As gas prices escalate, travelers are looking for one-stop locations for their summer vacations. If you’re looking for a place where outdoor adventure is plentiful, consider Moab, Utah. Known at the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park, the Colorado River, and the La Sal Mountains, Moab is the # one adventure resort town in the Four Corners area of Utah.
There are more national and state parks within a 200-mile radius of the city than any other location in Utah. Add to that a vibrant downtown where you can shop, browse, eat, and enjoy the charm of this “outdoor wonderland” and you have a great place for families to appreciate nature this summer. Once there, you’ll find plentiful free activities.
Hiking. The Moab area contains a large number of day hikes trails suitable for all experience levels and for families. Hike along cool streams at Negro Bill and Hunter Canyons or take in spectacular sandstone arches like Corona Arch.
Mountain biking. Moab offers a huge variety of trails for mountain bikers from beginners looking for a scenic ride through beautiful canyons and mesas to seasoned bikers seeking the ultimate challenge.
Four-wheel driving. Rent a jeep and explore among the thousands of miles of trails in Grand County. See stunning back country scenery while diving on unmaintained trails from mining or prospecting for minerals such as uranium, vanadium, radium, copper, gold, and oil.
Canoeing and kayaking. The rivers in the Moab area provide miles of wide, calm water, often reflecting a mosaic of rock cliffs and sky. Float trips or kayaks and rafts work well on Ken’s Lake, a nearby manmade reservoir.
Movie museum and location tour. Since 1949 the Moab area has been a popular location for Hollywood movies, commercials, and music videos. Take a self-guided tour of movie locations and visit the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Lodge.
Driving tours. Three officially designated Scenic Byways and one Scenic backway routes feature diverse scenery including arches, canyons, red rock formations, the Colorado River Gorge, petrogylphs, dinosaur tracks, historical bridge, movie locations and the LaSal Mountains.
Rock art. Sample some of the easily accessible ancient Indian rock art around the Moab area. A self-guided tour will share types, dates, artists, and cultures.
Dinosaur tracks. View dinosaur bone fragments and impressions and remnants of an old copper mill and the Halfway Stage Station at Copper Ridge Sauropod Tracksite.
Art galleries. Stroll Moab’s galleries, shops, and cafes and view fine locally created Moab art. The Moab Arts Festival on Memorial Day weekend offers a myriad of free family activities.
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. A visit to Moab isn’t complete without a day in each of these magnificent parks—not free but only $10 per car, a bargain by any standards.
Leave a comment about your favorite outdoor experience in the Moab area.
For more information visit www.discovermoab.com or call the Moab Area Travel Council, 800-635-6622.
Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier
Read more travel stories at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel
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2 comments:
Great write up Beverly! I'd like to add that the Moab Area Travel Council has added another website for meetings, weddings and events with htpp://www.moabutah.info. Your article goes perfectly with a planners effort for a cool, unique location for a conference or family gathering. Nice!
Thanks for the info. Moab would be a great place for special events.
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