Top Outdoor Adventures in Moab, Utah

The rough-and-ready desert outpost of Moab is nestled in a sandstone valley in southeastern Utah, with easy access to amazing rafting, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and other adventures in a remarkable expanse of sand, stone, and sky. The town itself is little more than a strip of adobe shops, bike stores, guiding outfitters, restaurants, and t-shirt shops; its real draw is the proximity to the amazing public lands nearby.

Moab is ringed by a remarkable collection of national parks and open areas of wilderness, covering a far-reaching geological area known as the Colorado Plateau. From Moab, you can take day trips or longer adventures in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. You can mountain bike on slickrock sandstone trails that extend beyond the horizon, and raft down the churning Colorado River. All manner of other adrenaline-filled activities are possible among the surrounding desert spires, canyons, arches, and hoodoos.

If you live for the thrill of the great outdoors, look no further. Here are the top things to do in Moab.

Explore the Fiery Furnace

There are more than 2000 documented arches in small but mighty Arches National Park. Delicate Arch is by far the most photographed and most visited, but to get beyond the crowds, head out with the rangers for an informative guided tour of the Fiery Furnace. In this natural warren of arches and canyons, you’ll find amazing secret passages, hidden corners, and remarkable glimpses of the flora and fauna that thrive in this harsh desert environment. It’s advisable to plan ahead for the free ranger-led hikes, as permits may also be available for self-guided walks during the shoulder season, although it’s easy to get lost, so we advise a guide.

Visit Island in the Sky

Canyonlands stretches for over 520 sq miles, making it the largest national park in Utah. There’s so much to do and see, you’ll need days to even scratch the surface. Island in the Sky is by far the most visited and accessible area of the park. Located just 20 minutes from Moab, this sprawl of eroded plateaus has awe-inspiring overlooks that provide a bird’s eye view of the canyons, slickrock, and desert landscapes. You can enjoy a number of worthwhile hikes, including the 30-minute jaunt to famous Mesa Arch, or take on a longer trek to Neck Spring or Lathrop Canyon.

Hike to the Dollhouse in The Maze

The Maze is the least visited and most difficult to access section of Canyonlands National Park, and that’s part of its magic. Here you find some of the best canyoneering in Utah, extreme 4WD trails, and plenty of splendid isolation. A castle-like collection of eroded hoodoos, the Dollhouse is one of the Maze’s most iconic sections, with tight slot canyons, towering spires, and some interesting archaeological relics.

Getting here can be tricky; it’s a four-hour trip by 4WD across very rough terrain, with no water, food, or gas supplies en route, but the trip is half the adventure. Another option is to add a day of hiking around the Dollhouse onto a Colorado River rafting tour. If you’re short on time, jet-boats buzz up the river for two hours from Moab to Spanish Bottom, about 3 miles from the Dollhouse.

Catch the sunset at Deadhorse Point State Park

Avoid the national park crowds with a trip to Deadhorse Point State Park. Located about 45 minutes from Moab, the park offers up some great hiking trails and one of the best river views known to man. For many, the highlight is sitting at one of the eight overlooks and enjoying the immense vistas, the quiet silence, and maybe one of Utah’s legendary sunsets. Deadhorse Point Overlook is one of the most inspiring sunset spots in America, where you could sit for hours watching the colors change over the serpentine course of the majestic Colorado River.

Mountain bike the Slickrock Trail

Moab is home to some of the best mountain biking on the planet. Trails range from super flowy slickrock rollercoasters to dicey experts-only descents of canyon walls, with big drops and tough, technical angles. The most iconic trail here is the aptly named Slickrock, a 9.6-mile loop that takes you over desert sandstone through super smooth rollers and fun turns. It’s like biking on the moon.

For truly radical mountain biking, consider the Whole Enchilada, a 26.5-mile epic featuring a 7000ft descent from a high-alpine area on the edge of Manns Peak, winding up on the red rock paradise outside Moab.

