Here’s What to Do in Moab (for First-Timers)

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Downtown Attractions | Outdoor Recreation | Cool & Unique

There are tons of things to do in Moab. This quirky hippie town is home to two national parks, eclectic local shops, and plenty of trails for hiking, biking, and off-roading. 

I find myself going back to Moab every year, as do most travelers who visit this red rock town. There are so many attractions and desert excursions, so you’ll want to spend at least a weekend here. Check out my guide on where to stay in Moab and start building your itinerary!

34 Best Things to Do in Moab

Canyonlands National Park

Drive to an overlook of deep gorge valleys carved out by the Colorado River.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 719-2313 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $30 per vehicle | 👉 Browse Popular Tours on Viator

Follow Potash Road on a dirt adventure to reach Canyonlands National Park. It’s more under the radar than the other “Big Five” destinations, but one of the most scenic Utah national parks. 

I recommend mountain biking or driving to White Rim Road, a desert sight that is sure to blow you away. This backcountry adventure is not for the faint of heart but offers hidden lookouts. Admire acres upon acres of prime desert scenery, from gaping gorges to proud-standing plateaus and the roaring Colorado River below.

💰 Budget Tip: Planning to visit several national parks? Save big by purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass, which provides unlimited access to all US national parks for an entire year!

Island in the Sky

This is one of the most photographed sites in Canyonlands National Park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 259-4712 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $30 per vehicle | 👉 Browse Canyonlands Tours on Viator

Arguably, Island in the Sky is the coolest viewpoint in Canyonlands National Park. This mesa is perched on a 1,000-foot cliff and is the perfect place to witness a pristine desert sunset.

This is one of the best sites to visit in Canyonlands if you’re on a time crunch due to its close proximity to the park entrance. Roads lead into the backcountry from Island in the Sky, making this spot a great starting point for your national park adventure.

Horseshoe Canyon

Photograph some of the most popular Utah petroglyphs.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $30 per vehicle | 👉 Browse Canyonlands Tours on Viator

View amazing rock art on a hike through Horseshoe Canyon in Canyonlands National Park. Life-sized depictions take form on the sandstone walls. The most notable is a 7-mile hike to The Great Gallery.

Any vehicle can access Horseshoe Canyon from the west, but along a 30-mile dirt road. Don’t bring your Porsche unless you’re prepared to get it detailed after the adventure.

Backpacking

Put your fitness to the test with a multi-day desert hiking excursion.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 719-2313 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $30 per vehicle in national parks 

Disappear for a few days into the desert wilderness of Moab. Canyonlands National Park is one of the region’s best places to go backpacking, with trails ranging from a few miles to long thru-hiking stretches. 

Shafer Trail and White Rim OHV Road is a 47.1-mile backpacking adventure in the heart of Canyonlands National Park. It takes daring adventurers through some of the best desert scenery in the area. Be sure to snag a backcountry wilderness permit from the visitor center before you embark on your overnight trip.

📚 Related Reading: Your Ultimate Backpacking Checklist

Arches National Park

Spot more than 2,000 naturally-forming arches in this popular national park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 719-2299 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $30 per vehicle + $2 reservation during peak season | 👉 Browse Popular Tours on Viator

Arches National Park captures the hearts of desert enthusiasts. This sandstone park is known for its naturally-forming stone arches, which number in the thousands.

The 3-mile roundtrip Delicate Arch Trail is the most popular destination in Arches National Park. It brings visitors to the most photographed point in the whole park, if not all of Utah. Be on the lookout for wildlife while hiking. I’ve personally seen a bobcat, bighorn sheep, and snakes in the park.

Rock Climbing

Experience nature up close and personal by gripping onto crimp holds.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 719-2299 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $30 per vehicle in national parks | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

The outdoor adventures are endless in Moab! Canyoneering and mountain biking may take the cake for the most popular activities in the area. But there are also plenty of cool rock climbing spots around town.

Arches National Park is one of the most frequented crags due to the sheer number of routes and boulders available. Most routes are on Entrada sandstone and it’s advised to approach climbs via washes to avoid stepping on cryptobiotic soil. Bouldering and top rope are the most popular climbing styles in Arches, but lead and trad climbing can be attempted with caution.

👉 Pro Tip: My favorite climbing gear consists of a climbing harness, chalk bag, rock climbing shoes, locking carabiner, and GRIGRI.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Enjoy backcountry camping away from national park crowds.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 322-3770 | Website | Hours: 6 am-10 pm daily | Entrance: $20 per vehicle | 👉 Book a Mountain Biking Tour

This state park offers an insane overlook of the Colorado River and nearby Canyonlands National Park. Explore the high desert woodland trails or catch a desert sunset over huge, river-carved cliffs.

