Trip Review: Moab

We recently had the chance to visit one of our favorite riding locations. We’ve been a time or two before, to say the least, but we love Moab so much it’s always worth going back. If you haven’t been before, here is what you can expect.

With its unique beauty and hundreds of miles of trails, Moab is the ultimate playground for UTV enthusiasts. It is the perfect location to experience the beauty and excitement of off road adventure. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, the trail network features a variety of terrain including desert chaparral, forests, sandstone monolith, loose rocks, sand washes and even dunes. Moab has some of the most amazing trail riding in the country.

Our Favorite Trails

With so many options available, it’s hard to pick a favorite trail to recommend. We finally decided on Poison Spider Mesa as one of our top choices. It’s the perfect combination of challenging obstacles and magnificent scenery. This is a loop trail that eventually reaches a rim overlooking the city of Moab and the Colorado River. You get some spectacular panoramic views from the rim. The trail is just challenging enough to be fun without quite being a vehicle buster. If you’re up for it, you can continue on to Golden Spike and then Gold Bar Rim for more technical driving. In addition to Poison Spider, we also love the Moab Rim Trail, Hell’s Revenge, Onion Creek and Fins and Things. Gemini Bridges is also a nice ride, with a stunning double arch at the end.

As an added perk, the White Wash Sand Dunes are only about 45 miles outside of Moab. These are some fun dunes with a big open riding area. There are also miles of miles of designated roads and trails to be enjoyed right outside of the dunes themselves. It’s worth checking out if you have some time.

You’ll find a wide variety of trail types in Moab for riders of all different preferences and skill levels. These trails vary quite a bit in length and difficulty. Research each trail before you head out, and know what your capabilities are. All of the trails we’ve experienced are breath-takingly beautiful. So choose trails that are a good fit for your equipment and experience level. Be safe and enjoy yourselves.

Where to Stay

You’ll also find plenty of accommodations in Moab. There are several hotels and resort style camping areas right in town. We prefer to go a little more rugged and camp outside town. Our favorite locations are along the Colorado River, off of Potash Road. We really like the Gold Bar campground. You get a great view of the river, and you’re right next to Poison Spider Mesa. But the campgrounds on Potash are relatively small, and fill up fairly quickly.  Most are first come, first serve. But you can reserve the group sites in the Gold Bar campground. You can also find great camping along Highway 128 and along Kane Creek Road.

Useful Info for Planning a Trip of your Own

Moab gets hot in the summer. But this time of year it’s quite pleasant. During the day it is around 75 degrees, while around 50 degrees at night. It was definitely warm enough to camp.

There are several ATV/UTV rental places in the area if you don’t want to travel with your machine. Check out Ultimate UTV Adventures, Moab Side X Side Adventures or Moab Tour Co for some good deals. Most of these companies also offer guided tours, if that’s your type of thing. 

Moab has become increasingly popular over the years. It’s likely that you’ll run into other groups out on the trails. Please be courteous. Know proper trail etiquette and be polite while riding. Also respect the land. Keep to marked roads, routes and trails. Help preserve the beauty of this place for future generations. It’s also important to note that UTV’s and ATV’s are not allowed in either Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park.

Lastly, we’re from Utah, so we didn’t need to worry about it. But if you’re coming in from out of state, you may need to get a permit for your machine. Check out the Utah State Parks website for details.