Raft Cataract Canyon

The most iconic whitewater adventure in Utah is in Cataract Canyon, below the confluence of the Colorado River and Green River, in the heart of Canyonlands. This pristine stretch of river has some of the most powerful whitewater on earth, with giant Class V waves and heart-pumping drops through challenging features such as Satan’s Gut and Little Niagara. Trips take anywhere from 4 to 6 days.

An amazing way to tackle this expedition is as part of a rowing clinic with OARS, one of the world’s preeminent rafting operations. These hands-on adventures allow you to grab the sticks with a professional guide standing by to take over if needed. This experience teaches you to read rapids, tie knots, rig to flip, and navigate mountains of whitewater while enjoying gourmet meals prepared by the guides as you watch the sunset with your trip mates.

Paddle Professor Valley

Paddleboarders, canoers, and even inner tubers will love the day-long float through Professor Valley, on a stretch of the Colorado River known as the “Moab Daily.” With its gorgeous red canyon walls and easy riffles, this is Moab’s signature Booze Cruise—a gentle drift compared to the churning whitewater more commonly associated with the area. If you want to elevate this into a multi-day adventure, you can outfit a canoe or inflatable kayak known as a “ducky” and enjoy a two or three-day float.

See the Moab Giants

This kitsch piece of Americana is one of the many reasons Utah is a playground for kids and adults alike. The dinosaur museum features an animatronic T-Rex, a 5-D prehistoric aquarium, and open-air exhibits with life-size replicas of your favorite extinct creatures, employing educational lessons to engage the whole family. If you come here, consider adding a trip to nearby Potash Road for some afternoon swimming on the Colorado River, one of the best free activities in Moab.

Go Canyoneering

In the open spaces and national parks surrounding Moab, there are countless canyoneering options. However, these thrilling gorges are not for novices. Rains occurring 100 miles away can cause canyons to flash flood in seconds, rocks can fall unexpectedly, and it’s easy to become dangerously lost in these trail-free wildernesses.

For an easy introduction to Utah canyoning, go with a guide; trips offer experiences ranging from easy tours in Bow & Arrow and Morning Glory canyons to harder routes through the Rock of Ages and Fiery Furnace. The Maze section of Canyonlands has some truly astounding canyoneering for those with ample experience and a touch of fearlessness.

Drive the Colorado River Scenic Byway

Utah is a road tripper’s heaven. The national parks all have scenic drives with amazing overlooks, but to escape the traffic, head northeast from Moab along the Colorado River Scenic Byway. The road trails closely alongside the Colorado River for most of the route, offering tremendous views of sandstone cliffs, fun camping spots, and a broad expanse of Utah sky above. You can stop for swimming, paddleboarding, or short side hikes along the way and with a little extra time, consider hiking to the base of the Fisher Towers, or simply marvel at the towering monoliths of Castle Valley.

Gaze at the Stars

For night owls, Utah offers some of the best stargazing to be had anywhere in the US. In this electrified age, most people only see a tiny portion of the 2500 stars visible to the naked eye on any given night, but in Utah, away from any major urban area, you can get closer to the cosmos. Many national parks offer ranger-led stargazing programs, but the easiest way to view the stars is to check the moon phase (views are best when the moon is new or hidden), head out to a remote overlook, turn off your phone and all your lights, allow about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, and then gaze in awe at the universe.

Deadhorse State Park is a good place to start. On a clear night, you’ll see the Milky Way, meteors, planets, unknown constellations, and faraway galaxies in the limitless skies overhead. Look closely enough, and you might even spot a distant rocket streaking across the night sky. Red Rock Astronomy in Moab features high-quality telescopes and hosts informative curated talks worth attending.

Rock Climb the Red Rocks

There are some truly top-tier climbs available just outside of Moab. Experienced climbers can start the adventure with sport climbing on Potash Road, world-class cracks at Indian Creek, and a variety of challenging traditional routes on outcrops like Castleton Tower, requiring a solid rack of gear. The roadside pull-out at the Big Bend campground offers an excellent collection of bouldering problems for those traveling without a rope.

