The One American Desert Town That Keeps Drawing Outdoor Lovers Back Year After Year
There are places you visit once and move on. Then there is Moab. This small Utah town, sitting between two of America’s most stunning national parks, has built a reputation as one of the greatest outdoor adventure destinations in the country. And once you set foot on the red rock landscape here, it is not hard to understand why people keep coming back.
Mountain Biking on Legendary Terrain
Moab is widely considered the mountain biking capital of the United States, and the trail that put it on the map is the Slickrock Trail. Carved across 10.5 miles of ancient Navajo Sandstone in the Sand Flats Recreation Area, this trail is unlike anything most riders have ever experienced. The sandstone surface is not actually slick at all. It grips rubber tires with incredible traction, allowing you to climb slopes that look completely impossible at first glance. The views along the way are equally stunning, with Arches National Park to the north, the snow-capped La Sal Mountains to the south, and the Colorado River winding below.
For those new to slickrock riding, there is a shorter practice loop that gives you a genuine taste of the terrain before committing to the full route. Spring and fall are the ideal seasons to ride, since summer temperatures can push well past 100 degrees. Come early in the morning and bring far more water than you think you need.
Beyond Slickrock, Moab has dozens of other trail systems including the Whole Enchilada, Bar-M, and Navajo Rocks, offering something for every skill level from beginner to expert.
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Country
Moab is just as exciting for climbers. The surrounding desert landscape is filled with sandstone walls, towers, and crack systems that attract climbers from all over the world. Wall Street, located just outside of town along the Colorado River, is one of the most popular spots and features a long stretch of climbing routes right off the road. The Fishing Route and Ancient Art tower are other bucket-list climbs that offer both challenge and some of the most dramatic scenery in the American Southwest.
Canyoneering is also huge here, with slot canyons and technical descents tucked throughout the surrounding canyon country.
What Else Moab Offers
If you travel with people who are not into biking or climbing, Moab still delivers. Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park are both minutes from town. Off-roading, white-water rafting on the Colorado, and stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the country round out an activity list that is hard to beat anywhere in America.
Moab is not just a stop on a road trip. It is a destination worth planning your whole vacation around.