Hiking Archives - Discover Moab, Utah

Lizzie Larsen, a local Moab cowgirl, sitting on a horse: the photo is in black and white and is clearly older, as it's blurred.

Lizzie Larsen at Westwater Ranch with angora chaps. [J. Willard Marriott Library Archives]

By the Moab Museum, originally published in the Moab Sun News

“The right to ride astride,” was a movement founded in practicality and a rejection of misogynist cultural norms. Historic cowgirls in Moab participated in the movement in their own ways!

Riding horses sidesaddle was criticized during the women’s suffrage movement for prioritizing fashion over the safety, independence, and control of the female rider. While it is uncommon to find photos of women riding astride prior to 1930, when only sidesaddle was socially acceptable, women on the range were breaking down this particular social structure even before the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession (the march on Washington D.C. that took place on March 3, 1913, in part for which we designate March as Women’s History Month).

From the wives and daughters of the Indian Creek Cattle Company (est. 1885) to the present, the women of this region are just as full of spirit and grit as their male counterparts. Gertrude “Gertie” Goudelock (1880-1933) was a partner to her husband David Lafayette Goudelock (1866-1952) as much on the range as in marriage—not only did she run the household at Moab’s old Darrow Hotel and raise their family, but she also saddled up alongside David to move livestock, cut cows, and brand hides. She also fulfilled duties as a civic leader in Moab. Gertrude instilled her many merits in her daughter Helen (1907-2003), who would inherit her mother’s ranch saddle and join her own husband, Lester Taylor (1905-1987), in raising their children and livestock. Helen also became a local civic leader and school superintendent.

A black and white photo showing cowgirls driving cattle.

Cowboys drive Scorup-Somerville cattle. [Moab Museum Collection]

The community of Moab can thank the men and women of the Indian Creek Cattle Co. for providing much of the city’s original infrastructure. Today, the surrounding range lands are still stewarded by the cowgirls of Canyonlands: conservationist Heidi Redd runs the Dugout Ranch in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the Canyonlands Research Center; and local equine expert Kandace Peterson runs The Cowgirls Secret, an equine wellness retreat company which employs all women.

“Twenty years ago, a girl who rode astride was looked on as a creature with a shocking lack of modesty whose only reason for adopting this style must be a desire to ape masculine ways and make herself duly conspicuous.” –Ivy Maddison, 1923. This quote is included in the Museum’s “Spirit and Grit: Ranching in Canyonlands” exhibit on display at Dead Horse Point State Park. The exhibit highlights women who were involved as cowgirls on family ranches and who held board seats on land and cattle companies—the narrative of cowboys riding the range is so ingrained in us by historic filmmakers like John Ford that the idea of women as cattle hands, rather than as just token sideshows, may seem implausible. But while dime store novels and Hollywood Westerns omitted these tough-as-nails women from their stories, the truth is that women have always rode the range with the same grit as any cowboy.

The Moab Museum is dedicated to sharing stories of the natural and human history of the Moab area. To explore more of Moab’s stories and artifacts and find out about upcoming programs, visit MoabMuseum.org

By local experts at Discover Moab

Planning to visit Arches National Park this year? You’ll need a timed entry reservation, in addition to your parks pass! Nine national parks across the country require timed entry reservations this year.

During high visitation days of 2025, Arches National Park is implementing a timed entry system to reduce crowing in the park. That means during certain hours in certain months of the year, you need to reserve a time to enter the park, like you would make a table reservation at a restaurant. The system guarantees you will be able to enter the park during peak times of the year.

Reservations are required for visitors wishing to enter the park between 7 am and 4 pm daily, from April 1 to July 6 and from August 28 to October 31. Yes, that means there is a pause in the reservation requirement from July 7 to August 27. You can enter the park during those dates without a reservation.

Keep in mind, the park is open 24 hours! You can always enter the park outside of the hours of 7 am and 4 pm, and you do not need a reservation to do so. Starting your hikes early is a good way to avoid the heat, and Arches National Park is a dark sky park, meaning the night sky is spectacular!

When you enter the park at any time on any day of the year, you still need to pay the entrance fee to the park, which is $30 (or have a parks pass, such as the America the Beautiful pass). You can pay the entrance fee at the gate or pay online.

Landscape Arch at night: the Milky Way is pictured above it.

The Three Gossips pictured with a storm in the background

Okay, so, how do you enter the park between the hours of 7 am and 4 pm from April 1 to July 6 and August 28 to October 31?

