Moab, UT
Plan a trip to Moab
Two national parks within an hour of one small town. Arches now runs a timed-entry reservation in peak season, which is the first thing to sort out.
- Adventure trips
- Road trips
- Hiking
- Couples
Free to run, and you keep editing after. Add who's coming or a pace like “slow mornings” to shape the result.
Moab at a glance
Most trips run 3 to 5 days. This page covers the 4 stops worth anchoring a plan around, 3 neighborhoods to base yourself in, and what the timing looks like across the year — then you can turn any of it into a mapped Moab itinerary you can edit and share.
- How long
- 3–5 days
- When to go
- April to May and September to October. Summer regularly clears 100°F, which pushes hiking to before 9am. Winter is cold, quiet, and often beautiful on red rock with snow.
- Getting around
- A car is mandatory, and a high-clearance vehicle opens up the 4x4 roads. Fuel up in town, and carry more water than seems reasonable.
What to build the plan around
- 1
Delicate Arch
Three miles round trip with no shade. Sunset is the photograph; sunrise is the quiet version.
- 2
Arches scenic drive
Windows, Balanced Rock, and Devils Garden along one 18-mile road. Timed entry applies April through October.
- 3
Island in the Sky
Canyonlands' most accessible district, with Mesa Arch at sunrise and Grand View Point at the end.
- 4
Dead Horse Point State Park
The overlook people mistake for the Grand Canyon, thirty minutes from town.
Where to stay in Moab
- Downtown Moab
- Walk to food and outfitters, five minutes from the Arches entrance.
- North Moab / Highway 191
- Motels and campgrounds closest to both park entrances.
- Spanish Valley
- Quieter rentals south of town, better value in peak season.
A ready-made Moab itinerary
Sunrise arches, canyon overlooks, and burgers earned the hard way.
Moab Adventure Trip: 3-Day Itinerary10 mapped places across 3 days, free to read and copy.Moab planning questions
- How many days do you need in Moab?
- 3 to 5 days. Three days gives each park a full day plus one river or 4x4 morning. Five is right if you're rafting or biking the Whole Enchilada.
- What is the best time to visit Moab?
- April to May and September to October. Summer regularly clears 100°F, which pushes hiking to before 9am. Winter is cold, quiet, and often beautiful on red rock with snow.
- Where should I stay in Moab?
- Three areas cover most trips — Downtown Moab (walk to food and outfitters, five minutes from the arches entrance); North Moab / Highway 191 (motels and campgrounds closest to both park entrances); Spanish Valley (quieter rentals south of town, better value in peak season). Pick based on whether you'd rather walk to dinner or pay less per night.
- How do you get around Moab?
- A car is mandatory, and a high-clearance vehicle opens up the 4x4 roads. Fuel up in town, and carry more water than seems reasonable.
- What should I see first in Moab?
- Start with Delicate Arch, Arches scenic drive, Island in the Sky. Delicate Arch is the one to schedule first: three miles round trip with no shade. Sunset is the photograph; sunrise is the quiet version.
- Is there a free Moab itinerary I can copy?
- Yes. Arriv has a curated Moab itinerary with every stop mapped and a suggested day-by-day order. Reading it is free, and you can duplicate it into your own trip to change dates, swap places, and share it with whoever you're going with.