3 Days in Moab, Utah Itinerary: What to See, Do, and Eat
Three days is plenty of time to see the best that Moab, Utah, has to offer!
Over the span of one long weekend, you’ll do multiple hikes, see incredible stone arches, visit 2 national parks, discover dinosaur fossils, and get out onto the Colorado River. You’ll also have time to stargaze, eat some incredible meals, and relax in one of the most picturesque towns in the southwest.
Moab is one of those places that we keep coming back to again and again, and we always discover something new.
With camping suggestions, adventure and hiking options for all ages, and advice for making the most of your time in Arches and Canyonlands national parks, this Moab, Utah, itinerary has everything you need!
My son and I hiking on the Corona Arch Trail in Moab, Utah
This post contains affiliates. If you purchase through one of the links below, I will receive a commission at no charge to you.
3 Day Moab Itinerary, At a Glance
Hey, I’m Natalie! My kids and I have hiked and camped in 34 states and 29 national parks with no plans of slowing down until we see them all. You know you’re getting advice from a mom who’s been there!
Day 1: Arches National Park
We’re starting off strong with a day in Arches National Park. It is one of my favorite national parks, thanks to the thousands of stone arches that have formed throughout this area.
Since you only have one day out of your three in Moab to devote to Arches, you’ll want to plan to go early in the morning and stay late.
Doing so will allow you to see the incredible formations of Arches National Park in a variety of lights and from several different areas of the property. You’ll also get to knock out some of the top hikes in the park and sneak in a few lesser known adventures, too.
7 AM-noon: Delicate Arch and Windows Area
Getting to the park early is crucial for your success here today, especially if you’re visiting in the summer or on weekends between April and October. The park can and will close the entrance gates to vehicles if the park gets too busy, and you don’t want to waste your short time here waiting in line.
As of 2026, Arches National Park does NOT need reservations as it did for the past few years.
Pay your entrance fee or show your NPS annual pass and head into the park.
NOTE: I highly encourage you to purchase an annual America the Beautiful pass, which provides free or very low cost access to the more than 400 NPS sites across the United States. Get the America the Beautiful pass plus an AllTrails+ annual membership bundle for huge savings!
As soon as you’re in the park, head to the back of the park on the main park road, following the signs for Wolfe Ranch and Delicate Arch. Turn right onto Delicate Arch Road and then cross your fingers that you can find a parking spot in either of the Wolfe Ranch parking areas, which are on either side of Delicate Arch Road in front of the trailhead.
You’re kicking the day off with THE most iconic hike in all of Moab (and probably in all of Utah!) at the Delicate Arch Trail.
The immediately recognizable Delicate Arch
This trail is just over 3 miles and take you to the base of the instantly recognizable Delicate Arch, which has been on Utah license plates and is an unofficial symbol of the state.
Keep in mind that the trail does have drop-offs, very little cover and narrow sections, which will make it challenging for visitors without a lot of hiking experience.
But going to Arches and not seeing Delicate Arch is a little like vacationing in Paris and not visiting the Eiffel Tower.
As an alternative, if you are traveling with little kids, can’t make the hike physically, don’t want to commit to a 3 mile hike, or just want a different perspective, you can also see the arch from across the canyon at the Delicate Arch Overlook.
A different view of Delicate Arch from across the canyon
The Arch is small from this perspective but recognizable, and you’ll have the choice of 2 overlooks. One requires a very short walk from the parking lot with no elevation gain, and the other is a short but steep hike to the edge of the canyon.
When you’re done with either trail (or both!), head back towards the visitors center on the main park road. About halfway there, turn left onto Windows Road.
Follow this short road until it ends in a large, circular parking lot. There are several fantastic arches to see in a concentrated area, so you’ll want to get out of the car for a bit here.
Start with North Windows, which is at the back of the parking. You can walk up to the base of it via a set of shallow stairs, then head to your right to see Turret Arch.
North and South Windows as seen from the Windows Primitive Trail
Continue past Turret Arch until you reach South Windows. You can retrace your footsteps to the parking lot here, or (my pick!) is to do the short, less traveled, and scenic Windows Primitive Trail.
