If you’re an adventure junkie or someone who loves the quiet of the desert, Moab, Utah, is a premier outdoor hotspot. I spent two years van-living through the American West, and this region of southern Utah may very well be one of my favorites of the 40 states I’ve been to.
This small town may be remote, but it is your gateway to some of the deepest canyons, largest sandstone arches, and most adrenaline-pumping activities in the United States. Raft through class IV rapids, conquer slickrock trails on a mountain bike or off-road atop red rock canyons.
We’ve rounded up 16 of the best things to do in Moab that push your limits and get your blood pumping. These are some adventures that you’ll be talking about long after the trip is over.
Arches National Park
According to NPS visitor numbers, Arches National Park has seen one of the largest increases in recreational visits in recent years to its playground of over 2,000 natural stone arches. This surge in popularity has even led to implementing a timed-entry permit system to manage overcrowding.
Just north of Moab, explore over 119 square miles of high desert stretching to the La Sal Mountains. The most famous sites include the hike to Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, and Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch in North America. If you can make it for sunset, find a seat in The Windows area to see the red rocks light up in hues of red and orange.
Those lucky to get a permit can join a ranger-led tour to navigate the labyrinth of narrow passages at Fiery Furnace. These maze-like sandstone canyons rival the famous slot canyon attractions in Page, Arizona.
Canyonlands National Park
Neighboring Arches, Canyonlands National Park, is another one of Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks, but much larger. A land of immense cliffs and endless horizons, this beautiful Utah destination is divided into five districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, Rivers, and Horseshoe Canyon.
Island in the Sky is the most popular and accessible district. One of the crowd-favorite hikes in Utah is to Mesa Arch, especially in the early morning when the arch perfectly frames the glowing landscape below. Take the scenic drive to Grand View Point Overlook and peer over a 1,000-foot cliff into the colorful canyons.
The Needles district is a hiker’s paradise, taking you to a sea of colorful spires and challenging trails. The other districts are much more remote and may require a four-wheel drive, backpacking, or rafting the Green River to explore.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park may be small, but its dramatic overlooks rival the Grand Canyon. The park’s main viewpoint, Dead Horse Point, stands 2,000 feet above a gooseneck in the Colorado River. Most people stop here before entering or as a final stop on a Canyonlands National Park itinerary.
Corona & Bowtie Arch
The 2.3 out-and-back mile hike on the Corona Arch Trail may almost be just as impressive as the Corona Arch itself. Corona Arch’s opening is an imposing sight at 140 feet across and 105 feet tall but without the crowds of Moab’s more famous spots.
The trail is moderately challenging, with a short section reinforced with a chain link and metal ladder to help you in the steeper parts. Along the way, you’ll also pass Bowtie Arch.
Potash Road
Potash Road is a scenic road that hugs the Colorado River. There are multiple pull-offs to see ancient petroglyphs etched into the rock walls. The drive also takes you past the strikingly blue Potash Evaporation Ponds and Jug Handle Arch, a lesser-known sandstone formation. Potash Road leads to some fantastic hikes, including the Corona Arch trailhead.
Go Off-Roading on Hell’s Revenge
Calling all adventurers! Hell’s Revenge is one of Moab’s most exhilarating off-road experiences. This 6.5-mile trail is famous for its steep climbs and descents over slick rock terrain.
The trail is open to ATVs, UTVs, and 4×4 vehicles. Many tour in modified Jeeps, as you really need to be an experienced driver to tackle this trail.
Fisher Towers
Walk through protruding spires and narrow canyons on a 4.2 mile out-and-back hike to the Fisher Towers. The Titan stands at 900 feet and is the tallest of the towers. Although the crumbly texture of the terrain is subpar for climbing, it attracts rock climbers from all over.
If the valley seems familiar, it has been used as a backdrop for many Hollywood films and TV productions.
Try Rockclimbing
Fisher Towers isn’t the only place to go rock climbing! The Moab area was made for rock climbers with many areas to bolt into for all skill levels. This means you can easily access thousands of routes, some just in Moab’s backyard.
