The 12 Best Things to Do in Moab, Utah: A Complete Guide

When we drove from Denver to Moab during our lengthy four month tour of the United States, we had spent three months exploring the territories of Washington State, Oregon, and Colorado among others. Looming mountains, lush greenery, and dazzling alpine lakes were our steady summer diet

When we arrived in Moab to commence our Utah National Parks road trip, it was what I imagine landing on Mars may feel like. Remarkable red rock formations, towering arches, and sagebrush as far as the eye could see. We even drove past multiple tumbleweeds! Needless to say, Utah is a different world from every other place we explored that summer. And we somewhat enjoyed it.

We spent five days in Moab, which we initially thought was too much time, but as we were leaving, we decided that there are so many different and exciting activities to do in Moab that we’ll have to return someday.

In the guide below, you’ll find our take on what can be experienced in Moab. We personally partook in most of the things on the list, but there are a few activities that are on our agenda for a return trip in the future.

Don’t neglect our guide to spending 4 days in Moab, which includes exploring both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, along with some other gems near Moab outside the boundaries of the parks.

If you enjoy hiking, review our guide on hiking in Arches National Park, with our six favorite trails in the park and everything required to tackle the routes.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I earn a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, I would never recommend something to you that I don’t stand fully behind.

What to Do in Moab: A Complete Guide to Arches, Canyonlands, and More

Moab is central to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, but there is so much to do and see outside the national park boundaries.

Whether you seek a breathtaking sunrise hike, an exhilarating whitewater rafting or off-roading expedition, or a relaxed drive through a canyon of red rock formations, you will find suitable options listed below.

Planning a trip to Moab? Don’t neglect my complete guide to where to stay in Moab, Utah. Within you’ll find everything required to know about camping, the best hotels and Airbnb selections, and even a novel desert glamping experience.

Explore Arches National Park

During the lengthy ride home, Alysha and I were discussing our favorites among Utah`s “Mighty Five” National Parks (Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion). For me, it was a tie between Arches National Park and Bryce Canyon.

Arches National Park is a relatively small area, which means it can feel densely populated. The National Park Service actually closed the entrance for a few hours on the day we were checking into our campsite at Devils Garden Campground (which is one of the best places to stay in Moab). Visitors will want to enter the park early. Both to beat the crowds, but also to avoid the intense heat. Temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees fahrenheit in the summer months.

Here are some of our favorite activities to enjoy in Arches National Park.

Hike to Delicate Arch at Sunset (or Sunrise)

Witnessing the setting sun at Delicate Arch is highly recommended on every list of the best hikes in Arches National Park, and with good reason. The declining daylight makes the arch glow a scorching red as the clouds over the mountains in the background turn a faint pink hue. It was spectacular.

But what you don’t commonly find in those guides is an acknowledgment that, during the peak season from around June through October, it is extremely busy. There were hundreds of visitors at the top when we arrived to watch a beautiful sunset, and that’s not an exaggeration.

We talked to a woman the next morning on a hike who said she had been there at sunrise the same day, and was one of about ten individuals there.

If you want the best light, sunset is when to be there. If you want solitude, go at sunrise. Mid-morning through the afternoon, the arch is backlit, so your photographs might not be great.

To arrive at Delicate Arch, you`ll take a mile and half uphill hike, winding through the relatively flat desert before starting the ascent up a steep rocky surface (ensure you have shoes suited for hiking with strong traction!). Ultimately, you`ll come upon a slim section of the trail that winds around the side of the mountain, which may somewhat frighten those afraid of heights (me) or with small children. Hug the right side of the trailway (close to the mountain) if that fits you, and you`ll be fine.

You cannot actually see the arch until you are basically on top of it. You will emerge onto a small bowl, with the arch on the far side. The two spots that allow for optimal photographs are just left of the arch, and from the little rocky area on the far side of the bowl (up and to your right from where the trail ends) where you will be able to capture the mountains, clouds, and arch altogether in a single shot.

