Travel Guide

Explore The Many Things To Do Near Moab

National & State Parks

Biking & Hiking Trails

Dinosaurs

River Rafting & Horseback Riding

Dining

Arches National Park

Arches National Park is an amazing family park. Foot trails lead to many park features. You can see a lot from your car, but to get a sense of the timelessness and the scale, spend some time hiking and enjoying the park.

A 41-mile round-trip paved road in the park leads to the major sights, including Balanced Rock, Skyline Arch, and the Fiery Furnace. In summer, rangers lead guided walks. Bicycles are welcome on roads in the park. Our favourite hikes are the hikes to Delicate Arch and Corona Arch.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park has three districts: Islands in the Sky, Needles, and Maze which includes Horseshoe Canyon with its life-size petroglyphs and pictographs.

The Islands in the Sky district is the most popular for visitors. From the inn, it is a 1-hour scenic drive. The Island provides easy access to overlooks with spectacular views of the canyons and other geological formations.

Manti-La Sal National Forest

The La Sal Mountains are one of the best-kept secrets in the Moab area. Dramatic landscapes of alpine mountains and high desert plateaus come together with striking contrast and beauty. The La Sals are the second highest mountain range in Utah, and offer fishing, biking, hiking, and camping.

We recommend that you drive the entire scenic loop, stopping in Warner and Oowah Lakes – the 2 to 4 hours are well worth it. Otherwise, you can take the more direct, 10-mile route from the Inn.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Perhaps Utah’s most spectacular state park, Dead Horse Point towers 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, providing an astonishing panorama of the sculptured pinnacles and buttes of Canyonland.

Slick Rock Bike Trailhead

Easily one of our favorite – and most challenging – biking trails, this 12-mile route takes 3 to 4 hours to complete. If you want to experience the thrill of Slick Rock without the biking, we recommend a hummer tour, full of fun and excitement.

Grandstaff Trail

Grandstaff Trail (formerly Negro Bill Canyon Trail) follows the perennial stream that formed this small sandstone canyon, and winds in and out of cottonwood and willow tree copses. Most of the trail is well-shaded in the summer and ends in a beautiful overhang over which Morning Glory Natural Bridge arches.

Fisher Towers

Fisher Towers is an easy, single-track hiking trail that we highly recommend. These awe-inspiring rock formations are the subject of incredible photographs and some well-known advertisements, and are loved by rock climbers and base jumpers.

Professor Creek Trail

This beautiful gem starts out in the sun and is then shaded by cliff overhangs.

Sylvester Trail

This gentle trail has striking views of the Priest and Nuns, Castle Rock, Adobe Mesa, Professor Valley, and Richardson Amphitheater.

Onion Creek Trail

This long trail is great for off-roading and biking, with multiple river crossings.

Porcupine Rim

Ideal for biking and running, we have easy access to the trail from the inn. This trail is one of the reasons so many love coming to our neck of the woods, with it’s unparalleled variety and breathtaking views.

Castle Rock Trail

We love this accessible trail, just a few minutes from the inn. While Castle Rock is a popular climbing site, the easy-to-navigate trails at the base make this area perfect for clearing your mind.

Bull Canyon (Fisher Mesa) Dino Track Site and Overlook

There are many dinosaur track sites in the area, and this one is unique, with evidence of one or more dinosaurs moving at different speeds.

Moab Giants

Moab Giants is a dinosaur park and tracks museum that packs a whole lot of punch for individuals and families alike. The park’s expertise in fossilized footprints and the region’s paleontology make this an educational and scientific resource worth the visit.

Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite

With a mix of more than 200 dinosaur footprints as well as fossilized dinosaur bones still embedded in the rock, this tracksite is a must-see destination. Visitors can follow the path and educational panels along this self-guided and family-friendly tour of the ancient past.

River raft the “Daily”

Rafting this 14-mile section of the Colorado River with its six rapids is a lot of fun if you aren’t looking for extreme rapids.

Ride where John Wayne rode

A horseback ride is another great way to take in the quiet expanse pf the desert. The Hauer Ranch wranglers are experienced and informative guides.

Embers (Formerly The Cowboy Grill)

Just a few minutes away, this restaurant offers good food with a beautiful view of the river and Fisher Towers.

River Grill Restaurant

A short drive away, this restaurant is a good combination of ranch tradition and modern cuisine.

Desert Bistro

Quaint and full of charm, this local restaurant is located in Moab and is open every evening, except Mondays.

Milts Stop and Eat

A Moab institution, this diner makes the best burgers and malt milkshakes in town. They’re open every day except Monday.

Broken oar restaurant

Known for its excellent food, laid-back environment, and friendly atmosphere, this Moab restaurant offers a wide menu and lots of good conversation.

Moab Coffee Roasters

We buy our coffee here because they use organic beans, roast their beans daily, know a whole lot about coffee, and have a great vibe.