Moab, Utah is a great basecamp for many adventures. I’ve stayed here twice in the last few years and it’s been a great location to visit a variety of parks including three national parks and quite a few state parks. There’s also a lot of hiking, off roading, and mountain biking trails. What I love most is the downtown of Moab. There are little shops and various restaurants, and it feels like an oasis in the desert. A great basecamp for all your local Utah adventures.
If you’re wondering what to do in the area, check out the recommendations below including where to stay, where to go, and what to eat.
What To Do:
Potash Road (10 minutes) – This road is 17 miles and gives incredible views. This is also the road you will use to access Corona & Bowtie arches.
Arches National Park (15 minutes) – This park is where the famous Delicate Arch is located and also features many other arches and beautiful hikes.
Corona Arch + Bowtie Arch (20 Minutes) – The trail head is accessible from Potash Road. While many arches are located inside Arches National Park, the 3 mile hike to these arches is worth it to see beautiful arches with less crowds.
Fisher Towers (37 minutes) – These are located north of Moab. They look like monuments of fins and spires coming up out of the ground. Kind of a mix of the formations at Capital Reef, Bryce Canyon, and the left side formations when you enter Arches National Park. You can take a 5.2 mile round trip hike while you’re there.
Canyonlands National Park (40 minutes) – Drive the scenic road and check out the overlooks. Don’t miss the famous Mesa Arch, most beautiful at sunrise if you’re willing to get up that early. There’s also some longer hikes you can take while in the park like Upheval Dome, Aztec Butte, and Neck Spring.
Deadhorse Point State Park (42 minutes) – I think this place is most beautiful at sunset. I’ve watched sunset twice here from different overlooks and it’s just magical to see the colors change across the landscape. Come early and do some of the hiking near the top.
Goblin Valley State Park (1.5 hours) – While this is a little further out, it could still be a great day trip combined with Capitol Reef from Moab. The most interesting mushroom / toadstool hoodoos cover this valley. You can make your own hike among them which was awesome and spend as much or as little time there as you’d like.
Capitol Reef National Park (2 hours) – A National Park I wish we would have spent more time in. I’d love to hike Hickman Bridge and to Cassidy Arch next time we’re in the area. The scenic drive itself and getting a pie from Fruita if it’s the right season for it make it worth it even if you don’t do any hiking.
Where to Stay:
- Best Western Plus Canyonlands – Full breakfast, a veranda, hot tub, pool, and nice rooms
- Hyatt Place – There’s a pool, fitness center, restaurant, free parking, free breakfast, and beautiful views from some of the rooms.
- Spring Hill Suites – This hotel has 2 pools, 3 hot tubs, a splash pad, complimentary hot breakfast, and a fitness center.
- Radcliffe Moab – We stayed 2 nights here and it was incredible. There’s a restaurant downstairs, the most comfortable Purple Mattress, gear storage and is pet friendly. We adored it.
- Or check out an Airbnb, VRBO or a campground!
What to Eat:
- Antica Forma – We loved the Neapolitan and Pistachio pizza here. It was a great lunch after a long hike in the morning.
- Quesadilla Mobilla – This is a gourmet food truck specializing in a variety of quesadillas including the “Fiery Fungus” and the “Dirt Bag”.
- The Spoke on Center – We ate here twice during our most recent trip. We loved the wings and salads. They also have ice cream too!
- Trailhead Public House and Eatery – They have burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips and vegetarian options. It was busy each night we drove by.
- Moab Spitfire Smokehouse – They have brisket, pulled pork, sausage, chicken, wings, and other meats. You can get sandiwches, platters, bowls, and sides.
- Il Posto Rosso – This is the restaurant downstairs in the Radcliffe Moab Hotel. They have a variety of pastas and then various items from “land and sea”. It’s definitely a little more high end but the food looks delicious.
- Moab Cofee Roasters – A great spot for coffee as well as gelato and ice cream!
- Moab Garage Co – When we visited, it was still the off season so we didn’t get to go in here but I’ve heard so many good things. Next time we visit, coffee here is a must do.
We loved our time in Moab and will absolutely be back in the future. I hope this is helpful in planning your own trip to the area. Happy travels!
