Plan Your Perfect Moab, Utah Vacation
From Arches and Canyonlands to hidden slot canyons and the Colorado River, we'll help you plan an unforgettable Moab trip. Local guides, honest recommendations, and adventure itineraries built by people who actually live here.
Plan Your Moab Trip in Minutes
Whether you have two days or two weeks, we'll help you build the perfect itinerary. Pick what matters most to you and start exploring.
Hiking Trails
From easy nature walks to strenuous canyon routes. Trail maps, difficulty ratings, and what to expect.
Explore trails →Canyoneering
Rappel into hidden slot canyons with guided tours. No experience needed for beginner routes.
Book a tour →River Rafting
Half-day floats to multi-day whitewater trips on the Colorado and Green Rivers.
Plan a river trip →Dining Guide
Local restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and food trucks. The complete Moab food scene.
Find a restaurant →Ziplining
Soar over red rock canyons on thrilling zipline courses with panoramic desert views.
Book a zipline tour →Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding on the calm stretches of the Colorado River with stunning canyon walls.
Explore paddleboarding →Mountain Biking
World-class trails on slickrock, sand, and singletrack. Moab is the mountain biking capital.
Find trails →Packrafting
Combine hiking and paddling on lightweight packrafts through remote Moab canyons and rivers.
Learn about packrafting →Bikepacking
Multi-day bikepacking routes through the desert backcountry. Camp under the stars on two wheels.
Plan a bikepacking trip →Off-Roading
Iconic 4x4 trails like Hell's Revenge, Fins & Things, and the White Rim Road.
Explore off-road trails →Two National Parks. Endless Red Rock. One Small Town.
Moab sits at the doorstep of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, two of Utah's legendary Mighty Five. But the parks are just the beginning. The surrounding Bureau of Land Management land opens up thousands of square miles of trails, canyons, rivers, and cliffs that most visitors never discover.
What sets Moab apart is how much fits into such a compact area. You can hike to Delicate Arch at sunrise, go off-roading through Hell's Revenge by noon, paddle the Colorado River in the afternoon, and watch the sunset from Dead Horse Point that evening. All within 30 miles of Main Street.
The town itself is welcoming and walkable. Gear shops, outfitters, local restaurants, and craft breweries line the main drag. The vibe is casual, the sunsets are absurd, and the adventures are world-class.
When to Visit Moab, Utah
Each season brings a completely different experience. Here's what to expect so you can pick the best window for your trip.
Spring
- Wildflowers across the desert
- Ideal hiking and biking temps
- Rafting season begins in April
- Book tours 4-6 weeks ahead
Summer
- Start hikes before 7am
- Best for river trips and water activities
- Dramatic afternoon thunderstorms
- Lower lodging prices mid-week
Fall
- Perfect mountain biking weather
- Golden cottonwoods along rivers
- Best photography light of the year
- Crowds thin after mid-October
Winter
- Snow-capped red rock landscapes
- Fewest crowds of the year
- Lowest lodging rates available
- Some tours operate on reduced schedules
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+. Here's a realistic breakdown of what to expect so you can plan accordingly.
The biggest variable is whether you go guided or self-guided. A DIY hiking trip to Arches costs you nothing beyond the $30 park entry fee. A full-day canyoneering or rafting tour with a local guide runs $150 to $300 per person but delivers an experience you can't replicate alone.
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging (per night) | $15 – $40 | $100 – $200 | $250 – $500 |
| Dining (per day) | $15 – $25 | $40 – $70 | $80 – $120 |
| Guided Tours | Self-guided | $100 – $200 | $250 – $400 |
| Park Entry | $30 per vehicle (7 days) or $80 annual pass | ||
| Gear Rentals | $0 | $30 – $80 | $80 – $150 |
| Daily Total | $40 – $75 | $175 – $350 | $400+ |
What to Pack for Moab
Moab sits at 4,000 feet elevation in dry desert air. Temperatures can swing 40 degrees between morning and afternoon. Being prepared makes the difference between a great trip and a miserable one.
Where to Eat in Moab
Moab's food scene has grown well beyond trail mix and protein bars. 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 and espresso, grab lunch at Milt's Stop & Eat for burgers that have been a local tradition since the uranium boom, then settle into 98 Center for dinner on a patio surrounded by cottonwood trees.
For the complete guide to every restaurant, bakery, brewery, and food truck in town, visit our dedicated dining resource.
Explore the Moab Dining Guide →Moab Lodging for Every Budget
Moab offers everything from primitive BLM camping under the stars to boutique desert resorts. Most visitors stay along Main Street or the Highway 191 corridor, which puts you within 10 minutes of both Arches National Park and downtown restaurants.
For the best selection, book 2 to 3 months ahead if you're visiting during spring or fall. Summer weekdays and winter months offer last-minute availability and lower rates.
Camping: $15–$40/night at BLM sites and commercial campgrounds. Hotels & Motels: $80–$250/night along Main Street. Resorts & Vacation Rentals: $200–$500+/night for premium views and amenities.
Browse Moab Lodging →
Parks Near Moab, Utah
Moab is the basecamp for two of Utah's Mighty Five national parks and several incredible state parks. Here's what's within easy reach.
Arches National Park
Over 2,000 natural stone arches including the iconic Delicate Arch. 5 miles from downtown Moab.
Plan your visit →Canyonlands National Park
Vast wilderness of canyons, mesas, and buttes. Island in the Sky district is 30 miles from Moab.
Plan your visit →Dead Horse Point State Park
One of the most photographed overlooks in the West. 2,000 feet above the Colorado River.
Plan your visit →Goblin Valley State Park
An otherworldly landscape of mushroom-shaped hoodoos. Kids love exploring this alien terrain.
Plan your visit →Moab Trip Planning FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most from first-time and returning visitors.
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer the best conditions. Temperatures are comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities, crowds are moderate compared to summer, and most tours operate at full capacity. Summer brings intense heat above 100°F, while winter offers solitude and occasional snow-dusted red rock scenery.
Most visitors find 3 to 5 days ideal. Two days lets you see Arches National Park and a few key viewpoints. Three to four days adds Canyonlands, a river trip or canyoneering tour, and time to explore local dining. Five or more days opens up mountain biking, off-roading, and deeper backcountry adventures.
A Moab vacation typically costs $150 to $350 per day depending on your style. Budget travelers can camp for $15 to $30 per night and self-guide hikes for free. Mid-range visitors spend $100 to $250 per night on lodging and $150 to $300 per person on guided tours. National park entry is $30 per vehicle for seven days.
Yes, a car is essential. Arches National Park is 5 miles north of town, Canyonlands is 30 miles away, and most trailheads require driving. The town itself is walkable along Main Street, but reaching parks and scenic drives requires your own vehicle. A high-clearance 4WD is recommended for off-road trails like Shafer Trail or White Rim Road.
Moab is excellent for families. Easy hikes like Park Avenue Trail and Double Arch in Arches are short and rewarding for all ages. Family-friendly rafting trips on calm stretches of the Colorado River are available for children as young as 4. The Moab Giants dinosaur museum is a hit with kids, and many campgrounds cater specifically to families.
Essentials include at least one gallon of water per person per day for active outdoor days, high-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sturdy hiking boots, layered clothing for temperature swings, a headlamp, snacks, and downloaded offline maps since cell service is unreliable in canyons and backcountry areas.
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