Moab Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit & Itinerary

Day 1: Arches National Park Highlights

• Morning: Enter Arches National Park before 7:00 AM to hike the Devils Garden trail to Landscape Arch, which is roughly 1.9 miles roundtrip. Entry to the park is $30 per vehicle, and bringing a packed breakfast allows you to eat with a view while beating the mid-morning rush.
• Afternoon: Drive to the Windows Section to see the North and South Windows and Turret Arch, an easy 1-mile loop perfect for stretching your legs. Return to Moab for a late lunch at Quesadilla Mobilla, where gourmet quesadillas cost around $12 to $15 each.
• Evening: Head back into the park around 5:30 PM to hike the Delicate Arch trail for sunset, a 3-mile strenuous roundtrip. Afterward, enjoy a well-earned dinner at The Spoke on Center, expecting to spend about $40 for two people.

Day 2: Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point

• Morning: Drive 40 minutes to Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky district and hike to Mesa Arch, a short 0.5-mile loop famous for its canyon views. The park entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, but your pass from yesterday may work if you bought the annual America the Beautiful pass.
• Afternoon: Visit the Grand View Point Overlook and drive back toward Moab, stopping at Dead Horse Point State Park which charges a $20 entry fee. The views of the Colorado River gooseneck here are some of the most photographed in the West.
• Evening: Return to town and relax at the Moab Brewery for a tasting flight and dinner, costing approximately $50 for two. Wrap up the trip by browsing the shops on Main Street for local turquoise jewelry or t-shirts.

Day 1: Red Rock Off-Roading

• Morning: Start your trip with a guided U-Drive T-Rex 4x4 tour on the Hell’s Revenge trail, which typically costs around $300 for a vehicle that seats up to four. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours and traverses steep petrified sand dunes with guides ensuring your safety.
• Afternoon: Grab a quick lunch at Milt’s Stop & Eat for a classic burger and milkshake costing about $30 for two. Afterward, drive down Potash Road to see the dinosaur tracks and ancient petroglyphs located right off the roadside.
• Evening: Enjoy a scenic sunset jet boat tour on the Colorado River, which costs roughly $100 per person. The tour offers a unique perspective of the canyon walls lighting up in vibrant orange hues as the sun goes down.

Day 2: River Rafting and Slickrock

• Morning: Embark on a half-day whitewater rafting trip on the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River, costing approximately $85 per person. This section offers fun Class I and II rapids that are thrilling yet safe for beginners, along with swimming opportunities.
• Afternoon: Rent mountain bikes from a local shop like Poison Spider Bicycles for about $60 per day and head to the Moab Brand Trails for intermediate-friendly riding. If you are an expert, tackle the world-famous Slickrock Bike Trail which is entirely on stone.
• Evening: Drive up the La Sal Mountain Loop Road to watch the sunset over the valley from a high elevation. Head back to town for a nice dinner at Sunset Grill, perched on a hill overlooking the city, where a meal for two will run about $80 to $100.

Day 3: Canyoneering and Hiking

• Morning: Book a half-day canyoneering adventure to Medieval Chamber or Entrajo Canyon, where guides will teach you to rappel down red rock cliffs. These tours generally cost around $140 per person and provide all necessary technical gear.
• Afternoon: Hike to Corona Arch and Bowtie Arch, a moderate 3-mile roundtrip that involves climbing a small ladder and using safety cables. This area is outside the national park, so there is no entry fee and fewer crowds than at Arches.
• Evening: Conclude your adventure with a casual dinner at the Moab Food Truck Park, where you can choose from various cuisines for about $15 per person. Spend your final hours stargazing at a pull-off along River Road (Hwy 128) away from the town lights.