Outdoor Recreation In Moab
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Mountain Biking
With hundreds of trails to cover, you’ll have more than enough Moab riding to keep you coming back year after year. The Whole Enchilada (which includes the Porcupine Rim section), Slickrock Trail and Captain Ahab have been named best trails by Singletracks, Outside and Trailforks. With that said, mountain biking here is generally difficult. The rolling slickrock pairs excellent traction with punchy small climbs. Most trails have some degree of technical terrain and soft, sandy stretches are common. Luckily, the town is passionate about riding and there are a handful of locally-owned bike shops where you can rent gear and get local tips for a safe ride. Local groups have been building trails for all rider ability levels to complement the more technical trails, so everyone can enjoy unforgettable mountain biking in Moab.
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Hiking
With trails leading to some of the world’s most recognized natural landmarks like Delicate Arch and Colorado River’s Gooseneck, it’s hard to ignore the allure of hiking in Moab. Some of the most popular hiking trails are paved and easily accessible, but you’ll want to bring your hiking boots for some slickrock scrambling once you’re off the beaten path. First-time hikers should visit Delicate Arch, Corona Arch and Grandstaff Trail to see some of Moab’s highlights. Hidden Valley Trail, Fisher Towers Trail and Hunter Canyon Trail are great options for hikers seeking solitude. A tip for hiking in Moab — expect the weather and terrain to be more taxing than most other areas. Pack at least two liters of water per person, sun protection and a map of the area to keep you on track.
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Climbing & Canyoneering
In 1962, Layton Kor, Huntley Ingalls and George Hurley made history with the first ascent up The Finger of Fate route on Titan Tower, the most prominent of the Fisher Towers and the tallest natural sandstone tower in North America. Their success intrigued climbers around the world, and the rest is history. Today, experienced climbers and canyoneers travel to Moab for a chance to top out on the region’s sandstone formations or feel the rush of rappelling and scrambling down a canyon. Wall Street and Longbow Arch are popular destinations, but the best way to climb or canyoneer in Moab is with a guide who keeps you safe and shares stories about the area’s history.
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Photography & Dark Skies
Photographers travel from all over the world to take shots of Moab’s open spaces. In fact, Dead Horse Point Scenic Overlook is credited as one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world. However, once the sun sets and the desert darkens, you’ll want to keep your camera ready. Moab is home to some of the darkest night skies anywhere in the world. For many people, this may be the best view of the stars they’ve ever seen. So set up a lawn chair, turn down the lights and take a look upward for a chance to reconnect with the stars.
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Camping
It’s hard to match the feeling of falling asleep beneath pitch black night skies, then waking with the sun as its rising light illuminates the Entrada and Navajo Sandstone. Tent campers can find sites in the parks, at established campgrounds just outside of town or dispersed throughout the region’s BLM land. Plus, Moab has an excellent selection of camping resorts, from RV parks to the luxurious Under Canvas Moab glamping resort. Sites at popular campgrounds can be reserved months ahead of time, so find your campground early and plan your trip during the week or off peak-season to avoid the crowds.
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Rafting
Just southwest of Moab, where the Green River meets the Colorado, lies the biggest whitewater section in North America, Cataract Canyon. This stretch of the Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park should be on every white water rafter’s bucket list. Here, the most adventurous among us can expect to barrel through huge whitewater rapids beneath commanding red rock formations. Not quite ready to commit to a multi-day rafting trip in the rapids? The Moab Daily and nearby Green River Daily stretches offer much more inviting water and an opportunity to spend a day soaking up beautiful views of the red cliff walls and even see a mountain goat or two.
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Horseback Riding
Experience the majesty of the Moab desert on a horseback or mule ride. Take in miles of scenic open range as you wander along the Colorado River, ride backcountry trails or visit famous movie sites on a trip tailored to your experience level. Touring this unchanged, stunning landscape on horseback is like stepping back in time.
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Scenic Drives
Although this is Utah’s adventure epicenter, it’s not all about adrenaline-pumping adventures. The drive into Moab is the first of many opportunities to see the gorgeous vistas from behind the wheel. Spend an early morning driving through Arches National Park, where a single road winds through some of the park’s most magnificent landmarks. Or, ramble down the La Sal Mountain Loop Road where the arid desert landscape meets high alpine pinyon and juniper tree forests. Give yourself an afternoon and take this drive during the fall months to see the fall leaves changing.
