Insider Tips for a Moab Family Vacation

Best Time To Visit Moab with Kids

While the national parks are open year-round, the ideal time to go to Moab is in the late spring and fall, when the temperature is most mild and the crowds aren't at their peak. The parks are generally hottest and most busy in the summer. Even in early spring, which is when we visited, the weather can be challenging because it can be very windy.

Safety Tips

Summer months present unique challenges because of the heat. Make sure to always bring water on every trip and hydrate throughout the day. Schedule outdoor adventures in the early morning or near dusk and wear hats, sunscreen, and other protective gear.

National Park Passes and Fees

Be aware that Arches requires an entrance fee as well as timed-entry reservations during most months, except during the winter. Reservations can be made here. Canyonlands also has an entrance fee, but you don't need a reservation. If you're visiting multiple national parks, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Park Pass, which is valid for one year and can be used at all the national parks.

Navigating National Parks With Younger vs. Older Kids

Take into account your children's ages when crafting your Moab with kids itinerary. With younger kids, keep hikes shorter and easier and consider more scenic drives. Break up the trip with visits to the museums in Moab and if the weather is hot, let the kids hang at the pool. With older kids, opt for more outdoor adventures like more longer and more difficult hikes, rafting, canyoneering, and even zip lining.

Must-have Gear for Families in Moab

Having the right gear is important, especially for outdoor destinations like Moab. Here are some key items that were essential for us during our time in Moab:

• Sneakers with good tread
• A light jacket for layering and rain
• Water bottles or water bags (which are lighter than bottles and easier to carry in backpacks)
• A sturdy backpack with lots of pockets
• Clothing for layering
• Sun gear—hats, protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Hiking sticks

The Windows is one of the most well-known arches in Arches National Park. 

Top Things To Do in Moab with Kids

1. Arches National Park

Famous for its natural sandstone arches, pinnacles, rock fins, and balanced rocks, Arches National Park is a must-see. The park has over 2,000 documented arches, the most iconic being the Delicate Arch.

Start at the Visitor Center to watch a short video, learn about the arches, and enroll the kids in the Junior Ranger Program. There are a number of family-friendly hikes to the Delicate Arch and to other well-known arches like the Double Arch, the Windows, and Sand Dune Arch. The Devil's Garden is a long trail system around many arches and suitable for families because you can choose how far to go and turn around anytime.

If the kids are tired and you'd like to save energy, the park is easily accessible by car via the Arches Scenic Drive, which has many viewpoints of the park's highlights. You can pull over to the side of the road to view the Landscape Arch and Balanced Rock, another iconic landmark.

2. Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is also worth seeing for its gorgeous red-rock desert landscapes. The terrain was created by erosion of the Green and Colorado Rivers, creating deep canyon mazes, mesas, and arches. Canyonlands also tends to be less crowded than Arches, especially during the more popular months.

There are three distinct areas in Canyonlands—Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. Island in the Sky is where the famous Mesa Arch is located, and it has a pretty easy trail for families to hike. The most popular time to go is early morning to catch the sun rising through the arch. The Grand View Point trail is also fairly easy for families and provides sweeping views of the canyons.

Canyonlands National Park has plenty of overlooks with gorgeous views. 

There are many scenic overlook points throughout the park, such as Green River Overlook and Shafer Canyon Overlook. If you're driving through the park, take the Island in the Sky District Scenic Drive, a 34-mile round-trip drive that takes you through the entire Canyonlands. There's also the Needles District Scenic Drive, a 13-mile route that takes visitors through stunning geologic views and offers access to several short hiking trails, picnic areas, viewpoints, and the campground.

3. River Rafting

For an exciting family adventure, raft down the Colorado River, which runs through both Arches and Canyonlands. You'll get a whole new perspective on the red-rock formations. There are several outfitters that offer various rafting adventures including, Wild West Voyages and Western River Expeditions. Choose from half-day or full-day experiences—there are even multi-day rafting camping trips. Note: Kids have to be at least 5 years old for most of these trips.

Kids as young as 10 can go canyoneering! 

4. Canyoneering – Morning Glory Arch and Medieval Chamber

One of our favorite family adventures in Moab was canyoneering, in which you navigate down canyons with rappels. The adventure takes you down cliffs, over waterfalls, and through arches. We booked our canyoneering trip with Moab Adventure Center and everything was provided, including a guide and equipment. While it sounds pretty intimidating, no experience is necessary, and there are plenty of beginner-friendly rocks to learn the ropes.

Kids must be at least 10 years old and able to follow instructions and safety rules. It was so exhilarating to rappel 120 feet into a deep chasm and explore areas of the rocks that could not be normally accessed!

