The iconic red sandstone arches and canyons around Moab, Utah, beckon outdoor adventurers with a craving for exploration. With two national parks—Arches and Canyonlands—sitting within a quick drive of town, visitors to Moab should be sure to bring their hiking boots. See below for the area’s best hiking trails.
Hiking along a river, paleontology enthusiasts can travel back 150 million years to view Jurassic-age fossils. Interpretive signs point out petrified plants, dinosaur tracks, and bones of animals like the sauropod. This easy, short trail is ideal for families traveling with kids.
One of the best sites in the area, Corona Arch sweeps over a captivating wall of mountains and red rock. At sunset, the entire area appears to glow, and the arch perfectly frames the landscape. Climbers can scramble up ladders and cables and rappel down rock walls to reach even better views.
Iconic Delicate Arch, which graces the Utah license plate, is a moderate trail packed with views of the Colorado plateau. The route hugs cliffs and traverses stretches of layered sandstone before arriving at the grand finale.
Don’t forget the camera on this hike. The Fisher Towers are among the most photographed spots in Utah, thanks to their brilliant red hue and striking rock formations, which stand in testament to the incredible erosive power of water. The area is popular with rock climbers, too, which can make for fun people-watching.