Introduction
As the gateway to two of the state’s iconic parks, Moab is Utah’s adventure capital. To the north, you’ll find Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 arcing eponyms that frame snowy peaks and great swathes of bright-red desert. Ranging from delicate sweeps to giant bridges, it’s the largest collection of stone arches in the world and makes for truly unforgettable landscapes. Its cousin to the southwest, Canyonlands National Park, is equally arresting. Here, dramatic valleys carved out by the mighty Colorado and Green rivers form great, cragged slashes in this ancient earth, itself speckled with flashes of green, twisted spires and majestic mesas. Between these two aptly named parks, there’s a full range of activities departing out of Moab, ranging from river rafting and 4WD excursions to hikes, bike rides and rock climbing.