Post Updated December 2024
Considering that Moab, Utah is home to two different national parks, it’s no surprise that there are loads of amazing Moab hikes. Although Moab is the name of the town, I like to assign the name to the area like Moab enthusiast Edward Abbey did. Although Moab proper is home to enough beautiful hikes to spend months there, the area holds even more. So, I’m going to list the best Moab hikes in order of closest to furthest from Moab proper.
Courthouse Wash Art Panel Trail
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 5 minutes / 3 miles
LOCATION: Technically, Arches National Park, but no entry fee is required
TRAIL DISTANCE: 1 mile round trip – out and back trail
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
If you’re interested in Native American petroglyphs, I highly recommend this trail. The trail takes you across the Courthouse Wash and up along a cliffside to a spectacular panel of ancient artwork. There are also petroglyphs on rocks on the ground, so watch your step because foot traffic could permanently damage them. It’s technically part of Arches National Park but the trailhead is located outside of the park boundary so you can do this hike even if you’re not wanting to purchase an entrance to Arches National Park. Also, remember to never, ever vandalize or “add to” petroglyphs. Not only is it illegal, it’s an asshole thing to do. Read more about petroglyphs in the area here.
Park Avenue Trail
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 15 minutes / 8 miles
LOCATION: Arches National Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 2 miles round trip – out and back trail
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
The Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park is the first hiking trail you come to upon entering the park. It also happens to be one of the easiest trails. It’s pretty flat and takes you through a canyon with crazy formations coming off of either side of it. It seems less like a canyon because you enter at base level, but it will still make you marvel and feel quite small. The trail can technically be accessed from two different trailheads, Park Avenue Trailhead and Courthouse Towers.
Corona Arch – Moab Hikes
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 20 minutes / 15 miles
LOCATION: Just off Potash Road
TRAIL DISTANCE: 3 miles round trip – out and back trail
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Moderate
The Corona Arch trail is at the top my list of favorite Moab hikes. Corona Arch is easily one of the most beautiful arches I’ve seen in the Moab-area. It’s massive! The trail is moderately difficult and passes by two other arches along the way (Pinto Arch and Bowtie Arch). The trail has these elements to it that make you feel like more of an adventurer like drop-offs, chains to help pull you up the cliff and even a ladder bolted into the cliff. Although it’s a well-trafficked trail, you still won’t see the crowds here that you do at Arches National Park.
Read My Full Corona Arch Guide Here
Double Arch + Windows Loop
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 27 minutes / 16 miles
LOCATION: Arches National Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 1.5 mile loop
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Easy
While these two aren’t always put together, since they’re in the same parking area – The Windows Section, I recommend doing them together as one hike. Double Arch is 0.5 miles and the Windows are 1 mile. This combo is a lot of bang for a pretty short and easy hike. Double Arch is one of my favorite arches because it’s so beautiful and it feels adventurous to climb up into it. This is also a wonderful spot for star-gazing.
Broken Arch Loop Trail – Best Moab Hikes
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 31 minutes / 18 miles
LOCATION: Arches National Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 4 miles total – loop with a spur trail
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
This loop combines Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch and Tapestry Arch. I recommend starting at the Sand Dune Arch parking area and starting with that arch. It’ll undoubtedly be the busiest since it’s closest and you start to lose people as you continue along the trail. Broken Arch is beautiful and not at all broken and the trail continues on under the trail. Then, you take a small spur to Tapestry Arch. It’s a modest arch, and takes some climbing up to to be able to really appreciate. The trail continues on the loop passing through a campground and then down through rock fins and back to the parking area you started in.
Read My Full Broken Arch Loop Guide Here
Delicate Arch
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 35 minutes / 21 miles
LOCATION: Arches National Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 3 miles total – out and back trail
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult
This is the most iconic trail in not only Arches National Park, but all of Utah. In fact, Delicate Arch is what you see on the Utah license plate. This trail goes past an old ranch and petroglyphs at the very beginning of the trail and then goes up slick rock and then around a bowl-shaped canyon when you suddenly come to this beautiful arch. Sunset is the most popular time to hike to this arch because of the way the sun lights the arch. It’s also an epic spot for stargazing!
