Moab sits at the intersection of two national parks, millions of acres of BLM land, and some of the most unique geology on the planet. Whether you’re lacing up hiking boots or airing down tires, there’s something here that will rearrange your understanding of what “trail” means.
We’ve spent years running these routes. Here are the 15 that keep pulling us back — covering both hiking and offroad, organized so you can pick the right ones for your trip.
Best Moab Hiking Trails
1. Delicate Arch Trail
Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 3 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 480 ft
You’ve seen the photos. The real thing is better. This trail climbs steadily across open slickrock to Utah’s most iconic natural arch. There’s no shade and the final approach is a narrow ledge — not ideal if heights bother you. But watching sunset hit Delicate Arch with the La Sal Mountains behind it is a top-five outdoor moment.
Tip: Start 90 minutes before sunset. You’ll hike in golden light and reach the arch right on time. Bring a headlamp for the walk back.
2. Mesa Arch Trail
Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 0.5 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 100 ft
The shortest hike on this list and one of the most rewarding. A quick loop through juniper and pinyon to a cliff-edge arch in Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky district. At sunrise, the underside of the arch glows orange from reflected light off the canyon below. Photographers line up early — arrive 30 minutes before sunrise for a spot.
3. Fisher Towers Trail
Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 4.4 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 670 ft
Towering red rock spires that look like drip sandcastles from another planet. The trail is well-maintained but exposed, winding along ridgelines with views of the Colorado River and Castle Valley. Less crowded than the national park trails and equally stunning.
4. Negro Bill Canyon
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Distance: 4 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 330 ft
A canyon walk along a perennial stream to Morning Glory Natural Bridge — one of the largest natural rock bridges in the country. Shaded by cottonwoods for much of the route, making it one of the few Moab hikes that’s tolerable in warmer months.
5. Grandstaff Canyon to Morning Glory Bridge
Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 4 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 300 ft
Creek crossings, hanging gardens, and a massive natural bridge at the end. The trail follows a riparian canyon that feels like a different world from the surrounding desert. Bring shoes that can get wet — you’ll cross the creek several times.
6. Corona Arch Trail
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Distance: 3 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 450 ft
A massive arch that rivals Delicate Arch in size but gets a fraction of the visitors because it’s on BLM land, not in a national park. The trail involves a short cable-assisted scramble and a set of ladders bolted into the rock. Nothing technical, but it adds adventure to an otherwise straightforward hike.
7. Chesler Park Loop
Difficulty: Hard | Distance: 11 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft
Deep in the Needles District of Canyonlands, this loop takes you through narrow slot canyons, across open grassland meadows ringed by red and white sandstone spires, and through one of the most visually striking landscapes in the Southwest. Plan a full day and bring plenty of water — there’s no shade or water sources on the trail.
Best Moab Offroad Trails
If you’re bringing a rig, Moab is the promised land. Here are the offroad routes that make the trip worth it. For detailed GPS waypoints and obstacle breakdowns, check out our Moab offroad trail guide.
8. Gemini Bridges
Difficulty: 1/5 | Distance: 14 miles | Time: 2-3 hours
The perfect first trail in Moab. A graded dirt road leads to two natural rock bridges with canyon views that punch way above the trail’s difficulty level. Any SUV with reasonable clearance handles this fine.
9. Shafer Trail
Difficulty: 2/5 | Distance: 18 miles | Time: 2-3 hours
Steep switchbacks descending from Island in the Sky into the canyon below. The road is wider than it looks in photos, but the exposure is real — you’re driving along cliff edges with 800-foot drops. Most stock 4WD vehicles handle it without issue.
10. Fins & Things
Difficulty: 3/5 | Distance: 10 miles | Time: 3-4 hours
Your introduction to slickrock driving. You’ll climb sandstone fins that feel impossibly steep but the traction is unbelievable — dry slickrock grips better than pavement. A few ledges need decent clearance, but this is where Moab clicks.
11. Hell’s Revenge
Difficulty: 3.5/5 | Distance: 6.5 miles | Time: 3-5 hours
The trail that made Moab famous in the offroad world. Steep slickrock climbs, the Hot Tubs, and the Escalator — a near-vertical ascent that’s steeper than it looks. Incredibly fun in a capable vehicle. Do not run it wet.
12. Top of the World
Difficulty: 3/5 | Distance: 18 miles round trip | Time: 4-5 hours
A long climb to a cliff edge with panoramic views of the entire Moab valley, the La Sal Mountains, and the Colorado River. The viewpoint at the top is one of those places where you just sit for a while and take it in.
13. Poison Spider Mesa
Difficulty: 4/5 | Distance: 9 miles | Time: 4-6 hours
Home of the infamous “Wedgie” — a crack between two rocks that you drive through sideways. This trail needs lockers or serious articulation. Not for stock vehicles, but an absolute blast if your rig is up for it.
14. Moab Rim
Difficulty: 4/5 | Distance: 6 miles | Time: 3-4 hours
Starts in town and climbs a series of brutal ledges to the rim above. The first obstacle is a 4-foot ledge visible from the highway. A serious gut-check that separates confident drivers from everyone else.
15. Pritchett Canyon
Difficulty: 5/5 | Distance: 12 miles | Time: 6-8 hours
The hardest trail in Moab. A massive waterfall pour-off descent, tight canyon walls, and obstacles that destroy underbuilt rigs. Don’t attempt this without a spotter, full recovery gear, and real experience.
When to Visit Moab
Best months: March through May and September through November. Spring wildflowers in March-April are a bonus.
Summer: Avoid it. Temps regularly exceed 105F, slickrock burns through shoe soles, and the hiking is genuinely dangerous without extreme preparation.
Winter: Cold but doable for hiking. Slickrock trails become ice rinks after snow or rain — offroading shuts down.
Where to Stay
- BLM land along Highway 128 — free dispersed camping along the Colorado River corridor
- Willow Springs Road — free dispersed sites close to the main trail areas
- Sand Flats Recreation Area — $15/night, walking distance to Hell’s Revenge and Fins & Things
For more on finding free camping spots, read our dispersed camping guide.
Planning Tips
- Air down your tires to 18-22 PSI on dirt and slickrock — it transforms traction and ride quality
- Carry at least 2 gallons of water per person per day, more in shoulder season heat
- Download offline maps before you arrive — cell service is spotty outside town
- The national parks require entrance fees ($30/vehicle for 7 days); BLM trails are free
Explore all Moab trails on our Moab trails page for GPS data, difficulty ratings, and recent conditions.
