Recreation Guide to Moab, Utah

Moab, Utah is one of the most unique locations in the world. Thousands visit this hot desert every year on sightseeing tours, annual events, vacations and sometime out of pure curiosity. The fact still remains that Moab is a destination that stands out above the rest. Here are the top places to go and the top 10 activities to do while in Moab.

When you begin to map out the various activities and destination that the Moab area has to offer, you find that the list keeps going and going. Many people are already aware (or have heard) of some of the main attractions: annual Moab Jeep Safari/Convention, Arches National Park- including Fiery Furnace and the famous Delicate Arch, Canyonlands National Park and the Slickrock Bike Trails. Familiarity with Moab comes from both the Hollywood scene as well as the recreation/vacation industry. Moab’s unique landscape and scenery has also been the desired location and focus for many Hollywood movies including: Stagecoach (1939), Rio Grande (1950), Warlock (1958), The Comancheros (1961), Cheyenne Autumn (1963), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1963), and parts of more recent films: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1988), Thelma and Louise (1990), City Slickers II (1994), and Mission: Impossible II (2000).

Either way, Moab continues to grow in popularity around the world. Here is a comprehensive visitors guide to visiting Moab, Utah.

Where to go in Moab

Moab is one of the few places that offers multiple National Parks and State designated recreational areas within a short radius. Below is a short list of some of the most popular places to visit while in Moab, Utah.

Arches National Park- One of the most recognized and well-known desert landscapes in the world. The classic red rock arches, fins and natural rock sculptures dot the entire National Park area.

Slickrock Bike Trail- Moab has long been referred to as the “mountain bike mecca” of North America. The Slickrock Bike trail is anything but “slick”, as this trail curves it’s way through the sticky red rocks of Moab making for some very fun and intense mountain biking.

Colorado River- The mighty and famous Colorado River winds its way right through Moab on its way down to Lake Powell and eventually into the Grand Canyon. A small highway follows the Colorado River for a beautiful, scenic ride. You will also see the many riverside ranches and southwest lodging destinations along the way.

Hole in the Rock- Not too far out of downtown Moab, you can visit “Hole in the Rock”. A house completely carved into a stone mountain, this tourist attraction in always a hit.

Canyonlands National Park- This is the second National Park that borders Moab. This destination is a little different in nature, as it spans a large area that, for the most part, has no direct roads into. There are plenty of trails and other options to view the National Park (air, river), but worth the views.

La Sal Mountains- Moab is also surrounded by a beautiful mountain range called the La Sal Mountains. Snow-capped mountains, forest trails and wildlife are all abundant.

Top 10 Activities In Moab

Because of all of the designated outdoor recreational areas, Moab arguably has the best variety of outdoor activities in the US. The most common activities are:

1. River Rafting
2. Mountain Biking
3. Hiking
4. Rock Climbing
5. Off-Road/4x4
6. Canyoneering
7. Street Biking
8. ATV/Motorcycles
9. Scenic Flights
10. Horseback Riding

All of these activities are offered by adventure companies and outfitters located in the town of Moab. Without previous experience in the area, is it always recommended that visitors use the local guides and services for not only safety reasons, but also to maximize your experience in the area.

Author
Ryan Hutchings is the Marketing Director for the Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com) in Moab, UT. He is an avid outdoorsman and adventure seeker. He has extensive experience with online adventure tourism and internet marketing.