So much to do: Moab provides gateway to host of recreation opportunities
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- Delicate Arch in Arches National Park sits under the starry night sky.
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- The town of Moab sits on the banks of the Colorado River in eastern Utah.
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- Canyonlands National Park, near Moab, showcases terrain carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers as well as other natural processes.
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- Moab has a variety of jeep and other UTV tours.
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- Moab has a variety of whitewater rafting opportunities.
It’s unlikely you could find many people in Utah who don’t know anything about Moab.
But how many really know Moab?
Nestled in the dramatic landscape of Utah’s eastern high deserts, Moab is an oasis surrounded by countless amazing views and stunning experiences.
“Moab is pretty centrally located to do lots of different activities,” said Jason Taylor, owner of Canyonlands Jeep and Car Rentals and a member of the Moab city council. “It’s a great place because it has activities for the people who are just looking to see the sights to someone who wants to jump off a cliff. It checks all the boxes for almost every group of people traveling and wanting to be in the outdoors.”
The town has evolved over the years, providing a wide range of accommodations, dining options and adventure activities.
Taylor — who has been in Moab for 30 years — shared tips for those interested in getting to know the Moab area better, whether they are coming for their first visit or have been here frequently.
Here’s some of his suggestions:
The national park icons are icons for a reason.
Many visitors come to Moab simply because it is so close to a pair of beautiful national parks, Arches and Canyonlands.
“For people who who want to sightsee, you have Arches National Park which has, of course, Delicate Arch, great hiking trails, Balanced Rock, just some amazing areas,” Taylor said. “If you’ve never been to Arches National Park, you’ got to go to Arches. You need to spend a day in Arches checking out everything there.
“Then you have Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point, which are absolutely amazing and are Grand Canyon-esque. We have a lot of the same type of scenery and same views and vistas without the crowds at the Grand Canyon.”
The two national parks can be explored from the road to see some of the sights but they also have extensive trail systems for those wanting to hike through the rugged country. They can also get very busy during peak seasons, so be aware that lines to get in may be long and parking may be challenging at popular locations.
Choose from many ways to explore the wild lands.
While the parks have been designated as such to preserve the natural beauty, there are plenty of other locations and activities for adventure-minded individuals. It’s a destination spot for enthusiasts who want to explore both on land and on the water.
“If people want to go and ride a UTV, you know, they can rent a UTV, they can rent a jeep, they can do a guided trip in the backcountry and see more stuff that way,” Taylor said. “They can get away from people and kind of be out in the backcountry alone, which is what a lot of people seek. And there’s a lot of incredible landscapes and beautiful areas.”
The terrain makes it an iconic spot for two-wheel riders as well, with numerous mountain bike trail systems to explore.
It also has the powerful Colorado River that flows through town, providing rafting opportunities as well.
“You can raft the Colorado River, which is one of most iconic rivers in the West and is right here in Moab,” Taylor said. “We have great river rafting from calm stretches to adrenaline-junky whitewater that are just right here and accessible.”
Respect the country and come prepared.
Taylor talked about how it is important for visitors to understand both their own limitations and the risks of the region, but said there are plenty of resources to make sure they are properly prepared.
“Moab is on almost everybody’s bucket list for mountain biking, but if you’re a beginner mountain biker, the Slickrock Trail — which is the probably the most iconic trail in the U.S. almost — is probably not the right trail to do just for your first trail. I think doing some research can help you find different activities that are right for you.”
It is also very clear at both the national parks and with outfitters in Moab that adventurers need to be very aware of potentially hazardous conditions.
“We do encourage people to tell people where they’re going,” Taylor said. “Sometimes there’s cell service, sometimes there’s not — but more often there’s not.”
He said that no one should underestimate the importance of basic preparations.
“It’s important to have plenty of water, to check the weather forecasts, to do all that stuff that encourages people to be safe in the backcountry,” Taylor said. “Take food, take sunscreen, take a jacket, even though you think you might not need one. Probably 99% of time they’re not going to need any of that stuff but it’s just good to be prepared.”
Come explore and see what Moab has to offer.
The outdoor adventures often bring people to Moab but there are other attractions as well, including museums and exhibits. Just north of Moab is Utahraptor State Park, which features an enormous bed of fossilized dinosaur bones.
Taylor invites anyone who is interested to come check out the area and take advantage of the resources to learn about the possibilities.
“Come to Moab,” Taylor said. “You won’t regret it. We have the Moab Adventure Center and Canyonlands Jeep and Car Rentals, but there are also a lot of great resources through Discover Moab. There are a lot of things to do, and a lot of people who will help you plan a very memorable trip down here.”
For more information, go to DiscoverMoab.com.
