
→ Best Budget Hotel – The Hampton Inn Moab
Just 8 minutes from Arches, right on the main street, within short walking distance to restaurants and shops. A pool, hot tub, safe, clean, and breakfast included. Prices start at $166.
If you are a camper, then check out one of the many complete guides to campgrounds in and around Moab for help with locations and reservations. Devils Garden Campground within Arches National Park is the only campground actually inside the park.
Some Packing Tips for Moab
Be sure to bring:
~ A camera
~ A tripod
~ Hiking boots
~ A backpack
~ Casual clothes
~ Exercise clothes
~ Bathing suit
~ Warm things for the cool evenings
~ Have plenty of water with you at all times! It is desert air and very dry. You are not a camel-Hydrate!
Now you have all the details for the 6 best things to do in Moab!
In a nutshell…
Moab, Utah, is an extraordinary destination with its blend of stunning beauty and unique adventure.
From the natural magic of Arches National Park to the calming landscape of Dead Horse Point State Park, Moab has something for any nature lover. You can explore the Colorado River Scenic Byways, discover ancient petroglyphs, and experience the vast Canyonlands National Park.
Moab stands out for me as a must-visit location for an unforgettable adventure in Utah’s incredible outdoors.
Carrie
Carrie Green Zinn is the owner and author of Carrie Green Zinn – A Travel Blog, which helps travelers become inspired to explore and step out of their comfort zones. Carrie focuses on family vacations, empty nest travel, and girlfriend getaways. Her work is informed by her life as a former dancer, therapist, and school psychologist. She brings her passion for writing, photography, and making the world a smaller place to her ever growing blogging audience.
