Adventure Van City Guide: Moab, Utah
Welcome to Moab, the outdoor capital of the American Southwest and a sacred stop on any road warrior’s map. Nestled between two of the most iconic national parks in the country, Arches and Canyonlands, Moab is a surreal blend of Martian landscapes, vibrant community vibes, and adrenaline-fueled adventure. Whether you're into hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, or just parking your van under a desert sky, Moab will meet you there and raise the stakes.
Moab’s backyard is Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, balanced rocks, and wind-sculpted fins. Start your visit at Delicate Arch. Utah’s most famous landmark and hike the 3-mile round trip to witness its perfect curve glowing at sunset. Continue to Double Arch, The Windows, and Landscape Arch, which at 290 feet is the longest of its kind on Earth. Just across the highway lies Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district), where vast canyons and mesas stretch endlessly beneath you. Visit Mesa Arch at sunrise, then wind your way to Grand View Point for vistas that feel infinite.
Moab is the kind of place that makes you want to say yes to everything. Hike, yes. Mountain bike the legendary Slickrock Trail, yes. Join a guided 4x4 tour along Hell’s Revenge, where your tires crawl up sheer sandstone domes, yes again. Paddleboarding on the Colorado River, scenic drives down Highway 128, or exploring secret canyons and petroglyphs along Potash Road all possible in a day. Want a break from adrenaline? Wander the Moab Farmers Market (Thursdays in summer), grab local art downtown, or visit Moab Museum to learn about the geology and Indigenous history of the region.
Quick fun facts
🏜️ 1. It's Home to Five National Parks
Known as the "Mighty 5," Utah’s national parks Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands are packed with hoodoos, arches, cliffs, and canyons that feel like they belong on another planet.
🦖 2. It's One of the Best Places on Earth for Dinosaur Bones
Utah is a dino graveyard places like Dinosaur National Monument and the Utahraptor State Park are loaded with fossil finds, including species that only exist here.
🌌 3. The Dark Skies Are Next-Level
Utah has more International Dark Sky Parks than any other state perfect for stargazing, Milky Way spotting, or watching a meteor shower from the middle of nowhere.
🎬 4. It’s Basically Mars for Hollywood
The red rock terrain has stood in for alien planets in Star Wars, Westworld, 127 Hours, and more. When directors want "epic and otherworldly," they come to Utah.
🏜️ 5. Salt Flats You Can Drive On Like a Maniac
The Bonneville Salt Flats are legendary a vast white desert where people break land speed records and drive like it’s a sci-fi dreamscape. You can even bike, skate, or drift across them.
Trivia question
What was the name of the top-secret U.S. project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II?
