What to See when you visit moab
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Just five miles 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. |
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Canyonlands National Park is the
largest national park in the state of Utah. Located 35 miles west
of Moab, the Island in the Sky District sits atop a massive 1500
foot mesa, quite literally an Island in the Sky. Twenty miles of paved
roads lead to many of the most spectacular views in southeastern Utah.
Take a short day-hike or spend a
relaxing late afternoon enjoying the sunset. Multi-day backpacking
trips or overnight 4 wheel drive adventures can take explorers into
the deep backcountry of this massive National Park. |
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Located only 32 miles from Moab is Dead Horse Point
State Park, one of Utah's most spectacular state parks. Towering 2,000
feet above the Colorado River, the park provides a unique and breathtaking
panorama of the canyon country of southern Utah and the snaking meanders
of the Colorado River. There are miles of developed hiking trails in
the park, including over one mile of paved trail which provides easy
access to some of the most scenic views. |
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Utah’s Colorado Riverway is a scenic wonderland of colorful
cliffs, river-carved canyons, lush riverside habitat and massive sandstone
formations. The Colorado Riverway includes the public lands along Scenic
Byways 128 and 279, and along Kane Creek Road. Activities include hiking,
rafting, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, sightseeing and camping.
Well preserved panels of ancient rock art line the Riverway and provide
insight into the ancient cultures that once populated this area. |
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Just 20 miles south of Moab is the second highest
mountain range in Utah, the La Sal Mountains. Attaining heights of
nearly 13,000 feet, they add climatic and scenic contrast to the
red rock landscape below. Spring brings spectacular wildflowers to
the cool forest. In the middle of summer the higher elevations afford
a cool respite from the warmer temperatures below. Fall is colorful
with brilliant golden aspen leaves interspersed with dark evergreens.
Winter brings solitude, snow fall and winter sports. |
Arts
Whether you come to Moab for adventure, to play, or for business, you
can always find something going on in the arts to extend and enhance your
stay. Moab may have more artists-per-capita than any other town in America,
certainly in Utah. Here you can find painters, potters, poets, photographers,
and writers, dancers, actors, musicians and mimes. There are also jewelers,
sculptors, playwrights and just about any other form of artist and art
that you can think of, including body art! Enjoy Moab's fine art galleries,
bookstores and a host of other businesses who display local artists work.
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Movie Sites
Since 1949 the Moab area has been a popular location for Hollywood movies.
Movies filmed in our area range from the old John Wayne classics to more
recent hits such as Geronimo, City Slickers II, and Mission Impossible
II. Thelma and Louise took their final leap into the Colorado River from
along the Shafer Trail under Dead Horse Point near Moab! Numerous commercials,
and more recently music videos, have been filmed here.
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Museums
Museums, galleries, and a variety of interesting shops are available in
the Moab area. Because of this, many visitors prefer to alternate their
vacation days, reserving several for hiking and sightseeing, and several
set aside for museum touring and shopping. Moab's Main Street has dozens
of shops featuring authentic Indian jewelry, statuary, clothing, and rock
shops, as well as the products of local artisans. The Film Museum provides
a great turnaround point for a beautiful drive down Scenic Byway 128.
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Rock Art Sites
The Moab area has numerous examples of Indian rock art to enjoy. This
page briefly discusses some types, dates, the artists and their cultures
and how to take care of these irreplaceable sites. Directions are included
to a number of sites which allow you to sample some of the easily accessible
ancient rock art in the Moab area. All sites are accessible with a passenger
car and a short walk!
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Sand Flats Recreation Area & Slickrock Trail
The Sand Flats Recreation Area near Moab, Utah is a nationally significant
public lands treasure at the heart of the Colorado Plateau. A high plain
of slick rock domes, bowls and fins, it rises on the south to meet the
colorful mesas and nearly 13,000 foot peaks of the La Sal Mountains. Cutting
into the area on the east and west are the altered canyons of the Negro
Bill and Mill Creek Wilderness Study Areas. To the north lies the deep
gorge of the Colorado River and a hundred mile vista over Arches National
Park. SFRA is home to the famous Slickrock Bike Trail enjoyed annually by
over 100,000 visitors. The 7,320 acre SFRA is also popular for camping
and jeeping and is seeing an increase in motorcycle and ATV use.
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Matheson Wetlands Preserve
The Matheson Wetlands Preserve, located just a half-mile from Moab, provides
some of the best wetlands wildlife watching in Utah. It is the only major
wetland along the Colorado River in Utah. It is a critical 'steppingstone'
for migrating waterfowl, raptors and shorebirds.
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Wineries
Wine tasters and connoisseurs from around the world are often
quite surprised to learn that there are two vineyards and wineries right
here in Moab area. Moab's long growing season coupled with its fertile,
sandy soils has resulted in production of quite a few world-class wines.
Visitors can spend half a day enjoying both Moab area wineries and their
tasting rooms, or take a quick tour of either one.
More info...