Moab is one of those places where two days just scratches the surface, and two weeks lets you dig into everything—arches, canyons, state parks, petroglyphs, river adventures, off-roading, shopping, and (most importantly) all the food.

Here’s my 14-day Moab itinerary packed with details from my trip (plus a few extras you’ll thank me for).

Day 1: Arrival in Moab

• Lunch: Stop at Vessel Kitchen in Salt Lake City before the drive south. The Andrelipe Bowl was massive—shredded chicken, cilantro lime slaw, mango salsa, cotija cheese, avocado, Peruvian green sauce. Flavor bomb.

• Scenic Drive: The 4-hour drive to Moab is gorgeous. Expect mountain ranges, desert plateaus, and red cliffs as you get closer.

• Dinner: Antica Forma. The pistachio pesto pizza with shaved fennel sausage was the winner. Appetizer: Girella—mozzarella wrapped with basil, pesto, peppers, artichokes. Fresh and light.

• Stay: Hoodoo Hilton casita (downtown, private parking, kitchen, pool).

Day 2: Arches National Park Highlights

• Breakfast: Cactus Jacks—biscuits & gravy and French toast crusted in cornflakes with fresh berries + maple syrup.

• Morning: Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers for dramatic canyon walls.

• Late Morning: Balanced Rock (easy loop), Garden of Eden (wide views).

• Afternoon: Sand Dune Arch (shady slot with soft sand), Skyline Arch, then Devils Garden for Landscape Arch (1.9 mi RT, sandy, but worth it).

• Sunset: Hike to Delicate Arch (3 mi RT, 500 ft climb, strenuous). Go an hour before sunset for photos and space to breathe.

• Dinner: Desert Bistro—bread with rosemary honey butter florets (I could’ve eaten them like candy), beef tenderloin, agnolotti stuffed with truffled mushrooms, and a dessert trio.

Day 3: Downtown Moab

• Breakfast: Love Muffin Cafe—bacon sunrise panini with apricot aji amarillo jam + fresh-squeezed OJ.

• Morning: Shopping:

  • The Sundry (jewelry, bought three necklaces).

  • Moab Made (locally crafted goods).

  • Desert Sol (modern western vibe).

  • Moab Rock Shop (fossils, rocks, messy but amazing).

• Lunch: Moab Food Truck Park—sushi truck (spring rolls + sesame salad) and Miss Gelato (white chocolate raspberry + salted caramel).

• Afternoon: Murals: “Greetings from Moab” at Bowen Motel, Delicate Arch mural at McStiff’s Plaza, ram’s head at Moab Brewery. Add the Moab Museum for local history & geology.

• Dinner: Thai Bella—seasonal cucumber salad (organic cucumbers from Moab Homegrown Farm), Khao Soi noodle soup, and Massaman Curry.

Day 4: Canyonlands (Island in the Sky)

• Morning: Mesa Arch (0.7 mi RT, easy, best at sunrise).

• Midday: Upheaval Dome (0.8–1.8 mi RT, short but steep, crater mystery). “Short but not sweet.” Rain dulled the colors for me, but still stunning.

• Afternoon: Green River Overlook (0.2 mi, wide view of the river carving the desert), Grand View Point (0.25 mi paved + optional rim trail), Buck Canyon Overlook (steps from the car).

• Dinner: Moab Brewery—giant pretzel with beer cheese + house-made root beer float.

Day 5: Dead Horse Point

• Morning: Hike West Rim Trail (2–3 mi of quieter overlooks). Add Bighorn Overlook spur (2 mi RT) for one of the best canyon photos.

• Lunch: Picnic at the overlook.

• Afternoon: East Rim Trail for more panoramas of the Colorado.

• Evening: Sunset at the main Dead Horse overlook (river U-turn glowing in golden light).

• Dinner: Pasta Jay’s—Tortellone Alfredo, garlic bread trio, and Green Chili Ravioli.

Day 6: Corona Arch

• Breakfast: Cactus Jacks (yes, round two).

• Morning Hike: Corona Arch + Bowtie Arch (3 mi RT). Includes a ladder and chain section—more adventurous but easier than Delicate Arch.

