USA
Moab, Utah
Where Red Rock Trails, Heavenly Skies and
Rugged Rides Inspire the Soul
By Ilona Kauremszky
Cue the movie trailer voiceover: “In a world where sandstone spires scrape cobalt skies and cosmic light shows electrify the night…”
Welcome to Moab, Utah—the blockbuster of American landscapes. This cinematic desert town is the kind of place where you ditch your watch, lace up your boots, and discover your own edge. Whether you’re standing under the glowing curve of Delicate Arch at sunset, spinning your wheels on legendary Slickrock, or tilting your head back as the Milky Way unfurls like cosmic confetti, Moab will knock you sideways—in the best way possible.
Red Rock Trails That Lead to Wonder
Imagine hiking through a Dr. Seuss sketchbook. Breezy mesas, vermilion fins, towering rock windows, and slot canyons straight out of a sci-fi set. Moab delivers it all, with not one, but two national parks (Arches and Canyonlands), plus two state parks and kilometres of Bureau of Land Management backcountry. You could spend weeks here and never step on the same trail twice. Delicate Arch, a natural wonder, is so iconic it’s on Utah licence plates. If you head to Corona Arch, there’s a soaring sandstone curve that feels like a secret cathedral. And don’t overlook Dead Horse Point State Park, where trails deliver jaw-dropping overlooks of the Colorado River’s deep bends.
Heavenly Skies: Utah’s Nighttime Theatre
As if the daylight drama weren’t enough, Moab cranks up the after-hours magic. This desert is home to three International Dark Sky Parks: Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point. Translation? The Milky Way basically throws a nightly red-carpet premiere. Pack a blanket, lean back, and watch galaxies spin overhead like slow-motion fireworks. Meteor showers? Planet sightings? Yes and yes. NASA scientists have even used Utah’s desert near Moab as a Mars training ground!
Rugged Rides on World-Class Trails
This is the mecca of mountain biking—a pilgrimage for two-wheeled thrill-seekers. The legendary Slickrock Bike Trail is a bucket-list ride, a natural rollercoaster carved from Navajo sandstone. It’s 17 km of whoop-worthy dips and lung-busting climbs. Don’t sweat if you’re not pro-level; Moab boasts trails for all skill sets. Every push of the pedal reveals jaw-dropping moments from red rock spires to desert blooms, or the Colorado River glinting in the distance.
Hungry after all that adrenalin? Moab’s dining scene has levelled up. In the past two years, quirky new restaurants like Elsie’s, Birdy’s Finer Diner, Más Café, and Cactus Jacks have joined the lineup. From hearty post-ride breakfasts to creative cocktails at sunset, this small town is proving it can cook up big flavours.
When you come to Moab, expect to be changed. Expect dust on your boots, stars in your eyes, and a hunger—not only for adventure, but for more.
Fun Fact
The oldest rocks around Moab are over 300 million years old—predating the dinosaurs that once roamed the region!
Travel Planner
For trails, parks, and planning tips visit DiscoverMoab.com
