Moab
Campground
Moab KOA Holiday
A very nice KOA with hot tub, pool, pool-side food trailer (an old Airstream), bike repair station (!), overflow parking, and so much more. Right on Highway 191 so very easy in and out.
Things to see
Arches National Park
This is a beautiful drive. We highly recommend getting out and taking some of the trails to see the arches up close. Check out our entries in the hiking section. At the time we visited, a reservation was required to enter the park. They release additional tickets at 6 pm the previous evening so we didn't have any issues getting a reservation. There were still long lines to enter the park so you will need to be patient. No dogs allowed.
Canyonlands National Park
There is so much to explore in this park. It is definitely not as busy as Arches National Park but it is just as good. We only had time to do one hike and the Shafer Road (see entries below). We will certainly be back next time we are in the area. Dog not allowed on trails or overlooks.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Very nice park and views; however, there are only a few hiking and biking trails. Check out our entry in the hiking section. Dogs allowed.
Moab Giants
This isn't just for kids! We had way too much fun posing for pictures at this place. We recommend walking the entire trail, spending time in the museum, and taking the 3D aquarium tour. No dogs allowed.
Shafer Basin Road
This gravel road is in Canyonlands National Park and is best traveled with a high clearance vehicle. Mark biked down the steep part of the trail and then Barb met him with the truck on the bottom. Highlights are balance rock and the point where Thelma and Louise drove off the cliff at the end of the movie. Beware, the road is very rough the entire way.
Xtreme 4x4 Tour
The Xtreme 3 hour tour is a must do! We did all but one of the trail obstacles in the Sand Flats Recreation Area, including Hells Revenge. You will be amazed at how the specially built vehicle can climb up and down the rocks. It was a little frightening at first but after the first climb, you quickly gain confidence in both the vehicle and the driver. Garrit, our guide and driver, was full on one-liners and kept us laughing the entire time.
Hiking
Cowboy Jacuzzis via Mill Creek Rim Trail
This is on public land and there is no fee. It is a popular hike on the weekends with limited parking. We had to go back on a weekday to get in. We highly recommend taking the short off-shoot trail to the falls. There is also a trail that goes above the falls that is pretty too. Be prepared to get your feet wet as there are several creek crossings along the way...it was a nice way to cool down. Dogs allowed.
Grandstaff Trail
This trail is in Grandstaff Canyon Wilderness Area and there is no fee. It was a beautiful trail along a stream with several stream crossings. You will get your feet wet. At the end, you will see a beautiful natural bridge along with the source of the stream. Dogs allowed.
Pipe Dream Trail
This is also a mountain biking trail; however, it is an advanced trail so we hiked it instead. This is on public land so there is no fee. Dogs allowed.
Biking
Bar-M Loop
Easy mountain biking trail with great views. There are several other paths, varying degrees of difficulty, along this route. The flowers were in full bloom (May). Dogs allowed.
Falcon Flow Trail
Moderate to difficult biking trail in Sand Flats Recreation Area. The only downfall is that it is a 2.5 mile uphill bike ride on a gravel road from the trail finish to the trailhead. So if you don't have someone to drop you off, you are tired before you even start the ride. It is a beautiful ride with several very technical areas. Dogs allowed.
Moab Canyon Pathway
Paved path that was the old highway. This is a great path to run also. Dogs allowed.
Shafer Basin Road
I rode from the top (i.e., the beginning), which is in Canyonlands National Park, down to where Potash Road starts heading toward Moab. It is a very windy road and descends the 2000+ feet with switch-backs. You really have no choice but to keep your hand(s) squeezing the brakes nearly the entire way. The road is quite bumpy but a bike can certainly go faster than the 4x4 trucks and such that are making their way down. The landscape is very beautiful but don't try to look at it while you are moving! Stop and take a breath and enjoy the site.
Food and Drink
Fiesta Mexicana
We may have gone here multiple times while in Moab. We actually ate at a related Fiesta Mexicana in Page, AZ when we were there. The salsa is wonderful and the fajitas have so much flavor. Oh, and the margaritas are really good!
On our first visit, our waiter decided to be a comedian. As you know, we've been learning Spanish so when he asked if we wanted corn or flour tortillas, I answered "harina, por favor". He said "Flour or harina, which one?" Then the pregnant pause while Barb and I looked at each other. He started laughing and that started a fun series of teasing going in both directions.
The Blu Pig
Very good BBQ and a blues music atmosphere. Wander into the bar, and if you are lucky, the bartenders will entertain you with lots of jokes. Dogs allowed on the front and back patio. Nightly live music, typically at 7pm.