Looking for the best things to do in Moab, Utah from the best hiking to wear to eat? Keep reading for a quick guide to what to do in Moab, Utah!

why this blog? Hi there! My name is Maddy and I’ve been working as an outdoor guide & travel writer since 2018! I’m dedicated to providing accessible outdoor information to beginners and helping readers like you find adventures suited for your comfort level and skill so you can have the best possible trip!

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What to pack for an adventure trip in Moab, Utah:

Moab is a super fun destination! Keep in mind it’s going to be HOT and sunny. Pack more water than you think, to the tune of one liter per hiking hour. Also pack:

• Shorts or loose-fitting long pants: for women looking for a flattering fit and functionality try Kuhl Freeflex or REI Trailmade
• A hiking day pack
• Hiking boots: I like Oboz Bridger Mids for best grip and ankle support, or alternately hiking/paddling sandals like Bedrocks (designed for paddling guides and paddling guide (me) approved)
• A UPF sun hoodie
• A down puffy jacket that packs down small: nights are a lot cooler than you might expect!
• On rugged trails, trekking poles
• An America the Beautiful Pass
• At least 2.5 L of water per day; note that some areas recommend a Liter of water PER HOUR while desert hiking. One water bottle is likely not enough for a day hike.
• A water filter (in case of emergency you may be able to find water to filter)
• Three ways to call for help: Garmin InReach, whistle, signaling mirror
• First aid kit
• Map and compass; a way to navigate without a cell phone
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, an emergency bivy
• WAG bags: in the desert you need to pack out your poop while hiking! Yes, for real — it won’t biodegrade in the arid climate. Worry not! WAG bags are relatively smell-proof and easy to use. Read more here.

Where to stay in Moab:

Moab is the perfect place to stay and basecamp to explore Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and the surrounding hikes and canyons. Check out the Expedition Lodge for a family-friendly and downtown location (Where Exploren Borgen and I stayed on our trip!) or Scenic View Inn for something sleeker.

We also stayed at Glamping Canyonlands which is a great option for staying near the Needles District of Canyonlands with a more rustic, off-grid vibe.

Best Things To Do in Moab, Utah on a Budget

Moab is a small town in southwestern Utah known for being a great place to visit and basecamp while visiting Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park! There’s so much to do both in the local national parks, on the local trails, and in Moab!

Moab is on the traditional and cultural homelands of the traditional and cultural homelands of the Ute, Southern Paiute, and Pueblo peoples. Please keep in mind when recreating that many areas have historical, archeological and cultural significance and should be treated with excess care. Stay on trail (also protects delicate ecosystems like cryptobiotic soil!) and pack out all trash!

1) Sunrise at Arches National Park

One of the best things to do while visiting Moab is visit Arches National Park at sunrise! Arches is home to high concentration of fantastic sandstone arches, most iconically Delicate Arch. Arches National Park uses a timed-entry system. In addition to your America the Beautiful Pass, you’ll also need a timed-entry ticket UNLESS you enter the park before seven am, in which case you only need your national park pass (same as the America the Beautiful Pass).

Arches National Park tends to be crowded during the day, so I recommend visiting in the morning! The landscape is especially gorgeous at sunrise. Check out the Windows section for a good sunset location to explore.

READ: Desert Hiking Tips

2) Guided Rafting Trip

Looking for a water adventure near Moab to beat the head? Check out guided rafting trips on the Colorado River! Rapids on this trip are Class 1 and Class 2, largely considered to be very beginner-friendly. This trip includes scenic canyon views as well as a professional guide!

Paddling gear is included, but don’t forget your sunscreen!

3) Visit Moab Garage Coffee

Looking for the quintessential Moab coffee shop? Check out Moab Garage Co for great food and coffee and extremely fun vibes! Pair with a late morning exploring the shops of downtown Moab.

After coffee and a sweet treat and walking through town, head to the Moab food truck park for a bite to eat of great food of just about every variety.

4) Visit Canyonlands Island in the Sky District

Must-visit near Moab is the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. Pictured below is Mesa Arch around midday — Mesa Arch is best known as an epic sunrise spot!

Most of the hiking in Island in the Sky are short hikes, but it is a great place to drive and check out multiple canyon overlooks and vantage points.

5) Arches National Park 4×4 Tour

For an off-the-beaten-path Moab adventure, check out a 4×4 tour in or near Arches National Park! This is a great way to see parts of the desert you might never see on foot. These adventures are best done with a guide for your safety and protect the fragile desert environment.

Overall, a 4×4 tour is a great way to experience the desert and a fun break from hiking!

6) Check out some Dinosaur Bones and Tracks (Mill Canyon)

Moab, Utah is especially incredible as it is one of the best places in the US to see dinosaur tracks and bone. The Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail takes you on a well-marked interpretive trail past four different species of dinosaur bones embedded in sedimentary rock.

