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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

Walk wash bottoms, around boulders and over benches meandering in the Moenkopi and Cutler sandstones. Follow cairns and signs to stay on the trail. The trail ascends 250 feet for that sweeping view of the Colorado River corridor. Access is across SR 128 from Hittle Bottom Boat…

Corona Arch

Corona Arch Trail

Highlights: Corona Arch (140 by 105 foot opening) and adjacent Bow Tie Arch; also views of the Colorado River and a large slickrock canyon. The Corona Arch Trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail on May 30, 2018. Description: From the Corona Arch Trailhead, follow the…

Dellenbaugh Trail Map

Dellenbaugh Tunnel

Highlights: The hiking trail leads to an elongated arch, locally called a “tunnel”. Desccription: This hike visits Dellenbaugh Tunnel, an elongated arch on the rim above Spring Canyon. First you follow a rolling ridge of beige slickrock across open desert, then you…

Hiking with pets

Fisher Towers Trail

Highlights: Close up views of the Fisher Towers and Onion Creek area. Distant views include the Colorado River, Castle Valley,Fisher Mesa, and the Book Cliffs. Description: From the parking lot (please sign in at register box), the trail goes down a short set of steps and then…

Grandstaff Hiking Trail

Grandstaff Canyon Trail

Highlights: Perennial clear stream in scenic canyon and Morning Glory Natural Bridge, which is 243 feet long and the sixth-longest natural rock span in the United States. Description: From the parking area next to SR 128, follow the trail that starts on the left side of the…

Moab Rim Trail map

Hidden Valley Trail

Highlights: Good views of the Moab Valley and Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area. Trail connects with the southern end of the Moab Rim 4-wheel drive trail. Description: From the parking area, follow the trail up to the base of the Moab Rim and then ascend a series of steep…

Hunter Canyon trail map

Hunter Canyon

Highlights: Free-flowing stream with cottonwood trees and pools. A large arch is located high on the right-hand side of the canyon about 1/2 mile from the trailhead. Description: From the parking area at the mouth of the canyon, follow the trail about two miles up the canyon…

Juniper Mesa Hiking Trail map

Juniper Trail

Highlights: Sweeping views of the Sand Flats Recreation Area and more. Description: The trail climbs a small mesa and circles the mesa top, offering scenic views of the Grandstaff and Mill Creek Canyons, the Moab and Porcupine Rims, the La Sal Mountain range and the Colorado…

Ken’s Lake

Ken's Lake Trails

Highlights: Family friendly short jaunts near water sources for more nature. Circumnavigate the reservoir, walk to Faux Falls, and enjoy the Ken’s Lake Rock Loop nature trail. Faux Falls is created by a diversion, piping water from Mill Creek to fill up the reservoir…

Longbow Arch Trail map

Longbow Arch Trail

Highlights: Great views of Behind the Rocks, La Sal Mountains, rock art near the beginning of the trail, and 60 foot Longbow Arch. Do not touch rock art as oil on your skin causes damage. Description: The trail climbs moderately after leaving the parking lot, passing several…

Moab Rim Trail map

Moab Rim Trail

Highlights: Good views of the Colorado River, Moab Valley, and the Behind the Rocks area. Description: From the parking area, follow the 4-wheel-drive vehicle route up the slickrock ramps of Kayenta sandstone. After about 1.4 miles, the route reaches a viewpoint of the Moab…

pinto arch

Pinto Arch Trail

Highlights: Although a short trail, hikers are treated with several large alcoves containing hanging gardens, as well as scenic views of the Colorado River coursing its way through the canyon 500 feet below. At the trail’s end you can stand under the attractive Pinto Arch…

Poison Spider Bench trail map

Poison Spider Bench

Highlights: Views of the Colorado River. Description: The trail is on an old road that has been closed to motorized and mechanized use. The trail is mostly level with one short climb. The trail has great views, especially towards Moab and the La Sal Mountains. Look for an arch on…

Corona Arch Trail map

Portal Overlook Trail

Highlights: Panoramic views of the Moab Valley, the La Sal Mountains, the Colorado River, and the south portal. Description: From Jaycee Park Campground, follow the hiking trail up the Colorado River towards the river “portal. “ From the trailside visitor register…

Red Onion Trail map

Red Onion Trail

Highlights: The trail is a challenging 2.4 mile loop that winds through narrow washes and canyons with striking views of Fisher Towers, Onion Creek and the Professor Valley Description: Begin hike from the trailhead kiosk. The trail climbs a short hill and continues for 300 feet…

Stairmaster Hiking map

Stairmaster Trail

Highlights: This trail is all about the aerobic exercise. Great views of the Colorado River. Description: The trail starts just past the trail register on the Moab Rim 4-wheel-drive trail. The trail is marked by rock cairns, staying above the 4-wheel-drive trail, and climbs…

Sylvester Trail map

Sylvester Trail

Highlights: View of rock pinnacles. It is a traverse beneath Castle Rock and the Priest and Nuns formations. Description: The trail is shared with equestrian users. It is made of sandstone and shale ledges in a broad tributary valley of Professor Creek. As the trail progresses…

Trough Springs Trail

Trough Springs Trail

Highlights: Views of the La Sal Mountains from the plateau, the trail continues through riparian terrain that has water year round. Description:  This trail descends 1100 feet in elevation from the plateau into Kane Creek Canyon. Cairns mark the trail, a former cattle route…

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.