Ultimate Moab Travel Guide

Moab in Utah was one of my favorite small towns we visited during our 3 month USA trip.

The town of Moab is practically an adventurers’ paradise and there’s never any need to wonder what to do in Moab Utah since there are just SO many options. You could spend the morning hiking in Arches National Park, go biking in Moab in the afternoon, perhaps go white water rafting, or even do some bouldering in Moab.

As one of the most memorable places we visited during our three-month drive across the USA, it’s one of the places we ended up spending the most time too.

This Moab Utah travel guide will go into detail about this town to tell you the best things to do in Moab UT, give you details on visiting the Moab National Parks of Arches and Canyonlands, and tell you more about how to find camping in Moab, where to get the best coffee in Moab and where to shower in Moab as well as find water refills and more.

Moab Utah Travel Guide

• ?

  Where is Moab?: Moab is located in Southern Utah.
• ?How Many Days to Visit Moab: You should spend at least 2 full days in Moab. That will give you time to visit some of the National Parks Moab has nearby.
• ?When to Go: The best months to visit Moab, UT, are October through May.
• ✈️Fly: For the best tickets, check Skyscanner.
• ?Rental Car: RentalCars.com or DiscoverCars are what I use to find cheap car rental
• ?Campervan Rental: Want a campervan instead? Find one to rent using Outdoorsy.
• ?Stay: Under Canvas Moab, Radcliffe Moab, Red Cliffs Lodge
• ?Fees: The standard National Park entrance fee is about $35 per park. To save, get the America The Beautiful Pass ($79.99), which is an annual pass for all US national parks.

Our trip to Moab

I found the city of Moab to be a mix of hippies looking to “get away from it all”, hikers hoping to explore the backcountry, muddy mountain bikers, and petrolheads wanting to tackle the 4×4 roads.

Even at the end of April when there were no holidays, Moab was busy. That meant finding budget accommodation was pretty tricky. But not impossible.

Most of the campgrounds around Moab are BLM (Bureau of Land Management) property which tends not to include luxuries such as proper toilets and showers. There’s absolutely no chance of getting any wifi out there either – and you can forget having any phone signal once you leave the center of Moab.

We spent three days in the Moab desert Utah (for a total of $44 each) and in that time explored Moab town searching out the best places to eat, sleep, shower, browse the internet, and shop. If you’re heading to Moab then this ultimate adventurers’ guide to Moab should help you!

The best things to do in Moab Utah

With so many fun Moab activities to be found the hardest part is trying to fit all of the fun things to do in Moab, Utah into your itinerary!

Short on time? Check out this Moab in a day tour where you’ll be guided to Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point.

Map of the best things to do in Moab Utah

Visit Arches National Park

Arches National Park is a beautiful national park that’s known for its red rock arches that can be seen throughout.

Arches Park has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, which you can see from both the roadside and by taking a hike to the. One of the most famous arches is Delicate Arch which seems to be rather delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff.

We loved the Devil’s Garden hiking trail in Arches National Park which takes you on a loop past loads more arches such as Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and more. It’s one of the longer hikes in the park, but the trail is easy to follow and it’s well worth doing.

If you want to get off the beaten path in Arches National Park, check out this 4×4 off-roading tour through Arches where you’ll get the chance to visit places most people miss.

If you’re visiting Moab without a car and want to see Arches National Park, this tour combines Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park into two half-day tours.

Get a USA National Parks Pass for just $80 and save a tonne of money if you’re planning on visiting multiple National Parks in a year, or visiting the same one more than once!

Visit Canyonlands National Park

Another amazing National Park near Moab is Canyonlands National Park which is definitely perfect for adventurers.

This huge park is segmented by the mighty Colorado River, and you’ll find dramatic landscapes throughout.

Inside Canyonlands, you’ll find a maze of canyons, mesas, and buttes shaped by erosion from water, wind, and rain.

Canyonlands is split into four distinct districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. Each one offers a unique adventure.

I visited the Island in the Sky district which is one of the busiest areas since it’s the easiest to explore. There are some great easy hikes in Canyonlands from this district that I’d highly recommend.

Island in the Sky is a broad mesa with easy drives and short walks to stunning vistas. The Needles is named after its colorful sandstone spires and is perfect for longer hikes and backcountry camping. If you don’t have backcountry experience, you can book this 4×4 tour in the Needles with a guide.

There’s also the Maze District which is a remote, rugged district for experienced backcountry explorers.

Go hiking in Moab

Besides the national parks, there’s a vast array of hiking around Moab itself.

