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Hiking Outside the National and State Parks

From cool stream-side hikes to spectacular sandstone arches, the Moab area is full of exciting day-hikes outside of the national parks. All of the trails on this page are on Bureau of Land Management land and most are pet friendly. What follows is just a taste of what Moab has to offer outside of the national parks.

Amphitheater Loop Trail map

Amphitheater Loop

A meandering, good-for-exploring trail that encourages hikers to pay attention to the landscape. Note that this trail is hard to follow at times, and is marked by cairns only—but if your trail-finding and directional skills are decent, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping…

Corona Arch

Corona Arch Trail

One of the most accessible and astounding arches in Moab outside of the national parks, with views of the Colorado River and Bootlegger Canyon along the hiking trail. The trail crosses railroad tracks, then follows cairns and painted dashes across slickrock. A small section of…

Dellenbaugh Trail Map

Dellenbaugh Tunnel

  Give yourself the entire afternoon, at least, for this adventure. Dellenbaugh Tunnel is actually an elongated arch, with excellent views of Spring Canyon: It’s accessible along a popular offroading route, but there is also a dedicated trail for hikers. Look for…

Hiking with pets

Fisher Towers Trail

  A National Recreation Trail, good for long explorations of bizarre and beautiful mudstone towers. This trail is an out-and-back, but is best done with no specific end point in mind: wander down the trail until you’d like to turn back again. From the parking lot…

Grandstaff Hiking Trail

Grandstaff Canyon Trail

  A National Recreation Trail and one of the more popular trails in Moab, for good reason. The trail follows a stream through a scenic canyon, ending underneath a natural bridge called Morning Glory. Look out for dinosaur tracks on boulders in the stream—and look out…

Hunter Canyon trail map

Hunter Canyon

  A relaxed canyon romp that’s a great addition to exploring the Kane Creek area and is especially lovely during summer (for shade) and winter (for less water in the creek). The trail requires creek crossings and can have loose sand.  At the end of the canyon…

Juniper Mesa Hiking Trail map

Juniper Trail

Easy trail with great views of the landscape as it transitions from high alpine mountains into sandstone desert, and a fantastic way to explore the Sand Flats Recreation Area — managed by Grand County and the Bureau of Land Management — beyond biking and off-roading…

Ken’s Lake

Ken's Lake Trails

  An excellent spot to hike, picnic, and swim. There are a few trails around Ken’s Lake to explore: hikers can wander the perimeter of the lake and jaunt to “Faux Falls,” a manmade waterfall near the camping area.  If circumnavigating the lake, begin…

Longbow Arch Trail map

Longbow Arch Trail

  Fun trail atop slickrock with amazing views of the Colorado River, the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Area, the La Sal Mountains, and—at the end—the 60 foot Longbow Arch. This trail requires some scrambling and route finding, including a ladder section that may…

Moab Rim Trail map

Moab Rim Trail

  Who needs a gym when you’ve got the Stairmaster trail? High elevation gain in a low amount of mileage means you’ll be working your legs. Take breaks when you need it to gaze at the Colorado River. The trail follows the same rock formation as the 4x4 road (the…

Red Onion Trail map

Red Onion Trail

  Often missed, the Red Onion Trail is a good adventure for hikers looking to challenge themselves with their trail-finding skills. If you’re up for it, the payoff is worth it: the trail features fun scrambles and explorations in and out of drainages that feel like…

Moab Outdoor Adventure Guide

The Moab Outdoor Adventure Guide (available for free at the Moab Information Center) is a comprehensive guide to adventures and activities that are available on the public lands surrounding Moab.

MOAG

Canyoneering

If you are looking for something a little different to experience on your next vacation, try canyoneering. “Canyoneering” refers to exploring canyons which occasionally require the use of ropes and basic climbing skills to explore. As a result, canyoneers frequently find themselves in lesser visited canyons that are the hidden gems of southern Utah. Whether you are beginner or expert, Moab’s Canyoneering Guides can take you into some of the most beautiful canyons in southern Utah.

A complete list of all Moab Canyoneering Guides is included on our Guides & Outfitters page.

Essential Equipment Checklist

  • Drinking Water: This is a high desert environment. Bring one gallon per person, per day.
  • Food
  • Good Footwear: Tennis or running shoes with rubbery soles are adequate for short slickrock and stream hikes.
  • Sun Protection: Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
  • Route map or trail guide
  • First-aid kit
  • Insect Repellent
  • Day Pack
  • Cool Season Hikes
    • Long pants
    • Sweater and gloves
    • Earband
    • Coat and/or gear

Pet Etiquette and Local Laws

There are many pet-friendly trails and accommodations to choose from in the Moab area. By taking a few precautions and observing local rules and regulations, traveling with your pet can be a very rewarding experience.

NATIONAL PARKS
Activities with pets are very limited within the National Parks of southern Utah. Pets are prohibited from the backcountry as well as on trails. Pets must be leashed at all times when outside a vehicle and may be walked only on roads or in parking lots. Pets may accompany visitors in campgrounds.

OTHER PUBLIC LANDS
Generally, pets may accompany you as you hike on public land in Canyon Country outside of the national parks. (Check out our Hiking Page for details on some popular pet friendly Moab area hikes.)

Clean Up After Your Pet
Bring plastic bags, litter, or bedding. Wherever you stay, don’t forget to clean up after your pet. It’s both common sense, and courteous to the places you’re visiting.

pet waste disposal icon

 

Research and Obey Local Laws
In Moab City all dogs must be kept on a leash, in Grand County all dogs must be kept under restraint, no owner shall fail to exercise proper care and control of his or her animals to prevent them from becoming a public nuisance.

Pet Friendly Trails and Places
All of the trails on this page are pet friendly. In town, Moab’s Bark Park is an off-leash dog park located at 100 East 300 South on the southeast corner of the intersection. This is a great place to bring your dog so they can exercise, run, and play, unleashed. (Please remember to clean up after your dog.)

Identification
Make sure the identification tags on your pet’s collar are up to date and fastened securely to the collar. An updated rabies vaccine is required for all dogs and cats in the state of Utah.

Biological Soil Crust

Help to keep all of our trails open. Protect this fragile, but crucial, soil by remaining on designated roads, routes and trails at all times.

soil crust

Biological soil crust, also known as cryptobiotic soil, is the foundation of desert plant life. This black, knobby crust is made up of many different living organisms and plays a vital role in maintaining the desert ecosystem. However, this sensitive soil is extremely fragile and can take decades to grow. Even a footstep can damage the crust for decades, having lasting impacts on the desert environment. Please stay on the trials. Help to protect this fragile life by remaining on designated roads, routes, and trails at all times. Where hiking trails are not established, hike in sandy washes or on bare rock.