Moab is a hiker’s, adventure seeker’s, and desert lover’s paradise. From here, you can easily reach two iconic national parks — Arches and Canyonlands — but there are also plenty of incredible hikes outside the parks. This region is exactly what many people imagine when they think of Utah. While Moab is close to famous trails like Delicate Arch, you’ll also find hidden gems where you can enjoy some peace and solitude. In this guide, I’ll share my top hiking recommendations in the Moab area — both within and beyond the national parks.

What could be more breathtaking than a road trip from California’s rugged Pacific coast across Utah’s deep red deserts to Colorado’s rushing mountain rivers in late spring? Imagine yourself traversing the vast, sun-scorched deserts along the Loneliest Road in America, gazing into the universe under some of the world’s darkest skies, hiking the tallest sand dunes in the Northern Hemisphere, and admiring turquoise alpine lakes while looking down at bone-dry deserts stretching endlessly below. In this article, I’ll take you through my absolute favorite outdoor adventures on a three-week road trip spanning California’s coastline, Utah and Nevada’s wild landscapes, and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.