NOTE: I’ve also seen the Primitive Trail named the Windows Sand Loop Trail.
Whatever you call it, it was easy enough for my then-preschooler to do it on our first trip to Arches, and I love it since basically no one else will be on the trail with you.
This trail will take you around the back of North and South Windows and drop you at the opposite end of the parking area from where you started in this area.
That’s the perfect place to then see Double Arch.
As you come back to that intersection with the main road, look to your left for a huge rock on the side of the road that looks as if it just might tip over at any moment.
This is Balanced Rock, and you can stop here if you want a better look. That being said, it’s extremely visible from the road, so this isn’t a must-do.
Balanced Rock seemingly defies physics!
12-1 PM: Picnic Lunch at Balanced Rock
Since there aren’t any restaurants or snack bars in Arches National Park, you’ll want to pack a lunch, drinks, and snacks, and eat at the Balanced Rock Picnic Area.
It is right across the main park road from Balanced Rock just a few hundred feet on the unpaved Willow Springs Trail/BLM 378. You’ll find several regular picnic tables and a couple that are under a pergola.
There are also vault toilets nearby.
1-6 PM: Hiking and Scenic Drive in Arches National Park
After you’ve finished with your picnic, head to the very back of the park. Look for the small parking area at Sand Dune and Broken Arches (it will be on your right just before you get to the turnaround at Devil’s Garden).
Visit the incredible Sand Dune Arch which you’ll find tucked away between sheer rocks.
The powdery pink sand covers the floor of the passageway and underneath the arch. It’s cool in here even on a hot summer afternoon, so dig your feet into the sand and relax for a bit.
If you are traveling with kids, they’re going to want to stay here forever. My kids loved it so much on their most recent visit that we ended up using stops here as rewards for good behavior, and during our stay at Moab, we stopped by several times!
It’s a very short (about 0.25 miles) hike from the parking area to the arch, so this is an easy one for right after lunch.
Next, head away from Sand Dune Arch and further into the scrubby, desert landscape. Take the trail to Broken Arch, which you’ll be able to see in the distance from the entrance to Sand Dune Arch.
The Camping Kiddos underneath Broken Arch
You can continue on through the bottom of Broken Arch and complete the loop trail through Devil’s Garden, or retrace your steps back to your car.
For the rest of the afternoon, we’re turning our attention away from the park’s arches and towards the other incredible features here.
Make your way back towards the front of the park on the main park road, stopping at any of the overlooks that appeal to you.
I particularly like
the La Sal overlook, where you can get a great view of the mountains that dominate Moab’s skyline,
the Petrified Dunes overlook, where you can see a field of ancient dunes, and
Panarama Point, which has an amazing 180-degree view of the mountains, the red sandstone and the desert.
You’ll also want to make a stop at Courthouse Towers. These huge mesas push up out of nowhere and, while they’d be at home in somewhere like Monument Valley, they are unique among the geology at Arches National Park.
Before you head out of the park for dinner, stop by the visitors center. Pick up a souvenir, watch the park movie, and check out the interactive exhibits about geology, wildlife, and natural forces in the large interpretive area in the back.
6-8 PM: Dinner in Moab
Your busy day probably has you very hungry. I’d opt for a huge quesadilla at El Tapatio on Main Street, personally.
Everything we’ve tried here from the burritos to the kid’s hamburger has been delicious. Plus, it’s cool and not too busy most of the time.
If you have a few minutes after dinner, walk along the shops of Main Street. There are some fun souvenir shops and a great bookstore (The Back of Beyond) to check out.
8-10 PM: Stargazing in Arches National Park
As they say, half the park is after dark! Make the most of the unforgettable stargazing as Arches and head back into the park after dinner and shopping.
There are free nightly ranger talks at 8 PM in the Devil’s Garden Campground Ampitheatre, which can cover everything from nocturnal habits of animals to migration patterns.
After that is over, take a few moments to lay out a blanket and do some stargazing.
The night sky at Arches is incredible and was named an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. So, if you can make time in the evening (even for a little!) to explore the park after dark, I recommend it.
