15 Best Things to Do in Arches National Park
Whether under a blanket of snow in the winter or a sky full of stars come summer, Arches National Park is, without a doubt, one of the best and most beautiful National Parks in the country!
I emphasize this because Arches National Park is one of the best year-round roadtrip destinations, and getting out to enjoy the park and its trails in any season is always a great time, with relatively mild but stunning winters and summers that are best enjoyed on a blanket beneath the core of the Milky Way Galaxy!
That said, Arches National Park certainly cannot be discussed without first mentioning how busy the relatively small park can be, which is why the National Park Service has experimented with advanced reservations to help best manage crowds and the visitor experience.
While this is an ongoing and ever-changing system, I highly recommend reading through the following sections below, as I believe that Arches National Park can best be enjoyed if you arrive with a good plan and realistic expectations for the amount of time you have to spend in the park!
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Arches National Park?
Arches National Park and the greater Moab area are among the best places to roadtrip throughout the year, as winter temperatures are fairly mild and snow is usually limited to no more than a few inches—often less—at its worst, almost never sticking around for more than a few days, occasionally up to a week.
During this time (December–February), temperatures often peak between 30–50° F (-1–10° C), which is why, when it does snow, visitors typically flock to the park with hopes of catching a glimpse at popular destinations, like the Delicate Arch!
Alternatively, summer daytime highs often exceed 100° F (37.8° C), which is typical in both July and August.
This is why, even though summer is a popular travel season with the kids out of school, the hottest months of the year are not the busiest time to visit Arches National Park, nor are they my recommendation.
Instead, the best time of year to visit Arches National Park is during the shoulder seasons—specifically March – mid-May in the spring and mid-September – October in the fall. However, since spring break travel in Moab is such a busy time of year, my overall recommendation is the fall, which is also my recommendation for visiting all five National Parks across southern Utah!
Now, all this goes without mentioning that June−August is the best time of the year to enjoy the stars—specifically the Milky Way—on a typically cloudless summer night, which is again why I want to stress that Arches, Canyonlands, and southern Utah are truly amazing places to visit throughout the year!
What is the Arches Advanced Vehicle Reservation System?
In 2022, Arches National Park implemented a vehicle timed-entry program in order to reduce the number of private vehicles within the park, as available parking space is the single-most limiting factor when it comes to the number of people that can visit Arches.
However, for the 2026 season, the National Park Service reversed course for the first time since implementing the system, announcing that advanced vehicle reservations are no longer required.
That said, it’s important to keep in mind that these changes are made on a year-by-year basis, meaning that the National Park Service may decide to reverse course in the future if limiting traffic in one of the country’s busiest National Parks is necessary to improve the visitor experience.
Arches vs. Canyonlands
Arches National Park
The biggest difference between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park is size, which affects congestion, and it’s why Arches is, by and large, the busier of Moab’s two National Parks!
This is because the vast majority of the best things to do within Arches National Park are all concentrated off the 18.4-mile (29.6 km) Arches National Park Road—the one and only paved road that cuts through the park.
For this reason, most visitors in Arches are essentially visiting the same places and trails off the scenic drive, with the exception of a few backcountry destinations.
This is why, even in 2022 when Arches National Park implemented an advanced vehicle reservation system to combat these crowds, Arches National Park continued to be one of the busiest parks in the county, and limited parking space has always been at the center of it all!
This is why I like to say that visiting Arches requires a good plan, with the intention of visiting the busiest areas, like the Devils Garden Trail and Delicate Arch Trail, early in the day in order to avoid the worst of the crowds before spreading out to other, less popular places throughout the park.
Canyonlands National Park
Compared to Arches, Canyonlands National Park is far less visited, which largely comes down to one thing: accessibility.
By this, I mean that Canyonlands National Park is divided into 4 districts, with the most accessible and popular being the Island in the Sky.
However, there’s also The Needles, the Maze, and the Rivers District, which are far more remote and spread out compared to how I just described Arches.
For this reason, Canyonlands takes much more time to get the sense that you’ve truly seen the best of it, which is why I highly recommend exploring beyond the Island in the Sky, as some of the best things to do in Canyonlands National Park, such as The Needles, can be enjoyed with a fraction of the crowds found in areas in and around Moab.
Read My Separate Post: Canyonlands National Park
Hiking Checklist - Arches
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Arches National Park.
