When you head to Moab, Utah, you’ll want to schedule time for nearby day trips.
While there’s plenty to do in town, the real adventure begins on the outskirts. Unique geological formations and sprawling landscapes are just begging you to explore them.
Today, we share five of the best day trips to check out near Moab.
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Discover Scenic Moab, Utah
Stunning Moab attracts adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Folks flock to the town year-round for its proximity to several scenic destinations.
Downtown restaurants, from diners to gourmet establishments, serve nearly every cuisine imaginable. Microbreweries and coffee houses are plentiful. Shops and galleries sell local handmade goods. And Moab’s arts scene is thriving.
Of course, the region’s natural beauty brings most people to town. The Colorado River has cut through the red rock canyons for millennia, creating staggering geological formations.
Many creatures find homes in these desert ecosystems. Ephemeral pools form when it rains, and you might spot unusual critters like tadpole shrimp occupying them.
Outside of town, you’ll find unbeatable stargazing opportunities. The dark sky comes alive with constellations you can’t see in metropolitan areas.
It’s important to note that locals take conservation seriously. Many ongoing projects promote biodiversity, stewardship, and the preservation of cultural heritage. With such a unique history and array of natural resources, we don’t blame them.
5 Great Day Trips Around Moab
You’d have to spend a lifetime in this area to run out of things things to do and places to explore. When planning a vacation here, you might want to schedule some extra time to venture into the backcountry. Here are five top picks for day trips out of Moab.
#1 Arches National Park
A mere five miles from Moab, Arches National Park makes a great day trip. However, if you have more time to spend here, we suggest taking it.
Sandstone towers, balancing rocks, and arches cover more than 73,000 acres just north of town. You’ll find a higher density of natural archways in this national park than anywhere else on the planet.
It’s no surprise this destination is one of Utah’s most popular. During the busy season from April to October, you’ll need to purchase a timed ticket for daytime entry. However, you can go in without one in the off-hours
We suggest going early or late to avoid the crowds. Night owls will appreciate unrivaled stargazing opportunities.
You’ll find plenty of hiking trails ranging from less than one mile to nearly eight. For a more challenging trek, the 7.2-mile Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop will get you away from the park’s more populated spots. It’s the longest established trail and gives you excellent views of the Double O and Landscape Arches.
Make some plans: How to Spend a Day in Arches National Park.
#2 Dead Horse Point State Park
Check out Dead Horse Point State Park for another look at otherworldly umber canyons. It’s about a 40-minute drive from Moab, making it an easy day trip. And the sights will be worth it.
It’s a relatively small park compared to the vastness of Arches. But there’s a lot of natural beauty crammed into its footprint.
From the overlook at Dead Horse Point, you can peer down 2,000 feet to the Colorado River. Sunrise and sunset create dramatic lighting and views you’ll never forget. You’ll understand why it’s one of the most photographed scenic locations in the country,
If you go in the winter months, you might catch snow-topped mesas. However, you won’t see the vivid colors as in other seasons.
Mountain bikers will enjoy the many paths in the park. The Intrepid Trail System includes sandy washes, slickrock, and looping singletracks to keep things interesting. Most hiking areas are pet-friendly so you can bring your four-legged friends along.
#3 John Wesley Powell River History Museum
Seeing how the river carved its way through the canyons might make you curious about the waterway’s history. You’re not alone! A whole museum dedicated to its story is open for you to learn all about it.
John Wesley Powell made his landmark expedition down the Colorado and Green Rivers in 1869. Three months and 1,000 miles later, he and his crew became the first known European explorers to float through the Grand Canyon.
Part history museum and part science center, this facility features famous river runners, dinosaur fossils, and other artifacts from the ancient Colorado Plateau.
Consider packing a picnic and enjoying lunch overlooking the Green River. You’ll have exceptional views of the surrounding buttes and mesas.
At just under an hour from Moab, it’s a day trip that’ll open your eyes to the area’s past.
Need a place to stay? Here are the 11 Best Moab Camping Spots.
#4 Hole N’’ the Rock
Nearly 100 years ago, the Christensen family began carving their home out of a sandstone wall. In addition to being their living space, two brothers, Leo and Albert, decided to open a diner at the site for passersby.
However, times were tough. Folks would show up hoping to cash in on the uranium boom but didn’t have a way to pay for their meal. In turn, they’d help chisel out more square footage in the glorified cave.
Albert’s wife, Gladys, lived on-site until she died in 1974. When she was still alive, folks touring the cave might spot her napping or join her for a cup of tea. After all, it was her home!
Erik and Wyndee Hansen own the property now, but they’ve kept many of the original artifacts. You can see Albert’s paintings and unusual taxidermy projects throughout the home.
For the record, the Hansens are aware of the grammatical error in the name, but they choose to keep it because that’s what Gladys would want.
Today, about 500 visitors stop in daily to check out the architectural masterpiece. It’s now a 14-room, 5,000-square-foot facility. Altogether, they’ve excavated about 50,000 cubic feet of sandstone from the structure.
From Moab, you can reach Hole N” the Rock in about 15 minutes, so it’s an excellent addition to the region’s other day trips. Since the tour only lasts about 12 minutes, you’ll be able to fit in a few extra stops.
Know Before You Go: Visit the Hole N” the Rock website to plan your visit and learn about their petting zoo!
#5 Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky District
Canyonlands is another famous destination in the area. The Islands in the Sky district features a unique landscape.
In places like Arches National Park, towering sandstone structures loom over you. However, at Islands in the Sky, you’ll observe the canyons from above. They look like deep fissures cutting through the landscape. In the distance, massive buttes appear like islands, especially when clouds settle below.
This park makes a great day trip from Moab. It’s roughly 40 minutes away, and you can drive through much of the park in about an hour. However, you’ll have to spend a lot of time here to do everything.
You’ll find plenty of hiking opportunities that range from 30-minute treks to eight-hour back-breakers. Small rock piles called cairns help guide you along many paths. However, more remote trails won’t have any clear markings.
Should you decide to stick around for a while, you can drive the White Rim Road. This 100-mile loop requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle and takes two to three days to complete.
Get out and explore with Best Easy Day Hikes Moab!
Don’t Miss Out on These Amazing Moab Day Trips
Moab is the ultimate home base for nearby countless day trips. You’ll definitely want to get out there and see the abundant natural beauty. From towering arches to quirky roadside attractions, there’s much to enjoy about this part of Utah.
And while you can certainly fit a lot into one day, we suggest making your stay in Moab more than just a weekend getaway. After all, you might miss out on a lot by rushing through the area!
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