Moab is a city in eastern Utah. It’s a gateway to massive red rock formations in Arches National Park. Southwest, Canyonlands National Park, and features mesas and buttes carved by the Green and Colorado rivers, plus Native American rock art. Dinosaur tracks can be found at sites like Bull Canyon Overlook and Copper Ridge. In the city, collections at the Museum of Moab include dinosaur bones and archaeological artifacts.
The Moab Cabin sits above Moab at the base of the LaSal mountains on the Wilson Mesa. There are three approaches to the cabin.
1) Sand Flats Road route: from the center of town you can take the Sand Flats road through Slick Rock state park. You don’t pay the entrance fee, simply tell the ranger you are going to the cabin. From the entrance gate shed it is exactly 13 miles to the private 1/2 mile lane to the cabin.
2) LaSal Mountain Loop road. Go South on highway 191 and climb the loop road until you come to the left hand turn to road 0067 also known as the Sand flats road.
3) Route from the Northeast on highway 128. Follow the LaSal loop road once again to road 0067 (sand flats) and follow to the cabin lane.
Each route offers a distinct geology from the other and while distances are different they all take about the same amount of time. 45 minutes.
Located just 5 miles (8 km) north of Moab is Arches National Park, which contains the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. Although over 2,000 arches are located within the park’s 76,518 acres, the park also contains an astounding variety of other geological formations. Colossal sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, soaring pinnacles and spires dwarf visitors as they explore the park’s viewpoints and hiking trails. A paved scenic drive takes visitors to many of the major viewpoints within the park. The park’s rock formations delight children as well as adults, with many easy trails providing opportunities for kids to get out of the car and explore the arches up close. Hikers can choose from a wide variety of trails, from short twenty minute walks leading right up to many of the largest arches in the park, to more adventurous hikes into lesser seen areas.
Distance from Moab
5 miles (8km)
Directions from Moab
The entrance of Arches is located 5 miles (8km) north of Moab, along highway 191.
Park Hours
Open year-round, 24 hours/day
Entrance Fee
$30/vehicle – Good for 7 days (Subject to change)
Visitor Center & Hours
The visitor center includes interactive exhibits, educational kiosks, a 150-seat auditorium, and a bookstore featuring guide books, maps, DVD’s, postcards, and much more. The park is open 24 hours/day, 365 days/year; however the visitor center hours vary by season. (435) 719-2299
Canyonlands is the largest national park in Utah, and its diversity staggers the imagination. The easiest way to see the park is with a visit to the Island in the Sky district, only 32 miles (51.5 km) from Moab. The Island in the Sky offers many pullouts with spectacular views along the paved scenic drive. Hiking trails and four-wheel-drive roads access backcountry areas for day or overnight trips.
The Island in the Sky sits atop a massive 1500 foot mesa, quite literally an Island in the Sky. Twenty miles (32.2 km) of paved roads lead to many of the most spectacular views in Canyon Country. From these lofty viewpoints visitors can often see over 100 miles (161 km) in any given direction, resulting in panoramic views that encompass thousands of square miles of canyon country. Take a short day-hike or spend a relaxing late afternoon enjoying the sunset. Whether you have a few hours to spend or a few days, the Island in the Sky provides an unforgettable Canyon Country experience for the entire family.
Distance from Moab
32 miles (51.5km)
Directions from Moab
Take Highway 191 10 miles (16 km) north to Highway 313, and then drive southwest 22 miles (35 km). Driving time to the visitor center from Moab is roughly 40 minutes.
Park Hours
Open year-round, 24 hours/day
Entrance Fee
$30/vehicle – Good for 7 days (Subject to change)
Visitor Center & Hours
Canyonlands is open year-round, 24 hours a day, however the park visitor centers close for the winter. Call (435) 719-2313 for park information.
32 miles (51.5 km) from Moab, Dead Horse Point State Park is one of Utah’s most spectacular state parks. The view from Dead Horse Point is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world. Towering 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, the overlook provides a breathtaking panorama of Canyonlands’ sculpted pinnacles and buttes. Millions of years of geologic activity created the spectacular views from Dead Horse Point State Park. Deposition of sediments by ancient oceans, freshwater lakes, streams and wind blown sand dunes created the rock layers of canyon country. Igneous activity formed the high mountains that rise like cool blue islands from the desert below.
The legend of Dead Horse Point states that around the turn of the century the point was used as a corral for wild mustangs roaming the mesa top. Cowboys herded them across the narrow neck of land and onto the point. The neck was then fenced off with branches and brush. One time, for some unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below.
There are miles of pet-friendly developed hiking trails in the park, including a paved trail which provides easy access to some of the most scenic views. Mountain Bikers will love the new Intrepid Trail System at Dead Horse Point. With slickrock sections, looping singletrack, sandy washes, and incredible scenery, the Intrepid Trail System provides a great taste of what Moab mountain biking is all about. This is the perfect ride for families and offers spectacular views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park.
Distance from Moab
32 Miles (51.5 km)
Directions from Moab
Drive 9 miles (14.5 km) northwest of Moab on US 191 and then 23 miles (37 km) southwest on Utah 313. Driving time to the visitor center from Moab is roughly 45 minutes.
Park Hours
Park open year-round, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. – Visitor Center open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Fees
Day Use fees (valid for 3 consecutive days starting from the date of purchase):
• $20 per vehicle (up to 8 passengers)
• $15 for Utah Seniors (Utah residents 62 or over)
• $10 per motorcycle
• $4 pedestrian or cyclist (biking into park)
• Commercial day-use fee: $4 per person
Visitors Center and Hours
The visitor center is open year-round, has facilities for the disabled, an information area, exhibits, rest rooms, water, publications and souvenirs. The visitor center hours open from 9am-5pm year round, closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day.(435) 259-2614
The LaSal Mountain
Just 20 miles south of Moab are the La Sal Mountains, which are part of Manti-La Sal National Forest. Attaining heights of nearly 13,000 feet, these alpine mountains are the second highest mountain range in Utah. Numerous hiking and mountain bike trails, along with picturesque campsites, make these mountains a great complement to your visit to Moab. Whispering pines, quaking aspens, and bubbling brooks make a family outing in the forest an unforgettable experience. Great trout fishing can be found in several beautiful lakes and streams throughout the La Sals. For current conditions in the La Sal Mountains, contact the Manti-La Sal National Forest District at (435) 259-7155.
Warner Lake Campground
Warner Lake Campground can be accessed by driving south on 191 form Moab for approximately 6 miles and then turning east onto the La Sal Loop Road towards Kens Lake. Drive on the La Sal Mountain Loop Road for approximately 10 miles to the Warner Lake Road, which is a 5 mile graded dirt road. The campground has toilets, picnic tables, and fire grills. (Camping and picnic fees charged.) Camping reservations for Warner lake can be made online at the National Recreation Reservation Service website: recreation.gov.
La Sal Mountain Loop Road
The La Sal Mountain Loop Road Scenic Backway features spectacular scenery ranging from the forested heights of the La Sal Mountains to expansive views of the red rock landscape below. This paved Scenic Backway begins on US 191, six miles south of Moab, and winds north over the La Sal Mountains through Castle Valley, ending at Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway U-128. Returning to Moab provides a 60 mile loop drive that requires approximately 3 hours to complete. Note that several hairpin turns on the Castle Valley side of this route are unsuitable for very large RV’s.