Moab is a county located in the eastern part of the USA’s Utah, and it is home to a humble population of just over 5,000. Although it’s a fairly small county, it boasts an abundance of hiking and biking trails as well as beautiful natural landscapes that warmly welcome adventure-loving tourists from all over the world. It is one of the best locations in the USA for adventure activities. Moab is also a top spot for pop-culture inspiration and settings; whether it’s literature, music-video filming, or recording for big-scale visual productions, Moab has filmmakers, writers, and musicians falling in love. Popular notable works include Steven L. Peck’s award-winning novel, The Scholar of Moab, and the movies 127 Hours, The Lone Ranger, and more.
With a city so small attracting such a large tourist count, you may wonder what is it exactly about Moab that people keep coming back for. Wonder no more, and take a look at some of the best things to do in Moab, Utah:
1. Visit Dead Horse Point State Park
Located 30 miles (48 kilometers) from Moab, Dead Horse Point State Park is a 5,362-acre (2,170-hectare) natural landscape that is accompanied by breathtaking and picturesque views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. These wonderful views make this state park well-known for offering some of the most photogenic scenic vistas in the whole world. Other than the breathtaking views, the park also consists of a visitor center, a campground, one picnic area, and a 9-mile (14-kilometer) looped hiking trail.
The park got its very unique name from the fact that, in the 19th century, it was visited a lot by cowboys and their horses, with many of the horses, unfortunately, dying because of the lack of water resources in the park.
The park’s landscape is the result of hundreds of years’ worth of geologic activity that included the deposition of sediments by rivers, lakes, streams and dunes.
In the park, adventure lovers will be thrilled with the many developed and paved roads for cycling and hiking. The paved roads are pet-friendly as well. Probably the most well-known biking trail in the park is the Intrepid Trail System, which is also newly developed. With its many looped tracks, sandy washes, slick rock sections, and amazing views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park, there’s really nothing that you can’t love here.
The Dead Horse Point State Park
Address: Utah 313, Moab, UT 84532, United States
Access: Drive 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) northwest of Moab on US 191 and then 23 miles (37 kilometers) southwest of Utah 313 to the end of the highway
Contact: +1 435-259-2614
Website: Dead Horse Point State Park
2. Go rope swinging at the Corona Arch Trail
The Corona Arch Trail is well-known for being the home of the Corona Arch. Located west of Moab, this natural sandstone arch is accessible by a 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) hiking trail from Utah State Route 279. With such a short trail, you could easily underestimate the scenic opportunities that you can expect; rest assured that you definitely won’t be disappointed!
The route is suitable for children, making it suitable for families craving adventure. There are also several cool experiences, including a ladder bolted to the rock near an open slick rock where visitors can climb a short cliff.
Thrill seekers famously know the Corona Arch as being the largest place for rope swinging. Dare devils make their way here to have a taste of what this particular arch has to offer. Many online videos showing the adventurous exploits of brave souls continue to attract even more visitors to the arch who are looking for their own heart-racing experience.
Safety is a major feature, and the Corona Arch, as well as the nearby Bowtie Arch, certainly does not lack natural beauty.
Due to a lack of shade, the recommended times for hiking are during the mornings and evenings.
Corona Arch Trail
Address: Moab, UT 84532, United States
Website: Corona Arch Trail
3. Venture to Hell's Revenge for the dare-devil in you (from 85 USD)
Looking for an anxiety-pumping, nerve-wracking drive? Look no further! Head over to Hell’s Revenge, an 8.5-mile (13.7-kilometer) heavily trafficked looped trail that many adventure seekers from all over the world dream of visiting. The trail ranks highly among Utah ATV, and there are several awesome Youtube videos that show rovers, ATVs, and Jeeps scaling the trail.
The trail consists of multiple long and steep climbs on slick rocks, as well as optional obstacles that include Hell’s Gate, the Tip-Over Challenge, the Escalator, Rubble Trouble, and others. The most well-known obstacle, however, would have to be the Hot Tubs, also sometimes affectionately known as Mickey’s Hot Tub. This “hot tub” is so difficult to get in that it leaves very little space for errors, which really can make it a death-defying experience! Warning: it is only for those with lots of prior experience; this definitely isn’t a place for beginners.
An experience you won’t forget, a great way to enjoy the thrills is on an organised tour. You can enjoy the scenery and the action with ease. Remember to bring along an action camera to capture the moments!
