Moab Adventures
Hiking in Moab: Five Trails That Define the Desert
Two national parks, endless BLM land, and more natural arches than anywhere on Earth. Here's where to point your boots — from the walk every visitor should make once to the sandstone maze most people never see.
See the Top 5 HikesHiker on slickrock with red rock cliffs and the La Sal Mountains behind
Why Moab Is the Best Hiking Town in the Southwest
Most hiking destinations give you one signature landscape. Moab gives you four. Within a thirty minute drive of downtown you can walk beneath the largest concentration of natural stone arches in the world, stand on the rim of a canyon carved 2,000 feet into the earth, wander among towers of dark red mud rock that look borrowed from another planet, and follow a creek through a cottonwood lined canyon that feels nothing like a desert at all.
The hiking here is also refreshingly honest. Trails are short by mountain standards — most of the classics run two to five miles round trip — but the desert makes you earn them with slickrock scrambles, exposed ledges, ladders, and sun that doesn't quit. You don't need to be an athlete. You do need water, real shoes, and a plan.
Timing matters more than fitness. Spring (March through May) and fall (September through October) deliver the famous blue sky days with highs in the 60s to 80s. Summer works too if you hike at dawn and treat the afternoon as pool time. Winter is the local secret: empty trails, low sun that makes the red rock glow, and an occasional dusting of snow on the arches.
Below are the five hikes we send friends and family on first, ranked. Every one of them links to a full trail guide with directions, mile by mile details, and photos.
The 5 Best Hikes in Moab
Ranked by the experience, not the difficulty. Each links to a complete trail guide.
Delicate Arch at golden hour with the La Sal Mountains framed inside
Delicate Arch
Arches National Park
The arch on the Utah license plate, and the one hike in Moab that lives up to every photo you've seen. The trail climbs a long, open slab of slickrock, traverses a ledge cut into the cliff, then delivers you to a natural sandstone amphitheater with the 46 foot arch standing alone at its rim. Go at sunset and watch the whole bowl turn to fire. There is zero shade, so carry more water than feels reasonable.
Delicate Arch Trail GuideHiker dwarfed beneath the massive span of Corona Arch
Corona Arch
BLM land, Potash Road (Highway 279)
A 140 foot span that rivals anything inside the national park — with no entrance fee, no crowds to match, and dogs welcome. The trail follows a scenic stretch of the Colorado River corridor, crosses railroad tracks, then climbs slickrock with the help of a safety cable and a short ladder that kids treat as the highlight. You get two arches for the price of one: Bowtie Arch hides in the cliff wall just before Corona.
Corona Arch Trail GuideFisher Towers glowing red at sunset with the Colorado River valley below
Fisher Towers
BLM land, Highway 128 (River Road)
Twenty one miles up the river road from town, a row of dark red towers rises 900 feet out of the desert — the tallest, the Titan, is among the biggest freestanding rock towers in the country. The trail weaves along their base through gullies and ledges, with one short ladder, and ends at a viewpoint over Onion Creek that will stop you mid sentence. Time it for late afternoon: sunset here is the best free show in Moab.
Fisher Towers Trail GuideHikers squeezing between towering sandstone fins in the Fiery Furnace
Fiery Furnace
Arches National Park — permit required
Not a trail — a labyrinth. The Fiery Furnace is a maze of narrow sandstone fins, hidden arches, and dead end canyons where the route finding is the adventure. Entry requires either a self guided permit or a spot on a ranger led loop tour, both reserved on Recreation.gov starting seven days ahead (they sell out in minutes, so set an alarm). It's the most memorable two miles in the park, and the permit system keeps it blissfully quiet.
Fiery Furnace Guide & PermitsDouble O Arch showing both stacked openings against blue sky
Double O Arch
Devils Garden, Arches National Park
The payoff at the end of the Devils Garden trail: two arches stacked one on top of the other, a large oval floating above a small one. Getting there is half the fun — you pass Landscape Arch, the longest span in North America, then scramble along the spine of a sandstone fin with big views on both sides. Strong hikers can return via the primitive loop for a 7.9 mile day that touches eight named arches.
Double O Arch Trail GuideSkip the Guesswork
Private Guided Hikes in the National Parks
Want the best of Arches and Canyonlands without planning a thing? Book a private half day or full day hike with a licensed local guide. Your guide handles the route, the timing, the snacks, and the stories — you just show up and hike.
