Offering endless miles of road and mountain bike trails, Moab is a cyclists dream. A paved bike path extends north out of downtown Moab, offering safe access to Dead Horse, Arches, and Canyonlands, as well as in both directions along the river. Popular mountain bike trails can be found at the Sand Flats Recreation Area in town and off of UT-313 towards Canyonlands.

This park holds a special place in our heart. It is where we had our first "date" back in March 2018 and is, in our opinion, some of the most beautiful views in Moab. The Island in the Sky ranger district is just a scenic 35 minute drive from downtown Moab, and is a great way to spend half a day, a full day, or multiple days.

Please note there is a park entry fee or you can use a national park pass.

Another national park just 20 minutes away from downtown Moab. Arches offers a great introduction to the Utah desert and is a great way to spend a half day.

Note that Arches is a popular tourist destination, especially in fall, that requires reservations for entry. It's best to plan ahead if interested in visiting.

Absolutely gorgeous state park ~40 minutes from downtown Moab. The drive to the Overlook at Dead Horse Point is so worth the views!

The Colorado River is most often viewed from a distance by visitors at Arches, Canyonlands, and Grand Canyon National Parks. Moab offers one of the few locations where the river can be accessed from the ground level. A calm, 13-mile stretch of water known as the Moab Daily is a great place to float in a paddle board, pack raft, ducky, or raft. Private guiding companies offer daily rafting trips, or this can be done privately with the right equipment and knowledge.

Rising more than 8,000 feet above the desert floor and topping out at a total elevation of 12,721 feet, the La Sals are the 2nd highest mountains in Utah. The La Sals are a great way to spend a day, several days, or a lifetime, and can be enjoyed by hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, or driving the scenic La Sal Mtn Loop.

Pick up a guide book at Back of Beyond Books in downtown Moab and choose your own adventure. The desert, alpine, and river environments are a great place to see plants and wildlife. Find a shady spot under a cottonwood or quaky and keep a look out for reptiles, mammals, and birds, and be sure to tell us about what you saw!

Don't trust our recommendations? The New York Times recently featured Moab in its 36 Hours travel series.