Be sure to pack a headlamp if hiking at sunrise or sunset. It gets dark quite fast after the sun sets, and we found ourselves needing our headlamps when beginning the descent down the rocky slope.

If that hike seems too taxing for you, there are some viewpoints along the incoming road. Note – the views are rather distant. If possible, I’d definitely advocate doing the brief hike upwards.

The Best Hike in Arches: Devils Garden

This route was our preferred hike in the park, and it somewhat enables you to choose your own path and proceed at your own pace. The starting point is at the far end of the scenic route in Moab, and it’s walkable from the Devils Garden Campground if you managed to secure a spot. It has restrooms and water refill stations, so bring your reusable water container to replenish – always hike with plenty of water in the desert, especially on a longer hike like this one.

If the entire eight mile loop is taken, eight arches will be seen in total (while avoiding the side trail to Dark Angel – it proved disappointing). The primitive trail on the return journey was enjoyed, requiring a bit of climbing and route selection – follow the rock stacks guided the direction)! The trail continued past Landscape Arch, with detours made to Navajo and Partition Arches, then onward to Double O Arch before the return on the primitive trail. Not very clearly marked, some rock slab scrambling was necessary along the winding path through truly spectacular scenery within the park.

All in all, it’s a worthwhile hike, but it has little cover. Bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and headwear.

Should that sound somewhat demanding of your preferences, fret not. Shortcuts allow observing certain arches while bypassing the longer return route.

The initial option would be to trek outward and again to Landscape Arch, a soaring arch that extends over a valley that you`ll view from the foundation. On the way back, hit Pine Tree and Tunnel Arch, which are a brief way away from the trailhead. If you do it in this route, it ends up being a comparatively even two miles circular trip.

If you’re craving more hiking than two miles permits, but less than eight demands, continue past Landscape Arch to the offshoots leading to Navajo and Partition Arches, which are well deserving of the trip. Then retrace your steps and do Pine Tree and Tunnel Arches on the way back to your vehicle. This covers just under three miles round trip.

The third option is to greatly emphasize avoiding the route that isn`t clearly marked and involves some brief climbing on easy rock faces. Follow the full eight mile hike out to Double O Arch, then just turn around and go back the way you came rather than pursuing the winding unimproved trail. This puts you at between four and five miles round trip if you don’t go all the way out to Dark Angel.

Sunrise at the Windows

On our last day in Arches, we got up early in the morning to head out to the Windows area, which ended up being one of our favorite spots in the park. There are four formations here – the North Window, the South Window, Double Arch (which I’m counting as one), and Turret Arch.The two windows and Turret Arch are connected by the Windows Loop Trail, which is a very short and simple walk through the desert landscape.

The sun rises in the east, which means you should head to the Windows first, which face out towards the rising sun. If you go through the north window and hike down the little trail, you’ll be able to get a good view of the arches as the light from the sun turns them a brilliant bright red hue.

Continue on the loop trail to Turret Arch, which appears like a fortress with its raising pinnacle.

Across the parking area is the Double Arch, which was in our top three favorite arches. It is a quarter mile from the parking area, and one can climb up into and through the arch where views open to the south over the rest of the park. Fun fact: Double Arch is the tallest arch opening in the park.

On the drive out, stop by Balanced Rock and do the brief walk out to it. It’s precisely what it indicates, a rock whose mass is evenly distributed.

4×4 Tour of Arches National Park

The sole thing we didn`t get to undertake in Arches National Park was venturing off the well-beaten path and exploring around the western side of the park, only accessible by vehicles with high ground clearance and 4WD capacity. Our Honda Odyssey simply wouldn`t suffice.

Fortunately for you, you can undertake a guided tour of Arches National Park in a 4×4 vehicle that will access areas off the beaten path to view the ONLY arch in the park missed (though not definitively, of course) Tower Arch.

The trip would be guided, so you wouldn`t only see things that many visitors usually miss out on, but you`d also get an expert to provide a story about the park and its history while assisting through difficult sections of the road.