You can join a nighttime photography class and stargazing walk to further immerse yourself in the park after dark.
Dive more deeply into what you’re seeing and doing in the Moab national parks with the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks tours by GuideAlong.
This app is our go-to when visiting national parks as the guide plays automatically based on your GPS location and doesn’t require a cell signal once the tour is downloaded to your phone.
Day 2: Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park
Moab in one of the few places in the United States where you can find 2 national parks within easy driving distance of one another, so we’re taking advantage of that today.
We’re also going to see a state park that holds its weight against the national parks in this area, which is saying something.
7 AM-noon: Canyonlands National Park
Start your day off by breakfast from Red Rock Bakery and Cafe on Main Street. Don’t forget to grab a few cookies to have with your picnic lunch since we’re not going to be close to any restaurants or stores later on.
Canyonlands is far too big to tackle in just one day, but you’ll be able to get to get a good overview of 1 of the park’s 3 regions, Island in the Sky, this morning.
NOTE: The other two are the Needles, which is more remote, but still accessible from Moab, and the Maze, which is only for the most rugged of adventurers!
Canyonlands is also 1 of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks, which offer up some of the best hiking, camping, and vistas in the United States.
You can’t forget to get a picture with the entrance sign!
The Island in the Sky section of the park is just over half an hour from downtown Moab, making it a great way to spend half a day of your family vacation.
Keep in mind that, compared to nearby Arches National Park, Canyonlands has nearly no amenities, is far less crowded, and feels more remote.
Bring plenty of water for your day of exploring, gas up before you leave town, and use plenty of sunscreen.
I recommend driving the Island in the Sky Road, which winds a few miles into the park, and stopping at several overlooks along the way.
At the end of the Island in the Sky Road, you’ll find a parking lot and the trailhead for the Grand View Point Trail.
This easy, (mostly) kid-friendly trail is less than 2 miles round trip, but it leads to a beautiful overlook. Keep in mind that there are sections without railing or fencing with steep drop offs, so watch those younger kids.
In the amount of time you have here, you can plan to do one or two hikes and a couple of the overlooks.
For hiking, we recommend Mesa Arch Trail and/or Whale Rock Trail, both of which are easy and under 1 mile, but offer up excellent views.
NOTE: If you’re a particularly early riser, you can get up earlier than my stated arrival time above and do Mesa Arch Trail at sunrise. It’s when the trail is the most popular, but you will get an amazing view of the sun peeking through the arch.
If you can’t make it then, the Mesa Arch Trail is still very pretty as the light shifts behind the arch throughout the day.
Whale Rock Trail takes you up a dome for beautiful views in the Upheaval Dome area. It reminded me a lot of a smaller, red rocks-version of Pothole Dome in Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, if you’ve ever been there.
The Green River Overlook and the Holeman Spring Canyon Overlook are highlights along the Upheaval Dome Road, so be sure to stop there, too.
If you’d prefer to take a half day tour instead of hiking in Canyonlands:
Opt for a 4x4 half-day tour, which will allow you to cover more ground (and see some of the backcountry) that you can on foot.
In addition to going off road, which is fun unto itself, you’ll also see a mine, multiple arch formations, and more, all packaged in a way that maximizes your time here.
If you’re traveling with kids, this is a good option as anyone, regardless of age, can take this backcountry tour. You’ll just need to bring along your infant or booster seat.
More Canyonlands National Park information:
12-1 PM: Picnic Lunch at Dead Horse Point State Park
During the afternoon, head over to Dead Horse Point State Park. The park might have a bizarre name, but it has incredible views of the surrounding areas.
You’re probably hungry after exploring Canyonlands, so your first stop needs to be for your lunch picnic that you brought with you. Head to the back of the state park after paying your admission fee ($20 per vehicle, good for up to 8 people in the same car).
Just before you get to the loop at the end of Highway 313, you’ll see a small cul-de-sac on your left. This is the picnic area, and it has about half a dozen covered picnic tables for visitors to use.
