Fun Things to See and Do around Moab

Moab, Utah is a destination that welcomes those who are seeking thrilling adventures, but the area offers so much more to those who are seeking tranquility as well. While you can spend hours exploring the desert, you can also take in the views from the edge of the road or a hiking trail.

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1.   Visit the Museum of Moab

One of the first things you should do when you arrive in Moab, Utah is visit the Museum of Moab. This museum was opened back in 1958 and it is packed with exhibits on the archaeology, paleontology, geology, mining, and pioneers of the area. This is the best place to learn everything you need to about this part of the state before you venture out.

2.   See the Colorado River from Above at Dead Horse State Park

You can see the Colorado River in many parts of Moab, but if you are looking to view it from a different vantage point, you must enter Dead Horse State Park. You can choose to drive around this park or walk but make sure you take the time to stop at Dead Horse Point. That is where you will have views of the river from two thousand feet above.

3.   Go Stargazing

There are not many lights in the desert in Moab, so it is an excellent place to do a little stargazing. While you can choose to look at the stars almost anywhere in this part of Utah, we recommend doing it with the RedRock Astronomy tour groups. An expert guide will take you to where you can look at the stars and they will make sure you do not miss a constellation, or a visible planet, during your tour.

4.   Walk Where the Dinosaurs Did

There are numerous dinosaur trails that you can walk along when you are visiting Moab. The trails you will follow along are authentic dinosaur prints, as well as fossils from the days when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The most popular dinosaur trail is the Dinosaur Tracks Trail, because it takes less than a half hour to walk along and goes near the Colorado River. There is also an open-air museum there that shares the history of the dinosaurs.

     5. Wander Through Arches National Park

Arches National Park may not be directly in Moab, but it is only five miles away. You must drive the thirty-six miles scenic route, so you can see all the arches and take pictures of them during your visit. It is possible to spend hours getting lost in the natural landscape, so you may want to plan on spending more than one day in this part of Utah.

6.   Visit the Island in the Sky

Island in the Sky is just over thirty miles from Moab, and you will find this destination within the Canyonlands National Park. This is the largest national park in the state and while you can do many different things there, the Island in the Sky must be at the top of your list. When you reach this island, you will quickly discover that you can see one hundred miles in all directions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 7.   Go Biking at Hell’s Revenge

Hell’s Revenge is a biking, hiking, and even four-wheeling destination in Moab that you will love. There are several challenging sections of trail, but as you master them, you will have gorgeous views of the Moab Valley, Colorado River Canyon, La Sal Mountains, and Arches National Park.

8.   Peruse the Rock Carvings and Ruins at The Needles

The Needles are red and white pillars that stand out within the Canyonlands National Park. While you may be interested in the nearby arches and canyons at first, the ruins and rock carvings will quickly have you changing course. It is best to hike along the trails, because those trails will all lead you to different pillars. That way you can see the differences in the carvings and ruins at each one.

9.   Consider Some Thrills at the Moab Adventure Center

If you are interested in doing anything and everything during your visit to Moab, you must take the time to consider some thrills at the Moab Adventure Center. While there are too many activities to count, a few include rafting, hiking, scenic flights, safaris, paddle boarding, horseback riding, zip lining, canyoneering, climbing, and hot air ballooning. You can easily plan your entire Moab itinerary through the Moab Adventure Center.

10. Drive Along La Sal Mountain Loop Road

This mountain road is about sixty miles long and while you can do the drive in three hours, it will take you much longer if you make stops along the way. You will love seeing the twelve thousand-foot peaks within the Manti-La Sal National Forest, as well as the Big Bend Recreation Site and the canyons created from red rock.

11. See the Drawings at the Utah Scenic Byway 279 Rock Art Sites

This rock art site is where you will see many different ancient drawings that were carved directly into the rocks. There is a pull-off area close to the rock, so you can see the drawings safely. There is an Indian Writing interpretive sign near the rock as well, so you can learn what each one of the symbols mean. The drawings on the rock cover more than one hundred feet of space, so you may be there a while as you try to decipher each one.

These are eleven of the fun things to see and do around Moab but there are so many other options in a camper rental. As you are planning your time in Moab, you will want to add these items to your list of things to do, as well as any other items that you discover when you are there. It is quite easy to plan a Moab itinerary, especially if you love the outdoors and know that you will want to be outside and having fun the entire time you are there.