3 Days in Moab

 
Canyonlands

My first time visiting Moab started off with a bang. My husband, two friends, and I decided to visit the red rock oasis in late October last year and made the trip by car since it’s normally an easy drive from Denver. We left the city in 60 degree sunshine, but by the time we arrived at Vail Pass, steady rainfall had turned the road into an icy nightmare. We ended up hitting a patch of ice and sliding into a ditch right behind a 10 car pile up. Luckily and most importantly, nobody was hurt in our car or any of the others! Unfortunately, a normal five hour trip turned into eight due to road cleanup and unending traffic. I’ve never been more excited to exit a vehicle. 

You’d think a trip that started out on such a low note would be doomed, but Moab is the kind of place that can win anyone over. We had an amazing time visiting the two national parks in the region and exploring the surrounding area. If you’re planning a long weekend in Moab, check out my recommended itinerary below. 

Itinerary

Day 1 - Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is a national park that you don’t often hear about and I have no idea why. If you want to feel like you’re on Mars, Canyonlands is the place to go. Picture the Grand Canyon with less crowds and more expansive views and you have a rough idea of what you’re in for. 

The entrance to Island in the Sky—the most popular of the four Canyonlands districts—is roughly 35 minutes from Moab. I recommend getting an early start in order to see as much as possible. The park is more than four times the size of neighboring Arches National Park so there are plenty of things to do. Don’t miss the following highlights. 

Mesa Arch

This short and easy hike (.7 miles, 88ft of elevation) leads to one of the most recognizable features in Canyonlands; Mesa Arch. The arch sits right on top of the canyon’s edge which makes for an incredible view. Due to its proximity to the entrance, Mesa Arch is a great introduction to the park and if you’re a morning person, an extremely popular spot to watch the sunrise. 

It’s worth mentioning that Mesa is known to be the most crowded spot in Canyonlands so be strategic about the timing of your visit. Sunrise and sunset are going to be busy, especially in the summer months. You may have to accept that fellow hikers will be in your pictures. With that said, the view from the rim is gorgeous so it’s worth stopping even if the arch itself is overrun with people. 

Grand View Point

If you’re on the hunt for never-ending views, look no further than Grand View Point. This short trail (1.8 miles, 160ft of elevation) on the canyon edge was my favorite hike in all of Moab.

From the viewpoint at 6,080 feet of elevation, you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance and a complex network of canyons and basins sprawling for miles below. A few landmarks to be on the lookout for include Candlestick Tower, the Green River, and the White Rim Road. 

Shafer Trail

Shafer Trail is an unpaved backcountry road that is a can’t-miss for thrill seekers—Jeep people, that means you. The iconic road descends 1,500 feet through a colorful, massive sandstone cliff.

The route was originally made by Native Americans to access resources on the mesa top and is characterized by a heart-stopping collection of narrow switchbacks. Once you’ve made your descent, you’ll be greeted with amazing views of the Colorado River and surrounding canyon.

Driving the entire trail from start to finish typically takes 2-3 hours depending on how often you stop for pictures (or to calm your nerves). It’s the perfect way to end your Canyonlands adventure because the trail ends at Potash Road which you can take directly back to the town of Moab.

As a warning, Shafer Trail is only recommended if you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. With that said, we saw someone drive the whole thing in a CRV! We kept waiting for the driver to turn around as the road got steeper and steeper, but we underestimated Honda. Moral of the story: if you have a car that can handle the terrain and you’re not afraid of heights, drive this trail! You won’t regret it. 

Day 2 - Arches National Park

Arches is likely the most appropriately named national park in all of the United States. There are over 2,000 documented arches in the park in addition to pinnacles, balanced rocks, fins, and other mind-boggling natural wonders. Arches is fairly small in comparison to other national parks so you should be able to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time. I recommend spending your day visiting the following attractions. 

Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch is one of the most widely recognized landmarks in Utah, as evidenced by the countless number of t-shirts, mugs, and trinkets branded with its image in Moab’s many souvenir shops. The trail is fairly short (3.2 miles, 629 ft of elevation), making it a popular choice for sunrise or sunset. Kick off your morning at the arch with a canister of coffee for a memorable start to the day.

Devils Garden

The Devils Garden Trail has everything you could ask for in a hike. If you choose to complete the entire 7.9 mile loop, you’ll be rewarded with views of 8 completely unique arches. 

