6 Best Things to Do in Moab, Utah + a Bonus Moab Itinerary!

Utah is one of the best states for those who love the outdoors, but with thousands of fun things to do in Moab alone, how do you decide what to fill your limited time with? You’re in the right place! We’ll take a look at what Moab is known for, what the top activities in Moab are, and how to build an awesome itinerary for Moab!

Let’s start with what Moab is best known for. Any ideas? It’s actually a bit difficult to answer as it is famous for so many things, like national parks, deep canyons, hundreds of rock arches, beautiful sunsets, adventure sports, and more! This means you’ll have plenty to keep you busy while you’re exploring Moab. In fact, you won’t want to miss the 6 best things to do in Moab!

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Table of Contents

1. Visit Arches National Park

Visiting Arches National Park is the number one thing to do in Moab, Utah and also one of the primary reasons people visit Moab. Located right outside downtown Moab, Arches always ranks as one of the most popular national parks in the United States and for good reason.

Featuring over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, Arches National Park is home to the densest concentration of natural stone arches in the world. You won’t want to miss the famous Delicate Arch or the largest natural arch in the world, Landscape Arch, which is 290 feet across!

In addition to stone arches, Arches also offers a number of other geological features, like Balanced Rock, soaring pinnacles, and stunning red rock canyons. Head out hiking on one of its many trails, explore the park by 4×4, or see a totally different side of it with a sunset and night photography class!

Pro tip: Like many national parks in 2022, Arches is piloting a timed entry system. This requires you to make reservations to access the park between April 3 to October 3, 2022. Learn all about it here!

Delicate Arch at Arches National Park during sunset — Delicate Arch at sunset in Arches National Park

2. Go Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River

No trip to Moab is complete without visiting the Colorado River. At 1,450 miles long, this famous river is what cut the dramatic canyons you see around Moab and is a vital source of water for over 40 million people. It also travels through 11 US National Parks.

In addition to being incredibly scenic, the Colorado River is also the best place to take part in water sports in Moab. In fact, it is the place to go rafting in Moab, offering a variety of classes of rapids to choose from. If that’s up you alley, you’re in luck.

From whitewater rafting to paddleboarding and even jet boating, you’ll find lots of amazing activities await you on the Colorado River. Best of all, they can be a great break from the heat of the summer.

3. Explore Canyonlands National Park

Located out in the Moab desert, Canyonlands National Park is another can’t miss National Park in Southeastern Utah. Canyonlands is best known for its dramatic landscape carved by the Colorado River and is unique in that it features four different districts, each with different draws: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the Colorado River and its tributaries.

With so many different districts to explore, you’ll find plenty of activities to do in Moab from exploring deep, colorful canyons, hiking through the stunning desert landscapes, and rafting the Colorado River.

Take a half-day tour of the Island in the Sky district. Explore the Needles district of Canyonlands NP by 4×4. Drive the famous switchbacks of the White Rim trail in Island in the Sky. See more of Canyonlands with a helicopter tour from Moab. Go backcountry hiking and camping in The Maze. There’s endless possibilities in the four districts of Canyonlands.

Learn all about visiting the four districts of Canyonlands National Park.

Mesa Arch from Island in the Sky — Mesa Arch in Islands in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park

4. Catch Sunset at Dead Horse State Park

A slightly smaller destination in Moab is Dead Horse State Park. Dead Horse is one of the top state parks in the United States offering miles of trails, stunning desert landscapes, dramatic canyons, and some of the best sunsets in Moab.

A visit to Dead Horse State Park will offer you the opportunity to try a number of the best activities in Moab, so make sure to add it to your Moab itinerary! Explore it on foot or consider a Moab sunset scenic tour or try out mountain biking in the park. If sunset doesn’t work for you, sunrise photography at Dead Horse Point is also quite popular!

5. Experience Hell’s Revenge 4×4 Trail

Get the full Moab experience with an adventure on Hell’s Revenge Trail. This natural roller coaster is located just outside of Moab in a desert canyon and is a popular 4×4 route. It’s best known for its challenging terrain, but it also offers amazing views of Arches National Park all the way to the La Sal Mountains.

This 4×4 trail in Moab is only 6.5 miles in length, but the hazardous terrain makes it extremely difficult and recommended only for experienced drivers. Even so, it still takes 2-3 hours to navigate!

If you’re looking to self-drive, make sure you have the appropriate 4×4 vehicle to handle the hills, potholes, and slickrock trail. If your vehicle can’t make the journey, sign-up for a self-drive tour of Hell’s Revenge. On the other hand, if you’re not an experienced driver or simply want to focus on enjoying the ride and scenery, you can check out one of the popular guided 4×4 tours.

To find Hell’s Revenge, head just passed the Sand Flats Recreation Area Entrance Station. Once you’ve found the trail, it’s clearly marked with easy to follow sandy parts and long stretches of slickrock where it is marked with flames painted in yellow. Enjoy the steep climbs and descents but keep a close eye on the steep edges!

