15 Best Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park
From the dramatic cliffs atop the Island in the Sky to the endless drainages throughout The Needles and the Maze, Canyonlands National Park is one of the most expansive and remote National Parks in the lower 48 states, which is why many of the best adventures are quite inaccessible to most park visitors!
By this, I mean that there are four districts in Canyonlands National Park, including the Island in the Sky, The Needles, the Rivers, and the Maze. Of these four, most park visitors are typically considered lucky if they have time to experience both the Island in the Sky and The Needles, as these are the only two accessible without the need for a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle.
However, I think it’s important to highlight that some of the more remote areas in Canyonlands National Park are more accessible through some of the local guiding companies out of Moab, which can make for a much easier, hassle-free experience to get into parts of the park that few ever see!
This is all to say that whether you have just a short time or can plan numerous districts over a multi-day visit, some of the best and most beautiful adventures are very accessible from the park’s Island in the Sky District, which is, without a doubt, one of the best places to catch both sunrise and sunset in and around Moab—something that I talk extensively about in the list below!
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Canyonlands National Park?
Canyonlands 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 Mesa 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 Canyonlands National Park, nor are they my recommendation.
Instead, the best time of year to visit Canyonlands 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 Canyonlands, Arches, and southern Utah are truly amazing places to visit throughout the year!
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.
Read My Separate Post: Arches National 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.
Hiking Checklist - Canyonlands
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 Canyonlands National Park.
15 Best Things to Do in Canyonlands 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. Mesa Arch Trail (Sunrise)
Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
The Mesa Arch Trail is a very short and easy day hike that leads to a beautiful 27-ft. (8.2 m) sandstone arch that sits just above the rim of the Island in the Sky!
That said, the unique location of Mesa Arch is widely regarded as one of the most photogenic spots in Canyonlands National Park and one of the best places to catch the sunrise on the Island in the Sky!
For all these reasons, the Mesa Arch is a very popular location among photographers and park visitors in general, and if this is a photo you may be interested in taking, I highly recommend reading about my experience in a separate article linked below, as there are some things you may want to know before visiting.
Read My Separate Post: Mesa Arch Trail
My Print - Mesa Arch Trail (Sunrise)
2. Chesler Park Loop Trail
Distance: 10.7 miles / 17.2 km
The Chesler Park Loop Trail is a long but stunning day hike that combines both the Chesler Park Trail and the Joint Trail to create one beautiful loop through the heart of The Needles, beginning from the Elephant Hill Trailhead!
That said, the Chesler Park Loop Trail is often regarded as the highlight of The Needles District, as there is no better way to enjoy The Needles—including a number of beautiful slot canyons and caves on the Joint Trail—than by completing the full loop!
This is all to say that I could not recommend the Chesler Park Loop more, but at the same time, the long adventure is certainly best suited for more experienced, independent hikers, given how remote The Needles District truly is and the amount of scrambling and route-finding required over the course of the long loop.
Read My Separate Post: Chesler Park Loop Trail
3. Canyonlands Backcountry Tour
The vast majority of Canyonlands National Park is very remote and challenging to access. As a result, the backcountry is not often visited by most people who come to Canyonlands National Park for the first time, as most are considered lucky if they have time to visit both the Island in the Sky and the Needles in a single visit.
With all that in mind, I think it’s important to highlight that venturing below the rim of the Island in the Sky is easier for out-of-state visitors than it may initially seem, as there are a variety of local operators out of Moab that can take you to places along White Rim Road—the main backcountry road below the island—that most visitors never get the opportunity to see!
4. Upheaval Dome Trail
Distance: 1.3 miles / 2.1 km
The Upheaval Dome Trail in the Island in the Sky District is a very short day hike that leads to one of the most unique and mysterious geologic formations across the greater Moab area, because even the best geologists aren’t exactly sure what it is or how it got there!
