Make The Most of Moab In Under One Week

Hey! I’m Amanda, I normally post as whitegirlroadtrip, but I’m pretty pumped to be here today.

WGRT is where I document traveling in a 30’ Airstream with my amazing husband, Aaron, adorable (yet questionably behaved) dog, Kalie, and everything we own. Together we explore the US finding new adventures, campsites to review, and I scour the airwaves and Internet to find the next great band and travel playlist.

We have also been lucky enough to make amazing friends along the way, like Kyle and Olivia. So, you’ll read about some of that here and there too.

But, I recognize that this whole full-time RV travel – living in a dream fantasy – unicorn lifestyle that some of us have isn’t really all that common or “normal.” So, while Aaron and I were going on our 5th week literally living in Moab, our visitors (my brother & best friend, Mike) were only going to be with us for a single week.

Now I’m sure you’re wondering, “how the heck can you possibly fit in five weeks of living into just a one week visit!?” But don’t worry, I’m going to make it so easy for ya.

With only two rules: always trust the tour guide (me!) and never take a rest day (this is your vacation and the clock is ticking!).

So, to ensure that your next trip to Moab is the best time ever, I have compiled the exact itinerary that our group followed, including places to eat, 4×4 trails to drive (if you’re into that sorta thing), and sights to see.

I use the term “itinerary” loosely. All the stuff we did each day is just thrown on a list. You can mix it up however you like. Use that creativity I know you have inside.

Are you ready? Brace yourself, things are about to get crazy.

Friday:

• Dining: Quesadilla Mobilla – The number one place to dine in Moab (according to Trip Advisor)! The quesadilla truck has outdoor seating only and there’s usually a line, but the delicious food more than makes up for the wait. The business offers chicken, beef, and veggie options so there’s something for everyone. But, make sure you get there before they close at 5pm.
• Dinosaur Tracks & Tusher Tunnel – These two attractions go almost hand in hand. On the way to the Tusher Tunnel trailhead you will see the parking area for the dinosaur tracks. A short walk will take you to a beautiful area where you can spend a little time on the boardwalk looking at an ancient pond where different types of dinosaurs once walked. Once you’re done with the dinosaur tracks, you hop back in the car and drive over to the tunnel trailhead. You can either hike it or continue driving the 4×4 trail (which is, of course, what we did). The tunnel is awesome, I’m not going to spoil it for you with too many details, but, it is much cooler on hot days. So, its perfect to go and hangout for a while if the Utah heat is becoming too much.
• 4×4 Trail: Fins & Things (part 1) – This is a quick and easy 4×4 trail. Its located in The Sand Flats Recreation Area so there is a fee for entry but it’s pretty low price to pay. The views are great and it’s really fun. We usually just do the first half, usually after dinner, and we complete the trail while watching the sunset. It’s beautiful and as a bonus, we usually have Verizon LTE the length of the trail. Go on, post that beautiful sunset on Instagram!

Saturday:

• Dining: Paradox Pizza – Take a friend because these pizzas are pricey! They advertise slices “all day” but we went back multiple times looking for veggie slices, only to find that they didn’t have any. Finally we took the whole group in and got an entire pizza to satisfy the craving — I can still admit that the pizza is seriously so good! The restaurant has a small seating area for dine in customers and also serves canned/bottled beers but no liquor.
• 4×4 Trail: Hells Revenge – Earlier I wrote that the first half of Fins & Things was “easy,” now let’s say you were to go and try it out and then decide that you agree with me about it being easy. If we were to continue using my ranking system, I would describe Hells Revenge as a “moderate” trail. It is seriously so much fun! It is a lot like a roller coaster so make sure you have faith in your driver… otherwise, I have a feeling it would be a lot less fun.

Sunday:

• Dining: Zax – Family dining with meal options for everyone, easy right? And, they just opened an upstairs patio. So… if you wanted to ditch the family and have outdoor drinks, it would be great for that too.
• Canyonlands National Park – It’s probably one of the coolest places on Earth… not that I have that big of a pool of places to base that opinion on, but, I feel like you can probably trust me based on the pictures alone.
• 4×4 Trail: Shafer Trail – This is a really good option if you’ve spent the day in Canyonlands, you’re ready to head back to Moab, but aren’t ready to be done with the scenery. As the internet states, “Virtually any four-wheel drive vehicle will succeed in navigating this well maintained road.” It takes a couple hours longer than the highway (if you take your time and enjoy the views) but I found it to be totally worth the experience, and that’s coming from a girl who has a real hard time being without cell reception.

