Moab, Utah Weekend Guide (Fun 3-Day Itinerary!)

Moab is an outdoor lovers paradise located in a remote corner of southeast Utah. The desert city is surrounded by national parks and endless outdoor recreation. In recent years it’s become hugely popular, for good reason!

Planning to spend a weekend in Moab and wondering what to do? I’ve visited Moab more times than I can count, both as a kid living in Salt Lake City and as an adult living in Denver, I’ve put together an itinerary based on some of my favorite things to do here.

Below is my 3-day itinerary for a weekend in Moab, Utah.

3-Day Weekend In Moab Itinerary

Day 1: 3 Days In Moab

Arches National Park

Arches National Park is one of the most unique attractions in the United States. It’s home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches — the densest concentration of such in the world! — not to mention, countless incredible rock formations.

The park is a must-see for most Moab visitors.

During your day here, consider the following itinerary:

• Hike Devil’s Garden Trail to Double O Arch, with a stop at Landscape Arch.
• Stop by Sand Dune Arch & Balanced Rock.
• Spend an hour or two exploring the arches of The Windows Section.
• Sunset hike to Delicate Arch.

No timed-entry reservation is required for Arches National Park.

For lots more information, check out my One Day In Arches National Park Itinerary.

Moab Food Truck Park

After a long day in Arches, grab a quick bite from the Moab Food Truck Park, a popular place to grab a fast meal in Moab.

This laid-back food truck site features nearly a dozen outlets serving up street fare amid picnic bench seating. Food options are varied and can change at any time, but there’s usually always some vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options, so this is a great spot for the whole crew, no matter dietary restrictions.

Day 2: 3 Days In Moab

Canyonlands National Park

For your second day in Moab, head to Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands is the lesser visited of Moab’s two national parks, but still very much worth a visit!

The park is known for, you guessed it, canyons, and a lot of them. This area was carved out by two powerful rivers: the Colorado River and the Green River. The result is a vast park home to canyons within canyons, boasting endless layers of cliffs and buttes. 

This massive park is divided into 4 sections, the closest to Moab is Island In The Sky, so most visitors end up here. Best of all, this section of the park can easily be explored in just one day.

Consider this itinerary during your day in Canyonlands’ Island In The Sky:

• Do a sunrise hike to Mesa Arch (it’s a short and ‘easy’ rated hike!).
• Stop by White Rim Overlook, Grand View Point Overlook, & Green River Overlook.
• Hike Aztec Butte Trail, Whale Rock, or Upheaval Dome (it’s possible to hike all three if the weather isn’t too hot, each trail is fairly short).
• Stop by Shafer Canyon Overlook and the Visitor Center.

No timed-entry reservation is required for Canyonlands National Park.

For more information, check out my One Day In Canyonlands Island In The Sky guide.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Right next to Canyonlands is Dead Horse Point State Park, an absolute must-see on your way out.

This park features another of the many canyons carved out by the powerful Colorado River, and this one happens to be extremely picturesque! The canyon features a horseshoe-shaped bend framed by dramatic red buttes and the snow-capped La Sal Mountains. 

This is one of the top things to see when visiting Moab, and quite possibly my favorite state park in Utah, which is saying a lot! 

How much time to spend in Dead Horse can vary quite a bit, I usually stay for just an hour or two. These are my favorite things to do during a quick stop in Dead Horse State Park:

• Hike the Dead Horse Visitor Center Loop and/or East Rim Trail (the two trails are connected).
• Take in the views from Meander Overlook & Dead Horse Point Overlook.

Tip: If the timing is right, this is a really beautiful park for sunset.

Grab Dinner In Moab

After a day spent exploring the Canyonlands area, grab dinner in downtown Moab.

You’ll find a lot of locally owned restaurants here. El Tapatio, Gloria’s, El Local, Dewey’s, and Moab Kitchen are a few popular options.

Restaurants in Moab get quite busy, I try to avoid peak hours by having an early or late dinner when dining out. (Or snag a reservation if you can!)

Day 3: 3 Days In Moab

Day 3 in Moab is a flex day, since there’s so much to do here, you’ll find a huge variety of activities to choose from.

I recommend doing some sort of outdoor activity in the morning, then exploring downtown Moab in the afternoon.

(Flex Day) Outdoor Activity In The Morning

I’ve listed out some of the best outdoor activities in Moab:

• Go off-roading / Jeeping – Moab is home to world-famous off-roading routes, rent a Jeep yourself or hire a guide.
• Go mountain biking – as with off-roading routes, there are some very famous mountain biking trails in Moab. Rentals and guides are available via various local businesses.
• Hike Corona Arch – for an easy hike, consider Corona Arch. This is a popular 2.3 mile hike just outside Moab that’s not in Arches National Park.
• Raft the Colorado River – if visiting during peak summer, you might be looking to cool off, consider a day rafting the Colorado River. Again, you can go out on your own (just check conditions before doing so) or hire a guide.
• Visit Canyonlands National Park – Needles District – another beautiful district of Canyonlands is the Needles District, about 1.5 hours from Moab. The landscapes here are surprising dissimilar to Island The Sky, so it’s worth the effort to get here. It’s also a great park for hiking.

For more, check out The Top Things To Do In Moab, Utah.

(Flex Day) Afternoon In Downtown Moab

For your final afternoon in Moab, explore downtown.

The downtown area of Moab runs along Highway 191 from roughly 400 N to 100 S. It’s small but packed with shops and restaurants.

With a full afternoon in Moab, you can do just about everything listed below:

Shop In Downtown Moab

Shops in Moab include boutique clothing stores, outdoor gear, souvenir shops, and an excellent bookstore, they’re worth checking out while walking around downtown.

