Short answer: The best things to do in Moab, Utah are exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, off-road adventures on Hell’s Revenge (including self-drive U-Drive tours), mountain biking the famous slickrock, rafting the Colorado River, and hiking to iconic arches and overlooks. Few places on earth pack this much world-class red-rock scenery and adrenaline into one small desert town — here’s how to make the most of it.
1. Drive Hell’s Revenge yourself (U-Drive off-roading)
Moab’s signature adrenaline experience is off-roading its slickrock, and the most hands-on way to do it is a U-Drive tour: you take the wheel of a Kawasaki KRX 1000 and drive the legendary Hell’s Revenge trail yourself, while an expert guide leads every obstacle. No experience is needed, all ages are welcome as passengers, and runs start at $99 per seat for 3.5 hours. Climbs and descents that look impossible from the top become the story you tell for years — and unlike a ride-along, every photo is you driving. It’s consistently the thing visitors say they’re most glad they did.
2. Arches National Park
Just five minutes north of town, Arches protects over 2,000 natural stone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch — the one on Utah’s license plate. Go at sunrise or late afternoon to beat the heat and the crowds, and don’t miss the Windows Section, Balanced Rock, and Landscape Arch. In peak season the park uses a timed-entry reservation system, so check before you go.
3. Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is Moab’s wild, vast counterpart to Arches — carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers into a maze of canyons, mesas, and spires. The Island in the Sky district is the easiest to visit, with show-stopping overlooks like Grand View Point and the much-photographed Mesa Arch at dawn. The remote White Rim and backcountry are accessible by permitted 4×4 tours for those who want to go deeper.
4. Mountain biking
Moab is a global mountain-biking pilgrimage. The original Slickrock Bike Trail is a bucket-list ride across grippy sandstone domes, while the Klondike Bluffs and Navajo Rocks areas offer everything from flowy intermediate loops to mellow beginner-friendly trails. Bike shops in town rent everything you need and can point you to a trail that matches your level.
5. Rafting the Colorado River
When the desert heat climbs, the Colorado River is the antidote. Choose a calm scenic float for families and first-timers, or chase Class II–III whitewater through Professor Valley beneath towering red cliffs. Half-day and full-day trips both leave right from the Moab area.
6. Hiking to iconic arches and viewpoints
Beyond the parks, Moab is laced with standout hikes. The Delicate Arch trail is the classic (best at sunset), Corona Arch is a moderate hike to a massive freestanding arch, and the Fisher Towers trail winds beneath surreal red spires. Bring far more water than you think you need — the dry heat is deceptive.
7. Dead Horse Point State Park
Often called the most photogenic spot in Utah, Dead Horse Point sits 2,000 feet above a dramatic gooseneck bend in the Colorado River. It’s an easy drive with short, family-friendly rim trails and guardrailed overlooks — and one of the best sunset and stargazing spots in the area.
8. Scenic drives and dark-sky stargazing
Don’t overlook simply driving Utah Scenic Byway 128 along the Colorado River, or Potash Road past petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks. After dark, Moab’s certified dark skies put on a show — the Milky Way is often visible to the naked eye from just outside town.
How to fit it all in
With limited time, pair one national park with an off-road adventure for the perfect mix of scenery and adrenaline — a park in the cool morning, a U-Drive in the afternoon or at sunset. See our ready-made 1–2 day Moab itinerary for a plan you can follow, and check the best time to visit Moab before you lock in dates, since spring and fall sell out.
Frequently asked questions
What is Moab known for?
Moab is known as the adventure capital of Utah — home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, world-class red-rock off-roading on trails like Hell’s Revenge, mountain biking, and rafting on the Colorado River.
What is the number one thing to do in Moab?
Visiting Arches National Park is the most popular, but off-roading on Hell’s Revenge — especially a self-drive U-Drive tour where you drive a side-by-side yourself — is the signature Moab adrenaline experience.
Can you drive off-road yourself in Moab?
Yes. On a guided U-Drive tour you drive a Kawasaki KRX 1000 on Hell’s Revenge yourself while an expert guide leads every obstacle. No experience needed; drivers must be 18+ with a license.
How many days do you need in Moab?
One full day covers the highlights; two days lets you do both national parks plus an off-road or river adventure without rushing.