The Absolute Best Things to Do in Moab, Utah
- Logan & Audri
- Apr 25, 2025
- 15 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
Updated: August 2026
If adventure travel has a home base in the United States, Moab is it.
We've spent about three weeks in Moab across multiple trips, and at this point, it basically feels like our home away from home. Arches and Canyonlands are right outside of town, but the national parks are only the beginning. Between hiking, scenic drives, off-roading, rafting, dinosaur tracks, and exploring the desert, you could easily spend a full week here and still leave with a list for next time.
Moab draws every kind of adventure traveler: hikers, photographers, off-roaders, rafters, and even those who just want a really good hotel and a great view.
Whether you're planning your first trip or heading back for more, here's everything worth doing in Moab, Utah.
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Where Is Moab, Utah?
Moab sits in southeastern Utah, surrounded by some of the most incredible red-rock landscapes in the state. Arches National Park is only about 5 miles from town, while the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is roughly a 40-minute drive away. Dead Horse Point State Park and Utahraptor State Park are also nearby, which makes Moab one of the best bases for exploring this part of Utah.
I've included a map above with all the places mentioned throughout this guide, including things to do, places to stay, restaurants, and airports. Feel free to save it while you're planning your trip!
If you're flying in, Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY) is only about 20 minutes from downtown Moab, although flight options are limited. Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is roughly 90 minutes away, while Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is about four hours away and usually has the most flight options.
No matter where you fly into, I highly recommend renting a car. You'll need one to reach the national parks, trailheads, scenic drives, and most of the places in this guide.
If you're planning a larger Utah road trip, Moab fits perfectly into our Mighty 5 road trip itinerary, which connects all five of Utah's national parks.
Is Moab Worth Visiting?
If I'm ever struggling with where to book our next trip, Moab is always one of the first places that pops into my mind.
With that being said, Moab is definitely best for people who love being outdoors and exploring. To really get the most out of this little town, I'd recommend hiking, off-roading, driving the scenic roads, rafting, exploring downtown, and just pure adventuring.
But you definitely don't need to be doing crazy hikes every day to love Moab. There are so many incredible overlooks, scenic drives, easy trails, restaurants, and places to explore without doing anything too intense.
If you love beautiful landscapes and venturing off into places that feel completely different from anywhere else in the U.S., I think Moab is absolutely worth visiting.
Best Time to Visit Moab, Utah
Spring and fall are the sweet spots for visiting Moab, but if I had to pick one month, April is my personal favorite. The weather is usually perfect for hiking and spending all day outside without dealing with the extreme summer heat. Just know that spring is also one of the most popular times to visit, so you definitely won't have Moab to yourself.
Summer gets brutal, we're talking temperatures that can reach 100°F or more with very little shade. If that's your only window, get on the trail early! One big positive about visiting during the summer is the long days, which gives you plenty of time to explore if you plan around the hottest part of the afternoon.
Winter is so underrated in my opinion. We went in January and had the parks practically to ourselves. It was chilly, but once we were out hiking, we barely thought twice about the cold. If you don't mind layering up, I'd absolutely visit Moab in the winter again.
How Many Days Do You Need in Moab?
Across our trips to Moab, we've done everything from squeezing it into a much longer road trip for just one day to spending six days here at a time. And after doing both, my biggest advice is: do not just spend one day in Moab! It deserves so much more than that.
I think 4 to 5 days is the perfect amount of time, but even a full week in Moab isn't excessive. There really is that much to do!
With 3 days, you can explore Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, and Potash Road without feeling too rushed. With 4 to 5 days, you can add some of the lesser-known spots, spend more time hiking, explore downtown, and actually enjoy Moab rather than just checking things off a list.
Where to Stay in Moab, Utah
We've stayed at a few different hotels in Moab over the years, and these are the ones I'd recommend depending on the kind of trip you're planning:
WorldMark Moab — Best Overall. This has become one of our go-to places to stay in Moab, especially for longer trips. The suites give you a lot more space than a standard hotel room, and many include full kitchens, which is so nice when you're spending several days hiking and exploring. On our most recent trip, we also stayed in one of the brand-new Eddie Bauer Adventure Club suites here, and the entire concept fits Moab perfectly.
Wolfe's Hotel Moab — Best boutique stay. We also stayed here on our most recent trip and loved the design. It feels much more like a boutique hotel than your typical national park stay, with beautiful rooms, thoughtful details, and a location right along Main Street.
Hyatt Place Moab — Best for convenience. It's right on the north side of town, about a mile from downtown and only a short drive from Arches National Park, which makes it an easy base if most of your trip revolves around exploring the parks.
