Heading to Utah for an adventure-packed vacation? The landlocked state is home to spectacular natural landscapes, and the small city of Moab is the gateway to all the highlights. When it comes to things to do in Moab, Utah, you’ll have trouble finding the time to do everything on your getaway!
A short drive from Moab will take you to tourist attractions like the massive red rock formations in Arches National Park and the buttes and mesas in the Canyonlands National Park. Follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs at Bull Canyon Overlook and Copper Ridge.
Outdoor activities abound around Moab, too, from climbing and canyoneering to hiking, mountain biking, and river rafting. Despite being an outdoor recreation mecca, Moab is also a sanctuary for solitude with wide open spaces where you can get lost in the beauty of nature.
Need help figuring out where to go and what to do? Plan your vacation with this comprehensive guide on the best places to visit in Moab, Utah!
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out all our other attractions guides and our USA Travel Guide for more tips & ideas on where to go, when to visit & what to do on your vacation!
Must-see places to visit in Moab, UT
Arches National Park
For hoodoos, gargoyles, craggy sandstone towers, and turrets, there’s no place on Earth like the spectacular Arches National Park. Stretching along the banks of the Colorado River just north of Moab, the park is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-renowned Delicate Arch.
Head to the Visitor’s Center to get a wealth of information on the history of the area. Check out the fascinating exhibits that explain how the unique arches were formed. You’ll also find out where to enjoy the finest hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives in the park.
Don’t miss the famous Landscape Arch, which measures 306 feet with the second-longest span in the world.
Hole ‘N’ the Rock
One of Utah’s quirkier attractions, the Hole ‘N’ The Rock is quite literally that: a hole in a huge rock in Utah’s Canyonlands Country that was once the home of the Christensen family. Built in 1940 by Albert Christensen, the historic 5,000-square-foot home is now one of Utah’s most popular roadside attractions.
Take a guided tour of the unusual home and get a feel for living in a rock. If you thought things couldn’t get weirder, head to the nearby exotic zoo and meet an albino raccoon.
Admire an impressive collection of Lyle Nichols sculptures. Browse the Trading Post for beautiful locally made Native American pottery and handcrafted jewelry.
Corona Arch
In a land of arches, the Corona Arch is pretty spectacular. The finest way to see this incredible rock formation is by hiking the Corona Arch Trail. The one-and-a-half-mile out-and-back trail is fairly challenging, with some ladder climbing and grappling along safety cables. However, it’s well worth it for the awe-inspiring views of the 140-foot-wide Corona Arch at the end.
The Corona Arch Trail is located outside the popular Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, so you’ll find it less busy than other hikes around Moab. If seeing Moab’s most impressive arches is your main aim, you’ll also be rewarded with seeing the Bowtie Arch and the Pinto Arch in the same rock formation.
Island in the Sky
If you don’t have time to explore the entire Canyonlands National Park, head straight for Island in the Sky. This popular section of the park is packed with fantastic hiking trails and scenic drives with spectacular views.
Named for its location atop a large mesa 1,000 feet above the canyon floor, Island in the Sky has some of the most stunning panoramic vistas in the state. You can soak up the breathtaking views from various viewpoints around the section. If you’re driving, some of the roads are rugged, so a 4WD is recommended.
Make your way to Grand Viewpoint for magnificent vistas across the Colorado canyons and the spires of Monument Basin. You’ll see the Needles area to the south and the La Sal Mountains in the distant east.
Walk along the Grand View Trail for another mile to the very end point of the Island in the Sky plateau, where the cliffs drop off to the rivers below.
Sand Flats Recreation Area
Home to the world-renowned Slickrock Bike Trail, the Sand Flats Recreation Area is an outdoor adventurer’s haven. Over 40 miles of off-road vehicle trails draw backcountry motorcycle, ATV, and 4×4 enthusiasts. Mountain bikers flock to the 9,000-acre recreation area for its top-notch mountain biking tracks.
All the action at Sand Flats Recreation Area is framed by a dramatic backdrop of the multi-hued La Sal Mountains and breathtaking views of rugged canyons and sandstone domes. Sunsets are spectacular here, and the night sky offers some of the most spectacular stargazing in the world.
Moab Museum
Explore the history of Moab and the surrounding region at the Moab Museum, from the story of the first inhabitants to the town’s rise to fame through uranium mining. Located in the heart of town, the museum offers an in-depth look at the rich culture and history of Moab and the surrounding region.
Previously known as the Dan O’Laurie Museum, the Museum of Moab has something for everyone. See fossilized dinosaur bones and petrified plants. Discover what equipment was used to mine uranium in the 1950s.
Find out more about the 100-mile-long and three-mile-thick salt deposit in Moab and wander through a virtual living room from the 19th century.
Canyonlands National Park
Home to dramatic desert landscapes carved by the Colorado River, Canyonlands National Park offers an ethereal experience. There’re so many magical places to explore in this vast park, from the flat-topped mesa of Island in the Sky to the soaring pinnacles known as the Needles.
The incredible landscapes at Canyonlands National Park are ideal for outdoor activities, and you can hike, mountain bike, climb, and kayak to your heart’s content. Hit the white-water rapids in the Cataract Canyon, explore Native American rock paintings in Horseshoe Canyon, and hike in the remote gorges of the Maze.
The southeastern Utah preserve is famous for having some of the most stunning stargazing in the world, so be sure to spend a night beneath the night sky for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Despite the rather macabre name, Dead Horse Point State Park has beautiful desert landscapes and panoramic vistas of the Colorado River.
Named after a natural corral by cowboys in the 19th century, where horses often died of exposure, Dead Horse Point Park is situated high above the Colorado River with several incredible overlooks. The park is also famous for being featured in the final ‘Grand Canyon’ scene of the 1991 film Thelma & Louise.
