Moab in 7 days

Red-rock adventure capital with Arches, Canyonlands and slickrock biking. Best time to visit: March-May & September-October. Average daily budget: $120 to $300 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Downtown Moab, Main Street strip of outfitters, motels, breweries and gear shops.

Morning: Arches National Park. Delicate Arch at sunrise, the Windows section and Devil's Garden among 2,000+ natural arches.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown Moab, Main Street strip of outfitters, motels, breweries and gear shops.

Evening: Slickrock or Moab Brand trails. Ride the sandstone that made mountain biking famous, or hike it if wheels aren't your thing.

Eat: Green chile breakfast burritos at Love Muffin Cafe

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: North Moab (Hwy 191), Larger hotels and campsites near the Arches turn-off.

Morning: Canyonlands Island in the Sky. Mesa Arch at dawn and White Rim views over a mile-deep canyon labyrinth.

Afternoon: Explore North Moab (Hwy 191), Larger hotels and campsites near the Arches turn-off.

Evening: Colorado River raft or jet boat. Float calm red-walled stretches or push into whitewater at Westwater Canyon.

Eat: Wood-fired pizza and local beer at Moab Brewery

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Spanish Valley, Quieter southern end with vacation rentals and dark skies.

Morning: Corona Arch trail, a 3-mile hike to a massive arch outside the park with no entry fee. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Spanish Valley, Quieter southern end with vacation rentals and dark skies.

Evening: Dead Horse Point State Park at sunset, rivaling the Grand Canyon's drama. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Sorrel River Ranch's riverside dining for a splurge night

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Colorado River Corridor, Scenic Byway 128 lined with riverside campgrounds and red cliffs.

Morning: Fisher Towers at golden hour, a short hike beneath skyscraper spires. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Colorado River Corridor, Scenic Byway 128 lined with riverside campgrounds and red cliffs.

Evening: The dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs at Poison Spider trailhead. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Quesadillas from the Quesadilla Mobilla food truck

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Dead Horse Point area, High mesa between the parks with the region's most dramatic overlook.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Dead Horse Point area, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Dead Horse Point area, High mesa between the parks with the region's most dramatic overlook.

Evening: Dinner at Green chile breakfast burritos at Love Muffin Cafe, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Dead Horse Point area.

Eat: Green chile breakfast burritos at Love Muffin Cafe

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Downtown Moab, Main Street strip of outfitters, motels, breweries and gear shops.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Downtown Moab, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown Moab, Main Street strip of outfitters, motels, breweries and gear shops.

Evening: Dinner at Wood-fired pizza and local beer at Moab Brewery, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Downtown Moab.

Eat: Wood-fired pizza and local beer at Moab Brewery

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: North Moab (Hwy 191), Larger hotels and campsites near the Arches turn-off.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in North Moab (Hwy 191), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore North Moab (Hwy 191), Larger hotels and campsites near the Arches turn-off.

Evening: Dinner at Sorrel River Ranch's riverside dining for a splurge night, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in North Moab (Hwy 191).

Eat: Sorrel River Ranch's riverside dining for a splurge night

Hidden gems

Corona Arch trail, a 3-mile hike to a massive arch outside the park with no entry fee
Dead Horse Point State Park at sunset, rivaling the Grand Canyon's drama
Fisher Towers at golden hour, a short hike beneath skyscraper spires
The dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs at Poison Spider trailhead

Getting around

A car is essential; the parks are 10 to 40 minutes from town with no shuttles. Arches requires a timed-entry reservation from April through October, booked months ahead. Rent bikes, UTVs or Jeeps in town rather than bringing your own. Fly into Grand Junction (90 min) or Salt Lake City (4 hours).

Safety

Moab's dangers are environmental: summer heat over 38°C, dehydration, flash floods in slot canyons and cliff edges with no railings. Carry a gallon of water per person per day, start hikes at dawn, check the forecast before entering any canyon, and tell someone your route. Cell coverage vanishes outside town.

Moab in 3 days | Moab in 5 days | Full Moab guide