The Ultimate Moab Travel Guide: Arches, Canyonlands & Hidden Gems

There are some places you visit that completely exceed your expectations.

Moab, Utah was one of those places for us.

We knew we’d be surrounded by beautiful red-rock country. We knew we wanted to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. What we didn’t expect was just how much there was to explore outside the national parks.

We saw dinosaur tracks, followed the Colorado River, discovered an incredible scenic drive almost by accident, watched a cowboy rounding up cattle, and even had hot air balloons floating right over our campsite.

Moab turned out to be one of those destinations where simply getting in the truck and exploring could turn into an adventure.

If you’re planning your own Moab road trip, here are some of the places and experiences we enjoyed most.

Getting to Moab, Utah

Our travel day took us from Spanish Fork, Utah to Moab.

One of the things that continually amazed us while traveling through Utah was how quickly the landscape could change. Mountains that looked completely different from one another seemed to appear around every corner.

And there were juniper trees everywhere!

Travel days have given us some of our favorite scenery during our years on the road, and the drive toward Moab certainly didn’t disappoint.

But arriving in Moab was just the beginning.

Our Boondocking Campsite Near Moab

We camped along Klondike Bluffs Road north of Moab.

The scenery from our campsite was absolutely spectacular. We could even see rock formations in the northern portion of Arches National Park from where we were staying.

It sounds perfect.

Unfortunately, there was a catch.

Klondike Bluffs Road was one of the worst roads we had ever driven with the RV.

That was the reason we didn’t make one of our usual campground-review videos recommending the location.

The campsite itself and the views were wonderful. Getting there was another story.

Road conditions on unpaved roads can change considerably, so anyone considering dispersed camping around Moab should check current conditions before taking an RV down an unfamiliar road.

But once we were settled in, we certainly couldn’t complain about our surroundings.

Those red-rock formations were constantly calling us to come closer.

Trying to Reach Those Red Rocks

From our campsite, some of the rock formations looked incredibly close.

We thought we could simply walk over and get better photographs.

So we started walking toward them.

And walking.

And walking.

What looked like it might be a quarter of a mile away turned into a much longer hike. We eventually walked about a mile and a half before reaching a fence that prevented us from going any farther.

We never did get as close as we’d hoped.

But we had fun trying.

General enjoyed the adventure too. We put his little sneakers on him and he happily ran around exploring the desert with us.

It was a good reminder of how deceptive distances can be in wide-open desert country.

Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracks

One of our favorite discoveries around Moab was the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite.

This was the first time either of us had ever seen actual dinosaur tracks.

And they were incredible.

The tracks were so clearly visible that it was almost hard to comprehend how old they were. You’re standing there looking at evidence of an animal that walked across that ground millions of years before you arrived.

We were also impressed by how respectfully people were treating the site.

There was some fencing protecting the track area, but it wasn’t the kind of heavily controlled attraction we might have expected. Visitors were simply expected to respect what they were seeing.

And they appeared to be doing exactly that.

For us, that made the experience even better.

Getting to the Mill Canyon Area

The road into Mill Canyon deserves a little discussion.

When we visited, there was a sandy wash that we needed to drive through, including loose sand and a small drop on either side.

Our truck made it through without much difficulty, but we felt much more comfortable having a higher-clearance vehicle.

Conditions on desert roads and washes can change dramatically, particularly after storms, so check current road conditions before visiting.

Don’t assume that because someone drove a particular road successfully last year — or even last month — you’ll encounter exactly the same conditions.

Searching for Dinosaur Bones

Mill Canyon had another dinosaur-related site that we wanted to see.

This time, the road involved quite a bit of loose sand.

Rather than risk taking the truck farther than we were comfortable going, we parked and walked.

It was about a mile and a half for us, and it wasn’t a particularly difficult walk.

General certainly didn’t mind.

He loves digging in sand, so from his perspective we had apparently brought him to the world’s largest sandbox.