Whether you’re doing some of the best hikes in Arches National Parks, hikes in Canyonlands National Parks, or want to explore the Moab backcountry, make sure you pack your hiking boots for your Moab vacation.

I like to use Alltrails both to plan beforehand and when I’m on the trail too. If you’re hiking in the National Parks, most of the trails will be well-signposted, but that’s not always true of those around Moab.

Top tip: While many people think that the only arches are in Arches National Park, there are in fact arches in Moab too. Some you can see from the road, and others involve some hiking.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

Some of the best hikes in Moab are on these hiking trails.

• Grandstaff Trail: 6.9km, 2 hours
• Corona & Bowtie Arch: 3.7km, 1 hour 15 mins
• Moab Rim Trail: 12.4km, 4 hours 22 mins

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

Visit Dead Horse Point State Park

Besides the National Parks, Moab has the beautiful Dead Horse State Park. Yeah, I know not the most beautiful of names either but there are no dead horses (usually).

Dead Horse State Park sits 2,000 ft above a gooseneck in the Colorado River. It’s a landscape full of canyons and cliffs and amazing rock shapes.

Just a 20-minute drive away from Moab, this is one park you have to visit. There’s more great hiking here such as the easy walk along the Rim Walk trail.

Or if you’re a biker, the Intrepid Trail System provides a great taste of what Moab mountain biking is all about.

Find petroglyphs near Moab

Moab is full of ancient history with numerous petroglyphs scattered around, left by civilizations long past.

These Moab petroglyphs show different animals and human figures and the whole family will love trying to find them as you wander around.

You can embark on a self-guided tour of the Moab petroglyphs or book this 2-Hour Ebike Petroglyph Tour to help you locate these historical wonders and cover more ground.

Rent an ATV and go off-roading

One thing you’ll notice in Moab is that there’s a huge array of ATVs around town. That’s because Moab is surrounded by some of the best off-road trails!

If you don’t have your own ATV you can book ATV rentals in Moab from one of the many places offering this, or you can take an ATV tour in Moab too.

Here are some of the best ATV tours in Moab.

• Moab: Hell’s Revenge 4wd off-road tour: Roam over the sandstone domes and slick rock ledges of Hell’s Revenge near Moab on this off-road adventure by UTV with an experienced guide.
• Hurrah Pass: Scenic off-road tour in Moab: Travel the mountainous Hurrah Pass on this self-driving UTV tour. See ancient petroglyphs and impressive views with your guide.

Alternatively, you can go jeeping in Moab.

Jeep rentals in Moab are popular and there’s no shortage of places offering rentals. Outlaw Jeep Adventures gets the best reviews. Find jeep trails in Moab here.

Moab Giants Dinosaur Park

If you’re interested in stepping back in time and delving into the world of gigantic creatures that once roamed the Earth, then Moab Giants Dinosaur Park is the place for you.

This fascinating park brings the prehistoric world to life with its impressive collection of full-size dinosaur replicas placed along an outdoor trail. As you walk the path, you’ll feel as though you’ve journeyed millions of years back in time.

The park also has an interactive museum where visitors can learn more about these magnificent creatures. The exhibits showcase real fossils and provide information on different dinosaur species too.

Go mountain biking in Moab

Is adventure on two wheels more your thing? Take your mountain bike, or make the most of bicycle hire in Moab and hit the trails.

If you’re new to mountain biking or have done it before just never in the desert, I’d recommend booking this Moab mountain biking tour which is also suitable for families. You’ll ride a 7 to 10-mile loop with views of Arches National Park. All biking equipment is included along with snacks and drink.

I use Trailforks when I’m heading out mountain biking (mostly so I don’t end up on a super hard unmarked trail).

It’s great for finding out where to park and working out a route that’s within your abilities. There are so many bike trails in Moab that there’s something for everyone.

Some bike shops in Moab where you can rent a bike include:

• Chile Pepper Bike Shop
• Double Down Bike Store
• Bike Fiend

Check out Goblin Valley State Park

For an enchanting encounter with nature, head over to Goblin Valley State Park. This park is renowned for its peculiar sandstone formations, eerily resembling goblins, hence the name. The park’s landscape, dotted with these intriguing figures and labyrinthine rock structures, offers a playful and memorable experience. It’s a delightful playground of natural formations just a short distance from Moab.

Go rafting on the Colorado River

The Colorado River is one of America’s great rivers. It’s 1,450 miles long and is the river you’ll see at the Grand Canyon National Park as well as in Canyonlands.

The best way to go rafting on the Colorado River near Moab (unless you’re super experienced) is to take a tour.

