Plan Your Perfect Moab, Utah Vacation
From Arches and Canyonlands to hidden slot canyons and the Colorado River, we help you plan a Moab trip with local knowledge, honest recommendations and day by day ideas from people who live and guide here.
Start Planning Explore AdventuresRent one or bring your own. A Jeep is a great way to see Moab.
Two National Parks. Endless Red Rock. One Small Town.
Moab sits at the doorstep of Arches and Canyonlands, two of Utah's Mighty Five national parks. The parks are only the start. The public land around town opens up thousands of square miles of trails, canyons, rivers and cliffs that most visitors never see.
What sets Moab apart is how much fits into a small area. You can hike to Delicate Arch at sunrise, crawl over Hell's Revenge by noon, paddle the Colorado River in the afternoon and watch the sunset from Dead Horse Point that evening, all within about 35 miles of Main Street.
Moab Adventures for Every Type of Traveler
Whether you want adrenaline or a quiet scenic drive, Moab delivers. These are the experiences that bring people back year after year.
Hiking
Hundreds of trails, from wheelchair accessible viewpoints to strenuous canyon scrambles. Trail picks, difficulty ratings and what to expect on each.
Canyoneering
Rappel into hidden slot canyons with expert local guides. No experience needed for beginner routes like Granary and Bow and Arrow.
Explore canyoneering →
Rafting and Paddleboarding
From calm floats that suit kids to Class III rapids that get your heart pumping, plus stand up paddleboarding on quiet river stretches.
Mountain Biking
Moab is often called the mountain biking capital of the world. Slickrock, Porcupine Rim, the Whole Enchilada and singletrack for every skill level.
Off Roading and ATV Tours
Crawl over slickrock on Hell's Revenge, Fins and Things or the White Rim Road, in your own 4x4 or behind the wheel of a guided UTV.
Scenic Drives
Highway 128 along the Colorado, the La Sal Mountain Loop and Potash Road. Big views with no hiking required.
Plan a drive →Traveling with kids? See our family activities guide, or browse every option on our things to do in Moab page.
The Moab Tours Worth Reserving Ahead
A local guide turns a good trip into a great one. Guides handle permits, gear and logistics while sharing the geology, history and hidden viewpoints you would never find on your own. These are the tours we recommend booking before you arrive. In spring and fall, morning time slots often sell out 2 to 4 weeks ahead, and most bookings come with free cancellation, so there is little downside to reserving early.
Arches and Canyonlands 4x4 Tour
See Arches and Canyonlands in one day from an open 4x4, with a local guide who handles the driving, the timing and the stories behind the stone.
Check Availability
Hell's Revenge UTV Tour
Drive your own UTV up Moab's most famous slickrock fins with a professional guide leading the way. The ride everyone talks about at dinner.
Check Availability
Hell's Revenge Hummer Tour
All the steep slickrock climbs and drops of Hell's Revenge with a professional driver at the wheel. You hold on and take in the views.
Check Availability
Colorado River Rafting
Splashy, sunny and guided from start to finish on the Colorado River east of town. A good first river trip, and easy to pair with an afternoon in Arches.
Check Availability
Moab Zipline Adventure
Soar over red rock canyons on a course built for wide desert views. Short on time? This packs a lot of thrill into a few hours.
Check Availability
Guided Mountain Bike Tour
Ride world famous slickrock with a guide who matches the route to your skill level. Quality bike and helmet included, no gear hauling required.
Check Availability
Dead Horse Point Mountain Bike Tour
Ride the trails at Dead Horse Point State Park with a guide, with the Colorado River gooseneck 2,000 feet below the rim. A half day ride on the rim trails, with the bike included.
Check Availability
Beginner and Intermediate E Bike Tour
All the scenery, a fraction of the sweat. Electric assist and a guide who sets the pace make red rock riding open to every fitness level.
Check Availability
E Bike Petroglyph Tour
Pedal with electric assist to ancient rock art panels near Moab while your guide explains the people and stories behind them.
Check Availability
Paddleboarding on the Colorado
Glide beneath towering canyon walls on calm river stretches. A peaceful break from Moab's adrenaline, and easier than it looks.
Check Availability
Half Day Tours
Morning canyoneering, afternoon rafting, sunset safaris. Big adventure that still leaves time for dinner in town. Browse every half day option.
Browse Half Day Tours
Moab Tours and Day Trips
Jeep safaris, river floats, park tours and more in one list. Sort by date, price and length to find a tour that fits your schedule.
