Top 10 Things to do in Moab, Utah
Written and Photographed by Randy and Caly Behymer
Moab, Utah, is an outdoor lover’s paradise. This town is full of adventures to be had, whether on foot, by boat or in 4x4s. There’s an abundance of dinosaur fossils that can be explored in museums and in nature. The small town packs a mighty punch on its food scene, ensuring your trip is memorable and filled with delicious treats.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Moab, Utah by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy and Caly talk about Moab on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Eat and Shop Moab—Downtown Moab is perfect for walking and browsing the shops, eateries, breweries and more. Spend a day passing in and out of the different stores, grab a coffee from a local coffee shop and a homemade baked good from one of the many bakeries. Be sure to leave room to explore the Moab Food Truck Park located on W 100 N on the west side of Route 191, just behind the street front buildings. Looking for a perfect souvenir? Check out Walker Drug Company, a large drug store with almost everything you need.
9. See Ancient Stones—There are two fascinating rocks near the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park entrance. Off Route 191, near where Route 211 intersects 191, lies a large sandstone rock. The rock looks like a massive beehive, though it’s named Church Rock. This rock is near the former Utopian society headed up by Marie Ogden, who believed the rock was near the spiritual center of the universe. The other rock is located on Route 211 and is aptly named Newspaper Rock. This rock is full of petroglyphs that tell the stories of the lives of the ancient people who used to live in the area. The rock is believed to have been a community information board, where passersby would carve information for others about hunting, weather and other things of interest.
8. Hole “N The Rock—Located north of Church Rock on 191 is Hole “N The Rock, the former home of Albert and Gladys Christensen. The expansive 5,000-square-foot home took more than 20 years to complete—most of which was carved out by Albert—and included a 65-foot-tall chimney and even a bathtub carved from rock. Home tours are available and a must-do while at the Hole “N The Rock compound. Also located on the property are a petting zoo, a gift shop, and a general store that serves ice cream and cold drinks. Be sure to check out the full-sized Jeep made of scrap metal pieces and the tower of bowling balls.
7. Dinner With a View—No trip to Moab is complete without dining atop a sandstone cliff overlooking the town of Moab and surrounding mountains for some stunning sunset views. Sunset Grill is located near the heart of downtown Moab off Route 191 and promises unforgettable views with a delicious dinner. The restaurant is in the former home of Charlie Steen, a rags-to-riches man who mined for Uranium in Moab and struck it rich. The beautiful former home has the best view in Moab, where every table has a view. Shuttles can take guests from the lower to the upper lot for those who prefer to leave the steep driving to someone else.
6. Walk With the Dinosaurs—North of downtown Moab is Moab Giants, an indoor and outdoor museum featuring a dino trail with life-sized dinosaur replicas, a 5D aquarium, a 3D theater, playground, café, gift shop and more. For those looking for a more authentic experience, further north on 191 is the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite. Here, guests can take a self-guided tour and follow a path with informative signs to see dinosaur tracks frozen in time on the rock surface.
5. Go Off-Road—There’s no better way to experience Moab than to get off the beaten path. Plenty of outfitters are in the area to make the most of your off-road fun. Some companies rent out Jeeps, or you can take a guided Jeep tour. There are ATV rentals and side-by-side rental companies where a knowledgeable tour guide will guide you through the terrain, over dunes, across rocky plateaus and by dinosaur tracks. Have your own ATV? There are plenty of trails perfect for creating your adventure.
4. Serious Driving—If you love off-road adventures and are a skillful driver with a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle, head to Shafer Trail. Start at the east side of the road, where paved Route 279 ends at the Potash Boat Ramp and the rock-and-gravel Shafer Trail begins. The road winds through private property before entering Canyonlands National Park. You can either turn back before entering the park or continue into the park. Prepare for loose gravel, driving over larger rocks, deep canyon drop-offs and a 1,500-foot climb up narrow switchbacks to the top of the canyon at the end. If you have the vehicle and are brave enough to tackle this drive, you’ll experience some incredibly epic views.
3. See the Arches—Want to avoid some of the congestion of Arches National Park but still want to see some sandstone arches? There are plenty of arches outside of the national park to explore. Corona Arch is one such arch. Located on BLM land off Potash Road, you can view the arch via a 2.3-mile out-and-back hike. The hike can be challenging, with a slight climb down a wooden ladder and traversing across smooth, slippery rock. Near the same area are Bowtie Arch, Pinto Arch and Jeep Arch. Heading south out of Moab off 191, you can’t miss Wilson Arch right off the east side of the road.
2. Get Outside—Moab is all about the outdoors. Hiking is a great way to see the land up close and personal. There are countless hikes in and around Moab for every level of hiker. Though Moab is arid, there are a lot of water activities on the Colorado River to keep you outside and entertained, like whitewater rafting, canoeing and riverboat dinner cruises. Walk or bike on the Moab Canyon Pathway. This 8.5-mile paved path follows 191 and is a safe way for walkers and bikers to access the national parks and surrounding areas safely. Dead Horse Point State Park, located near Canyonlands, is another park to explore.
1. Visit Two National Parks—Moab is home to not one but two national parks: Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Each park offers a vastly different landscape and feel. Both parks are home to arch formations, stunning scenery and plenty of hiking. For more information on these two parks with top things to do and see in each, check out our ranger-led podcast on Arches and Canyonlands on Episode 29.
Whether exploring historical sites, shopping in quaint shops, dining with the locals or enjoying the outdoors, Ouray has much to offer.
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