Explore Canyonlands National Park

Unlike Arches, where visitors gaze upward in awe of the towering rock formations, Canyonlands National Park presents a different perspective. Instead of looking up, visitors look down into the vast network of interwoven canyons and crevices that have been carved over millennia into the landscape. Rather than focusing on individual rock structures except for Mesa Arch, one observes the extensive canyon systems.

Canyonlands is huge, and it’s made up of three areas.

Initially is Island in the Sky, which is the one we invested time in and is most accessible from Moab. Here, you’ll find the famous Mesa Arch, as well as the White Rim Road (4WD ONLY). It’s the one that the bulk of visitors to Canyonlands visit, but it’s not the only one.

The Needles, situated roughly an hour and a half south of Moab, represents the southeastern corner of Canyonlands and is probably the best part of the park for walking. However, it’s quite distant from Moab, so I’d advise searching for lodging closer to that vicinity if wanting to spend considerable time there.

The rugged remote area wouldn`t be very accessible if you only had a brief time there. Getting to it requires a vehicle that can handle rough terrain and elevated ground clearance since the journey would take several days each way, so focus exploring Canyonlands` other two parts if you only have one or two days in the park.

Mesa Arch at Sunrise

Mesa Arch is gorgeously scenic, but don’t expect to be alone if you’re there at sunrise. The sun rises over the landscape as you gaze through the arch, which is spectacular. As a result, about a hundred photographers were there with their tripods an hour before sunrise on the day we visited.

That being said, I was able to sneak in and capture some truly stunning pictures.

For more solitude, plan your visit for midday or sunset when crowds have lessened to allow ideal photographic compositions.

It’s a short hike from the parking lot, and should be your first stop on a day in Canyonlands.

Hike to Grand View Point

You’ll find Grand View Point at the southern tip of the scenic drive through Canyonlands National Park. It’s a short and sweet two mile walk out to the edge of the mesa with incredible panoramic vistas the entire way. At the mesa’s edge, you’ll have sweeping views to the southwest, such as White Rim Road and the Green River.

It’s approximately an hour away from Moab, and a perfect day in Canyonlands takes you to Mesa Arch at sunrise, then straight out to Grand View Point before returning and stopping at the White Rim Overlook, Aztec Butte, and Shafer Canyon Overlook along the way back to the Visitors Center.

A side trip to Upheaval Dome, an enormous crater, is worth detouring to if you’ve got extra time available.

If you’re seeking a more extended hike that takes you down to the canyon edge, look at the Gooseberry Trail, which is the steepest path in the Island in the Sky and takes you all the way down to the White Rim.

Drive the White Rim Road

Regrettably, we had to skip this one since our Honda Odyssey wouldn`t qualify as a “4WD, high clearance” vehicle. Especially when loaded down with all the equipment needed to live in it.

However, just because we were unable to do it does not mean you should not take it into consideration. It is the best way to get off the regular tourist path and gain a sense of the vast rugged terrain that makes Canyonlands the most unexplored National Park in Utah.

The White Rim Road extends for 100 miles, and is composed of sections with dirt, gravel, and rock that wind along the canyon`s rim past countless breathtaking viewpoints that only a small percentage of visitors to Canyonlands ever get to experience. You can either drive the road, or rent a mountain bike to traverse it on two wheels. However, ATVs ARE NOT PERMITTED.

I greatly enjoyed this guide to operating the White Rim Road, which essentially comprises all the details you`ll require to plan the ideal experience from someone who actually undertook it.

Be sure to have the relevant permit if planning to travel the White Rim Road – permits for day use can be found here, while permits for overnight backcountry trips are here.Make reservations well ahead of time during the busy season as, like many popular wilderness destinations nowadays, demand often exceeds the number of permits available.

Disinclined towards self-navigating this roadway but wanting the full experience of its splendor? No issues – take part in a guided 4×4 tourwherein an expert leader will journey along the road for your benefit and reveal to you various amazing spots you may have otherwise overlooked.

Explore the Needles District

As I mentioned previously, the Needles District in Canyonlands is more distant from Moab itself, but spending a day there is worthwhile, particularly if you`re looking for the best hiking within the park.

