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The rough-and-ready desert outpost of Moab is nestled in a sandstone valley in southeastern Utah. With easy access to amazing rafting, hiking, mountain biking, climbing and other adventures, Moab is a remarkable expanse of sand, stone and sky.

Moab is tricky to get to; the drive from Denver is about five and a half hours, and from Salt Lake City, it's about four. Grand Junction Regional Airport is a 2-hour drive and serves a variety of airlines, while the Canyonlands Regional Airport is about 18 miles from Moab and has two carriers.

Once you’ve arrived, getting around Moab is easy. The town itself is little more than a strip of adobe shops, bike stores, guiding outfitters, restaurants and t-shirt shops; its real draw is the proximity to the amazing public lands nearby. 

Moab is mere minutes away from two of Utah’s most renowned national parks: Arches and Canyonlands; and is ringed by a remarkable collection of open areas of wilderness, covering a geological area known as the Colorado Plateau. You can mountain bike on slickrock sandstone trails that extend beyond the horizon and raft down the churning Colorado River. All manner of other adrenaline-filled activities are possible among the surrounding desert spires, canyons, arches and hoodoos.

With so many things to do, we recommend spending at least three days exploring the area. But you could easily spend five days or more. 

If you live for the thrill of the great outdoors, look no further. 

1. Explore the Fiery Furnace

There are more than 2,000 documented arches in small but mighty Arches National Park. Delicate Arch is by far the most photographed and most visited, but to get beyond the crowds, book a ranger-led guided tour of the Fiery Furnace. In this natural warren of arches and canyons, you’ll find amazing secret passages, hidden corners and remarkable glimpses of the flora and fauna that thrive in this harsh desert environment. This is a hike through uneven and surprising terrain, so it's important to have proper equipment and be prepared for a physically challenging hike.

Planning tip: You’ll need to well ahead of time; during the shoulder season, they sometimes offer permits for self-guided walks.

2. Visit Island in the Sky

Canyonlands National Park stretches for over 520 sq miles, making this the biggest national park in Utah. There’s so much to do and see, you'll need days to even scratch the surface. Island in the Sky is by far the most visited and most accessible area of the park. Located just 20 minutes from Moab, this sprawl of eroded plateaus has awe-inspiring overlooks that provide a bird’s eye view of the canyons, slickrock and desert landscapes. There are a number of worthwhile hikes, like the beginner-friendly, 30-minute jaunt to the famous Mesa Arch, or you can take on a longer trek to Neck Spring or Lathrop Canyon.

3. Hike to the Dollhouse in The Maze

The Maze is the least visited and most difficult-to-access section of Canyonlands National Park, and that's part of its magic. Here you find some of the best canyoneering in Utah, extreme 4WD trails and plenty of splendid isolation. A castle-like collection of eroded hoodoos, the Dollhouse is one of the Maze’s most iconic sections, with tight slot canyons, towering spires and some interesting archaeological relics.

Getting here can be tricky; it's a four-hour trip by 4WD across very rough terrain, with no water, food or gas supplies en route, but the trip is half the adventure. Another option is to tack a day of hiking around the Dollhouse onto a Colorado River rafting tour. If you're short on time, jet boats buzz up the river for two hours from Moab to Spanish Bottom, about 3 miles from the Dollhouse.

Planning tip: This remote area is only accessible via high-clearance 4WD. If you need to get towed because you didn’t take the right vehicle, it’ll cost you upwards of $1,500.

4. Catch the sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park

Avoid the national park crowds with a trip to Dead Horse Point State Park. Located about 45 minutes from Moab, the park offers some great hiking trails and one of the best river views known to man. For many, the highlight is sitting at one of the eight overlooks and enjoying the immense vistas, the quiet silence and maybe one of Utah’s legendary sunsets. For our money, Dead Horse Point Overlook is one of the most inspiring sunset spots in America. You could sit for hours watching the colors change over the serpentine course of the majestic Colorado River.

5. Mountain bike the Slickrock Trail

Moab is home to some of the best on the planet. Trails range from super flowy slick-rock rollercoasters to dicey experts-only descents of canyon walls, with big drops and tough, technical angles. The most iconic trail here is the aptly named Slickrock, a 9.6-mile loop that takes you over desert sandstone through super smooth rollers and fun turns. It’s like biking on the moon.