This rafting tour from Moab includes a scenic float down the river that also has Class III rapids. This tour takes place near Fishers Tower, which is just on the outskirts of Moab, where you can swim in the river, photograph wildlife, and listen as your guide explains the geology and history behind the canyons. 

For something more family friendly, check out this rafting trip in Moab which takes you on easier rapids and slower-paced rivers.

Try rock climbing or bouldering in Moab

Love climbing and bouldering, or want to learn how to do it?

Moab is a bit of a mecca for bouldering and climbing with the Moab area alone being home to around 2,000 climbing and bouldering routes!

Climbing.com has a great article about bouldering and climbing near Moab.

You can also hire a climbing guide in Moab to cut out the research part and just get straight to the rock!

Explore the Sand Flats Recreation Area

If you’re seeking outdoor adventure in Moab, the Sand Flats Recreation Area is a must-visit.

Known for its exhilarating off-road trails like Hells Revenge, Fins and Things, and Porcupine, it’s a great area to explore if you’re looking for what to do around Moab.

But the fun doesn’t stop at off-roading.

The area also offers excellent mountain biking routes and picturesque campgrounds for an overnight stay under the stars.

Visit the Moab Museum

A visit to the Moab Museum is a great way to learn more about the natural and cultural history of Moab and the surrounding area.

You’ll get to see ancient rock art and dinosaur tracks as well as mining artifacts and stories of the early settlers, the museum provides insightful narratives about Moab’s past.

You’ll find the Moab Museum in the center of downtown Moab and it’s a great thing to do in Moab.

• Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 9 am-5 pm.
• Entrance fees: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+), students, and children $30 for a household or family under 7s free
• Location: 118 E Center St, Moab

Canyoneering in Moab

Another way to adventure in Moab is to try canyoneering.

Canyoneering is a unique thing to do in Moab that involves rappelling, hiking, scrambling, sliding, stemming, and chimneying. Don’t worry, your guide will explain what all those words mean if you’re not sure yet!

There are several companies that’ll take you to some of Moab’s best canyoneering spots and provide all the equipment which is the perfect way to try this fun sport!

This half-day canyoneering tour picks you up from your accommodation too.

If you want to see Golbin Valley State Park and canyoneer at the same time, check out this Goblin Valley canyoneering tour.

Take a scenic drive in Moab

If you’ve exhausted yourself then hit the road and take a scenic drive.

The most famous of the scenic drives in Moab is the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway U-128.

This drive follows the Colorado River and takes you past some beautiful scenery along the way.

You can see all the details about this scenic drive in Moab here, including the ghost town!

Hotels in Moab, Ut, and other accommodations in Moab

Moab is popular all year round, even at the end of April we discovered pretty much everywhere to stay was full.

For this reason, make sure you book your Moab accommodation early.

Below are some of the best hotels in Moab based on reviews and ratings. They’re fairly centrally located and perfect as a base for exploring.

Best Moab Hotels

• Radcliffe Moab: A 3-star hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, a shared lounge, and a restaurant. Some rooms offer city views or a terrace. The hotel serves vegan and gluten-free breakfast and offers a hot tub for guests.
• The Gonzo Inn: Seasonal outdoor swimming pool, and a terrace. All rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with amenities such as a coffee machine, a fridge, and a microwave. The hotel offers an array of breakfast options and a restaurant serving American and Italian cuisine.
• Red Cliffs Lodge: Located along the Colorado River, this resort features amenities like a horse corral, a Western film museum, and a winery. Each suite includes a private patio with creek or river views.
• Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton: This luxurious hotel is known for its beautiful location, comfortable rooms, and excellent restaurant. The rooms are modern and quiet, and feature luxury bathrooms.
• Moab Springs Ranch: This 3-star hotel has a garden, terrace, and restaurant. Some rooms feature a kitchenette. The hotel offers a hot tub, barbecue facilities, and opportunities for hiking.
• Under Canvas Moab: Unique tent accommodations offer stunning views, BBQ facilities, and a choice between basic tents with shared bathrooms or luxury tents with private bathrooms and lounges. Bicycle rental is available for exploring local desert trails.

Moab camping and glamping in Moab

The vast amount of visitors to Moab come in huge RVs (seriously, some of them must be twice the size of my old flat in London) or campervans.

There are plenty of privately-owned campsites in Moab, Utah but again, they get booked up quickly.

If you want to camp in Moab but don’t have the equipment, you can enjoy a spot of glamping. These campgrounds let you stay in an RV or Tipi amongst other things.

• FunStays Glamping in Moab: offer Rv camping, tipis, and tents all fully set up.
• OK RV Park Glamping Tipi: Super cool tipi camping with free wifi included

Alternatively, you can find a list of Moab RV parks and campgrounds here.

