With Arches and Canyonlands National Parks as well as Sand Flats Recreation Area in its vicinity, Moab, Utah is a wonderland for adventure enthusiasts.
From softer adventures like hiking, biking and kayaking to much more adrenaline-inspiring activities like mountain biking, taking a UTV (utility task vehicle) for a spin over the rough rocky terrain, jet boating down the Colorado River, or skydiving, if you have an outdoor adventure you want to try, you’ll likely find it in Moab.
Until this weekend, I had only driven through Moab on my way to Colorado, but my brief cruise down its quintessential main street made me long to come back.
I’m not alone. The area has seen visitation grow in recent years with Arches National Park piloting a reservation system this year to manage crowds.
How to avoid the long lines at Arches National Park: all about their new reservation system
Where did you stay?
I stayed at WorldMark by Wyndham’s The Moab Resort at the invitation of the property. The new 150-suite property just opened near Arches and Canyonlands.
This property would be a great fit for a family wanting to spend a week (or more) visiting Arches, Canyonlands and the surrounding Moab area as it boasts 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom apartment-like suites. Much like an Airbnb, you won’t get daily cleaning service as you would in a traditional resort, but you will have a full-sized kitchen and laundry facilities in your room.
The property also has a playground for the kids, several fire pits, a heated pool and multiple hot tubs that have sweeping views of the Moab landscape, perfect for winding down after a long day treking the hiking itinerary provided by their complementary hiking concierge who is a former US park ranger.
About half of the rooms are reserved through WorldMark for its vacation club owners but the rest are available through traditional booking.
Favorite activity from the trip?
It's hard to choose one. From UTV'ing Hells Revenge to eating at Moab's Food Truck park, there were so many highlights of varying levels of adventure.
It's a pretty crowded trek, but I did love seeing the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park in real life. Hikes in Canyonlands are equally breathtaking and I hope to go back again to hike the Needles.
On the less adventurous side, I enjoyed thumbing through the bookshelves of Back of Beyond bookstore. Along with new books, you'll also find a lot of vintage titles as well as some unique gift options like cards and prints from local artists.
What’s your favorite photo from the trip and where was it taken?
You’ve probably seen this on a computer screensaver somewhere but it is hard to take a bad picture of Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park.
What do you have to do to get a beer?
Utah is known for its strict liquor laws though they have loosened in recent years. (You can read more about the current regulations on the state’s travel website)
Still, just like elsewhere, Utah has seen a growth of craft breweries. Moab is no exception. Just know that if you’re ordering on tap, the beer can’t be higher than 5% alcohol. (If you want something stronger, opt for the bottle or can.)
Some places will require you to order food to order an alcoholic drink.
I hate to break your heart here but don’t feel flattered/surprised if the server asks to see your ID to serve you alcohol. Utah requires servers to ask for ID no matter how many song lyrics from the 80s you can recite. Make sure you bring your identification to prove you are of legal age to drink (21 years old).
Best tip I received?/Did you get a souvenir?
I’m combining both of these questions as this is my generic National Parks tip if you’re nerdy like me and plan to visit multiple parks.
Get a National Parks Passport.
You can buy one at the park visitor center. In each park, you can collect stamps (and stickers) to remember your visit. Stamps are free, though the stickers will cost you a couple of dollars. It's a really fun way to remember all your national park visits.
Melissa traveled to Moab, Utah at the invitation of WorldMark Wyndham. Lonely Planet staff members do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.
