by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Type the words Moab, Utah into any popular search engine, and things like Arches National Park, Canyonlands, dinosaur tracks, Bull Canyon Overlook, Copper Ridge, archaeological artifacts and “surrounded by the most stunning red rock landscapes on Earth” spit back like some kind of digital roadmap of this tiny speck of land in the southeastern Utah desert.
For any SUV or 4x4 enthusiast, those words probably mean something else. Like all kinds of iconic trails something else. Like Hells Revenge, Poison Spider, Fins and Things, Cliffhanger and Metal Masher. To name a few.
And sure, that is what those thousands of off-roaders look to conquer when they target Moab as a destination spot.
But there are more way hours each day than what is normally spent on the trail. That’s why those things like Arches, Canyonlands, dinosaur tracks and red rock landscapes all sit atop the search engine list.
So, for all those Jeep devotees heading out to Moab to take on those trails, or even for the upcoming 57th annual Easter Jeep Safari, yes, you can spend each day off-roading, but here are some other things you’ll want to see or do during your stay.
Hiking
Moab is surrounded by stunning red rock formations and hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. And sure, you can see many of those views from inside your Jeep, but why not park the thing and take a nice hike across several of the area’s best trails. These include Arches National Park which offers several options including the iconic Delicate Arch; Canyonlands National Park featuring numerous hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult — all offering stunning views of the canyons and rock formations; and Fisher Towers which displays unique rock formations and incredible views of the Colorado River.
Mountain Biking
Moab is a mecca for mountain bikers, perhaps as famous for that industry as it is for off-roading. The area has over 100 miles of mountain biking trails that cater to all skill levels. Some of the most popular spots include Slickrock Trail — known for its unique rock formations and challenging terrain; The Whole Enchilada, which is over 30 miles long and displays stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys; and Porcupine Rim Trail, which is a favorite among advanced mountain bikers thanks to its steep drops, technical sections and incredible views.
River Rafting
The Colorado River passes just north of Moab, and presents excellent opportunities for river rafting. And it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an experienced rafter, as there are plenty of options and locations for rafting tours and trips in the area.
Rock Climbing
Moab is a popular destination for rock climbers from all over thanks to its towering sandstone cliffs and challenging routes. While this may seem difficult to some, there are plenty of area businesses that cater to beginners and offer day-long tours that help teach the skill. Some of the best areas for rock climbing in Moab include Indian Creek which is known for its iconic sandstone cracks and challenging routes; Wall Street, which offers a variety of routes for all skill levels and is a popular spot for beginners; and Castle Valley which features stunning views and challenging routes for more experienced climbers.
Scenic Drives
If you want to spend time in your Jeep, but also want that time to be off the trail, Moab has plenty of several scenic drives that showcase the area's stunning landscape. Perhaps a drive along Potash Road that follows the Colorado River and presents impressive views of towering cliffs and rock formations. Or block off a few hours and take La Sal Mountain Loop Road, which displays incredible views of the La Sal Mountain range and surrounding valleys. Another excellent choice is Dead Horse Point State Park, where you can find more amazing views of the Colorado River and neighboring canyons.
Horseback Riding
For a unique way to experience Moab, swap out four wheels and add four hooves. That’s right, do some horseback riding.
The region is well known for its wild west feel and numerous Hollywood westerns, as well as television shows, were all filmed in the Moab area over the years. In fact, John Wayne called Moab “where God put the West” while he was filming “The Comancheros” back in 1961.
There are several ranches in the area that offer training classes and then guided horseback rides through the surrounding desert, canyons and valleys — allowing you to get up close to the towering 2,000-foot red rock cliffs without a motor or wheels.
Stargazing
With almost no nighttime light pollution, Moab's remote location and clear skies make it a perfect spot for stargazing. You can venture deep into Arches National Park after hours and set up camp to enjoy the stars as you’ve never seen before, or take a trip to the John Wesley Powell River History Museum and enjoy the amazing night scenery.
Make sure to download a star chart app on your smartphone, and you can point it at the sky to see just what stars and constellations you are viewing.
National Parks
The area around Moab is surrounded by some of the country’s most stunning national parks, each with unique landscapes, natural features and plenty of ‘must-do’ outdoor activities.
The closest is Arches National Park, just a stone’s throw north of town on US Hwy 191. Arches is known for its iconic red rock formations and natural arches, including the famous Delicate Arch. The park offers hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels, including the Devil's Garden Trail, which takes visitors on a journey through beautiful landscapes of sandstone fins, arches and canyons. Also, as we said earlier, Arches is also known for its stargazing opportunities and was deemed an International Dark Sky Park in 2019.
Next is Canyonlands National Park — about 30 minutes southwest of Moab. This park displays a vast wilderness of canyons, mesas and buttes that stretch out over 337,000 acres. It is divided into three distinct regions: Island in the Sky, The Maze and The Needles, with each region offering unique landscapes and outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and river rafting. Like Arches, this park is also considered a Dark Sky area as well.
Third is Capitol Reef National Park, about two hours west of Moab — which makes this location more of a day trip than a quick adventure. Capitol Reef National Park is known for striking rock formations and picturesque canyons, and features plenty of hiking trails through narrow slot canyons, steep slickrock formations, and past natural arches and bridges. It is also home to the Fruita Historic District, where you can explore a preserved Mormon settlement and orchard.
Museums
Besides plenty of off-roading trails, Moab is also well-known for its rich history and culture. And the area offers plenty of museums that delve into Native American civilization, prehistoric times and dinosaur history, as well as the area’s influence with nuclear power thanks to large stores of uranium and vanadium.
Additionally, the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage features plenty of exhibits on the area's history in film and the Wild West, while the Museum of Moab includes exhibits on the area's geology and natural history.
Restaurants
Any good trail preparation article will tell you to bring along plenty of food when you head off-road. But when the trail day is done, or you just want to take a day and explore around town, there are numerous area restaurants that make for a great spot.
Whether that means a burger and shake at Milt’s Stop and Eat, a quesadilla from Quesadilla Mobilla, a Moab Diner Sweetwater Skillet, fajita from Fiesta Mexicana, or something off the menu at Moab Brewery, Zax, Broken Oar, Dewey's, or Josie Wyatt’s Grille, the area is teeming with plenty of excellent culinary locations sure to fill you up and provide power for the remaining day or night.
Related Articles:
How To Prepare For Off-Roading in Moab
Third Jeep Concept Crop Promises Plenty Of Electrified Power For 2023 Easter Jeep Safari