See Tours and Day TripsNot sure which adventure fits your group? Start with our free trip planner, compare options on our guided tours page, or compare Moab vacation packages on Expedia that bundle a hotel and flight.
When to Visit Moab
Each season brings a different trip. Spring and fall are the most comfortable and the busiest, summer is hot but quieter in the parks, and winter is cold, empty and cheap.
| Season | Average Highs | Best For | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Mar to May |
61°F to 83°F | Hiking, biking, wildflowers, start of rafting season | One of the two busiest seasons. Book tours and lodging 4 to 6 weeks ahead. |
| Summer Jun to Aug |
93°F to 99°F | River trips, water activities, early morning hikes | Start hikes by 7 am. Afternoon thunderstorms are dramatic but usually brief. The parks are less crowded than in spring and fall. |
| Fall Sep to Nov |
56°F to 87°F | Mountain biking, photography, fall color in the La Sals | September and October are as busy as spring, and lodging is at its tightest. Crowds thin in November. |
| Winter Dec to Feb |
41°F to 51°F | Solitude, snow dusted red rock, lowest rates | Fewest crowds of the year, with nights often below freezing. Some tours run reduced schedules, so confirm before booking. |
Average daily highs from NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Moab.
Want the details? Our best time to visit Moab guide breaks down weather, crowds and which tours are running. Each season and each month has its own guide:
How Much Does a Moab Vacation Cost?
Moab works for every budget. You can camp under the stars for under $30 a night or book a resort with a pool and red rock views for $400 or more. The biggest variable is guided versus self guided: a do it yourself hiking day in Arches costs nothing beyond the $30 park entry, while a full day guided tour runs about $150 to $300 per person.
| Expense | Budget | Mid Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging (per night) | $15 to $40 | $100 to $200 | $250 to $500 |
| Dining (per day) | $15 to $25 | $40 to $70 | $80 to $120 |
| Guided Tours | Self guided | $100 to $200 | $250 to $400 |
| Park Entry | $30 per vehicle at Arches (7 days), $55 Southeast Utah Parks annual pass, or $80 America the Beautiful annual pass | ||
| Gear Rentals | $0 | $30 to $80 | $80 to $150 |
| Daily Total | $40 to $75 | $175 to $350 | $400+ |
Ranges are estimates. Tour operators and hotels set their own prices, which change by season.
Parks Near Moab, Utah
Moab is the base camp for two of Utah's Mighty Five national parks and several state parks. Here is what's within easy reach.
Arches National Park
More than 2,000 natural stone arches, including Delicate Arch. About five miles from downtown, with no timed entry reservation required in 2026.
Plan your visit →
Canyonlands National Park
A vast wilderness of canyons, mesas and buttes. The Island in the Sky district is about 30 miles from Moab.
Plan your visit →
Dead Horse Point State Park
A favorite of photographers, perched about 2,000 feet above a sweeping bend of the Colorado River.
Plan your visit →
Goblin Valley State Park
An otherworldly landscape of mushroom shaped hoodoos. Kids love roaming free through this strange terrain.
Plan your visit →See the full lineup in our national parks and state parks guides, including Capitol Reef, Green River and Utahraptor, and our guide to BLM land around Moab.
Moab Lodging for Every Budget
From primitive BLM camping under the stars to desert resorts with pools and views, most visitors stay along Main Street or the Highway 191 corridor, within about 10 minutes of both Arches and downtown restaurants.
Camping: $15 to $40 per night. Hotels and motels: $80 to $250 per night. Resorts, glamping and vacation rentals: $200 to $500 or more for premium views and amenities.
Or go straight to hotels, campgrounds, RV parks or glamping.
Where to Eat in Moab
Moab's food scene has grown well beyond trail mix. The town now serves everything from wood fired pizza and craft beer to fresh baked pastries and farm to table dinners with red rock views.
Start your morning at Love Muffin Cafe for breakfast burritos, grab lunch at Milt's Stop and Eat, a local tradition since the uranium boom, then settle into 98 Center for dinner.
Moab Trip Planning FAQ
What is the best time to visit Moab, Utah?
Do I need a reservation to enter Arches National Park?
Should I book Moab tours in advance?
How many days do you need in Moab?
How much does a Moab vacation cost?
Do you need a car in Moab?
Is Moab good for families with kids?
What should I pack for a Moab trip?
Ready to Plan Your Moab Adventure?
Lock in a tour before the best time slots fill up, then build the rest of your trip around it with our free vacation planner.
Browse Half Day Tours Open the Trip PlannerSome links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, Moabing may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money.