You’ll find some of the most spectacular desert hiking in America right here in Moab, Utah. Whether you’re scrambling up cables to massive arches, following year-round streams through narrow canyons, or conquering technical slickrock terrain, there’s a trail that matches your skill level and sense of adventure. From easy family walks with dinosaur fossils to challenging climbs with sweeping overlooks, these nine trails showcase what makes Moab truly unforgettable. Here’s what you need to know before you hit the trailhead.
Corona Arch Trail: Cable Climbs to Moab’s Largest Arch
Just three miles of hiking delivers you to one of Moab’s most spectacular natural wonders. Corona Arch spans an impressive 140 feet wide and towers 105 feet high above Bootlegger Canyon. It’s one of the largest arches outside Arches National Park, yet you’ll find fewer crowds here.
The moderate trail features exciting elements that’ll get your adrenaline pumping. You’ll navigate narrow ledges with safety cables, climb a steep sandstone section using a ladder, and traverse slickrock following cairns and spray-painted markers. Your first arch glimpse comes at 0.7 miles past the initial cable section.
Plan at least two hours for this adventure. There’s no fee required, and you can bring your dog. Pack one liter of water per person—you’ll need it. The trail gains 440 feet of elevation as you make your way from the trailhead to the impressive arch formation.
Mill Canyon Trail: Dinosaur Tracks and Fossils for Young Explorers
Why drive hours to a museum when you can see real dinosaur fossils right where they’ve rested for 150 million years? Mill Canyon Trail delivers exactly that—a quarter-mile walk packed with embedded bones and over 200 fossilized tracks.
You’ll spot Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Camarasaurus remains along 15 marked stops. Kids love the boardwalk and easy interpretive signs explaining what they’re seeing.
Located 15 miles north of Moab, you’ll turn at mile marker 141 and drive two miles on dirt road. Standard cars handle it fine when dry. The fossils come from the Morrison Formation rock layer, making this one of the most significant dinosaur sites in the region.
The BLM manages this free site, so don’t touch the fossils. Explore the nearby tracksite too—both take just 1-2 hours total.
Bonus: check out the old copper mill ruins from the 1800s via a quick side trail.
Grandstaff Canyon Hike: Year-Round Stream to Morning Glory Bridge
While dinosaur bones captivate kids, some hikers crave water and shade—two treasures Moab doesn’t hand out freely. Grandstaff Canyon delivers both on this 4.4-mile round trip along a year-round stream. You’ll find the trailhead three miles from Moab on Highway 128, complete with paved parking and an outhouse.
The trail crosses the creek multiple times—rocks keep your feet dry unless runoff’s heavy. After 1.7 miles, you’ll climb to a sandy bench for your first glimpse of Morning Glory Bridge, a 243-foot natural span ranking sixth longest nationwide. The trail ends beneath this sandstone masterpiece surrounded by cottonwoods.
Bring water and wear grippy shoes. Watch for abundant poison ivy, especially under the bridge. An identification sign at the trailhead helps you recognize this common hazard before you start hiking. It’s popular, family-friendly, and accessible year-round.
Negro Bill Canyon Trail: Shaded Creek Walk to a Natural Bridge
You’ll love the Negro Bill Canyon Trail for its moderate 4.5-mile round-trip hike that takes about 4 hours to complete. The trail’s shaded canyon and ten creek crossings make it perfect for hot summer days when you need relief from Moab’s desert heat. The hike culminates at the spectacular Morning Glory Bridge, a dramatic 243-foot natural span that ranks as the sixth largest natural bridge in America. Spring and fall offer the best hiking conditions, though the year-round stream and cottonwood-lined path keep this trail accessible in any season.
Trail Features and Difficulty
The Negro Bill Canyon Trail delivers an easy 4.65-mile round trip adventure that’s perfect for families and beginners. You’ll gain just 300 feet of elevation as you follow a level dirt path alongside a shallow perennial stream. The trail stays gentle throughout, with your first noticeable climb hitting around the half-mile mark.