For truly radical mountain biking, consider the Whole Enchilada, a 26.5-mile epic featuring a 7,000ft descent from a high-alpine area on the edge of Manns Peak, winding up on the red rock paradise outside Moab.

6. Raft Cataract Canyon

The most iconic whitewater adventure in Utah is in Cataract Canyon, below the confluence of the Colorado River and Green River, in the heart of Canyonlands. This pristine stretch of river has some of the most powerful whitewater on earth, with giant Class V waves and heart-pumping drops through challenging features such as Satan’s Gut and Little Niagara. Trips take anywhere from four to six days.

An amazing way to tackle this expedition is as part of a rowing clinic with , one of the world’s preeminent rafting operations. These hands-on adventures allow you to grab the sticks with a professional guide standing by to take over if needed. It’s like a guided trip on steroids: You'll learn to read rapids, tie knots, rig to flip and navigate mountains of whitewater. After 17 miles of paddling, an added perk is having the guides cook you a gourmet meal while you sit and watch the sunset with your trip mates.

7. Paddle Professor Valley

Paddleboarders, canoers and, well, even inner tubers will love the day-long float through , on a stretch of the Colorado River known as the "Moab Daily." With its gorgeous red canyon walls and easy riffles, this is Moab’s signature Booze Cruise – a gentle drift compared to the churning whitewater more commonly associated with the area. If you want to elevate this into a multi-day adventure, you can outfit a canoe or inflatable kayak known as a "ducky" and make this into a two or three-day float.

Detour: For a relaxing end to your day, stop at Red Cliffs Lodge after your float to enjoy a drink on their outdoor patio overlooking the river.

8. See the Moab Giants

This kitsch piece of Americana is one of the many reasons Utah is a playground for kids and adults alike. The dinosaur museum has an animatronic T-Rex, a 5-D prehistoric aquarium (that’s two more D’s than most), plus open-air exhibits featuring life-size replicas of your favorite extinct creatures, including Allosaurus, Avaceratops Lammersi, Ceratosaurus and many more. Many of these monster lizards stalked the Utah wilderness during the Jurassic period. The outdoor Dinosaur Trail features over 100 model dinos, with fun lessons that will educate the whole family. If you come here, add on a trip to nearby Potash Road for some afternoon swimming on the Colorado River, one of the best free activities in Moab.

9. Go Canyoneering

In the open spaces and national parks surrounding Moab, there are about a million canyoneering options. For an easy-in to Utah canyoneering, go with a guide; trips range from easy 3-mile tours on the Bow & Arrow and Morning Glory canyons, to harder routes through the Rock of Ages and Fiery Furnace. The Maze section of Canyonlands has some truly awesome canyoneering for people with lots of experience and just a bit of fearlessness.

Planning tip: These thrilling gorges are not for newbies. Rains 100 miles away can cause canyons to flash flood at a second’s notice, rocks can fall unexpectedly, and it's easy to get dangerously lost in these trail-free wildernesses.

10. Drive one of the Scenic Byways along the Colorado River

Utah is a road tripper's heaven. The national parks all have scenic drives with amazing overlooks, but to get away from the traffic, head out northeast from Moab along the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway. The road matches the curves of the Colorado River for most of the way, with tremendous views of sandstone cliffs, a few fun camping spots and a whole lot of open Utah sky overhead. The drive itself takes about two hours, but plan for at least four so you can stop for swimming, paddleboarding or short side hikes along the way. 

Meantime, the Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway follows Potash Road. Here, you’ll come across rock panels that hold centuries-old petroglyphs carved by the Fremont people. These intricate carvings depict animals, human figures and mysterious symbols etched into the sandstone walls. The petroglyphs are easy to spot and close to the roadside, allowing for a close-up look.

A little further along Potash Road, near mile marker 4, you’ll find fossilized dinosaur tracks embedded in the rock. These remnants of the prehistoric giants that once roamed Utah’s canyons are believed to be from the Jurassic period.

Detour: While driving the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, you can hike to the base of the Fisher Towers, a crumbling set of rather gothic sandstone towers, or just marvel at the towering monoliths of Castle Valley.