The Needles, named for its unique sandstone pillars, is about an hour and a half (seventy-five miles) south of Moab. Therefore, spending a full day exploring this distinctive area is recommended rather than attempting it as a brief excursion from Moab.

The initial activity would be the scenic travel along the approximately 6.5 mile route, which culminates at the panoramic viewpoint of Big Spring Canyon. Visitors will find the finest vista of the Needles themselves by way of Elephant Hill Road (roughly one mile along the dirt path – two-wheel drive cars are adequate until the Elephant Hill Trailhead – past the vantage point four-wheel drive is necessary).

The second activity to do is to hike along one of the many paths in this section of the park.

Here are some easy hikes that are little more than a stroll from the parking lot.

• Cave Spring (0.6 miles RT) – a brief loop where remnants of an old campsite formerly utilized by cowboys will be found, along with some prehistoric rock paintings.
• Pothole Point (0.6 miles RT) – I realize, this doesn’t sound like a trail you want to drive to. But it’s directly off the main roadway. It’s a short loop that takes you through a distinctive desert landscape featuring potholes that trap rainfall on the rare occasion that it rains in the desert. Signs along the route help you learn everything about the ecology and ecosystem that has found an approach to thrive here

If you’re seeking a more extended hike, I’d select either Chesler Park Viewpoint (6 miles RT) or Druid Arch(11 miles RT).

4×4 Tour of Canyonlands

Like Arches, the best way to get away from the busy areas and see the parts of the park that most people don’t ever make it to is to do a guided off-road vehicle tour.

When we visit Moab again in the future, we will certainly aim to explore the White Rim Road, which likely means renting our own Jeep and driving it ourselves. However, if navigating the steep switchbacks required to access White Rim Road makes one feel uneasy, opt for a 4×4 tour led by an expert driver to handle the driving duties.

This half day outing takes visitors deep within the Island in the Sky District, where travelers will navigate switchbacks on the Shafer Trail to access White Rim Road, seeing an unusual perspective of the park that many never experience.

This full day off-road tour of the Needles District takes you past Elephant Hill Trailhead on one of Utah`s most challenging 4×4 routes with an experienced guide. Then you’ll enjoy a buffet-style lunch at a lovely viewpoint, partake in a three mile hike in the afternoon, and return back to Moab.

Other Fun Things to Do in Moab

There are plenty of activities outside of the two national parks near Moab. In fact, I would say some of our favorite things to do in Moab are actually located beyond the National Park boundaries, where crowds will be thinner and you’ll have more personal space and time.

Whitewater Rafting Near Moab

Does floating a picturesque river through incredible red rock canyons that tower thousands of feet above you sound like your idea of fun? We love white-water rafting, and Moab is a great place to do it with options for all levels of experience and comfort.

Between us, we have been whitewater rafting in California, Oregon, and Washington, and I’ve actually rafted the Colorado River closer to the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately, we skipped this in the Moab area – it was one of the things that we wished we had more time for – but I did the research to figure out what we could do if we had more time.

There are essentially four whitewater rafting excursions near Moab that are worth considering.

From prior experience working with a whitewater rafting company in Washington State, river conditions can fluctuate greatly contingent on precipitation levels. Specifically, mild rainy or snowy periods later in the summer typically result in lower water volumes, moderating rapid intensities for those venturing onto the waterway. While not inherently negative, visitors should adjust expectations appropriately given flow variabilities.

( Least Challenging) One option is a half day excursion down the Colorado River from Fisher Towers to Rocky Rapids (about 7 miles). This stretch features some Class II rapids, which are fairly calm, and long sections where you can exit the boat and float leisurely in the waterway. You can also tackle this one in an inflatable kayak if you prefer – you’ll obtain guidance from your experienced guide to aid you in navigating the river before starting. This is a rather tranquil part of the river with smaller rapids, so it’s most suitable for those not comfortable in the water, and families with younger children. Click here to view prices, reviews, and availability for this trip.