While Moab’s do-it-yourself climbs are incredible, many opt to hire a guide. Organized climbing trips range from easy afternoons of cragging near Moab to multi-day seminars on crack climbing in Indian Creek. If you possess the strength, skill, and stamina to lead multi-pitch routes rated up to 5.9+ using mostly trad protection, the day-trip up Castleton Tower should not be missed.

Hiking Beyond the National Parks

Bring your hiking boots and plenty of water: the hiking in the desert wonderland around Moab is out of this world. There are established trails in all of the national parks, state parks, and public lands, but the true adventures begin outside the parks, where countless rugged trails await. Grab a map and compass, follow wilderness safety protocols, and venture across this moonscape of outcrops, hoodoos, arches, and canyons for breathtaking wilderness encounters.

For adventurous hiking, the area near the Maze known as Robber’s Roost offers some of the best trailless hiking and canyoneering in Utah. It was in Bluejohn Canyon that Aron Ralston was compelled to amputate his right arm after being trapped by a boulder, a harrowing experience dramatized in 127 Hours. Ensure you carry ample water and always notify someone of your hiking plans and expected return time.

Head Out to Castle Valley

The day-trip out to Castle Valley often features in many Moab itineraries. This scenic two-hour drive takes you along the Colorado River and past iconic monoliths like Castleton Tower and the crumbling cliffs of the Fisher Towers. Along the route, take some time to explore the nostalgic exhibits at the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage at Red Cliffs Lodge. With some energy, you can scramble your way to the base of Castleton Tower and spend a moment watching the clouds drift above, casting shadows over the dramatic landscape below.

Go Four-Wheel Driving

Cruising down Moab’s main strip, you’ll encounter an endless parade of rugged SUVs, dune buggies, and other four-wheeled monsters. This is just one aspect of the thrill-seeking culture that characterizes this desert oasis. You’ll meet diverse individuals from all walks of life. Joining this eccentric crew is part of the fun of driving off-road in Utah.

Hell’s Revenge is one of the most popular 4WD routes. Taking 3 to 4 hours, the route traverses over formidable obstacles, past rocky domes and into the wild depths of the desert outside Moab. Most of the trail involves driving on bone-shaking slickrock, with arrows clarifying the path. There are broken rocks, rock ledges, and thrilling tracks along cliff edges, which might compel you to promptly reverse.

While it presents a challenge, sticking to designated trails and respecting the delicate ecosystem can make off-road driving a rewarding experience. As a common courtesy, slow down if you see a biker or hiker to prevent clouding their path with dust and exhaust fumes.

Visit the Moab Museum

Not every Moab activity involves adventure sports. Boasting a small collection with significant stories, the Moab Museum showcases intriguing photos and artifacts from the area, starting from the Ancestral Puebloans and following the historical journey to early Mormon settlers, uranium prospectors, river runners, and more. It’s a worthwhile detour on a restful day from the exciting activities Moab has to offer.

Camp in Bears Ears National Monument

Simply spending the night under that expansive Utah sky can be a thrilling experience. The desert provides ample opportunities for solitude and reflection. Explore the public lands surrounding Moab, where you can camp in primitive sites atop cliffs, alongside rivers, or far into the uncharted wilderness.

Ownership of these public lands has sparked many debates across Utah and Washington, DC. If fortunate enough to camp in the true wilderness of Bears Ears National Monument, you’ll understand its significance as one of the state’s premier attractions. There are “developed” camping areas at Indian Creek Falls, Hamburger Rock, Creek Pasture, and Superbowl. However, be prepared for rugged conditions; while designated spaces have toilets, you’ll need to carry your own provisions.

For those not inclined towards wild camping, you may opt for a night of glamping in a luxurious Victorian-style tent at the acclaimed Moab Under Canvas.