Timed entry reservations are available six months in advance starting at 8 am MST. You can reserve your entry time on Recreation.gov for $2.
Next-day reservations become available at 7 pm daily. That means that if you missed reserving your entry time, you still have a chance to reserve a time the night before the day you want to go. Any unreserved timeslots remain open for same-day booking.
You can enter the park before 7 am or after 4 pm without a reservation.
You can enter the park without a reservation if you have booked a campsite or other activity within the park, such as a Fiery Furnace tour. You can book those activities at Recreation.gov.
When you arrive, you will also need to purchase a park pass at the gate (or online). Passes are $30 per vehicle. You can also buy an “America the Beautiful” pass for $80, which will get you into any National Park for a year.

For more information about the 2025 Timed Entry Pilot, including a complete schedule of ticket releases, visit: go.nps.gov/ArchesTicket! And save this graphic to your phone or social media pages:

A graphic that reads - To enter the park April 1-July 6 and August 28-October 31,2025 between 7am and 4 pm: One night to six months before you go: Reserve a time to enter the park on Recreation.gov; When you go: Pay the entrance fee or bring your park pass to the gate.

If you’re planning a trip to Moab, you’re likely aware of its reputation as an oasis for outdoor recreation. But the city also has a lot to offer when it comes to dining, arts, and culture. Read on to make the most of your three-day trip.

DAY 1 – PARKS TOUR

Morning: Canyonlands National Park
Start your day at Canyonlands National Park. Roughly 30 miles outside Moab, the Island in the Sky District provides sweeping canyon views and stunning red rock panoramas. In a few hours’ time, you can drive the park’s 20 miles of paved roads to Grand View Point, Green River Overlook, and Upheaval Dome and hike the Grand View Point, Mesa Arch, and Upheaval Dome Overlook trails. Get up early to catch sunrise at the Mesa Arch or any of the other viewpoints inside the park.

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park
Mesa Arch

Green River Overlook in Canyonlands National Park
Green River Overlook

Hiking Options

Easy: Mesa Arch (0.6 mi/1 km) Recommended before sunrise.
Moderate: Grand View Point (1.8 mi/2.9 km)

Lunch: Dead Horse Point State Park
On your way back from Canyonlands, don’t miss Dead Horse Point State Park. Head to Dead Horse Point Overlook to take in the view of the Colorado River and the surrounding pinnacles and buttes that make up one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world. Bring a picnic lunch and stop in the visitor center.

Hiking Options

Easy: The Colorado River Overlook (1 mi/1.6 km)
Moderate: The Bighorn Overlook Trail (3 mi/4.8 km)

Dead Horse Point State Park

Moab Giants Museum & Dinosaur Park

Afternoon: Moab Giants Museum & Dinosaur Park
Fun for the whole family, Moab Giants Museum & Dinosaur Park is the first of its kind worldwide! Take a journey back through time with a 3D cinema experience and a half-mile trail featuring more than 130 full-size reconstructions of dinosaurs and their tracks. Inside the Tracks Museum, you’ll find interactive learning touch screens, games to play, and visually stunning educational exhibits. These exhibits also include insights into the history and prehistory of the Moab area and windows into Moab Giant’s research labs.

Evening: Dinner in Town
After a full day of exploring, head into town to refuel. Moab is home to a variety of cuisines and local eats. For family-friendly dining, try Moab Diner or Moab Grill. To enjoy a local brew with your meal, visit Moab Brewery or Proper Brewing Moab.

DAY 2 – GET ACTIVE

During the Day: Choose Your Own Adventure
Spend the day recreating in Moab’s red rock wilderness. Thanks to the numerous local guides and outfitters, visitors of all ability levels can enjoy activities to the fullest, or try something new! Some popular options include:

Mountain Biking: Cover more ground by hopping on a bike and hitting the trail. Moab offers some of the greatest mountain biking in the world, with a variety of trail options for any experience level. From the highly technical Slickrock Bike Trail to the easy-riding Bar-M Loop Trail, you’ll enjoy incredible scenery and a good work out.
Colorado River Water Recreation: Whether you’re looking for an intense whitewater experience or a more leisurely float, there’s a section of the river for you. Choose from rafting, kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding, then start paddling to get a whole new perspective on the area from the Colorado River’s red rock-lined waters.
Horseback Rides: For a truly authentic Western experience, nothing beats touring the rugged desert by horseback. Follow in the footsteps, or hoofprints, of cowboys as part of a guided trail ride to stunning landmarks such as Castle Rock and Fisher Towers.