Under Canvas Moab — Best for glamping. If you want your stay to feel like part of the adventure, this would be my pick. It's about seven miles north of Moab and has safari-style tents surrounded by the desert, plus incredible stargazing at night.
Camping: If you'd rather camp, Devil's Garden Campground inside Arches is hard to beat for location, and Dead Horse Point State Park is another beautiful option. Devil's Garden is the only campground inside Arches and reservations are highly recommended during its busy season. Dead Horse Point campsites can also be reserved in advance, so I'd book as early as you can if you're visiting during spring or fall.
Where to Eat in Moab, Utah
Moab has way more good food than you'd probably expect from such a small town. These are a few of our favorite spots and the ones I'd recommend adding to your trip:
Moab Brewery — The classic post-hike dinner in Moab. It's super casual, has a huge menu, and they brew their own beer right on site. This is where I'd go when you're starving after spending the entire day hiking and just want an easy dinner without having to dress up.
Desert Bistro — If you want one nicer dinner during your trip, go here. The menu changes seasonally and is much more upscale than most of what you'll find around Moab, so it's a great option for a date night or special occasion.
Antica Forma — One of our favorite spots in Moab for pizza. They make wood-fired pizzas, have a great wine list, and the whole place feels very relaxed.
Love Muffin Café — Our go-to breakfast spot! They have great coffee, breakfast burritos, muffins, and plenty of options you can grab before heading out for the day. They currently close fairly early and aren't open every day of the week, so I'd check their hours before you go.
Moab Food Truck Park — One of the easiest options if you're with a group or everyone wants something different. There are multiple food trucks all in one outdoor area, so everyone can grab what they want and meet back at the tables. It's also perfect when you just want something quick after exploring all day.
Best Things to Do in Moab, Utah
Visit Arches National Park
Arches is the reason most people come to Moab in the first place, and there really is no place like it. If it's on your list, go. It's worth it every single time.
The park has more than 2,000 documented natural stone arches and the densest concentration of natural arches anywhere in the world. Delicate Arch is the one you'll see on Utah's license plate and probably the most iconic spot in the park. Sunset is especially popular, and we've hiked it at sunset twice now and would do it again.
But don't make the mistake of only going to Delicate Arch! Park Avenue, Turret Arch, The Windows, Double Arch, and Balanced Rock are all worth stopping for, and you can see a surprising amount of the park even if you only have one day.
One important thing to know for 2026 is that Arches no longer requires a timed-entry reservation. You can enter without booking in advance, but the park still gets extremely busy, and some trailhead parking lots can fill very early during peak season. If you're planning a full day in Arches, our complete guide covers all of our favorite hikes, stops, and everything we'd recommend doing with one day in the park.
Explore Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky District)
Canyonlands doesn't get nearly as much attention as Arches, and honestly, I don't get why.
It's the largest national park in Utah and is divided into four main districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and The Rivers. Island in the Sky is the closest to Moab and definitely where I'd recommend starting on your first visit.
Shafer Canyon Overlook is probably my favorite spot in this entire part of the park. You can look straight down into the canyon and see Shafer Trail winding along the cliffs below, and the view is just unreal. Grand View Point is another must, with huge views across the canyons and White Rim far below.
And then there's Mesa Arch. Mesa Arch at sunrise is something I think about often. The arch sits right along the edge of the mesa, and in the morning, the rising sun lights up the underside of it while you can see the canyon glowing behind it. It's easily one of my favorite sunrise spots in all of Utah.
If you want to add in a quick hike, Upheaval Dome is such a cool stop too. The trail to the first overlook is only about 0.6 miles roundtrip, but it is short and steep. What makes it even more interesting is that scientists still aren't completely sure how Upheaval Dome formed. The two main theories involve either an ancient salt dome or a meteorite impact, although more recent research supports the meteorite theory.
Canyonlands also gets significantly fewer visitors than Arches, so it usually feels a lot less hectic. If you're spending a day in Canyonlands, we have a full guide with our favorite overlooks, hikes, and everything we'd prioritize in Island in the Sky.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point is a place I think people almost skip because Arches and Canyonlands get all the attention, but that would be a mistake.
The main overlook sits nearly 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, and it's one of the easiest big views you can get around Moab. It's only a short paved walk from the parking lot, and once you get out there, you can see the river winding through the canyon below. On a clear day, you can even see the Potash Ponds off in the distance.
If you have a little more time, there are easy trails along the rim that connect several other overlooks, including Meander Overlook, where you get another incredible view of the Colorado River below.
You don't need a full day here either, which makes it really easy to pair with Canyonlands. Just keep in mind that Dead Horse Point is a Utah state park and has its own entrance fee. As of 2026, it's $20 per private vehicle and you don't need a reservation to enter.