Learn all about visiting Hell’s Revenge and what to expect when you’re there.

6. Drive the Scenic Utah Byways

Moab is home to three beautiful State Scenic Byways. These stunning roads are selected by their historic, cultural, natural, scenic, archeological, and recreational qualities and a great way to see some of the best of Moab. They’re also one of the best free things to do in Moab, Utah! That’s right, all these beautiful views are completely free to enjoy!

If that’s not enough to convince you to check out the Utah Scenic Byways, they are also a must do in Moab because they are conveniently located on the way to some of the top sights in Moab. As such, you can easily add them into your Moab itinerary to maximize your sightseeing in the area.

U-279: Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway

Just 17 miles long, this Scenic Byway is easily one of the best things to do in Moab and even easier to fit into your Moab itinerary as it leads the way from Moab to Canyonlands National Park. This popular drive follows the Colorado River through dramatic red sandstone cliffs with popular stops to see dinosaur tracks and ancient petroglyph rock art. You won’t want to miss it!

U-128: Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway

This 44 mile long scenic route follows the Colorado River gorge, just north of Moab. It will wind you along the Colorado River to endless viewpoints, including the famous red spires of Fisher Towers and the snow capped La Sal Mountains.

U-313: Dead Horse Point Mesa Scenic Byway

When determining what to see in Moab, make sure to add this 35 mile scenic byway to the list! It winds its way through red rock canyons toward Dead Horse Point State Park and the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park.

Exploring the Best of Moab Itinerary Ideas

A visit to Moab deserves multiple days, with a minimum stay of 3 days recommended. However, even if you have a week or two, you will find plenty of activities to do from hiking to rock climbing. After all, there are so many amazing things to do in Moab, you’ll be busy no matter how long you stay!

Sample 3 Day Itinerary for Moab

To try and see the best of Moab in just three days, you’re going to have a busy trip! Fortunately, things are located close together, and you can skim the surface by taking in most of the highlights of Moab in just a short time.

Here’s the best way to make three days in Moab work.

Day 1: Arches National Park

Start your trip off with a day exploring the best thing to see in Moab, Arches National Park! You’ll want to spend the full day getting to know this incredible national park. If you have to pick and choose your hikes, don’t miss Delicate Arch. It’s one of the most picturesque arches in the park.

Day 2: Hell’s Revenge Trail + Colorado River Rafting

Ramp up the adventure on your second day in Moab with a half day of rafting on the Colorado River and an 4×4 tour of Hell’s Revenge. You’ll be able to crush two of the best activities in Moab in just one day!

Day 3: Canyonlands National Park + Dead Horse Point State Park

Make the most of your last day in Moab by heading out to the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. With only one day, you’ll just scratch the surface, but you’ll get to take in the highlights, like Mesa Arch. As the day starts to draw to a close, head over to Dead Horse Point State Park to catch sunset in this breathtaking location.

Additional Days in Moab

Have more time? Add extra days to the top places to see in Moab, like Arches National Park or one of the four districts of Canyonlands National Park.

Alternatively, you can check out the awesome selection of adrenaline pumping activities in the area. GetYourGuide and Viator are teeming with great ideas for Moab activities to make your trip the adventure of a lifetime!

Short on Time? How to Condense Your Moab Itinerary

When visiting Moab, you really need a minimum of 3 days. However, if you find yourself short on time, you can still make the most of it. Check out the Discover Moab in a Day tour. It hits many of the hotspots in just a day, including Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point!

Visiting Moab with Kids

If you’re on a family trip to Moab, you’ll want to adjust your itinerary accordingly. For one, some of the hikes in Arches and Canyonlands may be a bit long for younger child – particularly if it is summer time and scorching hot outside! That being said, hiking and sightseeing in the National Parks will still come out as one of the top things to do in Moab with kids. Just plan to do some of the shorter trails.

Another potential adjustment to your Moab itinerary if traveling with kids would be to reconsider the adrenaline sports. Depending on the ages of the kids, they may get a kick out of Hell’s Revenge and whitewater rafting, or they may end up in tears. You know your children best! Just make sure to plan your family trip to Utah with adventures you’ll all enjoy!

Where to Stay in Moab

The city of Moab is pretty small, but there is no shortage of places to stay. From luxury resorts, like the Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa to HooDoo Moab, to more modest hotels, like the Red Cliffs Lodge and Gonzo Inn, you’ll find amazing Moab hotel options to fit every budget!

Search All Hotels in Moab

In addition to classic hotels, you’ll find all kinds of unique accommodation options, like Moab Springs Ranch and Under Canvas Moab, which offers luxury canvas tents just outside of Arches National Park. Make your trip to Moab a one-of-a-kind experience by booking one of these quirky and fun accommodation options!

Find the best hotels in Moab, Utah.

Explore More of Moab, Utah

Now that you have a full idea of what to do in Moab, it’s time to take a look deeper into the details of the surrounding areas. You’ll find there’s plenty to keep you busy whether you have one day or a full week in Moab!

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