What is moab like

Bourbon is the featured spirit at La Sal House, and it turns up in a number of recipes, as well as in its top-notch cocktails. Settle in early for a classic Boulevardier, with bourbon, Campari, and vermouth, or my personal favorite, the Cholla, a seasonal drink made with tequila, beet juice, lime, and house grenadine. On hot summer days, get your ice cream—or, rather, your cryocream—fix at Moab Garage Company , which blends its ingredients with liquid nitrogen to create custom flavors like blueberry basil without relying on preservatives.

While it may seem like a tourist trap from the road, the attraction actually has some serious science and great displays, including life-size dinos. Then see the real thing—or at least real dinosaur footprints—for yourself at Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trails, an interpretive loop run by the Bureau of Land Management 16 miles outside town along Highway Round out your Moab education with a stop at Back of Beyond Books , one of the best bookstores in the West, and browse its extraordinary collection of natural history, environmental literature, guidebooks, current bestsellers, and rare titles.

Other worthy side trips include the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase—Escalante National Monuments to the southwest, the centerpieces of the most recent fight over the protection of our public lands. For a full immersion, head to Kane Gulch Trailhead at Bears Ears, and hike the mile-long Grand Gulch, home to petroglyphs, pottery shards, cliff dwellings and ancient kivas.

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. Outside does not accept money for editorial gear reviews.

Read more about our policy. Search Search. The definitive outside guide to everything Moab. Twitter Icon. Book Your Trip. By: Frederick Reimers. By: Nicholas Hunt. No matter which one you choose, this is such a beautiful place to end your day in Moab area. Rafting on the Colorado River is a must-do activity if you visit Moab in summer.

With a variety of choices, there is always a perfect rafting trip for everyone. We opted for this family-friendly half-day rafting tour and had the best time!

You can even jump in the river for a short swim. If you rather go for a bit more action, then take a look at this highly-rated rafting tour that does wilder parts of the river. The scenery along the Colorado River near Moab is astonishing and a rafting trip is a great way to experience it. This is another experience you absolutely must do in Moab! Utah State Road must be the best-kept secret of the Moab area.

We found it more impressive than the famous Monument Valley. Sections along the Colorado River and along the canyon are really beautiful too.

We arrived from Colorado and left the Interstate 70 at Cisco. The whole length of the road from Cisco to Moab is approximately 46 miles and takes about 1 hour. We found that this was one of the most scenic roads from all our trips all over the world, so we highly recommend it to everyone as one of the absolute best things to do in Moab.

Now that you know what to do in Moab, you might be wondering how to best plan your time in the area. If you want to see all the best places in and near Moab in just two or three days, take a look at our suggested self-drive itinerary further below!

Further below, we have a couple of additional suggestions for what to do in Moab if you have more time. Take a look! It is valid in all U. National Parks and federal recreation sites for one year from the month of purchase. Update: Because of all the questions we received, we have recently also published a more detailed article with sample itineraries for any trip for up to five days. Take a look below! TIP: Moab is known for its many outdoor adventures and there is a big selection of fun activities in the Moab area to choose from.

If you have more time in the Moab area, in addition to hiking and exploring the National Parks, I really recommend that you do something a bit more adventurous. You can go rafting on the Colorado River , go mountain biking , join an off-road UTV tour these are very popular! No matter which one you choose, these fun activities will make your trip to Moab even more memorable! Yes, Moab is absolutely worth a trip. While the town itself is just a place to base yourself, the Moab area is simply stunning and has a lot to offer.

Seeing Arches and Canyonlands National Parks is the main reason to visit Moab, but there are also many other stunning places nearby and a big variety of activities that you can do in the area.

In addition, you can also take a short rafting tour, as we did. Moab is a year-round destination, but spring and fall are the best times to visit Moab. Moab is one of the best American destinations for spring break! Moab has a big variety of accommodations for all budgets. Most hotels are located along the main street in Moab downtown, but there are also some very nice accommodations outside of town. Here you can find our hand-picked selection of the best Moab hotels and accommodations for any budget.

