20 Awesome Things to Do in Moab, Utah

Famous for the thousands of sandstone arches in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and beyond, Moab is likely on every outdoorsy traveler’s bucket list. It serves as the perfect launching point for all kinds of adventures, from adrenaline-pumping activities like white-water rafting to chill paddling excursions and more. If you’re looking for things to do in Moab, Utah, look no further.

Let’s start with Arches National Park, perhaps the most popular place in Moab. The park gets its name from its spectacular array of rock formations, including (but not limited to) the famous arches. There are over 2,000 arches in the park and hundreds of sites to see them. Despite there being so many, there are a few that garner much more attention than the others because of their size, complexity, and ease of access.

You could potentially spend your entire time in Moab just exploring Arches National Park, because there are so many things to do there — from driving along Arches Scenic Drive to hiking to the legendary Delicate Arch — so you’ll want to plan at least a full day or two to explore this iconic Utah national park.

If it’s your first time visiting Arches or you’re running low on time, these are a few particularly interesting points of interest that you shouldn’t miss:

1. The Windows

Among the easiest hikes in Arches, with perhaps the best payoff, the Windows hike is just one mile long round-trip. The trail brings you to an area with that gets its name from two mind-blowing, window-like formations: the North Window and South Window. These arches sit next to one another, with another rock jutting out between them, creating something that looks like eyeglasses. Aptly, this structure is also known as The Spectacles.

2. Double Arch

You can continue on The Windows Trail just past the North and South Windows to the awe-inspiring Double Arch. Here you can stand underneath two gigantic orange-rock arches, taking in one of the most impressive spectacles of nature in the US, let alone Utah.

Keep in mind that, along with The Windows, Double Arch and the surrounding area (which also includes the Parade of Elephants and other structures) is one of the most crowded areas of Arches National Park. Due to the ease of access and abundance of attractions here, this small area fills up quickly, so it’s best to go as early in the morning as you can if you want to enjoy some solitude.

3. The Three Gossips