Going to Moab...what to do?

Gob_Bluth · 12-01-2009, 09:59 AM

I'll be in Moab for Christmas with the family. It's my first trip to that part of Utah, so I was wondering if the travel gurus of the RCMB had any recommendations for stuff to do while we're there. We're already planning on doing some hiking at Arches and Canyonlands. Any spots in particular that we should visit? Any good bars/restaurants?

Thanks

Spartytruth · 12-01-2009, 10:16 AM

My understanding is that Moab is mountain biking paradise. Never been there though.

Denzo 2000 · 12-01-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartytruth

My understanding is that Moab is mountain biking paradise. Never been there though.

Yep, bring your mountain bike. It's a pretty cool place even to drive through.

Hank Moody · 12-01-2009, 10:26 AM

I thought a MOAB was a bomb. A rather large bomb meant for driving terrorists from their rat holes.

rmaximp · 12-01-2009, 10:26 AM

Bike. And stay away from any tight caves.

Yakispartan · 12-01-2009, 10:37 AM

Driving from WA state to Texas, the area around Moab was the most stunning. It is a mountain biking paradise. Hiking. Lots of family stuff. As for bars, you'll know the town well. Not much sprawl in that area. You've got the town and that's about it. Lots of college people too. You'll have fun. Utah is a beautiful state.

State00 · 12-01-2009, 10:43 AM

Definitely hike, bring a good camera, bike if possible and GO RAFTING down the Colorado River!! Well worth it!

And of you go rafting, bring along a cheap digital camera and keep it in a ziplock bag--you'll get some incredible butte pics.

Dinnerwise, might I recommend the Castle Creek Winery? Maybe the greatest dinner view you'll ever have. And the wine isn't half bad either. They're located in the following resort:

Moab Castle Creek Winery|Moab Red Cliffs Resort Winery| Moab wine grapes

Enjoy!!

The European Death Knot · 12-01-2009, 11:08 AM

Yes - hiking in Arches or Canyonlands. Fiery Furnace, Devil's Garden, or Delicate Arch in Arches. Some great hiking in the Needles district of Canyonlands. Island in the Sky district is cool but more auto touring.

Moab is mountain bike heaven. Slickrock trail is the most popular by far, but biking is all over the place.

Moab itself is a great little town with good restaurants.

If you feel adventurous, check out the canyoneering guides in town.

The Fisher Towers road has great hiking, biking and scenery.

Zeke The Wonder Dog · 12-01-2009, 11:24 AM

...world class like nothing you've ever experienced. There is a tough 13 mile trail that rides right beside the Colorado River from above. A once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure. You need to be in decent shape to do this. Lots of quick and consecutive decents and ascents. Also, try repelling near the Moab town dump. Some nice 100 foot descents. And the hiking is incredible. Have a great time!

Spartanic · 12-01-2009, 11:34 AM

Arches National Park is cool enough you could spend several days just hiking there.
The Geology of the area is really cool, if you are into that.
Best mountain biking you can imagine.
Dinosuar fossils, the locals can tell you where to look.
Rock Petrographs, again ask the locals.
The Golf course there is cool because of all the Red Rock formations on the course. I made one ricochet shot off a huge boulder that landed about 3 feet from the pin,... but I digress.
There are outfitters there that will do 2-3 day rafting trips through cataract canyon.
You are just about a 2 hour drive south to Monument Valley, where numerous Westerns were filmed. John Wayne loved Moab and he left his mark there.

Or you could just sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Claretts Folly · 12-01-2009, 12:10 PM

CrazyStudent · 12-01-2009, 12:33 PM

Moab is awesome if you like the outdoors. In addition to being in mountain bike paradise, there's Canyonlands National Park which is very impressive and which you can drive in with 4WD vehicle, Arches National Park, river rafting (not sure about the season on that one), tours, etc. Some fun places in town, too. Have fun. I'm jealous!

Things to Do in Moab - Moab Attractions - TripAdvisor

goodbar · 12-01-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claretts Folly

Ah yes......the scenic Bonerland Park area.

Claretts Folly · 12-01-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodbar

Ah yes......the scenic Bonerland Park area.

I think it's called "The Phallus"... laughed my ass off while hiking MOAB back about 9 years ago.

The European Death Knot · 12-01-2009, 01:25 PM

PM me if you are bringing kids along - there are many unique kid-friendly sights (petroglyphs, dino fossils, arches, holes-in-rocks, natural tunnels, etc.) I can send you information on. All of these things are free and outside of the parks, I think.

Oh yeah, a fantastic short hike just outside of Moab, and one of our favorites, is Corona Arch.

