Captivating arches and trails for days make Moab a hiker’s paradise and playground for nature enthusiasts. Just 7-miles from your upscale accommodations at Under Canvas Moab, you’ll discover Utah’s famed Arches National Park, home to the well-known Delicate Arch, and Canyonlands National Park. Whether you’re a repeat visitor or a first timer in search of thrilling adventures, there are plenty to be found in this desert landscape. Discover these areas like never before with seven unique ways to experience Moab.
Visit Dead Horse Point State Park
Although not as well-known as Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park is a must-see. Just 23-miles from Under Canvas, you are in for a truly memorable experience. Sunrise and sunset are the perfect times to witness the full majesty of the canyon as the sun illuminates the panorama of red and rust-colored cliffs. Below, you’ll see the Colorado River that winds through the vast canyon. There are several hiking trails to explore ranging from easy to moderate. With far fewer visitors than the neighboring national parks, you can enjoy the trails and picturesque overlooks with fewer crowds.
Walk Where Dinosaurs Roamed
Come face-to-face with prehistoric giants that called Utah home millions of years ago. Walk where they walked along the Dinosaur Tracks Trail at Moab Giants Dinosaur Park and Museum. Whether you’re visiting with kids or are a dinosaur enthusiast yourself, learn something new and let your imagination take over while you explore all the park has to offer. Here you can dig for fossils, meet life-size giants, enjoy the prehistoric aquarium, interactive museum, dinosaur playground, dinosaur trail, and more.
Cool off at Ken’s Lake
Just 10-miles south of Moab, Ken’s Lake is the perfect hot-weather retreat. The clear, shallow water surrounded by the La Sal Mountain peaks and scenic red rocks make this a favorite spot for boating, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and fishing. While in Ken’s Lake, you may want to visit nearby desert waterfall Faux Falls. The stream water that cascades down the red rock is cooler than the lake’s temperature and the wading pool below makes for another great spot to take a refreshing swim.
Go Off-Roading on Hell’s Revenge Trail
Take the road less traveled on an adrenaline-pumping off-road adventure. The 6.5-mile Hell’s Revenge Trail is made for 4×4 vehicles only. We recommend booking a guided tour that typically takes 2-3 hours to explore the petrified dunes. If you’re an experienced off-road driver, you can rent a Jeep or bring your own 4×4 vehicle and try to road yourself. You can expect to see spectacular scenery along the way with plenty of laughter as you cruise over untamed terrain.
Raft Down the Colorado River
White water rafting is a top activity in Moab and for good reason. Careening down the Colorado River will guarantee an unforgettable experience. You’ll enjoy panoramic views as you wind along the mighty river. Choose from floating down calm waters to navigation through class 3 rapids for your adventure. You can find lots of Moab river rafting tours for either a half-day or a full day of fun and some even include lunch. Make sure to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and bring enough bottled water out on the water with you.
Explore the La Sal Mountains
For a taste of different scenery, discover the La Sal Mountains (the second tallest mountain range in Utah) which can be seen from Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. With picturesque alpine views and lush forests, it’s like stepping into another world different from the rest of the region when you’re in the Manti-La Sal National Forest. You could easily spend a half-day or more taking in the views from the 60-mile La Sal Mountain Loop Road with lots of scenic pull-offs you can stop at along the way. If you’re looking to explore on foot or on bike there is a plethora of hiking and mountain biking trails ranging in distance and difficulty to choose from.
Drive the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park
With winding roads along steep cliffs, driving the White Rim Trail loop provides expansive views of the surrounding area and is an adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, you will circle the Island in the Sky mesa and gaze down into the canyons carved out by the Green River and Colorado River. To drive the entire 100-mile loop typically takes 2-3 days to complete, but you can enjoy parts of this unique Canyonlands experience with a day trip. For the drive along narrow cliff edges, past scenic overlooks, around towering buttes, and up and over rocky hills, you must have a 4×4 vehicle with high clearance (like a Jeep), a free day-use permit, and entry to Canyonlands National Park. Making the drive deep into the canyon offers visitors spectacular views of the white rim that many others miss out on.
For more ways to explore Moab or to book your adventure, our Adventure Concierge team is available to help you plan a grand outdoor experience during your stay at Under Canvas Moab.