15 Best Things to Do in Arches National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst.
However, it’s important to come prepared for the time of year you’ll be visiting. What I mean is that the temperatures in the summer regularly soar above 100 ºF (38 ºC), and the sandstone in the winter/ spring can be particularly dangerous and slippery when there’s snow and ice.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you plan your adventures appropriately for the conditions, while considering the guided options when the summer heat can make hiking far more dangerous than it is at other times of the year.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Delicate Arch Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
The Delicate Arch is a world-renowned freestanding arch, and for good reason, the Delicate Arch Trail is most popular day hike in Arches National Park!
That said, there is quite a bit to know before hiking the nearly all-uphill Delicate Arch Trail for the first time, which is why I highly recommend checking out my separate post, where I talk in detail about the best times of day to hike the trail, the best strategies to mitigate the crowds and summer heat, and my recommendations for enjoying the Milky Way at different times of the year!
Read My Separate Post: Delicate Arch Trail
My Print - Delicate Arch Trail
2. Arches Backcountry Tour
Of the nearly 1.5–2 million annual park visitors, few ever venture beyond the hikes and viewpoints off Arches National Park Road.
This is largely because the unpaved roads off the main park road require a high-clearance, 4x4 vehicle, but there are a few local companies out of Moab that make visiting the best of the Arches backcountry hassle-free on a half-day guided excursion, which I recommend if you’re someone looking to escape the crowds in an otherwise busy and somewhat congested National Park!
3. Sand Dune Arch Trail
Distance: 0.3 miles / 0.5 km
The Sand Dune Arch Trail is a very short, easy, kid-friendly day hike that leads to a beautiful, towering arch hidden among a sea of larger sandstone formations!
For all these reasons, the Sand Dune Arch has long been my favorite of the roughly 2,000 documented arches in Arches National Park, because it’s such a beautiful place to hang out, climb around, eat some food, and, during the hot midsummer months, get out of the sun, which is certainly something that cannot be overstated during the busy summer travel season!
Read My Separate Post: Sand Dune Arch Trail
4. Broken Arch Trail
Distance: 2.1 miles / 3.4 km
The Broken Arch Trail is a fun loop trail that begins within the Devils Garden Campground, passing two beautiful, lesser-known arches, including a narrow section surrounded by towering sandstone fins!
The reason the Broken Arch Trail is listed immediately after the Sand Dune Arch is merely not coincidence, as the two are like sister hikes and are often combined to make one longer adventure, since the Sand Dune Arch Trail is so short!
This is because between the Sand Dune Arch Trail and the Broken Arch Trail there is a short connector that hikers can utilize to combine the two, which I highly encourage you to check out in either of my articles in order to plan which trailhead and what direction seems like the best fit for your group.
Read My Separate Post: Broken Arch Trail
5. Double Arch Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
The Double Arch is one of the most unique sandstone formations in all of Moab, but that goes without saying that the Double Arch Trail is also one of the most popular day hikes in all of Arches National Park!
Nevertheless, the Double Arch is truly a must-see, which I recommend hiking either early in the day to avoid the majority of crowds or late in the evening for the best photos, as golden hour best lights up the beautiful red rock late in the day!
Read My Separate Post: Double Arch Trail
6. Devils Garden Trail
Distance: 7.9 miles / 12.7 km
The Devils Garden Trail is the longest day hike in Arches National Park, but it is one of my top recommendations when visiting for the first time, as the long loop passes countless different arches and stunning, one-of-a-kind rock formations, which is why the full Devils Garden Primitive Loop Trail is often regarded as one of the best day hikes in Arches National Park!
That said, there are at least ten different spur trails off the larger Devils Garden Primitive Loop, making Devils Garden the most diverse, but also one of the most challenging trails in the park considering all there is to see and do!
This is all to say, the full Devils Garden Loop Trail can be quite a confusing hike, even after reading my separate article linked below, which is why booking a guided tour can be the best and safest option to enjoy one of Arches’ most beautiful but long and remote adventures!
Read My Separate Post: Devils Garden Trail
7. The Windows Loop Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Windows Loop Trail is a favorite among both locals and visitors in Arches National Park, as the beautiful, easy loop passes not one but three towering arches over a very short distance!
For all these reasons, the full Windows Primitive Loop is one of the best easy, kid-friendly adventures in Arches National Park—not to mention, most visitors don’t bother hiking the full loop, making the east side of the North and South Window one of the best places to escape the crowds in an otherwise very busy area of the park!
Read My Separate Post: The Windows Loop Trail
8. Arches Airplane Tour
With Moab growing busier every year, visiting Arches National Park is surely a different experience than it was in years past!
