Sylvia’s guidebook
Hiking/Adventuring
Must see National Park for anyone spending any time in Moab.
I personally recommend:
Delicate Arch- Iconic arch. It's about 3 miles round trip. Strenuous climb up slick rock. I recommend doing it early morning because it can be impossibly hot during the summer months.
Devil's Garden- Landscape arch is a personal fav. Easy access. Also the longer 6 mile primitive loop is one of the best hikes in Arches.
Windows Area- Tons of great overlooks and arches.
Sand Dune Arch - It's fun to play in the sand. Not a long hike and not an overlook. Very cool in summer
Fiery Furnace- Not for the faint of heart. Permit required. Last I checked they gave out 60 a day. It's awesome in there.
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Arches-Nationalpark
Must see National Park for anyone spending any time in Moab.
I personally recommend:
Delicate Arch- Iconic arch. It's about 3 miles round trip. Strenuous climb up slick rock. I recommend doing it early morning because it can be impossibly hot during the summer months.
Devil's Garden- Landscape arch is a personal fav. Easy access. Also the longer 6 mile primitive loop is one of the best hikes in Arches.
Windows Area- Tons of great overlooks and arches.
Sand Dune Arch - It's fun to play in the sand. Not a long hike and not an overlook. Very cool in summer
Fiery Furnace- Not for the faint of heart. Permit required. Last I checked they gave out 60 a day. It's awesome in there.
Fantastic National Park divided into 3 districts, all accessible from Moab.
Island in the Sky:
This is the closest district. Almost everything here is easily accessible by car. Sweeping Vistas of canyon country. Also unique geology you won't find anywhere else. Accessed via Hwy 191 North and then Hwy 313. About 40 mins from town.
Recommendations:
Grand View Point- The view is grand, but it's actually named after the former name of the Colorado River. Best view you'll ever see.
Upheaval Dome- Weird crazy geology. Also access to the Sincline Loop from the trail head. This is one of the most strenuous hikes in Canyonlands because you hike off the Mesa and down about 1000ft and then back up again. It's awesome.
Mesa Arch- It's a Windows screensaver, it's also an amazing arch right on the edge of the mesa. Great for sunrise if you can get up that early.
Needles District: 2nd most easily accessible region of Canyonlands. To get here you take Hwy 191 South and then UT 211. It's about an hour and a half from Moab. On the way there you can pass by Newspaper rock (famous petroglyph) and Indian Creek (famous for climbers.)
Recommendations:
Chestler Park- Iconic rock formations (where Needles gets its name)
Druid Arch- Strenuous hike to one of the coolest arches in the area
Confluence Overlook- Another really long hike to the overlook of one of the most important places in the American Southwest (where the Colorado River and Green Rivers merge.)
I posted some tough hikes in this section, but I do want to mention that the drive out to this district is wonderfully scenic. There are also quite a few smaller hikes and signs with cool information inside the park.
The Maze- This is the most remote section of Canyonlands and one of the most remote places in the continental U.S. It takes about 4 hours to get here from Moab and requires four wheel drive to access the cool stuff.
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Canyonlands-Nationalpark
Fantastic National Park divided into 3 districts, all accessible from Moab.
Island in the Sky:
This is the closest district. Almost everything here is easily accessible by car. Sweeping Vistas of canyon country. Also unique geology you won't find anywhere else. Accessed via Hwy 191 North and then Hwy 313. About 40 mins from town.
Recommendations:
Grand View Point- The view is grand, but it's actually named after the former name of the Colorado River. Best view you'll ever see.
Upheaval Dome- Weird crazy geology. Also access to the Sincline Loop from the trail head. This is one of the most strenuous hikes in Canyonlands because you hike off the Mesa and down about 1000ft and then back up again. It's awesome.
Mesa Arch- It's a Windows screensaver, it's also an amazing arch right on the edge of the mesa. Great for sunrise if you can get up that early.
Needles District: 2nd most easily accessible region of Canyonlands. To get here you take Hwy 191 South and then UT 211. It's about an hour and a half from Moab. On the way there you can pass by Newspaper rock (famous petroglyph) and Indian Creek (famous for climbers.)
Recommendations:
Chestler Park- Iconic rock formations (where Needles gets its name)
Druid Arch- Strenuous hike to one of the coolest arches in the area
Confluence Overlook- Another really long hike to the overlook of one of the most important places in the American Southwest (where the Colorado River and Green Rivers merge.)
I posted some tough hikes in this section, but I do want to mention that the drive out to this district is wonderfully scenic. There are also quite a few smaller hikes and signs with cool information inside the park.
The Maze- This is the most remote section of Canyonlands and one of the most remote places in the continental U.S. It takes about 4 hours to get here from Moab and requires four wheel drive to access the cool stuff.
