24 Hours in Moab, Utah
It’s no secret that Utah is one of my favorite states; it’s extremely beautiful and has tons of National Parks, State Parks, and just beautiful random areas to explore in pretty much every region. One of the most famous towns in Utah is Moab, thanks to the two huge National Parks located across from each other. Ideally, you’ll want to spend at least two days in Moab so you can fully devote a day to each park, however, if you’re on a time crunch it is possible to cram everything into a 24hr period. Below are some must see spots if you only have a day to explore.
WHAT TO DO
-Explore Canyonlands. Our most recent trip was actually my first time visiting Canyonlands and I have to say it might possibly be my favorite National Park in Moab. The actual park is perched high atop a mountain and there’s view points of beautiful canyons that go on for miles. It’s truly amazing to see. We didn’t have a ton of time, so we enjoyed the canyon view right by the visitor center (which is honestly one of the best ones, so don’t miss out) and then ventured to one other point.
-Explore Arches National Park. Arches is arguably the more famous park in Moab and is definitely worth a visit. There’s so many beautiful view points to see, with the most famous being the Delicate Arch. Be prepared for a 3-mile hike in order to get close enough for photos, and plan on starting very early if you’d like to beat the crowds. If you’re on a time crunch, check out the Double Arches; it’s less than a half mile walk to a beautiful view (pictured below).
-Check Out Downtown Moab. While Moab is still what I would consider a small town, it’s very built up with plenty of amazing restaurants and coffee shops to explore downtown.
WHERE TO EAT
There are tons of great options in Moab with a lot of diverse cuisines. Our first night there we splurged on room service at the Hilton and it was amazing. Another amazing meal we had was Thai Bella. It was literally the best Thai food I’ve had, so I definitely recommend trying it out. We opted for a local coffee shop for breakfast before hitting the parks, and while the coffee was great, the breakfast sandwiches weren’t my favorite. So I’d recommend waking up a little earlier for a sit down breakfast somewhere or grabbing breakfast at your hotel before heading out.
WHERE TO STAY
-Hilton Hoodoo Moab. We stayed here on our most recent trip and it felt like such a luxurious stay. The prices are very reasonable during winter. So if you’re on a budget, check it out during offseason! Linking the hotel here.
-The Domes. These are a super cool glamping spot that make you feel like you’re on mars. They’re little space-looking dome huts in the middle of nowhere with huge window panels to look out into nature. They’re pretty far south though, so ideally this would be a spot you would stay in if your road trip is heading North from Arizona as it’s about an hour south of Moab.
*Photo is from their official instagram @stayatthedomes
-Under Canvas Moab. This popular luxurious glamping company also has an amazing Moab location that is available during the warmer months of the year and is definitely worth a visit. We’ve unfortunately only visited during winter so far, so we haven’t been able to experience it yet, but it’s definitely on my bucket list! Linking the resort here.
*Photo is from their official Instagram @undercanvasofficial
There are also tons of hotel options for every budget available in Moab that all look nice and are situated within a 10-15 min drive of the National Parks.
Have you been to Moab before? I’d love to hear your favorite spots in a comment below!
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