That said, taking an aerial tour over Arches—or even over both Arches and Canyonlands National Park—can be a great way to enjoy Moab in a way that most people never get the opportunity to see!
9. Skyline Arch Trail
Distance: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
The Skyline Arch Trail is a very short, easy out-and-back day hike off Arches National Park Road that leads to a towering 77-ft. (23.5 m) wide arch visible from the trailhead!
That said, what I think makes Skyline Arch so special is not only the trail itself, but also a less-than-obvious secret access point where hikers can make their way up into the arch—if you know where to look!
To learn more about this little-known adventure in Arches National Park, I highly recommend reading all the details in my separate post linked below.
Ready My Separate Post: Skyline Arch Trail
10. Panorama Point
Panorama Point is the best drive-up location in Arches National Park to see the La Sal Mountains and Mt. Peale—the highest peak in the range at 12,721 ft. (3,877 m)—east of the park!
For the best views and photos, Panorama Point is best enjoyed in the late evening, especially for photographers, as this is when the typically harsh desert light begins to soften on the landscape, as opposed to the midday hours or early morning when the sun rises over the mountain range to the east.
Google Maps Directions: Panorama Point
11. Park Avenue Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
The Park Avenue Trail is a lesser-known hidden gem at the beginning of Arches National Park Road, and this easy out-and-back day hike, surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, attracts far less attention than other areas of Arches National Park down the road!
For this reason, I believe the Park Avenue Trail is ideal for both escaping the crowds and trail running, and if you plan the hike as I outlined in my separate post, the trail can also make for a fun and easy one-way, downhill adventure by utilizing both trailheads!
Read My Separate Post: Park Avenue Trail
12. Ring Arch Trail
Distance: 3.0 miles / 4.8 km
The Ring Arch Trail is a hidden social trail in Arches National Park, meaning it is not a designated or maintained trail by the National Park Service.
To this point, there are a number of social trails scattered throughout Arches National Park, but among the most popular, the Ring Arch Trail is one of the easiest because the vast majority of the hike from Arches National Park Road is flat!
To learn more about this little-known adventure that most park visitors never go out of their way to see, I highly encourage you to read about the full adventure in my separate article linked below!
Read My Separate Post: Ring Arch Trail
13. Arches Astrophotography Tour
From experience, I can speak firsthand about how photography—and astrophotography in particular—can be one of the most challenging forms of landscape photography to master!
I say this because there is quite a bit to know when it comes to capturing the best Milky Way photos in Arches National Park, and it has taken me many visits over many years to truly understand some of the best places and best times to be in those places based on the time of year I was visiting.
This is why, I highly recommend booking through one of the local experts out of Moab, as they will not only help you capture the best photos but also cut out the hassle of planning—where and when to be, and how the Milky Way rises across the park at different times of the year.
14. Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail
Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
The Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail is a short and often overshadowed day hike compared to the world-renowned Delicate Arch Trail just up the road!
That said, the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail climbs a fairly easy ridge just to the south of the popular Delicate Arch, making the entire area a great escape away from the vast majority of crowds found there and throughout Arches National Park!
For this reason, the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint is one of the best places to enjoy the park and Delicate Arch with a fraction of the crowds and effort it takes to hike the much more popular trail, which is why it’s one of my favorites when I’m looking for a quiet area to simply enjoy being outside!
Read My Separate Post: Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail
15. Arches Private Tour Guide
Considering all there is to see and do in Arches National Park, planning a trip can be overwhelming and best experienced through one of the local guides out of Moab, just outside the park!
That said, a private guide is a perfect option if you feel that hiking isn’t your strong suit, or if you’d rather take the advice of one of the experts in Moab, as they can be one of the best ways to experience the park hassle-free!
Why am I Recommending these Viator Tours?
One of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
Additionally, I’ve included these tours because exploring hard-to-get-to areas, like the Arches backcountry, might not be the way you want to go. Therefore, the tour options I’ve listed are a safe and amazing way to experience Moab and the greater area, and they offer the opportunity to discover nearby adventures that you may not have heard of otherwise!
25 Best Things to Do Near Moab
Since Moab is so far east in Utah, recommending the best things to do in the area entirely depends on what direction you’re driving to or from.
This is why the list below is fairly broad, but I wanted to include a list of adventures within a few hours in any direction of Moab, which is why these recommendations come from Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico!
1. Canyonlands National Park
I mean, how could my first recommendation not be Canyonlands National Park, located right on the other side of Highway 191 in Moab!