Moab Guides, Tours and Rentals
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4x4 Tours
Shaped by millions of years of erosion, Moab’s sea of slickrock offers a seemingly endless list of trails and obstacles for Jeeps, Hummers and other four-wheel rigs. This is the home of Easter Jeep Safari, a nine-day event where off-roaders travel around the U.S. to crawl over Moab’s rugged terrain. If you’re feeling hesitant about subjecting yourself and your SUV to this kind of abuse, don’t worry. Fully capable rentals and guided tours are available in town to help you feel the rush of creeping down a 50-degree rock face. A few of Moab’s most popular 4x4 routes are Fins and Things and Hell’s Revenge, both of which can be experienced with a local guide.
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Helicopter Tours
Get a birds-eye view of Moab’s buttes, arches, canyons and more with a helicopter tour. Pinnacle Helicopters offers tours of Canyonlands, backcountry arches and Happy Canyon. There are also photography-focused “doors off” tours that can be customized based on the type of shots you want to get.
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Hot Air Ballooning
See Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point and other famous landmarks at sunrise, all from the unique perspective of a hot air balloon! These tours are offered through Red Rock Ballooning and Moab Adventure Center and are available between March and October.
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Motorcycle Tours and Rentals
Whether you want to rent a bike and explore on your own or take a guided tour, a motorcycle ride is a fun, adrenaline-filled way to take in the sights of Moab. Popular rides include Dead Horse Point Mesa Scenic Byway, Highway 313, Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway and Arches National Park.
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Ride the Moab Zipline
Take a thrilling ride over sandstone cliffs and canyons on the Raven’s Rim Moab zipline tour. This exciting experience starts with a 4x4 ride to the top of the cliff faces that overlook Moab. After a quick orientation, you’ll zip to the 100-foot suspension bridge and that’s where the journey really starts. This zipline tour features six steel cables that will take you across canyons, natural fins and gaps for over two hours.
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Skydiving
Want to check an item off your bucket list? Skydiving in Moab is an adrenaline-packed way to see the sights from a unique perspective. It’s understandable to be a little nervous about taking the leap, but for companies like Skydive Moab, safety is the number one priority. Skydive Moab has led over 35,000 safe and successful skydiving trips and has hundreds of great reviews on TripAdvisor. So if you’ve been thinking about skydiving for a while, a trip to Moab is the perfect opportunity to finally do it!
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Salt Lake City to Moab
Moab is Utah’s adventure epicenter — a place where world-renowned natural destinations are scattered around a town that’s brimming with local charm. Be sure to bring a vivid imagination and taste for exploration along with your hiking shoes, sunscreen and water bottle, because this is not your typical retreat.
Highlights
- Arches National Park
- Guided 4x4 Wheeling
- Canyonlands Stargazing
- Floating the Colorado River
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The Complete Arches Trip
Discover a new side of Arches National Park with this four day itinerary. Start exploring the hidden gems in the Arches region today.
Highlights
- Arches National Park
- Colorado River Rafting Trips
- Delicate Arch
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Manti-La Sal National Forest
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The Complete Canyonlands Trip
The Canyonlands Region of Utah combines the best of the Moab area's easy proximity to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park's most accessible district with some of the United State's most remote and culturally significant landscapes.
Highlights
- Canyonlands National Park
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Bears Ears National Monument
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Read the Stories
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5 Utah Music Festivals Adding a Soundtrack to Your Road Trip
Music is deeply entrenched in Utah's cultural lifestyle. For example, read about Utah's capital, Salt Lake City, and you'll soon discover it's one of a handful of cities its size that is home to a professional ballet, symphony and opera, alongside multiple theater companies, dance companies, America's choir and so much more. Music is as much a part of Utah's landscape as our iconic mountains and arches. Discover some of Utah's music festivals here.
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6 Steps to a Family MTB Trip on Canyonlands' White Rim
Want to take the family mountain biking on the White Rim Trail? Tackle 100 miles of biking and three days of backcountry camping in Canyonlands with the kids.