At Dead Horse Point State Park, you’ll find fantastic hiking trails and lovely, shaded picnic areas. Hit the Intrepid Mountain Bike Trail with loops of varying levels of difficulty for a fun biking adventure.
Grandstaff Canyon Trail
The Grandstaff Canyon Trail is a beautiful 5.7-mile out-and-back trail near Moab that offers a mix of easy hiking, some scrambling, and stream crossings. It’s a super popular trail, so expect to see a few hikers and walkers; dogs are even welcome on leashes.
The main feature of the Grandstaff Canyon Trail is the Morning Glory Natural Bridge, a 243-foot natural rock span and the sixth longest in the United States. Follow the trail for a hike of about 1.5 miles up the left side of the stream to get to the bridge. It’s a spectacular sight!
You’ll want to wear waterproof shoes as some of the water crossings can be tricky.
Mesa Arch
Another glorious example of nature at her finest! Located on the eastern edge of the Island in the Sky Mesa, Mesa Arch is a 27-foot-long pothole arch that frames views of the La Sal Mountains in the distance and the canyon far below.
The hike to Mesa Arch is super easy and a fantastic one for the whole family. Perched at the edge of a cliff with a 1,200-foot drop into Buck Canyon below, the views are simply breathtaking.
The out-and-back trail to Mesa Arch is about 0.6 miles and will take you around 15 minutes. Don’t forget to take your camera for that perfect Instagram shot!
Hell’s Revenge 4×4 Trail
If you love hitting the backcountry in your four-wheel drive, then the Hell’s Revenge 4×4 Trail is a must. One of Moab’s many off-road trails, the 6.5-mile-long Hell’s Revenge trail is extremely difficult due to hazardous terrain. It’s recommended that only experienced drivers with advanced off-roading equipment give it a go.
Tough obstacles are found throughout the Hell’s Revenge 4×4 Trail, from the Escalator and Hell’s Gate to Devil’s Hot Tub and the Tip-Over Challenge. This double ledge, that’s slightly off, leaves many vehicles belly up!
Moab Cowboy Off-Road Adventures
If you’re not quite ready to handle the Hell’s Revenge Trail on your own but want to have some off-roading fun, ‘load up’ with Moab Cowboy Off-Road Adventures. The family-owned and operated business offers guided off-road experiences to all of Moab’s top spots.
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Hell’s Revenge without worrying about tipping over on a guided ATV tour of the canyon. Enjoy a thrilling three-hour escapade through Fins and Things and watch the sunrise and sunset on specialized tours.
If you prefer to do the driving, rent an ATV and hit the trails on a guided group tour or alone.
Wilson Arch
Framing the vast blue southeastern Utah sky, Wilson Arch is an elegant Entrada Sandstone formation along Highway 191. Unlike other arches that are primarily found in national parks, Wilson Arch is on BLM land and is free to access.
Located less than a mile south of La Sal Junction, just above a pull-out, Wilson Arch can be reached by a short scramble up a hill. The shady areas beneath the arch are perfect for a midday picnic against the backdrop of the elliptical-shaped opening.
If you don’t feel like climbing the hill, the views of the arch from the pull-out are just as picture-perfect as up close.
Moab Rock Shop
Delightfully quirky in true Moab style, the Moab Rock Shop sells a variety of rocks and mineral stones found in the surrounding desert. A geologist’s paradise, the shop is packed with all types of objects found in the surrounding desert by the owner, Lin Ottinger.
From fossil fish to dinosaur bones, mineral rocks, and lumps of ‘gold,’ there’s a rock for everyone at Moab Rock Shop. Enjoy a fascinating chat with the owner, who discovered at least four dinosaur species during his digs. The first Iguanodon found in the US was named after him – the Iguanodon Ottingeri.
It’s a fun way to spend the afternoon!
Moab Brewery
After a day of adventure in Moab’s beautiful terrain, enjoy cold craft brews and delicious made-from-scratch fare at the Moab Brewery. Inspired by the unique landscapes around Moab, the locally-owned craft brewery produces a range of award-winning beer and distilled spirits.
Sip ice-cold Amber Ales or Hazy IPAs on the outdoor patio against a backdrop of stunning views. If you prefer something more potent, you’ll find handcrafted single-malt whiskey, gin, and agave on the list.
Mouthwatering dishes using the flavors of the brewery are a perfect accompaniment – think beer-battered onion rings, brew quesadillas, and Jack Daniels burgers.
Spanish Valley Vineyard & Winery
Rolling green vineyards amidst the arid desert-scapes of Moab? Surely not, you’d think, along with many wine connoisseurs from around the world. However, the image rings true with the lush Spanish Valley Vineyard & Winery resting right in the heart of Moab.
Established as an agricultural experiment for Utah State University over 40 years ago, the winery has been producing award-winning wines ever since. It was found that the region’s fertile, sandy soils and long growing season are ideal for growing grapes, resulting in the production of world-class wines.
Spanish Valley Vineyard and Winery specialize in single-vineyard estate-bottled wines, particularly crisp white German varietals. Take a tour of the winery and see the production process from harvesting to bottling.
Sample the winery’s superb wines in the tasting room overlooking the verdant vineyards and rugged rock formations beyond.
Moab Diner
For an authentic American diner experience, the Moab Diner won’t disappoint. Small and cozy, the classic diner-style restaurant serves a menu of traditional American food, from hamburgers to steaks and salads.
Established in 1960 as the Poor Boy Drive-Inn, the family-friendly diner changed hands and became Grand Ice Cream Parlour. Roller skates and drive-in stalls gave way to breakfast bites and coffee—and Moab Diner was born.
Grab a booth in the 50s-themed diner and tuck into classic American grub such as burgers, steaks, and malts.
