Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
The 3-day plan, rearranged for 2 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: mild days score highest, and fierce heat or freezing nights cost points. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A short walk down a canyon between tall sandstone walls, just inside the park entrance. It looks like a city street cut by wind and water. Check ahead on timed entry and the day's conditions, and arrive early.
Go when First thing, before the tour buses and while the canyon walls are still in shade.
Local tip Walk the trail down and decide at the bottom whether to go back up or arrange a pickup. Bring more water than you think you need.
A cluster of huge arches reached by short, well-worn paths from one parking area, with North Window, South Window and Turret Arch all within a few minutes. Parking fills up, so go early.
Go when Early morning, when the lot has room and the low light warms the arches.
Local tip Do the short trail to North Window and South Window first, then Turret Arch. Check ahead on parking and timed entry.
Sandwiches, fruit and a bag of trail mix, picked up in town and eaten at a picnic table by the park road.
Local tip Take everything back out with you, and bring water.
A row of tall, dark red mud and sandstone spires on a quiet road east of the river. The trail along their base is a good way to see them close up. Check ahead on the road and the weather, and bring water.
Go when Afternoon, when the low sun lights the spires and the walk is shaded in parts.
Local tip Walk as far along the base of the towers as feels right and turn back whenever you like. Check ahead on the road in and the weather.
The best-known arch in Utah, a freestanding curve of red sandstone against the mountains. The trail climbs over open slickrock, so bring water and a light, and check ahead on conditions. A shorter walk to a viewpoint shows it from afar.
Go when Late afternoon, so you arrive well before sunset (about 7:54 PM) and walk back with a headlamp.
Local tip Bring a headlamp, a lot of water and a layer, because the rock is open and the wind picks up as the light fades. Check ahead on conditions.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A short walk in the Island in the Sky district to a stone arch that frames the canyon floor far below. The glow under the arch at first light is the reason to come early. Check ahead on the road and on parking.
Go when Early morning, around sunrise, when the underside of the arch glows.
Local tip Photographers line up here early, so arrive with time to spare and be kind about elbow room. The walk is short, but check ahead on the road.
A big sandstone arch with a smaller one beside it, reached by a trail along a canyon wall and across open slickrock. Parts of the trail use a fixed cable, so read about it and check ahead on conditions and the weather.
Go when Morning, when the trail is cool and the arch is lit by the low sun.
Local tip The trail crosses a railroad track and uses a cable and steps on the rock. Read about the route first and check ahead on conditions and the weather.
The viewpoint at the south end of the Island in the Sky road, looking over a maze of canyons, buttes and the long white shelf of the White Rim. A rim walk is easy to shorten or extend.
Go when Midday, when the sun is high and the whole White Rim is lit end to end.
Local tip The overlook rail is a short walk from the lot. The rim trail goes further, so choose how far you want to go and turn back when you like.
A high overlook where the Colorado River makes a tight gooseneck about two thousand feet below. Stay for the last light on the rim. Check ahead on entry and gate times, because the park is a short drive from the highway.
Go when Late afternoon, so you are on the rim before sunset (about 7:54 PM).
Local tip Bring a layer, because the rim is exposed and the evening turns cool. Check ahead on the gate and entry times before you drive out.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, April to May and September to October are the most comfortable months for a desert trip to Moab. This plan is built for mid April, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 2 days in Moab, planned for mid April. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 32.0 to 65.8 miles between its stops, and 97.8 miles in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
5 days in Zion and Bryce CanyonAbout 190 miles away
4 days from the Grand Canyon to PageAbout 190 miles away
6 days in Denver and Rocky Mountain National ParkAbout 250 miles awayAnother guide with a page about Moab. It opens in a new tab.
Photo: Greg Schaefer ., CC BY 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
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