In any case, if you enjoyed reading everything I’ve written about Arches, I recommend checking out my separate article about Canyonlands National Park, where I share the same inside information about everything there is to see and do on all sides of the park.
Read My Separate Post: Canyonlands National Park
2. Dead Horse Point State Park (Sunset)
Dead Horse Point is a beautiful, panoramic island in the sky outside both Arches and Canyonlands National Park that feels like a hidden gem in Moab compared to the nearby National Parks that draw most of the attention!
I say this because Dead Horse Point State Park falls under the Utah Division of State Parks, and as a result, it is often overlooked, as most visitors drive right by on the way to Island in the Sky District in Canyonlands National Park.
This may be for one of a few reasons, but since Dead Horse Point is a separate state park, there is a small, separate entrance fee to visit. However, I believe the fee is well worth it, especially if you’re looking for something a little different and less crowded in the Moab area—not to mention, Dead Horse Point makes for an amazing drive-up spot to watch the sunset!
Google Maps Directions: Dead Horse Point
3. Moab Adventure Tours
Desert canyoneering is easily one of the best things to do in Moab, as there are a ton of options to choose from, with both half-day and full-day tours, as well as options that are great for singles, couples, and families with kids!
To this point, the first three options listed below are all the best half-day tours out of Moab, while the last three are all the best full-day adventures!
4. Moab Brewery
Moab Brewery is my favorite go-to spot to grab a burger and beer in Moab after enjoying a long day in either Arches or Canyonlands National Park!
I say this even after trying a number of other breweries in town, because, in my opinion, none are as good as Moab Brewery, located just to the south of the main downtown strip.
Yelp: Moab Brewery
5. Ice Lake & Columbine Lake Trail
Distance (Ice Lake): 8.8 miles / 14.1 km
Distance (Columbine Lake): 8.3 miles / 13.4 km
The Ice Lake Trail and Columbine Lake Trail are two stunning day hikes in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado that, at first glance, might seem out of the way compared to all the amazing adventures in and around Moab. In reality, however, both trails—located off the scenic Million Dollar Highway—are actually more convenient than they may initially seem!
This is why I could not recommend going out of the way to visit either of these stunning alpine lakes more, as the turquoise-blue waters of both lakes are truly worth the detour, especially if you already have plans to drive east of Moab and into Colorado!
Read My Separate Posts: Ice Lake Trail / Columbine Lake Trail
My Print - Columbine Lake
6. Moab 4x4 Adventures
Public lands in and around Moab stretch far beyond both Arches and Canyonlands National Park, encompassing countless beautiful canyons, arches, and endless miles of desert off-roading!
This is why I could not recommend looking beyond both National Parks more, as off-roading around Moab can be one of the best ways to escape the crowds that the parks inevitably draw year-round!
7. Grand Canyon National Park
As if the Grand Canyon needs its own introduction, know that Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim is only a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Moab.
That said, I’ve written an entirely separate article about Grand Canyon National Park, which includes my favorite sunrise and sunset spots, day hikes, backcountry adventures below the rim, and great insider advice regarding what to expect when visiting both sides of the canyon!
Read My Separate Post: Grand Canyon National Park
8. Havasupai Trail
Distance (One Way to The Confluence): 16.7 miles / 26.9 km
Elevation Change: ~3,300 ft. (1,006 m)
The Havasupai Trail—much like the Rim-to-Rim Trail in Grand Canyon National Park—is, without a doubt, one of the best backpacking adventures in the Southwest U.S.!
However, Havasupai is truly one of the most exclusive backcountry adventures there is, because of how challenging it can be to secure one of these elusive permits.
This is exactly why I wrote such a long and detailed post about the entire Havasupai Trail, the permits, and all the separate day hikes—including The Confluence—which is why I highly recommend checking out my separate article if you’re planning to visit or want to know how to visit Havasupai in the future!
Read My Separate Post: Havasupai Trail
9. Jailhouse Café
There’s absolutely no question that the historic Jailhouse Café in downtown Moab is the best local breakfast spot in town!
I believe this because the Jailhouse Café not only has amazing breakfast options, but the beautiful building that houses the restaurant has a long history in Moab that dates back to the late 1800s, where it originally served as the county courthouse and jail.
Since then, the courthouse served many different purposes, including a U.S. Post Office and a store, but as of 1992, the building was purchased and renovated to preserve its historic past, before becoming the quaint little Jailhouse Café that both locals and visitors from around the world can dine in today!