Monday:

• Dining: Giliberto’s Mexican Taco Shop – YOU GUYS! This taco shop is 1) open 24 hours a day and 2) equipped with a frickin’ drive thru! Not to mention it serves breakfast burritos all day and everything that comes out of the place is 10 out of 10 delicious. Like… I honestly can’t give you enough adjectives right now for you to truly embrace and understand how good it is. So, even if you read this entire list and are like, “eh I’ll probably pass…” Just do yourself a favor, and go have a taco!
• Arches National Park – I just went on The National Park website to write this little blurb, ya know, so that we could all be highly informed… and to be frank, they are not selling it. This is one of my favorite National Parks, it is absolutely beautiful and if you get out of your car and put in a little bit of effort, you can actually get away from the crowds. Even if you don’t get out of the car, it’s one of the most amazing drives, the sights are unbelievable. Do check out the website though, sometimes there are important alerts and road closures to be aware of.

Tuesday:

• Dining: Love Muffin Cafe – Mixed reviews from this group: Aaron disapproved of all of it. But I don’t think he really knows much about great tasting foods… We’ve been a couple of different times and during those visits we have sampled the following: coffee, breakfast burritos, muffins, and sandwiches. I think that everyone (five different people, plus myself) enjoyed their meals and beverages. However, Aaron hated his muffin and told anyone that would listen.
• Gemini Bridges – Great for the whole family, or if you’re just a kid inside like we are, it’s great for that too. Accessible via highway 313 from Canyonlands, or by 4×4 191, whatever you’re in the mood for. I guess some people find it a little scary, it is pretty high up and if you made some bad choices you could probably fall off. But, I think that’s what makes it so cool, just be careful when leaning over the edge. And, good luck finding the marked path, it took Aaron and I six visits before we located it. Personally, I think finding your own way is much more fun.
• 4×4 Trail: Bull Canyon – This drive will take you to the view of the underside of Gemini Bridges. If you have 4×4 capabilities, I demand that you make this drive and see the canyon. Once you finish the drive, it is a very short hike and then you will be rewarded with the coolest views. And, in my opinion, the very best part is when people from the top suddenly notice you, yell down, and you get to respond making your own kind of very strange weird bird sounds.

Wednesday:

• Dining: Fiesta Mexicana – I love Mexican food, it is one of the few types of cuisine that we can always count on to have something for every dietary preference in our group, and nobody has to settle on just an appetizer. I enjoyed this restaurant in particular, because the service is always so good, fast, and friendly. Aaron and I took our family and friends for dinner, and I think that’s the highest compliment you can give.
• Tower Arch (located inside of Arches National Park) & associated 4×4 trail – So listen, this arch has a lot of appeal, it is one arch that most visitors of Arches National Park will never see. It requires access by hike or by 4×4 trail and most people are just like, “pass.”  But we did it and I’m really glad that we did.  But the trick is, even if you use 4×4 and drive there, it still requires a bit of a hike. Just bring water and be prepared. Some of you might not need that warning, maybe you’re always prepared, I’m the kind of person that brings coffee everywhere, ok? I am never prepared and I appreciate a warning like that, so I offer it to you even if you don’t need it.

Thursday

• Dining: Moab Brewery – I don’t drink beer but I’ve heard good things. The main reason I love this spot is because of the vegetarian options. They have the best black bean soup I have ever had, they have a delicious veggie burrito, and they have jalapeño cornbread and fries that are to die for. Aaron and I went to the brewery probably close to ten times during our two months in Moab. Friends and family have also said that they have great burritos, burgers, and chicken sandwiches. All with little to no wait time (even during Easter Jeep Safari). Oh, I almost forgot, they also have gelato that you can purchase for a discount with your meal reciept.
• Corona & Bowtie Arch – The hardest hike of my life… but I saw kids and old ladies doing it… so I guess that says more about me than the hike. The good news is, even if it is the hardest hike of your life, you get to see two things for the price of one, and who doesn’t love that kind of deal? I know I’m almost always down for a good BOGO.

So there ya have it. That’s exactly how I recommend making the most out of your next visit to Moab, Utah. What do you think? Did I miss anything critical? Let me know!

✌🏻 Amanda (whitegirlroadtrip)

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