From cool stream-side hikes to spectacular sandstone arches, the Moab area is full of exciting day-hikes outside of the national parks. All of the trails on this page are on Bureau of Land Management land and most are pet friendly. What follows is just a taste of what Moab has to offer outside of the national parks.

• Amphitheater Loop

  Highlights: Broad sweeping views and solitude.

  Length: 2.8 miles round trip.

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: Access is across SR 128 from Hittle Bottom Boat launch. Park at Hittle Bottom. Hittle Bottom is approximately 22 miles from the intersection of Hwy 191 and SR 128.

  Description: Walk wash bottoms, around boulders and over benches meandering in the Moenkopi and Cutler sandstones. Follow cairns to stay on the trail. The trail ascends 250 feet for that sweeping view of the Colorado River corridor.

  

  Trail Map

• Corona Arch Trail

  Highlights: Corona Arch (140 by 105 foot opening) and adjacent Bow Tie Arch; also views of the Colorado River and a large slickrock canyon. The Corona Arch Trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail on May 30, 2018.

  Length: 3 miles round trip.

  Pet Friendly: No

  Type: Constructed trail and slickrock. This is a hiking-only trail.

  Trailhead: On Utah Scenic Byway 279, 10 miles west of the Utah 279/U.S. 191 junction.

  Learn More About The Corona Arch Hike

  

  Trail Map

• Dellenbaugh Tunnel

  Highlights: Views of the Henry Mountains and beyond and the slot & pouroff into Spring Canyon.

  Length: 3 to 4 miles round trip depending on which middle segment you choose

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: From the Dellenbaugh parking lot, on the Secret Spire Jeep Safari route, 2.2 miles west of the Dubinky Well/ The Needle road junction, 6.5 miles northwest of SR-313/Dubinky Well road junction, 8.4 miles from the US-191/SR-313 junction.

  Description: Read the info on the kiosk. From the parking lot follow the trail marked with sage green paint dots on slickrock for 1/2 mile. The map sign at this trail junction shows a slickrock ridge route-1 mi (right) and a grassy plain route-1/2 mi (left). Both lead to the single trail going to the Tunnel-1/2 mi. Walk through the tunnel and over to the edge of the canyon. Sit on the limestone ledge and drink some water before the walk back to the car.

  

  Trail Map

• Fisher Towers Trail

  Highlights: Close up views of the Fisher Towers and Onion Creek area. Distant views include the Colorado River, Castle Valley, Fisher Mesa, and the Book Cliffs.

  Length: 2.2 miles one-way to ridge at trail’s end; allow 4 hours round trip.

  Pet Friendly: No

  Trailhead: Off Utah Scenic Byway 128. At 21 miles east of the Utah 128/US 191 junction, turn right and go 2.2 miles on an improved dirt road to a parking lot.

  Description: From the parking lot (please sign in at register box), the trail goes down a short set of steps and then runs to the left out onto a small slickrock-covered ridge. Follow the ridge away from the main cliffs until just after it narrows and then go left down into the ravine through a small cut on the left side of the ridge. From the bottom of the ravine the trail, heads steeply up and then begins to wind directly beneath the Fisher Towers. After swinging around the largest tower, The Titan, the trail ascends and ends on a ridge with a panoramic view.
  The Fisher Towers are composed of Moenkopi and Cutler sandstones, and have eroded into many fantastical shapes. Climbers occasionally scale these mudstone towers (be cautious of hiking directly below a climber!).
  Note: This trail has a western exposure and can be exceptionally hot on summer afternoons. Mountain bikes are not allowed on this trail.

  

  Trail Map

• Grandstaff Canyon

  Highlights: Perennial clear stream in scenic canyon and Morning Glory Natural Bridge, which is 243 feet long and the sixth-longest natural rock span in the United States.

  Length: 2 miles to Morning Glory Bridge; allow 4 hours round trip.

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: On Utah Scenic Byway 128, three miles east of junction with U.S. 191.

  Description: From the parking area next to Utah 128, follow the trail that starts on the left side of the stream. Keep going upstream for about 1.5 miles. Morning Glory Natural Bridge is located at the end of the second side canyon on the right. Follow the trail to where it crosses the stream at the mouth of the side canyon. Cross the stream, then follow the trial up a steep slope into the side canyon. Morning Glory Bridge is located at the end of the trail about 0.5 miles up the canyon from the stream. Do not touch the poison ivy that grows below the pool under the bridge! Poison ivy plants have shiny leaves with serrated edges in dusters of three.