Hell's Revenge
Address: Moab, UT 84532, United States
Website: Hell’s Revenge
Hell's Revenge 4x4 Off-Roading Tour from Moab
Price: from 85 USD
Duration: around 2 hours 30 minutes required
Contact: +1(702) 648-5873
Website:
Incredible tour. Ask for the Jeff Tour. Roller Coaster on steroids. This is a scenic, at times heart pounding thrill ride. This is for all ages. Our group had a young family with three children ages 10 and younger that had a ball. Tour guide was excellent would definitely go back and do this activity again. Terrance
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Be awed by nature's creations at The Needles
The spectacular rock formation called the Needles is part of the Canyonlands National Park, which is the largest national park in Utah. It is said that the best way to see the park is by paying a visit to the Island In The Sky district, just 32 miles (51.5 kilometers) from Moab. The Island In The Sky got its name because of its structure, that sits atop of a 1,500-foot-tall (457-meter-tall) mesa, making it look like it is actually in the sky.
The Needles is one of the many awesome views that can be enjoyed from the numerous viewpoints of the park. These viewpoints can be accessed by driving on the paved roads. The Needles also contains a short scenic drive, allowing you to feast your eyes on this wondrous natural creation and get perfect pictures. Other parts of the park may only be accessible via back-country hiking trails and with 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
Canyonlands National Park also has several excellent mountain-biking trails, which include the 100-mile (160.9-kilometer) White Rim Road and The Maze. Some of the paved roads around The Needles aren’t, however, suitable for cycling due to deep sand and water.
Canyonlands National Park, Needles District
Address: Moab, UT 84532, United States
Contact: +1 435-259-4711
5. Admire Moab's beautiful and breathtaking night sky
With its many desert landscapes and little light pollution, Moab’s night sky is sure to be nothing less than breathtaking. In fact, you can enjoy the views of the Dark Horse section of the Milky Way with your naked eyes! Southwest of Moab is one of the best places to view the night sky, especially because it is less inhabited and the area consists of many desert landscapes. Right at Corona Arch, you can enjoy the gorgeous views of the Milky Way.
There are many astronomy tours on which guests can enjoy views of planets, galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, and other breathtaking celestial sights. RedRock Astronomy offers tours with big and small groups. With a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 40, you can choose a tour that suits you. They use state-of-the-art pieces of equipment to ensure the very best viewing experience. For nights that are stormy or when the moonlight gets too overwhelming for amazing views, you can opt for either a computer program, a lecture, or a rescheduled trip.
Stargazing in Moab
Price: from 40 USD
Contact: 435-210-0066
Website: Stargazing in Moab
6. Drive through the very scenic Potash-Lower Colorado River byway
Moab is blessed with gorgeous byways that definitely should not be left out of your itinerary. Driving through even one of the three gorgeous byways is sure to offer you the best photo-taking opportunities. The Potash-Lower Colorado River byway offers great views of the Colorado River and historic sites that feature ancient rock art and dinosaur tracks.
The byway stretches for 17 miles (27.4 kilometers) and begins at Potash Road, 4.1 miles (6.6 kilometers) north of Moab. As you reach 5.1 miles (8.2 kilometers), you’ll be greeted with petroglyph panels that are visible from the cliffs. Further down the stretch, there are the very famous dinosaur tracks. The remains in the rock formations offer a fantastic peek into the past to the times when now-extinct wild creatures roamed the lands.
You can also visit the Corona and Bowtie Arches along the way as well. The best time to drive along this byway is during the late afternoons, as you’ll be treated to an amazing view of the sunset.
The Potash-Lower Colorado River byway
Address: Utah 279, Moab, UT 84532
Duration: around 1 hour required
7. Visit Moab's Adventure Park
Moab Adventure Park offers loads of chances to get the adrenaline racing through your veins and for you to have lots of fun. This adventure park is just 10 minutes away from Moab Main Street and features low and high rope courses and team-building facilities. The high rope challenges take place close to 30 feet (9 meters) above the ground. The course consists of over 15 different elements that you will conquer in 2 to 3 hours. The low ropes challenge course is suitable for those who wish to stay on or close to the ground, and features ropes, cables, and planks. The adventure park aims to offer visitors and guests the opportunity to experience an increase in self-esteem and confidence as well as learning about risk-taking, trust-building and team growth. These challenges are well-guided and 100% safe, so people of all ages are able to have fun while testing their limits. There is also the giant swing for those who just want to experience the adrenaline rush without doing too much work!
Adventure Park Moab
Address: 422 Kane Creek Blvd. Moab, Utah 84532
Price: from 70 USD
Contact: 435-259-4424
Website: Adventure Park Moab
So much to do in a city so small!
Moab offers so many experiences that will send your adrenaline levels soaring and have adventure-lovers craving more. Don’t forget to pack the sunscreen and make sure you’re kitted out in appropriate clothing before heading on your next adventure! Bring along an action camera as well, get set, and go to Utah’s Moab!
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