This is the perfect place to set up a home base while exploring Moab. Dead Horse Point is one of the quietest wilderness places in the area and sure to give you a feeling of serene isolation.

Goblin Valley State Park

Hike among hundreds of hoodoos in this miniature version of Bryce Canyon.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 275-4584 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: $20 per vehicle | 👉 Go Canyoneering in Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park boasts hundreds of whimsical hoodoo rock formations, an unusual geologic statue found in few other states. The views here are similar to Bryce Canyon National Park, but with far fewer crowds. 

This Mars-like landscape is one of the coolest places to camp in Utah. Bring your motorhome, tent, or rent a glamping yurt to sleep under the stars in this land of the geologic goblins.

Canyoneering

Hold on tight as you rappel down ever-narrowing sandstone walls.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $139+ adults | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

Moab offers some of the best canyoneering in the entire US. Those with experience or adventurous travelers with a guide can squeeze through some of the tightest slots in the desert. You may be familiar with this extreme sport if you’ve seen the major motion picture, 127 hours. In it, a local finds himself between a rock and a hard place while stuck in a strenuous slot.

If you choose to go canyoneering without a guide, be sure to have all the necessary equipment. Also, be up-to-date with current weather conditions to avoid a surprise summer monsoon.

👉 Read Next: Fun Things to Do in Utah

River Rafting

Rush down Colorado River rapids just outside of Moab.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Entrance: Free | 👉 Browse Rafting Tours on Viator

Hold on tight as you crest roaring rapids on the Colorado River. Whitewater rafting is the ideal activity if you’re craving an adrenaline rush.

Besides flying down a crazy river, these guided experiences are also one of the best ways to develop a personal relationship with nature. The steep gorge walls keep out the noisy surrounding environment, making floating down the river one of the calmest experiences you can have in the wilderness.

Main Street

Shop from Moab’s eclectic selection of local stores lining Main Street.

📍 Google Maps | Website 

There’s no better way to get to know a new destination than exploring its downtown area. Moab’s Main Street contains tour agencies, vintage shops, restaurants, and quirky rock shops. This is the perfect place to get a Southwestern souvenir or an afternoon pick-me-up while surrounded by red rock giants. 

Downtown Attractions

Moab Rock Shop

Purchase natural souvenirs at this outdoorsy rock shop.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 259-7312 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily

This is your one-stop shop for all things rocks. The Moab Rock Shop has an impressive selection of petrified wood, gems, fossils, and other cool natural knick-knacks. Most products at this downtown rock shop are sourced locally, all found right in Moab’s backyard.

Back of Beyond Books

Browse a selection of natural history books at this bookstore that has the original desk of Moab author Edward Abbey.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 259-5154 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily

Supporting small mom-and-pop shops is the best way to get to know the Moab community. The Back of Beyond bookstore is a small but mighty literary reserve specializing in natural history across the Colorado Plateau.

I picked up a Frida Kahlo postcard book and The Anthropology of Turquoise at Back of Beyond Books, and was surprised at the wide selection in this tiny bookstore.

Moab Museum

Learn more about the features and people that shaped Moab culture.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 259-7985 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Tues – Sat, Closed Sun & Mon | Entrance: $10 adults, $8 seniors & students, free under 8 

Explore the area’s rich geology, archaeology, and paleontology at the Moab Museum. This cultural and natural history museum is the best way to understand the wonders surrounding the eastern Utah landscape.

There are exhibits on the first people in the area, settlers, pioneers, movement and migration, and more. This community museum also hosts various events like Lyrical Letters, CFI Archaeology Service Day, and postcard printing workshops.

Gravel Pit Lanes

Strike luck at Moab’s sole bowling alley.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 259-4748 | Hours: 4 pm – 10 pm daily 

Get to know the community at the Gravel Pit Lanes bowling alley. It’s located away from the tourist crowds on Mill Creek Drive. 

Spend your evening at the bar, hitting high notes on karaoke night, trying your luck at arcade games, or rolling strikes on the bowling lanes. This is the best place to visit in Moab for solo travelers who are looking to make local friends.

Moab Brewery

Meet friendly Moab locals at this main street brewery.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 259-6333 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 8 pm daily 

Looking for another great place to break the ice with locals? Moab Brewery is located on the east side of town and offers a full food menu along with signature craft beers. I recommend the house pretzel and the jalapeño beer fries to go with your brew. It’s the perfect post-hike snack or late-night bite.