LooseGoose2012 · 12-01-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gob_Bluth

I'll be in Moab for Christmas with the family. It's my first trip to that part of Utah, so I was wondering if the travel gurus of the RCMB had any recommendations for stuff to do while we're there. We're already planning on doing some hiking at Arches and Canyonlands. Any spots in particular that we should visit? Any good bars/restaurants?

Thanks

I've read that exploring caves in Utah can be a life changing experience.

Gob_Bluth · 12-01-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmaximp

Bike. And stay away from any tight caves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LooseGoose2012

I've read that exploring caves in Utah can be a life changing experience.

Thanks for the great advice guys, keep it coming!

I'm not much of a mountain biker, but I love hiking and definitely plan on looking into some rappelling/rock climbing. A 4WD vehicle might be a possibility—aunt and uncle live out there for part of the year, not sure what their vehicle situation is.

Baylan · 12-01-2009, 03:03 PM

Slick Rock is sweet/ridiculous if you're in shape enough to do it. Just bring lots, and I mean, LOTS of water. That 13 mile trail took me and my dad nearly 3 hours to complete with frequent breaks... and I was in pretty damn good shape at the time.

Bruce Banner Ad · 12-01-2009, 03:08 PM

Arches is great. Just south of Arches is a town called Mexican Hat, b/c there's a balanced rock that looks like a giant upside-down sombrero. You're also within a doable drive of Monument Valley, which everyone should see.

Bryce and Zion are on the other side of the state, but if you have the time, they're beautiful. And once you get to Zion, you're within 45 minutes of Vegas.

WARNING: Utah is full of free-range cows, many of them black. Be careful driving, especially at night.

DenverSpartan · 12-01-2009, 03:39 PM

Go to the tourist information building when you get there. Its across the street from Woody's Wood Fired Pizza. They will have tons of stuff to do. Also I forget the name of the road but on the South End of town there is a turn off that will take you to a trail head and a short 3/4 mile hike in will deposit you in a box canyon with a waterfall you can climb and then cliff dive off the top of the canyon. Most of the locals will know about it and be able to provide usable directions which I definately did not. The trail head is on the other side of the stream from Potato Salad Hill which is a big 4x4 attraction there. I would not suggest trying it with a rented Jeep however as most people roll back down this hill rather than make it to the top.

DenverSpartan · 12-01-2009, 04:40 PM

If you do have access to a 4WD either rented or borrowed I highly recommend Hells Revenge. The trailhead is just past the dump in the pay park area, litterally immediately after the pay station. As long as you stay off the side paths (other than the overlook which I highly recommend) its a very tame trail but will tell you exactly how Moab looks off the beaten path. You will also get into some climbs that you will say no f'in way this thing can climb that and with the slick rock you can do amazing things in a 4wd and be perfectly safe and tame. FYI Slick Rock is anything but slick it has perhaps the best traction I have ever experienced (until it rains, if it is raining stay off it in a 4wd or mountain bike).

Sawtooth Spartan · 12-01-2009, 08:11 PM

Don't have much to add ... there's a good brew pub in town where I watched the Spartans in the NCAA Tournament last March, i.e., lots of TVs. Good news is Utah changed their laws so that you don't have to become a "club member" to drink at bars.

I'd second going to the winery. Nice drive along the Colorado and great ambiance.

Some great hiking. There's one at the northern end of Arches where you walk along a stone rib with drop-offs on both sides, and then about halfway through there's a rope for some mini-rappelling.

Nothing like Angel's Landing in Zion, though. That'll turn your knees to jelly.

A.M. wood · 12-01-2009, 08:15 PM

either mapquest it or check into plane tickets and rent-a-cars.

gHostenstein · 12-01-2009, 08:16 PM

Rent a jeep and go off roading. It's one of the best off road destinations in the USA

Gob_Bluth · 12-07-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawtooth Spartan

Don't have much to add ... there's a good brew pub in town where I watched the Spartans in the NCAA Tournament last March, i.e., lots of TVs. Good news is Utah changed their laws so that you don't have to become a "club member" to drink at bars.

I'd second going to the winery. Nice drive along the Colorado and great ambiance.

Some great hiking. There's one at the northern end of Arches where you walk along a stone rib with drop-offs on both sides, and then about halfway through there's a rope for some mini-rappelling.

Nothing like Angel's Landing in Zion, though. That'll turn your knees to jelly.

Do you remember the name of this brewpub? I need to find someplace in town to watch the MSU-Texas deathmatch, as we're staying with relatives who have never had cable.