Utah's Recreational Wonderland

If you have an RV and love recreation, there is no better place to start your adventure than Moab, Utah, gateway to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, the Colorado River, the beautiful La Sal Mountains and the spectacular Dead Horse Point State Park.

No matter what toy is packed in, strapped on, or towed behind your rig, Moab has a place to park and play. You can rough it and be one with nature, or you can be pampered with swimming pools and hot tubs—the campground choice is yours.

Nestled in a lush green valley are 13 private campgrounds, each offering such amenities as swimming pools, spas, playgrounds, Internet access, laundries and spectacular views. Moab has a vibrant downtown where you can shop, browse, eat and enjoy the charm and hospitality of a small resort town

You can also stay at campgrounds on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Many of these campgrounds are located on the three National Scenic Byways for which Moab is a hub. While no hookups are available, many of these campgrounds can accommodate RVs and are clean and well maintained.

Towing a Jeep, dirt bike or ATV? If so, there are thousands of miles of four-wheel drive roads that will transport you into a world of wonder, surrounded by incredible beauty and geological magic as you traverse through the red rock canyons.

Mountain and road biking trails are in abundance, earning Moab recognition as the “mountain bike capital of the world.” There are trails for everyone from beginners to the most experienced mountain bikers.

Hauling a Harley? You will also enjoy the scenic byways, parks, and base camping in Moab.

Fishing poles and tackle boxes? The Colorado River offers sandy beaches from which anglers can try their luck at cat fishing. Great trout fishing can be found in the beautiful lakes and streams of the nearby La Sal Mountains. The forest service maintains several camp areas near lakes, and there are primitive campgrounds scattered across the mountains.

Golf clubs tucked in your RV? The Moab Golf Course is one of the most visually appealing in the state with its contrast of smooth, bright greens set amid rough, eroded red cliffs and boulders. The public course has 18 holes and is a par 72. It is open seven days a week, year-round.

Perhaps cameras and photography equipment are more your style? Moab is a paradise for photographers. Under conditions of constantly changing light, the red rock landscapes of southeastern Utah provide limitless photographic opportunities. 

Got a canoe, kayak or raft? While the Colorado River is known for its whitewater float trips, there are also several scenic calm-water segments suitable for canoes and kayaks.
If you like to travel light and want to play but don’t like the hassle of packing toys, Moab is still a great destination. Outfitters are available to take you on an adventure, or you can rent toys and do your own exploring.

There are also many great activities that do not require anything but a desire to experience nature at its best. Hiking in and around Moab is a wonderful way to explore the beautiful country. Day hikes in the national parks range from a 30-minute leisurely stroll, to all-day excursions with obstacles such as narrow ledges, slick rocks, and narrow canyons. Sightseeing from the comfort of your RV or car is another way to enjoy the area as you cruise the scenic byways and scenic drives.

For more information about vacationing at Moab, contact the Moab Area Travel Council. Phone (800) 635-MOAB (6622) or visit www.discovermoab.com.

Moab is the hub for these scenic drives

The Colorado River Scenic Byway 128 serves as a connecting route for motorists coming to and from Moab. Winding through the canyons alongside the Colorado River, the route passes Negro Bill Canyon, where a popular two-mile hiking trail leads to the Morning Glory Natural Bridge. The byway takes you along the river’s edge, past a ranch used in many John Wayne movies, before moving away from the river as you approach the Castle Valley junction. Several miles past this junction you can see the famous Castle Rock, a finger-like spiral to the southwest, which was the location for many films and commercials. Farther ahead are the majestic Fisher Towers.

The byway reunites with the river as you near the historic Dewey Bridge. Beyond the bridge, the byway briefly follows the Colorado River and then travels through open desert to Interstate 70 at the west Cisco interchange.

Dead Horse Point Scenic Byway on Utah Highway 313 takes you through 14 miles of incredible red rock canyon country before forking off to Dead Horse Point State Park. Along the way there are ample opportunities to appreciate the geology, archaeology and scenery. The view from Dead Horse Point, a large mesa connected by a narrow neck of land, is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world.

Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway 279 offers a 17-mile route through the Colorado River Portal, and along the banks of the river through a narrow canyon. Along the route are Indian petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, arches and hiking trails to the Portal Overlook and Corona Arch.

La Sal Mountain Loop Road is a 60-mile route, which follows Scenic Byway 128 with a right turn at the Castle Valley Junction. Driving up Castle Valley, the Priest and Nuns rock formations and Castle Rock are visible. A right turn onto the La Sal Mountain Loop, and the route begins an immediate ascent toward the national forest. As you gain elevation, the temperature declines and the vegetation begins changing, with pinyon and juniper trees giving way to oak and then to large pines and aspen, spruce and fir. Along the route are numerous overlooks with breathtaking vistas featuring the three unique land ecosystems of alpine, desert and red rock canyons. Shortly after the turnoff to Warner Lake Campground and picnic area, the road descends into Mill Creek Canyon, with its peaceful bubbling brooks, before climbing again for the final descent past the Ken’s Lake Recreation area and into Moab.