( Relaxed, Lengthier Expedition) Another choice would be participating in a full day tour along the Colorado River through Castle Valley, covering around 14 miles which includes the same section in the half day experience, plus the area below Rocky Rapids. It remains a quite gentle trip, allowing plenty of time to play in the water. If you`re searching for an adrenaline pumping adventure that will get your heart racing and make you question “WHY DID I DECIDE TO DO THIS??”, this likely isn`t it. Click here to view prices, reviews, and availability for this trip.

( Average challenge level – this is my ideal activity) Consistently rated among the best shorter whitewater trips in the USA, a full day float through Westwater Canyon is at the top of my list of things to partake in when we make it back to Moab. On this 8-10 hour trip, you’ll paddle past 12 different class III / IV rapids, which means there will surely be moments where you question how you arrived at this point in your journey. Don’t fret, your guide will assist you in navigating them. It`s worth acknowledging that water levels dictate the experience you’ll have – lower water later in the summer means smaller rapids, which you should inquire about going in. Minimum age on this trip is 12 years old. Click here to examine reviews, prices, and availability for this activity.

(Multi-day Trips) Spending a few days along the river, a two or four day trip exploring Cataract Canyon is recommended, which will take you through 100 miles of river passage and over 30 rapids rated between Class III to V.

Hiking to Jeep Arch and Corona Arch

Two rock formations outside of Arches National Park? Count me in! These two arches are along Highway 279, which runs northwest of Moab along the Colorado River. The two trailheads are about a quarter mile apart, so you can totally park at one and tackle both without having to worry about parking logistics.

These two short hikes are a must-do in Moab. 

Initially, accomplish the voyage towards Corona Arch, which necessitates less time and sponsorship than the additional. We arrived at sunrise, which perhaps isn’t the most ideal instant to be existing since the sun expends an prolonged duration to elevate above the canyon at the rear of the arch. Still, it’s extraordinary. The hike itself lasts just in excess of two miles (return route), and there’s a minor level gain that is entirely reasonable for most individuals. There are two complicated parts – an ascent up a smooth stone surface helped by cables, and a ladder that you necessity to ascend – but we confronted absolutely no issues completing it up to the arch. Don’t neglect Bowtie Arch, which you’ll encounter prior to Corona, and the facial skin in the stone on the far side of Corona Arch!

Next, heading to the prominent natural formation known as Jeep Arch. On this hike, which lacked much shade and was very exposed to the sun`s rays, we saw a total of four people midday on a typical Thursday. Not too many visitors make the effort to reach this location, but perhaps more should. This was a 3.6 mile loop that guided you through a spectacular valley, up into and through the archway itself, and then back down the opposite side. It required considerable time exposed to the intense sunlight, so bringing plenty of water, sun protection cream, and head coverings like hats is sensible. The arch essentially comprised an opening within the towering rockface. While Alysha viewed it as resembling an automobile, I wasn`t fully convinced. I`ll let you make your own judgment upon seeing it

One note: we did not realize that you can walk through the large drainage pipe at the trailhead which takes you under the mountain, so we climbed up to the railroad tracks and then back down to the other side. Do not do this! Simply walk through the pipe (provided conditions were dry).

Sunset at Dead Horse State Park

We concluded our time in Moab, Utah with a sundown viewing at Dead Horse Point State Park.

It’s in the direction of Canyonlands along the road that takes you into the Island in the Sky section of the park, so it’s worth adding on to your exploration of that section if time permits.

The draw here involves the far-reaching scenery including the Colorado River winding picturesquely through the landscape. To maximize those vistas, I`d park where the road ends, walk out to Dead Horse Point for superb perspectives, then return northwards along the western roadside until spotting an agreeable place. That`s what we did, finding a spot around a quarter mile past Dead Horse Point to watch the sunset coloring the Colorado River. Not a bad way to finish our time in Moab.

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We found Moab to be very enjoyable, and it’s understandable that it has built a strong reputation as a major destination for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re interested in hiking, cycling, climbing, rafting, or basically any other outdoor activity, you’ll discover it in Moab. I can nearly guarantee you’ll leave your time in Moab wishing you had more of it. I know I did.

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