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. This post has also been updated with my 2nd Moab trip which was in September. 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.
Elyse stayed in the town of Moab at this VRBO which is a one-bedroom that also has a Murphy bed and lofted bed in the living room. The building, just one block off the main street, has a big outdoor area with a hot tub and couches.
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. 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.
- 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.
- Sand Dune Arch was also close to the parking lot and a low elevation walk. I loved this area because the dunes had a lot of crevasses to walk into and explore
- We came back at night to Panorama Point to star gaze. Since it was a full moon, we didn’t see as many stars as we were expecting. We did see a shooting star! Since it was after 4pm, we didn’t need a reservation to get into the part to star gaze. It was cold. I recommend a sweatshirt and blanket.
- 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 stores were Desert Wild and Arteesian.
- 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
- The Spoke On Center is a delicious burger restaurant and bar. They had gluten-free buns.
- Zax is a pizza place with a rooftop that has sports games playing on a few TVs. They had gluten-free crust.
- Moab Food Truck Park has various truck vendors for lunch, dinner, coffee, juice, and ice cream. We loved the Mediterranean and ice cream trucks. The tables had misters to keep you cool during the day.
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. In September, it was still hot during the day but it did cool down at night. Bring a light jacket or sweater.
It is an early-night city with many restaurants closing around 9 pm.
What we didn’t do but looked into
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, check out Canyon Rope Swinging.
Lions Park has great trails for runners and road bikers. For mountain bikers, The Whole Enchilada and Slickrock trails have been recommended to us. The Whole Enchilada is a shuttled ride that picks you up in town and drives you 45 minutes up the La Sal mountains. You start near Borrow Pass and descend 30+ miles back to town. Slickrock Trail accommodates cyclists and motorcyclists. There is also a recreational area for other motor vehicles.
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
