Moab Utah

Have fun. The National Parks there are beautiful. I think Moab would be fine for a base camp. My two favorites was Mesa Arch in Canyon Land and the old 1899 ranch in Arches. Near the old ranch is some petroglyphs.

If you are looking for an RV park in Moab, check out Portals. Very nice!

x 2 on Portal

How much time are you planning for the general area?

Personally, I wouldn't base camp and try to drive down to 163 (Monument Valley) or a loop of 95 to I-70 (instead, stay in Torrey to do that area, including Capitol Reef Nat'l Park). You'll enjoy it more if you don't put in long days of driving for siteseeing. It's not a big deal to move from place to place. Stay a few days in each area to really explore.

2gypsies wrote:
How much time are you planning for the general area?

Personally, I wouldn't base camp and try to drive down to 163 (Monument Valley) or a loop of 95 to I-70 (instead, stay in Torrey to do that area, including Capitol Reef Nat'l Park). You'll enjoy it more if you don't put in long days of driving for siteseeing. It's not a big deal to move from place to place. Stay a few days in each area to really explore.

I agree with your idea and that is our plan to move around a bit.

You're bringing a Jeep but what is the extent of what the Jeep is for? Will you do any trail riding with it?

There is a lot to see and do in Moab and using one spot as a basecamp in Moab is not a bad plan if your intent is to hit up a lot of trails accessible from Moab. If you are only doing general sight seeing, make sure and drive highways 279, 128 and also Kane Creek Rd. People usually stay "in" Moab to do the many, many trails that Moab offers for Jeeping, OHVing, MTBing, hiking and climbing.

If you are planning on only seeing general sights near Moab from driving the roads, I would take other's suggestions on this thread and move on to the next location and explore from there.

RedRocket204 wrote:
You're bringing a Jeep but what is the extent of what the Jeep is for? Will you do any trail riding with it?

There is a lot to see and do in Moab and using one spot as a basecamp in Moab is not a bad plan if your intent is to hit up a lot of trails accessible from Moab. If you are only doing general sight seeing, make sure and drive highways 279, 128 and also Kane Creek Rd. People usually stay "in" Moab to do the many, many trails that Moab offers for Jeeping, OHVing, MTBing, hiking and climbing.

If you are planning on only seeing general sights near Moab from driving the roads, I would take other's suggestions on this thread and move on to the next location and explore from there.

The jeep is for off roading trails or general sightseeing. Not an issue going on trails that require 4WD. Looking for dinosaur tracks and native american sites. The dinosaur museum, anyone been there?

OK. You may want to consider picking up this just released edition: Funtreks - Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails (3rd Edition)

I do have the book but have not researched any reference to dinosaur tracks or native American locations in it but most importantly, it will give you trail ratings and warnings. And red trails are just that, expert trails. Best to stay off the red trails if you are not interested in rock crawling types of trails where you can break parts. Need to be very prepared on some of those trails.

Not sure of your level of trail running expertise but the book is a very good reference for the area as it also give proper easy and moderate ratings for trails which may or may not be of interest to you. Not trying to insult your level of Jeeping... I just don't know what that level is.

Have fun!

Take a look at TrailDamage.com to plan your Jeep trails.

Yes, jeep trails in the Moab area range from mild to wild. Some are only for very highly modified rigs, so do your research ahead of time.

There are some dinosaur tracks around, but none are exceptional. Many are subtle enough that to the untrained eye, they don't look like much. If you have the time, head up to Vernal for a couple of days. Besides Dinosaur NM, check out the Utah Field house in town. Really nice dinosaur museum.

Haven't been through the new museum outside of Moab.

Better ruins down by Blanding, Cedar Mesa, and Hovenweep.