Ready to plan your perfect weekend in Moab, Utah? Moab is an adorable small town located near both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. From hiking and waterfalls to where to eat and fun things to do, here’s your ultimate guide to a weekend in Moab!

why this blog? Hi there! My name is Maddy and I work as an outdoor guide and travel guide.  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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Weekend in Moab Utah:

From Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, here’s your guide to spending a weekend exploring in Moab, Utah!

1) Visit Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky District

Start your weekend in Moab by visiting  Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. Island in the sky is perfect to visit in the afternoon and on limited time because you’ll be able to hit multiple fantastic views with just a short walk from your car.

Island in the Sky is the most popular district of Canyonlands National Park, and you can find the iconic Mesa Arch here, as well as a number of other fantastic overlooks.

2) Grab Dinner at Trailhead Eatery

Trailhead Eatery in Moab is a great place for delicious specialty burgers and local beer on your Friday evening! Of all the places I checked out in Moab, this was probably my favorite place to eat.

After dinner, get to bed early for a sunrise wake up tomorrow AM! Sunrise in the desert is easily the most magical (and comfortable) time of day.

READ: Best Things to do in Moab, Utah

3) Sunrise Road Trip through Arches National Park

Wake up Saturday morning to head into Arches National Park well before the sunrise (and well before the 7am timed-entry permits are required!

The Windows District is a great place for sunrise, as is Delicate Arch. Arches National Park gets crowded quickly in the day, and makes for a great late afternoon trip as well. Most of the hikes in Arches are fairly short, and the park can be tackled as a driving tour. I actually recommend if you have limited time just visiting Arches for a few hours in the morning or evening, then exploring some of the longer trails outside of Moab for more adventure later in the day!

READ: Best Hiking in Arches National Park

4) Brunch Moab Garage Coffee

Check out Moab Garage Co for great food and coffee and after your morning adventures! This is a great place to spend an afternoon enjoying downtown Moab shops, some shade and some air conditioning.

Still hungry? Check out Moab food truck park for a bite to eat of great food of just about every variety and fun vibes.

5) Adventure Ideas for a Weekend in Moab

After 3pm as it starts to cool off, it’s a great time to hit the trails or head out on an adventure again! There are so many fun adventures you can have near Moab, from hiking to whitewater rafting, to even scenic helicopter flights. Here are some quick ideas for the rest of your Saturday:

• Check out guided rafting trips! Rapids on this trip are Class 1 and Class 2 on the Colorado River. This trip is largely considered to be very beginner-friendly, and includes scenic canyon views as well as a professional guide!
• Consider a 4×4 tour in or near Arches National Park! If hiking isn’t your vibe but you still want to experience the desert, a 4×4 tour might be up your alley.

• Looking for a free and educational experience outside? Check out the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail, which takes you on a well-marked interpretive hiking trail past four different species of dinosaur bones embedded in sedimentary rock. This activity is totally free and kid-friendly!
• One of the best things to do in a desert like Moab is hike to a waterfall! Check out the best hiking trails near Moab here!
• Book a scenic flight over Arches and Canyonlands National Parks to experience the desert landscape from above for a whole new perspective.
• For a hardcore trip, check out guided canyoneering adventure in Goblin Valley State Park for slot canyons, unique caves, rappelling, and an adventure of a lifetime vibes. This is a half-day trip, but will likely take up more of your day logistically, so plan wisely.

READ: Best Hiking Sandals

5) Visit Proper Brewing

Spend your Saturday night at Proper Brewing for great beer and dinner before heading back to your hotel or campsite to crash for the night!

6) Visit the Needles District of Canyonlands

Get up super early on Sunday and head down to visit arguably the coolest thing to do near Moab, hiking the Chesler Park Loop. The Chesler Park is an extremely scenic difficult 10+ mile loop through the Needles District of Canyonlands. Check out the trail on the NPS website here.

When I did this trip, we did it as a one-night backpacking trip. While the entire loop can be done as a long day trip, but keep in mind there are no water sources. You’ll need to pack in about a gallon of water per person per day, or one liter per hour of hiking. Additionally, it’s important to stay on the trail. If you’re looking for a challenging long hike this is perfect! 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. It’s also totally valid and fun to just hike in a few miles to Elephant Canyon, take in some views, and hike back out instead of tackling the entire loop.

The trail is rated strenuous or difficult, and I agree with that assessment. There are some very technical sections between Chesler Park and Elephant Canyon I would consider extremely challenging, but could be avoided by anyone looking to just hike in and out 2 or so miles. Overall my backpacking trip in the Needles District was a great experience!

READ: Desert Hiking Tips

After you finish up checking out the Needles District of Canyonlands, it’s time to swing by Moab and grab one last late lunch, then head home and start thinking about Monday!

What to pack for an hiking and adventure trip to 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:

• 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.
• 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
• 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
• An America the Beautiful Pass
• Map and compass; a way to navigate without a cell phone
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, an emergency bivy

Where to stay in Moab:

Moab is the ideal spot to 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. If you choose to stay at Glamping Canyonlands, your trip will probably be less Moab-focused and Canyonlands Needles focused with a backpacker vibe.

Watch a quick 7-minute video on my trip to Moab for inspiration!

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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