21 Best Moab Hiking Trails to Explore in 2024
LOOKING FOR THE BEST MOAB HIKING TRAILS?
You’ve landed on the right article. We have spent months traveling around Southern Utah, enjoying as many hiking trails as we can, and Moab has a plethora of awesome trails! We’ve put together a guide with helpful tips and details to assist you in exploring some of the hiking trails in Moab that our family has most enjoyed.
There are so many great Moab, Utah, hiking trails. The Moab hiking trails vary significantly from easy dinosaur track site trails to miles-long trails with epic scenery and arches. You are going to love these top hiking trails from Moab.
Most of them are kid-friendly, and some are much more popular than others, like the popular and famous Delicate Arch Trail. Whichever trails you decide to hike, the trails we have outlined below are the best hiking trails in Moab, and you are sure to love them. There are so many fun things to do in Moab.
Easy Moab Hiking Trails
1. Mesa Arch
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 100 feet
- Route: Out and back
- Dog-Friendly: No, dogs are not allowed
- Hiking Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Fees: $30 park entrance fee or America the Beautiful Pass
The Mesa Arch Trail is an easy 0.6-mile out-and-back hike located in the Island In The Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. This trail is a great beginner’s hike as it is relatively flat and short. It takes you to Mesa Arch, one of the most iconic views in Utah, with stunning views of the canyon below.
The terrain is mostly flat and easy, with a few ups and downs along the way. The Mesa Arch Trail offers some of the best views that Canyonlands has to offer, so make sure you bring your camera. This was one of our favorite hikes in Canyonlands National Park because it was such a family-friendly trail with great views at the end.
Remember to bring plenty of water, wear sturdy shoes, and dress in layers, as temperatures can change quickly on the Moab hiking trails. Once you get to the arch, be careful, as there are drop-offs around the arch.
You can read about our experience on this trail in our Mesa Arch hiking guide.
2. Potash Road Dinosaur Tracks and Petroglyphs Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: Less than 0.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 50 feet or less
- Route: Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Hiking Time: 15 to 45 min
- Fees: None
This hiking trail starts in the parking lot of one of our favorite off-road trails called Poison Spider Mesa. The hiking trail is very easy and is great for kids. You can easily see dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs on this trail.
The trail is not very long, and it is not very hard, but it is not flat, so it is not a trail you will be taking a stroller on or anything like that.
Once you pull into the parking area, the hike for the dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs is on the north part of the parking lot. The Poison Spider Mesa off-road trail is on the south of the parking lot. The trail itself, if hiked, would not take you very long, but if you stop and read the signs and take your time, it can take you a little longer.
Our kids brought along some notebooks and pencils because they enjoyed drawing the different tracks and petroglyphs they saw, so we took our time on this hike. The trail is steep in some places, and there are some drop-offs, so be careful.
3. Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: Zero
- Route: Out and Back/ Loop
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Hiking Time: 45 min
- Fees: None
The Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail is one of our favorite dinosaur trails in the Moab area. This trail is fun because you see the dinosaur bones still sitting in the rocks.
There are signs telling you what type of bone it is. It also takes a little bit to find them because they are in the rocks next to the trail.
Many of the dinosaur trails in Moab are sites where you see the dinosaur tracks, but there are a lot fewer trails where you can see the bones in the wild. You can see how the bones are different colored compared to the surrounding rock.
The trail follows signs telling you about the different bones and gives you a general direction of where to look for the bones. For example, the sign will say look at the shoulder bone of the Allosaurus to your right.
As you go down the trail and towards the end of the bones on your left, you will see a rock structure that was once a copper mine created in the 1800s. The mine didn’t last long as the quality of Copper in the area was insufficient to be sustainable.
You can walk past this structure on your way back as you loop back to the parking area. There is also a trail that continues past the dinosaur bones, but there isn’t much once you pass the dinosaur bones, so it is best to turn at that point or loop past the Copper mine.
Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracks Boardwalk
In the area, a little before the bone trail, there is a nice boardwalk where you can see dinosaur tracks. The track site is called the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Track Site. The track site was closed for a period as they were updating and rebuilding the boardwalk. The boardwalk should now be open and accessible to those who are interested in the tracks.
If you are interested in a fun document from the BLM that talks about the dinosaurs in the area, you can check out a free PDF on the trackside here.
4. Double Arch Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 30 feet
- Route: Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed
- Hiking Time: 30 min
- Fees: $30 park entrance fee or America the Beautiful Pass
Double Arch is an easy hike in Arches National Park. The arches are super cool. We really enjoy looking at lots of different types of arch formations, and this is a fun one because of the two arches seemingly splitting off from the same location, making two arches.
Many people enjoy climbing around the arches and the area but be careful because it is not uncommon that climbing up is easier than the climb down. When visiting the Double Arch Trail, you can access the Windows Trail from the same parking lot. The walk between the Windows Trail and the Double Arch is easy and short.
The arches are very impressive, but the hike does not give the same feeling of awe as some other hikes in the park. We visited Double Arch at sunset, which was amazing, but it was a short visit because it was getting dark.
We recommend these Moab hiking trails for people who have limited time or very young kids who cannot make it on a more strenuous hike. The view of the arches is amazing, and there are opportunities for fun pictures with the two arches. Make sure you bring plenty of water because when you are walking in the desert, conditions can change quickly.
5. Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.25 miles
- Elevation Gain: 100 feet
- Route: Loop/ Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed
- Hiking Time: 30 to 1 hour
- Fees: $30 park entrance fee or America the Beautiful Pass
The Windows and Turret Arch Trail is another must-do hike when visiting Moab and Arches National Park. The views of the arches in this area is super fun, and you can see through an arch to view other arches. The hike is very easy but does have some steps you will go up. It is a popular hike, so the trail is well cared for.
The loop goes by all of the arches, but many people do not complete the entire loop because most all the arches are at the beginning of the hike. Many people will just hike to the arches and then turn around and go back to the parking area and skip a good chunk of the hiking. If you just hike to the arches, the trail is only about half a mile long.
If you do decide to hike the entire loop, you will encounter fewer people on the back side of the loop because most people will congregate close to the arches. This is a popular area, so be prepared for there to be a lot of people. The parking here is easier than at Delicate Arch.
6. Grand View Point Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 75 feet
- Route: Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed
- Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
- Fees: $30 park entrance fee or America the Beautiful Pass
The Grand View Point Trail is an easy and short hike with great views of the entire area. The trail follows along a road to the viewpoint which allows you to take in all the sights on your way to the top. It is all the way in the back of the Canyonlands National Park Islands in the Sky district.
The trail is a popular trail in the area, so you will have a good chance of seeing numerous people in the area. However, the trail is worth a visit. The views are great, and you can see the White Rim Road, one of the Moab off-road trails, towards the bottom of the canyon from the trail and the overlook.
The trail does get slippery in the winter, so make sure you are careful and prepared in the winter months. In the summer months, make sure you are prepared for the heat. This is one of the best Moab hiking trails if you’re looking for amazing views.
7. Hunter Canyon
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 3.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 200 feet
- Route: Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on and off-leash areas
- Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Fees: None
The Hunter Canyon Trail is an easy to moderate 3.5-mile out-and-back hike located in Moab, UT on Kane Springs Rd. The trailhead is located near the Hunter Canyon/Spring Canyon Camping Area and is also a popular area for rock climbers. The camping area is not ideal for vehicles over 22 feet long and pulling large trailers.
The trail does have some shade, making it a reasonable hike if it is hotter outside. There is a creek along the trail, so kids and dogs can occasionally play in the water if they are getting warm.
However, this does not mean you should bring less water. The super dry climate in Moab can make everyone dehydrated quickly, even when the temperature is colder outside.
The trail, at times, is not overly apparent, and in different sections might be able to see where people have gone in numerous directions because of this. You will also be able to see the Hunter Canyon Arch not long into the hike.
Another important bit of information is that when hiking in areas that run along the rivers such as this one, you need to watch for poison ivy. There is poison ivy along this trail so learn to spot it or just avoid touching pants.