Potash Road (Utah Scenic Byway 279)
Potash Road is my favorite drive in all of Moab, and honestly, one of my favorite roads we've driven anywhere in the U.S.
The road follows the Colorado River with massive red-rock walls rising right beside you, and the views just keep getting better the farther you go. You'll pass Wall Street, one of Moab's most popular climbing areas, where you can actually watch climbers scaling the cliffs from the road. A little farther down are the Potash Road Petroglyphs, Poison Spider Dinosaur Tracksite, and the trailhead for Corona Arch.
The scenic byway itself is paved for about 17 miles, so you don't need a high-clearance vehicle to drive it. Near the end, you'll reach the Intrepid Potash mine, where those bright-blue evaporation ponds you've probably seen in photos are located.
If you have a high-clearance vehicle and want even more of an adventure, a rough dirt road continues beyond the end of the paved byway toward Canyonlands National Park. I wouldn't recommend continuing in a regular rental car, but the paved portion alone is 100% worth driving.
If you can time it right, I'd drive Potash Road later in the afternoon. The late afternoon sun makes the canyon walls glow orange, and it makes an already incredible drive even better.
Poison Spider Dinosaur Tracksite
One of the coolest quick stops along Potash Road is the Poison Spider Dinosaur Tracksite, where you can see actual dinosaur footprints preserved in the rock.
The tracks are around 190 million years old and came from at least 10 carnivorous dinosaurs, which is kinda crazy to think about when you're standing there looking at them. The walk from the Poison Spider Mesa Trailhead is short, although there is some uneven slickrock and a little climbing involved.
It's completely free and doesn't take long, so I'd definitely stop here if you're already driving Potash Road.
The same trailhead also gives you access to Poison Spider Mesa, one of Moab's most well-known off-road and mountain biking routes, if you're looking for something much more adventurous.
See the Potash Road Petroglyphs
Just before the Poison Spider Dinosaur Tracksite, keep an eye out for the petroglyph panels carved into the canyon walls along Potash Road. They're some of the easiest rock art to see around Moab, with several panels along the cliffs right beside the road.
There are marked pullouts where you can park and walk over for a closer look. You'll see animals and other shapes carved into the sandstone, including huge human-like figures that are some of the easiest to spot.
It's completely free and only takes about 15 minutes, so there's really no reason not to stop if you're already driving Potash Road. Just be careful crossing the road, and most importantly, don't touch the petroglyphs. They're incredibly fragile, and the oils from our hands can damage rock art over time.
Raft the Colorado River
After spending so much time looking down at the Colorado River from overlooks around Moab, getting out on the water gives you a completely different perspective.
There are options for pretty much every kind of traveler. The popular Moab Daily section near Fisher Towers is the more relaxed option, with mostly mild rapids and half-day guided rafting trips that are great if you're new to rafting. If you want something much more adventurous, you can also find serious whitewater trips through places like Westwater and Cataract Canyon.
I'd especially consider adding a river day if you're visiting during the summer. It's such a different way to experience Moab, and being surrounded by those massive canyon walls from the water sounds pretty hard to beat when it's 100°F outside.
Most trips leave from Moab or include transportation from town. Bring plenty of sunscreen, a dry bag for anything you don't want getting wet, and a GoPro if you have one.
Explore Downtown Moab
Don't spend your entire trip rushing between trailheads and forget to actually explore Moab itself. Downtown is small and easy to walk, but there are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, gear stores, galleries, and little local shops along Main Street.
We usually end up wandering around town after a long day outside, especially when we want to grab dinner, get coffee, or just take a break from hiking for a few hours. It's definitely not a huge downtown, but it has that fun little adventure-town feel that fits Moab perfectly.
This is also where you'll want to stock up on groceries, snacks, water, and anything else you need before heading back into the parks. There are no restaurants, gas stations, or stores inside Arches or Canyonlands, so grab what you need in town before you go.
Go Off-Roading
Moab is one of the most famous off-roading destinations in the country, and even if you've never done it before, this is probably one of the best places to try it.
Hell's Revenge, Fins N Things, and Poison Spider Mesa are some of the most well-known routes around Moab, with steep slickrock climbs, narrow ledges, and views you would never reach from the main roads. Just know that some of these trails are seriously technical. Hell's Revenge and Fins N Things are both considered difficult, so I wouldn't recommend showing up in a regular SUV and trying to figure it out as you go.
If you're experienced and have the right vehicle, you can bring your own or rent something in town. Otherwise, I'd absolutely go with a guided 4x4 tour. You still get the crazy terrain and incredible views without having to be the one figuring out how to drive up a wall of slickrock.