  

  Trail Map

• Hidden Valley Trail

  Highlights: Good views of the Moab Valley and Behind the Rocks. Trail connects with the southern end of the Moab Rim four-wheel drive trail.

  Length: 2 miles to pass at north end of Hid den Valley; allow 3 hours round trip.

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: Drive 3 miles south from Moab on U.S. 191 and turn right onto Angel Rock Road. After two blocks, turn right onto Rimrock Road and drive to parking area.

  Description: From the parking area, follow the trail up to the base of the Moab Rim and then ascend a series of steep switchbacks. At the top of the switchbacks, the trial heads north and enters Hidden Valley – a broad shelf between the top of the Moab Rim and Spanish Valley. Follow the trail to a low rise that separates the two halves of Hidden Valley and continue along through the northern section to a point where the trail swings to the left and goes over a low pass. At the pass, the hiker will be rewarded with a view of the large sandstone fins of the Behind the Rocks area. The trail continues down the west side of the pass for about 1/3 mile where it meets the Moab Rim four-wheel-drive trail. The hike may be extended to the Colorado River by following the Moab Rim four-wheel-drive trail to its starting point.
  NOTE: During the late afternoon, in the summer, this trail is largely in the shade of higher cliffs.

  

  Trail Map

• Hunter Canyon

  Highlights: Free-flowing stream during spring months with cottonwood trees and pools. A large arch is located high on the right-hand side of the canyon about a half mile from the trailhead.

  Length: 2 miles one-way; allow 4 hours round trip.

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: On Kane Creek Canyon Road 7.5 miles west of its intersection with U.S. 191 (Canyon is on the left, one mile beyond the switchbacks)

  Description: From the parking area at the mouth of the canyon, follow the hiker-established path about two miles up the canyon until the route gets blocked by brush.

  

  Trail Map

• Juniper Loop Trail

  Highlights: Sweeping views of the Sandflats Reacreation Area.

  Length: 2 miles Round Trip

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead:The trailhead is located in the Sand Flats Recreation Area. It is 6.3 miles passed the entrance station on the north side of the Sand Flats road. A parking area is provided. The trail is also accessible to campers in the Juniper campground. This is a fee area.

  Description: The trail climbs a small mesa and circles the mesa top, offering scenic views of the Grandstaff and Mill Creek Canyons, the Moab and Porcupine Rims, the La Sal mountain range and the Colorado River channel. The trail is “lollipop” in shape. The “stem” section 0.5 miles in length, begins at the trailhead, travels to the first overlook, backtracks slightly, then climbs westerly to the top of a small mesa where the loop section begins. The loop is about a mile in length and contours with the edge of the mesa over level dirt and slickrock. Sections of the trail follow along steep cliff edges. Use Caution! Follow trail markers to avoid getting lost and damaging resources. Several openings on the rim provide panoramic views of the features listed above. After circling the mesa top, the trail rejoins the “stem” route back to the parking area.

  

  Trail Map

• Ken’s Lake Trail

  Highlights: Family friendly short jaunts near water sources for more nature. Circumnavigate the reservoir, walk to Faux Falls, and enjoy the Ken’s Lake Rock Loop nature trail. Faux Falls is created by a diversion piping water from Mill Creek to fill up the reservoir.

  Length: Total of 3 miles

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: There are various locations around the Ken’s Lake campground complex. Ken’s Lake is ten miles south of Moab. Turn off of Highway 191 seven miles south of Moab onto Old Airport Road. Turn south onto La Sal Mountain Loop Road. Follow the signs to Ken’s Lake on County Road 175.

  

  Trail Map

• Longbow Arch Trail

  Highlights: Great views of Behind the Rocks, LaSal Mountains, rock art near the beginning of the trail, and 60 foot Longbow Arch.

  Pet Friendly: No

  Length: 1.2 miles one-way from the Poison Spider parking lot to base of arch.

  Trailhead: The trail begins at the Poison Spider parking area, 5.9 miles from Hwy 191 on Hwy 279. Trailhead is near restroom.

  Description: The trail climbs moderately after leaving the parking lot, passing several spurs to rock art panels, then climbs steeply for a short distance on slickrock. It levels out 200 feet above the parking lot. The trail then skirts the 4WD route and enters a broad canyon. Near the end of the canyon the trail passes through a narrow side canyon where the arch is high on the left wall. A primitive trail continues up below the arch. Return via the same route.