5. Moab Giants Dinosaur Park

Kids will love this open-air museum featuring full-size dinosaur replicas along a trail with original dinosaur footprints, a dino-themed playground, a 3D theater, and a virtual aquarium. There are sandbox sites where kids can pretend to be paleontologists by uncovering dinosaur fossils with brushes and shovels. The museum is located between Arches and Canyonlands and makes the perfect little breather between hiking trips. 

6. Moab Museum

For a little bit of history of the area, check out this downtown museum dedicated to preserving and sharing Moab's cultural and natural history. It's a small museum that takes about an hour to go through. You'll learn about the history of the Moab area and the geology of the landscape through stories, artifacts, and exhibits.

7. Sunset Hummer Safari 

If the hikes have left the kids tired, explore Arches' and Canyonlands' breathtaking landscapes in an off-road vehicle. Many companies offer tours in a 4x4 vehicle or a Hummer, and you'll be able to view the canyons, rock formations, vistas and landscapes in comfort. While these tours are offered throughout the day, the sunset tours are particularly popular. For some operators kids must be at least 5 years old. Others allow younger kids if you bring your own car seat.

8. Stargazing in Arches National Park

Away from city lights, Moab offers some of the darkest skies, perfect for stargazing. Arches National Park has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park and has some of the best viewing areas, including the Balanced Rock Picnic Area, the Windows Section, and Panorama Point. Bring your binoculars and you might easily see Saturn's rings! Check out various stargazing events and tours that happen throughout the year.

Shop for unique gifts and souvenirs in downtown Moab. 

9. Shopping in Downtown Moab

Downtown Moab is an eclectic area full of local shops and restaurants. Our favorite store was Moab Rock Shop, which has a cool collections of rocks, minerals, stones, and dinosaur bones. Back of Beyond Book Store has many historic trinkets and artifacts in addition to books. And Moab Made is a modern art shop created by locals. 

Best Restaurants for Kids in Moab

9. Arches Thai

This Thai restaurant was a nice change of pace and the kids loved the pad thai.

10. Canyon Pizza Company

We enjoyed the large-family style pizzas and the delicious ice cream at this downtown pizza joint that also offers wings and salads.

11. The Spoke On Center

All the locals recommended this diner, and it did not disappoint! The menu was extensive and offered something for everyone, like build-your-own burgers, sandwiches, meat, seafood, and pasta. Picky eaters will love the kids menu offering chicken strips, a cheese quesadilla, and more.

12. Cactus Jacks 

We went here for breakfast twice and had great meals both times! The breakfast tacos were especially good, but there are also omelets, waffles, French toast, and other favorites.

Best Family-Friendly Camping and Hotels Near Moab

13. Camping

There are a number of public and private camping grounds throughout Moab, including in and around Arches and Canyonlands. In Arches, the Devil's Garden Campground is the only site to camp, and reservations should be made in advance. If you're looking to camp in Canyonlands, there are two official areas—Island in the Sky Campground and the Needles Campground. Both sites are first-come, first-served.

For more information about various campgrounds in Moab, this site is a great resource.

Under Canvas combines the adventure of camping with the comforts of a hotel. 

14. Glamping

If you like the idea of camping but also enjoy high-end amenities, glamping is the way to go! Under Canvas offers the best of both worlds by offering an elevated form of camping. You get to have the experience of rustic camping by sleeping in large canvas tents, but with soft beds, private bathrooms, electricity, and hotel-like amenities. We stayed at the Under Canvas in Moab and loved it. We felt like we were camping in nature while also having access to many creature comforts.

15. Hoodoo Moab

Only a 10-minute drive from Arches (and 30 minutes from Canyonlands), this Hilton hotel has an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and an on-site restaurant. For families and large groups, the hotel offers connecting rooms.

16. Hyatt Place Moab

This hotel has an outdoor pool, free breakfast each morning, and a location that's close to downtown and all the main attractions.

FAQ for Visiting Moab, UT With Kids

Q: How many days should you spend in Moab with kids?
A: Depending on the types of activities your family is interested in, three to five days in Moab is a good amount of time to see all the main sites. Plan on spending about five days for a more in-depth exploration of the area. 

Q: What are the best hikes for kids in Moab?
A: Outside of the national park hikes mentioned above, other wonderful hikes in Moab that are kid-friendly and free include the Grandstaff Canyon Trail, the Corona Arch Trail, the Longbow Arch Trail, and the Mill Creek Trail which ends at a stunning waterfall. 

Exploring downtown Moab is free. One of our favorite stores to explore was the Moab Rock Shop which has a cool collections of rocks, minerals, stones, and dinosaur bones.  

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All photos courtesy of the author