You’ll navigate several creek crossings, but they’re simple enough for kids and dogs. The canyon’s riparian environment creates a shaded corridor that makes summer hiking more comfortable. Historical vehicle use has widened some trail sections, making navigation straightforward.
Your reward? Morning Glory Bridge awaits at the terminus—a stunning 243-foot natural span that ranks as America’s sixth-largest natural bridge. Expect crowds along this popular route, especially near the trailhead.
Best Times to Visit
Spring and fall dominate as Moab’s prime hiking seasons, but each period brings different experiences to Negro Bill Canyon Trail. You’ll find consistent water flow during spring from mountain snowmelt, creating invigorating stream crossings. Fall delivers golden cottonwood displays along the creek from late October through early November. November stands out as the ideal hiking month with comfortable temperatures perfect for the 4-mile round trip.
Winter offers the biggest advantage: solitude. You’ll escape the crowds that pack trails during peak seasons. Expect temperatures around 44 degrees with possible snow dusting the canyon walls. Hotels drop their rates considerably.
Pack water shoes for summer crossings. Winter and spring demand waterproof boots. Early morning starts help you avoid midday congestion during busy months.
Hunter Canyon Trail: Towering Sandstone Walls and Peaceful Solitude
Tucked away in Moab’s Behind the Rocks area, Hunter Canyon Trail delivers an intimate desert experience that feels worlds apart from the crowded national parks. You’ll hike 4 miles round trip through a twisting canyon where towering red rock walls rise above a spring-fed creek. The trail’s easy terrain makes it perfect for families, and your kids will love splashing through stream crossings and discovering natural pools.
Don’t miss these highlights:
- Hunter Arch – A stunning 74-foot natural opening located just 0.5 miles from the trailhead
- Ancient petroglyphs – Scattered rock art decorating the canyon walls
- Shaded cottonwood groves – Welcome relief from the desert sun
You’ll find plenty of parking at the trailhead, and no permits are required. Just watch for flash floods during summer thunderstorms.
Kane Creek Canyon Trail: Riverside Ramble Through Painted Rock Walls
You’ll experience one of Moab’s most adventurous trails when you tackle Kane Creek Canyon, where the path winds through a stunning red rock canyon alongside the Colorado River. This challenging route features over 60 creek crossings and narrow shelf roads that test your skills while rewarding you with towering cliffs, ancient petroglyphs, and hidden side canyons. The 13.6-mile point-to-point trail demands a high-clearance 4×4 and experienced driving, but it’s worth every rocky ledge and water crossing.
Trail Features and Difficulty
Kane Creek Canyon Trail earns its 6-out-of-10 difficulty rating through sheer variety rather than one killer obstacle. You’ll navigate constantly changing terrain as the canyon shifts from wide to narrow, dropping you into the creek bed repeatedly. The paved start deceives you before changing to graded dirt, then challenging rocky sections requiring high clearance.
Three major challenges you’ll face:
- 50+ creek crossings with sandy bottoms and potential quicksand
- Eroded rocky shelf sections high above the creek
- Major rock ledge at Muleshoe Canyon that’s been greatly altered
The upper shelf section alone contributes a 3.5 difficulty rating. You’ll climb high on canyon walls, ford through water, and navigate “gotcha” gullies eroded across silt benches. It’s genuinely demanding terrain.
Scenic Highlights Along Route
From the moment you enter this canyon corridor, towering red rock bluffs frame every turn of your journey. You’ll cross Kane Creek more than 50 times between the Colorado River and Highway 191, each ford revealing new perspectives of painted canyon walls rising 1,000 feet overhead.
The lower sections squeeze you through narrow, tortuous passages showcasing the area’s most stunning terrain. As you climb higher past Hatch Wash, the canyon opens wider while maintaining its dramatic character.
Don’t miss Moonflower Canyon three miles in, where spring-fed waters create a lush oasis of cottonwoods and desert plants. Ancient petroglyph panels sprawl across rock faces near the canyon mouth, documenting thousands of years of human presence. During monsoon season, waterfalls cascade spectacularly down the cliffs.