  

  Trail Map

• Moab Rim Trail

  Highlights: Good views of the Colorado River, the Moab Valley, and the sandstone fins of the Behind the Rocks area.

  Length: 3 miles to connection with Hidden Valley Trail.

  Trailhead: On Kane Creek Boulevard, 2.6 miles northwest of its intersection with U.S. Highway 191 in Moab (.1 mile beyond the first cattle-guard).

  Description: From the parking area, follow the 4-wheel-drive vehicle route up the slickrock ramps of Kayenta sandstone. After about 1.4 miles, the route reaches a viewpoint of the Moab Valley. Follow the vehicle route south and then down through a slickrock area located between two large domes of Navajo sandstone. At the base of the slickrock area, the route continues along a wash bottom and then up a large sand hill (several routes up). From the top of the sand hill, the route branches twice to the left. The first spur on the left leads to a viewpoint high above Spanish Valley. The second spur route ends after 200 yards at another view point. Ahead to the south, the view is dominated by a long ridge of massive sandstone fins. From the second spur, the main route drops down into a wash and then climbs in an easterly direction to its terminus just below the pass to Hidden Valley.

  

  Trail Map

• Pinto Arch Trail

  Highlights: Although a short trail, hikers are treated with several large alcoves containing hanging gardens, as well as scenic views of the Colorado River coursing its way through the canyon 500 feet below. At trail’s end you can stand under attractive Pinto Arch with its 30-foot span. The trail can also be combined with the popular Corona Arch Trail.

  

  Length: 2.1 miles roundtrip; 3.3 miles if combined with the Corona Arch Trail.

  Trailhead: On SR 279, 10 miles west of the SR 279/US Highway 191 junction. This is the same starting point for the Corona Arch Trail.

  Description: Access to the first trail spur going to Pinto Arch occurs a half mile along the Corona Arch Trail. As it starts, most of the trail is on slickrock rather than sand, before transitioning entirely to slickrock for the last half mile of the hike to the arch. The trail works its way across slickrock toward several large Navajo Sandstone alcoves. As it nears the alcoves the trail makes a short climb to get up to the bench below the alcoves. Then it easily climbs up other stone benches for a couple hundred yards before Pinto Arch comes into view. The rest of the route to the arch is plainly evident. Hikers only interested in going to Pinto Arch will take the same route back to the Corona Arch Trail and parking lot. Alternatively, hikers continuing on to Corona Arch can take a second 0.12 mile spur that rejoins the Corona Arch Trail a tenth of a mile above the first spur. Hikers returning from Corona Arch that wish to continue on to Pinto Arch would also be able to use this spur to connect to the main Pinto Arch Trail. Creating the Pinto Arch Trail as a designated trail creates its own scenic destination, but also offers stronger hikers going to Bow-Tie and Corona Arches an extension to their hike length, and the benefit of seeing a third great arch up close.

  

  Trail Map

• Poison Spider Bench

  Highlights: Views of the Colorado River

  Length: 1.1 miles one-way to overlook of river; allow 2 hours round trip

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: From the Poison Spider Mesa trail parking lot, on Utah Scenic Byway 279, 6 miles west of the Utah 279/U.S. 191 junction.

  Description: From the parking lot, follow the 4×4 road for ¼ mile. The 230 feet of elevation gain is essentially along this ¼ mile. A sign has been posted to designate the fork to this ambling foot path. Then continue out 1.1 miles on the bench trail one-way.

  

  Trail Map

• Portal Overlook Trail

  Highlights: Panoramic views of the Moab Valley, the La Sal Mountains, the Colorado River, and the south portal.

  Length: 2.0 miles to Portal Overlook; allow 3 hours round trip.

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: At JayCee Park Recreation Site on Utah Scenic Byway 279, 4.2 miles west of the Utah 279/U.S. 191 junction.

  Description: From JayCee Park, follow the hiking trail up the Colorado towards the river “portal. ” From the trailside visitor register box, the trail begins its climb to the viewpoint. After several switchbacks, the trail follows a cairned route up “ramps” of Kayenta sandstone to the overlook. Be cautious around the overlook as there are no safety fences. This trail is frequently used by mountain bikers riding down from the mesa top.
  Note: During late afternoons in the summer, this trail is largely in the shade of higher cliffs.