1 PM-6 PM: Hiking and Mountain Biking in Dead Horse Point State Park
The Colorado River in Dead Horse Point State Park
Sure, you could drive into the park on the scenic road, have your picnic, and leave. But what’s the fun in that?!
The best way to explore Dead Horse Point State Park is by getting out onto the trail.
There are several easy trails that are all paved or packed gravel and flat, so just about any visitor should be able to do one or two while they’re here. These are:
The East Rim Trail (1.5 miles)
Desert View Overlook Trail (0.5 miles)
Nature Trail (0.1 miles)
Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail (400 feet round trip!)
I’d suggest doing as many of these as you can to get a good feel for the park and to take in the incredible views. You’ll see some overlooks that greatly resemble what you saw in Island in the Sky earlier in the day, but there’s enough variation that you won’t feel as if you’re just retreading the same material.
Try something different while you’re here by renting a mountain bike, available at the visitors center, and getting out onto a portion of the park’s more than 17 miles of biking trails.
If you know you want to bike for sure today, go ahead and book ahead. You can try to get a bike by walking up, but there’s no guarantee the sizes you need will be available.
They do offer bikes for everyone, including kids. You can rent a standard pedal bike for a child 3’8” and up, while you can rent an e-bike for a child 4’2” and up.
If you’ve never been mountain biking before, there are trails for all experience levels, including some great ones for beginners. Start out on the Intrepid Trail, Raven Roll Trail, or Great Pyramid Trail for a fun intro to mountain biking here.
Watch the sun go down over the scenic mesas in the distance and then head back into Moab for dinner (which you’ve totally earned after your day of adventuring!).
6-9 PM: Dinner in Moab
If it’s a clear night, I’d suggest going to the Moab Food Truck Park. It’s in the heart of downtown and has a bunch of options all in one place. This is great if you’re traveling with others who all want something different…or if you have a picky kid.
There’s a covered area with long lines of picnic tables for you to eat on-site.
If it’s raining, head over to the Moab Diner. You can get breakfast all day, which is one of my kids’ favorites, or tuck into some classic America favorites like burgers and fries and chicken fried steak, or Tex-Mex like the smothered burrito with the green chili sauce that everyone talks about.
Day 3: Beyond the National Parks
Today, we’re getting a sampling of what’s available to you outside of the national and state parks in Moab. In any other part of the country, just seeing Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point would be the entire draw.
But Moab is like an old infomercial:
But, wait! There’s more! :)
On your last day in Moab, we’re looking at some essential hikes and experiences on BLM land (of which there is a lot in this area of Utah) and on the Colorado River.
7 AM-noon: Dinosaurs and the Final Hike of the Trip
Checking out a dinosaur fossil
First, head north of downtown on highway 191 and turn left onto Mill Canyon Road.
The first stop is an area where you can walk a short quarter-mile boardwalk to see dozens of fossilized dinosaur footprints.
Then, continue on this dirt road for the second dino-themed hike until you reach a small parking area with a sign for the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite.
Follow the short dirt trail to the canyon wall, where you’ll find fossils embedded in the rocks!
Interpretive signs tell visitors about each fossil section on the trail. There are brotosaurus vertebrae, a massive fossilized tree trunk, and many more.
Each area of fossils includes an interpretive sign to help you better understand what you’re looking at and how old each section is.
After spending an hour or so at Mill Canyon, we’re off to our next dino-mite adventure!
NOTE: If you or your kids still want more dino-mite fun, head south on highway 191 back towards Moab until you see the sign for Moab Giants.
This incredible museum has indoor and outdoor areas where your family can learn about the fearsome and fascinating creatures who called Moab home millions of years ago.
Walk through the dinosaur garden outside, participate in a kid-friendly dino dig, watch a 3D movie about prehistoric life, and let your kids play on the playground.
Plan to spend at least 2 hours at Moab Giants as there’s so much to do.
Next, you have a big decision to make: add one more arch hike to your trip OR hike to a couple of desert waterfalls. Both of these hikes are only a few minutes from downtown Moab, so neither requires any significant travel time.
It really comes down to what you enjoy more, as both hikes are fantastic.