Scenic Flights: The wild and untamed landscape of southern Utah is so vast, it’s nearly impossible to see it all. However, even an hour-long scenic flight allows you to experience spectacular views over thousands of square miles of canyon country. No other mode of transportation will allow you to see so much in such a short period of time.

Bar-M Trail

Moab Scenic Flights
Scenic Flight

In the Evening: Wind Down

Toast to a day well spent at Moab’s own local winery. Visitors may be surprised to learn Moab’s long growing season, coupled with its fertile, sandy soils, has resulted in delicious white German-varietal wines. Spanish Valley Vineyards & Winery specializes in these single-vineyard estate-bottled wines, which means they grow the grapes, ferment, and bottle the wine all at their single location. Stop by to enjoy the sunset with a tasting or tour.

DAY 3 – MORE TO EXPLORE

Morning: Experience History
After back-to-back adventure-filled days, sleep in and grab a leisurely breakfast. For a full spread, visit Jailhouse Cafe. If you’re in need of a quick bite, grab coffee and one of the deliciously inventive doughnuts at Doughbird.

To learn more about Moab’s beginnings, visit the Moab Museum. The museum interprets the stories of the Moab area, from histories of the first inhabitants of the Moab Valley to geology to uranium mining, and include many facets of Moab’s past, present, and future.

Moab Museum

Arches National Park

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Afternoon: Arches National Park

Next, make your way to Arches National Park, home to the world’s largest concentration of sandstone arches located just five miles from downtown Moab. You can drive the entire park in three hours with 10-minute stops at each viewpoint and a short hike at the Windows section of the park. If you’re planning to visit between April 1 and October 31, you will need to make a timed entry reservation for peak times before heading to the park.

Hiking Options

Easy: Double Arch (0.5 mi/0.8km), Landscape Arch (2 mi/3.2 km)
Moderate: Delicate Arch (3 mi/4.8 km) This hike is usually crowded; visiting at sunrise or sunset is best.

Evening: Art and Souvenirs
For a unique dinner option, visit the Moab Food Truck Park. With 14 different food trucks offering a variety of options, there’s something to please everyone’s palate. Spend the rest of the evening wandering the shops and art galleries on downtown’s Main Street, where you’ll find everything from landscape paintings and photography to jank art (sculptures made from desert finds) and locally made goods. Then, end your trip on a sweet note with dessert at La Michoacana.

Downtown Moab

Moab Art

By guest contributor Adele Heidenreich

Growing up, I watched a lot of cowboy movies. The film industry doesn’t make many of them anymore, but they’ll always hold a special place in my heart. I remember being especially fascinated by the landscapes – canyons, prairies, and mountains stretching endlessly, dwarfing the characters on horseback. Visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks felt like stepping right into those movie sets, making it the absolute highlight of my Utah national parks visit.

The Arches National Park drive covers about 36 miles (58 km) roundtrip, with plenty of stops to soak up the scenery and snap photos that simply can’t do the place justice. The park’s natural arches and other fascinating rock formations are stunning, but be prepared: there’s little shade, no services (food, gas, or water), and the weather is hot in the spring, summer and autumn, while winter can be quite cold.

Canyonlands National Park, “adjacent” to Arches, has its own massive, jaw-dropping vistas carved by the Colorado River, featuring deep canyons that resemble giant footprints from animals well before our time. This park is divided into four distinct sections.

Both parks are open year-round, but only accessible by private vehicle. Note that Arches has a strict, timed-entry ticket system (USD 2), which I highly recommend booking well in advance – or you could miss entry altogether. Plan months ahead, not days.

Getting There

Arches National Park and Canyonlands Scenic Drive

Driving between Arches National Park Visitor Center and Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky Visitor Center takes about 35 minutes (29 miles / 46 km). While I did both parks in one day, I’d actually recommend spreading them over two days unless you really love driving.

Arches National Park is 233 miles (434 km, about 3.5 hours) from Salt Lake City and 369 miles (594 km, about 6 hours) from Denver, CO.

Parking
Most viewpoints have at least 1 or 2 accessible parking spots, and cars tend to rotate through quickly.

Bathrooms
The Visitor Centers boast the most well-equipped and accessible bathrooms for wheelchair users, with sturdy railings for additional support. Visitors using motorized vehicles should also have no trouble accessing these facilities.

Restrooms at other stops and overlooks are primarily USFS (U.S. Forest Service) vault toilets, which are generally wheelchair/motorized-accessible but can have limited railings.

Accessibility Insight
There isn’t a specific route or order I would recommend for visiting these parks – instead, I’ll focus on the stops, and you can choose for yourself. For the sake of organization, I’ll write about them from the entry point (check-in area) to the end.