To learn more about the mystery, including the full trail to the most beautiful viewpoints above the massive crater, I recommend reading all the details in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Upheaval Dome Trail
5. Colorado River Rafting Tour (Rivers District)
The Rivers District is the least visited of the four main districts in Canyonlands National Park, which largely comes down to its lack of accessibility for most who visit the park!
However, booking an excursion with an experienced local guide out of Moab is one of the best and easiest ways to enjoy the elusive Rivers District in Canyonlands that few ever see!
That said, the first two options are the best, cheaper half-day tours, where it simply depends on your preference regarding the time of day, but the last option is a full-day experience in one of the most remote parts of Canyonlands National Park that all, for obvious reasons, are best enjoyed through the planning and safety of a local guide!
6. White Rim Overlook Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
The White Rim Overlook Trail is a very easy, mostly flat out-and-back trail that leads to a stunning overlook along the edge of the Island in the Sky that I see as the best all-around sunrise and sunset hike in Canyonlands National Park!
I say this because the White Rim Overlook makes for one of the best alternatives to the much more popular Mesa Arch Trail down the road, but on top of that, the overlook is a beautiful, panoramic place to watch the sunrise over the La Sal Mountains to the east, or watch the golden light fade across the landscape at sunset, as in the photo below!
Read My Separate Post: White Rim Overlook Trail
7. Pothole Point Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
The Pothole Point Trail is a very easy, kid-friendly day hike in The Needles District that, for lack of a better way to describe it, makes a great place to get out of the car to run around and explore!
That said, it’s easy enough to stick to the short Pothole Point Loop Trail, as outlined in my separate article, but if nothing else, the quick, beautiful adventure is simply a fun place to climb around on all the little formations—especially if you stick around to watch sunset along the cliffs of the mesa!
Read My Separate Post: Pothole Point Trail
8. Neck Spring Trail
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9.0 km
The Neck Spring Trail is a quiet and often overlooked day hike on the Island in the Sky that leads to a beautiful natural desert spring, similar to that of the Dripping Springs Trail in Grand Canyon National Park or the Weeping Rock Trail in Zion National Park!
That said, the 5.6-mile (9.0 km) loop is slightly longer and has more elevation change than most day hikes on the Island in the Sky, but what I think sets it apart from other adventures is that the historic trail follows in the footsteps of southern Utah’s long ranching history, which is still very evident on much of the loop today!
On top of this, the photo below was taken at a beautiful, little-known viewpoint off the main loop that can be a great place to escape the crowds and take a break on this longer adventure.
For all these reasons, I highly recommend reading my separate post before visiting, where I not only talk about the loop and the hidden viewpoint, but also why I think there is one best direction to hike the loop, given that it’s certainly easy enough to set off from the trailhead in either direction.
Read My Separate Post: Neck Spring Trail
9. Aztec Butte Trail
Distance: 1.7 miles / 2.7 km
The Aztec Butte Trail is a very short but deceivingly challenging day hike in Canyonlands National Park, and I say this because the relatively short out-and-back distance is not indicative of the trail’s overall difficulty.
That said, there is quite a bit of steep scrambling that hikers must navigate in order to climb to the top of the flat-topped butte, which you can see and learn about in detail in my separate post linked below.
This is all to say that the Aztec Butte Trail is one of the more 'difficult' adventures in the Island in the Sky District, but there is more to the trail—specifically historic Puebloan structures that can also be reached via a much easier fork in the trail. This is why I think the Aztec Butte Trail is worth the hike, whether you plan to climb to the summit or not!
Read My Separate Post: Aztec Butte Trail
10. Slickrock Trail
Distance: 2.7 miles / 4.3 km
The Slickrock Trail, also referred to as the Slickrock Foot Trail, is a mostly flat adventure in The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park that most hikers never get to see the best of!
By this, I mean that most hikers on the Slickrock Trail never venture far enough at the very end of the loop to see the best views the trail has to offer.
This is why I highly encourage reading through the details in my separate article so that you can experience the most beautiful parts of the full Slickrock Loop Trail before turning back to the beginning!
