Most people see Moab, Utah as a haven of outdoor recreation — and this tiny Utah town lives up to its adventurous reputation. Wedged between two national parks, Canyonlands and Arches, Moab is the place to go for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, white-water rafting and more. A Moab weekend getaway has it all.
- FridayHike the Slot
- SaturdayTake to Two Wheels
- SundayExplore the National Parks
But Moab has developed a foodie scene, too, with high-low offerings that range from cheap (but amazing) to upscale cuisine served at the bistros in town.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Hike the Slot
Start your Moab, Utah weekend adventure 23 miles northeast of the town to hike one of the great natural wonders of the American Southwest: the Mary Jane Slot Canyon. On the way, fuel up with a stop at Horsethief Coffee, just a mile north of town on the grounds of the historic Moab Springs Ranch. Butch Cassidy is said to have slept here after robbing a Colorado bank.
Take a peek at the old ranch house, now on the National Historic Register, before enjoying a bagel breakfast sandwich on the gardened terrace.
Professor Creek & Mary Jane Canyon Trail, as it’s properly called, is one of many slot canyons etched into the southern Utah landscape, all characterized by dramatically narrow red-rock or sandstone gorges.
Luckily this one is relatively close to town, easy enough for most hikers and extremely beautiful. The out-and-back excursion of 9-ish miles will have you hopping across a creek bed (dry in some seasons) until you reach a cooling waterfall at the turnaround point. Along the way, the oddly beautiful rock formations — shaped by wind and water — tower over you as you drop ever further into the slot.
On your way back to town, drive through Castle Valley for its view of Castleton Tower, a 400-foot-tall slender spire of sandstone — which may well have rock climbers standing atop it.
When you get back to Moab, head to the Moab Food Truck Park to grab a well-deserved taco or sandwich from one of the vendors. From there, it’s time to explore downtown’s maze of shops, cafés, galleries, and other local businesses.
Be sure to stop into the Moab Museum, which delves into the area’s natural history, artistic output, and diverse Western culture
Get dinner at the excellent Desert Bistro, which marries upscale Southwestern cuisine with French fare. Think bison-stuffed empanadas topped with a mole sauce, pan-seared sea scallops in a pool of lemon-adobo beurre blanc, and duck confit in lemon and yellow pepper marinade.
Saturday: Take to Two Wheels
If you didn’t bring a bike, stop into downtown Moab’s Bike Fiend to chat with the experts about the best rental for the trail you have in mind. They rent high-end e-bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and even hitches and carriers to attach to your car.
One popular, if strenuous, route is the Whole Enchilada Trail, a 30-mile ride (give or take) that brings you through alpine forests to the top of the La Sal Mountains, followed by a 7,000-foot descent to the emerald waters of the Colorado River. If you’re not ready for the whole enchilada, friends at the bike shop can advise you on alternative routes.
Post-ride, you’ve earned the lunch of your dreams. Fancy a 1950s-style drive-in? Then check out Milt’s Stop & Eat Moab, serving traditional fare made with elevated ingredients, including grass-fed beef hamburgers and blue-cheese bacon cheeseburgers on a toasted brioche.
Next, check out Moab Giants —a playground and outdoor museum that’s all about dinosaurs, featuring full-scale replicas of the creatures, some of them posed charging across the terrain. It might sound tailored to kids, but we promise it’s a must-see for adults, too. There’s also a prehistoric aquarium and interactive museum — just a 10-minute drive from downtown Moab.
For dinner, try The Moab Brewery — the town’s only microbrewery — serving local brews and spirits
The brewery’s filling fare puts local ingredients to good use in appetizers like overstuffed quesadillas. If you didn’t have a burger for lunch (or even if you did), try the Brewhouse Burger, which includes hatch green chiles, bacon, and melty cheese.
Sunday: Explore the National Parks
Dedicate the last day on your Moab weekend getaway to exploring the dramatic desert landscape. Both of the Moab area’s nearby national parks are easily accessible from downtown.
The most popular, Arches National Park, is famous for its otherworldly red-rock formations — and for the crowds who pile in to see them.
Get a head start on the masses with an early alarm and a quick to-go coffee and breakfast burrito at Love Muffin Café, then drive 10 minutes north to the park. Get there before 7:30 and you’re likely to find a parking space.
Whether you’re in shape, out of shape or somewhere in between, there’s an accessible trail for every level. One lovely route that’s good for all fitness levels is the Delicate Arch Trail. The round-trip hike is 3 miles, and the first half of it is steadily uphill. Along the way, you’ll get to see Ute petroglyphs on the rock walls.
At the top of the trail, stand next to Delicate Arch. One of the world’s most photographed natural arches, you might recognize the structure from Utah’s state license plate. (For other choices, trail conditions and a map, stop at the visitors center on your way into the park.)
After the hike, hop back in the car to cruise the Arches Scenic Drive, a 22-mile paved road that winds its way through the park, offering amazing views. There will be many spots to pull over and get a closer look. And you should. The “Windows” section of the drive is particularly stunning, as the landscape is studded with natural arches.
Be sure to find Balanced Rock, perhaps the most popular stop along the way. Once you lay eyes on this incredible (and seemingly precarious) configuration of red rocks, you’ll understand its name.
Continue to cruise to your second national park of the day, Canyonlands, a 30-minute drive from Arches. Less busy, but just as impressive, Canyonlands preserves the colorful buttes, mesas and spires, carved by flowing water over the course of millennia. At nearly 338,000 acres, the national park is Utah’s largest.
Focus your energy on Islands in the Sky, the park’s highest section — offering jaw-dropping views of the twisting canyons below. At the end of the day, make your way to the Mesa Arch trailhead. A 0.7-mile hike will bring you to the curved rock formation. Find a comfortable slab of rock to relax on and wait until sunset for a stunning show.
For dinner, get a table at Sunset Grill, a classic Moab Restaurant. The elevated terrace offers sweeping views, and the dinner offerings are some of the best in town — including filet mignon, French onion soup, and Idaho trout. Raise a glass of wine to toast a perfect Moab weekend.
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