Yelp: Jailhouse Café
10. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in southwestern Colorado is often quite inconvenient when visiting the parks across southern Utah, but if you’re driving east toward the San Juan Mountains because of my Columbine Lake and Ice Lake recommendation, don’t skip over a visit to one of America’s most stunning and least-visited National Parks in the country!
That said, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park feel like an uncrowded hidden gem compared to both Arches and Canyonlands, making it one of my favorite places to get outside in an otherwise very popular part of the country!
Read My Separate Post: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
11. Antelope Canyon Tour
Antelope Canyon is a renowned slot canyon in the small town of Page in northern Arizona that is beloved by travelers from across the world!
That said, Antelope Canyon, and everything that Page, Arizona has to offer, is only a four-and-a-half-hour drive away from Moab!
If it’s your first time visiting, you may be asking one of the biggest questions regarding both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, which is: What tour is better?
Answering this question is exactly why I wrote a separate article, where I share my honest side-by-side comparison of both canyons, as I have been fortunate to visit Page and Antelope Canyon many times!
Read My Separate Post: Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon
My Print - Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon
12. Horseshoe Bend
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
It’s certainly not fair to talk about Page without mentioning the iconic Horseshoe Bend and the short trail just up the road!
Horseshoe Bend is one of the best things to do in Page, Arizona, and it’s truly a must-see if you’re already making the trip to the area to see Antelope Canyon.
That said, I personally love hiking the Horseshoe Bend Trail for sunset, as the west-facing viewpoint above the Colorado River is, without a doubt, one of the best year-round sunset hikes in northern Arizona!
Read My Separate Post: Horseshoe Bend Trail
13. Big Lake Sand Cave
Distance: 0.2 miles / 0.3 km
Going along with the previous two, the Big Lake Sand Cave is another hidden gem in Page, Arizona, as it’s located in a very unsuspecting location right on the edge of town.
To learn more, including my thoughts on the best time of day to visit the Shell Gas Station Cave, I recommend checking out my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Big Lake Sand Cave Trail (Shell Gas Station)
14. Shop Local National Park Gear
About as local as you can get, a few of my good friends out of St. George, Utah, design their own National Park gear from parks around the country.
My camera strap, made by my friends at WildTree, has been my longest-standing camera strap that I’ve owned, and I encourage you to check them out over any of the overpriced souvenirs in Moab.
Shop: WildTree
15. Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is often an overlooked destination between both the Grand Canyon to the east and the parks in Moab to the north, but it’s certainly not one to miss if you’re spending some time exploring northern Arizona.
I say this because Petrified Forest is known as the heart of the Painted Desert for good reason, and if you get out to explore some of what there is to see and do, I think you’ll see why this unique National Park is such a hidden gem!
Read My Separate Post: Petrified Forest National Park
16. Antica Forma
Antica Forma is the best pizza and Italian restaurant in Moab, and just like the Moab Brewery mentioned above, I always find Antica Forma to be a great option after spending a long day in either Arches or Canyonlands National Park!
Yelp: Antica Forma
17. Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park is a lesser-known hidden gem located between Moab and Capitol Reef National Park, and know that my old photo surely doesn’t show how beautiful and fun this place really is!
I say this because the entire park, including a number of easy trails like the Goblin’s Lair, is a fun place to run around and explore, and there are countless unique rock formations, like the ones in the photo below, that are only a few minutes’ walk from the main parking lot!
Google Maps Directions: Goblin Valley State Park
18. Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is often the most overlooked of the five National Parks across southern Utah, as visitors typically only spend a few hours exploring all there is to see and do!
That said, I have visited Capitol Reef a number of times, with my favorite recommendations being the Cassidy Arch Trail, the Grand Wash Trail, and, of course, the homemade pie in the Fruita Historic District!
However, I do not feel I have the best photos and experience to write a similar article as I have with countless other National Parks across the country, though I will soon enough!
In any case, the main thing that has stood out to me over numerous visits is just quiet Capitol Reef is compared to the other National Parks across southern Utah, and that’s not because it isn’t as beautiful—it’s because of accessibility.
Much of Capitol Reef National Park is located in very remote areas, stretching some 100 miles (161 km) from north to south across the desert. This is why few ever make it to some of the best, hard-to-reach areas, and it’s why exploring all the hidden gems within the park takes a lifetime to truly appreciate!
Google Maps Directions: Capitol Reef National Park
19. Singha Thai Cuisine
I love finding local restaurants that are different from the traditional American options that can be found in countless small towns across the Mountain West, and Singha Thai in Moab is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a great, healthy meal that’s different from the rest!