Also near Mill Canyon (and pictured above, right) is one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America.

7) Eat at Trailhead Eatery

After a long day on the trail head to Trailhead Eatery for delicious specialty burgers and local beer. Of all the places we ate in town Trailhead was probably my favorite.

8) Check out Slickrock Bike Trail

Looking for world-class mountain biking in Moab? The famous Slickrock Bike Trail delivers, with difficult terrain including steep climbs and descents on sandstone from the Jurassic Period with unique views all around.

Don’t want to chance it alone on an advanced mountain biking trail? Book a guided tour instead.

9) Visit Moab Giants

Fan of a little bit of Jurassic prehistory, and fun roadside attractions? Check out Moab Giants, a kid-friendly dino park. Here, you can see models of the very same species of dinosaurs whose fossils you hiked beside earlier in the day.

Also at Moab Giants, check out a small museum and ancient “aquarium” experience. Overall, this place is for sure a tourist trap designed for families with kids, but definitely still a fun experience for families with kids under 10. Sarah and I went as adults because it looked fun and we wanted to and you know what, we definitely did have fun.

10) Visit Proper Brewing

Looking for something to do while you beat the heat? Head to Proper Brewing in Moab for great beer and even better vibes.

Even in the spring, the desert gets HOT between the hours of noon and three-ish, making for a perfect mid-afternoon beat the heat break.

11) Hike to a waterfall

One of the best things to do in a desert like Moab is hike to a waterfall! There are a handful of great waterfall hikes near Moab worth checking out. In the beginner-friendly category (left, below) check out Faux Falls near Ken’s Lake for a less than three mile trip. Pair with a walk around Ken’s Lake and a quick swim!

For another beginner-friendly hike, this one including water crossings (your feet WILL get wet) and the best swimming hole I’ve ever seen, check out Mill Creek right outside of Moab; this quick hike is right outside of Moab, and gets crowded in the afternoons as the sun crests over the canyon walls. For a longer and more challenging slot canyon/waterfall hike, check out Professor Creek which is likely to not be crowded but includes water crossings.

On these trails and and all trails, remember to pack out all trash you pack in, including banana peels and toilet paper. Pack plenty of water, stay on the trail and consider picking a different trail if you find the parking lot full. No worries, there are plenty of great hiking trails near Moab!

12) Stay at Glamping Canyonlands

One of the coolest places to stay outside of Canyonlands National Park and near Moab is Glamping Canyonlands. Glamping Canyonlands is a small, family-owned business with just the best desert vibes. It’s clean with both privacy and a community aspect, wi-fi, showers, and bathrooms.

This was such a fun glamping experience and I loved the community kitchen, meeting other hikers, and checking out the chickens! The skies are also SO dark here it was seriously magical!

13) Backpack the Needles District of Canyonlands

One of my favorite things that we did while visiting Moab was hike the Needles District of Canyonlands! We stayed overnight at Chestler Park. Check out the trail on the NPS website here.

The trail can be done as a long day trip, but keep in mind there are no water sources and you’ll need to pack in about a gallon of water per person per day. It’s also important to stay on the trail, and prep for the heat. If you’re looking for a challenging long hike, start early, pack plenty of water and snacks, and consult a map beforehand. While the trail is fairly well marked with cairns, people have died out here from heat exhaustion.

The trail as a whole is rated strenuous, and I would more or less agree with that assessment. Doable, for sure not the hardest trail I’ve been on, but there were some very technical sections between Chesler Park and Elephant Canyon I thought deserved a helmet and ropes.

READ: A Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking

BONUS: Canyon Sunset Helicopter Tour

Want to experience the canyons and dramatic desert landscape of Moab from above? Book a scenic flight over Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Experiencing the desert landscape from above not only provides a whole new perspective on the parks, but can provide a sense of scale of the vast desert landscapes.

BONUS: Canyoneering Adventure in Goblin Valley State Park

Looking for a hardcore adventure trip near Moab that involves Canyoneering? Book a half day guided canyoneering adventure in Goblin Valley State Park for slot canyons, unique caves, rappelling, and an adventure of a lifetime.

How to get to Moab:

To get to Moab, you’ll want to fly into Grand Junction, CO (about a two hour drive) or Salt Lake City, UT (about a four hour drive). From here, rent a car and head out to Moab.

What time of year to visit Moab, Utah:

Spring is one of the best times of the year to visit Moab. Moab typically has mild winters and hot summers at lower elevations and expect temperatures to be much hotter in canyons. Late summer and fall can have increased rainfall, and summers are very hot. One thing to keep in mind when hiking, especially in canyons and slot canyons, is that rain can quickly lead to flash flooding. Flash floods can happen year-round but are more common in the late summer and fall.

Keep exploring the southwest desert!

• Check out the best hiking trails and adventures near Las Vegas
• Plan an epic adventure to backpack the Havasu Falls Trail
• Read basic desert hiking safety tips

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