11. Gaze at the stars

For night owls, Utah offers some of the best to be had anywhere in the US. In this electrified age, most people only see a tiny portion of the 2,500 stars that should be visible to the naked eye on any given night, but in Utah, away from any major urban area, you will come closer to the cosmos. Many of the national parks offer ranger-led stargazing programs, but the easiest way to view the stars is to check the moon (views are best when the moon is new or hidden), head out to a remote overlook, turn off your phone and all your lights, allow 30 minutes to get used to the darkness, and then gaze in awe at the universe.

Dead Horse State Park is a good place to start. It was named an in 2016. On a clear night, you’ll see the Milky Way, meteorites, planets, constellations you don’t even have a name for, and far-away galaxies in the limitless skies overhead. Look close enough, and you might even spot an earthly rocket streaking across the night sky. in Moab has high-quality telescopes and runs some informative curated talks that are well worth checking out.

12. Rock climb the red rocks

There are some truly top-tier rock-climbing adventures to be had just outside of Moab. Experienced rock gods and goddesses can start the adventure with sport climbing on Potash Road, world-class cracks at Indian Creek, and a bunch of scary trad routes on outcrops such as Castleton Tower, requiring a solid rack of large and medium nuts, hexes and cams. The roadside pull-out at the Big Bend campground has an awesome collection of bouldering problems for folks traveling without a rope.

Planning tip: While Moab's do-it-yourself climbs are amazing, many people prefer to go with a . Organized climbing trips range from easy cragging afternoons near Moab to multi-day seminars on crack climbing in Indian Creek. If you have the strength, skill and stamina to lead multi-pitch routes rated up to 5.9+ using mostly trad protection (and the head to navigate the tricky third pitch), the day-trip up Castleton Tower is not to be missed.

13. Hiking beyond the national parks

Bring your hiking boots and plenty of water. Hiking in the desert wonderland around Moab is out of this world. There are established trails in all of the national parks, state parks and public lands, but the real adventures begin outside the parks, where there are hundreds of rugged trails. Grab a map and compass, follow wilderness safety protocols, and head out across this moonscape of outcrops, hoodoos, arches and canyons for some truly amazing wilderness encounters.

For grown-up adventures, the area near the Maze known as Robber’s Roost – it was a hideout to outlaws like Butch Cassidy – offers up some of the best trailless hiking and canyoneering to be found anywhere in Utah. It was here in Bluejohn Canyon that Aron Ralston was forced to amputate his right arm after becoming trapped by a boulder, an ordeal which was dramatized in 127 Hours. Don't make the same mistakes: carry plenty of water and always tell someone where you are going and when you'll come back.

14. Head out to Castle Valley

The day trip out to Castle Valley makes it onto many Moab itineraries. This scenic two-hour drive takes you along the Colorado River and past iconic monoliths such as Castleton Tower and the crumbling cliffs of the Fisher Towers. With a bit of energy, you can scramble your way right to the base of Castleton Tower (where you may find a group of climbers waiting for a shot at the ascent). Sit back and exhale, and watch as clouds fly across the sky, casting dramatic shadows over the desolate land below.

Detour: Along the way, take a few hours to check out the nostalgic exhibits at the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage at Red Cliffs Lodge. It showcases Moab’s history in film, including many iconic westerns like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

15. Go four-wheel driving

Cruising down Moab’s Main Street, you’ll see an endless parade of Mad Max-inspired jeeps, dune buggies and other four-wheeled monsters. This is just another face of the thrill-seeking culture that comes with this desert oasis. You'll meet flag-flying four-wheel drivers, campervan hippies, counter-culture mountain bikers, slushy-sipping RVers, and about every other shape and size of person on this great planet of ours. Joining this eccentric crew is part of the fun of in Utah.

Hell’s Revenge is one of the most popular 4WD routes. Taking three to four hours, the route takes you over some really wicked obstacles, past rocky domes and into the wild depths of the desert outside Moab. Most of the trail involves driving on bone-shaking slickrock, with arrows marking the way. There are broken rocks, rock ledges and other obstacles to avoid, along with some heart-pounding tracks along cliff edges that might just have you throwing your jeep into reverse.