Camping on BLM land in Moab

For cheaper camping in Moab, try BLM camping. There are lots of BLM campgrounds in and around Moab although you will have to pay for most of them. Those closest to Arches National Park cost upwards of $20 whereas those a little bit further are $15.

These get full earlier and earlier each day as the season goes on. Most of those closest to Arches National Park are full by 4 pm. If you have your heart set on staying in one it’s probably best to arrive early, find something to leave in your spot, then head off out adventuring.

These campgrounds in Moab have compost-type toilets but no water or showers. Bring everything you need with you and take everything back out too.

Here is a map of BLM campgrounds near Moab.

Where to get the best coffee in Moab

For those of you who need your caffeine hit to get you going in the morning, this is where you’ll find the best.

Moab Coffee Roasters

Without a doubt, the best place to get coffee in Moab is the Moab Coffee Roasters.

When you walk in through the door the smell of coffee alone is enough to wake you up. A sign on the wall says it’s so good because it’s organic and Fairtrade, freshly roasted and freshly prepared.

You’ve got to try one of their iced coffees! You know how usually the last bit of an iced coffee is just watery muck? This isn’t the case at Moab Coffee Roasters because they freeze their coffee into ice cubes.

So, as these ice cubes melt you just get more coffee. Genius!

McDonald’s

Real coffee aficionados might kill me for saying this but I actually don’t think McDonald’s coffee is all that bad.

Plus, it’s super cheap as they often have a special deal meaning it costs just $1 ($1.08 incl. tax).

Starbucks

If you’re a Starbucks fan you might be disappointed to hear that Starbucks doesn’t have its own premises. There is, however, a Starbucks concession inside City Market. There’s just nowhere for you to sit (and use their wifi).

Where to shower in Moab?

After a day (or 5) of hiking, mountain biking, and just general living chances are you’ll feel in need of a shower.

The good news is that even if you’re not staying in a hotel, motel, or private campground, you can still find a shower in Moab.

You can see a full list of places to shower on the Moab tourism website.

Campgrounds you can shower at in Moab

We opted for the shower at Dowd Flats campground which is the cheapest in the whole of Moab.

For $3 you get 5 minutes of brilliantly hot water and can add quarters to extend the time if needed.

They were clean and it was the best $3 I spent during our stay in Moab.

Showers at Moab recreation center

You can also use the showers at the Moab Sports and Recreation Center.

Whilst you’re here you could also go for a swim if you fancy.

It costs $5 for entry.

Where to find free wifi in Moab?

We have data on our phone but the phone signal was so poor throughout Moab that sometimes we just really needed some wifi.

Here are the places we found that did the best wifi in Moab.

Moab Laundry

The Moab Laundry is the place to be not just for clean clothes but for some decent wifi. This was the most reliable connection and it was speedy too.

There are a couple of laundrettes around the town which goes to show how many people need this service!

• Location: 16 W 100 N  and 606 S Main St 

Moab Coffee Roaster

This coffee and clothes/souvenir shop also has some speedy wifi – it was even good enough to upload a Youtube video.

They also didn’t seem to mind when we sat in there all afternoon (buying food and drinks) until closing while I edited photos and my husband worked.

• Location: 90 N Main St, Moab

McDonald’s

The place we love to hate. Normally McDonald’s has some pretty reliable wifi. This one did have wifi but it wasn’t as good as the options above. It works well enough for emails but not enough for streaming.

• Location: 640 S Main St, Moab

Red Rock Bakery and Net Café

The Red Rock Bakery and Net Café also has internet and a few people in there had their laptops out even at busy breakfast time.

If you haven’t got a laptop with you but want to use a computer, they also have one there for your use – Old Skool!

• Location: 74 S Main St, Moab,

Best places to eat in Moab Utah

Moab has a myriad of food options from pretty much all cuisines. Some of the best restaurants in Moab, and the most popular are below.

Moab Diner

There wasn’t a time we drove past this and it wasn’t heaving. We went to the Moab Diner for dinner after hiking all over Arches National Park and would recommend it to anyone who’s feeling hungry after a full day of adventures in Moab.

Stick to the more traditional diner options (burgers and chips) as that’s what they do best. Some people were ordering roast turkey dinners that didn’t seem to go down too well but we were pleased with our burgers and milkshakes.

Definitely the best burger in Moab! Oh and for reference the salted caramel milkshake is delicious!

• Location: 189 S Main St, Moab

Quesadilla Mobilla

You’ll have to eat early if you want to eat here or go for lunch as it closes at 5 pm. We passed by on our last day and there were hoards of people outside.

