Moab is a small town with two national parks at its door: Arches ten minutes north, Canyonlands' Island in the Sky about forty minutes away. Around them, the slickrock, the Colorado River and the canyons make Moab one of the best adventure towns in the American West. These are the eight things we'd do first — each with the tours that run them, live dates and prices on our Experiences page.
1. Hike Arches National Park
Over 2,000 natural stone arches, the densest concentration in the world. Hike to Delicate Arch for sunset, walk the Windows Section and Balanced Rock, and see Landscape Arch in Devils Garden. Our Arches guide · Guided Arches tours.
2. See Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point
Mesa Arch at sunrise, Grand View Point and the canyons of the Green and Colorado rivers from Island in the Sky; next door, Dead Horse Point's overlook 2,000 feet above the river. Canyonlands guide · Dead Horse Point.
3. Ride Hell's Revenge by jeep, Hummer or UTV
Moab's most famous four-wheel-drive trail climbs fins of slickrock just outside town. Drive a UTV behind a guide, ride in an open Hummer at sunset, or take a private jeep with your group. Off-road tours.
4. Go rafting on the Colorado River
From spring to fall, float past the Fisher Towers on gentle class II rapids, or run Westwater Canyon's class III–IV whitewater. In the evening, the Sound & Light Show dinner cruise runs March to October. Rafting and river trips.
5. Try zip lines, canyoneering and rock climbing
Six zip lines over the red rock fins, a via ferrata, Moab's canyon rope swing, rappels into hidden slot canyons and guided climbs on the sandstone — Indian Creek is one of the world's great crack-climbing areas. Adventures.
6. Take a scenic flight over the parks
Scenic flights over Arches and Canyonlands from Canyonlands Airfield — the fins, arches and rivers from above. Scenic flights.
7. Mountain bike the slickrock
The Slickrock Trail, the Whole Enchilada from the La Sal Mountains, and the flowing Intrepid trails at Dead Horse Point — with private guides, rentals and shuttles to the trailheads. Mountain bike tours.
8. Find rock art, dinosaur tracks and dark skies
Petroglyph panels along Potash Road and Kane Creek, dinosaur tracks north of town, and some of the darkest skies in the country — Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point are all International Dark Sky Parks. Guided history tours.
Want it planned? Our concierge books the tours, the dinners and the rides with local partners for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is Moab best known for?
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the slickrock off-road trails like Hell's Revenge, rafting on the Colorado River and world-class mountain biking.
How many days do you need in Moab?
Three days covers Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point plus one adventure — a jeep tour, rafting or canyoneering. Four or five days leaves room for a scenic flight, biking and a slower pace.
What can you do in Moab in winter?
The parks are quiet and sometimes dusted with snow. Jeep and Hummer tours, scenic flights, zip lines, horseback rides and guided Arches tours keep running; most rafting and canyoneering wait for spring.
Do you need a guide in Moab?
Not for the park roads and short hikes. For Hell's Revenge, canyoneering, climbing and the backcountry, a licensed local guide is the safe way in — every tour on our Experiences page is run by one.