  

  Trail Map

• Red Onion Trail

  Highlights: The Red Onion Trail is a primitive hiking loop that connects to the Fisher Towers Trail. The trail is a challenging 2.4 mile loop that winds through narrow washes and canyons with striking views of Fisher Towers, Onion Creek and the Professor Valley.

  Length: 2.4 miles as a loop. 0.2 mile of this loop is on the Fisher Towers Trail.

  Trailhead: Trailhead location: 38.718697, -109.320818

  NOTE: The Red Onion Trailhead is recommended for high clearance vehicles only. If you do not have a four wheel drive vehicle, it is recommended to start from the Fisher Towers Trailhead.

  Directions: From Moab, take Utah Scenic Byway Hwy 128. 20.2 miles east of the Hwy 128/US 191 junction, turn right onto Onion Creek Road (dirt road) and continue 1.5 miles. After the third creek crossing, turn left onto the entrance road to the trailhead, which is recommended only with a high clearance vehicle. Continue 0.7 mile up the road to its end and the Red Onion Trailhead.

  Description:

  Begin hike from the trailhead kiosk. The trail climbs a short hill and continues for 300 feet to a trail junction. From this junction the trail is a loop, and you can choose to hike in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. To make a full loop of the Red Onion Trail, you will hike on the Fisher Towers Trail for 0.2 miles. You can add some extra mileage to your hike by hiking out and back on the Fisher Towers Trail, just don’t miss the turn off to Red Onion Trail on your way back.

  This hiking trail is rated as difficult. The route requires occasional scrambling that requires the use of hands to go around obstacles. The route weaves in and out of drainages, and hikers should be attentive to the arrow signs that mark the route.

  

  Trail Map

• Stairmaster

  Highlights: This trail is all about the aerobic exercise. Great views into the Colorado River.

  Length: 0.8 miles one-way out-and-back

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: From the Moab Rim 4×4 Road, on Kane Creek Blvd 1.9 miles west of 500 West.

  Description: Steep Slickrock, the foot path parallels the Moab Rim 4×4 trail. It gains 910 Feet of elevation in .8 miles.

  

  Trail Map

• Sylvester

  Highlights: View of rock pinnacles. It is a traverse beneath Castle Rock and the Priest and Nuns formations.

  Length: 3.27 miles one way out-and-back

  Pet Friendly: Yes

  Trailhead: Take SR-128 to Professor Valley Ranch Road then 2.2 miles south to the trail head.

  Description: The trail is shared with equestrian users. It is upon sandstone and shale ledges in a broad tributary valley of Professor Creek. As the trail progresses it climbs 810 feet to a rise looking into Castle Valley.

  

  Trail Map

• Trough Springs Trail

  Highlights: Views of the La Sal Mountains from the plateau, the trail continues through riparian terrain that has water year round.

  Length: 2.5 miles one-way

  Trailhead: Access is out Highway 191 south of Moab 32 miles to the Canyon Rims Recreation Area turnoff. Follow this road 28 miles to Hatch Point. Beyond the Hatch Point campground, look for signs to Trough Springs.

  Description: This trail descends 1100 feet in elevation from the plateau into Kane Creek Canyon. Cairns mark the trail a former cattle route. The water cannot be drank without purification.

  

  Trail Map

Essential Equipment Checklist

Drinking Water

This is a high desert environment. Bring one gallon per person, per day.

Food

Good Footwear

Tennis or running shoes with rubbery soles are adequate for short slickrock and stream hikes.

Sun Protection

Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses

Route map or trail guide

First-aid kit

Insect Repellent

Day Pack

Cool Season Hikes

• Long pants
• Sweater and gloves
• Earband
• Coat and/or gear

Pet Etiquette and Local Laws

There are many pet-friendly trails and accommodations to choose from in the Moab area. By taking a few precautions and observing local rules and regulations, traveling with your pet can be a very rewarding experience.

NATIONAL PARKS
Activities with pets are very limited within the National Parks of southern Utah. Pets are prohibited from the backcountry as well as on trails. Pets must be leashed at all times when outside a vehicle and may be walked only on roads or in parking lots. Pets may accompany visitors in campgrounds.

OTHER PUBLIC LANDS
Generally, pets may accompany you as you hike on public land in Canyon Country outside of the national parks. (Check out our Hiking Page for details on some popular pet friendly Moab area hikes.)