The Perfect Day in Moab

The ultimate locals guide on what to do in one day in Moab, from sunrise to star-rise.

Turret Arch through North Window Arch, Arches National Park. Credit: DiscoverMoab.com

With so much to offer, it is hard to pick in choose what to discover while visiting Moab for a short period of time. We compiled this list to guide you through some of our favorite iconic sights and mysterious hidden gems, all attainable in only a day.

Breakfast

An early start is mandatory in the summer months in Moab and when limited on time, grab and go is your friend.

Dos Mas

In spring of 2026, local coffee shop, Mas, opened its doors downtown at a second location. Dos Mas offers exceptional coffee and an ever-changing assortment of unique pastries like Earl Gray Crumb Cake and Bacon Gruyere and Chive Scones. Stroll through the unique craft shops within as you wait for your latte, the perfect morning vibe. Open from 7am-3pm.

Sweet Cravings Bakery + Bistro

For a more substantial grab and go breakfast, Sweet Cravings just north of town offers a huge selection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Grab a breakfast sandwich and even a snack or lunch for your adventures ahead.

Dos Mas, Downtown Moab. Credit: Devon Salasin

Arches National Park

Nearly 80,000 acres and home to over 2,000 natural arches, Arches National Park is only 5 miles from downtown Moab and home to over 2,000 natural arches, the highest concentration of natural arches in the world. At nearly 80,000 acres, it is impossible to explore it all in one day. The entire road paved road takes around 30 minutes to drive from the Visitor Center at the entrance station to the ending parking lot at Devil's Garden. What to do in only one day in Arches National Park is a hard choice, but we've narrowed it down to our top spots for one ultimate Arches day.

There are some great views to see just from the road through Arches National Park. One of the first trailheads you will pass is 'Park Avenue', a highly recommend, extremely short walk up a paved path to a beautiful viewpoint. This is a great last stop on your way out of the park!

After passing the Park Avenue trailhead, the road weaves through sandstone formations like The Three Gospels and Sheep Rock. Look out for them, high on your left! Sheep rock is one side of a long fallen but great arch that spanned a massive distance. You can imagine where it used to be, and see the rubble left on the ground from its collapse.

The Three Gospels and Sheep Rock. Credit: Devon Salasin

Delicate Arch

One of the most iconic natural structures in the United States, you'll find the delicate arch on nearly every business logo in town and Utah license plate. Many wonders of the world can be over-hyped and edited and cause disappointment in reality. The Delicate Arch is not one of those things.

There are a couple far off viewpoints of the Delicate Arch that require minimal hiking, however if you are up for the challenge, the 3.2 out and back trail up the the arch itself is an awe-inspiring and memorable experience. Hidden for the entire trek, Delicate Arch shows itself abruptly at the very end, framing the La Sal mountains and creating a shocking and utterly beautiful journey as well as spectacle. Environmental activist and Moab beloved author, Edward Abbey, says of the Delicate Arch "A weird, lovely, fantastic object out of nature like Delicate Arch has the curios ability to remind us, that out there is a different world, older and greater and deeper by far than ours".

PRO TIP! Along the trek, just before the arch reveals itself, another small arch is cut out of the sandstone on your right. The 20 ft scramble up give an awesome, unique view of Delicate Arch. We recommend hitting this 'sneak peek' on the way back, as to not spoil the surprise of seeing the Arch up close all at once.

Delicate Arch through the 'sneak peek', Arches National Park. Credit: Devon Salasin

Dark Skies and Sunrise

Southern Utah is home to remote areas and little light pollution, the perfect oasis for dark, starry skies. Arches National Park has Internationally Certification for its dark skies. For those more adventurous at heart and looking to really get the most out of a day in Moab, Delicate Arch is a great place for morning stargazing and sunrise. The sky begins to lighten over an hour before sunrise, so it is best to be out there by at least an hour and a half before the sun. A perfect starry night hike up to the arch for sunrise. Spring is the best time to view the Milky Way in the morning sky before sunrise.

PRO TIP! Look for the moon phase if looking to observe the Milky Way in Moab or Arches. A waning gibbous or crescent will impact your ability to see the Milky Way on spring mornings.

PRO TIP! Prepare the day before for your morning trek. Have coffee and breakfast ready at your accommodations, as no where in town will be open before sunrise.

PRO TIP! Bring binoculars and hike with red light! White light is harsh on your eyes and night vision, impacting your ability to see the night sky to the best of its ability. It takes 30 minutes for your eyes to readjust after exposure to white light, and red light will allow you to see your outer surroundings easier and safer when hiking in the dark.

