5 Best Hikes in Moab, Utah
Post Updated on June 7, 2025
Having 5 national parks in the state, Utah is somewhere that has been on my bucket list for a long time! The landscape in southern Utah is really like something from another planet. If you’re looking for a destination where you can explore the desert and hike to some unique landscapes, it’s time to start planning that bucket list trip to Moab, Utah!
Moab is the perfect roadtrip destination, especially since it is only a five hour drive from Denver. For my trip, we rented a camper van, which gave us the freedom to easily move between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. On my most recent trip to Moab, we chose tent camping, which is a great way to visit Moab if you’re on a budget. There’s no shortage of campsites in the area, and they all have some incredible views!
On both of my trips to the desert, I spent 3-4 nights in Moab, which gave us the perfect amount of time for all the hikes we wanted to do, along with exploring both National Parks. If you can only do a few different hikes on your trip, these are 5 of the MUST-DO hikes in Moab.
Before we go over the best hikes in Moab, let’s go over a few important details to know before planning your trip!
Moab Overview
When is the best time to visit Moab?
The best time to visit Moab is during the spring months (March to May) or Fall (September to November). The Fall and Spring months have mild weather, so you don’t have to worry about it being too hot or too cold. Moab is a desert, so it can get extremely hot during the summer months. Winter in Moab will bring snow and colder temperatures.
If you do travel during the Spring or Fall, just be prepared for larger crowds in the National Park and on the trails. If you want to avoid the crowds and don’t mind the heat or snow, you can travel during the summer or winter for less crowds and cheaper hotel prices.
Where to stay in Moab?
If you’re trying to decide where to stay on your trip to Moab, there is no shortage of accommodations and something for every type of traveler. Moab has tons of campsites, mid-range hotels, unique vacation rentals, and even some luxury desert resorts.
Best Hotels in Moab
Mid-Range Hotels: Hyatt Place, Hoodoo by Hilton, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Element Moab
Luxury & Glamping: Under Canvas Moab, ULUM Moab
Camping in Moab
Most of the camping in Moab is at first-come, first-served campsites. There are some RV Parks and a KOA campground if you prefer to have a reserved campsite but, the best views come from the sites that are located a little bit outside of town.
You can also reserve campsites in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point Sate Park.
If you are looking for a first-come first first-served campsite close to Moab, follow the Colorado River to the Grandstaff Canyon Trailhead. On this road, you will find tons of campsites for several miles up the road. There are also several campgrounds out near Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park.
Now, lets talk about the best hikes in Moab, Utah!
Best Hike Outside of the National Parks: Corona Arch
One of the best arch hikes in Moab is actually NOT located in one of the National Parks. Corona Arch Trailhead is located around 20 minutes outside of the town of Moab and is the perfect hike to do on a day that you don’t plan on going into the parks.
This is a moderately challenging trail that is about 3 miles round-trip. I recommend doing this trail in the morning or evening if you are hiking during the warmer months because there is little to no shade on the trail.
One of my favorite parts about the Corona Arch Trail is that it is the only dog-friendly arch hike in Moab! The hike is mostly easy for dogs; however, there is one area where you have to climb a ladder and will most likely need to carry them up and down.
This hike does have some steep areas so make sure to wear a good pair of hiking boots!
Best Hike in Canyonlands National Park: Mesa Arch
Canyonlands is Utah’s least visited national park. It is about a 30 minute drive from Moab, so if you’re wanting to get to Mesa Arch for sunrise its best to camp inside Canyonlands or at a campsite close to the entrance. We camped at Cowboy Campground which was only about a 15 minute drive to the trail. This campsite is a great option if you want to explore Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park without having to drive back and forth from the Moab area,
Mesa Arch is a popular sunrise hike and is worth the early wake-up call to get the most impressive view of the arch. When the sun rises over the canyon, the bottom of the arch glows like it’s on fire. The hike is more of a 10-minute walk from the parking lot. The only downside to it is that if you don’t arrive extremely early, the arch will be lined with photographers blocking the view.
I would recommend that you wait about 30 minutes after sunrise if you want to take pictures. By this time, most of the sunrise crowd has cleared out, and you’re able to get up-close photos of the arch while it still glows.
Tip: If you get here for sunrise, you won’t have to pay an entrance fee for the park! Payments start at 8 AM
Best Hikes in Arches National Park
If you’re heading to Moab, a trip into Arches National Park is a must! The park is right near town and easy to access. If you are traveling between April to October, you will need a timed entry reservation to the park between 7 AM and 4 PM.
To avoid the crowds, I would recommend entering the park early (before 7) or late (after 4). On my most recent trip to Moab, we showed up around 4 PM since we did not have a timed entry ticket. We still had to wait about 30-45 minutes in a line of cars to enter the park at this time.
In addition to your timed entry ticket, there is a fee of $35 per car to enter the park if you do not have a National Parks Pass.