• Afternoon: Drive Potash Road: stop at petroglyph panels, dinosaur tracks, Jug Handle Arch.

• Dinner: Antica Forma—yes, again. That pistachio pizza deserves repeat visits.

Day 7: Scenic Byway 128 + River Adventure

• Breakfast: Grab pastries from Love Muffin.

• Morning: Drive Highway 128 along the Colorado River. Stop at Fisher Towers (hike if you want, 4.5 mi RT), Castle Valley Overlook, and river pullouts.

• Lunch: Red Cliffs Lodge—riverside dining + wine tasting + Western movie museum.

• Afternoon: Half-day rafting trip on the Colorado River (calm float trips available if you don’t want rapids).

• Dinner: Moab Diner—comfort food classics.

Day 8: Arches Part Two

• Morning: Windows Section: North Window, South Window, Turret Arch (1 mi loop). Do the primitive loop for a less crowded angle.

• Afternoon: Double Arch (0.5 mi RT, massive and 3D-looking).

• Evening: Salt Valley Overlook for a quick sunset stop.

• Dinner: Desert Bistro (finish with their dessert trio).

Day 9: The Needles District (Canyonlands)

• Day Trip: Drive 1.5 hours south.

• Stops: Newspaper Rock (ancient petroglyphs), Wooden Shoe Arch Overlook, Big Spring Canyon Overlook.

• Optional Hike: Slickrock Trail (2.4 mi RT, moderate, incredible Needles views).

• Dinner Back in Moab: Thai Bella or a quick food truck stop.

Day 10: Offbeat Moab

• Morning: Moab Giants Dinosaur Park—life-sized dino sculptures + 3D theater.

• Afternoon: Rent a Jeep or ATV for Hell’s Revenge or Fins & Things—classic Moab off-roading routes.

• Dinner: Pasta Jay’s—Garlic bread + dip trio (pesto + Alfredo combo is killer).

Day 11: Resort + Relaxation Day

By this point, you’ll be ready for a break. Make today about enjoying Moab without rushing.

• Morning: Sleep in. Make coffee in your casita kitchen and sit on the patio.

• Late Morning: Lounge at the Hoodoo Hilton pool (casita pool if you’re in one, or the lush main pool with desert landscaping).

• Lunch: Poolside snacks or head across the street to the Food Truck Park.

• Afternoon: Treat yourself to a spa session if you’re staying somewhere like Sorrel River Ranch, or just wander downtown shops one last time.

• Dinner: Upscale at Desert Bistro or casual at Moab Brewery, depending on your mood.

• Evening: Stroll through downtown Moab at dusk when the cliffs glow red.

Day 12: Local Adventures

• Morning: Drive Kane Creek Boulevard for more petroglyphs. Optional: short hike to Hunter Canyon (2 mi RT).

• Lunch: Food Truck Park (third round—you’ll want it).

• Afternoon: Relax back at your resort, or hit one last downtown shop (I’d go back to Moab Made).

• Dinner: 98 Center Moab—Asian fusion with creative cocktails/mocktails.

Day 13: Dead Horse Point Stargazing

• Morning: Sleep in or enjoy the Hoodoo Hilton pool.

• Afternoon: Return to Dead Horse Point for rim trail hikes or photography.

• Evening: Stay after dark. As a certified International Dark Sky Park, Dead Horse has some of the best Milky Way viewing in Utah. Bring a blanket and just lay back under the stars.

Day 14: Departure

• Breakfast: Love Muffin Cafe one last time—grab pastries for the drive.

• Souvenirs: Redstone T-Shirt Co. or Moab Made for last-minute gifts.

• Optional Scenic Stop: Salt Valley Overlook on your way out of Arches.

Final Thoughts

Two weeks in Moab means no rushing, no skipping. You’ll see both districts of Canyonlands, all the major arches, Dead Horse Point, side trips to petroglyphs and Fisher Towers, plus time for rafting, Jeeping, and even rest days at the pool.

This isn’t just a highlight reel—it’s the full Moab experience. And after two weeks, you’ll leave knowing you didn’t just visit—you lived it.