A person’s tastes in adventure are as varied as Moab’s ability to fulfill them. There’s so much more to Moab than just the seeing, there’s also the doing: whitewater rafting, two National Parks, off road adventures, ziplining, rock climbing, scenic drives, museums, spas, art galleries, horseback rides, and Moab's Backyard Bash concert series. Whether you want to spend your time in Moab being civilized or rugged, you’re spoiled for choice of things to do in Moab, it’s only a matter of how much you can fit into your days.
If you're planning ahead, you may have time to reserve a multi-day (overnight) white water rafting expedition as the centerpiece of your vacation, then plan all the other day adventures, like a visit to Arches National Park, on the days before or after your life-changing adventure down these beautiful southwest canyons on display here in Utah. Let us know how you want to plan it, we love to help!
The most popular things to do in Moab, Utah is river rafting on the Colorado River through the world famous scenery of Castle Valley. There are plenty of choices from morning or mid-day trips, but a full day of rafting offers the most bang for your buck. Moab Adventure Center even arranges an exclusive hot BBQ meal in the shaded lunch pavilion and lawn at the Red Cliffs Lodge. Plenty of other options for rafting are available in Moab, Utah. Click here to learn more about overnight and multi-day rafting trips in Moab, Utah.
Rafting in Moab
In the evening, one of the best things to do in Moab is a Sunset Hummer Safari. Everything in Moab turns a deeper shade of red, or pink, or orange as the sun sets in the west. As you watch this kaleidoscope of colors, you’ll be sitting comfortably in a rock-steady Hummer, driven by expert guides, over some of the most unique terrain on planet earth. The Hells Revenge Trail is perhaps the most world famous 4x4 trail, and certainly one of the most popular things to do in Moab.
Hummer Safaris
Hiking is without a doubt an excellent thing to do in Moab, so why not throw a few hidden grottoes, arches, and rare creekside trails into your morning or afternoon hike? Many hike up Grandstaff Canyon for a little shade and some rare desert greenery along a babbling stream, but most hike up and back from the trailhead at the bottom. When you go canyoneering you’ll begin at the top edge of Grandstaff Canyon. You’ll harness up with experienced guides and ropes that let you rappel into Ephedra’s Grotto, and then over the massive, but hidden Morning Glory Arch. That puts you at the top-end of gorgeous Grandstaff Canyon. Now that’s an entrance for a hike in Moab!
You can’t make a trip to Moab, Utah, and not see Arches National Park. Many of the park’s iconic features are easily explored just off the highway with a morning or evening guided van tour, or a drive on your own. Some advantages to a guided van tour include taking your hands off the wheel, allowing your eyes to scan the odd horizon-line within the park. Your guide will explain what your eyes are seeing, and direct you to some of the very best places for photos like Balanced Rock, Turret Arch, Double-O arch, and more. Exploring a little deeper on your own to the world-famous Delicate Arch is a very rewarding experience but be aware that It requires a little planning and preparation beyond the casual National Park stroll.
Zipline tours are always a lot of fun no matter where you are, but where else can you soar like a raven from sandstone ledges, domes and fins across a wide-open desert rimmed by snow-capped mountains? That’s Moab! Even better, this super fun thing to do in Moab is easily accessible on the northern end of Main Street where a rowdy 4x4 ride up the mountainside takes you above the town of Moab and on the rim of a whole different landscape, just hidden from town. These tours happen almost all day long so you can plan it around many of the other things to do in Moab that we’ve already mentioned.
Moab Zipline
What could be a National Park or monument anywhere else, these titanic towers rise nearly a thousand feet above the desert floor, yet blend in almost imperceptibly from certain viewpoints among Castle Valley below. Rock Climbing is a very popular thing to do in Moab, and the Fisher Towers offer expert climbers a challenging and rewarding view. Beginner climbs are recommended elsewhere in Moab. Just hiking the undulating trail at the base of the towers is awe-inspiring; no need for ropes to get an amazing view here! The way the place glows at sunset, and the silhouette of prominent rock castles in the valley below will really make you feel like you’ve been someplace worthy of being called “The West”. There is little shade in the afternoon and evening, so take care to bring water on the trail with you. Click here for driving directions to the Fisher Towers trailhead.