Food Truck Park

Dine casually at this courtyard food truck ensemble.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 319-0251 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm daily 

Skip restaurant wait times by eating at the Moab Food Truck Park. This casual dining option showcases Moab flavors from local chefs and is a great place to make friends on the weekends.

Choose from food trucks serving Chinese fare, tacos, pizza, and more street food. These dishes are sure to satisfy your appetite after a long day exploring the Moab wilderness. The large, communal picnic seating area invites visitors to take their time and stay a while.

Moab Garage Co.

Get caffeinated at this local coffee shop before exploring the Moab backcountry.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 554-8467 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 2 pm Mon, Wed-Sun; Closed Tue

Moab Garage Co. supplies groggy customers with premium espresso. This local, small-town cafe is one of the best things to do in Moab on a rainy day with a good book.

I recommend pairing your Spanish latte with its delicious huevos rancheros for the perfect start to your Moab morning. This cafe rests right on Main Street next to locally-made handicrafts and the only bookstore in town. Once you’re caffeinated, spend the rest of the morning supporting other local establishments.

Outdoor Recreation

La Sal Mountains

Escape the hot Moab heat with a trek to nearly 13,000 feet in this mountain range just outside of town.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

Most travelers venture to Moab for the red desert landscape without experiencing the beauty of the La Sal Mountains. This scenic range is only a few miles south of town. The cool air of the high-elevation peaks provide a much-needed release from hot desert temperatures.

Compliment your Moab visit by driving down the La Sal Loop Road, hiking to nearly 13,000 feet, or simply enjoying a picnic in the mountains.

Slickrock Bike Trail

Don’t let nerves get the best of you as your mountain bike straddles the edge of a slick rock trail.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 259-2444 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

The Slickrock Bike Trail is a mountain biking dream and one of the most beautiful routes in America. You, too, can enjoy riding on exposed slickrock in the heart of the canyonlands (with some nerve and a lot of balance).

Prefer a more mellow riding experience? The Moab Canyon Pathway is the trail for you. This easy ride begins on Highway 28 just north of town, passes through the Arches National Park entrance, and spits riders out on the main street.

Klondike Bluffs Trail

Cycle safely on mountain biking-only trails.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

The Klondike Bluffs Trail is another one of the top spots for mountain biking in Moab. Bicycle-only singletrack helps keep bikers safe from ATV and Jeep accidents in the backcountry. Keep your eyes out for dinosaur footprints and be careful riding the slick rock sections of the trail, as the Entrada sandstone has broken away in the past.

🛎️ Need a Hotel? Under Canvas Moab is one of the closest accommodations to this mountain biking trail.

Sand Flats Recreation Area

Take your 4WD vehicle off-roading just outside of downtown Moab.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 259-2444 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $10 per vehicle (day use), $15 per night camping 

This huge protected wilderness area is one of the best local spots for off-roading and mountain biking. Explore dunes all day under the sun before you relax at Sand Flats Campground, which is beautifully backdropped by the snow-capped La Sal Mountains.

This is a great place for stargazing and escaping weekend city crowds. You may bear witness to coyote howls if you’re lucky to find yourself sleeping under a full moon. Don’t forget to pack the camping essentials!

Hell’s Revenge

Saddle up for a rough and rowdy off-road adventure.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

Hell’s Revenge is the ultimate 4×4 trail in Moab. The trail is only 6.5 miles but the hazardous terrain makes it a Jeep owner’s favorite escape. Access to this wild road is just past the Sand Flats Recreation Area.

The trail is marked with signs and there is a 15 MPH speed limit. Although, even that is tricky to do on the steep terrain. Check out a local Moab tour to take you on Hell’s Revenge if your vehicle isn’t 4WD.

Colorado River

Spend some time lounging around the lazy river near Arches National Park.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

Hanging out on the Colorado River is one of the best things to do in Moab, especially in the summertime when the weather is more than fine. This iconic Southwest river carves its way through mesas and plateaus along Potash Road near the Canyonlands entrance, creating some of the most beautiful features in Moab.

Enjoy a picnic on the Colorado River, paddle board, go for a dip, or bring your inflatable kayak for a fun afternoon. Not too keen on swimming? I recommend visiting in the winter when there are no crowds and layers of snow strikingly contrast the desert hues.

Green River

Enjoy sun-bathing solitude on a lesser-known Utah river.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Meditate along this lesser-known Moab waterway. The Green River is fed by trickling snowmelt from the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, making a 730-mile journey downstream across state borders. 

Multi-day canoe and rafting trips are available from guide services in town. You can also experience complete isolation on the banks of the vast river.

Fisher Towers Trail

Hike with your four-legged friend in the Southwestern desert.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

This 4.2-mile Moab trail is a great way to experience the backcountry of the Colorado Plateau. During the winter, snow rests almost perfectly atop hoodoos and other fanciful rock formations. It’s a true desert winter wonderland.

