State Parks near Moab Utah

Exploring the state parks near Moab, Utah gives you the same jaw-dropping desert beauty as the national parks, but with far fewer crowds. These parks deliver the best of Utah’s red rock country: dramatic overlooks, sandstone spires, slot canyons, and desert lakes. Whether you’re chasing sunrise views, quiet campsites, or family adventures, the state parks around Moab belong on every traveler’s itinerary.

This guide covers all the best Utah state parks within a short drive of Moab, what to expect, when to visit, and how to make the most of your trip.

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Quick Overview

Local Insight: The Utah Annual State Parks Pass can save you money if you plan to visit multiple parks during your Moab stay.

Utah’s national parks might get all the fame, but its state parks hold their own kind of magic. Gernerally, they provide quieter trails, dramatic scenery, and a genuine sense of discovery. You can hike to a canyon rim at sunrise, wander through fields of stone goblins, or camp beneath a billion stars. These parks are often just outside the main tourist routes, giving you space to explore at your own pace.

Highlights include:

• Affordable entry fees ($5–$20 per vehicle)

• Easy access from Moab

• Great camping and mountain biking trails

• Dark sky stargazing areas

• Year-round beauty and variety

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State Parks Near Moab, Utah

Utahraptor State Park

Distance from Moab: 15 miles north
Entrance Fee: $15 per vehicle (subject to change as facilities expand)
Best For: Off-roading, camping, hiking, and exploring Moab’s newest recreation area

Utahraptor State Park is the closest state park to Moab and the newest addition to Utah’s state park system, officially established in 2021. Named after the raptor dinosaur discovered nearby, this park is still in development, but it already offers an incredible taste of Moab’s wild side.

Covering over 6,500 acres of red desert, the park surrounds the popular Dalton Wells area, a historic site that once served as a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and later a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II. Today, it’s a gateway for outdoor recreation just minutes from town.

Visitors come here for off-road vehicle trails, mountain biking, and primitive camping beneath wide-open desert skies. As infrastructure grows, the park is adding new campsites, restrooms, and picnic areas providing more ways to stay close to Moab’s adventure zones without the crowds.

Local Insider Tip: Utahraptor is the perfect stop for your first or last day in Moab — it’s right off US-191 and offers a quieter, more flexible alternative to the busy national parks.

Key Takeaway:
Utahraptor State Park is Moab’s newest playground. A perfect blend of red rock, history, open desert, and epic horizons located just 20 minutes from downtown.

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Dead Horse Point State Park

Distance from Moab: 32 miles northwest
Entrance Fee: $20 per vehicle
Best For: Epic overlooks, hiking, mountain biking

Few places rival the drama of Dead Horse Point State Park. From the main overlook, the Colorado River winds 2,000 feet below you in a serpentine bend through layers of red rock cliffs. It’s one of the most photographed views in the entire Southwest.

Hike along the East Rim or West Rim trails for short, scenic walks with panoramic views, or try the Intrepid Trail System. 17 miles of rim-edge biking that’s both thrilling and family-friendly. The park is also certified as a Dark Sky Park, offering dazzling stargazing nights.

Local Insider Tip: Go early for sunrise or stay for sunset. The lighting makes the canyons glow like fire.

Key Takeaway:
Dead Horse Point combines world-class views and accessible trails. This state park is a must see located just 40 minutes from downtown Moab.

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Goblin Valley State Park

Distance from Moab: 100 miles west
Entrance Fee: $20 per vehicle
Best For: Family adventures, slot canyons, photography

Goblin Valley is unlike anywhere else in Utah. Thousands of strange rock formations. The “goblins”, fill a wide desert basin, creating a playground of stone. It’s perfect for kids (and adults) who love to climb and explore.

The Carmel Canyon Loop and Entrada Canyon Trail are short hikes that wind through the hoodoos, while nearby Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon make excellent half-day slot canyon adventures.

Camping here is top-notch, with modern facilities, shaded sites, and yurts that book up quickly.

Local Insider Tip: Explore at sunrise or under a full moon. The soft light transforms the valley into a fantasy world.

Key Takeaway:
Goblin Valley is Utah’s most whimsical desert destination and one of the best family-friendly parks near Moab.

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Green River State Park

Distance from Moab: 52 miles northwest
Entrance Fee: $10 per vehicle
Best For: River recreation, camping, fishing

This lush park sits along the banks of the Green River, offering a peaceful contrast to Moab’s red rock intensity. Camp beneath cottonwoods, fish for catfish, or play a round on the park’s small nine-hole golf course.

It’s also a major launch point for multi-day floats through Labyrinth Canyon. This section is one of Utah’s most scenic river stretches. If you’re planning a rafting trip, start here or explore nearby Crystal Geyser and Swasey’s Beach.

