Moab
Establishment
neighborhood
Colorado River Rafting and SUP
Moab is a short drive from the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers, both of which make for great rafting. Before the confluence, both rivers are slow and mellow, making for Lazy River-style trips that are safe for little kids. After the rivers converge, the force of their combined strength creates dramatic whitewater and a more adventurous ride that’s fun and exciting for older kids. Moab Adventure Center offers both options, plus self-guided SUP and kayaking on the calmer waters.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park was formed when the Colorado River and its tributaries wound their way through Utah’s soft sandstone, leaving towers and pinnacles of striped red rock in their wake. The park itself is divided into four sections: Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon Unit, each of which is separated by the Colorado or Green Rivers (and there aren’t bridges in the park) so they each have to be accessed separately—it definitely takes a few days to explore the park fully. Island in the Sky, a mesa that rises more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape, is great for hiking and Jeeping; it’s also home to Willow Flat, an accessible campground in the park. Experienced bikers might try biking the Island’s White Rim Road, a famously scenic bike and four wheel drive road that can be covered over the course of a few days. The Needles (which looks just as its name would have you suspect) is home to Squaw Flat Campground, which is a great basecamp for hikes to famous rock formations like Tower Ruin, Confluence Overlook, and Elephant Hill. As with…
Jeeping
Moab’s rock features and gorgeous scenery make it one of the world’s best places for exploring by Jeep, and the BLM land surrounding the two national parks is snaked with off-roading trails. While it’s tempting to rent a Jeep from one of the many outfits and head out on your own, we actually recommend booking a tour on a multi-passenger vehicle. Professional drivers can take you on the most difficult terrain (and show off what the crazy all-wheel-drives are capable of) with the added bonus of circumventing any back-and-forth safety conversations between parents. Dan Mick’s Jeep Tours is a family-run operation staffed by local experts with plenty of stories to color the ride along the way.
Arches National Park
The best way to see Arches National Park is the old-fashioned way, by driving through. Pick up a map at the ranger station—most of the iconic arches like Delicate Arch, Corona Arch, and Devil’s Garden are just short hikes from roadside parking spots. Ambitious adventurers will want to plan ahead and get a permit to check out Fiery Furnace, an area in the northern part of the park with narrow canyons that kids love to sneak through. The labyrinth, while beautiful, can be difficult to navigate, so first-timers should consider taking a guided tour with a ranger. While you’re at it, try to snag one of the very few camping spots in the park, as there’s nothing quite like watching the sun rise over the rock formations (or getting to the more famous spots before the crowds).
Bike Slickrock Trail
Slickrock trail is the epitome of Utah’s famous mountain biking. There’s no dirt trail to follow, as you’re cruising directly on the rocks, so you’ll follow a spray-painted dash line for most of the ten-mile lollipop trail. Slickrock is rated as technical, and while there are a few gnarly moments, amateur bikers who aren’t embarrassed about walking through a few steep sections can finish it easily. For advanced adrenaline junkies, there’s also the decidedly non-kid-friendly Porcupine Rim trail. Moab Cyclery offers rentals, guided trips, and shuttles.
Desert Bistro
36 S. 100 W, Moab
Fancy dinners out are not the real draw of Moab but if you’re looking for an upscale meal on your family trip, this is our pick. A cozy bistro with a laid back patio outside and Southwestern decor inside, this restaurant is housed in Moab’s original dance hall, which was built in 1892. The menu rotates seasonally and the entree offerings can include everything from free-range chicken breast stuffed with black beans and sun-dried tomatoes to handmade Agnolotti pasta filled with parmesan, asiago, and truffled mushrooms to grilled pork tenderloin to veg-friendly creations.
Milt’s Stop & Eat
356 Millcreek Dr., Moab
Moab’s oldest restaurant is a walk-up counter with a blessedly simple burgers-and-fries type of menu. While the lunch and dinner options are great, Milt’s is really famous for its milkshakes, which you’ll inevitably find yourself dreaming about as you’re out exploring the hot, dry desert trails.
Moab Brewery
686 S. Main St., Moab
The craft brewery scene in Utah and Colorado is surprisingly strong, and it’s at its best at neighborhood hangouts like Moab Brewery. Climbers, bikers, runners, and others from the athletic set head here after a long day out in the desert to swap stories and sip on the brewery’s famous Dead Horse Ale. Bonus: The restaurant is huge and very casual, so kids are very welcome.
Eddie McStiff’s
57 S. Main St., Moab
Since 1991, Eddie McStiff’s has been a mainstay in Moab for good tavern food. As to be expected, this a spot for burgers, chicken tenders, nachos, cobb salads, and pulled pork wraps. Less expected: Eddie McStiff’s carries a gluten-free menu (and a kid’s menu.) Head here for lunch or dinner, and go next door to Wake and Bake Cafe for the awesome breakfast tacos.