A Primer on Moab
We spend a lot of time in Moab. I first visited there in the 60’s and have been going back ever since. I probably camped in the area over 300 days in just the last 10 years. So I thought maybe I’d put...
Forum Discussion
What to do
Moab is a busy place for a reason. The variety of activities is amazing. People travel from all over the world to visit the national parks, but plenty of people also come to mountain bike, hike, 4x4, ride ATV’s, raft, climb – the list goes on.
What you decide to do is dependent on your interest and how much time you have. A drive through of Arches NP will take you half a day. If you want to hike some of the trails, you can easily spend several days to hit the highlights.
Hiking
Arches NP is a great park to hike in. Some of the hikes are really just short walks from the car to a view point. Others can take the better part of a day. Among the longer ones, we like going to Devil’s Garden, hiking out to Double O arch and returning via the Primitive Loop. Many do the hike out to Delicate Arch in the evening to catch the sunset. Bring a flashlight or headlamp for the return trip. The short hikes around the Windows section can all be done from one parking spot. Easier that way anyway, as parking can be at a premium. Get a spot – hang on to it. The hike to Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch is a great way to spend a couple of hours if you’re camped at the Devil’s Garden CG.
Canyonlands NP isn’t so blessed with good hikes. Mesa Arch and Grandview Point are two of our favorite out there. Neck Springs is interesting if you have a little more time. Trails that go down to the White Rim like Gooseberry or Murphy Hogback are ones that should only be attempted by stronger hikers as there is significant elevation loss down to the rim which one must hike back up at the end of the day. Lots of water is a must on those hikes.
For hiking ideas on all the BLM lands, check out Discover Moab hiking information where they have descriptions and some nice maps. One good thing about BLM trails is that dogs are allowed in most places. They also list a few trails that are good to do on hot days. Grandstaff, Hunter Canyon, and Hidden Valley all have reasonable amounts of shade for those hot afternoons. Fisher Tower Trail is an interesting hike because of the pathway. Hot in the sun however. I just hiked this trail again this fall and forgot how amazing it is. There may not be any arches, but this trail is on par with most NPS trails in Utah for the experience. This isn't a trail to stroll on, as there are some places where I had to use a hand to balance. Dogs are OK for the first 1.5 miles. Then there's a six rung ladder to negotiate. If you can carry your dog down a ladder, then no problem. I met a couple with a German Shepherd that they had carried down the ladder, but they were half my age. Don't think I could have done it. But if you like to explore, this is a trail not to be missed! Brochure On really hot days, consider a hike in the La Sal Mountains. Hiking among the aspens will make the heat of Moab seem a world away.
Moab is a busy place for a reason. The variety of activities is amazing. People travel from all over the world to visit the national parks, but plenty of people also come to mountain bike, hike, 4x4, ride ATV’s, raft, climb – the list goes on.
What you decide to do is dependent on your interest and how much time you have. A drive through of Arches NP will take you half a day. If you want to hike some of the trails, you can easily spend several days to hit the highlights.
Hiking
Arches NP is a great park to hike in. Some of the hikes are really just short walks from the car to a view point. Others can take the better part of a day. Among the longer ones, we like going to Devil’s Garden, hiking out to Double O arch and returning via the Primitive Loop. Many do the hike out to Delicate Arch in the evening to catch the sunset. Bring a flashlight or headlamp for the return trip. The short hikes around the Windows section can all be done from one parking spot. Easier that way anyway, as parking can be at a premium. Get a spot – hang on to it. The hike to Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch is a great way to spend a couple of hours if you’re camped at the Devil’s Garden CG.
Canyonlands NP isn’t so blessed with good hikes. Mesa Arch and Grandview Point are two of our favorite out there. Neck Springs is interesting if you have a little more time. Trails that go down to the White Rim like Gooseberry or Murphy Hogback are ones that should only be attempted by stronger hikers as there is significant elevation loss down to the rim which one must hike back up at the end of the day. Lots of water is a must on those hikes.
For hiking ideas on all the BLM lands, check out Discover Moab hiking information where they have descriptions and some nice maps. One good thing about BLM trails is that dogs are allowed in most places. They also list a few trails that are good to do on hot days. Grandstaff, Hunter Canyon, and Hidden Valley all have reasonable amounts of shade for those hot afternoons. Fisher Tower Trail is an interesting hike because of the pathway. Hot in the sun however. I just hiked this trail again this fall and forgot how amazing it is. There may not be any arches, but this trail is on par with most NPS trails in Utah for the experience. This isn't a trail to stroll on, as there are some places where I had to use a hand to balance. Dogs are OK for the first 1.5 miles. Then there's a six rung ladder to negotiate. If you can carry your dog down a ladder, then no problem. I met a couple with a German Shepherd that they had carried down the ladder, but they were half my age. Don't think I could have done it. But if you like to explore, this is a trail not to be missed! Brochure On really hot days, consider a hike in the La Sal Mountains. Hiking among the aspens will make the heat of Moab seem a world away.