All viewpoints have wheelchair-accessible pathways with curb cuts, though access and views may vary at each viewpoint. Unless otherwise noted, all paths to the viewpoints are paved and relatively flat.

Arches National Park

Park Avenue Viewpoint
From the parking area, there’s a short, paved, flat path leading to a stunning introductory view of what this park has to offer.

The viewing platform in Park Avenue in Arches National Park: photo shows a paved viewpoint with a few people

La Sal Mountain Viewpoint
While this is probably the least wheelchair-friendly viewpoint, it’s still worth stopping for the view from the car or sidewalk, as the elevated angle into the park is stunning. With sturdy wheels and a strong hand to push and stabilize the wheelchair, crossing the ground to the edge is possible, but it will be a very bumpy ride.

The view and sidewalk at the La Sal Mountain viewpoint: the frame shows an accessible parking spot and sidewalk ramp, plus a view of two sandstone towers.

The view shows a flat sandstone expanse leading to a viewpoint of sandstone towers

Balanced Rock (picnic tables and bathrooms)
This viewpoint has a fairly large parking area with several accessible spaces, and the distance to the rock if you want to get up close is short. The trail around is only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) on a hard surface, but it’s not entirely paved all the way. This can be easily solved by just doubling back.

A photo of Balanced Rock, an enormous boulder that appears to be balanced on the tip of a sandstone pile. The frame shows the flat sidewalk that circles the rock.

The Windows (bathrooms)
While you’ll definitely get a sense of the area from the large parking area, the only way to reach the North Window is via a gentle climb along mostly stairs, about 0.2 miles (0.3 km). From there, you can either make your way back down or continue to another formation, Turret Arch, for another 0.2 miles (0.3 km). Elevation isn’t too difficult, but it can be hot and crowded, and the stairs are uneven and potentially slippery due to sand and dust.

The first 0.1 mile (0.2 km) from the parking lot is a flat, hard surface dirt path that can get you a bit closer to the formations if you’re using wheels. If you do the whole loop, it totals 0.5 miles (0.8 km).

This is a popular spot, and while there are several accessible spaces, many visitors spend time here doing the short hike and take pictures, so you might need to exercise some patience while locating a parking space.

A view of an arch in the Windows section of the park, showing the gravel pathway that leads up to it.

A view of the stairs that lead up to the arches in the Windows; they are gently sloping and gravel.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint (picnic tables and bathrooms)
Delicate Arch has an upper and lower viewpoint, with only the lower viewpoint being accessible. There are just a few short steps before the paved sidewalk turns into a hard surface with sand and gravel, which might make it difficult for smaller wheelchair wheels but manageable. The length is 200 feet (61 m) with no elevation change to view the arch (which is quite far in the distance). The upper viewpoint is accessible via a 1-mile (1.6 km) hiking trail (elevation change 171 feet / 52 m). If you need to cut a stop due to time constraints, this is it.

The paved path at the beginning of the Delicate Arch viewpoint trail is wide and flat.

Fiery Furnace Viewpoint (bathrooms)
The main viewpoint is only reached by walking down five steps and then walking 500 feet (152 m) on a hard dirt surface. As you approach the viewpoint, the ground becomes rocky and uneven. That said, you can still see the formations from the parking lot, making it worth a stop.

The view of the Fiery Furnace formations from the parking lot: they are striking, large, orange and white sandstone fins and hoodoos that cut across the landscape.

Steps leading down to the Fiery Furnace trail from the parking lot: there are five of them and quite steep.

The path to the Fiery Furnace viewpoint: it is rocky and uneven.

Canyonlands National Park

The drive from Arches National Park to Canyonlands (Island in the Sky Visitor Center) is stunning, especially as you turn off US 191. The entire drive of 29 miles (46 km) takes about 40 minutes.

Canyonlands National Park is split into four districts:
– Island in the Sky (covered in this article) is the most popular, most accessible, and closest to Arches National Park. This area rests 1,000 feet (305 m) above the terrain, offering spectacular views from various viewpoints along a 34 mile (55 km) roundtrip journey from the visitor center.
– The Needles District is known for its more challenging hikes and rugged trails along colorful rock spires.
– The Maze is one of the least accessible parts of the park, requiring off-road skills or backpacking.
– The Rivers are known for rafting and kayaking on the Green and Colorado Rivers.

Green River Overlook
This overlook features a short paved pathway right next to the parking area, leading to two different viewing areas. Both have fences and offer good views, but note that the second viewpoint has rocky and uneven ground well before you reach the fence. The first viewpoint provides great views regardless.

