How to Spend Three Days in Moab: a Detailed Itinerary
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 07 Aug 2024
Are you stopping over in Moab and want to make sure you see all the highlights? Below, we’ve designed the perfect three day itinerary, ideal for a long weekend, including our favourite hotels, places to eat, sunset points, activities, hikes, evening events, road trips, lesser-known spots and more.
I’ve said this a lot, I know, but no trip to the American southwest is complete without a visit to the animated little town of Moab, in southeastern Utah. It’s the adventure capital of a state that’s pretty much all adventure, which tells you just how much fun there is to be had here.
Along with adventure comes mind-boggling beauty – in droves. The town itself is encircled by sheer red cliffs, divided up by the Colorado River just north of town. It’s vast, wild west America landscapes, inhabited by two extraordinary neighbouring national parks.
We’ve spent about two months hanging out in Moab, in total, over the past few years. We adore Canyonlands and Arches National Parks – the number of things to do in these magical places is never ending. However, outside of them, in Moab, are hiking, water-based and motorised adventures a-plenty, fantastic accommodation options, an array of top-notch food, plus outfitters to make any outdoor dream you may have come true.
If you are feeling extra pressed for time, check out our post on Arches vs. Canyonlands to decide which is the better park for you (and for some camping suggestions).
IN THIS GUIDE //
Moab Adventures
THINGS TO KNOW FOR YOUR ITINERARY
DAY ONE: FUN IN THE ARCHES
DAY TWO: CANYONS AND VISTAS
DAY THREE: RIVERS AND ROADS
ITINERARY MAP
WITH MORE TIME IN MOAB
MOAB RESTAURANT ROUND UP
FINAL THOUGHTS
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Things to Know For Your Three Day Itinerary
Moab is a small but iconic city in Grand County, southeastern Utah. It is positioned near the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers, two of the largest and most prominent waterways in the American southwest. The town is also just four miles from Arches National Park and 30 miles from Canyonlands National Park.
Useful things to consider when designing your own Moab itinerary:
⬩ The time of year changes the lengths of the day – May has longer days than October, for example. This means that you can fit more into a day during May!
⬩ Moab experiences strong seasons – the summer heat makes hiking very uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous. The winter brings chilly temperatures, ice and snow.
⬩ This itinerary doesn’t schedule in much down time. It is easy to adapt though if you need an afternoon or morning off.
⬩ Consider buying an America the Beautiful national parks pass – it gives free access to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, plus any other parks and monuments you may visit in the next year. If you do not intend to visit any other parks this year, purchase the $55 annual pass that allows access to just Canyonlands and Arches National Parks (plus Natural Bridges National Monument and Hovenweep National Monument – both worth visiting with more time and included on our Monument Valley itinerary).
⬩ This itinerary prioritises free things to do in Moab – mainly because there are so many free outdoor activities! Prices are mentioned where applicable.
Day One: Fun Under the Arches
Day one of this Moab itinerary begins in Arches National Park and ends with a scenic drive and optional hike. (For a more detailed schedule, check out our avoiding-the-crowds-in-Arches itinerary).
Morning/Afternoon: Arches National Park
This is one of the most popular places in the American southwest which, since 2022, has implemented a timed entry reservation system to reduce traffic and crowding.
Permits | Ensure to reserve your Arches National Park timed-entry reservations significantly ahead of time if you are visiting between April 1st and October 31st, alternatively plan to enter the park before 7am or after 4pm.
Things to know | There are no facilities in the park, so bring a lunch with you (we recommend burritos from Gilibertos – they travel really well, are huge, taste great, have veggie options and the price point is excellent). If not, visit one the markets in town (we really liked everything from The Village Market, including their burritos).
The Arches Visitor Center is just past the pay booth before you head up the hill to the park. If you want to pop in, do this at the beginning (or at the end if you arrive before it opens). It’s a particularly nice one and has a free water refill station.
Arches: Driving Options
Arches has one main paved road that slices through the park, around 18 miles (28 kilometres) long (a 45-minute drive).
If you do not intend to do any significant hiking, then a little over half a day is plenty enough time to drive the entire road and check out all the lookouts, wander around Balanced Rock, the Windows, Park Avenue and see a distant, but pretty, viewpoint of Delicate Arch.
