Your First Time in Moab
Description:
Moab is definitely Adventure Town, USA! A lively hub for outdoor activities, this little town in the high red rock desert of Utah also boasts a healthy selection of restaurants, galleries, shops, movie and stage theaters, seasonal festivals, a great farmers' market, brewpubs, wineries, and an intriguing mix of people who call it home. Whether you want to hike, mountain bike, river raft the mighty Colorado River, rock climb on the word-class cliffs, or just relax in a beautiful area, Moab has you covered.
Jumping off point for two major national parks, Canyonlands and Arches, Moab is a hiker's dream. The sandstone formations in these parks range the gamut from the largest collection of natural arches in the world (over 2,000) to breathtaking mesas dotted with pinyon and juniper trees. Care to try mountain biking? The Slickrock Trail is considered one of the world's best.
In the summer season (which is very hot, so be prepared), you'll be elbow to elbow with an influx of European tourists, primarily French and German. The best months to visit, however, are in the spring and fall, when temperatures are far more bearable and the light on the surrounding red rocks will make an instant photographer out of anyone.
Jumping off point for two major national parks, Canyonlands and Arches, Moab is a hiker's dream. The sandstone formations in these parks range the gamut from the largest collection of natural arches in the world (over 2,000) to breathtaking mesas dotted with pinyon and juniper trees. Care to try mountain biking? The Slickrock Trail is considered one of the world's best.
In the summer season (which is very hot, so be prepared), you'll be elbow to elbow with an influx of European tourists, primarily French and German. The best months to visit, however, are in the spring and fall, when temperatures are far more bearable and the light on the surrounding red rocks will make an instant photographer out of anyone.
Author: Julie Trevelyan
Day 1 - Moab, Canyonlands National Park
THINGS TO DO
Just wandering down Main Street can take up a good chunk of time! Shops, galleries, and excellent people watching are yours. For great hiking, hit up Arches National Park—hoof it along the trail to Delicate Arch and remember your camera. Drive along Potash Road, also known as Wall Street, and crane your neck to see intrepid rock climbers tackling the renowned sandstone cliffs. Rent a mountain bike in town or bring your own to the Slickrock Trail, arguably in the top five best trails in the U.S. Book a trip with a local outfitter, browse the museums, and enjoy Moab's diverse delights.
1
Slickrock Bike Trail
Location:
view in google mapsSand Flats Road
Moab, UT 84532
2
Arches National Park
Location:
view in google mapsArches National Park Road
Moab, UT 84532
3
Negro Bill Canyon Hike
Location:
view in google mapsScenic Byway 128
Moab, UT 84532
4
Tag-A-Long River and Wilderness Expeditions
Location:
view in google maps452 North Main Street
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-89465
Potash / Colorado River Scenic Byway 279
Location:
view in google mapsJunction of US 191 and State Hwy 279
Moab, UT 84532
6
Potash Road Petroglyphs and Dinosaur Tracks
Location:
view in google mapsMoab Field Office, Bureau of Land Management
82 East Dogwood
Moab, UT 84532
7
Canyonlands National Park
Location:
view in google mapsCanyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park, UT 84532
8
Moab Adventure Center / Red Rock Outfitters
Location:
view in google maps225 South Main Street
84532 Moab,
Phone:
(435) 259-99419
Mill Canyon/Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracks
Location:
view in google maps82 East Dogwood
84532 Moab,
Phone:
(435) 259-210010
Hike to Delicate Arch
Location:
view in google mapsWolf Ranch Trailhead
Arches National Park
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 719-2299Day 2 - Moab
RESTAURANTS
Moab is chock-full of wonderful eating options, from sushi to pizza to brewpubs (yes, in Utah) to the usual “ethnic” varieties. Jailhouse Cafe is the locals' favorite for breakfast; be prepared for a wait, but it's totally worth it. Eklecticafe is another locals' breakfast fave; don't be scared by the “Wake Me Up” Wakame (steamed seaweed with eggs or tofu)—it's totally delish. Eddie McStiff's is great for beer and hearty pub food. Desert Bistro is a little more upscale and features fresh local ingredients.
1
Slickrock Café
Location:
view in google maps5 North Main Street
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-80042
Eddie McStiff's Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps57 South Main Street
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-23373
Eklecticafe
Location:
view in google maps352 N Main St
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-68964
Jailhouse Café
Location:
view in google maps101 N Main St
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-39005
Desert Bistro
Location:
view in google maps1266 N Hwy 191
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-3318Day 3 - Moab
NIGHTLIFE
With the significant population of young people, hip and happening Moab has a decent nightlife. Try the venerable Moab Brewery for a sampling of the town's beer offerings. (Don't worry, you can find the tongue-in-cheek Polygamy Porter—“Why Just Have One?”—anywhere in town, including for sale at the local markets.) Woody's is another local favorite watering hole. You can also take in a movie, plenty of stage productions during the summer, and music festivals ranging from folk to classical.
1
Moab Brewery
Location:
view in google maps686 South Main Street
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-63332
Eddie McStiff's
Location:
view in google maps57 South Main Street
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-23373
Frankie D's Bar & Grill
Location:
view in google maps44 W 200 N
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-26544
The Rio Sports Bar and Grill
Location:
view in google maps2 S 100 W
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-66665
Woody's Tavern
Location:
view in google maps221 S Main Street
Moab, UT 84532
Day 4 - Moab
LOCAL RECOMMENDATION: INSIDE MOAB
Despite being an outdoor recreation destination, Moab features some cool indoor activities. Head to the Moab Museum to peruse pioneer history, Wild West relics, and dinosaur bones found locally. The Red Cliffs Ranch is not only a place to stay, it's an adventure experience in itself. Scan movie stills of famous cinematic treats filmed in the area at its Film Museum. Yes, John Wayne was a regular in town! Swirl a local vintage at the premises' Castle Rock Winery and enjoy its desert terroir.
1
Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch
Location:
view in google mapsUtah 128, milepost 14
Red Cliffs Ranch, 14 miles east of Moab on Utah 128 (milepost 14)
Moab, UT
Phone:
(435) 259-20022
Museum of Moab
Location:
view in google maps118 E. Center St
2 blocks east of Main St
Moab, UT 84532
Phone:
(435) 259-79853
Red Cliffs Lodge
Location:
view in google mapsMile Post 14 Hwy 128
84532 Moab, US
Phone:
(435) 259-2002