Scott's Guidebook to Moab
Parks
During the busy season, (May-August) if you plan to visit the park in the morning it is best to arrive at the park no later than 6:30am to avoid lines. After that the park tends to fill up quickly and as capacity is reached those in line will be turned away. If this happens return in the afternoon or evening. Sunset in the park is exceptional since in doesn't get dark until after 8:30 pm. If you only have a half day to visit and want a hike, Delicate Arch is the way to go. If you have a full day, plenty of water and pack a lunch or snacks then head to Landscape arch after. There are many notable arches on that hike and you won't be disappointed!
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Park Nazzjonali tal-Arches
During the busy season, (May-August) if you plan to visit the park in the morning it is best to arrive at the park no later than 6:30am to avoid lines. After that the park tends to fill up quickly and as capacity is reached those in line will be turned away. If this happens return in the afternoon or evening. Sunset in the park is exceptional since in doesn't get dark until after 8:30 pm. If you only have a half day to visit and want a hike, Delicate Arch is the way to go. If you have a full day, plenty of water and pack a lunch or snacks then head to Landscape arch after. There are many notable arches on that hike and you won't be disappointed!
Canyonlands an the Island in the sky entrance rarely reaches capacity. This is a great place to visit as a backup to Arches or if you have this on your bucket list. Mostly overlooks but there are a few short hikes to make a day of it. If you are feeling extra adventurous, not afraid of heights and have an off road capable vehicle then drive the Shafer trail. You can start in the park and exit through the potash (Potash road) fields leading back into town or vise versa. This drive takes about 2 hours to complete depending on how many stops you make to view the fields and incredible views. We have also seen bighorns grazing along this path as this is a designated lambing area! Not to mention Potash road is dotted with petroglyphs along this river road.
Further to the south is the other half of the park called the Needles. As you approach the park be sure to stop at Newspaper rock. This is an exceptional collection of historic petroglyphs like no other. This side of the park is mostly permitted access for off road driving and camping but the few overlooks and stops that are open to guests with out a permit are fun to explore. This is a long drive south so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks if you plan to make a day of it because it is more isolated and out of the way than the Island in the Sky entrance.
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Park Nazzjonali tal-Canyonlands
Canyonlands an the Island in the sky entrance rarely reaches capacity. This is a great place to visit as a backup to Arches or if you have this on your bucket list. Mostly overlooks but there are a few short hikes to make a day of it. If you are feeling extra adventurous, not afraid of heights and have an off road capable vehicle then drive the Shafer trail. You can start in the park and exit through the potash (Potash road) fields leading back into town or vise versa. This drive takes about 2 hours to complete depending on how many stops you make to view the fields and incredible views. We have also seen bighorns grazing along this path as this is a designated lambing area! Not to mention Potash road is dotted with petroglyphs along this river road.
Further to the south is the other half of the park called the Needles. As you approach the park be sure to stop at Newspaper rock. This is an exceptional collection of historic petroglyphs like no other. This side of the park is mostly permitted access for off road driving and camping but the few overlooks and stops that are open to guests with out a permit are fun to explore. This is a long drive south so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks if you plan to make a day of it because it is more isolated and out of the way than the Island in the Sky entrance.
This park has breathtaking views of the Green River as it winds through the canyon. Short hikes and paved overlooks make this an easy half day adventure.
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Dead Horse Point State Park
Utah 313This park has breathtaking views of the Green River as it winds through the canyon. Short hikes and paved overlooks make this an easy half day adventure.
Food scene
Without a doubt our favorite local eatery! Inexpensive and wide variety, we love it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will get fast service and delicious options like french toast, burgers, soups and salads, and ribeye steak all served anytime of day. Closed Sundays, be sure to check this off your list as the best diner in Moab!
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Moab Diner
189 S Main StWithout a doubt our favorite local eatery! Inexpensive and wide variety, we love it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will get fast service and delicious options like french toast, burgers, soups and salads, and ribeye steak all served anytime of day. Closed Sundays, be sure to check this off your list as the best diner in Moab!
For great atmosphere and delicious diner options checkout Trailhead Eatery. This has quickly become one of our local favorites. This is a relatively new restaurant that survived opening during height of the pandemic due to their charm, Friday night entertainment and last but not least, great tasting food. Our favorites are the Fish and Chips, Grown Up Grilled Cheese and the Whiskey Tango Burger. Come hungry because the portions are generous!
The Trailhead Public House and Eatery
11 East 100 NorthFor great atmosphere and delicious diner options checkout Trailhead Eatery. This has quickly become one of our local favorites. This is a relatively new restaurant that survived opening during height of the pandemic due to their charm, Friday night entertainment and last but not least, great tasting food. Our favorites are the Fish and Chips, Grown Up Grilled Cheese and the Whiskey Tango Burger. Come hungry because the portions are generous!