Arches: Hiking Options
There are some really epic (and short) hiking choices at Arches National Park (we’ve hiked all these and recommend them):
Delicate Arch | The most popular hike is the three-mile round trip, uphill, slickrock trail to Delicate Arch – the one on all the Utah license plates. Head straight to the trailhead when arriving in the park – it’s busy, even with the timed-entry system in place. This hike will take around 2-3 hours, depending on how many photos you take of the largest free-standing arch in the park.
Devil’s Garden | The next hiking option is the Devil’s Garden region. This is home to several well-known arches, including Landscape Arch (the longest arch in North America) and Double O Arch.
This hike can be very short and easy, or long and strenuous, depending on how far you walk. Landscape Arch is only a 2-mile round trip (1 hour). To do the full loop is taxing and would take a minimum of half a day (it’s about 8 miles of rough-ish terrain, but is a fun route, for the most part).
Sand Dune to Broken Arch | This is a slightly quieter trail via Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch, which was one of my favourite hikes. I love how Sand Dune Arch is totally hidden away in a canyon – it reminded me of the Fiery Furnace hike a little (about 2 miles).
Alternative | For a totally epic experience, consider applying for permits for the best hike in Arches – Fiery Furnace. It’s absolutely incredible. The hike should take around 3-4 hours, depending on how much exploring you do, so schedule that in if you’re interested. To find out more about the hike and how to get permits, check out our recent Fiery Furnace guide.
Afternoon/Evening: Scenic Drive/Hike
Depending on how many arches you choose to hunt down, there may be some of the afternoon or evening spare on day one. If not, go for dinner!
Scenic drive | If you fancy a drive, consider checking out the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, Route 128 (also known as ‘The River Road’). This is an outstanding little road trip outside Moab, following the Colorado River through a narrow canyon for the first 13 miles.
Hike | If you have any energy left, follow Route 128 to the striking spires of Fisher Towers, around 24 miles in. This 5-mile, moderately challenging trail is one of the best hikes in Moab. Even if you don’t do it, the views from the Colorado River of the pinnacles, with the La Sal Mountains as a backdrop, is majestic. The late afternoon sun on the Fisher Tower peaks is a superb sight.
Optional | With enough spare time, from Fisher Towers, backtrack and drive up Castle Valley onto the La Sal Loop Road, which takes you from Moab’s 4000 foot elevation to an elevation of over 10,000 feet. This route is particularly pretty in fall, with the most crazy coloured trees I’ve ever seen (all hues of purple, orange, blue and pink extending across the mountains). The 62-mile La Sal Loop finishes (or begins) on the 191 just a little south of Moab in Spanish Valley, perfectly timed (potentially) for dinner.
We’ve driven this road several times in both directions, and, in our opinion, it doesn’t matter which way you choose to drive it. The route is a great choice in summer as a welcome respite from the inevitable heat.
Sunset | Potential for sunset on the mountain or at Fisher Towers.
Dinner | Arriving back into Moab, have dinner (if you haven’t already). If it’s before 5pm, check out the Moab Food Truck Park – it has loads of choices – try the quesadillas from Quesadilla Mobilla (excellent veggie options) or the smashing Tacos El Gordo. We ate from food trucks a lot in Moab!
For a finer evening sit-down meal, Thai Bella Moab is a lovely venue with outdoor seating and a decent veggie selection (bit pricey though). If you’re just craving a decent Italian pizza after all the hiking, try Antica Forma. I may have eaten here three days in a row once (don’t tell anyone).
SUMMER IN MOAB
Moab in summer is hot. Day time temperatures regularly exceed 100F degrees and it can be unpleasant, or even perilous, to do some of the hikes mentioned in this itinerary.
If you hike during the middle of the day – take loads of water, a hat, sunscreen, salty snacks and lots of caution.
It’s worth shifting some of these hikes to the evenings and mornings, especially if you’re like me and melt in the sun – it’s not worth the misery!
All of this applies to your pets, too.
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Day Two: Vistas and Canyons
Today is my favourite day, Canyonlands day! (For a more detailed schedule, check out our Canyonlands one-day itinerary).