Key Takeaway:
Green River State Park is a quiet riverside retreat ideal for paddlers and families who love the water.

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Goosenecks State Park

Distance from Moab: 125 miles southeast
Entrance Fee: $5 per vehicle
Best For: Scenic photography, camping, geology

Goosenecks State Park is simple but spectacular. From the rim, the San Juan River twists through a series of tight meanders that look like a giant snake carved into the earth. It’s one of the best examples of entrenched river meanders in the world.

There are few facilities, but primitive rim-top campsites make it a stunning overnight stop for sunset and stargazing.

Local Insider Tip: Combine your visit with nearby Valley of the Gods or Monument Valley for a full day of scenic exploration.

Key Takeaway:
Goosenecks delivers million-dollar views for a five-dollar fee. It is an unbeatable stop for photographers and geology lovers.

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Edge of the Cedars State Park

Distance from Moab: 110 miles south
Entrance Fee: $10 per person
Best For: Archaeology, Ancestral Puebloan history

In the town of Blanding, this museum and archaeological site preserves a remarkable collection of ancient pottery, tools, and ruins from the Ancestral Puebloan people who once lived across southeastern Utah. You can even descend into an authentic kiva for a closer connection to the past.

The museum’s exhibits are well curated, making it a perfect indoor stop on a longer road trip through Moab’s surrounding region.

Key Takeaway:
Edge of the Cedars brings Utah’s deep cultural history to life and balances any outdoor-heavy itinerary.

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Kodachrome Basin State Park

Distance from Moab: 190 miles southwest
Entrance Fee: $10 per vehicle
Best For: Photography, geology, hiking

Kodachrome Basin’s sandstone spires and pastel cliffs live up to their name — every turn reveals new shades of red, pink, and gold. Hike Angel’s Palace or Panorama Trail for incredible views, or join a guided horseback ride through the basin.

Though farther from Moab, this park is worth adding if you’re on a longer Utah road trip.

Key Takeaway:
Kodachrome Basin is a visual feast for photographers and geology enthusiasts, perfect for extending your southern Utah adventure.

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When to Visit

The best times to visit the state parks near Moab Utah are spring (March–May) and fall (September–November).
Temperatures are mild, daylight is long, and conditions are ideal for hiking, biking, and exploring.

Summer: Expect heat above 100°F; plan early morning or evening outings.
Winter: Cooler temperatures and solitude; dress in layers and check for seasonal closures.

Pro Tip: Spring wildflowers and fall light make for exceptional photography in Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley.

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What to Bring

The desert rewards preparation. Here’s a quick checklist before you go:

• 1 gallon of water per person per day

• Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses

• Layered clothing for temperature swings

• Sturdy hiking shoes or boots

• Navigation tools (download offline maps)

• Snacks or a packed lunch

• Camera and tripod for sunrise/sunset shots

Safety Note: Flash floods occur in slot canyons even if it’s not raining overhead. Always check the forecast before entering narrow terrain.

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Getting There from Moab

Moab is the perfect basecamp for exploring Utah’s state parks. Here’s how to reach each one:

• Dead Horse Point: Take US-191 north, turn left on UT-313.

• Goblin Valley: Drive west on I-70 to Exit 147, then UT-24 south.

• Green River: Take US-191 north, then I-70 west to Exit 164.

• Goosenecks: Head south on US-191, then west on UT-261 toward Mexican Hat.

• Edge of the Cedars: Continue south on US-191 to Blanding.

• Kodachrome Basin: Take UT-24 west to Cannonville, then follow the signs.

Each drive showcases sweeping red mesas, desert valleys, and the La Sal Mountains in the distance — scenic in every direction.

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Suggested Itinerary: 3 Days of State Park Adventure

Day 1:
Morning at Dead Horse Point, afternoon mountain biking or scenic drive, stargazing at night.

Day 2:
Head west to Goblin Valley for hoodoo exploration and optional Little Wild Horse Canyon hike.

Day 3:
Return through Green River State Park for a riverside picnic or short paddle before heading back to Moab.

Want a full 7-day itinerary that combines these parks with Arches and Canyonlands? Visit Moabing Travel Concierge to plan your personalized desert adventure.

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Plan Your Adventure

The state parks near Moab Utah offer everything from world-class vistas to quiet desert solitude. You can stand above the Colorado River one day, wander through stone goblins the next, and finish your trip by floating down the Green River. Moab’s national parks are legendary, but the state parks are where the true Utah experience unfolds.

For the perfect itinerary, explore our related guides:

• Hiking Trails in Moab

• Canyoneering Adventures near Goblin Valley

• Best Places to Eat in Moab

• Moab Campgrounds and Lodging