Hikes in Moab, Utah!

Here are the hikes we did while we stayed in Moab. We went to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park as well as an out of park hike. We loved each hike for the uniqueness and none of them were too difficult for us so we really enjoyed it. 

Delicate Arch (Arches National Park)

    

This arch is the iconic Utah license plate arch. It is a 3.2-mile hike that is breathtaking! We went at noon on a Thursday and it was still pretty popular. I wouldn’t suggest necessarily going at that time but that is what worked best for us. At the very beginning there is a little cabin called “Wolf Ranch” that you can peak through the door to see a table and chairs. Then you head out on your hike. There are mostly dirt paths until you hit a large rocky area and then some sand areas as well. There are trail markers but when you get to the rock part it is kind of free game to walk up it. There were enough people around that we were able to just follow them and were fine. Right before you hit the arch there is a large rock wall that was all shaded, which helped us cool down before turning the corner to see the arch. The moment you turn the corner and see the arch is the coolest part of the whole hike. It leaves you in so much awe!

       

The arch has a good amount of area around it for sitting. We took turns taking pictures for other hikers and they took ours. I do wish we wouldn’t have stood right under the arch for pictures because you can’t even tell we are there but it was a cool bucket list thing to now be able to say "I stood under the Arch." The hike back down went a lot quicker than the hike up. Make sure to wear sunscreen since there isn’t very much shade on this hike. We took our 32-ounce hydro flasks and just barely finished them walking to the car. So worth the hike and honestly, I would say if you only have time for one hike this one would be it!  

Landscape/Tunnel/Pine Tree Arches (Arches National Park)

 

This arch is part of the Devils Garden Loop trail. It is about a mile into the trail and is up on a mountain from the trail marker. The trail is super easy. We saw lizards and a deer while on this trail. Very high traffic area which made for finding a parking spot a little harder. It is a loop so you can circle around as much as you need but we were lucky and found a parking spot at the end of the loop. There are bathrooms at this trail but there was a line. Once we hit Landscape arch we turned back and headed the way we came. We stopped at the Tunnel Arch which was a tunnel through the rock wall and in a good spot for a picture. We also saw the Pine Tree Arch which is a cool one you can walk under to the other side that looks out to just miles of land. They were just little trails off of the main trail. I would love to go back to this one and hike the whole Devil's Garden loop to see the rest of the arches!  

Corona Arch (Moab) 

This arch is about a twenty-minute drive from Moab. We drove to this during sunrise which was so pretty. This was probably our favorite canyon to drive in, it follows the river all the way to the parking lot. Once you hit the parking lot there is a trailhead marker so super easy to get to. You do cross a train track at the beginning so look out for that. We joked on our way back to the car that it would be our luck to get stuck waiting on a train, then we heard a loud noise sounding like a train but it ended up being a plane. Whew! Lucked out on that one. Throughout the hike we followed blue painted stripes on the ground which were really easy to follow. A few spots on the trail there are ropes to hold onto while you walk on steep sloped rocks but we didn’t need to use them on the first part. There also were steps in the rocks with a rope to hold onto while you climbed up. Right before you see the arch there is a little ladder to help you get up the rock Once you climb the ladder you are there! 

    There is a big hole in the rock straight ahead so I was so confused thinking that’s not what I thought it would be but then you look to the East and there it is! We were the only ones on the trail hiking to the arch with only a couple with dogs at the arch when we go there. When we were leaving, we did pass a few people but it was the quietest hike we had seen while in Moab. We went at sunrise but it didn’t do too much to the arch other than giving it a beautiful sky from behind. Do wear bug spray on this one. This was the only hike we saw mosquitos at.

  

Mesa Arch (Canyonlands National Park) 

I have to tell you go at sunrise! It is gorgeous, but also know that everyone wants to see it so it is a crowded one. The hike is in Canyonlands National Park. It has a pretty small parking lot for how busy of a hike it was. We were lucky to have gotten the last parking spot. The trail is really easy and has pretty views. It is about .5 miles so very short. We ended up getting there with only 4 minutes before sunrise so we ran the whole trail and it wasn’t bad at all. We even had extra time to spare when we reached the arch before the sun shined through it. A lot of people were there with cameras ready so if you want to be one of those people at the front of the arch then maybe go super early. We were still able to see it just fine standing a little bit behind the group of people. It literally shines right through the arch lighting the whole inside up. It was beautiful. Make sure to also look at the views around the arch as well. We found a really cool spot for a picture just to the side of the arch. People were nice and moved for others as well. This was my favorite hiking experience.  

Double Arch/North and South Windows/Turret Arch     (Arches National Park)

This is another very popular hiking spot in Arches National Park. It has a loop around parking so same as the Devil's Garden just drive around until you find something. We started at Double arch which is just .5 miles. It is so neat how these arches have formed right next to one another. You can go and climb up under the arches but there are some steep parts. There were a bunch of kids on this hike. We then crossed through the parking lot over to the North and South Windows and Turret arch. It is a one mile loop.  It was really easy and the same over on these ones as the double arch lots of kids and people. It didn’t take very long to do this one so if you're short on time this is a good option to see a lot all in one.  

Dead Horse Point (Dead Horse Point State Park)

This one is more of a viewpoint than a hike. It is right off of a parking lot so not much walking to get to it. The drive to this one is a little bit longer from Moab but it was a must see on our list. It is $20.00 to get in and is not part of the annual pass you can get for the National Parks since this is a state park. We went at sunset thinking we could hang out to stargaze but the park does close at 10pm. The view point area was very busy with people but there are a lot of spots to sit to watch the sunset and to see Dead Horse Point. It is beautiful out there. We hung out a little bit longer and people started leaving so we were able to move over to the other side of the wall to sit on the rocks. It wasn’t close to the edge so we felt safe. The sunset does not set over the dead horse point which I thought it would but it's just west of the views and it was still pretty and worth going. It didn’t get fully dark until we were out of the canyon so we felt safe driving home.  

Balanced Rock (Arches National Park) 

This one we saw while we drove through the park. It was right off of the road so we didn’t stop but I’m glad we were on the lookout for it.  It is a lot bigger in person than I saw in pictures and I'm sure it was cool to walk around it so maybe next time we will stop!  

Panorama View (Arches National Park)

  

I'm sneaking this one in here because it's not a hike but part of the Arches National Park. It is a wide open parking lot and landscape to see the stars at night. We went around 9 pm and sat for a little while watching the sun go down and the stars when they came out. It was such a neat experience. There is a loop parking lot just like most other hiking spots and a sidewalk all along the parking spots so we just laid out on the sidewalk which worked out just fine. There were a hand full of people but it was still quiet and a peaceful night. Off in the distance we saw lightning so we were able to watch that as well. We heard everyone say they saw a satellite moving around and then we saw a shooting star as well. So very neat experience if you are brave to stay up late and drive home in the dark then this would be for you!

What hikes have you enjoyed in Moab, Utah?