Breakfast | Grab breakfast if your hotel doesn’t include it. Moab Coffee Roasters does excellent coffee and breakfast burritos (plus gelato if you’re around in the afternoon – or for breakfast, who am I to judge?). Moab Garage Co. is a cracking little place, with great breakfasts and a few good veggie options (ate here a few times in a row, too). Love Muffin has excellent veggie breakfasts too and is ideal if you want something to grab and go (loved the burritos – am I addicted to burritos?). If, unlike my burrito-obsessed self, you fancy something unreservedly sweet for breakfast, considering popping into Doughbird – they also have vegan options.
Morning/Afternoon: Canyonlands National Park
Things to know | The drive from Moab to Canyonlands National Park is a little longer than to Arches – around 40-50 minutes (50 kilometres). Make sure you include this time, and the return, in your scheduling.
There is no permit system in place at Canyonlands. It does not get jam-packed like Arches, however can still be busy.
Canyonlands is split into three enormous districts – the nearest to Moab is Island in the Sky. This is the area we refer to in this post.
Canyonlands: Viewpoints
As with Arches, there are several itinerary options in Canyonlands, depending on whether you want to do any significant hiking.
This park is basically made up of viewpoints, so it’s ideal for a more relaxed day if Arches and Fisher Towers destroyed you on day one! However, I love the hiking in Canyonlands and would recommend taking at least a short walk if you are able.
You can’t go wrong with any viewpoint in Canyonlands National Park. My favourites are Green River Overlook and Candlestick Tower Overlook, then Shafer Canyon and Grand View at the far end. There are so many though that you could easily spend at least half a day just checking them out and walking a few easy trails.
Canyonlands: Hiking
Here are some hiking options:
Easy hikes | Mesa Arch (30 minutes, 0.5 miles), Grand Point View (60 minutes, 1.8 miles miles), Whale Rock (60 minutes, 0.8 miles), Upheaval Dome Overlook (60 minutes, 1.2 miles), Murphy Point (1.5 hours, 3.4 miles).
Mesa Arch is the famous view in Canyonlands, and few people would want to miss it. However, having done all these hikes, my favourite is Murphy Point. It’s quiet, has outstanding views of the White Rim and Green River, plus you can even camp overnight here (with a permit). It’s one of my favourite places.
Challenging hikes | Murphy Loop, Lathrop Trail, Syncline Loop, Gooseberry Trail.
Depending on your fitness, these hikes are likely most of a day long (half a day if you’re fit as a fiddle). I’m definitely not fit as a fiddle, so I’ve only ever done them as overnight backpacking trips. My favourite is probably the Lathrop Trail.
I’ve not done the Syncline Loop – but it’s a challenging one. Don’t take it on in summer – a father and daughter recently died on that trail due to hot weather.
Advice | If you take on a longer hike below the mesa top, consider having an early start and hiking to Mesa Arch first thing – it’s amazing at sunrise (but full of photographers!).
Canyonlands: Off Road
If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle (or are willing to rent one), you can explore the White Rim for a day here in Canyonlands, taking the crazy Shafer Trail down to the canyons below the mesa. Alternatively, it is possible to enter Canyonlands from the Potash Road, going up the Shafer Switchbacks, then explore the viewpoints and hiking mentioned above.
For more general information on permits and logistics, check out our White Rim driving guide.
Evening: Dead Horse Point State Park
After exploring every corner of Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky mesa, head back out through the park exit and towards Dead Horse Point State Park. If you don’t want to pay the steep $20 state park entry fee, then my little secret is not to worry – sunsets are better in Canyonlands anyway. In our opinion, the best sunsets are at Murphy Point and Candlestick Overlook.
Dead Horse Point State Park does have some particularly great biking and hiking trails, so if you arrive early enough to justify the spend, finish your evening here exploring the park before heading back to Moab.
Thoughts | The aim is to be up on the mesa top for sunset, so if you think you won’t be doing many hikes, head up to Canyonlands later in the morning, around lunchtime (this will all depend on the length of the day).
If so, spend the morning exploring a little bit of the arty shops in Moab downtown, go easy bouldering at Lions Park or drive the 17-mile Potash Road (route 279) to check out some rock art, river scenery and dino tracks (also Kane Creek Road, just opposite Potash, has some cool petroglyphs, too – explore Moonflower Canyon).
Dinner | For dinner, pick up a hotdog from Street Dog or a burger from the legendary Milts, then check out one of the breweries (if that’s your jam). The famous Moab Brewery or Proper Brewing are your leading options. Both sell interesting beers and have typical American fare with some veggie choices.