Planning tip: While it's certainly a challenge, if you stick to the designated trails and are respectful of the extremely delicate ecosystem, off-road driving here can be a whole lot of fun. As a common courtesy, if you see a biker or hiker, slow down so they don’t have to suck a cloud of dust and exhaust fumes as you barrel past like a dusty demon of dirt.

16. Visit the Moab Museum

Not every Moab activity involves throwing yourself at the landscape. Touting itself as a small museum with big stories to tell, the Moab Museum has an interesting collection of photos and artifacts from the area, starting with the Ancestral Puebloans and following the historic road to early Mormon settlers, uranium prospectors, river runners and more. It's well worth a detour on a rest day from activities in Moab.

Planning tip: Combine your visit to the museum with a stroll down Main Street, where you can find local art galleries, shops and eateries.

17. Camp in Bears Ears National Monument

Just spending the night under that big Utah sky is an experience all by itself. Out in the desert, you'll find plenty of solace and solitude. Look towards the public lands surrounding Moab, where you can camp in primitive campsites on top of cliffs, alongside rivers and way out into the far-flung corners of this uncharted wilderness.

Ownership of these public lands has been the center of many a debate in Utah, Washington, DC, and beyond. If you are lucky enough to camp out in the true wilderness of Bears Ears National Monument, you'll see what all the fuss is about and why it's one of the state's best attractions. There are “developed” camping areas at Indian Creek Falls, Hamburger Rock, Creek Pasture and Superbowl, but this is camping on the rugged side; there's space to camp and toilets, but you'll have to carry your own food and water.

If wild camping isn’t your thing, try out a night of glamping in a gorgeous Victorian-style tent at the acclaimed Moab Under Canvas.

18. Discover the Mill Creek Canyon Waterfall

A short drive from downtown, find Mill Creek Canyon, a refreshing oasis in the desert. Take an easy 1.5m hike through a stunning red rock canyon to a natural swimming hole complete with a waterfall cascading down smooth sandstone walls. On warmer days, this spot becomes a gathering place, offering a perfect setting for a relaxed afternoon dip or a scenic picnic. For those feeling a bit more adventurous, the trail continues beyond the waterfall to a series of additional pools and small cascades upstream. But be prepared for a few rock scrambles if you venture further.

Planning tip: Mill Creek can be prone to flash floods after heavy rain. If rain is forecasted, postpone your hike, as conditions can change quickly.

19. Take the trail to Corona Arch

For those seeking a spectacular yet less-crowded hike, consider the . Located about 10 miles west of Moab, this 3m roundtrip trail leads you to one of the area’s most impressive natural arches, standing at a massive 140 feet across and 105 feet tall – a span that rivals the grandeur of anything in Arches National Park. The trail begins with a gradual ascent along slickrock slopes and open desert, providing views of the canyons and mesas right from the start. As you approach the arch, the trail throws in a couple of unusual features, such as a metal ladder embedded in the rock face and a cable-assisted rock climb that adds an element of thrill to the journey.

20. Drive the La Sal Mountain Loop Road

The is a refreshing change from Moab’s rugged desert landscape. The 60-mile loop climbs into the lush Lal Sal Mountains, with its cooler temperatures and tranquil atmosphere. The drive itself is a treat, with winding roads leading through dense forests, past clear mountain lakes, and offering breathtaking overlooks. On clear days, you can see all the way to Arches and Canyonlands. The drive is beautiful in every season, from spring’s wildflowers blanketing the meadows to winter’s snow-capped peaks.

Planning tip: There are no gas stations along the loop, so fill up in Moab beforehand to avoid running low.

21. Soar above Moab with a scenic flight

Helicopter and small plane tours provide a great way to appreciate Moab’s epic scenery. Helicopters can hover low, giving you closeup views of specific formations and allowing for stops at otherwise inaccessible areas, while small planes tend to fly higher, allowing you to take in the vast scale of the parks in one sweeping view. Many tours include narration by experienced pilots who know the terrain well. 

Planning tip: Morning and late afternoon flights are particularly magical, especially for photographers.

22. Try paddleboard yoga on the Colorado River

Combine mindfulness with a hint of adventure with stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga on the Colorado River. The quiet flow of the river adds to the sense of tranquility as you move through each intentional pose. After the session, many classes end with a short, leisurely paddle along the river, with sunrise and sunset classes particularly popular for a true moment of Zen.

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