Hiker with a backpack standing on a desert trail in Moab, Utah, checking phone for the best hiking trails in Moab as the sun sets behind dramatic red rock formations.

The Best Hiking Trails in Moab

 

The best way to discover Moab is not from the window of your car or even from the seat of a raft. The best way to discover Moab is hiking on your own two feet. Hiking here pulls you into the landscape in a way no other activity can. The trails twist across slickrock, climb to panoramic overlooks, and dip into hidden canyons where you can hear nothing but wind moving through stone. Along the way you’ll pass magnificent natural arches, and towers of sandstone rising straight out of the desert floor. Hidden amongst these will be sweet respites, pockets of shade where spring water still lingers.

What makes hiking in Moab so special is the variety. One morning you might take an easy stroll to a roadside arch with the kids, and by afternoon find yourself trekking along a slickrock dome with views that stretch across Canyonlands. The next day, you could be wandering deep into a quiet canyon where the only footprints are your own. Each trail reveals a different side of the desert, and together create a picture of why this place draws so many visitors a year.

If you are planning a vacation to Moab hiking is a great way to explore the area. Plus, vacations are not cheap and hiking is one of the great free activities still left on the planet.

These are the hikes we would recommend. They are trails that balance adventure with accessibility offering something for every kind of traveler. Whether you are after iconic landmarks, family-friendly favorites, or quiet escapes off the beaten path, these hikes get you off the beaten path and  inside the desert.

Delicate Arch Trail

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 3 miles round trip

  • Difficulty: Moderate

  • Time: 2–3 hours

  • Trailhead: Wolfe Ranch, Arches National Park

Every visitor to Moab should hike this trail at least once. Delicate Arch isn’t just the icon stamped on Utah’s license plates it is a pilgrimage. The approach builds anticipation with every step, especially on the final slickrock traverse where the arch stays hidden until, suddenly, you round a corner and there it is: a freestanding giant perfectly framed against the La Sal Mountains. When you see it “delicate” suddenly makes perfect sense.

If you are visiting Moab for a couple days there are worst things to do than hike Delicate Arch at different times of day. . Sunset paints the arch in glowing orange and draws the biggest crowds, but sunrise is a local favorite. The air is cool, the desert feels hushed, and the soft light makes the sandstone glow as if the whole landscape is waking up with you. In those moments, it feels like the arch belongs to you alone.

Devil’s Garden Loop

Quick Facts

  • Distance: Up to 7.8 miles full loop

  • Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

  • Time: 2–6 hours, depending on route

  • Trailhead: Devil’s Garden, Arches National Park

Devil’s Garden is one of Moab’s stone playgrounds. The easy walk to Landscape Arch is a great start. Did you know it is the longest natural arch in North America? This is an easy family-friendly hike. However, pushing furhter the trail gets a little tougher with ledges, sandy fins, and hidden arches like Double O Arch Trail.

Please remember much of the Primitive Loop is exposed. It gets hot, and weather conditions can change suddenly. However,  around every turn there seems to be an arch with a view you would not believe. This is the kind of hike that leaves you tired in the best possible way.

Corona Arch

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 3 miles round trip

  • Difficulty: Moderate

  • Time: 1.5–2 hours

  • Trailhead: Potash Road

Corona Arch is not inside the national or state parks, and this genmerally means fewer crowds. However, the hike to Corona Arch is mre than just as good. There are slickrock scrambles, metal rungs, a ladder some may deem crickety, and then a massive arch. We highly recommend standing underneath the arch. The sense of smallness, when compared to nature, is something that will stay woith you long after you return home.

You might be able to see seen Corona Arch from the river while rafting, or camping at Gold Bar campground, but hiking up to it gives you a whole new appreciation. It is Moab’s reminder that some of the best things are just outside the spotlight.

Fisher Towers

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 5 miles round trip

  • Difficulty: Moderate

  • Time: 2–3 hours

  • Trailhead: Fisher Towers Road, off Highway 128

This is where “gigantesqueness” of Moab’s scale really hits you. The Fisher Towers rise like red-rock skyscrapers, each one carved by millenia upon millenia of wind and rain. As you hike the trail, the towers loom above, and by sunset, they appear to catch fire in the fading light. Be sure to bring a headlamp. The hike down to the parking lot after dark can be treacherous.

Take some time, eat a snack, hydrate, and watch the shadows stretch across the valley. You are part of a scene that is older than anything you know now or ever will.  It’s that kind of trail, one that humbles you in the best way.

William Grandstaff Canyon

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 4 miles round trip

  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate

  • Time: 2 hours

  • Trailhead: Highway 128, near Moab

When the sun beats down and the desert heat feels relentless a great retreat is to Grandstaff Canyon. A small stream winds through cottonwoods, making the air cooler, the hike gentler. The payoff is Morning Glory Arch, one of the longest natural spans in the country.

This is ome of Moab’s secret oasis. A place providing natural water, shade, and the sound of leaves in the breeze. After a long hot day in the sun, this hike might be just what you need to provide you some balance again.

Short & Scenic Moab Hikes

Not every hike has to be epic. Here are some good options if you are short on time or energy.

  • Sand Dune Arch (0.3 miles): A sandy slot perfect for kids.

  • Windows Loop (1 mile): Huge arches that glow at sunrise.

  • Park Avenue (2 miles): A stroll between towering cliffs that feels like a desert cathedral.

These trails may be short on distance but they still offer that Moab feeling.

FAQs Hiking in Moab

What is the best hike in Moab for first-time visitors?
Delicate Arch is the must-do hike. It’s short enough to fit into a half-day and iconic enough to be unforgettable.

Are there easy hikes for families with kids?
Yes — Sand Dune Arch, Windows Loop, and Park Avenue are all great family-friendly options.

When is the best time of year to hike in Moab?
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–October) are ideal. Summer is very hot, so start early or hike late in the day.

Do I need a pass to hike these trails?
Yes for trails in Arches National Park (entry fee required). Corona Arch, Fisher Towers, and Grandstaff Canyon are outside the park and free to access.

Before Hitting The Trail

Moab’s rivers can sweep you past canyon walls, but its trails invite you to step inside the desert’s soul. From the gravity of Delicate Arch to the quiet beauty of Grandstaff Canyon, hiking here isn’t measured in miles, it’s measured in smiles. Moments that leave you humbled, exhilarated, and deeply connected to this unique red-rock landscape.

Lace up your boots. The desert is calling, and the trails are ready.