Yelp: Singha Thai Cuisine
20. Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Slot Canyons
Distance: 6.0 miles / 9.7 km
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places to explore in southern Utah. However, don’t underestimate how much of an adventure Hole-in-the-Rock Road within the monument is on its own!
What I mean when I say this is that most adventures out of Escalante, like Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons, begin down the long, remote Hole-in-the-Rock Road.
This drive is incredibly tedious and slow, both in a two-wheel and a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which may be necessary depending on the time of year, such as during the summer monsoonal season, when rain can flood and wash out sections of the road.
For this reason, it’s important to come prepared for the current conditions, which is why I recommend calling the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center prior to heading out.
In any case, both Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch are some of the best day hikes outside of Escalante, but if you’d like more of a guarantee on this fun but remote adventure, I recommend booking with one of the local guides out of Kanab. This is the best and safest way to get out in the National Monument without having to worry about your personal vehicle.
AllTrails: Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Slot Canyons
21. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, and everything there is to see and do within the beautiful Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, is only a 6-hour drive from Moab.
That said, I’ve written a detailed guide covering the best things to see and do in Sedona—including the best sunrise and sunset hikes, hidden caves, and great places to eat—linked below!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona
22. Four Corners
Four Corners Monument is not often a convenient stop when driving across the Southwest, but if you happen to be making your way between Petrified Forest, Moab, Mesa Verde National Park or even Albuquerque, then I highly recommend making the trip out of the way to Four Corners!
This quick stop may be just to 'say you did it,' but even still, I think that Four Corners makes for a nice place to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and simply break up a long day on the road.
Google Maps Directions: Four Corners Monument
23. Bryce Canyon & Zion National Park
It’s impossible to talk about the parks in Moab without mentioning both Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park, as both are commonly visited on the same trip when driving across Northern Arizona and southern Utah.
On that note, I have been visiting and revisiting Zion and Bryce Canyon for many years, just as I have with Arches, which is why I believe the lists I’ve created about the both parks are truly the best tips and recommendations you will find—especially when it comes to hiking the Angels Landing Trail in Zion and the Under-the-Rim Trail in Bryce Canyon!
Read My Separate Posts: Bryce Canyon National Park / Zion National Park
My Print - Bryce Canyon National Park
24. Fiesta Mexicana
If you’re looking for some great Mexican food, consider Fiesta Mexicana, located right in the heart of downtown Moab!
That said, their menu is one of the biggest I’ve seen, which is great when traveling with a big family, as everyone in your group will surely find something that they’ll love!
Yelp: Fiesta Mexicana
25. Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument easily makes my top recommendations, but in terms of being near Moab, Dinosaur is certainly the odd one out!
By this, I mean that most of the best things on this list are in the general Utah, Arizona, and Colorado area, making Dinosaur National Monument the most out-of-the-way adventure on this list.
However, I absolutely recommend going out of your way to see Dinosaur if you’re coming from or heading to northern Utah/ southern Idaho, but if not, keep Dinosaur on your list for a future trip!
Google Maps Directions: Dinosaur National Monument
3 Things to Know Before Visiting Arches National Park
1. Come prepared with the right gear for right the right time of year.
From 100° F (37.8° C) in the summer to black ice in the winter and spring, Arches National Park requires a certain level of preparation in order to have a safe visit.
In the summer, this typically means hiking both early and late in the day, while avoiding the midday sun, but in the winter and spring, melting snow and freezing temperatures often create hazardous black ice that has proven deadly on many of Arches’s dramatic and exposed trails.
This is why it’s important to always hike within your ability, come prepared with the right gear, and, most of all, have a realistic plan for what is possible based on the season you plan to visit.
2. Parking is the hardest part about visiting Arches National Park.
During the busiest times of the year, particularly mid-spring through late fall, finding parking at any of the destinations off Arches National Park Road can be very difficult.
This is why I continually stress that places like the Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, and the Double Arch are worth visiting first thing in the morning, as backed-up traffic and parking lots filled with frustrated visitors arriving mid-morning and beyond is common during the busiest times of the year.
3. Plan more than one day when visiting Arches National Park.
Utah has done a great job advertising that all five parks across the southern part of the state can easily be visited on a single road trip, and while that is certainly true, it’s really not the best way to experience each National Park for what they have to offer.
As for Arches National Park specifically, I believe at least two full days, if not three, is the best way to see all there is off Arches National Park Road—especially considering all the off-trail, or 'social,' trails that the National Park Service does not advertise to park visitors!
