How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Moab Itinerary
Last Updated on 15th June 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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With the Colorado River, two national parks, and no shortage of dramatic scenery nearby, Moab is a fantastic destination. It’s the perfect place to explore the great outdoors and if you’re looking for the perfect 3 days in Moab itinerary, then you’re in the right place.
In Moab and the surrounding area, you’ll see stunning arches, thrilling canyons, wide mesas, and other amazing rock formations. You’ll also get to visit the quaint town of Moab itself, which attracts many tourists and is known for its friendly residents.
So, what’s the best way to spend 3 days in Moab? This itinerary outlines just that, a guide for 3 perfect days in Moab, Utah.
Contents
About Moab
Between 1829 and 1850, the area around present-day Moab served as a crossing point along the Old Spanish Trail on the Colorado River.
In 1855, Latter-day Saint settlers attempted to establish a trading fort, but it was eventually abandoned. In 1878, a new group of settlers established a permanent settlement.
Moab was officially incorporated as a town in 1902. The construction of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in 1883 shifted trade routes away from Moab, leading to a shift in the town’s economy from trading to shipping goods to distant markets.
Moab’s economy shifted from agriculture to mining in the early 20th century, with uranium becoming a major industry in the 1950s.
The population boomed during this time but declined after the end of the Cold War. Moab gained attention as a filming location, and in recent years, it has seen an influx of second-home owners.
When to Visit Moab
The best time to visit Moab, Utah is in spring or fall because the weather is warm but not too hot, and it’s not quite as crowded as it is in the summer, but you can visit year-round.
In the summer, it is hot. Really hot. So unless you enjoy that and have a high tolerance for it, I wouldn’t recommend it. Winter doesn’t get too bad in Moab, with highs in the 40s and 50s F (5-15° C), but it can occasionally snow.
How to Get to Moab
Moab is nestled between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. It’s just under 4 hours from Salt Lake City, which has the largest nearby airport.
Other nearby airports include Canyonlands Field (CNY) and Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), both of which are regional airports.
If you prefer to travel by bus, Greyhound offers bus service to Moab from several cities in Utah and Colorado. Once in Moab, the easiest way to get around is by car. Check here for the best car rental comparison prices.
Where to Stay in Moab
As a big tourist destination, Moab has quite a lot of options for a small town. Some of the best places to stay include Red Cliffs Lodge, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Moab, Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn, Aarchway Inn, Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa, Hoodoo Moab, and Moab Under Canvas.
You can also camp nearby in Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point State Park, or Sand Flats Recreation Area.
Suggested Moab itinerary
Day 1 – Arches National Park
Start your first day in Arches National Park. Drive first to the Devils Garden, which is about 18 miles from the park entrance. This trail is about 7.9 mi (12.7 km); however, you don’t need to do the whole thing. Landscape Arch, the longest arch in North America is a little less than a mile in.
After, head to Double Arch, which is visible from the parking loop at The Windows. Double Arch is the tallest in the park, and you can walk right up to its base.
While you’re in the area, you can go to the Windows Trailhead, which will lead you to Turret Arch, North Window, and South Window. This trail only takes 30-60 minutes. If you’re hungry for lunch, this is a good place to stop and eat it.
Next up are Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch. A 2.3-mile (3.7 km) roundtrip trail leads to both of these.
As sunset approaches, it is time for Delicate Arch. It’s best to do this trail during the early morning or evening hours while it isn’t too hot because the trail is in the sun.
The hike is 3 mi (4.8 km) roundtrip. It’ll take 2-3 hours, so make sure you plan enough time. It’s more strenuous than most of the others we’ve seen, so bring plenty of water and wear hiking shoes.
Head back to Moab for a dinner break. Desert Bistro, 98 Center Moab, and Sunset Grill are all great local options. Don’t get too stuffed, though; there’s a bit more to do tonight.
Once you’re done eating and it’s good and dark out, head back into Arches for some stargazing. As an official International Dark Sky Park, Arches is one of the best places to peer into the heavens. You’ll be able to see thousands of stars.
Some of the best spots to stargaze are the Balanced Rock Picnic Area, The Windows Section, the Garden of Eden Viewpoint, and Panorama Point.
Day 2 – Canyonlands
Canyonlands is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. During your day here, you’ll be spending your time in Island in the Sky, the closest district to Moab and the most popular.
First up on day 2, you’ll visit Mesa Arch, a must-see on your trip. The easy trail is only 0.7 mi (1.1 km), and when you reach the arch, you’ll see a breathtaking view of the canyons through it.
If you can make it here for sunrise, even better. It’s gorgeous to see the sun come up over the landscape with this view as the backdrop.
When you’re done at the arch, it’s time to see Upheaval Dome. A 1 mi (1.6 km) trail will take you to the first overlook of Upheaval Dome. It’s a bit steep but offers great views. Upheaval Dome is a geological formation with a bit of a mysterious past.
Unlike most of Canyonlands, the rock layers in this spot have been dramatically deformed. Geologists don’t quite know what caused the upheaval of rock at the center of this area, but there are many theories, including a meteorite colliding with the Earth.
Next stop at Green River Overlook, a lookout with a picturesque view of a plateau that the Green River has carved away. The white rim of the canyon makes for a stunning outline. From this viewing area, you can spot the Maze District on the horizon.
Hop back in the car and drive to Grand View Point, which serves wonderful views facing south. There’s a decent view from the parking lot, but a 1.8-mile (2.9-km), mostly flat trail gives you a truly stunning view of the canyons.
There are lots more little overlooks and short hikes, so if you have time before the sun sets, check them out. White Rim Overlook, Whale Rock, Aztec Butte, and Gooseneck Overlook are all great, short options.
Head back to Moab for dinner. You can try one of the places we suggested on day 1, or you can try the Moab Brewery, Milt’s Stop & Eat, or Quesadilla Mobilla. Spend the rest of the night relaxing and preparing for your last day.
Day 3 – Moab and the Surrounding Area
There are lots of other activities near Moab that get overlooked because of the national parks. On day 3 in Moab, you’ll be able to explore some of these.
Head out in the morning to see the petroglyphs in the area. You can create your own self-guided tour with the signs along Potash Road and the Colorado River. These rock carvings were made by the Puebloan people.
There’s a lot more to see in this area, including dinosaur tracks, arches, and the Colorado River. You can even rock climb at a climbing area called Wall Street.
While you’re near the Colorado River, it’s the perfect time to go paddleboarding or swimming. You can rent a paddleboard in town. Be sure to ask the locals for the best spot for your skill level. Float along the river or dive in for a refreshing swim.
Make your way back into town to explore Moab itself. This wouldn’t be a Moab itinerary if we didn’t recommend you spend some time in town. While it is small, Moab does have some cute stores, cafes, and restaurants. The Moab Rock Shop is a great shop with tons of rocks, minerals, and fossils—the perfect place for a souvenir.
Last but not least, after your evening exploring Moab, head to Dead Horse Point State Park. This is another treasure near Moab that you could explore during the day instead of one of the other activities; however, right now it’s time for, you guessed it, more stargazing.
Dead Horse Point is another International Dark Sky Park. It’s far from any city, and its high plateau location and distance from any tall mountain are a recipe for perfect night skies. Dead Horse Point Overlook is the best spot to take in the nightly celestial light show.
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About the author: Lexi Cooper is a freelance editor and writer. Her parents taught her a love for traveling, seeing new sights, and learning about the world. Along with her passion for travel, she loves stories and dreams of spending her days reading and writing books and wandering the globe.