1. Double Arch
Double Arch is a short hike in Arches National Park. It’s about half a mile round trip. It’s even visible from the parking lot! The hike should take no more than 15-30 minutes, depending on how much time you want to spend at the arch. The double arch is located near the Windows Section, so you could easily explore both areas together if you have the time.
Double Arch is one of the more popular hikes in Moab and can get pretty crowded, especially during the busy hours in the park. This arch is actually the tallest and 2nd longest arch in Arches National Park!
It was interesting to read the signage and learn about the formation of Double Arch. It is considered a “pothole arch” because it was formed by two large puddles of water that caused downward water erosion on top of the sandstone.
3. Delicate Arch
If there is one hike that you need to make time for on your trip to Moab, make it Delicate Arch! This is probably the most iconic hike in Arches National Park and Moab in general. This Arch is so popular that it is even on the Utah license plate and welcome sign when crossing state lines into Utah!
Be prepared to walk up steep areas of rock and around narrow ledges with no shaded areas. This will all be worth it when you see the amazing view at the end! If you want to get pictures directly under the arch, be prepared to wait in line due to how popular the hike is. We found that if you walk down a little ways, you can get pictures with the arch in the background and no one else trying to get pictures in that area.
The hike is around 3 miles round trip with a 480 ft elevation gain. This trail gets VERY crowded. I was so surprised by the number of people here. We stayed at the arch for several hours, taking pictures and taking in the views, and by 11 am, most of the crowd had cleared out. I’d recommend trying to get here around this time if you want to miss the crowds.
Delicate Arch is also a popular destination for a sunset hike. I have not personally done the hike at sunset, but I imagine it makes for a great experience! If you want to avoid crowds on this hike, try making it a sunrise hike! Hiking during sunrise or sunset is also a great way to beat the desert heat if you are visiting Moab during the summer months.
Best State Park Hike: Dead Horse Point Overlook
Not only does Moab have two National Parks, but it also has a state park that is worth a visit! Dead Horse Point State Park is just outside of Canyonlands National Park and is a great stop on your itinerary when visiting this part of Moab.
Although this is more of an overlook than a hike, it is possibly the best place to catch a sunset in Moab. To reach the overlook, you’ll want to drive straight down the road to the end of the park and park in the parking lot. From here, you can walk the path down to the overlook but I personally recommend getting away from the path and hiking down the rocks a little ways to get a more secluded view of the canyon!
The entry fee to Dead Horse is $25 per car, but definitely worth it for the views here! Unfortunately, you are not able to use the National Park passes here since it is considered a State Park. Since it is a state park, it is dog friendly! My dog loved the views from up here and it was easy for her to get around. Just make sure your dogs are always leashed and you clean up after them!
FAQ
What to wear hiking in Moab?
What to wear while hiking in Moab will all depend on what time of year you are visiting. During the winter, make sure to wear layers so you can adjust to the temperature changes during your hike. One thing that I never forget to wear while hiking are a good pair of hiking boots! These two are my favorites: Columbia Hiking Boots & North Face Hiking Boots
Is Moab near Arches National Park?
Yes, Moab is near Arches National Park. In fact, the entrance to Arches is right in the middle of town and about a 5-minute drive from downtown Moab! This allows for easy access to the national park from nearby hotels, restaurants, and campsites!
Where to hike in Moab, Utah?
There is tons of hiking in and around Moab! There are hiking trails all around Moab and the Colorado River or you can hike inside the national parks such as Arches and Canyonlands.
Which national park is better to visit for beginner hikers in Moab, Utah, Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park?
Both National Parks have hikes that are beginner-friendly. In Arches, Double Arch and the Windows Section are both easy and beginner-friendly. Canyonlands may be slightly more beginner friendly because it is mostly overlook areas where you can just park the car or take a short walk down a path.
What are the best hiking trails in Arches National Park?
Some of the best hiking trails in Arches National Park are Delicate Arch, Double Arch, The Windows Section, and Devil’s Garden.
Can you do Arches and Canyonlands in one day?
I would not recommend visiting Arches and Canyonlands on the same day. Canyonlands is further away from Moab than Arches, about a 30 minute drive and it would be difficult and tiring to try and see both parks on the same day!
Final Thoughts on Hiking in Moab, Utah
Moab is truly one of those magical destinations that feels like another planet, with its unique red rock formations, impressive canyons, and iconic arches. Whether you’re hiking through Arches National Park, watching the sunrise at Mesa Arch, or catching the best sunset views at Dead Horse Point, Moab offers unforgettable adventures for every type of traveler.
From tent camping under the stars to exploring pet-friendly trails like Corona Arch, there’s no shortage of unique ways to experience this corner of southern Utah. Whether youāre an advanced hiker or just starting, the trails around Moab offer a mix of challenge, scenery, and photo-worthy moments.
So grab your hiking boots, pack your camera, and start planning your bucket list trip to Moab! You wonāt regret a single mile.
Don’t forget to Pin this post for future planning!