Read My Separate Post: Slickrock Trail
11. Green River Overlook
The Green River Overlook is widely renowned for being one of the best drive-up viewpoints to enjoy in the Island in the Sky District—especially around sunset, when golden hour lights up the best of the Rivers District below the rim!
I say this because the panoramic views at the Green River Overlook are unlike those at any other viewpoint in the park, and for photographers, there are countless unique angles to shoot this beautiful overlook from both sides of the main viewpoint!
Google Maps Directions: Green River Overlook
12. Cave Spring Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
The Cave Spring Trail is one of the best, shortest, and easiest day hikes in Canyonlands National Park to learn about southern Utah’s long ranching history!
This is because the short 0.6-mile (1.0 km) Cave Spring Loop Trail passes some of the most beautifully preserved artifacts from this historic ranching era, but on top of this, the short loop is a very fun adventure, as it climbs numerous ladders and passes a beautiful natural spring—one of the main reasons ranching was once possible in an otherwise very arid landscape!
Read My Separate Post: Cave Spring Trail
13. Murphy Point Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
The Murphy Point Trail is a flat, easy out-and-back trail on the Island in the Sky that leads to a stunning panoramic viewpoint on the west side of the mesa, similar to the White Rim Overlook on the other side of Island in the Sky Road!
This is why the Murphy Point Trail is one of my personal favorite day hikes in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park—not to mention, the easy 1.7-mile (2.7 km) trail makes for one of Canyonland’s best sunset hikes, which you can learn all about in my separate article linked below!
Read My Separate Post: Murphy Point Trail
14. Grand View Point Overlook & Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
The Grand View Point is both an overlook and a trail at the far southern end of the Island in the Sky that I think is the best and most rewarding day hike in all of Canyonlands National Park!
I say this because the relatively short 0.9-mile (1.4 km) out-and-back trail traverses the southernmost portions of the Island in the Sky, leading to one of the most panoramic viewpoints in the park!
Furthermore, the Grand View Point Trail is also one of the easiest adventures in the park, as there is very little elevation change over the course of the trail, all making it one of the best things to do in all of Canyonlands National Park—especially at sunset!
Read My Separate Post: Grand View Point Trail
15. Whale Rock Trail
Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
Whale Rock is a prominent sandstone rock formation in the Island in the Sky District that very distinctly looks like the shape of a whale from miles away!
As for the hike, the Whale Rock Trail climbs to the summit of Whale Rock, where visitors are rewarded with beautiful, unobstructed 360º views, which is why I often think the Whale Rock Trail is the second-best sunrise and sunset hike in Canyonlands National Park—second only to the White Rim Overlook Trail mentioned above.
Read My Separate Post: Whale Rock Trail
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 Rivers District, 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. Arches National Park
I mean, how could my first recommendation not be Arches 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 Canyonlands, I recommend checking out my separate article about Arches 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: Arches 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 it can get, a few of my good friends out of St. George, Utah, design their own National Park gear inspired by parks around the country!
In fact, my camera strap, made by my friends at WildTree, has been the longest-standing camera strap I’ve owned.
I mention all this because, if you want to take home something to remember your trip to Canyonlands, 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 Canyonlands 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, Canyonlands 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 Canyonlands’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. Plan more than one day when visiting Canyonlands 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 Canyonlands National Park specifically, I believe at least three full days, if not more, is the best way to see both the Island in the Sky and the Needles District at the very least, if not the Rivers District too, through one of the local guiding companies mentioned above.
3. Canyonlands National Park is deceivingly remote.
The idea of feeling remote is probably not something that comes to mind in the Island in the Sky District, with the exception of the Syncline Loop Trail, but outside of the most popular adventures on Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park gets very remote very fast!
I often say the same about adventures in Death Valley National Park too, but the reality is that on many adventures you won’t see a single other person on any given day of the week.
Even on popular adventures, like the Chesler Park Loop Trail in The Needles, one wrong turn in an already very confusing, remote landscape could mean getting lost.
This is why it’s important to have a good plan, let someone know where you’re hiking, and, if possible, share your location with family and friends!
