Town offers plenty of activities
Whether you like four-wheel-drive tours or shopping, there'ssomething just your speed.
MOAB, Utah -- The tourist gateway to Arches and Canyonlands national parks is right between the two, in Moab. This is where the campgrounds, the motels, the gift shops, the restaurants and the rental companies crowd together in a busy little metropolis where everyone has something fascinating to offer.
Mountain bicycling is a big sport around Moab because of the world-famous Slickrock Bike Trail. The Bureau of Land Management administers the Sand Flats Area where the trail is located and charges a day-use fee for admittance. The 10.3-mile trail is physically and technically challenging, and new riders are encouraged to practice first on a 1.7-mile newbie trail. Many other bicycle trails are nearby.
Water sports are also big in Moab because the Colorado River is just two miles out of town. Kayaking, whitewater rafting, canoeing and jet boat touring are all available.
Four-wheel-drive tours are the third big attraction in Moab. Half a dozen companies offer half-day and full-day trips into the back country of both national parks. Some companies combine four-wheel tours with rafting or kayaking for a full day of adventure.
And as if that weren't enough, hiking is yet another big sport around Moab. From the center of town, it's possible to walk out to several trailheads, and others are a few minutes' drive away. Waterfalls, canyons, cliffs and pinnacles, not to mention an arch or two, are all on the hiking trails.
More subdued activities
For the less physically fit, there's always Moab itself. Gift shops abound, and there are many art galleries featuring local and regional artists. Pottery, watercolor and photography are especially well-represented.
There are two wineries near Moab, Castle Creek and Spanish Valley, and a third, Round Mountain, hopes to open to the public in a few years. Utah Black hybrid grapes grow well in the hot days, cool nights and sandy soil of the area.
Moab could be a center for weeks of vacation activity, or for days, if that's all you have. Even an afternoon will give visitors a taste of everything the town has to offer.