The Quesadilla Mobillia is regularly cited as the best food in Moab and was also the number one restaurant in Moab on Tripadvisor so hit it up for your Moab vacation ideas for dinner.

• Location: 95 N Main St, Moab

Red Rock Bakery and Net Cafe

We ate breakfast here on our last day in downtown Moab. The place was packed and had a constant stream of people coming and going.

I thoroughly recommend their cinnamon rolls and the breakfast bagel but not so much their French toast (it just seemed a bit dry and not at all eggy?).

The cookies looked great too.

• Location: 74 S Main St, Moab

Moab Brewery

The best scene in town for enjoying craft beers and socializing with Moab locals. If you’re looking for that post-adventure beer then the Moab Brewery is the place to go.

• Location: 686 S Main St, Moab, 

Where to shop in Moab

Whilst there isn’t a Walmart for miles, there are several smallish supermarkets in Moab to stock up on supplies.

There are also a few cool shops worth popping into if you’re looking to get some souvenirs from your vacation in Moab.

Grocery stores in Moab, Utah

City Market: You’ll find everything you need food-wise here and it was our go-to place which is why it’s top of our Moab visitors guide for groceries in Moab.

They even do pre-made sandwiches and salads to take with you for the day which doesn’t seem to be that common in the US.

Other Moab general stores include:

• The village market
• Dollar General
• Walker Drug Company

Moonflower Community Cooperative

A favorite with the more hippyish population of Moab, Moonflower specializes in organic and natural foods.

It’s the kind of shop I like browsing but don’t purchase anything due to the fact I can’t bear to part with almost $5 for a chocolate bar.

Bookshop

You ought to know by now that I love bookshops. The Back of Beyond bookshop in Moab Is no exception.

Not only do they have recent releases but they’ve also got an adventure section, a Wild West section and rare books towards the back too.

• Location: 83 N Main St, Moab, 

Visit the Moab Rock Shop

Crystal enthusiasts and budding geologists will find their paradise at the Moab Rock Shop.

This impressive store is brimming with fossils, gems, and beautiful jewelry.

• Location: 600 N Main St, Moab

Made in Moab UT

For an arty souvenir for yourself or someone else, pop into Made in Moab which has jewelry, prints, clothes, and toiletries all made by various local artists.

My favorite was definitely the photos of LEGO men exploring Arches National Park.

• Location: 82 N Main St, Moab

How to get to Moab Utah

The most common way of getting to Moab is by driving and the distances and directions to Moab obviously vary depending on where you’re coming from.

However, you can also fly to Moab. If you do fly to Moab then I highly recommend renting a car in Moab since getting around without one is nearly impossible.

Driving to Moab

Moab is easily accessible by car from many major cities.

If you’re driving from Salt Lake City, take I-15 South to US-6 East, then US-191 South, which will lead you straight into Moab. This drive will take approximately 4 hours.

From Denver, you’ll head west on I-70 until you reach US-191, then head south towards Moab, with a total drive time of around 6 hours.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Bus Services to Moab

Greyhound provides bus service to Green River, which is about 50 miles north of Moab. From Green River, you can rent a car or take a local shuttle service to reach Moab.

You can use Flixbus or Busbud to check the schedules and prices of buses to Moab and to book your bus ticket online.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Flights to Moab, Utah

The closest Moab airport is Walker Field Airport in Grand Junction, Colorado. Salt Lake International Airport is another option although slightly further away. Both are served by most major airlines. From these airports, you can rent a car and drive to Moab.

There’s also the smaller, local airport near Moab that recently opened called Canyonlands Field Airport. Skywest DBA United Express flies to  Canyonlands Airport and this will usually include a stopover at another airport, such as Denver, Colorado.

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

FAQs about Moab Utah

Final thoughts on this Moab Travel Guide

And there you have it, a comprehensive guide to making the most of your visit to Moab, one of the most captivating destinations in North America thanks to the impressive Sal Mountains.

From the towering red rock formations of Arches National Park to the petroglyphs that tell tales of ancient civilizations, from crystal shopping at the Moab Rock Shop to sampling unique dishes at local cafes, Moab is a trove of unique experiences.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a history buff, or a nature lover this Moab Utah visitors guide has hopefully shown that there’s something for you!

If you’re staying in the area for a bit longer, or looking for more additions to your Moab guide, be sure to check out the best things to do in Arches NP, what to do in Canyonlands, and head over to Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon to work your way through Utah’s Mighty 5! And, make sure you’re well prepared with this Utah parks packing list.

Last Updated on July 28, 2023 by Hannah