The approach to Moab, Utah, is anything but low-key. After miles of driving down narrow roads and curving around rolling hills, grand arched rocks and spires of stone begin to pop up along the desert vista, contrasting against the expansive blue sky.
In the southwestern corner of the state, the tiny town of Moab rises from a sea of rust-hued sandstone, towering arches, and ancient canyons. With its iconic national parks and lesser-known trails, Moab’s awe-inspiring landscapes quench the thirst of active spirits, while the town’s burgeoning art and music culture, inspired by the desert, engage creative souls.
Because there is so much on offer, planning a trip to the destination can be harder than it looks. Moab isn't the easiest to get to, and whittling down your itinerary can be both labor-intensive and doubt-inducing. The hub of a town is also in a season of change—beside family-run restaurants that haven't tweaked their menu in years, you'll find new lodges and spiffed up gear rental shops as if magicked out of the desert dust.
This Moab, Utah, guide is designed to help you plan a visit with minimal homework. We cover the best hotels and restaurants in Moab, tips on getting in and around, and how to choose which of the nearby national parks should top your list. Read on for our complete travel guide to Moab.
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How to get to Moab
One of the allures of Moab is that it isn’t in the immediate vicinity of any major city. This does, however, make it more challenging to reach—or makes it a perfect stop along a longer road trip, depending on how you look at it. You can fly into Moab’s local airport, Moab Canyonlands Regional Airport, which is 21 miles northwest of Moab and has limited flights operated by United, Delta, and Skywest. Alternatively, you can fly into a major city and drive; the closest major city is Salt Lake City, which is about 4.5 hours by car from Moab.
Getting around Moab
Having your own set of four wheels will give you the freedom to explore the wilder sides of the greater Moab region, particularly the trails and sights within the national parks and beyond. If you fly in, car rentals are available, but don’t expect to rely on public transportation or Uber, which have limited coverage. There are a handful of shuttle services in the area, such as Roadrunner Shuttle, that can transport you to and from major hiking and biking trails if you are car-free.
When to visit Moab
Shoulder seasons are the best time to visit Moab. In the springtime, days are longer and warmer days, and the trails come to life with brilliant paintbrush and juniper, among other wildflowers. Fall is arguably the most ideal season. By September, the sizzling summer temperatures have cooled down, high elevation hikes are snow-free, the Colorado River has been warmed by summer sun, and trees in Manti-La Sal National Forest are turning rich, earthen hues of autumn. If you happen to visit during summer, set out around sunrise so you can retreat from the sun by mid-day. The weather can be variable throughout the day any time of the year, this is the desert after all, so come prepared with layers no matter the season you visit.
What to do near Moab
Most travelers come to Moab with the goal of dropping their things in town then beelining for a national park—or hopping on an adrenaline-rushing excursion. But how to choose which is best for you? We have a few pointers.
Arches National Park: Located just five miles north of Moab, Arches National Park is filled with natural wonders, making it a perfect playground for adventure enthusiasts. Take a drive along the 36-mile Scenic Drive loop or get out in the fresh air and hike on the dozens of trails that lead you to stone arches, soaring pinnacles, and stacks of colossal rocks. Delicate Arch, an easy-to-moderate three-mile roundtrip hike, brings you to the largest free-standing arch in the park. If you’re up for a challenge, head to Devils Garden, a section of Arches renowned for its hiking and camping among arches, spires, and narrow rock walls known as “fins.” Hop on the Primitive Loop Trail, the longest hike in the park, where you can enjoy the solitude of the desert and make stops at the Landscape Arch and the Double O Arch.