Popular local hike, not located in national parks. Hike follows a wonderful canyon with running water, making it a great choice on hot, summer days. There is a stunning natural bridge at the end. This hike is about 4mi round trip.
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Grandstaff Trail Head
Utah 128Popular local hike, not located in national parks. Hike follows a wonderful canyon with running water, making it a great choice on hot, summer days. There is a stunning natural bridge at the end. This hike is about 4mi round trip.
Wonderful hike starting in Moab valley south of town. Hike begins with rapid ascent to top of Moab rim, where it levels out for easy hiking in gentle valleys filled with Juniper and tall grasses. Hike can be an out and back or a through hike if two cars are used: one at Hidden Valley Trailhead and the other at the Moab Rim Trailhead.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Hidden Valley Trail Head
2962 Rim Rock LnWonderful hike starting in Moab valley south of town. Hike begins with rapid ascent to top of Moab rim, where it levels out for easy hiking in gentle valleys filled with Juniper and tall grasses. Hike can be an out and back or a through hike if two cars are used: one at Hidden Valley Trailhead and the other at the Moab Rim Trailhead.
Wonderful open desert hike on sandstone to a classic Moab icon. A 3mi round trip, Corona Arch is not located in a National Park and is a great spot for a picnic during Spring and Fall. Locals have been known to make this hike during the full moon. There is a location with a small wooden ladder to aid in scaling a slickrock bench. Hike is generally safe but there are some cliffs near the arch, similar to delicate arch.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Corona-Bogen
Wonderful open desert hike on sandstone to a classic Moab icon. A 3mi round trip, Corona Arch is not located in a National Park and is a great spot for a picnic during Spring and Fall. Locals have been known to make this hike during the full moon. There is a location with a small wooden ladder to aid in scaling a slickrock bench. Hike is generally safe but there are some cliffs near the arch, similar to delicate arch.
Awesome business with great group of people that will take you on guided climbing and canyoneering trips.
Moab Cliffs and Canyons
253 N Main StAwesome business with great group of people that will take you on guided climbing and canyoneering trips.
Food scene
Awesome restaurant, Vietnamese fusion with Pho and Philly cheesesteaks under the same roof. Locally sources ingredients. Supports local businesses. High quality food, with gluten free and vegan options.
25 Einheimische empfehlen
98 Center
98 East Center StreetAwesome restaurant, Vietnamese fusion with Pho and Philly cheesesteaks under the same roof. Locally sources ingredients. Supports local businesses. High quality food, with gluten free and vegan options.
Delicious places to grab a quick lunch. Affordable quality quesadillas. Lots of outside seating.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Quesadilla Mobilla
95 N Main StDelicious places to grab a quick lunch. Affordable quality quesadillas. Lots of outside seating.
Solid breakfast spot with delicious espresso. Gluten free and vegan friendly options. Can be ordered online for pick up.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Love Muffin Cafe
139 N Main StSolid breakfast spot with delicious espresso. Gluten free and vegan friendly options. Can be ordered online for pick up.
One of Moab's finer restaurants. Locally sources food, constantly changing menu, great service and wine. Definitely go for a romantic evening.
20 Einheimische empfehlen
Desert Bistro
36 S 100 WOne of Moab's finer restaurants. Locally sources food, constantly changing menu, great service and wine. Definitely go for a romantic evening.
Sushi in the desert? This place is high quality delicious. If you're feeling loungy and in the mood for sake and Moab themed sushi rolls (I love the La Sal roll), this is your place!
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Sabaku Sushi
90 E Center StSushi in the desert? This place is high quality delicious. If you're feeling loungy and in the mood for sake and Moab themed sushi rolls (I love the La Sal roll), this is your place!
There are more Thai restaurants in Moab than bars, but this is the best one. Classic thai dishes. Pad see ew for you!
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Thai Bella Moab
218 N 100 WThere are more Thai restaurants in Moab than bars, but this is the best one. Classic thai dishes. Pad see ew for you!
Shopping
Great shop with local artists perfect for finding a unique gift for someone back home.
27 Einheimische empfehlen
Moab Made
82 N Main StGreat shop with local artists perfect for finding a unique gift for someone back home.
tumbleweed
31 N Main StAnother solid local business that supports local artisans.
Largest local supermarket. Great for grabbing picnic or dinner supplies. Can be madness. I recommend early morning or later evening shopping.
63 Einheimische empfehlen
City Market
425 S Main StLargest local supermarket. Great for grabbing picnic or dinner supplies. Can be madness. I recommend early morning or later evening shopping.
Sightseeing
Moonflower Canyon
Easy hike with petroglyphs down Kane Creek Blvd.
Incredible petroglyphs about an hour south of Moab on the way to Needles district in Canyonlands.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument
Utah 211Incredible petroglyphs about an hour south of Moab on the way to Needles district in Canyonlands.