After well over a month spent in Moab, Utah (and another week planned this fall), we’ve seen and done quite a bit in the area, and in the town specifically. It’s my favorite place in the country to explore and a piece of my heart lives there full time. Because I talk about it all the time, I get asked a lot of questions about it and I was thinking of the things to know before going to Moab (both the broader red-rock region and the town itself).
Be Sure to Book Accommodation in Advance
The national parks get busier and busier each year and as Moab is at the doorstep of two national parks, the town gets booked up pretty quickly! So, if you know you’re going to go, especially during peak season (April to October), I would book accommodation as early as possible to be sure to have the best options for you available.
Normal Things Here Are More Expensive
Because Moab is the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, it sees a lot of tourism. This means that the cost of things are steeper than they maybe would be expected. Gas, groceries, accommodation, etc all have a bit of a “tourist tax” on it. So, while you can get the things you need in Moab, you might just have to pay a little more.
We’ve Had Multiple Negative Experiences at the Grocery Store There
In addition to the groceries here being a bit more expensive, we’ve had a couple different negative experiences at the City Market in Moab. We bought milk that was within date, but obviously spoiled that we had to take back. And then we bought a box of cereal on a separate occasion and when we opened the box, the bag was already opened, so we had to take it back as well. While these things simply do happen, it has been enough that we try to bring some things from home, but we also closely check what we’ve purchased, especially because some of these things are prepared for our kiddos and they might not know the difference.
Download Offline Maps – Cell Service Isn’t the Best
Matt and I have different cell phone providers, but neither of us have had great luck with cell service in Moab. And outside of Moab-proper? Forget about it. You’ll need to have maps downloaded and I would do it as far out as possible to be able to have different national parks, state parks and various other sites and trails around it at your fingertips.
Check the Weather Before You Go
The weather in the desert can be a fickle thing. Extreme temps have been newsworthy this year as there have been a couple of deaths in Canyonlands already, and temps can drop down to be extremely cool in the evenings. Even though it’s the desert, expect some snow in the winter that can make those slick rock trails treacherous with snow and ice covering them. Also, in recent years, flooding has made the news in Moab. So, just be sure that you’re checking the weather before you go and before you head out for each day
There’s So Much More There Than the National Parks
So, obviously, the town of Moab is “Moab”, but like Edward Abbey, I do classify “Moab” as the red rock region that surrounds the town itself. In addition to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, there are state parks in the area (Dead Horse Point, Goosenecks State Park, Goblin Valley State Park), petroglyphs to marvel at, BLM land to hike on and more! You’re truly at adventure’s doorstep in Moab.
There Are More Activities Than Just Hiking
On that note, there’s so much more to do in Moab than just hiking (the main assumption because of the national parks), there are all kinds of adventures to be had: rock climbing, base jumping, rafting, off-roading, mountain biking and canyoneering. Plus, there are activities that don’t involve copious amounts of adrenaline like discovering petroglyphs, visiting the Moab Giants dinosaur museum, looking for dinosaur foot prints and taking scenic drives through the national parks – if you have a high clearance or 4WD/AWD vehicle, I would bring it to be able to maximize your adventures.
But, If You’re Here for the National Parks, Arches Requires Timed Entry
While you’re here, though, you should definitely see the national parks. One thing to know, though, is that during peak season Arches National Park requires timed entry permits. We have a whole post on it here. The quick info is that they’re $2, required from 7am-5pm daily during peak season and are released on the first of each month for 3 months out (example June 1st, all of September opens up) and a handful more are released 24 hours before.
This is A Dark Sky Region
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are both International Dark Sky Parks meaning that the star-gazing here is incredible! We’ve been able to see some incredible stars on our adventures here. A few things to remember, if you’re really, really wanting to see the Milky Way: the time at which it’s most visible changes throughout the year, give your eyes time to adjust – get a red light flashlight – and visit during, or close to, a new moon so you have as little light as possible.
Bring Plenty of Water
The one thing the desert is almost always short on is water. Be sure that you have plenty of water for a hike, and bring spare just in case there’s an accident or you get lost. People lose their lives from dehydration. I also recommend grabbing some sort of water filter or LifeStraw if you’re going on a decently long hike.
Ready to Visit Moab? Check Out Our Detailed Moab-Area Guides
The Best Things to Do in Moab, Utah – The Ultimate Guide to Moab, Utah
The Best Hikes in Moab, Utah – A guide to our favorite hikes in Moab in and outside of the national parks.
The Best Moab Restaurants + Food Trucks – We update this after every visit to Moab and it has our favorite places to eat and what we order listed!
Fisher Towers Trail – My favorite hike outside of the National Parks in Moab.
Sites to See Along Potash Road – Potash Road holds a lot of hidden gems like Corona Arch (next post listed), petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks and more!
Hiking to Corona Arch – This is my favorite arch trail outside the national parks.
Arches National Park Travel Guide – This is our ultimate guide to Arches National Park!
How I’d Spend One Day in Arches National Park – Only have one day in Arches? This is how I’d spend it! Heads up, it’s busy and active, but it’s also doable.
Guide to Delicate Arch – This is a guide to the two viewpoints of Delicate Arch (the iconic arch of Utah) along with the actual trail to the base of it.
Devils Garden Trail – In depth guide to our favorite trail in Arches National Park.
Broken Arch Trail – The trail guide to Broken Arch, Tapestry Arch and Sand Dune Arch.
The Windows Section of Arches National Park – A guide to the trails and sites of the Windows Section.
Grand View Point Overlook in Canyonlands National Park – Our favorite sunset hike in Canyonlands.
Discover Petroglyphs Near Moab, Utah – A guide to petroglyphs in the area.
Goblin Valley State Park – The state park filled with hoodoos!
Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon – The trail guide to an incredible slot canyon that’s stunning, but also great for beginners.
Moab, Utah is such a special place. There is so much other-worldly beauty, a ton of deep cultural and natural history, and so many adventures to be had here. Hopefully this post helps you plan your trip and feel more confident in your adventure to this red-rock paradise!
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