Check out my post on all the views of Delicate Arch here
Fisher Towers Trail – Best Moab Hikes
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 37 minutes / 26 miles
LOCATION: Just off of Scenic Highway UT 128
TRAIL DISTANCE: 4.44 Miles
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult
Fisher Towers is a stunning hike with one of the most impressive series of towers that will leave you feeling dwarfed in the most incredible way! These towering pinnacles sit atop a massive rock fin. The trail leads you through and around them with the most incredible viewpoint at the end. This quickly became one of our favorite hikes in Moab!
Read My Fisher Towers Trail Guide Here
Devil’s Garden Trail – Moab Hikes
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 40 minutes / 23 miles
LOCATION: Arches National Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 7.2 miles
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult
Of all the Moab hikes, this was Matt’s and my favorite. Devil’s Garden feels like an adventure. It encompasses a handful of amazing arches and formations that can be a turnaround moment at any time, but I recommend at least getting to Double O Arch. This trail feels like an adventure. You’ll have to climb up a fairly steep rock fin, walk on top of one with a ledge that plummets to the right. It takes a decent amount of hike to complete all the spur trails, but you won’t leave disappointed and don’t skip opportunities to see the different arches; each one is unique.
Read My Guide to Devil’s Garden Here
Mesa Arch Trail
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 50 minutes / 39 miles
LOCATION: Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 0.7-mile loop
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Easy
This is probably the #1 location to watch the sunrise in all of Moab. When the sun comes up over the horizon, Mesa Arch creates the perfect frame. Because of that, this particular Moab hike is packed in the morning. I’ve never been able to see the sun come up like that. Regardless of when you visit, though, the arch is a spectacular sight to behold.
Murphy Point Trail
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 53 minutes / 42 miles
LOCATION: Island in the Sky Section, Canyonlands National Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 3.4 miles total, out and back
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Easy
This is a pretty straightforward trail and relatively easy as well since it’s pretty flat! This trail offers up some beautiful views into the canyons that give Canyonlands its name. The viewpoints all through this trail are just spectacular.
Upheaval Dome
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 57 minutes / 43 miles
LOCATION: Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 1.7 miles total, out and back
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Upheaval Dome is a super interesting hike in Canyonlands because it’s so unique that it’s a bit of a geological mystery. The most recent science points to a meteorite strike. Regardless of what caused this, it’s spectacular to see! You can get a quick glance at a 0.3-mile overlook, but I highly recommend carrying on to get an even better look! It’s pretty unreal!
Grand View Point Trail
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 1 hour / 45 miles
LOCATION: Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 2 miles total, out and back
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Easy
This is a beautiful hike to take for sunset so you can watch the sun dip below the horizon of canyons. The trail takes you near the edge of multiple canyons and offers up some truly spectacular views even if you’re not there for sunset. There aren’t a lot of dips are hills, so it’s a great option for people of all fitness levels, just be sure to watch your kiddos because there is a lot of access to cliff edges.
Read My Complete Guide to the Grand View Point Trail Here
Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 2 hours / 105 miles
LOCATION: Outside Goblin Valley State Park
TRAIL DISTANCE: 8-mile loop when combined with Bell Canyon, 5-miles out and back if you only do Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
This is one of the coolest Moab hikes that you can do! It’s a great introduction to slot canyons and just a wonderful adventure. You do have to climb up and squeeze through some spaces, but it’s worth all the squeezing and climbing. To get from Little Wild Horse to Bell Slot Canyon, I’ve heard you have to climb up a decent little wall, which is why we turned back – I didn’t feel comfortable climbing a cliff wall while 5 months pregnant.
Read More About Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon Here
Don’t Forget to Pack
We love to recommend gear you might need for hikes in a particular location. Here’s what we personally recommend for Moab hikes.
