From the urban bustle of Salt Lake City to the unforgettable parks near St. George, Utah is packed with things to see and do. That said, a trip to Moab has a little something to offer to everyone, whether you’re after shopping sprees, places to eat, or gorgeous nature vistas.
With two of the most beautiful national parks in America on either side (and a million other attractions whichever way you turn), any Moab itinerary is bound to lead you someplace nice. Not to mention, the city itself isn’t too shabby, either!
Ready to dive into the ultimate Moab trip guide? Read on to find out more!
Best things to do in Moab
Check out the Moab Rock Shop
The Colorado Plateau spans several states, and it’s home to countless fish and dinosaur fossils from a distant era. You can buy a lot of these at the Moab Rock Shop, whose six-odd decades of quality work are a testament to their products’ authenticity.
Beyond fossils, you can get your hands on minerals from all over the globe, not to mention rocks unique to Utah. Now that’s a souvenir that’ll last you a lifetime, and then some!
Also, while you’re in the area, you might as well walk to the Moab Information Center for a map of the city.
Enjoy a drink at the Moab Brewery
Located near the City Market and a number of central attractions, the Moab Brewery is the place to be if you want to try some local lager. Their chicken quesadilla is to die for, especially when you wash it down with some Bougie Johnny’s Rose Ale!
Try out rappelling or rock climbing
Anyone looking for an outdoor adventure should take full advantage of Moab’s rocky surroundings. Your best bet would be to join a rappelling group at Medieval Chamber for an afternoon of physical activity and socializing with like-minded travelers.
Sandwiched between the innumerable drainages, you’ll (quite literally) see a side of Utah you never knew existed. You’ll end things off with a stop at the Morning Glory Natural Bridge, one of the most scenic spots in the Moab area.
Hike the Mill Creek Trail
To make the most of your trip, you absolutely have to do some Moab hiking. With a sea of rocky pathways waiting to be conquered, the Mill Creek Trail was Moab’s best-kept secret until tourists caught wind of its majesty.
Beginners rejoice - the hike is on the easier side thanks to the low elevation. It’ll take you past gorgeous streams, region-specific rocks, eye-catching waterfalls, and much more.
Visit Arches National Park
One of Utah’s crowning jewels, Arches National Park has more natural stone arches than any place on the planet. With more than 70,000 acres waiting to be explored, that adds up to a lot of gate-shaped rock formations!
The Delicate Arch is the park’s main attraction, but that’s just scratching the surface. There’s also the Landscape Arch trail and the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, the perfect spots for a snapshot to commemorate your trip.
Stop by Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is a bit underrated compared to Arches, which doesn’t make it any less great. Its sandstone spires are unlike anything else you’ll encounter in the States, and there are over 330,000 acres for you to check out.
This park is best known for the Island in the Sky, which is rich in overlooks and hiking trails to keep you busy for days. We recommend the guided tour from Moab to cover as much of Canyonlands National Park as possible. Not to take away anything from places like the Grand Canyon, but Canyonlands is an American one-off in more ways than we can count!
See Hole N’’ The Rock
This is one of America’s strangest roadside attractions, and that’s saying something! Hole N’’ The Rock was originally constructed by the Christensen brothers, who transformed a cave into a place where cowboys could cool off. They subsequently turned it into a gigantic house, and the rest is history.
Today, Hole N’’ The Rock is open to visitors, and it features a petting zoo and a gift shop. It’s also right by the side of the road, so there’s virtually no excuse not to give it a look!
Trek across Dead Horse Point State Park
If you liked the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park should be right up your alley. Photographers will love the high-altitude views, namely the Colorado River, countless expansive canyons, and other Utah gems.
Despite the scary-sounding name, a lot of the park is relatively easy to hike. There are even plenty of animal-friendly trails for those of you who like to travel with pets. If you’re a fan of places like Sedona, you’ll feel right at home at this red rock expanse!
Drive out to Goblin Valley State Park
If you’re doing a trip to Moab, you might as well drive out to the heart of Utah for a day and see Goblin Valley State Park. The hoodoos (rock pillars) the park is known for are affectionately referred to as goblins, and they’re among the most unique rock formations in a state that has no shortage of them.
The Goblin Valley Campground is very popular among nomads, and for good reason. The sun beaming over Goblin Overlook in the morning is something you won’t soon forget!
Go rafting down the Colorado River
We can’t do a Moab visitors guide without highlighting the majesty of The Colorado River. This beauty spans multiple states (not to mention parts of Mexico), so rafting is a great way to get a feel for the region’s diverse geology.
There’s a Moab rafting tour that takes you past the Fisher Tower and Castle Valley, not to mention the beautiful unmarked spots along the way. If you’re confident in your paddling, this might be the best value for money you can get from a Moab tour.
Cycle the Slickrock Bike Trail
A lot of people commit to a Moab road trip for the biking trails, which there are plenty of. Still, the Slickrock Bike Trail has a reputation for being the best, thanks to the 10 scenic miles of Navajo sandstone!
The whole thing starts with a practice loop to get your beak wet, and you can continue from there if you feel you’re up to it. Just be sure to bring plenty of water as it isn’t the easiest route to trek.
Where to stay in Moab
Let’s face it - one day in Moab just isn’t enough. Luckily for you, the tourism and hospitality sectors are booming there, so there are loads of amazing places to stay.
Offering the perfect balance of comfort and affordability, The Gonzo Inn in downtown Moab ticks just about every box. Whether it’s the cozy rooms, the swanky pool and hot tub, or the incredible mountain backdrops, you’ll be waking up feeling like royalty here.
For a more quaint experience, we recommend The Castle Valley Inn. Castle Valley is only a thirty-minute drive from Moab, and its positioning behind Arches National Park gives you a lot to look at. Not to mention, the rooms are a knockout in every sense of the word!
Trip to Moab FAQs
How far is Moab from Salt Lake City?
There are some pretty amazing cities and towns near Moab, and while the capital is a bit further away, it’s definitely worth a visit. You have about 235 miles between Moab and Salt Lake City, and the drive should take you around 4 hours.
This is one of the most scenic drives you can take in Utah, thanks to attractions like Manti-La Sal National Forest, Utah Lake, and the lively city of Provo.
What place has the best food in Moab?
When it comes to places to eat and drink, the Moab Food Truck Park is one of the city’s main attractions. Tourists and street food go together like bread and butter, but these aren’t your everyday roadside food vendors.
Whether you’re up for gelato, tacos, hot dogs, or wok, you can relish in the high-quality meals of about a dozen different eateries, all within a stone’s throw of one another. Add to that the super-fair prices, and you’re in for a multiple-course meal that can’t be beat!
What’s the best time to visit Moab?
The ideal time for visiting Moab would either be spring or fall. Summers can get pretty sweaty out there, and the winters have a bit of a bite to them. With so many places waiting to be explored, temperatures in the 60s and 70s hit the perfect sweet spot for most people.
Ultimately, there’s nothing more gorgeous than a wave of sunshine washing over a picturesque canyon. The bluer the skies, the better your trip to Moab will be!
