Moab is the adventure capital of the American West. This small city of 5,000 people in the red rock canyon country of southeastern Utah serves as the gateway to two of America's most spectacular national parks — Arches and Canyonlands — and offers world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, river rafting, and off-road driving in a landscape of extraordinary beauty.

The combination of the Colorado River, the red rock canyons, and the dramatic geology of the Colorado Plateau creates an adventure playground that is genuinely unmatched in the continental United States. Moab has been drawing adventure seekers since the 1980s, when mountain bikers discovered the extraordinary slickrock terrain around the city, and it has never looked back.

Moab is the mountain biking capital of the world — the destination that put mountain biking on the map as a serious sport and still offers some of the finest riding on Earth.

The Slickrock Bike Trail — a 10.5-mile loop over the petrified sand dunes east of Moab — is the most famous mountain bike trail in the world. The trail's extraordinary terrain — smooth, grippy sandstone that allows bikes to climb and descend slopes that would be impossible on any other surface — creates a riding experience that is unlike anything else.

Difficulty: Strenuous. The trail is not suitable for beginners — the exposure and the technical terrain require significant mountain biking experience.

The Practice Loop: A 2.3-mile practice loop near the trailhead allows beginners to experience the slickrock terrain before committing to the full trail.

The Porcupine Rim Trail — a 15-mile trail with 3,000 feet of descent — is one of the finest mountain bike trails in the world. The trail follows the rim of the canyon above the Colorado River, with extraordinary views throughout.

Shuttle: Most riders take a shuttle to the top and ride down, rather than climbing the full trail.

The Whole Enchilada — a 26-mile trail that descends from the La Sal Mountains (11,000 feet) to the Colorado River (4,000 feet) — is one of the great mountain bike rides in America. The trail passes through several distinct ecosystems, from alpine meadows to desert slickrock.

The Colorado River — which flows through Moab — offers excellent river rafting for all skill levels, from calm flatwater floats to challenging whitewater.

The stretch of the Colorado River through Moab is relatively calm, making it excellent for flatwater rafting, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Several outfitters offer half-day and full-day flatwater trips.

Fisher Towers Float — a beautiful flatwater float past the dramatic Fisher Towers, with excellent views of the surrounding canyon landscape.

Cataract Canyon — downstream from Moab in Canyonlands National Park — offers some of the finest whitewater rafting in the American West. The canyon's 26 rapids (including several Class IV and V rapids) create a challenging and exhilarating experience.

Multi-Day Trips: Most Cataract Canyon trips are 3–5 days, with camping on the river's sandy beaches. Several outfitters offer guided trips.

Moab's red rock landscape offers excellent rock climbing for all skill levels, from beginner routes on the canyon walls to challenging multi-pitch climbs on the desert towers.

Indian Creek — about 50 miles south of Moab — is one of the premier crack climbing destinations in the world. The area's parallel crack systems in the Wingate sandstone create perfect crack climbing routes of every difficulty.

Wall Street — a popular climbing area on the canyon walls above the Colorado River, with excellent routes for all skill levels.

Moab's canyon country offers some of the finest off-road driving in America, with hundreds of miles of 4WD trails through extraordinary landscapes.

Hell's Revenge — a challenging 4WD trail over the slickrock above the Colorado River, with excellent views and dramatic terrain.

Fins and Things — a beautiful 4WD trail through a landscape of sandstone fins and arches.

Shafer Trail — a dramatic 4WD trail that descends from the Island in the Sky mesa in Canyonlands to the canyon floor, with extraordinary views throughout.

Moab is the gateway to two of America's most spectacular national parks:

Arches National Park — 5 miles north of Moab, with the world's largest concentration of natural stone arches. (See our Utah National Parks Guide for the full Arches guide.)

Canyonlands National Park — 30 miles from Moab, with extraordinary canyon scenery and the dramatic Island in the Sky mesa. (See our Utah National Parks Guide for the full Canyonlands guide.)

Desert Bistro — the finest restaurant in Moab, with exceptional cuisine and a beautiful setting.

Moab Brewery — the best craft brewery in Moab, with excellent beers and a lively atmosphere.

Milt's Stop & Eat — a beloved Moab institution serving excellent burgers and milkshakes since 1954.

Love Muffin Café — the best breakfast in Moab, with excellent pastries and creative morning dishes.

Sorrel River Ranch — a beautiful ranch resort on the Colorado River, with excellent accommodations and stunning views.

Moab Under Canvas — a glamping resort with beautiful tent accommodations in a stunning desert setting.

Vacation Rentals — numerous vacation homes and cabins are available through Airbnb and VRBO.

Best Time: Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) for the best weather. Summer is very hot (100°F+) but the river activities are excellent. Winter is beautiful but some trails may be icy.

Getting There: Moab is located in southeastern Utah, about 240 miles southeast of Salt Lake City via I-15 and US-191.

For more Utah adventures, see our Utah National Parks Guide, Utah Scenic Drives Guide, and Utah Hiking Guide. Also see our Best National Parks for First-Time Visitors.