Between the dinosaur history and the surrounding scenery, Mill Canyon was one of the unexpected highlights of our Moab visit.

Exploring the Colorado River Near Moab

The Colorado River runs right through the Moab area, surrounded by some absolutely beautiful canyon scenery.

Naturally, we had to explore it.

We followed the road along the river and eventually drove back toward Castle Valley.

This was already turning into a beautiful scenic drive.

Then our plans changed.

The Detour That Turned Into One of Our Favorite Drives

We had almost made it back toward the main road when we discovered that a fire had closed the route ahead.

We couldn’t continue.

While deciding what to do, we noticed a man nearby with the hood of his vehicle open. We stopped to make sure he was okay and got to talking with him.

He appeared to know the area, so we asked about another way back.

He told us we could return through Castle Valley and follow another road that would eventually bring us into the southern end of Moab.

So that’s what we did.

And what started as an inconvenient detour became one of the most beautiful drives of our entire Moab stay.

The Scenic Drive Through Castle Valley

The scenery along this route was absolutely gorgeous.

Towering red-rock formations surrounded us as the road wound through the landscape.

It wasn’t a drive we’d originally planned. In fact, if the other road hadn’t been closed, we might never have discovered it.

Those accidental discoveries are one of the things we’ve always loved about traveling.

Sometimes the best part of the day isn’t on the itinerary.

We even got an unexpected bonus toward the end of the drive when we encountered a real cowboy out rounding up cattle.

It was one of those wonderfully Western moments that just seemed to fit the landscape perfectly.

If you’re visiting Moab and enjoy scenic drives, the Castle Valley area is well worth exploring.

Canyonlands National Park

Of course, a trip to Moab wouldn’t be complete without visiting the national parks.

We started with Canyonlands National Park.

Canyonlands doesn’t always seem to receive the same attention as Arches, but we thought it was spectacular.

The enormous canyons and vast open landscapes give it an entirely different feel.

This isn’t simply another version of Arches.

Canyonlands has its own personality.

There are views where the landscape seems to continue forever, with layer after layer of canyon country disappearing toward the horizon.

If you’re already making the trip to Moab for Arches, don’t skip Canyonlands.

It deserves time of its own.

Arches National Park

Then there is the attraction most people immediately associate with Moab:

Arches National Park.

There’s a reason it’s so famous.

The rock formations are extraordinary.

Everywhere we looked there seemed to be another arch, towering wall, balanced formation or red-rock landscape begging to be photographed.

You can see pictures of Arches National Park before you go, but photographs really don’t prepare you for the scale of the landscape.

It’s one of those places that simply needs to be experienced in person.

If you’re a photographer, make sure your batteries are charged and you have plenty of room on your memory cards.

You’re going to need it.

A Hot Air Balloon Over Our Campsite

Not every memorable Moab experience required us to go anywhere.

One morning we looked outside and discovered a hot air balloon coming right over our campsite.

General wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this giant object floating through the sky.

We thought it was wonderful.

We’d seen the balloon in the area on previous days, but having it pass directly over us was a pretty spectacular way to start the morning.

That’s another advantage of camping somewhere with a wide-open desert view.

Sometimes the entertainment comes to you.

Moab Was Busy — Even in Late Fall

One thing that surprised us was how busy Moab was.

We were visiting toward late fall and expected things to have slowed down considerably.

They hadn’t.

There were plenty of people in town and lots of off-road vehicles out enjoying the surrounding country. Even people in Moab seemed surprised by how much activity there was for that time of year.

The pleasant weather probably had something to do with it.

Everyone seemed to be trying to squeeze in one more adventure before winter.

The downside was dust.

With so many vehicles traveling the desert roads, it could get extremely dusty.

That’s simply part of the experience in this kind of country, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re camping outside town.

And Then Ed Cut My Hair…

Full-time RV travel occasionally presents some interesting practical problems.

Like needing a haircut.

It had been many months since I’d had mine cut, so while we were in Moab, Ed volunteered to do it.

