Moab, a 6-hour drive from Denver, had been on Jessica’s list since moving to Colorado. Moab has multiple national and state parks for endless canyon exploring. We visited over the July 4th weekend. Enjoy our Moab travel guide below!
How we traveled there
We drove from Denver which took 6-7 hours each way. The closest airport is Canyonlands Field Airport, which is a regional airport just 21 miles northwest of Moab.
Where we stayed
We stayed at this Airbnb, which had two bedrooms and a community pool. It was drivable to the various parks.
What activities we did
- Canyonlands National Park is mostly views looking down at the canyons. We hiked Mesa Arch and Grand View Point, which were both mostly flat hikes. It costs $30 for a vehicle day pass, or you can purchase the annual National Park pass for $80. Timed entry reservations are not required to enter and the park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Arches National Park was my favorite. The Delicate Arch is a must-see. The hike is a 3-mile moderate to strenuous hike due to the heat. We advise doing this hike when the park opens because the rocks you walk on heat up quickly when the sun is out and there is no shade. The Double Arch is within walking distance from the parking lot and only a few miles from the Delicate Arch. Reservations are required from April to October for Arches National Park. You can camp in the park as well. Price information can be found here.
- Dead Horse Point State Park was $10 to visit. We enjoyed our packed lunch while taking in the views of the canyons which have a horseshoe shape with water passing through.
- Hell’s Revenue UTV 4×4 tour where we drove around chasing breathtaking views. It is not for the faint of heart. In the UTVs, you drive up and down rocks at an almost 90-degree angle.
- Downtown Moab is only a few blocks of storefronts on Main Street. Our favorite store was Indigo Alley.
- Petroglyphs are images carved into rocks. Here is a list of places around Moab where you can find them. We were lucky that there were petroglyphs within walking distance from our Airbnb.
Where we ate
Sunset Grill is a quick drive up the side of the canyon with views of the sunset.
What we recommend knowing/preparing
Moab is hot in the summer and the rocks you are hiking on make it feel even hotter. Pack plenty of water and sunscreen. Start hikes early in the morning. Some parks require reservations – plan ahead.
What we didn’t do but looked into
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, check out Canyon Rope Swinging.
What we packed
We wore athletic clothes for hiking and packed plenty of water and sunscreen. Electrolytes are beneficial during or after hikes.
Check out our recommendations for travel clothing and essentials.
We hope you enjoyed our Moab travel guide. Contact us for any questions. If you are looking to explore more places close to Moab, then you should also check out our post on Aspen.
~Elyse