- Half day and full day options for any fitness level
- Private groups only — your family, your pace
- Licensed, insured guides who hike these trails every week
- Perfect for first timers, families, and photographers
Guide pointing out a canyon viewpoint to a smiling family
Moab's Best Hikes at a Glance
Every trail compared side by side, so you can match the hike to your group, your timeline, and your comfort level.
| Hike | Distance | Difficulty | Location | Fee / Permit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delicate Arch | 3 miles round trip | Moderate | Arches National Park | $30 park entry per vehicle | The bucket list photo everyone comes for |
| Corona Arch | 2.4 miles round trip | Moderate | BLM land, Potash Road | Free | Families, dog owners, avoiding crowds |
| Fisher Towers | 4.5 miles round trip | Moderate | BLM land, Highway 128 | Free | Sunset photography, otherworldly scenery |
| Fiery Furnace | ~2 mile labyrinth | Strenuous | Arches National Park | Park entry + permit or ranger tour | Adventurers who want to earn it |
| Double O Arch | 4.2 miles round trip | Strenuous | Devils Garden, Arches | $30 park entry per vehicle | Strong hikers wanting a full trail day |
| Private Guided Hikes | Half day or full day | Tailored to you | Arches & Canyonlands | Tour price includes guiding | First timers, families, zero stress planning |
Before You Hike
The desert is friendly to prepared hikers and unforgiving to everyone else. Four things to get right.
Water: One Liter Per Hour
Dry air steals moisture faster than you notice. Carry at least one liter per person per hour of hiking, and drink before you feel thirsty. There is no water at any trailhead on this list.
Start Early, Especially in Summer
June through August, be on the trail by 7 am and off by 11 am. Slickrock radiates heat like an oven, and afternoon temperatures regularly top 100°F. Sunrise hikes also mean cooler light and emptier trails.
Real Shoes, Real Grip
Slickrock earns its name when it's sandy or wet. Wear hiking shoes or trail runners with sticky rubber soles — sandals and smooth soled sneakers are how most trail rescues start.
Know Your Permits
Arches has no timed entry in 2026, but the Fiery Furnace still requires a permit or ranger tour booked on Recreation.gov seven days ahead. Corona Arch and Fisher Towers need nothing at all — just show up.
Hiking in Moab: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hike in Moab for first time visitors?
Delicate Arch. It's the signature landmark of the entire region, the three mile round trip is achievable for most fitness levels, and the arrival moment — cresting the final ledge to see the arch standing alone above a sandstone bowl — is unmatched anywhere in Utah. If you only have time for one hike, this is it.
Do I need a reservation to hike in Arches National Park in 2026?
No. The timed entry reservation system was discontinued for 2026, so you can enter the park any time. You still pay the $30 per vehicle entrance fee (good for seven days), and the Fiery Furnace still requires its own separate permit or ranger tour reserved through Recreation.gov.
Are there good free hikes in Moab outside the national parks?
Some of the best hikes in Moab are free. Corona Arch and Fisher Towers both sit on BLM land with no entrance fee, no reservation, and trailhead parking right off the highway. Both allow dogs, which the national parks do not permit on trails.
How hard is it to get a Fiery Furnace permit?
Competitive but doable. Both self guided permits and ranger led tour tickets are released on Recreation.gov seven days before your hike date, and in spring and fall they can sell out within minutes. Set an alarm, be logged in before release time, and book the moment they open. Permits must then be picked up in person at the Arches Visitor Center, where your whole group watches a short orientation video.
Can beginners hike in Moab, or is it all scrambling and ladders?
Beginners do great here. Corona Arch and Delicate Arch are both regularly hiked by families with school age kids. The ladders and cables on trails like Corona are short, secured, and honestly the part kids talk about at dinner. If you'd rather have an expert alongside, a private guided hike takes all the uncertainty out of the day.
When is the best time of year to hike in Moab?
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through October) offer ideal temperatures in the 60s to 80s. Summer hiking works well at sunrise, before the heat builds. Winter is quietly wonderful — cool, uncrowded, and the low sun makes the red rock glow all day.
Your Boots Are Going to Turn Red
That's the mark of a proper Moab trip. Pick your trail above, or let a local guide build the perfect day for you in Arches and Canyonlands.
Book a Private Guided Hike