Tip: There’s a sign at the second overlook that describes your view, so you might want to have someone with functional legs grab a picture of the sign for you.

A view of the overlook: there are canyons spanning miles into the distance, showing off a vast and beautiful landscape.

A photo of the path to the overlook, which is flat and paved.

Buck Canyon Overlook (bathrooms)
This overlook also has a short paved pathway next to the parking area, leading to a fully wheelchair-accessible overview with a fence well-suited for seated visitors.

The path to the overlook: it is well paved and leads to a fence that protects visitors from the drop below.

The overlook looks over a deep canyon with views of the La Sal Mountains in the background.

Grand View Point Overlook (bathrooms)
This is the overlook furthest from the visitor center (12 miles/20 km) and lives up to its name regarding the view and fascinating canyon formation. For some reason, the short paved path from the parking lot stops just shy of the fence, which I find ill-thought-out for seated visitors. While the space between the boards in the fence is wide enough to look through, it doesn’t provide the same effect as being fully up front and center.

The Grand Point View overlook is a stunning, vast view over deep canyons and sandstone fins.

The path to the overlook stops just shy of the fence; the photo shows multiple people standing on a bumpy rock between the path and the fence to look over the edge.

Additional Access Information & Where to Learn More

– Official Arches Canyon National Park website: https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm
– Webcams: https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
https://www.nps.gov/cany/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
– Arches NP Timed Entry Tickets: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/timed-entry-reservation.htm
– Official Canyonlands National Park website: https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm

Contributor Profile

My name is Adele Heidenreich, and I am a freelance travel writer based in Oslo, Norway. I was born with a muscular condition called Arthrogryposis (AMC), which has given me firsthand experience using both a wheelchair and crutches in my daily life.

So far, I have visited over 70 countries and rely heavily on thorough research before traveling.

This preparation allows me to experience destinations with the same sense of discovery and enjoyment as most tourists while ensuring the trip is accessible and stress-free. The more I know in advance, the smoother my journey is.

I hope the guides I have provide offer valuable insights into the layout and accessibility of these beautiful places for everyone.

~ Adele

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How to explore Moab’s expansive outdoor art scene

Looking for outdoor art in Moab? The next time you’re on your way to the Moab Museum (to explore the current exhibit) or 98 Center (to dine on pho and seasonal cocktails), look up: at the intersection of Center St. and 100 East is a spatial marvel, a towering bronze-colored whip that arcs into the sky to intersect with three planets. It’s “Nebula,” a sculpture created by Castle Valley artist Michael Ford Dunton, installed as part of the 2024-2025 “Moab ArTTrails” sculpture exhibition.

For nearly a decade, Moab ArTTrails, a local nonprofit, has gifted works of art to Moab. In 2015, the organization bought four sculptures–”Forces at Play,” created by Ford Dunton, who is also a co-founder of the nonprofit–to install along the pedestrian bridge that spans the Colorado River near Lion’s Park. In 2017, the organization hosted its first short-term exhibition, choosing a series of sculptures to be installed around town. The nonprofit chooses this rotating selection each year, but the community also has the ability to choose “the keeper,” a sculpture to be bought and permanently installed. Since its inception, Moab ArTTrails has added thirteen works of art to the permanent collection.

Sculptures rotate each September. This year’s 2024-2025 exhibition showcases 14 sculptures in a two block radius–sculptures are tucked between street corners and sidewalks along Center Street, 100 East, 100 North, and 100 West. Local exhibition artists include Ford Dunton, David Olsen (“Gnarly Scarecrow” on Center St. south of Main) and Tim “Mik” McAllister (“Risen from Ashes” on 100 North near the food truck court, and “Guardian’s Promise” in front of the Times Independent office). The other sculpture artists hail from Logan, Provo, Salt Lake City, and Colorado, Arizona, and Texas: you can read more about the artists on the Moab ArTTrails’ website!

This year’s Best in Show was awarded to Myles Howell, a Logan artist who created “Desert Winds,” a marble wonder that flows in an organic shape. The sculpture is displayed in front of Moonflower Co-op: ponder its beauty while snacking on a Moonflower lunch. Honorable mention was awarded to Steve Grater, a Tuscon, Arizona based artist who created “Matriarch,” an abstract steel work that “embodies the strength, stability, and gravitas of a powerful mother figure.” “Matriarch” is on display near the Wells Fargo and Times Independent office along Center Street – grab a local paper while you’re over there!

Each sculpture on display is for sale: you can find more information with Moab ArTTrails. You can also vote for the keeper!