Double-O, Windows, and Turret Arches

One of the most popular sections of the park is the Double-O, Windows and Turret Arches. All accessible from small spur off hikes from the same parking lot, it will take only about an hour to explore this area and a great choice to jam pack some awesome arches into a short period of time. Double-O is a Stargazing Moab team favorite, and the perfect place for a snack while sitting directly beneath the pair. The often missed 'Train of Elephants' rock structure will be on your left while heading out from the parking area.

The vast majority of visitors will trek out the other side of the parking lot to see the North Window and head back. Poor South Window and Turret arch tend to be neglected, and are great! Walk under and through the North Window, slightly to the right and down the short sandy hill. You will hook up with a trail at the bottom leading you the right and the back way around to the South Window viewpoint and onto Turret Arch. A lesser traveled route turning the trail into a loop, gaining some solitude even on busy days.

PRO TIP! Once passing through North Window, take a quick look back to see it frame Turret Arch. Picture Perfect!

Windows/Turret Arch Loop. Credit: AllTrails, Devon Salasin

It is time to say goodbye to Arches National Park and its 300 million year old history. If you didn't stop at the Park Avenue viewpoint on your way in, this is a quick stop on your way out!

Lunch

There are many options for eats in downtown Moab from a plethora of tourist grills and restaurants, to quick bites and local gems. You can see a full list of our best places to eat in Moab at our Visitor Guide. Here we've listed some of our favorite grab and go, faster lunch stops to keep you moving on your jam-packed day in Moab.

Milt's Stop n' Eat

An old fashioned burger and shake shack, off the main strip and away from the hustle and bustle. A great choice if what you're craving after your physically demanding morning is a classic burger and fries at a great price. This is a local favorite and can sometimes be busy with a long wait. Orders are placed at the window and there is picnic table seating under shade.

Milt's Stop n' Eat, Est. 1954. Credit: Milt's Stop n' Eat

Moonflower

Our beloved local co-op has a hot and cold bar in the back offering a wide away of healthy options like sandwiches, salads, soups, and so much more. There is not much seating here, but outside on the street are some benches and other places to sit to enjoy people watching close to the main section of downtown Moab.

Moab Food Truck Park

There is something for everyone here: Pizza, quesadillas, chicken, Mediterranean, crepes, fish and chips, Chinese, hot dogs, coffee, etc, etc. It is an awesome place to check out with a bunch of shaded seating and misters to keep cool.

Tubing Down the Colorado River

There's nothing quite like an adventurous morning and a nice lunch, time to relax! Moab is situated on the Colorado River and owes its existence to it. Surrounded by miles and miles of impassible canyon, this area of the Colorado River was the only place suitable to cross. This originally indigenous path later became a Spanish trading and trapping path, ultimately fueling settlement along what is now called the Old Spanish Trail.

Spending time in the Colorado River is stepping into history, as well as out of the heat. Whether you choose to go with an outfitter for an exhilarating afternoon rafting excursion or rent a tube and float on your own, cooling down in the river is the best way to spend a hot afternoon in Moab.

Floating the Colorado River. Credit: Devon Salasin

To adventure on the river on your own, having two cars for a shuttle is best. Leave a car at Lions Park as your takeout spot and Head East on 128, up the Colorado River. There are a plethora of options for pulling off and putting in the river. Many campgrounds like Goose Island allow day parking for a fee. Google maps can be great resource for finding pull-offs with trails down to the river. There are very sensitive soils that we thank for all the beautiful vegetation and lifeforms that make the desert what it is. Please never create a trail on your own, tread only what has been tread already, and always leave no trace.

PRO TIP! Matrimony Springs is on your right just slightly up 128. A natural and delicious drinking spring to fill up water before your float.

PRO TIP! Bring shoes! You will takeout at the boat ramp on the right side of the river and need to walk across the Colorado Riverway Bike-Hike Bridge to your car.

If you don't have two cars, you can call the Moab Taxi to schedule a pickup at the end. For the adventurous souls, our recommended area is relatively well trafficked, and hitching a ride up the river to start and then floating to back to your car can be easy.

Even if it is just for a dip, experiencing the Colorado river is something that can't be missed in Moab. It is this waterway that carved the Grand Canyon, fuels the Hoover Dam and supplies power and water for millions of Americans in the Southwest.

PRO TIP! Many days in the desert are cloudless and the sun is very strong. You will want coverage on your skin in the form of a sunshirt and/or towel.

Dinner in Moab

There are many places to eat in town from high end fare to pubs and grills. Our Visitor Guide has some of our favorite spots in town away from the tourist traps. Downtown can get crowded on busy weekends, and some of our top recommendations bring you away from the main strip.