Wall Street, a roadside crag along Potash Road, is one of the most popular spots, and you can get to it just steps from your car. If bouldering is more your style, Big Bend Bouldering Area has sandstone boulders scattered across the area with problems ranging from V0 to V11.
La Sal Mountain Loop Road
La Sal Mountain Loop Road is a 56-mile scenic drive in the shape of a square that connects back to downtown Moab. The road winds through rock art and many buttes and canyons in the desert landscape, with views of mountains as high as 13,000 feet.
Many of the stops on this list are along this route, and there are many more trailheads for hiking and mountain biking in places like Grandstaff Canyon and Oowah Lake.
Colorado River Rafting
The Colorado River is one of the world’s best spots for white water rafting, and the town of Moab is the perfect base to start this adventure. You’ll find all sorts of trips available, from half-day excursions to multi-day trips with camping along the river.
Fisher Tower is the most popular section for rafting, but the lesser-known Cataract Canyon and Westwater Canyon have heart-pounding white-water rapids that go up to Class V. If you don’t like getting hammered by the river, there are also options for calmer floats or paddle boarding.
Castle Valley
Northeast of Moab, Castle Valley is another place with great hikes around red rock formations that rise dramatically from the valley floor.
Beyond the usual, this is also the place for many world-class rock climbing routes. The valley has over 70 established climbs and counting, with every skill-level route available. If you’re new to the sport, many guide services in Moab can take you on beginner-friendly climbs while teaching you the ropes.
Backcountry on a Jeep Tour
Jeep tours are a fantastic way to bump about Moab’s backcountry without having to navigate the harsh terrain yourself. These guided tours venture deep into areas often inaccessible by regular vehicles.
You’ll bump on rocky trails, power through steep inclines, and descend into deep canyons. You can certainly attempt this yourself if you’re not scared of needing to call AAA. Popular routes include Hell’s Revenge and Fins & Things.
Hole N” the Rock
Roadside attractions are a road trippers jam, and Hole N” the Rock is worth a visit for its sheer novelty. Albert and Gladys Christensen created this 5,000-square-foot home carved out of a massive rock in the 1940s.
The guided tour takes you through the 14-room house, featuring a fireplace with a very tall chimney and a bathtub carved into the rock. An exotic zoo and other bizarre sculptures and oddities are scattered around the property.
Go Biking on Slickrock Trail
The Slickrock Bike Trail in Sand Flats Recreation Area is legendary among mountain bikers for its challenging terrain along beautiful desert views. This 10.5 mile loop tests your skills on grippy sandstone, which has excellent traction but demands some strong quad power.
Riders can choose to do one or multiple loops, with options for beginners and more advanced riders. If you’re not up for the whole loop, try the Practice Loop, a shorter and less demanding 2.2-mile trail.
Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail
Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail is a self-guided trail to real dinosaur tracks and fossils created during the Jurassic period. The trail is about 1.8 mile long with signs about the different species that once roamed the area. You’ll see dinosaur imprints of Allosaurus, Camptosaurus, and more as well as preserved plant fossils.
For another fun dino activity, Moab Giants Dinosaur Park is another fun and educational stop for families.
Wilson Arch
Wilson Arch is a quick stop just off Highway 191. This impressive arch is one of the largest and most accessible arches outside a national park. It’s just a short walk from the parking area, and the loop trail is only about a half mile long.
For More Things to Do in Moab: Moab Adventure Center
The Moab Adventure Center is your one-stop shop for all things adventurous in town. From rock climbing and canyoneering to hot air ballooning and river rafting, the center will point you to professional outfitters or where to rent top-notch equipment.
This article originally appeared on Travel Binger.
Cat Xu is an MSN direct publisher, adventure addict, and founder of Nomadicated. She brings over a decade of solo travel experience to her readers, with an impressive collection of 66+ passport stamps and nearly every US state checked off her list. Her mission is to spark wanderlust and bold exploration of the world’s most exciting activities and destinations.