If you need great mexican food with a coastal flare this is the place. This place reminds of our travels to Cabo with their lighthearted decor and seafood infused menu. Don't be turned away by the exterior, the inside is a delightful surprise and the service is top notch! Get there early because there is usually a line come dinner time. Try the bacon wrapped scallops or baja tacos for the seafood side, the Don Juan Asada tacos are amazing and you can't go wrong with the M.O.A.B burrito and you will not leave this place hungry or disappointed.
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Miguel's Baja Grill
51 N Main StIf you need great mexican food with a coastal flare this is the place. This place reminds of our travels to Cabo with their lighthearted decor and seafood infused menu. Don't be turned away by the exterior, the inside is a delightful surprise and the service is top notch! Get there early because there is usually a line come dinner time. Try the bacon wrapped scallops or baja tacos for the seafood side, the Don Juan Asada tacos are amazing and you can't go wrong with the M.O.A.B burrito and you will not leave this place hungry or disappointed.
For something more off the beaten path visit Milt's. This place is jammed with locals looking for a great burger or cool treat. Their selection of shakes and refreshments is a bit overwhelming so have an idea of what you want before getting in line. This place is busy! Not a lot of seating and can get a bit toasty out in the sun so be sure to grab a table in the shade quick or come late in the day when the temps are more forgiving.
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Milt's Stop & Eat
356 S Mill Creek DrFor something more off the beaten path visit Milt's. This place is jammed with locals looking for a great burger or cool treat. Their selection of shakes and refreshments is a bit overwhelming so have an idea of what you want before getting in line. This place is busy! Not a lot of seating and can get a bit toasty out in the sun so be sure to grab a table in the shade quick or come late in the day when the temps are more forgiving.
For special occasion dining this is the place. Breathtaking views of the Colorado river while you dine on a Bison ribeye is an experience you can't miss. This place is a bit pricy and reservations a couple days in advance are required but it is the best you can get in Moab and worth every penny.
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Red Cliffs Lodge
14 Utah 128For special occasion dining this is the place. Breathtaking views of the Colorado river while you dine on a Bison ribeye is an experience you can't miss. This place is a bit pricy and reservations a couple days in advance are required but it is the best you can get in Moab and worth every penny.
This place has excellent traditional mexican food and they are open early and late! We love the ceviche, fajita quesadillas and selection of bottled beverages. Indoor and outdoor dining is appreciated because this place can get a bit crowded. They also have a drive thru if you need a quick breakfast fix or late night run.
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Giliberto's Mexican Taco Shop
396 South Main StreetThis place has excellent traditional mexican food and they are open early and late! We love the ceviche, fajita quesadillas and selection of bottled beverages. Indoor and outdoor dining is appreciated because this place can get a bit crowded. They also have a drive thru if you need a quick breakfast fix or late night run.
Sightseeing
If you like all things historic be sure to spend some time on Potash road. There are many petroglyphs along the road with some lesser seen but just as fascinating on seeker trails behind the tree line. If you make all the way to poison spider trail be ready for a bit of a climb to get a close up look at the dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs that are on a cliff ledge above the road. Wear good shoes if you plan to do this hike. Wear pants if you mind getting scratched by holly bushes while checking out the seeker trails.
Potash Road Dinosaur Tracks and Petroglyphs
If you like all things historic be sure to spend some time on Potash road. There are many petroglyphs along the road with some lesser seen but just as fascinating on seeker trails behind the tree line. If you make all the way to poison spider trail be ready for a bit of a climb to get a close up look at the dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs that are on a cliff ledge above the road. Wear good shoes if you plan to do this hike. Wear pants if you mind getting scratched by holly bushes while checking out the seeker trails.
This one is great for kids or anyone who loves dinosaurs. There are two trails to take and both are easy and short. If you want to actually get your hands on some dinosaur fossils in the rock this stop can't be missed.
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Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail
This one is great for kids or anyone who loves dinosaurs. There are two trails to take and both are easy and short. If you want to actually get your hands on some dinosaur fossils in the rock this stop can't be missed.
This is a total tourist trap and really only worth going if you have kids, bad weather or run out of other things to do. The tour of the rock house lasts about 15 minutes and they do not allow pictures or videos. If is a historical site for Moab and it is a bit interesting but not really worth the price of admission. A small zoo with a few animals for cheap admission, for an additional fee they give you a bucket of veggies and grain to feed. There are lots of cheap souvenirs so that is a small plus.