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A Short Hike to Wilson Arch
Wilson Arch is an elegant sandstone feature that sits along Highway 191 south of Moab on BLM land. The short hike is free.
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A Van Lifer’s Guide to Responsible Travel in Southern Utah
When Utah’s dirt roads are calling you, it’s time to plan your van life road trip. Here’s what you need to know to travel safely, protect Utah’s rural communities, and help preserve sensitive desert landscapes.
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Across a Snow-Covered Desert
Follow this itinerary for a week-long winter road trip across the snow-covered desert of Southeastern Utah.
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Be Prepared for the Southern Utah Backcountry
Prepare for a trip out into Utah's rugged red rock backcountry by learning as much as possible about the area before heading out. Stop by a ranger station to educate yourself and pick up necessary permits. Always practice good backcountry ethics and proper safety techniques for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
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Boomer Travel: 76 Hours in Moab
Moab, Utah is a prime destination for Baby Boomer travel. Check out our specially-designed itinerary and plan your visit!
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Discover the Shape of Utah's Coffee Community
See coffee shops in Salt Lake City on this short video tour of some of the best coffee shops in Utah.
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Dog-Friendly Utah: The Road to Mighty
Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Check it out and plan your trip!
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Estrogen on Adrenaline: 48 Hours in Moab, Utah's Giant Playground
Looking for an unconventional girls weekend getaway? Get inspiration for an ultimate Moab mountain biking, stargazing, camping adventure here! Visit Utah.
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Filmed in Utah: 7 Itineraries Through Hollywood's Most Iconic Settings
Whether hitting the Sundance Film Festival in Park City and Salt Lake City in January or visiting Utah throughout the year, you’ll find yourself near some Utah’s most iconic and most filmed places.
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Following the Markings of Native American History
This road trip across Utah to view ancient petroglyphs and pictographs will give you an incredible window into the past.
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How to Support Local On Your Utah Road Trip
Many small businesses in Utah rely on tourism for survival. These expert tips help road trippers make a real difference in communities by supporting local.
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Moab Under Canvas: Glamping
If you’re looking for a luxurious camping experience, Moab Under Canvas is just the ticket. Book your stay in a fully-furnished canvas tent in canyon country!
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Moab's Singletrack Renaissance
Moab isn’t just for burly Slickrock riders anymore. In the last few years, local groups have established dozens of miles of new mountain bike trails.
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Movies Filmed in Utah: Plotting a Cinematic Drive-Through
Follow a Germany-based film enthusiast on an extended road trip to discover the rich history of Utah cinematography.
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Resiliency Road Trip
The emergence of small Utah towns like Moab and Helper offer an inspiring backdrop for a road trip focused on reinvention.
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See the Fall Leaves Near Utah's National Parks
Sure, any of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round — covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs.
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Seven Must-Ride Mountain Biking Trails in Utah
To help you plan a Utah mountain biking trip, we've assembled a list of seven of Utah’s best mountain biking trails followed by a roundup of Utah’s best fat-tire destinations.
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Soil Sleuth: Protecting Utah's Living Landscapes
Visit Utah writer Kristen Pope met Dr. Jayne Belnap, one of the world’s top experts on biological soil crusts, to learn about the importance of biocrusts to Utah's desert landscapes, and how to protect them.
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The Art of Supporting Utah Artists
Here’s a look at six local artists whose work draws upon Utah’s diverse environments as inspiration.
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Traveling with Dogs: The Mighty 5 National Parks
At all of The Mighty 5® national parks, activities with pets are extremely limited, and every time your dog is out of your vehicle, it must be restrained in a crate, cage, or on a leash (of no more than 6 feet).
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Walking The Line Between Risk and Responsibility
Why a Hawaii-based highliner and influencer hasn't returned to Utah — yet.
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Winter in Southeastern Utah: Arches and Canyonlands
Want to avoid the Utah national park crowds? Plan a winter Southeastern Utah trip. Experience more peace, quiet and solitude.
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Women in the Wild: Transformation and the Outdoors
Paula Colman joins a weekend retreat for women in Moab, Utah, that has an eye-catching mission: Build your tribe. Connect with your inner spirit. Transform body, mind and spirit around the theme: “Ignite the Flame Within.” Follow along as she seeks her authentic self and learn how to find your own Tribe.
