72 Hours in Moab, Utah

Jun 24

You’ve been seeing Instagram pictures of Moab, Utah seemingly nonstop for a reason. This Eastern Utah town is home to two national parks, the Colorado River, and literally endless outdoor activities. To top it all off, it’s breathtakingly beautiful, and one of the most unique landscapes in the country.

I’ve been to Moab a handful of times, and complied a list of my recommended must-sees in an itinerary that’s ideal for those who love hiking and rustic camping. The itinerary only scratches the surface of things to do in this part of the country – I suggest taking the below into consideration, and sprinkling in some of your own ideas that match the type of experience you are trying to have.

**For the sake of this itinerary, we are going to assume that sunrise is at 6am everyday, and sunset is at 8:30pm (about what it typically is around Memorial Day in this part of Utah).

Day 1

5:00 pm: You spent the first part of today traveling, and about an hour before sunrise you finally drive into Moab, UT. The red rocks are glowing from the setting sun as you spend the last minutes of daylight setting up your campsite and starting a fire. A few free camping suggestions within Bureau of Land Management areas are below. There are no amenities and no running water, but camping in the “wild” Utah desert is an unreal experience.

Dalton Wells BLM Land: 38°43'04.1"N 109°41'21.8"W

Willow Springs BLM Land: 38°41'47.8"N 109°41'19.2"W

Day 2

5:00 am: Wake up before dawn and head right over to Canyonlands National Park for sunrise at Mesa Arch. This is one of the most popular spots in the area for sunrise, and one of the most photographs arches in the world. Breakfast in the car works best for catching sunrise!

6:30 am: After spending ample time snapping pictures and taking in the beauty of Mesa Arch, take a short drive down the road to the Grand View Overlook. This viewpoint gets you up close and personal with Canyonlands National Park, and you could easily spend an hour or two walking around the edges of the canyon and staring at the mesmerizing rock formations.

(HINT: you could swap activities 1 and 2 depending on where you want to see sunrise)

*Mesa Arch at Sunrise – Canyonlands National Park*

*Along the Grand View Trail – Canyonlands National Park*

8:30am: Take the short 1.2 mile Aztec Butte trail to see ancient Native American Ruins in the desert.

9:30am: Just a few minutes down the road lies the 1.5 mile Upheaval Dome trail, which features massive impact crater remains.

10:30am: If you’re into rock climbing, then this is the perfect time to head over to Wall Street to get some climbs in. You can go with your own equipment, or with a guide who will teach you the ropes (pun intended). If climbing isn’t your thing, Moab is know for it’s off roading and Jeep tours. Whitewater Rafting and Mountain Biking are also popular activities in the area. Tours and rentals of all kinds are offered by various businesses in town.

7:30pm: Drive back over to Dead Horse Point State Park, and watch the sunset from the Dead Horse Point Overlook.

Day 3

7:00 am: After sleeping in a little bit, head on down the road to Arches National Park. You will want to be in the park before 8am to avoid long entrance lines. Be sure to fill all water bottles at the entrance station on your way in!

8:00 am: Head over to the Devil’s Garden Trail, which showcases a whopping 8 natural arches along its route. This hike is on the longer side (7.5 miles), so you’ll want to get it done before the heat of the day.

12:30 pm: Once back at your car, you’ll likely want to sit in the air conditioning for a while and eat a packed lunch. It’s good practice to be drinking more water than you think you’ll need in the desert heat.

*Devil’s Garden Hike – Arches National Park*

1:30pm: After refueling, head over to “The Windows”. This short and easy 1.2 mile hike gets you up close and personal with two separate arches.

2:30pm: Finally, stop at the Park Avenue trailhead and hike this quick 2 mile route. You will be walking among towering sandstone cliffs that will make you feet like an ant.

4:00 pm: Treat yourself to an early dinner in the town of Moab! Some of my favorite local restaurants are below:

Sweet Cravings Bakery + Bistro: My absolute favorite for breakfast, lunch, and sweet deserts in between

Zax Restaurant: Pizza, wings, and your typical “American food”

Moab Brewery: There’s nothing better than beer and pub food

7:00 pm: On your way back to camp, go back into Arches National Park for one last hike. Drive to the Delicate Arch parking lot, and start hiking towards the arch for sunset. This arch is know as the most popular arch in the world, and is the one you’ve been seeing on the Utah license plates the whole trip. Sunrise is the best time to view this well-known formation. Bring a headlamp for hiking down the trail at dusk after sunset.

9:30 pm: Once you’re finally back at camp, make a fire and get ready for Utah’s nightly show: a million stars will be making their appearance soon.

Day 4

5:00 am: On your last day in Moab, wake up before the sun and head to the Corona Arch trail for sunrise.

7:00 am: After the hike, drive down the road to enjoy views of a deep canyon, the Colorado River, and Jug Handle Arch. All of which can be seen from your car.

8:00 am: Start driving back towards the town of Moab after Jug Handle Arch. On your way back, be sure to stop in the pull off to see road-side Petroglyphs (38°32'37.7"N, 109°36'01.6"W). While parked, this is a great spot to swim in the Colorado River. You’re probably feeling gross and sweaty at this point in the trip, so a take a few minutes to cool down and rinse up.