If you prefer wine, try Rooted Vine – it’s newish and I’ve not been yet, but it looks lovely.
ASTROTOURISM | STARGAZING IN MOAB
There is a new buzz word around Utah – Astrotourism. It’s exactly what it sounds like, and it’s no surprise that in Utah, stargazing has become a big thing. The state has the highest concentration of designated International Dark-Sky Parks in the world, and every state and national park around Moab has been awarded this title.
It’s not hard to get out and do some stargazing – you can even be relatively close to Moab! Be aware of where and when the moon is out, because that can affect your eyes’ ability to adapt. Also, try using a headtorch on red mode to stop your eyes from adjusting to the white.
So, if you’re a bit of a night-owl, take a drive (or a walk) out of the city – almost anywhere will do!
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Day Three: Rivers and Roads
Day three in Moab is a bit of a wildcard. First, consider driving the La Sal Mountain Loop, Scenic Byway 128 or the Potash Road if you missed them on the previous days. These all have a lot to offer and are worth considering if your schedule didn’t fit everything in.
The rest of the day is reserved for activities. Moab is the adventure capital of the west, so whether you love rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, climbing, off-roading, ziplining, horse riding or some more hiking – this place has it all.
Even if you fancy a chill day, you can get a massage or check out the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage at Red Cliffs Lodge – we recommend staying overnight here if you can!
Moab Activities
Some of the most popular trips for visitors are rafting along the Colorado River and exploring the Jeep Trails around Moab (there are loads).
Off Roading
Jeep trails | If you have your own four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle, then check out the Fins and Things, Poison Spider, Chicken Corners or Gemini Bridges 4WD trails, or even Hell’s Revenge (experts only).
All the Jeep outfitters in town can provide maps and detailed information, plus rent you a quality, modified vehicle that is suitable for the routes. We recommend Canyonlands Jeep Adventures, who we used to rent our Jeep to self-drive the White Rim Road. The White Rim is another Moab offroad adventure (but commonly requires more than one day). If you don’t want to drive yourself, there are lots of Jeep tours available.
Rafting
I’m not a watery person, so for the most part I avoid rivers, which includes white water-rafting in Moab (although, weirdly, I desperately want to raft along Cataract Canyon because I’m always up for a terrifying challenge).
However, there are lots of opportunities to get up close with the Colorado River around Moab! Moab is the only major Utah town to have direct access to the banks of the Colorado River, so it’s no wonder that the city is buzzed about rafting!
Rafting tours | The Castle Valley/Fisher Towers area is very popular for half and full day rafting trips. The water is mostly calm (class I and II rapids) and the scenery is top-notch. There are more intense rafting excursions, including the notorious Cataract Canyon, which has 30 rapids, including class IV and Vs. For some examples of what is on offer near Moab, check out Get Your Guide.
Other Activities
There are a myriad of single-day activities in Moab, too many to list here. Check out some examples below or investigate some local outfitters for inspiration, like the Moab Adventure Center (we’ve used these guys and recommend them).
If, by the end of all this, you want to do just one more hike and you’ve already ticked off Fisher Towers, check out Corona Arch down the Potash Road. It’s pretty popular, but free, and perfect at sunset.
Evening
Dinner in the park | For dinner, if it’s a Friday you’re visiting in summer or fall, there might be free movies in Swanny City Park, in central Moab. There are also some free, family-friendly concerts sporadically through the summer, too. Check out the calendar on the Moab city website to see if your trip will coincide with any. I just checked and on this Friday coming, at time of writing, is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which coincidently, was filmed in Moab!
If so, go to the supermarket, take the budget route and stock up on dinner, snacks and drinks! Alternatively (or additionally – again, no judgement), buy some excellent frozen yogurt from the park-adjacent MOYO (be prepped for the price though).
Dinner cruise | Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little less rustic, consider a dinner cruise with sound and light show along the Colorado River to mark your last night in Moab.
Dinner under the stars | For something even more off beat, join an astronomy tour!
It’s Moab, the options are almost endless.
Itinerary Map
Below is a savable Google Map of this Moab itinerary.
⬩ Yellow markers indicate day one
⬩ Orange is day two
⬩ Red is day three
⬩ Places to eat are marked by green icons
⬩ Blue are hotel recommendations
To view these sections individually, select the icon in the top left corner of the map. To save the map, click the star next to the title.
