How to Spend 5 Beautiful Days in Moab (Hiking & Photography)

Are you looking for the most Instagrammable 5-day Moab itinerary? Then you are in the right spot!

Moab is, in my opinion, the most photogenic part of Utah. There is natural beauty and stunning scenery as far as the eye can see – from iconic salt pans to impressive arches. Moab has it all.

But it can be quite overwhelming to plan your vacation there, with so many choices!

I have just returned from a long vacation in Moab – and I know all the best things to do and places to see.

For that reason, I have created this helpful guide for you!

Let’s get into it! 

Day 1

Arches National Park

Careful: Depending on the time of the year, you might need a timed-entry reservation.

Arches National Park is located just outside Moab, and it needs to be on our itinerary.

It is famous for its striking red rock landscapes and over 2,000 natural stone arches. Sunrise and sunset are magical times in the park, so if you can plan your visit around that, it would be best! 

You can see the famous sand dune arch, the double arch, the skyline arch, as well as the broken arch.

Keep on reading: Is Arches National Park Worth Visiting?

Best Hikes in Arches National Park

The park has a couple of different hiking trails and driving trails from which you can choose. Sadly, we thought the park was a bit touristy, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

Depending on your skill level, I recommend one of these trails for your visit:

Beginners: Windows Trail (1 mile)

Intermediate: Tower Arch (2.6 miles)

Expert: Devils Garden Trail (7.8 miles) or Delicate Arch Trail (3 miles) 

Downtown Moab

The city of Moab is super cute! There are a lot of cute shops, scenic sidewalks, and awesome restaurants. It has a bit of a European flair, with loads of outdoor seating, art galleries, and ice cream parlors.

For dinner, we headed to Moab town every single evening and snatched a spot on Main Street. There are great restaurants in abundance – you really can’t go wrong here!

Make sure to check out the cute clothes shops – they sell the best outfits for those cute hiking pics. 

Day 2

Grandstaff Canyon

We’ll start off day 2 in Moab with one of my favorite hikes: the Grandstaff Canyon trail. It is a 4.3-mile round-trip hike, so not ideal for total beginners.

The hike is not super challenging, but there are a couple of creek crossings, and sometimes you have to climb up a rock or two.

At the end of the hike, you’ll be rewarded with a view of the Morning Glory Natural Bridge.

I thought the entire hike was super scenic, and there were barely any people there. I suggest you head there in the morning since it gets quite hot throughout the day. 

Dead Horse Point State Park

Another highlight of day 2 in Moab is Dead Horse Point.

Dead Horse Point is a stunning overlook that offers insane views of the Colorado River winding through red rock canyons.

The viewpoint is one of the most photographed spots in the Southwest, so get out your phones and have your Insta caption ready.

The sunsets here are especially magical, so I suggest heading there toward the end of the day.

It’s an easy, must-see stop without a strenuous hike. 

Day 3

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is a vast and rugged area that is super impressive to see.

It is split into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the Rivers (Green and Colorado). Each area has its own unique features.

Island in the Sky is the most accessible district. It has breathtaking viewpoints like Mesa Arch. If you only have one day in Canyonlands, I suggest visiting this spot first! 

You can easily spend the entire day there, so make sure to come prepared! If you have time, stay for sunset at the Mesa Arch – you won’t regret it! 

Canyonlands Suggested Hikes

Easy: Mesa Arch Trail (Island in the Sky) 0.5 miles

Intermediate: Aztec Butte Trail (Island in the Sky) 2 miles

Difficult: Chesler Park Loop (The Needles) 11 miles 

Day 4

Corona Arch Trail

At this point, I am so excited for you because Day 4 is my favorite day of this Moab itinerary. As I mentioned before, I was a bit disappointed in Arches National Park, because it was so crowded.

Luckily, we found the perfect alternative hike in Moab, where you can see some really pretty arches. And you’ll have them almost by yourself!

The Corona Arch Trail is 3 miles out and back, and is moderately difficult. I do not suggest it for beginners, because there are a couple of smaller climbs. 

Pinto Arch

If you still have some motivation after hiking all the way to the Corona Arch, I have good news. The Corona Arch Trail extends toward the Pinto Arch as well – it is about half an hour of extra walking time.

This way, you can see two amazing arches in one day!

Potash Road

After scaling the Corona Arch Trail (and also on the way there), you’ll see one of my favorite spots in Moab: the Potash Road.

You’ll be driving alongside the Colorado River, with impressive cliffs on the other side of the road. It is definitely a view like no other.

If you have a sturdy 4×4 vehicle, you can continue driving until you reach the beautiful salt pans. We drove there in our BMW, and it was kind of hard on the car.

If you don’t have a great vehicle, don’t worry. You can still see the salt pans from afar from the Dead Horse Point State Park.

Day 5

Mill Creek Waterfall Trail

Our last day of this Moab itinerary should be spent in a relaxed way. We decided to hike the Mill Creek Trail, as it is a super scenic and relaxed hike that will lead you to a fantastic waterfall.

The trail is 1.6 miles out and back, but you can keep on hiking after you hit the waterfall as well. The trail is not too difficult, but you do need to cross the stream a couple of times.

After this hike, we grabbed a FroYo on Main Street, did some souvenir shopping, and relaxed in our hotel for the rest of the day! 

Where to Eat in Moab

Moab has lots of fantastic restaurants that you can choose from for this itinerary. Most of them are located on Main Street, so they are pretty easy to find.

Psst: make sure to try the pizza with chicken and honey – so good!

Here are our favorite restaurants in Moab:

• Sunset Grill (awesome view)
• Gloria’s
• Pasta Jays
• Zax
• Thai Bella Moab
• Moab Food Truck Park

Are 5 Days Enough For Moab?

Yes, 5 days are enough time to see the best of Moab. I would not spend any less than five days in Moab, since there is so much to see.

If you are in a rush, take at least three days in Moab. You can see Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park in three days.

All in all, I would probably not want to spend longer than a week in Moab. It is pretty expensive, and the town can get crowded with lots of tourists, so that does get old after a couple of days.

We stayed for 5 nights and thought that it was the perfect amount of time to see everything without being in a rush. 

Best Time to Go to Moab

In my opinion, the best time to go to Moab is in the fall or the spring. I suggest October or April. 

We went in September, and it was still pretty hot, so I would have preferred a little more coolness for the hikes. 

Most visitors come in the summer to this destination, and you’ll definitely want to avoid that.

Conclusion

After an unforgettable 5 days in Moab, you’ve explored some of the Southwest’s most iconic landscapes.

We have seen the towering arches and red rock formations in Arches National Park and the dramatic views of Canyonlands.

You’ve hiked breathtaking, Instagrammable trails and soaked in the incredible beauty of Utah’s desert. Whether it was the quiet moments at a scenic overlook, the thrill of off-roading toward the salt pans, or capturing the sunset glow over Dead Horse Point.

I hope each day in Moab offers something truly special during your visit, and this itinerary proves helpful in planning your vacation.

Luckily, your Southwest America exploration does not have to end here. From Moab, you can also start an adventure toward Salt Lake City, Monument Valley, Zion National Park, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park, and other cool places. 

Lastly, make sure to buy the America the Beautiful Pass, which will save you the entrance fee at every national monument and park.

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