Canyonlands National Park: About a half hour drive from Arches lies Canyonlands National Park, a vast wilderness of canyons carved by the Colorado River. The river divides the park into four sections—Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers—and offers hundreds of miles of trails winding their way through the desert gorges. For easy-going excursions, head to Mesa Arch, a short but iconic hike famed for its sunrises framing the distant La Sal Mountains, and then make your way to White Rim Lookout, a roughly two-mile roundtrip trek that brings you atop a mesa that overlooks the Colorado River as it carves its way through red canyons. If a day hike isn’t enough, try out Murphy Trail Loop in Island in the Sky for a 10-mile trek, or spend a few days hiking along the Chesler Park Loop with Druid Arch, a 21.5-mile endeavor in The Needles boasting impressive spires and relative solitude.
Other outdoor thrills: Moab is a mecca for formidable adventure that extends far beyond Arches and Canyonlands. Traverse the sculpted terrain on a mountain bike, go off-roading in ATVs, or navigate backcountry on horseback. Raft down the rapids of the Colorado River between towering canyons and scale mammoth cliffs while rock climbing. Outside the national parks, hike up to the tumbling falls on Mill Creek Trail or take a refreshing dip in Ken’s Lake after a day of adventures.
Craving a change of scenery from the desert heat? Nicole Bonilla, a Moab-area REI expert, recommends heading to the snow-dusted La Sal Mountains, abundant in off-roading, hiking, and biking trails. And once you’ve crossed off the major sites from your list, just drive and see where the dusty road leads you. Turn down a random side road and enjoy the rugged, vast serenity of the desert landscapes.
Stargazing: Come nightfall, drive north out of Moab and head deep into the wilderness, spread out a blanket, and gaze up at the sky above. This region has some of the darkest skies in the contiguous United States. Try spots like Panorama Point and the Garden of Eden viewpoint in Arches, or attend a night sky ranger program in Canyonlands, a designated International Dark Sky Park.
What to do in Moab
The sublime vistas surrounding Moab have inspired a community of creatives. Leave time to browse through shops and galleries in town. Browse through renowned landscape photographer Tom Till’s vibrant captures of ancient arches against the backdrop of golden sunsets and starry night skies at Tom Till Gallery. If you’re after a unique souvenir, stop by Moab Made, a local favorite selling an eclectic collection of paintings, photography, jewelry, and goods handcrafted by local artisans.
Where to eat in Moab
From taco trucks and bakeries, to breweries and fine dining, Moab's restaurants offer something to satiate every palate. Jailhouse Café and Love Muffin Café are two popular breakfast spots, serving up stacks of fluffy pancakes and breakfast burritos and paninis. Swing by Moonflower Community Cooperative to pick up fresh, healthy options for a picnic lunch, or grab a salad or sandwich to take away from Sweet Cravings Bakery and Bistro. Grab dinner at one of the colorful trucks at Moab Food Park or, for a more refined take on Southwestern cuisine, book a table at Desert Bistro. Even wine lovers are in luck and can pass an afternoon among the vines at Spanish Valley Vineyard and Winery.
Where to stay Moab
From camping and glamping beneath the desert sky, to modern architecture enveloped by looming canyons, Moab is plentiful with atmospheric spots to rest your head after a day of adventures—but some hotels in Moab are a cut above the rest. Situated on the main street in town, the Moab Resort’s dusty rose-hued structures boast modern amenities like a pool and hot tub to soak in while surrounded by canyons. If you want some distance from town, check into a safari-style glamping tent at Under Canvas Moab, situated just five miles north of Moab and tucked in between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Sink into plush king beds and stay warm with a wood-burning stove on cool nights while enveloped by the grandeur of desert canyons beneath expansive, star-speckled night skies.
Launching in early 2023, Field Station Moab will offer van posts and cozy queen and king rooms with easy access to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. More than just a place to lay your head at night, tap into the expertise of local field guides, rent gear for outdoor adventures, and unwind in a community biergarten after a day of adventures at Field Station.
For unparalleled immersion in nature, book a spot at one of the many campgrounds scattered across Arches, Canyonlands, and the Bureau of Land Management’s campgrounds across greater Moab. Keep in mind that campgrounds fill up early during peak season, so it’s best to book in advance.