Soaking up the vast view at this easily accessible overlook in the morning or evening sunlight is most definitely one of the best things to do in Moab, Utah. Even in the flat glare of mid-day this State Park will inspire you. The goosenecks of the Colorado River rolls tranquilly hundreds of feet below as it approaches the deeper labyrinth of gorges in Canyonlands National Park, including Cataract Canyon. If you’re looking for a fun thing to do in this area, you might consider a guided mountain biking tour on the easy to moderate trails that traverse the rim of the Dead Horse Point area. The tour includes multiple jaw-dropping scenic overlooks.
Driving to Dead Horse Point
You could spend three lifetimes exploring Moab and still not see all the amazingness of the region. Luckily, Moab offers a wide array of tours to help you cover as much ground as possible in your allotted time. We have a few recommendations of what we think are the best tours to help you experience the best of Moab.
BEST TOURS IN MOAB
The list of Amazing hikes in Moab is endless. Choosing which hikes to fit in the itinerary is daunting. Relying on us to suggest a few will be a relief.
MOAB HIKES
Small town doesn’t mean small selection when it comes to Moab and menu varieties. Moab’s top-rated restaurants range from steakhouses to pancake houses and everything in between.
MOAB RESTAURANTS
It’s no secret Moab was a popular place for dinosaurs to roam in prehistoric times. However, what many people don’t know is that Moab is still home to dinosaurs. Moab Giants dinosaur park helps you travel back through time to learn about, and even walk amongst life-sized dinosaur replicas.
DINOSAUR PARK & MUSEUM
Just off Main Street, the Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center (locally known as the MRAC) is available for both local and visitor use! This state of the art facility offers two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, diving boards, water slides, fitness classes, showers, and a fitness room. Whether you’re looking for a poolside day in the sun or an intense weight session; you are sure to find the perfect activity for you at the MRAC!
MOAB AQUATICS & REC CENTER
Moab has a happy, active vibe and a wealth of fun and interesting things to keep you entertained. If your timing is right you can catch "mostly local" performing artists at Moab's Backyard Bash concert series. Follow this link to see if the schedule matches up with your vacation plans!
MOAB ENTERTAINMENT
Golf courses can’t get much more scenic than the Moab Golf Course. Smooth vivid greens contrast against craggy red cliffs to make for a stunning 18 hole, par 72 day.
MOAB GOLF
Sometimes a perfect day is just finding a cool local park with plenty of space to lounge, sprawl, picnic, and enjoy. Moab offers several beautiful city parks, each unique with enough amenities, you could go park hopping for days.
MOAB PARKS
For many people a vacation is just not complete until the luggage is stuffed full of souvenirs and great finds. Moab’s Main Street is lined with many fun and eclectic souvenir and clothing shops happy to assist visitors in achieving their ‘bags full goal’.
MOAB SHOPPING
For a small town, Moab has no shortage of professionals dedicated to making you feel better, relaxed and happier. Finding a licensed massage therapist, esthetician, chiropractor, and even rolfer, is as easy as it gets. So, there’s no excuse to feel anything less than completely at ease and blissful in Moab.
MOAB SPA & MASSAGE
Kids love Moab. If there is one place where it is totally acceptable for kids to run, scramble, explore, crawl, splash, and most of all, get dirty, it’s Moab. This red rock playground is teeming with things to do that will keep kids enthralled for days.
MOAB WITH KIDSFree Insiders Guide to Moab, UTWhat to take, where to eat, where to stay, what to do, and a few little secrets on the side. Not unlike your own personal Jiminy Cricket, (minus the worries of the little guy getting smooshed) the Moab Insiders Guide will provide you with all the essentials for a perfect Moab experience.
Expedition GuideWhat to take, where to eat, where to stay, what to do, and a few little secrets on the side. Not unlike your own personal Jiminy Cricket, (minus the worries of the little guy getting smooshed) the Moab Insiders Guide will provide you with all the essentials for a perfect Moab experience.
