Itineraries for Your Trip to Moab
3 Days in Moab for First Timers
I was knocked off my feet by Moab's stunning beauty from my first visit, and that made returning over and over again a no-brainer. The town's location in southern Utah makes it easy to spend a day in Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park, two of the area's certified Dark Sky Parks where stargazing is at its peak. With three days in Moab, you'll have time to visit both parks and go white-water rafting when the summer temps creep up. This 3-day Moab itinerary for first timers offers some of the best ways to tackle this natural playground.
Moab has hot, dry summers and cold winters, but each shoulder season is ideal.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a sunset hike.
Start off your Moab visit with a favorite outdoor activity: canyoneering. If you’re a newbie, a guided experience is the way to go so that you can ease through Moab's slot canyons like a pro.
Afternoons in Moab can get quite hot, so it's the perfect time to head out on the Colorado River for a float experience. White-water rafting lets you work as a team while you take in the stunning scenery.
With three days to explore, you'll have enough time to visit both nearby national parks, especially if you get an early start. Start day two by heading to Canyonlands National Park to drive the White Rim Road, or check out the stunning Gooseneck Overlook, the perfect spot for a group photo.
Arches National Park is not far away, so put an afternoon visit on today’s schedule. You'll find plenty of tours that will take you to all the top spots in the park, such as Balanced Rock and the Windows section.
Before you wrap up your Moab visit, get the adrenaline going with some off-roading in the desert. Hop into a utility-terrain vehicle (UTV) and navigate steep climbs over sandstone and slickrock along the Hell's Revenge Trail.
Sunsets in the national parks offer a whole other world. Plan to head into Arches at dusk to see the colorful sky dip behind the mountains. If you time your visit well, you might be able to enjoy a stargazing experience offered there. Or, if you’re up for more adventure, return to a calm section of the Colorado River for stand-up paddleboarding.