Choose Corona Arch if: you can’t get enough stone arches and want to see one more.
Choose Mill Creek if: you want to cool off in some water.
Hike Option 1: Corona Arch
If you chose the first option, it’s time to head to Corona Arch.
Head south on highway 191 past the entrance station to Arches National Park, and turn right onto Potash Road.
Before we get to Corona Arch trail head, I suggest a short detour. It’s also dinosaur-themed, so it makes for a good tie-in with your earlier morning adventures!
When you’ve driven along Potash Road for 7 miles, then turn to your right when you see a brown sign saying “Petroglyphs” with an arrow.
Park alongside the road, and then walk on the dirt trail—you’ll see the first petroglyphs less than 1000 feet from the road.
Petroglyphs along Potash Road
As you walk further along the path, you’ll also see distinct dinosaur footprints in the stone!
For more details on how to find the best dinosaur footprints on Potash Road, this site has GPS coordinates.
The trail that we came here for, Corona Arch Trail, is further down Potash Road. The parking area for the trailhead is well marked and large.
As you hike higher into the cliffs above Potash Road along the Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the landscape.
If you’d like to complete the full trail, know that you’ll have to scale a ladder to get to the final arch overview.
The remaining bit of the trail won’t be hard for older kids, but I’d advise turning around at the base of the ladder for families with little ones.
(I know from experience how hard it can be to scale a ladder while babywearing!)
The trail is beautiful at every step, so you won’t feel like you’re missing much if you turn around at the ladder.
If you’re planning to do this during the hotter months, you may want to rearrange this schedule and hike it early in the morning or late in the evening as the rock trail can get very hot. Always take water and plenty of breaks when hiking in the desert.
Hike Option 2: Mill Creek Recreation Area Waterfall Trail
The first waterfall in Mill Creek
A waterfall in a desert climate like Moab’s is unusual.
But this trail offers up THREE!
You can complete the entire 1.6 mile trail, ending up at the final small waterfall and swimming hole.
The entire trail includes a couple of rock scrambles right on the flowing water that were tricky for my 1st grader, so keep that in mind.
Or, you can go as little as a quarter-mile to see the first cascade. The first cascade is along a nearly flat path that makes it great for beginning hikers and kids.
This trail comes highly recommended as it is completely unlike any other trail on this list, and my kids love the fact that it includes plenty of places to stop and splash around.
The Mill Creek Recreation Area is popular with locals, and there is a sandy area below the parking lot that serves as a bit of a beach.
To get here, turn off of Main Street onto South Mill Creek Drive. Follow that road until you get to Powerhouse Lane. To follow South Mill Creek Drive, you will need to make a right turn at the intersection of South Mill Creek Drive and Sand Flats Road. The trailhead and parking area are at the end of Powerhouse Lane (part of which is unpaved, but graded and should be passable in all but the wettest weather).
I have this as an option for your final hike of the trip just because it is SO different than anything else you’ll find on this itinerary, and we all know that variety is the spice of life.
12-2 PM: Lunch in Moab
The Camping Kiddos at Zax on our first trip to Moab
Grab a quick bite to eat at Zax Restaurant and Watering Hole in downtown Moab.
This family friendly restaurant is a Moab favorite and has 2 huge floors of seating.
We love their pasta and salads, but you can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu.
Ask for a seat on the covered patio upstairs if the weather is nice. You’ll be able to people watch those shopping on Main Street below, and there’s usually a great breeze.
2-7 PM: Colorado River Water Sports
After lunch, it’s time to head out onto the water!
The Colorado River is a driving force in the way that this part of Utah looks, and it continues to sculpt out the cliffs on either side of it.
So, to come to Moab and not experience the Colorado River in some way feels like you’d be overlooking a big part of the adventure options here.
There really is an experience available no matter the intensity level that you’re looking for.
For something calm (but still fun!) to end your time in Moab, I suggest this family friendly boat tour of the Colorado River, where you’ll learn about the geology, history, and inhabitants of this mighty river.
Because the guides choose areas of the Colorado that are calm, even little kids can go on this tour—unlike others focusing on whitewater areas.
