If you’ve never been to Moab in Utah, you might wonder what all the hype is about and why so many people go there, especially for spring break and summer vacation. That’s why you should go!
Moab is a fun town with a lively vibe, and it’s a hub for people seeking outdoor recreation in the area. So if you do go, we’ve got some suggestions to help make your visit an exciting and memorable one.
1. Mountain Biking
Moab bills itself as the mountain biking capital of the world. People come from all over to ride slickrock routes of all difficulty levels in an incredible setting. If you can’t bring your bike, rent one in town.
2. Off-Roading
Moab also sees itself as the off-roading capital of the world. Every spring, there’s even a huge Jeep rally when the town and the trails are packed with stock and modified Jeeps. There are miles and miles of rugged Jeep and ATV trails in the region.
3. Rock Climbing
The sandstone in Southern Utah has a lot of excellent rock climbing. If you have no experience or gear, you can hire a certified guide to show you the ropes, so to speak.
4. Rafting
Yes, it’s the desert, but the mighty Colorado River runs through the area. Around Moab, the river is mostly gentle, with a mild rapid here and there. Signing up for a full- or half-day float trip with a local outfitter is a relaxing way to enjoy the gorgeous scenery.
5. Delicate Arch
This is the first of three sites in Arches National Park covered in this article where you really should get out of the car and go for a hike. Delicate Arch is an iconic free-standing arch overlooking an enormous sandstone bowl and framing the often-snowcapped La Sal Mountains in the distance. It’s pictured on many Utah license plates, and you’ve probably seen it in calendars and other photography.
6. The Windows
You can see all 4 arches in this area from the road, but it’s much better seeing them up close. A trail circumnavigates the two Windows arches, and the short trails to Turret Arch and Double Arch allow you to scramble up and sit beneath the spans. Double Arch and other features of the park are seen in the opening part of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
7. Devils Garden
There are several arches, both large and small, in this area at the end of the main park road. A trail leads to and past them, ending at the Dark Angel, a narrow pinnacle of sandstone towering above. If you’re up for a little adventure, take the Primitive Loop on the way back.
8. Dead Horse Point State Park
Now it’s time to turn our attention to Canyonlands, the other national park close to Moab, but before we do, let’s look at Dead Horse Point, the turnoff for which you’ll pass on the way to our next destination. This park is known for its incredible view of the Colorado River, which runs through a canyon carved out of it.
9. Island in the Sky
This is one of four districts of Canyonlands National Park. It’s easily accessible by a paved road, and most visitors simply drive to the overlooks and stop atop the plateau, the “island.” It’s also one way to access the White Rim, a 4WD road that encircles the Island for about 100 miles several hundred feet below the top.
10. The Needles District
This is the other Canyonlands district easily accessible from Moab. The roadside scenery is good, but the trails are better. You can hike to the “Needles,” ancient Native American rock art and ruins, large arches, the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers (where different-colored waters initially run beside each other before mixing), and more.
11. Newspaper Rock
Along the way to the Needles, you’ll pass Newspaper Rock. It’s a roadside cliff covered in petroglyphs created by ancient Native Americans. This is a quick but fascinating stop.
12. Looking Glass Rock
About half an hour south of Moab, directly across from the Highway 46 intersection, is a sandy dirt road that leads to Looking Glass Rock. This is a huge sandstone formation with an arch-like “window” in it. If you’re a rock climber, you can do more than just walk around and take pictures here. An easy route leads to the top, where you rappel down through a hole in the rock; the rest is a free-hanging rappel to the ground.
13. Wilson Arch
Just south of the turnoff to Looking Glass Rock is Wilson Arch, a roadside feature worth a stop for. It, too, has a fairly easy climbing route to its top, and you may get to see climbers rappelling down from the arch itself, with the rope over the span and one climber on each side.
14. Colorado River Scenic Byway
Just 2 miles north of town is Highway 128, the Colorado River Scenic Byway. For about 30 miles, it parallels the river through beautiful canyons and open deserts, passing places such as Castle Tower and the Fisher Towers, two iconic climbing destinations in the country. If you’re not a climber, don’t worry; there’s a trail that takes you through the Fisher Towers to a scenic overlook.
15. Brewpubs
Utah is infamous for strict state laws that only allow the sale of very low-alcohol beers in most stores, forbid you from buying wine at the grocery store, and restrict the relatively few liquor stores to hours that aren’t very convenient. Brewpubs are an exception to this, and Moab has two: the Moab Brewery and the Proper Brewing Co. You can get a stronger beer at both, and you can also get it to-go. Plus, they have full-service bars. Both are great places to end a day of fun and adventure out in the wilderness.
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Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border makes a lot of lists of the most beautiful places in America. There’s also a lot to do there, with a wide range of outdoor recreation, great dining, resorts, nightlife, and more. If it’s your first time going or if you’re going back, consider adding some of the following places to your itinerary.
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The World’s 5 Friendliest and 5 Unfriendliest Cities
Some cities welcome visitors and want them to be there. Other cities are rude to visitors and would just as soon see you leave. It can be jarring to be in an unfriendly city, though some of the world’s most enticing cities rank high on the rudeness scale.
When you visit a friendly city, it’s much easier to soak in the culture and meet the locals. Rough Guides readers voted on the cities for their level of friendliness. According to Rough Guides, these are the world’s friendliest and unfriendliest cities.
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