There are also numerous cafes, if you need a quick bite or some caffeine.

Moab Museum

The Moab Museum features displays of local geology, paleontology, and archeology while telling the interesting story of Moab’s history, stretching from pre-historic cultures to mining booms. Additionally, they always have a rotating exhibit, which covers topics from around the world.

It’s small and only requires an hour or two, it’s also a great spot to escape the heat during a hot summer day.

Visit A Local Brewery

For a pint of local beer, check out Moab Brewery or Proper Brewing Co. The two local haunts bookend the north and south end of town.

Both serve a long lineup of beers, from light pilsners to hoppy IPA’s, alongside a delicious food menu. If you’re ready for dinner, both are a good option.

Live Music 

Those up for some live music on the final night in Moab, you’ll find quite a few places around town. Check out The Blu Pig, Woody’s Tavern, or Moab’s Backyard Theater, among other spots. You can find live music schedules on their websites or social media platforms.

Where To Stay In Moab

Moab Hotels

Downtown Moab is full of accommodations ranging from well-known chains to small motels. Most sell out during peak season, if visiting spring through fall, be sure to secure reservations well in advance.

A few popular hotels in Moab include:

• Slackline Moab ($)
• Gonzo Inn ($$)
• Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton ($$$)
• Under Canvas Moab ($$ – glamping)
• ULUM Moab ($$$ – outside of town, but very beautiful)

For more ideas and information, head over to my Best Hotels In Moab, Utah guide.

Camping Near Moab

Camping is extremely popular in Moab and there’s a good variety of options for visitors.

There are commercial campgrounds available with reservation. You’ll find some in town and surrounding Moab (the campgrounds along Highway 128 Scenic Byway border the Colorado River and are some of my favorites).

Additionally, the surrounding national parks and state parks all offer camping, most require reservations.

And last, there is a lot of BLM land in the area which has camping available on first-come, first served basis.

Campsites fill very quickly during peak season in Moab, so have a few back up plans if you’re not making a reservation. On that same note, there’s not a lot of privacy when camping here, this is due to the large number of people who camp here and the lack of trees in this desert landscape.

Winter campers will have far fewer crowds to contend with, but need to be prepared for freezing temperatures and the possibility of snow.

What To Pack For A Weekend In Moab

When preparing for a Moab trip, I tend to overpack, but for good reason. There’s a lot of red dirt and dust surrounding Moab, so my clothes are often coated after just one outdoor activity. It’s nice to have extra pieces of fresh clothing. (You’ll notice a lot of Moab hotels have laundry services and gear wash stations for this reason).

Additionally, you’ll find the attire is very laid back in this desert town. Athletic wear and casual clothes are appropriate for just about all occasions.

Below is what I pack for a summer weekend in Moab:

• 1 pair of lightweight pants or leggings
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 3 t-shirts and/or tank tops
• 1 casual summer dress
• 1 lightweight long sleeve (such as cardigan or flannel) – evenings can be cool, even in summer.
• 1 lightweight rain jacket or windbreaker
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 pair of tennis shoes
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (the sun can be very intense in this desert environment).
• Reusable water bottle
• Microfiber towel (for cleaning off red dirt and mud after outdoor activities).

Those planning to hike or enjoy outdoor activities, you’ll also need:

• Hiking boots
• Wool socks
• Athletic shorts or pants
• Breathable athletic top
• Fleece jacket
• Windbreaker or rain jacket
• Backpack

Getting To Moab

Moab is quite remote, so getting here isn’t the easiest. The nearest major cities are Salt Lake City and Denver, which are 3.5 and 5.5 hours away, respectively.

Moab is connected to SLC and Denver by major highways, so the drive is easy despite its remoteness.

Below are the nearest airports to Moab:

Canyonlands Field Airport (regional airport) – 15 minutes (14 miles) to Moab.

Grand Junction Regional Airport – 1.5 hours (110 miles) to Moab.

Salt Lake City International Airport – 3 hours, 40 minutes (234 miles) to Moab.

Denver International Airport – 5 hours, 50 minutes (375 miles) to Moab.

Getting Around Moab

A car is necessary in Moab. While the downtown area is compact and walkable, most attractions sit just outside of town and therefore require a car. 

Uber, Lyft, and cabs are available in Moab, but are limited. Shuttles and private guides are more reliable for excursions around Moab.

Moab Weather 

Moab sees very hot summers with little rain. The rain that does come is often in the form of monsoons, these are brief but very intense thunderstorms that usually occur in the late afternoon.

If visiting in summer, plan for most activities in the early morning and late afternoon, midday is often too hot for things such as mountain biking and hiking.

Winters are chilly with the possibility for snow. 

Fall and spring offer the most pleasant, mild temperatures. These are my favorite times of year to visit, you can easily fill the day with outdoor activities.

Average Monthly Temperatures In Moab: 

• January – 44° / 20° (High / Low F°)
• February – 52° / 26°
• March – 64° / 35°
• April – 73° / 42°
• May – 83° / 50°
• June – 95° / 58°
• July – 100° / 65°
• August – 97° / 64°
• September – 88° / 54°
• October – 74° / 41°
• November – 58° / 30°
• December – 45° / 22°

As you can see, Moab has so many attractions. It would take many, many years to see it all, but you can at least see some of the highlights in a weekend.

I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your trip and have the best time! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below or reach out on social media!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Moab and Utah guides.

More Information For Your Trip To Moab:

• Top Things To Do In Moab, Utah
• Best Hotels In Moab, Utah
• Goblin Valley State Park: The Best Things To Do
• Arches National Park Guides
• Canyonlands National Park Guides

More Information For Your Utah Vacation:

• Bryce National Park Canyon Guides
• Zion National Park Guides