MOAB – QUICK FACTS
Population | 5321
Elevation | 4025 feet (1227 metres)
Number of visitors | 3 million+ yearly
Incorporated | 1902
Films shot nearby | 200+
Named for | an ancient Biblical kingdom
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With More Time Around Moab
Three days in Moab just doesn’t really do the area justice! If you can squeeze a couple more days in the region and are done with the myriad of activities on offer, the below are what we’d suggest:
Needles District of Canyonlands | a hiking and off-roading fantasy land.
Monument Valley and around | check out our post on 10 offbeat things to do in Monument Valley or the ultimate showdown between Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods
Goblin Valley | my favourite state park, full of crazy looking hoodoos and impeccable camping.
Little Wild Horse Canyon | an excellent slot canyon hike with easy car access. For more slots like these, have a look at our favourite slot canyons in Utah.
For more ideas and routes, check out our insanely detailed southern Utah road trip itinerary or our 31 favourite crowd-free spots in southern Utah.
BEST RESTAURANTS IN MOAB | ROUND-UP
Great for Breakfast | Doughbird, Moab Garage Co., Love Muffin, Gilibertos, Moab Coffee Roasters
Great for Lunch | MOYO, Quesadilla Mobilla, Tacos El Gordo, Street Dog, Milts
Great for Dinner | Thai Bella Moab, Antica Forma, The Moab Brewery, Proper Brewing, Rooted Vine
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BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MOAB | ROUND-UP
We’ve stayed in loads of places in Moab at varying budgets (Moab is generally expensive – stay in Green River for slightly lower prices, or camp). These are the best ones we’ve found:
Bowen Motel ($$) – this simple motel has the most central location on the main street, comfortable, clean rooms, and often a decent price point. We’ve stayed here a few times now and never been let down. It’s always our choice when the price is right.
Moab Rustic Inn ($$) – decent sized but slightly dated rooms, however it was clean, quiet, with a great price-point and also had a pool.
River Canyon Lodge ($$) – we’ve stayed here a few times since they did room renovations and it’s nice. The rooms are small, but modern, there’s a pool and the location is right next to the Moab Food Truck Park, which we love. You can hear a little through the walls though.
Kokopelli West ($$$) – super cute, colourful cabins, lovely hosts, great location. This amazing little find has modern, up-to-date rooms with comfy beds, fire pits and a general vibe that I just loved.
Under Canvas Moab ($$$) – I’ve stayed in other Under Canvas locations, and this particular one lives up to the reputation. It’s like luxury glamping and I love it! The tents gets pretty hot though, so I’d give it a miss during the scorching summer months.
Red Cliffs Lodge ($$$) – if you’re looking for something a bit special, this could be it. Hidden down Route 128, surrounded on all sides by cliffs, perched on the shore of the Colorado River is this surprising find. The location is unmatched, the rooms have a modern twist but with a kind of wood cabin vibe, and the room patios are huge. We actually discovered this place by driving past it – then immediately booked it!
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CAR HIRE FOR YOUR SOUTHWEST ITINERARY
We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent trips in the United States, with Discover Cars. They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily. We fully recommend them.
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TAKE A LOOK BELOW OR CHECK CAR RENTAL
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Final Thoughts
I absolutely love stopping in Moab – it’s such a tiny city with a massive buzz. There’s just a little bit more sparkle and energy than in many other small Utah cities. The town has also resisted, for the most part, the influx of chain restaurants and supermarkets, which to me at least means its character is more on display. Moab is a particular easy place to ensure your money is spent locally, too.
There’s also an atmosphere of exhausted affability from visitors in Moab, many of whom are likely taking on hikes and activities that are well beyond their average comfort zone. It feels like every evening, the community, as a whole, has that ‘runner’s high’. This is the best way I can explain it.
We genuinely hope that this itinerary helps you plan your three day break. It’s a complicated place – every individual has different interests and physical abilities, plus there are just so many options!
Have a fantastic trip – it’s the epicentre of adventure!
Where to Next?
Now that you’ve got your Moab trip sorted, have a peek at our larger southern Utah road trip itinerary. It’s got everything you could need to plan an extended trip in the area, including detailed information on surrounding regions like Monument Valley, Page, Escalante and even the Grand Canyon!
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