For a bit more intensity, you can try this half-day rafting trip that has a few moderate rapids thrown into the mix for some thrills.
Spend your last evening in Moab back at the campground, roasting s’mores over the campfire and admiring the beautiful night sky, as you plan you next trip back to this magical place!
Moab, Utah, Trip Planning FAQs
While Moab has a laid back feel like no other place we’ve visited, it remains a popular vacation destination, which means you need to plan ahead.
Before we get to the itineraries, here are the essential questions visitors have before they visit Moab for the first time.
Where is Moab, Utah?
Moab is a medium sized town on the southern side of Utah, about halfway down the state’s border with Colorado.
From Salt Lake City, Moab is just under 4 hours by car.
Grand Junction, Colorado, just over the Utah-Colorado border, is about 1 hour and 45 minute from Moab.
Denver, Colorado is about 4.5 hours by car.
The town is fairly remote, but that’s part of the charm.
While there are a few grocery stores in town, you’ll want to make sure that you do your major shopping in a bigger city before you arrive if possible.
There is a City Market, which is owned by Kroger, which is a good option if you have to shop in Moab.
The Village Market is smaller but has an excellent to-go deli selection.
What is the closest major airport to Moab?
Salt Lake City (SLC) and Denver (DIA) are the biggest airports in this region, so you’ll need to fly into one of those and drive into Moab.
Grand Junction does have a regional airport (GJT), but flights are limited and typical are more expensive.
Still, that might be your best bet if you’re trying to maximize your time in Moab over driving from one of the major airports.
Will I need a rental car in Moab?
You will definitely need a rental car in Moab!
Even if you took an airport shuttle or private shuttle from one of the airports, you’ll still need your own vehicle to get around Moab.
The areas you’ll want to explore are quite a distance from one another, and there’s no public transportation into the national parks or suggested trails below.
If possible, get a Jeep rental (or other high clearance vehicle) while you’re in Moab.
Even if your family doesn’t plan on doing anything crazy, a Jeep is great for traversing the less-than-perfect dirt roads you’ll find throughout the area.
Where should I stay when visiting Moab?
We love the adorable Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway. [Read my complete review of this campground here.]
Located just a few miles north of downtown Moab, this property offers RV spots, little casitas, and traditional cabins.
That mixture of accommodation options means that we can stay in our Winnebago Micro Minnie 1800BH travel trailer while other family members without an RV can stay onsite, too.
If you’re looking to do some glamping, the casitas are so much fun.
Each is named after a location in a stereotypical Wild West town (bank, saloon, and brothel, for example), and contains a set of bunk beds, a queen sized bed, and dining table.
The A/C unit will keep your family cool, while the charcoal grill is great for hot dogs and burgers.
You’ll also have access to a communal bathhouse next door and the large firepit for cooking.
>> Book the cabins at Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway here. <<
Plus, when you’re ready to head to your next location—whether that’s south to the La Sal Mountains or north towards Salt Lake City, you can easily access Highway 191, the only road into and out of Moab.
NOTE: If you are heading to Salt Lake City, I highly recommend adding the Donut Falls hike to your itinerary! Check out my complete hiking guide to Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon here.
What is the best time of year to visit Moab?
While Moab is beautiful year round, we love the early spring the most.
The crowds aren’t crazy in April and early May at Arches National Park, but the weather during the day is warm and clear.
NOTE: In previous years, Arches National Park required advanced vehicle reservations between April and October, but that ended for 2026. You can currently drive into the park whenever you’d like with no prior reservations.
At night, there’s enough of a chill that you’ll want to roast s’mores by the fire.
Are there family friendly activities in Moab?
Yes, you’ll find a wide variety of family activities in Moab from paddleboarding to dinosaur-themed spots.
We’ve done several Moab hikes with kids from the time the youngest was only 6 months old.
You’ll find that there are trails for every experience level in the areas surrounding Moab.
Overall, you’ll find that the entire Moab community is welcoming to families, and everyone is happy to share their favorite kid-friendly places to explore.
Ready to adventure more in Utah and Beyond? Read these posts next:
