Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Moab is a small town in eastern Utah, set beside the Colorado River among red-rock canyons, mesas and slickrock. A uranium boom in the 1950s once drove its economy, but today it serves as the base for Arches and Canyonlands national parks and as a hub for mountain biking, off-roading, rafting and climbing.
In Arches National Park, the tall sandstone fins of Park Avenue line the start of the main road, and Balanced Rock perches beside it farther on. The Windows Section groups several large openings, including Double Arch, and a hike across bare slickrock leads to Delicate Arch, the state's most recognizable landmark. At the end of the road, Devils Garden offers trails to Landscape Arch, a long and remarkably thin span, while the maze of Fiery Furnace requires a permit or a ranger-led walk. Canyonlands' Island in the Sky district sits on a mesa high above the rivers, and the unpaved Shafer Trail switchbacks down its walls. Dead Horse Point State Park overlooks a sweeping bend in the Colorado. Outside the parks, Corona Arch makes a popular short hike, and the Fisher Towers rise as dark red spires along the river road.
Moab suits active travelers, families and photographers. Summer heat is intense, so outdoor plans should start early. Arches has required timed-entry reservations in busy months, so check current rules before arriving.
WiserMap travel guideMoab Utah Delicate Arch Dead Horse Point and CanyonlandsPlan Moab around Delicate Arch, the Windows, Canyonlands' Island in the Sky, Dead Horse Point, Corona Arch and Fisher Towers, with 2026 park entry tips.Read the guide
Two of the first stops in Arches National Park. Park Avenue is a canyon lined with tall sandstone fins, with a one mile trail through it. Balanced Rock is a huge boulder perched on a slender pedestal, circled by a short easy loop. A timed entry reservation may be needed for Arches in the busy season.
A cluster of large arches in Arches National Park, including the North and South Windows, Turret Arch and Double Arch, all reached by short, easy trails from paved parking lots. Double Arch's two spans share one end and are great to walk under. It is also a popular area for night sky viewing.
A narrow mesa overlook 2,000 feet above a gooseneck bend of the Colorado River, with views across to Canyonlands. Rim trails link several overlooks, and there is a visitor center, campground and yurts. It is a classic sunrise and sunset spot. The state park has its own entry fee, separate from national park passes.
The most accessible district of Canyonlands National Park, a high mesa about 40 minutes from Moab. Short walks lead to Mesa Arch, Grand View Point and Upheaval Dome, with views over layered canyons. Mesa Arch is popular at sunrise. There is no water or food in the district, so carry plenty with you.
Utah's most famous arch, featured on the state license plate, stands alone on the edge of a slickrock bowl. The trail is about three miles round trip with steady climbing over open rock and little shade. It is busiest at sunset. Carry at least two liters of water in summer and start early in hot weather.
The trailhead at the end of the Arches park road leads to Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural arches in the world, after an easy walk. The full primitive loop continues past Double O Arch with scrambling over fins and narrow ledges. Allow several hours for the full loop and wear good shoes.
A maze of tight sandstone canyons and fins in Arches National Park that can be explored only on a ranger-led hike or with a self-guided permit. Expect squeezing through gaps, scrambling and jumping across small drops. Tickets and permits sell out quickly, so book through Recreation.gov well ahead.
A large free-standing arch on public land west of Moab off Highway 279, reached by a trail of about three miles round trip. The route crosses a railroad and climbs slickrock with short sections of cable and a ladder. It also passes Bowtie Arch. There is no fee, but there is little shade, so go early.
Tall, red-brown mudstone and sandstone towers northeast of Moab off Highway 128, including the Titan, one of the tallest freestanding towers in North America. A trail of about 4.4 miles round trip winds below them to a viewpoint. Climbers often scale the towers. The light is best in late afternoon.
A dramatic dirt road that drops in steep switchbacks from Island in the Sky down to the White Rim and on toward Moab via Potash Road. A high clearance vehicle is needed, and four-wheel drive is recommended. Check conditions at the visitor center, since rain or washouts can close the road at short notice.
Utah Highway 128 follows the Colorado River northeast from Moab through a deep red rock canyon toward Castle Valley and Fisher Towers. It is the main area for river rafting day trips, and there are campgrounds and trailheads along the way. Drive it in the evening, when the canyon walls glow.
The Slickrock Bike Trail on the Sand Flats Recreation Area is a world famous mountain bike route across open, grippy sandstone, marked with painted dashes. It is technical and physically demanding. A short practice loop helps beginners. There is a small entry fee, and riding is best in spring and fall.
No reviews yet. Been to Moab? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Moab? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: National Park Service Photo, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Flicka, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Michael Grindstaff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: j.a.woodhouse, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Albert Backer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Mramoeba, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USGS Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: David Wilson, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: mypubliclands, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: KimonBerlin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Zach Dischner, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: akampfer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Hurricanehink, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: David Hiser, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: David Hiser, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: David Hiser, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David Hiser, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: David Hiser, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: David Hiser, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: David Hiser, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Dana Hutchinson, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Adam Skalecki skalecki, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: KimonBerlin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Arches National Park from Moab, Utah, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Arches National Park from Moab, Utah, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Whitimeg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ben Goodwin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: James St. John, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: James St. John, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: BLMUtah, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management - Utah, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Murray Foubister, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Murray Foubister, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: KimonBerlin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: KimonBerlin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: KimonBerlin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: KimonBerlin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: KimonBerlin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: KimonBerlin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Carter Pape, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