Check it out! TIP: Using the map below, you can also compare hotels and private accommodations in Moab. In the mood for something upscale? Over the past decade Moab has become more popular than ever before, hosting an average of more than three million people every year.

Crowds do ebb somewhat when temperatures soar during the dog days of summer, but generally speaking Moab is busy year-round. The busiest time of year is always around Easter Weekend when the annual Jeep Safari takes place.

During this time, it can be hard to find a hotel stay or available campground. Many Moab hotels allow dogs and the town is somewhat pet-friendly. Animals can die within minutes of being left in a hot car. Be a considerate traveler when visiting Moab so that others may enjoy its magnificence too. Visit Forever Mighty to learn more about responsible travel in the state of Utah.

The best time to visit Moab is in the spring or fall when temperatures pleasantly hover in the 70s and low 80s F C. In January lows dip into the 20s and in July temperatures can skyrocket to more than F 38 C.

When it rains in Moab, the slickrock becomes incredibly slippery and tough to navigate, hence its name, so check weather reports before heading out on any adventure.

Experience the fun and adventure of camping with a side of luxury. Music is deeply entrenched in Utah's cultural lifestyle. For example, read about Utah's capital, Salt Lake City, and you'll soon discover it's one of a handful of cities its size that is home to a professional ballet, symphony and opera, alongside multiple theater companies, dance companies, America's choir and so much more.

Music is as much a part of Utah's landscape as our iconic mountains and arches. Discover some of Utah's music festivals here. Written by Kristen Bonkoski. Written by Kristen Bor. Follow this itinerary for a week-long winter road trip across the snow-covered desert of Southeastern Utah. Written by Austin Wright. See coffee shops in Salt Lake City on this short video tour of some of the best coffee shops in Utah. Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations.

Check it out and plan your trip! This road trip across Utah to view ancient petroglyphs and pictographs will give you an incredible window into the past.

Written by Elainna Ciaramella. Many small businesses in Utah rely on tourism for survival. These expert tips help road trippers make a real difference in communities by supporting local. Written by Andrea David. Follow a Germany-based film enthusiast on an extended road trip to discover the rich history of Utah cinematography. Written by Tiffini Porter.

One of the best tips for visiting Moab is to come prepared to do this! Due to high use, human waste is a serious issue at dispersed campsites, and in some areas like the Canyonlands backcountry , poop must be packed out in approved waste bags or portable toilet systems. Approved waste bags can be purchased at the Moab Information Center and local outdoor retailers. Pack out pet waste as well. There are many reasons to stay on established trails while recreating in Moab.

The soil is made up of moss, lichen, and fungi that retain moisture for other species to thrive and helps reduce erosion in desert environments.

Even a single footprint can have a seriously negative impact, and in some cases, it may never recover. When you meet a group on the trail, let them pass or politely pass them without stepping off the trail to avoid making it wider. Moab is home to many natural cultural features, like Native American artifacts from the Navajo, Ute, and Pueblo Tribes. Here, you are able to see preserved remnants that are thousands of years old, like ancient stone dwellings and former places of worship.

There are also preserved dinosaur footprints, wall drawings, and more. Some tips for visiting Moab straight from the locals is to drink one gallon of water per day, per person. Sun protection and moisture-wicking clothing are a must-have, and so is good footwear. Make sure you have durable hiking boots that provide arch and ankle support, plus enough grip for trekking around rocky desert terrain.

For remote locations, you may even want to consider bringing a satellite communication device such as a Garmin InReach so you can get a hold of someone if the unexpected happens. A great tip for visiting Moab is to avoid hiking alone unless you are very confident in your abilities, are super prepared, and have notified someone of your plan. Always carry a map or your navigational tool, like the Garmin InReach mentioned above, and familiarize yourself with the route before you start hiking.

The locally-owned shops and restaurants of Moab are what give it a distinct character and culture all its own. Set aside some time to explore the downtown area, patronize local businesses, and support the folks who live there.

Check out some of these spots during your next visit. A good outdoor adventure should always include refueling with delicious food and drinks. Keep an eye out for businesses with a Green to Gold sign , indicating that particular establishment is taking steps to reduce their environmental impact.