HIKING

Hiking

If you like hiking, Moab should be on your bucket list!

From the famous Delicate Arch trail, to the Grand Gallery to Leprechaun Canyon, within a 2-hour drive you can reach trails where you may never see another hiker on the trail.

Close to town

Mill Creek Trail

The creek that runs through Moab is Mill Creek.  Follow it up 5 minutes out of town and you'll find an amazing place to cool down in the hot summer months.

This hike has it all: River, waterfall, swimming hole and even petroglyphs.

It is only a mile hike in, but can be extended.  Take water shoes and a swimsuit.  

Many people miss the fun pools right at the beginning of the hike before the old dam. Kids will play for hours in the pools and carved sandstone slides.

20 minutes away...

Two amazing hikes that are about 20 minutes away from downtown.

If you haven't seen the largest rope swing video check it out here!   It has over 27 million views!  

This 2.5 mile trail is a moderate difficulty trail, but is fine for families.  You'll want to watch your kids closely in a couple spots, but the caution is worth it.  There are several smaller arches, but at the end you'll be rewarded with a large, beautiful arch and canyon.  

If you're adventurous and have climbing skills/equipment it is possible to hike on top of the arch.

On the drive out there be sure to watch for petroglyphs and dinosaur footprints on the right hand side of the canyon.  There are signs.



This is a 5.1 mile hike with about 600 feet of elevation gain.  It is a beautiful canyon and ends at Morning Glory Arch.  There are about 9 stream crossings and be sure to watch out for poison oak.  That stuff can ruin your trip so be sure you can identify it.  In Utah it generally has a glossy, waxy look and if mature will have white berries at the tops of the stems.  If it is not mature, watch out for the leaves of three!

Dinosaur Tracks, Bones and a challenge!

20 minutes north of Moab you'll find hundreds of dinosaur and crocodile tracks in a well preserved site.  There are great signs showing what dinosaurs made the tracks.  We usually spend 30-45 minutes looking at all of the tracks!


Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bones and Slot Challenge
5 minutes from the tracks you can find actual dinosaur bones in the rock.  There is a great trail with signs that describe what you're looking at.  There is a also a big embedded petrified tree near the end of the trail.

Once you get past the petrified tree, look directly south at the cliffs.  Scramble up the hill and work your way along the cliffs until you find the crack in the earth.  If you're above 220 pounds you may not be able to squeeze through.  It only takes about 10 minutes to get through the crack, but you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the surrounding area!

This is rattlesnake country, so watch where you step.  We found a beautiful little midget faded rattlesnake on our last trip there.  They are very shy, so don't be worried, just careful!


Arches

A trip to Moab isn't complete without a hike in Arches.  There are too many to mention, so I'll hit the highlights.  If you are just there for the day, stop at Double Arch and North Window Arch, then head over and hike Delicate and finish up at Landscape Arch.  There are tons of people during the peak season, so go early or stay late to beat the crowds!

If you've got more time, register online for a permit for the Fiery Furnace.  It is an area that you could spend months exploring.


This is the famous one and a must see!  It is a moderate 3 mile hike with about 600 ft. in elevation.



The National Park's website describes the Fiery Furnace as a natural labyrinth of narrow passages between towering sandstone walls.  My son said, "Can we stay here and camp forever?"  

You'll need to go on a ranger-guided hike or obtain a permit.  You can reserve them online or get there really early in the morning!

A couple of hours...

This my kid's favorite place on earth.  We usually spend a 1/2 day here and a 1/2 day hiking the slot at Little Wildhorse Canyon.  But you could spend a couple days hiking Ding and Dang, Wildhorse Window, and the Goblin's Lair. 


This area contains some of the most significant rock art in North America.  It is a longer hike at 9.1 miles, but it is flat and well worth it!  Take lots of water.  This is the same canyon where Aron Ralston was rescued when he had to cut off hit arm after being stuck in Little Blue John Canyon for 127 hours!


A little further down the road...


Leprechaun is one of many "Irish" slots in this area.  It is 2 hrs and 10 minutes from Moab, but it is worth the drive.  This is longest, narrowest slot canyon I've ever experienced.

It can be done from the top, but you'll need to be an experienced canyoneer.

We walked in from the road a short ways and it very quickly starts to narrow down.  After 30 minutes if you weigh above 185 lbs you'll have a very difficult time getting through this slot.

This slot is super tight for hours.  It is actually unbelievable and an amazing experience.

Be very careful in all of the slots around this area.  Don't go if there is any threat of rain and do not enter Sandthrax canyon.  It takes months of training, gear and knowledge if you want to come out alive.


South of Moab

If you want to escape the crowds and see a truly unique and remote destination, head to the Needles District.  

It is about an hour and a half south of Moab, but again, it is worth the drive.  Be sure to stop at Newspaper Rock.

*Photo credit NPS/Herbert
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