Arches and Canyonlands National Parks sit on Moab's doorstep, with mountain biking, river rafting and Jeep trails beyond them. It is an outdoor-first town with good coffee, breweries and starry skies.
Good to know
- Arches requires timed entry reservations in peak months; book as soon as the window opens.
- Summer highs exceed 100F; hike at dawn or sunset and rest in the middle of the day.
- Bring a paper map or download offline maps; cell coverage in the parks is limited.
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Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
Half-day calm-water float or whitewater at Fisher Towers; guided trips depart from town.
Legendary sandstone trails; rent bikes in town and pick a route for your skill level.
Local beers, burgers and patio dining on a lively strip of outfitters and cafes.
Indoor museum with a trail of real fossil tracks and a 3D theater, good for a hot or rainy day.
Small museum with fossils, uranium-boom history and Ancestral Puebloan artifacts; good in the midday heat.
International Dark Sky Park with clear Milky Way views; bring a blanket and red flashlight.
Utah's iconic arch, reached by a 3-mile round trip hike over slickrock; best at sunset.
Moderate hike past the longest natural span in the park and a series of fins and arches.
Short walks to massive arches near the road, easy for any age.
Photographer's favorite: sunrise glow under a cliffside arch, 40 minutes from Moab.
Gooseneck of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below a rim overlook.
Rent a 4x4 or book a tour on 4WD roads with steep slickrock.