15 Unique Things to Do in Moab Besides Arches and Canyonlands
When most people think of Moab, Utah they immediately picture Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. And don’t get me wrong, those places are absolutely worth the hype (If you’re looking for articles on those, click the links!) But are there really things to do in Moab besides Arches? What if you’re looking for something different? Maybe you’ve already hit the parks, you want to avoid the crowds, or you’re just craving a little off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Good news: Moab has plenty more to offer than just the national parks.
Whether you’re into outdoor thrills, scenic views, local eats, or quiet corners most tourists miss, here are 15 unique things to do in Moab besides Arches and Canyonlands.
1. Explore Corona Arch
Often called “Arches without the crowds,” Corona Arch is a stunning natural arch you can hike to just outside of town. The trail is about 3 miles round trip and offers epic views and no national park pass required!
2. Take a Scenic Drive Along Potash Road
Potash Road (Utah Route 279) hugs the Colorado River and winds past ancient petroglyphs, rock climbers, and beautiful red rock cliffs. Bored and just sitting around? Go for a drive and explore!
3. Cool Off at Mill Creek
Mill Creek is a local swimming hole just a few minutes from downtown. A short hike leads to waterfalls and swimming spots, perfect on a hot day. It’s one of the best things to do in Moab besides Arches if you’re looking to relax and get your feet wet.
4. Visit the Moab Giants Dinosaur Park
Great for families, Moab Giants has life-sized dinosaur replicas, a 3D theater, and a walk-through museum. Moab has a ton of fossil history, and this place brings it to life in a super fun way.
5. Go White Water Rafting Down the Colorado River
We didn’t do this but we heard from several people that did, this tour is not to be missed. You will go white-water rafting down the Colorado River with a professional guide, all while seeing absolutely stunning views all around. Perfect for a day in Moab and not doing any of the National Parks.
6. Check Out Dead Horse Point State Park
Okay — not technically a national park, but often overlooked because of its famous neighbors. Dead Horse Point offers jaw-dropping canyon views (think Grand Canyon vibes) and gorgeous sunrise/sunset spots with way fewer people.
7. Mountain Biking on the Slickrock Trail
World-renowned for a reason! If you’re into biking, Slickrock is one of the most thrilling things to do in Moab besides Arches. A loop trail that is just the right amount of challenging for anyone looking to try something new!
8. Tour a Slot Canyon
Book a guided tour to explore narrow, winding slot canyons near Moab. It’s a unique adventure far different from the open spaces of Arches. There are many slot canyons around the area, definitely worth a chance to check them out.
9. Take an Off-Road Tour of Moab!
Rent a Jeep or join a guided UTV tour on Hells’ Revenge Trail to take you on a trip through the rocky terrain in a 4×4 and experience Utah that way it was supposed to be experienced! Definitely one of the top things to do in Moab besides Arches if you love adrenaline.
10. Stroll Through Downtown Moab
If you’re a fan of small mountain towns, then you will love Moab, just spending a few hours during the day or at night strolling the downtown area is super fun. There are tons of restaurants, bars, museums, coffee shops and gift shops that you have to check out!
- World Famous Woody’s Tavern
- Trailhead Public House and Eatery
- Moab Coffee Roasters
- Love Muffin Cafe
- Sunset Grill
Just a few of the places with good eats and good coffee! For some gift shops, right across the street from The Trailhead restaurant there are several nice gift shops to check out.
11. Go ziplining!
If you know me, I love the zip line. Moab offers several different zip line tours around the town! Super fun for the entire family, an exhilarating experience that you will not forget and the scenery is really top notch for a zip line experience.
13. Explore Fisher Towers & do a white-water Rafting Trip!
This lesser-known hiking area features dramatic rock spires and incredible views. If you just want to explore you can do that, if you’re looking for more adrenaline, take a white water rafting adventure tour!
As you can tell, I’m really pushing for the white water rafting because this is one of the best places to do it, and if our schedule wasn’t so jam packed we absolutely would’ve done it. Next time we visit Moab, we will be sure to have this on the top of our list.
14. Take a Rappelling Tour
If you didn’t already know, Moab offers some of the most unique landscape in the country, if not the entire world. A repelling tour will take you with a certified guide to Medieval Chamber Slot Canyon where you will rappel down into the canyon, a site that not too many people see. You can check out here!
15. Go Stargazing
Moab in particular is one of the best places to star-gaze as there is very little light pollution, skies are very dark and it’s not very cloudy. Drive out of the town, set up a little camp with your telescope and gaze up at the sky. The Milky-Way is always visible in Moab, if you have the heart to stay up late into the night between 1am – 3am usually.
Prime locations include Panorama Point, Balanced Rock, Dead Horse Point, and Sand Flats Recreation Area, basically anywhere away from town lights
It’s one of the most magical things to do in Moab besides Arches, blending gentle river scenery with an unforgettable night-sky experience. Bring a cozy blanket and hot coco the perfect way to unwind after a day of adventure.
Honorable Mentions:
- There are tons of hiking trails near Moab as well
- Moab Swingers – Go for a Canyon Swing! Something I looked into , but ultimately kind of chickened out on. They also have base jumping!
- Doing a National Park tour in Utah? Check out ” How to visit all of Utah National Parks in 6 days! (Without missing a thing“
Final Thoughts – Things to Do in Moab Besides Arches and Canyonlands?
As you can see, there are tons of amazing and things to do in Moab besides Arches and Canyonlands. Whether you’re chasing adventure, looking to explore the area, try some new food, or a little peace and quiet, Moab has something for everyone.
If you’ve visited the parks already, or can’t get in and have extra time, take the tips in this guide to help you experience Moab to the fullest!