8. Juniper Loop Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2 Miles
- Elevation Gain: 200
- Route: Loop
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Fees: $5 Sand Flatts Recreation Area Entrance Fee
This is a nice family hike that is good for everyone, including smaller children. This trail does not have any shade, so in the hot summer months, be very careful. Bring lots of water, and make sure you start in the early morning before it is hot.
The views are gorgeous, and the trail is easily followed by the markers painted on the rocks. In the winter, if there is snow, the markers can be hard to follow.
If you are looking to avoid some of the crowds, this is a good trail to go on. You should not see as many people as the trail is not as well known or popular as many of the other trails in the area. There is some scrambling along the trail, but the scrambling is not overly challenging.
Our kids love climbing over the rocks, and we recommend taking some trails with a little scrambling because if the trails are too easy and flat, the kids get bored and start to complain and don’t hike as well.
You should expect to see some Juniper trees as they are plentiful in the area and is where the trail gets its name. If you have some time and want to check out more of the Sand Flatts Recreation Area, check out some of the great off-road trails and available tours.
9. Upheaval Dome Overlook
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.6 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 100 feet
- Route: Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed
- Hiking Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Fees: $30 park entrance fee or America the Beautiful Pass
The Upheaval Dome Overlook Trail is an easy 1 mile out and back hike located in Canyonland National Park in the Island of The Sky District. The hike is a beautiful hike and well with the visit.
This is also a great place to see big horn sheep. When we were hiking this trail, there was a good-sized herd just off the trail. This was one of our daughter’s favorite Moab hiking trails.
Once you get to the overlook, the views are very nice. There are a couple of overlooks you can visit on this trail. If you go the entire trail, then your total distance is going to be about 1.5 miles. This is a fun, quick hike that you should do while in Canyonlands National Park.
10. Ken’s Lake and Faux Falls Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 3.5
- Elevation Gain: 215
- Route: Loop
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on and off-leash areas
- Fees: None
Ken’s Lake is a great spot to swim and cool off. It is located just outside of Moab and is an easy hike to and around the lake, or you can drive to the lake. The lake has a large swimming area as well as an area for fishing. The views of the La Sal Mountains are beautiful and make it a great place to spend the day.
There are camping options around the lake, making it a great spot for those who want to be close to a nice peaceful lake and not be in the middle of town.
The lake is less than 20 minutes from Moab and is not far for the La Sal Mountains. It sits between the mountains and the Moab Red rocks. The lake is a great spot to paddleboard, kayak, or enjoy other similar water activities.
If you want to reserve a campsite at Ken’s Lake, check out the recreation.gov website.
Faux Falls is a fun, family-friendly waterfall that is at the beginning of the trail. If you are hiking to Ken’s lake, you will pass Faux falls at the beginning of the trail. Your hike will be shorter if you do not hike all the way around the lake, and some people only hike to the falls, which would be a very short hike of fewer than 0.5 miles.
The name comes from the fact that the waterfall is man-made. It is sometimes thought of as being a fake waterfall which is incorrect. It is a great waterfall, but it was just not naturally created. The water comes from Mill Creek through a diversion tunnel, and then after flowing down through Faux Falls, the water travels down the falls to Ken’s Lake.
Moderate Moab Hiking Trails
11. Poison Spider Bench
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 250
- Route: Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Fees: None
The Poison Spider Bench is a hiking trail that is close to the popular off-road trail, Poison Spider Mesa. The trail starts along the off-road trail but shortly goes to the left onto a trail that was once used as an off-road trail but has since been shut off to motorized vehicles. The trail has great views of the Colorado River.
From the beginning of the trail, the elevation gain is not significant, but after going up in elevation, you will drop down and hike back up, so the way back will be a little bit more difficult.
12. Dead Horse Rim Loop Trail
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Length: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 900 feet
- Route: Loop
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Hiking Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
- Fees: $20 park entrance fee
The Dead Horse Rim Loop Trail takes you along the rim of the Dead Horse Point State Park. The trail has some stunning views and lookouts along the whole trail. The trail can be longer if you hike to every overlook.
You can start the trail in a few different locations, but it is most common to start at the visitor center. Check out this Rim Loop Trail video to see the different views points and a great detailed description of the trail, overlooks, and what you might expect when hiking this trail.
13. Amphitheater Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 500 feet
- Route: Loop
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on and off-leash areas are available
- Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Fees: None
The Amphitheater Loop is a moderate 3-mile loop located on BLM land about 4 miles from the Fisher Towers Trailhead. This trail takes you through undulating sandstone terrain with views of the Fisher Towers and the surrounding area.
After you start the trail, you will intersect with a couple of choices. The first intersection is where the loop starts. It is typically best to go right as there is a steep section that some prefer to climb up than slide down.
After this intersection, you will find another, which is a shortcut loop that will shorten your hike. You follow the trail and cairns that are placed along the trail, but there can be times when the trail fades. When this happens, we typically like to take our phones and use google maps to point us in the right direction. This works even if you don’t have service.
There is some scrambling over rocks but nothing too crazy, so most small kids should be able to make the hike.
14. Fisher Towers Trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 4.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 800 to 1000
- Route: Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- Fees: None
This is a really fun hiking trail that many people say is their favorite trail in the area. The trail has a steady incline, and there is a section that has a ladder, but those who bring a dog can scramble around the ladder if needed.
There are also a few other sections where you will need to scramble over some rocks. The trail is open year-round, but in the winter, it can be muddy, icy, and slippery, so be prepared.
The Fisher Towers are an awesome and unique sight from this trail, and the trail also has some wonderful views aside from the views of the Fisher Towers. The largest tower is called Titan and is a tower that rock climbers enjoy climbing. Bicycles are not allowed on the trail, but it is a trail that many people enjoy so that you could see other people.
When hiking this trail and others, it is very important to bring lots of water and to tell someone where you will be in case of an emergency. The temperatures in the summer can get very hot in the Moab area.
15. Grandstaff to Morning Glory Arch
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 4.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 300
- Route: Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Fees: None
The trailhead is at the Grandstaff Canyon Trail and was previously known as Negro Bill Canyon, but that name was deemed to have the possibility to be offensive and was therefore changed. Both names reference William Grandstaff, who was an African American prospector who settled in the area.
The canyon leads to the Morning Glory Arch. The arch is a beautiful arch that is almost 250 feet tall. This hike and canyon are one of our favorite hikes in the area because of many reasons. The hike is unique as the majority of the hike is in a canyon that follows a river bed. You will cross the river bed multiple times as you windingly hike through the canyon.
This trail is also shaded because of the vegetation and the canyon you hike through. Many of the other hikes in this area do not have any vegetation or shade. This is what makes this hike fun and unique.
At the trail’s end, you arrive at the Morning Glory Arch. The arch is a popular location where people repel. You can even take a tour to repel down this arch and the Devil’s Chamber. Coltin went repelling here during our last trip to Moab and had a great time.
We would recommend repelling down this beautiful arch. It gives an exciting and different perspective of the area.
Also, at the very back of the canyon by the arch, there is a natural spring where we are told you can drink the water or fill up your water bottle. The water is naturally filtered through the rock. We filled up and drank the water and thought it taste great.
▶ BOOK Morning Glory Arch Repelling Tour
16. Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 2.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 500
- Route: Loop
- Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed
- Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Fees: $30 park entrance fee + $10 per person permit or $16 ranger-led tour
The Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch is a unique trail in Arches National Park. The hike requires you to purchase a permit, and it can be tricky navigating the slot canyons that make up this area.
You will need to have your map, route, and compass with you to ensure you stay on the right path. It is recommended that if it is your first time hiking the Furnace, you take a guided ranger tour, but if you are prepared and experienced, you should be fine not taking a tour.
The Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch trail is for more experienced hikers as the terrain can be very tricky. You must squeeze through narrow rock formations, cross chasms, and explore small slot canyons. It is a fun adventure, but you should take all necessary precautions when going out on this hike.
Make sure you wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water, and have a charged phone to help you with navigation in case you get lost.
The views along the trail are stunning, and it is definitely worth the permit fee to be able to explore this unique area. There are plenty of photo opportunities and great places to stop along the way. The best time of day to hike the Fiery Furnace is in the late morning when there are fewer people, and it is cooler.
Make sure you reserve ranger-guided tickets in advance. You can get a ticket up to seven days in advance at www.recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777. You must then pick up a physical copy of your permit the day of, or the day before, your hike.
Because the terrain is unique and can be challenging, it is not allowed to bring children under the age of 5.
17. Corona Arch
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 2.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 482 feet
- Route Type: Out and Back
- Dog Friendly: Yes, if on a leash
- Hike Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Fees: None
The Corona Arch in Utah is one of the most popular hikes in the area and is a large beautiful arch in Moab, Utah. This is a family-friendly trail, but it is a moderate hike. We hiked this trail with our kids and had a great time.
You will have to hike up a steep section that has a chain railing to help you get up the steep section, and another fun section close by that has a short ladder you will need to climb up.
There is a total of three arches in close proximity that are either on the same trail or split off from the Corona Arch Trail. Bowtie Arch is only a few minutes away from the Corona Arch. You will pass the Bowtie Arch as you get close to Corona Arch in Moab. They are on the same path.
An off-shoot trail that is approximately halfway through the Corona Arch Trail will take you to Pinto Arch. It is less busy of a trail as many people just go to Corona Arch and do not take the extra time to visit Pinto Arch also.
If you are to hike to Corona Arch and Pinto Arch, your total distance hiked round trip will be about 3.6 miles. You can read about our experience hiking this trail in our Corona Arch Trail Guide.
18. Pinto Arch Trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 3.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 780
- Route Type: Out and Back
- Dog Friendly: Yes, if on a leash
- Hike Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Fees: None
Pinto Arch is a less visited arch that shares some of the same trail as the Corona Arch hike. At about 1 mile into the Corona Arch hike, you will see an intersection that is marked showing the trail that goes to Pinto Arch. It is about 0.6 miles from this intersection to Pinto Arch.
Many people enjoy hiking to this arch because it is a less busy trail, and the trail is more dog friendly than the Corona Arch.
The Corona Arch and Pinto Arch directions are pretty straightforward. The trailhead parking area is easy to find and is on the north side of the highway. There are pit toilets in the parking lot.
The trail is very easy to follow, so you won’t need to worry about getting lost. To get to the Corona Arch and Pinto Arch Trail, You will head North on Main Street from downtown Moab, Utah. You cross the Colorado River and get to Hwy-279. This highway is also known as Potash Road and is only a short distance from Moab.
Once you are on Potash Road, you will drive for 10 miles which will take about 13 minutes until you reach the impressive Corona Arch trailhead. If you continue on Potash Road, you will find yourself on the Shafer Trail headed into Canyonlands National Park and the White Rim Road.
The GPS coordinates to the Corona Arch and Pinto Arch trailhead and parking area are 38.574457, -109.632410.
19. Jeep Arch
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 3.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 944 feet
- Route Type: Loop
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
- Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Fees: None
Jeep Arch in Utah is a less know arch that starts just a few minutes down the road from the popular and busy Corona Arch. The trail is marked reasonably well until you get about halfway through. Once you are halfway through, the trail is not as easy to follow.
Another important factor in going to jeep arch is if you GPS Jeep Arch, Google Maps may try to take you down a significant off-road trail. This off-road trail gets very close to the arch, but the trail is rated very difficult.
You will want to start from the Jeep Arch Parking Area, which is just a min or two past the Corona Arch parking.
We did this trail late in the day and ended up walking a good chunk of it in the dark. This is not recommended, as the trail is not as easy to follow as some of the other hikes. It took us a little longer to get back because of this.
You can read more about our experience hiking this trail in our Jeep Arch Trail Guide.
Difficult MOab Hiking Trails
20. Delicate Arch
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Length: 3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 500
- Route: Out and Back
- Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed
- Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Fees: $30 park entrance fee or America the Beautiful Pass
Delicate Arch is the most popular arch and one of the most famous Moab hiking trails. The arch is amazing and one of the best hikes in Moab. It is also the largest free-standing arch inside Utah’s national parks in the area. The arch is a symbol of the state of Utah and is depicted on Utah license plates.
The hike starts off at Wolfe Ranch and follows a trail that takes you up to Delicate Arch. The first half of the hike is the hardest part because you start going uphill very early in the hike. The trail has virtually no cover from the sun.
Even in the fall or spring, like Moab in March, this hike can be hot. If you are hiking in the summer, make sure you start early. You should start early not only because the hike can get very hot but because the parking lot will fill up very fast.
We were visiting in the fall when there were a lot fewer people visiting, and it took us a while to find a parking spot.
Even though the hike is considered somewhat difficult, it is still a hike you can do with your kids. We did the hike with our 7-year-old twins and our 3-year-old and made it without too much trouble. We did carry the 3-year-old in a pack for a good chunk of the way because of the elevation gain.
If you take your time, the hike is great and definitely worth it. The view of the arch is amazing but be prepared to be hiking with a lot of other people. One fun thing about this hike is that you don’t see the arch until you turn a corner and you are at the arch. Because of this, it can seem like you just keep going and going, but in reality, you are almost there.
21. Hidden Valley Trail
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Length: 6.0 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,000
- Route: loop/out and back
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Hiking Time: 3+
- Fees: None
Hidden Valley Trail is a fun but strenuous hike. The trail is steep in some parts, so make sure you take your time hiking in the steep section. There is a decent amount of elevation gain, so even those who are in decent shape will find this trail somewhat challenging.
The trail is an out-and-back trail, but it does have a loop section later in the trail. The petroglyphs are after the junction that takes you on the loop part of the trail. There are multiple spots where you can see petroglyphs.
Once at the junction, if you go right, you will pass the petroglyphs and the ruins. If you want to shorten your hike after you get to the second ruins, you can turn back and not complete the entire loop.
This trail can get very hot in the summer. If you are hiking this trial in the summer, you should start very early and make sure you bring lots of food and snacks.
Dog-Friendly Moab Hiking Trails
- Corona Arch
- Pinto Arch Trail
- Jeep Arch
- Hidden Valley Trail
- Fisher Towers Trail
- Grandstaff to Morning Glory Arch
- Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail
- Dead Horse Rim Loop Trail
- Amphitheater Loop
- Hunter Canyon
- Juniper Loop Trail
- Ken’s Lake and Faux Falls Trail
- Poison Spider Bench
Best Moab hikes not in Arches
- Corona Arch
- Pinto Arch Trail
- Jeep Arch
- Grandstaff to Morning Glory Arch
- Amphitheater Loop
- Fisher Towers Trail
Hiking and Canyoneering Tours in Moab
If you aren’t comfortable exploring the hiking trails on your own or want the social aspect of hiking in a group, there are so many great guided tours in Moab. We always love going on tours because the guides always share great information about the trails and surrounding areas.
Here are some of the top-rated Moab hiking and canyoneering tours:
- Moab’s “Walk with the Ancients” Petroglyph Hike: A guided hike in Arches National Park taking you by the Skyline Arch, Fiery Furnace, Courthouse Towers, and Tower Arch
- Immersive Arches National Park All Day Hiking Experience: Small-group tour with stops at Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Turret Arch, and more.
- Onion Creek 4×4 Jeep Adventure with Slot Canyon Hike: A scenic drive along the Colorado River through Onion Creek with a scenic slot canyon hike.
- Moab Rappeling Adventure: A really fun rappelling adventure and hike past Morning Glory Arch.
Tips for Hiking in the Moab Desert
Hiking in Moab, Utah, is a fantastic experience. There are lots of great views and sights that are very unique to the area. Below are a few tips and things to remember when hiking in the Moab Desert.
✔ When possible, don’t hike alone but if you do hike alone, make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. Phone service can be bad on many of the hikes.
✔ Hike early in the morning and avoid hiking during the hot summer days. Moab is very dry, and even when the temperatures are cooler, you can become dehydrated and disoriented.
✔ Bring lots of water and snacks. When hiking in the desert, it is a good idea to be prepared, which means having snacks, water, a flashlight, and possibly a light jacket. It is also a good idea to make sure your phone is charged. Even when you don’t have service, you can use Google maps to see where you are and where you need to go.
✔ Pay attention to your surroundings and the steep ledges. Don’t let the perfect selfie or horseplay be your last.
Biological Soil Crust on the Moab Hiking Trails
Biological soil crust, also known as cryptobiotic soil, is extremely important to the desert ecosystem. The crust can be identified by its black, knobby structure and is made up of different living organisms. The sensitive soil is extremely fragile and can take a really long time to grow.
Just one footstep can damage the crust for a long time. This is why you will see many signs stating to stay on trails and help protect this fragile desert life by remaining on designated roads, routes, and trails at all times. If you find yourself hiking on trails that are not established, hike in sandy washes or on bare rock.
Things to Bring With You Hiking in Moab
Waterbottle
We like to have a couple of different water bottle options when hiking. If we are hiking on a longer hike, we will take a lighter non-insulated water bottle, and we will leave our insulated water bottles in the car.
When we get back, we have nice cold water waiting, and we have the needed water on the trail without the added weight.
Camelbak
Hydration backpacks are great to have, especially when it is hot outside. It can be hard to scramble over rocks while holding a water bottle in your hand. A Camelbak that has water is a great way to hike and stay hydrated.
Sun Protection
It is a smart thing to keep some sunscreen around even if you don’t get burnt very often. Don’t be the person who gets brunt on your first day or two, making the rest of the trip miserable. This is our favorite sunscreen!
First-Aid Kit
A first aid kit is something everyone should keep in their car. These can vary in size and how extensive they are but having something that can help out in the off chance of an emergency is huge. They are not overly expensive and are great when you need them.
Day Pack
A good-fitting day pack can make your hikes so much better. We always take a backpack with snacks and water. We cannot stress enough how important it is when traveling with kids and family to have snacks and water available.
Not many things will get kids and families more cranky than being hungry on the trail.
Flashlight
In the past, many family members have made fun of Coltin for collecting flashlights. Flashlights are great to have and work better than what is on your phone. Keeping a good flashlight around when it is later in the day or at camp can be super handy.
FAQ: Moab Hiking Trails
What is the best hike in Moab?
The best hike in Moab can be different for everyone. The most famous and popular hike in Moab, Utah is going to be the Delicate Arch hike. The arch is mesmerizing, along with Arches National Park.
What is the easiest trail in Moab?
The easiest Moab hiking trails will be the dinosaur tracksites and dinosaur bone site trails. Some of these trails are the Mill Creek Dinosaur Tracksite, and the Potash Road Dinosaur Tracks and Petroglyphs Trail. There are many others very similar that are easy and enjoyable.
Are there easy hikes in Moab?
Yes, you can find numerous trails throughout the Moab area that are easy hikes. If you want something very easy and cool you can go to the Moab Giants and follow their paved trail to see life-sized dinosaurs.
How difficult is the Moab Rim Trail?
The Moab Rim Trial is considered a difficult trail. The trail, one of the hardest Moab hiking trails, is almost 8 miles, and it is almost 2,000 feet of elevation gain. That is a lot of elevation and a good distance to travel. You should anticipate the trail to take about 4 hours or longer.
Conclusion: Moab Hiking Trails
When hiking trails in Moab, Utah, we say it repeatedly but make sure you have enough water. All of the great Moab hiking trails require you to bring water. The dry climate can dehydrate those who are not used to the climate and those who are very quickly.
We love visiting the Moab, Utah trails and think everyone should spend some time experiencing this unique and magical place. There are so many things to do here you will visit for years to come.
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