Dogs are allowed on this trail if they are kept on a leash, but there is a ladder section 1.5 miles into the hike. It’s advisable to leave the dogs at home for this one unless you can carry them up this small section.

👉 Pro Tip: Be cautious of muddy conditions after a recent storm. Also, you may even need microspikes if attempting this trail in the winter. 

Mill Creek Hike

Hike through red rock canyons and sand to get to a natural Moab waterfall.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Sunrise – sunset daily | Entrance: Free 

Mill Creek is an underrated natural oasis and one of my favorite hikes in Utah. Multiple river crossings and a sandy trail lead to the refreshing water hole pictured above.

I recommend hiking this trail in the non-summer months unless you bring a big water bottle and a sun hat. With the proper gear, Mill Creek is a refreshing hangout spot during a hot Moab afternoon.

Faux Falls

Go for a refreshing summer dip at the base of this man-made waterfall.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

Be sure hiking boots are on your Utah packing list because exploring trails is one of the top things to do in Moab. The Faux Falls trail is a fun hike year-round. Although you may want to refrain from swimming in the winter months unless you’re a fan of cold plunging.

Rest assured, the waterfall and its swimming hole are real. But its man-made status deems it fake by some, giving Faux Falls its name. A very short hike brings travelers to the refreshing watering hole. It’s an incredibly popular destination in the summer when 100-degree temps are normal. Don’t forget the hiking essentials!

Ken’s Lake

Relax lakeside under the desert sun or go for a refreshing swim.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 259-2100 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

Ken’s Lake is a man-made reservoir that’s hidden in the red rocks just outside of Moab. Enjoy lakeside lounging with views of the distant La Sal Mountains. 

The lake is located above 5,000 feet and can freeze over in the winter months. Visit in the summer, one of the best times to visit Moab, to fully experience lakefront activities like fishing, swimming, and kayaking.

Castle Valley

Enjoy peace and relaxation at this less-visited nature area.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

Castle Valley Road provides drivers with breathtaking views of red canyons, spires, and other desert scenery just outside of Moab. Visit Castle Rock Peak Tower just 20 miles north of town for a relaxing day among the natural desert beauty.

There are a few short hiking trails in this area. Though, most visitors come to Castle Valley to escape busy weekend crowds and let the dogs run free.

Cool & Unique

Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument

Hike to one of the biggest collections of petroglyphs in the Southwest.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 587-1500 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument features a rock panel with one of the largest collections of petroglyphs in the Southwest. It’s part of Bears Ears National Monument and pays tribute to the culturally-rich history of the desert state. The hundreds of rock art depictions are some of the best preserved in Utah and well worth the day trip from downtown Moab.

Birthing Scene Petroglyph

Hike to an unusual rock art depiction.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

The Birthing Scene petroglyph panel can be accessed via the Tunnel Arch Trailhead. Petroglyphs are not to be confused with pictographs, which are painted on the surface of rocks. Rather, these depictions have been carved and are preserved far better than ancient paint.

The Birthing Scene rock is covered on all 4 sides and (you guessed it), it depicts an ancient natural birth. 

⚠️ Heads Up: Sadly, the Birthing Scene Petroglyph was vandalized in recent years. Utah is full of natural places and as a visitor, it’s important to respect them and leave no trace.

Hole ‘N’ the Rock

Tour a famous historic house carved in the middle of a giant boulder.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 686-2250 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Mon, Thu-Sun; Closed Tue-Wed | Entrance: $7 adults, $5 children 5-10, free under 5 

It’s hard to miss this gigantic boulder museum on the outskirts of Moab. You must visit this dynamited-out attraction out of pure curiosity alone. Hole ‘N’ the Rock was once home to a Moab miner and his wife. Their perfectly-preserved artifacts can be viewed at the unusual site today.

Moab Giants Dinosaur Park

Journey through time amid life-sized dinosaur models in the Utah desert.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 355-0288 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun; Closed Wed | Entrance: $18+ per person 

This prehistoric place takes visitors on a journey through time. Wander along the Dinosaur Trail amid 100 life-size models and real dinosaur footprints. 

The Moab Giants Dinosaur Park is within walking distance from the Seven Mile RV Park and the Gemini Bridges Campground. It’s the perfect attraction to visit with children.

Don’t forget to check out the virtual aquarium or snag a coffee at the park cafe before you go!

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Thanks for reading my complete guide! Moab is truly one of the coolest places to stay in Utah. Leave me a comment if you have any questions; I’d be happy to help you plan your trip.