CARRYING WATER: The number one hiking rule in the desert is water is obviously a must. We personally love these 32 ounce widemouth Nalgene bottles because they’re easy to clean and also fit into the bottle-holder pouch of every backpack I’ve ever bought including my Osprey Daylite. I also recommend carrying a Life Straw just in case you get in an emergency situation. Although water sources can be hard to come by, this can save you life.
BRING PROPER FOOTWEAR: Hiking definitely requires proper footwear, and especially on sandy or slick rock surfaces. My two favorite shoes for hiking in Moab are my teva sandals. I wore the Tirra style the most here because I felt like sand didn’t get trapped in there as much as the hurricanes, but both are great options. If I’m wearing closed-toe shoes, though, I’m in my Merrell hiking boots. I love these boots so much. Also, I think these Merrell hiking socks are the best socks I’ve ever put on my feet. Matt has also become obsessed with these socks for hiking!
A DAYPACK: A well-fitting daypack that’s the appropriate size for the adventure you’re about to go on is so important. I love my Osprey Daylite because it fits me super well, it’s perfect for day hikes. I like that it’s on the small side because it means that I won’t overstuff it, but it’s also big enough for all my needs.
SUN PROTECTION: I also like to keep a hat in or tied to my pack. I love a simple dad hat – this is my favorite – and Matt loves his this Columbia sunhat. I’ve become a huge fan of sunscreen sticks so I can reapply when I’m out without getting gross hands. I also love these because they’re reef safe, mineral-based and kid-friendly so I can use this for my kids and myself.
WHAT’S IN MY DAYPACK? On a day of adventure you’ll find water bottles, snacks (my go-to’s are beef jerky, peanut butter and honey crackers, granola bars, peanut M&Ms, and fresh fruit), a reusable stasher bag for all my trash and some sort of layer – rain jacket, flannel or jacket.
NEED A PLACE TO KEEP YOUR MEMORIES? I’ve got you covered! I wrote a national park journal with fun facts and tips for visiting each of the 63 Parks. I love that I get to fill this out with my family as we travel across the country and it means a lot to be part of others’ adventures as well! So, thank you!
CARRYING KIDS ON A HIKE? We cannot recommend the Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier enough for little ones who can independently sit up. However, if your baby is too young for a Deuter, we loved our LILLEBaby carrier.
Where to Stay On Your Moab Adventure
CAMPING INSIDE ARCHES NATIONAL PARK – There are 51 campsites within the National Park near to Devil’s Garden. These are quite rustic, though. They don’t have electricity, WiFi or even cell service. They are available for both RVs and tents. Reserve your spot in the park here. I do have to say, if you truly only have one day in Arches National Park, it doesn’t get better from an accessibility standpoint than staying in the park.
CAMPGROUND JUST OUTSIDE OF ARCHES NATIONAL PARK (TENTS, RVS and CABINS) – We’ve stayed at Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway multiple times in tents. Their facilities are clean, have full hookup and other amenities like WiFi and a pool! We’re going to They also have cabins if you don’t have an RV or tent. We’re staying in our camper for the first time in 2025 and we’re pretty excited to check it out.
BUDGET FRIENDLY – Looking for a hotel to stay in that is easy on the budget? The Bowen Motel clocks in at under $100/night and still has a great 8.6 rating on Booking.com.
BRINGING THE FAMILY? – We stayed in Purple Sage Flats #2 (there are a total of 8 available). Our flat had a bedroom, a bunk bed in the living room and a kitchen so we could have some meals “at home”. The flats are a quick walk from downtown, meaning we rarely got in our car in town. It’s a great home base for 2+ people.
LOOKING FOR A LITTLE LUXURY? – The Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton is a beautiful property with all the little luxurious like room service, concierge and a spectacular-looking pool. You’ll maybe be craving these little luxuries after a full day of hiking.
Moab is a superb destination for hikes. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, it’s easy to fall in love with the Moab hikes. Although there are amazing hikes in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, don’t forget to look at other trails outside of the national parks to spectacular sites and adventures.
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