Just a stone’s throw from the Colorado border, and a long drive from the big cities of Utah, is the scenic town of Moab.
Looking at it on the map, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot going on in the area.
What you don’t know until you zoom in, however, is that Moab is basically considered the gateway to one of the more popular attractions in the state, Arches National Park.
People travel here from around the world to see the famous red rock formations up close.
Arches isn’t the only nearby national park, either.
There’s a lot more to this small city in Utah than meets the eye.
Come along with us as we share some great things to do in Moab with kids!
10 Things to Do in Moab With Kids
1. Arches National Park
There’s nothing like this anywhere.
Across this park are 2,000 natural stone arches.
That’s just the start of unique structures on the land.
Pinnacles, balanced rocks, and fins can be found all over, too.
A must not miss part of Arches is the Courthouse Wash Panel.
What’s found here are colorful pictures depicting the cultures who lived here as long as 6,000 years ago.
Taking a moment to absorb what these images are relaying is something both adults and children could appreciate.
It takes about three and a half hours on this trail so make sure any little ones are up for the journey.
This park requires a timed entry, so plan ahead and be punctual.
2. Moab Giants
What kid could pass up life-size dinosaurs?
Moab Giants is a trail that is lined with ancient beasts that are sure to spark the imagination of all youth.
These dinosaurs are like bringing the past to life and are very detailed.
After the walk, come inside the museum and experience the interactive tracks, 3D theater, dig-out sites, and more.
Part of the attraction is a 5D prehistoric aquarium.
It’s a virtual adventure where you’re underwater with some of the scariest underwater creatures to exist.
If your child has been especially interested in the prehistoric, send them back for paleocamp.
3. Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail
Speaking of dinosaurs, there’s more than one place to learn more about them in Moab.
Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail is an outdoor museum that you walk through at your own pace.
It’s split into two sections.
The first takes visitors through bones still embedded in rock.
The second is a two-mile round trip where you can get a view of dinosaur tracks frozen in time.
There, you’ll find fossils exactly where they were found.
4. Colorado River Rafting
Looking for a way to cool off in the desert?
We’ve got a solution!
14 miles of the Colorado River is in Moab, and it’s the most popular section of the river.
Families come from all over the region to float about here.
When you think about it, those 65-degree temperatures make it all the more attractive.
Another good reason to consider rafting is the path goes through 11 national monuments and at least three national parks.
The river itself is 300 feet across and is 20 feet deep.
5. Junior Ranger Program
Pick a national park and sign up for your child to become a Junior Park Ranger!
Perhaps the best part of this program is it starts before leaving home.
Parents can download an activity book and allow the kids to complete the exercises within.
Once finished, it can be mailed in where the future junior ranger will get awarded a badge and certificate.
Participants can also wait until they can grab a booklet from a park visitor center.
Get the whole family involved with explorer packs that come with extra equipment and activities.
6. Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage
For many years, around the golden age of Hollywood, Westerns were all the rage.
These movies ranged from highlighting outlaws to life out in the Wild West.
While they may not be cinema’s bread and butter anymore, that time still captured a very important part of American culture.
This museum captures the spirit of that life and the movies that made us remember.
Take a walk through cinematic history for free any day.
7. Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument
How do you save stories and share news before a printing press existed?
Find a rock out of the elements, of course.
What better name for a monument full of petroglyphs than Newspaper Rock?
This spot, specifically, has one of the largest collections of petroglyphs known.
It’s estimated that these drawings could be 2,000 years old.
One especially interesting depiction is the number of people with polydactyl, an extra finger or toe.
More than 3% of skeletons discovered nearby had the condition.
That means it can be used to trace ancient lineage.
8. Dead Horse Point State Park
Ever look at a name and wonder what crazy story brought it to life?
Yeah, we thought that about this place, too.
Unfortunately, the reasoning behind the name of Dead Horse Point State Park is as grim as it sounds.
Cowboys used to use the area as a natural trap for wild horses.
They’d keep the ones they wanted and leave the rest to die.
That might not be a fun story to share with your littles, but the view might be enough to distract them from it.
If you or someone in the group tires easily, this isn’t the trail to go on but feel free to enjoy the scenery.
There are over 5,000 acres to look at from an altitude of 5,900 feet.
9. Moab Rock Shop
Let your child be the explorer at Moab Rock Shop!
Here, you can dig for souvenirs that will make for one-of-a-kind gifts.
Find rocks, jewelry, stones, and dinosaur bones at this store.
10. Canyon Trail Hike
The great thing about Moab is the plethora of hiking trails, especially in canyons.
Some come with waterfalls, others with arches.
Looking online will ensure you find trails that everyone in the group can go on, depending on difficulty level.
There are no less than 270 trails to try out in and around town.
Looking for a challenge?
Try the 14-mile Devil’s Revenge or Pritchett Canyon, considered the hardest.
Want something light?
Fisher Towers Trail or Corona and Bowtie Arches are both short and simple hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Moab known for?
Some people love mountains, some love beaches.
Those who come far and wide to experience Moab love deserts.
At least, there’s plenty of orange scenery around to support that theory.
The town is sort of viewed as a gateway to several popular outdoor spots.
Arches National Park and Canyonlands Park have some awesome natural structures that attract the curious.
Another big pull to Moab is the vast network of trails for mountain bikers.
This would be considered a bucket list destination for biking enthusiasts.
The annual Moab Jeep Safari should also be added to the list for off-roading.
What's something I should know before visiting Moab?
Aside from winter, always be prepared for heat.
No matter where you’re from, heat feels different depending on the location.
You may think you understand heat until you hit the desert, then it feels unbearable.
Do some research about the time of year you plan to be in town to get a better idea of what you might be up against.
Make sure to have plenty of snacks and water while out and about.
Sometimes, you don’t even realize how exhausted you are until it hits all at once.
If possible, never go out alone while exploring the parks.
If you are alone, send your location to someone else just in case.
What's a good amount of time to spend in Moab?
Four days in Moab would be a decent time frame to get in the sights and maybe kick around downtown a bit.
Of course, it all really depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.
If putting together an itinerary, three of those days could be spent at local parks such as Arches or Canyonlands.
Of course, to fit in everything on this list, you’d need to be hanging around Moab for a week or more.
The best way to determine how long to stay in Moab is to make a list of things you’d be disappointed if you didn’t do.
Figure out what time each place closes and create a schedule that allows two activities a day then use the evening to dine in town.
When is the best time of year to visit Moab?
This part of Utah is in the Colorado Plateau, which is desert.
While it looks like a painting, the climate takes getting used to.
If it’s your first time exploring a desert, you might want to avoid summer when temperatures are routinely over 100.
The best temperatures come about in spring and then again in early autumn.
There is a bit of a misconception about deserts in the winter.
Many believe this might be the best time because the desert is usually hot, but winter should be when temperatures are perfect.
In truth, the Moab is around freezing during the winter.
However, if you’d like a slice of those temperatures, try coming in February.
Temperatures are starting to warm a tad and skies are clear.
