Moab, UT Road Trips

Moab is a unique Western community situated in the red rock country of Southeastern Utah on the Colorado River. Arches National Park is only six miles from downtown and Canyonlands National Park is 32 miles from Moab. The city is surrounded by public lands which are used not only for grazing, drilling, and forestry but for recreation such as mountain biking, hiking, rafting, rock climbing, highlining, B.A.S.E. jumping, skydiving, disc golf and cross-country skiing. Because the area is rich in these recreational opportunities, Moab has become the hub of tourist activity and services.

Jeep trail, ☏ +1 858-998-9039. On Sand Flats Road, 2.3 miles from the intersection of the Sand Flats Road and Millcreek Drive in Moab. One of the most famous Mountain Biking trails in the world. (updated Jun 2018) 1 Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracks. Along this nature trail, which requires a moderate 1/2-mile hike, Morrison Formation dinosaur fossils and petrified wood may be seen in a natural setting. The trailhead is in Mill Canyon on a dirt road, accessible by passenger vehicle, off U.S. Highway 191, 13 miles north of Moab, Utah (near mile marker 141). 2 Dan O'Laurie Museum of Moab, 118 E Center St (Near Main Street). This 50-year-old museum specializes in the history of Moab, with exhibits on geology, paleontology, mining, history and anthropology. 3 Castle Valley. A town located at the foot of the humongous Porcupine Rim. (updated Feb 2026)

Moab lies along the Colorado River and offers excellent opportunities to get out on the river. The most popular option is a one-day trip on the Fisher Towers section. Also known as the "Moab daily" this 14 mile stretch of river is perfect for families with children or anyone wishing to escape the heat. Slashy and fun this is a wonderful way to take in the beauty of Moab from a different perspective. NAVTEC Expeditions, 321 N. Main St, ☏ +1-435-259-7983. NAVTEC Expeditions is an established Colorado River Rafting and National Park back-country outfitter. Rafting trips include the Fisher Towers, Westwater Canyon, and Cataract Canyon. 4x4 and hiking tours to Canyonlands Island in the Sky, Needles, Maze, and Arches National Park. Canyoneering trips to the Robbers Roost, Blue John, and High Spur slot canyon. Trip lengths vary from half-day to multi-day. Raft rentals and all the required gear are available for do it yourself river trips. Red River Adventures, 1140 S. Main St, ☏ +1-435-259-4046. Red River Adventures is a ten year old company that is Moab's only adventure company permitted to guide rafting, canyoneering and rock climbing and does so in house. Tex's Riverways, 691 North 500 West, ☏ +1-435-259-5101. Since 1958, Tex's Riverways has provided professional canoe and kayak outfitting services to groups of all sizes traveling on the Colorado and Green Rivers.

ZAX, 100 South and Main ST (Corner of 100 South and Main ST), ☏ +1 435-259-6555. 11:00AM to close. Family restaurant with a pizza bar that the kids will love. Also has a sports bar. Pasta Jay's, 4 South Main St, ☏ +1 435-259-2900. Order the Tortellone Alfredo or the Chicken Pesto Tortellone.

Moab Brewery, 686 S Main St, ☏ +1 435-259-6333, [email protected]. Su-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11PM. Great food and great beer since 1996. They have a separate dining and bar area. Billiards and TV are available in the bar area. The Black Raven Stout is to die for. On weekends get here early or prepare to wait. (updated Apr 2019) Spanish Valley Vineyards. Produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Riesling and Gewurztraminer wines. Purchase at the Moab liquor store and look for bottles on the menu of Moab restaurants. The Spoke Bar, 5 N Main St. Good place to grab a drink. (updated Oct 2025)

Aarchway Inn, 1551 North Highway 191, toll-free: +1-800-341-9359. Aarchway Inn is a 97-room Moab lodging facility nestled between the picturesque red rock cliffs and buttes of the Colorado River. Offers guest shuttle service. Serves a complimentary hot breakfast and offer indoor secure storage for bicycles. Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn, 16 S Main St, ☏ +1 435 259-5167, fax: +1 435 259-2301. Offers rooms and suites. Amenities include a pool, hot tub and secure bike storage. Best Western Greenwell Inn, 105 S Main St, ☏ +1 435 259-6151, fax: +1 435 259-4397. Cali Cochitta Bed & Breakfast, 110 South 200 East, ☏ +1 435-259-4961. Check-in: 4-6PM, check-out: 10AM. This B&B is a renovated late 1800s home in a quiet neighborhood. The rooms are comfortable, clean and relaxing and offer a blend of vintage and new furnishings which add warmth and personality. The grounds offer lots of trees, furniture, herb and rose gardens. Wonderful homemade upscale breakfast is included in the room rate. Other amenities include hammocks and a hot tub. $85-165. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1515 Hwy 191 North, ☏ +1 435 259-1150. Wolfe's Hotel Moab, 1089 N Main St, ☏ +1 435 259-6686, fax: +1 435 259-6838. The River Canyon Lodge, 71 West 200 North, ☏ +1 435 259-8838, toll-free: +1-866-486-6738, fax: +1 435 259-0519, [email protected]. It offers modern and comfortable hotel rooms for business and leisure traveler. Offers a pool, hot tub and secure bike storage. Pets are welcomed.

If you are approaching Moab while driving west along I-70, use Utah Route 128 for the beautiful scenery. About 10 minutes past the Colorado-Utah border is exit 214 on I-70, it is marked as "Cisco". The landscape at this point is extremely dry, slightly hilly. The road is narrow (no shoulder), and somewhat curvy, and it's about 80 km to Moab. About half-way, the road narrows, meets and then crosses the Colorado River, and the remainder of the trip is spent with the river on your right side and spectacular canyon walls surrounding you. This piece of pavement is one of the best drives in North America. Optimal times to take it are the morning (~9AM) or afternoon (after 3PM) for the light -- do not drive it at night (you can't see anything and it is more dangerous -- use US 191 instead). Watch for traffic, particularly bicycles as you approach Moab. The urge to rubber-neck is extreme, and needs to be resisted: be a passenger if you can. Eventually, UT 128 ends at US 191, a few minutes north of Moab. 1 Canyonland Field Airport (CNY IATA). has commuter service to Denver and Salt Lake City. Bookings from beyond can be ticketed with United or Delta to reach Moab. Ground transportation between Moab and the airport should be reserved in advance. (updated Apr 2021) Amtrak's California Zephyr stops in Green River, Utah (GRI). Combine the train with flights into Denver; Grand Junction, Colorado; or other places along the Zephyr line, then reserve a taxi or bus service to travel 52 miles to the town of Moab.

Moab's Main Street is part of US Route 191. Traveling north on Main will get you to Arches National Park, Canyonland Field Airport, and Interstate 70. To get to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park, by backcountry dirt road use Utah State Route 279, which intersects US-191 near the entrance to Arches National Park. To access Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point by pavement continue farther north on Hwy 191 to Utah State Route 313.

In summer time, Moab can get very hot. Drink extra fluids as needed. If you plan to go off-roading or camping out on the trails, take at least one gallon of water per person per day.