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Hole 'N' it-Rock
11037 US-191This is a total tourist trap and really only worth going if you have kids, bad weather or run out of other things to do. The tour of the rock house lasts about 15 minutes and they do not allow pictures or videos. If is a historical site for Moab and it is a bit interesting but not really worth the price of admission. A small zoo with a few animals for cheap admission, for an additional fee they give you a bucket of veggies and grain to feed. There are lots of cheap souvenirs so that is a small plus.
If you are interested in the history of the ancient tribes of Moab this is the most iconic stop in the area. Kane creek is also a great drive and has amazing views that are easily navigable by any off road capable vehicle nearly to the end. Unfortunately this amazing piece of art was recently vandalized and the parks are working on restoration efforts. Don't let that deter you from visiting as most of the art was left untouched.
Birthing Scene Petroglyph
Kane Springs RoadIf you are interested in the history of the ancient tribes of Moab this is the most iconic stop in the area. Kane creek is also a great drive and has amazing views that are easily navigable by any off road capable vehicle nearly to the end. Unfortunately this amazing piece of art was recently vandalized and the parks are working on restoration efforts. Don't let that deter you from visiting as most of the art was left untouched.
Need to escape the heat? Take this scenic drive up the La Sal Mountains for a quick temperature drop and breathtaking views of the valley below. There are a few lakes to enjoy fishing (Warner, Hidden, Oowah) and a great change to see wildlife. Many trails off this road and overlooks to visit. You can also divert from the loop and wind your way through Castle valley ending up back at the river road into town. ***Due to the recent fire in the La Sal Mountains some trails and lake access may still be closed.
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La Sal Mountain Loop Road
Need to escape the heat? Take this scenic drive up the La Sal Mountains for a quick temperature drop and breathtaking views of the valley below. There are a few lakes to enjoy fishing (Warner, Hidden, Oowah) and a great change to see wildlife. Many trails off this road and overlooks to visit. You can also divert from the loop and wind your way through Castle valley ending up back at the river road into town. ***Due to the recent fire in the La Sal Mountains some trails and lake access may still be closed.
Take a guided boat tour up the Colorado river and enjoy a lighted presentation on the canyon walls. This is a relaxing way to spend an evening in Moab after a cowboy dutch style dinner riverside.
Besides the nigh boat tour, they offer day and sunset guided ATV tours (you get to drive!) of two of the most well known off road trails, Hells Revenge and Fins and Things. Book early because spaces for both boat and ATV tours fill up fast.
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Canyonlands By Night & Day
1861 N Hwy 191Take a guided boat tour up the Colorado river and enjoy a lighted presentation on the canyon walls. This is a relaxing way to spend an evening in Moab after a cowboy dutch style dinner riverside.
Besides the nigh boat tour, they offer day and sunset guided ATV tours (you get to drive!) of two of the most well known off road trails, Hells Revenge and Fins and Things. Book early because spaces for both boat and ATV tours fill up fast.
Hikes and Off-Roading
This is an easy and short hike with petroglyphs right at the trailhead. Mostly shaded, I would recommend for kids or those not able to take longer hikes over a mile in the desert heat.
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Moonflower Canyon
This is an easy and short hike with petroglyphs right at the trailhead. Mostly shaded, I would recommend for kids or those not able to take longer hikes over a mile in the desert heat.
This is a comfortable and not too strenuous hike in a mostly shaded canyon. There are a few water crossings so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet. About 5 1/2 miles RT but still an easy hike and you are rewarded with an arch in the canyon at the end.
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Grandstaff Trail Head
Utah 128 This is a comfortable and not too strenuous hike in a mostly shaded canyon. There are a few water crossings so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet. About 5 1/2 miles RT but still an easy hike and you are rewarded with an arch in the canyon at the end.
We highly recommend this drive! You do not need to have 4X4 but an off road capable vehicle is a plus. You will wind through a canyon crossing onion creek countless times as you navigate through redrock cliffs and valleys. Really beautiful overlooks await if you are patient enough to drive to the "end" before continuing down through switchbacks a little tougher to navigate. The overlooks are a good turnaround point if you are not crazy about heights.
Onion Creek
We highly recommend this drive! You do not need to have 4X4 but an off road capable vehicle is a plus. You will wind through a canyon crossing onion creek countless times as you navigate through redrock cliffs and valleys. Really beautiful overlooks await if you are patient enough to drive to the "end" before continuing down through switchbacks a little tougher to navigate. The overlooks are a good turnaround point if you are not crazy about heights.
Pariri dwar il-belt
Kif tista' tmur minn post għall-ieħor
All Trails app is a must!
If you don't already have/use this app you will absolutely want to for Moab. There are endless amounts of trails to hike, bike and UTV that are easily overlooked as most stay to the heavily trafficked parks. These should not be discounted as they are equally adventurous and amazing in their own rights. Even if just visiting the parks, there are trails that are not mentioned in the NP guide maps, in the app that are worthwhile and less crowded.