He was extremely nervous.

As it turned out, he probably had reason to be. 😂

My hair ended up quite a bit shorter than I had planned, and one side wasn’t exactly the same length as the other.

But he did the best he could, and I appreciated him volunteering.

I eventually had it fixed.

And in fairness, I had already cut Ed’s hair several times by then, so apparently RV life had turned us into traveling amateur barbers.

Sometimes those ordinary little moments become just as much a part of the travel memories as the national parks.

What We Loved Most About Moab

It’s difficult to choose one favorite thing.

Arches was spectacular.

Canyonlands was beautiful in a completely different way.

Seeing dinosaur tracks for the first time was unforgettable.

And that accidental drive through Castle Valley gave us some of the prettiest scenery of the entire trip.

But perhaps what we liked most was the variety.

You can spend one day visiting a famous national park and the next exploring a desert road, searching for dinosaur tracks or simply following the Colorado River to see where it takes you.

Moab rewards curiosity.

Tips for Planning a Trip to Moab

Based on our experience, there are a few things we’d keep in mind when planning another visit.

Give yourself more than a day or two. There is much more to see around Moab than Arches National Park.

Don’t skip Canyonlands. Arches may get more attention, but Canyonlands is absolutely worth visiting.

Explore beyond the national parks. Some of our favorite experiences happened outside park boundaries.

Check dirt-road conditions. Desert roads can be rough, sandy or washed out, and conditions can change.

Don’t underestimate distances. Something that looks close across an open desert landscape may be considerably farther away than it appears.

Be prepared for dust. Moab is popular with off-road enthusiasts, and busy dirt roads can generate plenty of it.

Check current National Park Service information before your trip. Entrance procedures, reservations, road conditions and other requirements can change.

And most importantly:

Leave some room in your schedule for exploring.

You never know when a road closure, a conversation with a local or a spontaneous turn down an unfamiliar road will lead you somewhere wonderful.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Moab

Is Moab worth visiting if you’ve already seen Arches National Park?

Absolutely. Arches is only one part of the Moab experience. Canyonlands National Park, dinosaur sites, the Colorado River, Castle Valley and the surrounding desert scenery provide plenty of additional places to explore.

Can you see dinosaur tracks near Moab?

Yes. We visited the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite and were amazed by how clearly we could see the tracks. It was the first time we’d ever seen dinosaur tracks in person.

Do you need a four-wheel-drive vehicle around Moab?

Not for the main paved attractions we visited, but some backcountry and desert roads can be rough or sandy. When we visited Mill Canyon, we were glad to have a higher-clearance vehicle, and four-wheel drive provided additional peace of mind. Always check current conditions before traveling an unpaved road.

Should you visit Canyonlands if you’re already visiting Arches?

We certainly think so. The two parks offer very different landscapes and experiences. Canyonlands was less busy during our visit and gave us enormous sweeping canyon views that were completely different from the rock formations and arches we saw at Arches.

Is Moab good for photography?

Moab is a photographer’s playground. Arches, Canyonlands, the Colorado River, Castle Valley, desert landscapes, wildlife and even the views from the road gave us countless opportunities for photographs.

Can you boondock near Moab?

We boondocked north of Moab and had spectacular scenery from our campsite. However, the access road we used at the time was extremely rough. Dispersed-camping regulations and road conditions can change, so research current rules and conditions before choosing a campsite.

Would We Visit Moab Again?

Without hesitation.

Moab gave us national parks, dinosaur tracks, desert adventures, scenic drives, incredible photography and plenty of unexpected moments.

Yes, it was dusty.

Yes, it was busier than we expected.

And yes, we traveled down at least one road that we’d rather not take the RV down again!

But we wouldn’t have missed the experience.

If you’re planning a Utah road trip, give yourself enough time in Moab to look beyond Arches National Park.

Some of the places you discover beyond the famous attractions may end up being the ones you remember most.

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