Birdy's

Not usually listed on their menu but nearly always available is their specialty pizza and one of our favorite pies in town. Outside of downtown but only a short drive, Birdy's provides ample parking and an incredible ambiance with unique furnishings and an abundance of live plants.

Sabaku Sushi

Sushi in the desert? Prepare to be happily surprised! Sabaku is a small establishment with an amazing menu and bar seating for a front row seat to watch the sushi chef's at work.

98 Center

A locals favorite, 98 Center is another small establishment with a small and unique menu. The food is delicious, and its location a block from downtown removes it from the chaos that can sometimes become Main Street.

Sunset and Stargazing

A full day in Moab is never complete until one experiences a desert sunset and star-rise. Colorful skies backdrop stark scenery, a stunning opening act for the cosmos.

Dusk at the Stargazing Moab observation site. Credit: Stargazing Moab

Canyonlands National Park

If you are feeling up for more adventure, this could be a great time to venture into Canyonlands, a very drivable National Park with many viewpoints, short hikes and incredibly dark skies. The overlook at the end of the Island in the Sky District, Grand View Point, is about an hour from Moab and offers expansive views over Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado and Green River waterways.

Grand View Point Overlook, Canyonlands National Park. Credit: Devon Salasin

If planning a stargazing experience, Stargazing Moab's observation site is in a beautiful and remote area. Arrive early for the stargazing tour to explore the area and catch sunset a private and serene desert sunset.

Dusk at Stargazing Moab's observation site. Credit: Stargazing Moab

Stargazing in Moab

Throughout Stargazing Moab's two-hour professional stargazing tour, expert guides will take you on a educational and entertaining journey through the Universe. As the sun fully sets and the stars begin to make an appearance, you'll relax on a comfortable lounger with a blanket and hot cocoa and embark on a laser constellation journey through the cosmos. Under Moab's renowned dark skies, constellations and mythological stories come to life. Peering through state-of-the-art telescopes at spiral galaxies and vibrant nebula will spark your curiosity as you ponder our place in space and time, all while connecting with our home planet and ancient history.

Stargazing tour with Stargazing Moab. Credit: Stargazing Moab

Whether joining a stargazing tour or not, experiencing the dark skies of Moab is a must when in the area. Over 80% of human beings live in an area significantly impacted by light pollution with little visibility of the cosmos. The Colorado Plateau in southeast Utah is incredibly remote and shielded from the harsh glow of city lights, providing an incredible opportunity to observe something rarely seen throughout the world today. Star finding phone apps can aid in constellation finding and viewing, and dark sky maps will help guide you to a great stargazing location.

PRO TIP! The moon will impact visibility of fainter astronomical objects. The moon and other astronomical objects are not always up and visible in our telescopes for observation. Reach out to Stargazing Moab directly to find the perfect night for stargazing tailored to what you want to see most!

Honorable Mentions

Back to Beyond Bookshop

Less of an honorable mention and more of a must stop. Built in memory of Edward Abbey, a ranger at Arches National monument before it was a National Park. Abbey was an advocate for protecting wild spaces and public lands and his legacy lives on in Moab's local bookstore. There is a huge emphasis in nature, science, history and local interests with many knick-knacks, games and gifts. If you don't have much time to visit the shops of downtown Moab and are looking to avoid your typical tourist gift shop, Back to Beyond is our top recommendation.

Mill Creek Waterfall

If tubing the Colorado is not in the cards, Mill Creek Waterfall may be the perfect way to cool down on your afternoon in Moab. The short, 1.5 mile round trip out-and-back trail weaves along Mill Creek and ends at a swimming hole tucked in and surrounded by red cliffs.

Bonjour Café

European style café open at 7am, Bonjour has an extensive pastry case with everything from Peanut Butter Cheesecake to Olive and Feta Danishes. Their larger portion breakfast menu has a middle eastern flair and is absolutely delicious. A great place all around whether hanging out with a book or laptop, or taking to go.

Mill Creek Waterfall and Swimming Hole. Credit: Devon Salasin

PRO TIP! Before reaching the waterfall is a trail that leads up the rocks on the left. Adrenaline seeking adventurers can jump from the cliffs into the swimming hole. Never jump if you do not know what you are jumping into! This is a popular area, and many locals frequent this place and are happy to show you the ropes.

We hope this guide helps you find the best Moab has to offer from stunning red rock formations to starry night skies. There is so much beauty to be found in the red rock country. Remember to adventure respectfully and leave the canyon country better than you found it, preserving it for the next generation of explorers.