And no matter how you explore, stay on the designated trails. The desert around Moab is incredibly fragile, and driving off-trail can cause damage that takes years to recover.
Stargaze in the Desert
Don't call it a night as soon as the sun goes down! Moab is an International Dark Sky Community, and some of the best views around here don't even start until after dark.
On a clear night, get away from the lights in town and you'll be able to see way more stars than you're probably used to, especially around a new moon. Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point are all designated International Dark Sky Parks, so you really can't go wrong with any of them.
Dead Horse Point is one of the easiest places to plan a night around because you get those huge canyon views during sunset and can stay for the stars afterward. Just keep in mind that the park closes to regular day-use visitors at 10 PM, so plan accordingly.
And if you've never seen the Milky Way somewhere truly dark before, Moab is a pretty incredible place to do it.
More Things to Do Around Moab
I could honestly keep this list going forever, so if you have extra time, here are a few more places to consider adding to your trip:
Corona Arch — One of the most impressive arches outside of Arches National Park. The hike is about 3 miles roundtrip, completely free, and includes a few cables and a short ladder along the way.
Canyonlands Needles District — A completely different side of Canyonlands filled with colorful sandstone spires and much longer hiking opportunities. It's farther from Moab than Island in the Sky, so I'd save this for a day when you have plenty of time.
Fisher Towers — Huge red-rock towers along Highway 128 with hiking, climbing, and some incredible views over the Colorado River basin. Even the drive out here is beautiful.
Morning Glory Natural Bridge — The main destination along the Grandstaff Canyon Trail, which follows a stream through a beautiful sandstone canyon before reaching the natural bridge.
Mill Creek Waterfall Trail — A popular trail close to town with water along the route, leading to a natural swimming hole and waterfall, making it a nice option when you want something different from the exposed desert hikes around Moab.
Moab Giants Dinosaur Park — A dinosaur museum and outdoor trail with more than 100 life-size dinosaur replicas. This would be an especially fun stop if you're visiting Moab with kids.
Go Mountain Biking — Moab is one of the most famous mountain biking destinations in the country, with trails for just about every experience level. The 10.5-mile Slickrock Trail is the popular one, but it's technically difficult, so I'd stick with an easier trail if you're new to mountain biking. There are plenty of places in town where you can rent bikes or book a guided ride.
Long Dong Silver Spire — If you're continuing your Utah road trip toward Hanksville, this is one of the strangest landscapes we've found in the state. The black spire rises straight out of the Utah badlands, and we have a full guide to finding it safely.
Scenic Highway 128 — One of the prettiest drives around Moab, following the Colorado River through towering red-rock canyon walls. Fisher Towers is along this route, and it's an easy drive to add to your itinerary when you need a break from hiking.
Moab Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need A Car in Moab?
Yes, I definitely recommend having a car in Moab. Downtown itself is small and walkable, but almost everything you'll want to see is spread out, including Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, Potash Road, and most of the trailheads around town.
You don't need anything fancy for most of the places in this guide either. A normal rental car is perfectly fine for the national parks and paved scenic roads.
Do You Need 4WD in Moab?
Not for most trips! You can visit Arches, Island in the Sky, Dead Horse Point, Potash Road, downtown Moab, and plenty of hiking trails with a regular car.
You'll only need a high-clearance or 4WD vehicle if you're planning to explore some of Moab's rough backcountry roads or off-road trails. And definitely check your rental-car agreement before taking a rental onto any unpaved roads.
Can You Visit Arches and Canyonlands in the Same Day?
You technically can, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're really short on time. Both parks deserve at least a full day, especially if you want to hike instead of only stopping at overlooks.
If you only have one day for both, I'd spend the morning in Arches and the afternoon in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands, then add Dead Horse Point around sunset if you still have time.
Do You Need Reservations to Visit Moab?
You don't need a reservation to visit Moab itself. As of 2026, Arches National Park also no longer requires a timed-entry reservation, and Canyonlands doesn't require timed entry either.
Some specific experiences still require reservations or permits, though, including certain campgrounds, Fiery Furnace hikes in Arches, and some backcountry roads and overnight trips in Canyonlands. If there's something specific you know you want to do, I'd always check the official park website before your trip.
What Should You Pack for Moab?
At minimum, bring comfortable hiking shoes, plenty of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and layers. The desert can be extremely hot during the day and surprisingly cool once the sun goes down.
I'd also bring a small hiking backpack, portable charger, reusable water bottle or hydration bladder, and a camera because you'll probably want it constantly. If you're visiting during summer, carrying more water than you think you'll need is always a good idea.
Ready to go to Moab?
Did you find these tips helpful? Let us know your Moab plans in the comments! :)
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