Besides the unbelievable views, what I liked about Devils Garden was that you could pick and choose what portions of the trail you wanted to do. From my experience, if you don’t have time to do a 7.9 mile hike, you won’t miss much by skipping the segment to Dark Angel. If, on the other hand, the thought of rock scrambling amongst giant fins of sandstone excites you, you don’t want to miss the Primitive Trail. It was my favorite part of Devils Garden and our group practically had the entire section to ourselves. 

Arches Scenic Drive

Arches Scenic Drive is a road connecting all the main areas of Arches National Park. After you’ve had your fill of hiking, end the day on a relaxing note by enjoying a leisurely drive from viewpoint to viewpoint. 

Day 3 - Moab Surrounding Area 

The wonderful thing about Moab is that the area boasts much more than its two national parks. There are tons of hiking trails and things to do outside of Canyonlands and Arches. Check out my recommendations below.

Gemini Bridges OHV Trail

If you’re up for another adventure, consider adding Gemini Bridges to your itinerary. It’s one of the most popular mountain biking and OHV routes in Moab for a reason. The 13 mile path will take you past views of the La Sal Mountains and Merrimac Butte until you arrive at the route’s namesake, Gemini Bridges. In contrast to other arches in the area, you’ll arrive at the top of the parallel bridges where you’ll be able to peer over the edge into the 250-foot void of Bull Canyon. As long as you’re not afraid of heights, it’s a spectacular view. 

As long as you have 4WD, you should be fine driving the trail in your vehicle. Otherwise, consider renting mountain bikes or ATVs from one of Moab’s many rental shops. 

Corona and Bowtie Arches

I know it’s ironic, but my favorite arch in Moab wasn’t even in Arches National Park! Corona Arch blew me away. The trail (2.4 miles, 482ft of elevation) that leads to it and neighboring Bowtie Arch begins at Potash Road right alongside the Colorado River.

Corona Arch stands 105 feet tall and spans 140 feet wide, making it one of the largest arches in the area. Add to that the fact that Bowtie Arch is completely unique in its structure and you have a top-notch destination. I found the hike out to the arches to be interesting as well. It features panoramas of the Colorado River, a train track carved into the mountainside, and dramatic views of Bootlegger Canyon.

Dead Horse Point State Park

If you do not end up driving Shafer Trail, visiting Dead Horse Point is a great way to see similar views, albeit from a different angle. Characterized by its sheer cliff drops and dramatic overlook of the Colorado River, the park is the perfect place to escape the crowds. The highly popular Dead Horse Point Overlook is accessible by car, but you can get to several other viewpoints by taking the East & West Rim hiking trails.

FAQs

When is the best time of year to go?

A good rule of thumb is to visit Moab in either the spring or the fall. The weather is mild, most businesses are open, and it’s usually not as crowded.

Where should I stay? 

I recommend finding an AirBnB or rental house that is in close proximity to downtown Moab. That is where you will find the highest concentration of restaurants, shops, and bars. It is also conveniently located to both Arches and Canyonlands. 

What restaurants do you recommend?

Moab is known for its food trucks which I highly recommend if you’re looking for something quick and easy. There is a large food truck park in the middle of town. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with pho from 98 Center Moab. For breakfast, be sure to grab donuts from Doughbird. 

Where should I grab drinks?

Interestingly, there are several wineries in the Moab area that are fun to explore, especially after a day of hiking. We had a really good experience at Spanish Valley Vineyard. Be sure to check out their back patio!

How do I get into Canyonlands and Arches?

As is with all national parks, both Canyonlands and Arches have admission fees. If you plan to see both parks, it might be worth buying the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. The pass gets you into more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country and covers all passengers in a personal vehicle. At $80, it’s a spectacular deal, especially considering that most national parks charge $25-$35 for a single day pass. If you’re interested, you can buy the pass at the park gate or ahead of time through the NPS website. 

Something to note about Arches is that they frequently limit the number of vehicles allowed in the park due to parking limitations. Try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to ensure entrance.

Even though our trip started off less than ideal, we ended up having a great time in Moab. It’s a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those looking for an escape. Even if you only get to visit a fraction of the attractions I’ve highlighted above, you’ll make memories that last a lifetime.

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My name is Kolby Tallentire and I’m the creator of Tallentire Travels. This site formed out of my unending love of travel. My goal is to bring you the most unique and affordable travel recommendations for every destination. Learn More

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