Unforgettable Things to Do in Moab Utah and Dead Horse Point State Park
Moab, Utah is one of those elusive cities that I've always wanted to visit. This tiny town in the middle of the desert where adventure-seekers gather before embarking on day trips (or multi-day excursions) to some of the most stunning National Parks and other-worldly landscapes. They sit outside of coffee shops in downtown Moab at sunrise, sharing stories of their previous hiking conquests before attempting something even more impressive that day. They cover their cars and the kayaks and bikes precariously strapped to their SUVs with bumper stickers of their nature-related accomplishments: Denali, the Pacific Coast Trail, Appalachia. They are also the only people that can pull of driving tripped out UTVs and ATVs down the ordinary paved streets and roads in town. This is the type of person I've always secretly wanted to be (despite living in a major city my whole life). So the first chance I got, I headed to this magical town, ready to explore all the things to do in Moab while making sure I tackle the last three National Parks of the Utah Mighty 5 that I haven't hiked before: Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef.
Eat and Shop Your Way Through Downtown Moab
Despite the allure of this small city, Moab is less of a destination and more of a glorified (and glorious) pit-stop, and the town seriously embraces this when it comes to food. Local coffee shops are scattered across Main Street in downtown Moab from Moab Garage Co. to Doughbird (which also has epic doughnuts and fried chicken). Every spot is ready to fill up hikers with a heavy breakfast and a healthy dose of caffeine before they begin their adventure for the day. For lunch, food trucks are the staple with popular places, like Quesadilla Mobilla, facing long lines as people quickly grab a bite on the run. The Moab Food Truck Park is another staple for multiple grab-and-go options in one place. Dinner is more of a sit-down affair, giving adventurers the chance to relax and reminisce about their day over a beer.
When it comes to shopping, local gifts are available all along Main Street, and stores celebrate Native American art and pottery from the nearby Ute tribe to those tribes found further south in New Mexico. Moab Pride is on display at boutiques Moab Made and Desert Wild, where you can pick up hipster outdoor gear and art prints and decor from local Utah artisans. When it comes to the best things to do in Moab, supporting local creators and artists is always high on my list.
Find Your Favorite Arch at Arches National Park While Hiking in Moab
Most people who head to Utah want to go hiking in Moab, and most are there to scratch Arches National Park, off their bucket list. With over 2000 naturally occurring arches, you can explore and hike to, you're sure to find your favorite spot in the park by the end of a long day. If you're able to visit Arches during sunrise or sunset, you're in for the biggest treat as the red rock formations look as if they've been ablaze as they glow in the sunlight. Make sure you check out the Double Arch and Windows Arches, as well as the iconic Delicate Arch and Devils Garden Trail. Learn more about all there is to do in Arches National Park here.
Make Time for Canyonlands National Park
Forty minutes away from Arches is Canyonlands National Park, another beautiful park with ample hiking trails and views on views on views. The Island in the Sky section is the easiest to access from Moab and the most popular among visitors (despite having far fewer guests per year than nearby Arches). Tackle more rugged hikes to Upheaval Dome or Whale Rock before you head to the Grand View Point Overlook to see panoramic views of that stretch across the entire horizon. Learn more about Canyonlands National Park here.
Squeeze in Dead Horse Point State Park
Near the entrance to Canyonlands National Park, along the Dead Horse Mesa Scenic Byway is Dead Horse Point State Park. Drive through the park to the end of the road for the Dead Horse Point Overlook. These views are similar to those in Canyonlands, but so much more dramatic, especially at sunset. Peer over winding goosenecks along the Colorado River as it weaves and twists within the snake-shaped cliffs. The overlook itself stands 2,000 feet above the river and continues for 2 miles along the Dead Horse Trail.
Looking to the left, you may notice brightly colored blue pools that don’t seem to fit in with the rest of the desert landscape. These neon-colored artificial lakes are actually evaporation ponds filled with potash, which is salt that contains potassium chloride. Owned by the company Intrepid Potash, the desert provides optimal conditions for evaporation and absorbing sunlight to create the chemical potassium chloride, often used in medicines. At times you may see these pools dyed a rich cerulean to help with evaporation. It’s a really strange sight in contrast to the red rock around it.
If ogling at these crazy views has your mind wandering, and wondering why the park is called Dead Horse Point, there are plenty of stories to go around. The most well-known legend says that roughly 100 years ago, cowboys would round up horses onto the park's mesa, which is shaped like a peninsula. Sealing up the peninsula entry with branches and plants worked as a natural corral for the animals. However, at one point, horses were left in this corral, forced to die of thirst despite clearly seeing the Colorado River below them. It's a gruesome story for a gruesomely named park, but I promise you that the unbelievable views still make it worth the visit.
From snapping photos under arches to looking deep into ancient canyons, there are so many things to do in Moab when you utilize it as your home base in Utah. For those that want even crazier adventures, consider mountain biking in the nearby Salt Flats Recreation Area or floating the afternoon away on the Colorado River. No matter what you decide, the stunning colors of Utah's red rock will ensure that you never have a dull view, and places like Dead Horse Point State Park will leave you speechless because of the views. This, paired with the town's undeniable "cool-factor," means there's no better place in Utah to call home for a few days than Moab.