Fisher Towers Trail: Red Spires and Ridge Views Beyond the Parks
While Arches and Canyonlands steal most of the spotlight, Fisher Towers Trail delivers one of Moab’s most dramatic hiking experiences just beyond the park boundaries. You’ll find this 4-5 mile round trip about 20 miles northeast of Moab off Highway 128, where massive sandstone spires rise over 900 feet from the desert floor.
The trail’s highlights include:
- The Titan – the world’s largest freestanding sandstone spire
- Metal ladder descent at the 1-mile mark adding adventure to your hike
- Ridge summit views at 2.2 miles overlooking Colorado River Canyon and Castleton Tower
You’ll gain 650-745 feet over well-marked slickrock and dirt trail. The moderate difficulty suits most hikers, though you’ll face zero shade and exposed ledges. Bring plenty of water and start early to beat the heat.
Hidden Valley Trail: Steep Climb to Cliffside Solitude Above Moab
Just 3 miles south of Moab’s main street, Hidden Valley Trail launches you up steep switchbacks into a secret world of towering sandstone cliffs and ancient petroglyphs. You’ll tackle 550 feet of elevation in the first half-mile, but your reward is a grassy valley surrounded by red rock walls. The 4-6 mile round trip crosses boulder fields and dry washes before reaching a western saddle with sweeping views of Spanish Valley and the La Sal Mountains. Look for petroglyph panels etched into cliff bands near the trail’s western end. Scramble up a short chimney to discover ancient dwelling ruins. Pack plenty of water—there’s none along this exposed desert route. Start early to beat the heat.
Pritchett Canyon Trail: Technical Slickrock Challenge for Confident Hikers
You’ll face one of Moab’s most demanding trails on Pritchett Canyon, where steep slickrock climbs and boulder-strewn terrain test your hiking skills at every turn. This 14.7-mile loop isn’t for beginners—it’ll push you through technical obstacles like pour-offs and ledges while climbing 1,600 feet through a rugged canyon system. Your reward? Stunning views of Pritchett Arch, distant La Sal Mountains, and some of the most dramatic slickrock scenery in the entire Moab area.
Technical Terrain and Obstacles
Pritchett Canyon earns its reputation as one of Moab’s most challenging trails through relentless technical obstacles that’ll test even heavily modified rigs. You’ll encounter massive ledges requiring winching, off-camber sections that induce serious body roll, and slippery slickrock climbs with genuine rollover risk. There aren’t any easy bypasses when things get tough.
The trail’s notorious named obstacles demand respect:
- Rocker Knocker – Double ledges push rigs to their tipping point; tip-overs and broken parts happen frequently
- Axle Hill – Extreme ledge exposure tests axle strength on steep bedrock
- Yellow Hill – Uneven, multi-colored slickrock ledges become dangerously slippery when wet
You’ll need a hard-core rig with 35-inch-plus tires, lockers, and high clearance. Bring winching gear—you’ll definitely use it.
Trail Length and Difficulty
Beyond knowing what obstacles await you, understanding the full scope of this adventure helps you plan properly. You’re looking at 4.5 miles through the canyon itself, but the complete loop stretches to 11.7 miles when connecting with Hunter Canyon. Expect 3-5 hours of ride time, with an additional 14-mile return route to US191.
This trail earns its extremely difficult rating. You’ll need a highly capable 4×4 with 37+ inch tires, front and rear lockers, and winching capability. Multiple sections demand winch assistance, including Chewy Hill, Rocker Knocker, Axle Hill, and Yellow Hill.
Vehicle damage and tip-overs happen frequently here. Stock vehicles simply won’t make it. You’ll climb roughly 825 feet over 4 miles, making this challenge reserved exclusively for experienced drivers with customized rigs.
Scenery and Unique Features
While tackling this extreme trail tests your driving skills, the stunning visual rewards make every technical obstacle worthwhile. You’ll navigate through dramatic narrow canyon walls with massive pour-offs cascading from side canyons. The bouldery creek bottom features pools and exposed bedrock layers that showcase millions of years of erosion.
Three must-see geological highlights:
- Pritchett Arch – accessible via cairn-marked slickrock to the rim
- Yellow Hill’s multi-colored rock formations – vibrant hues painting the landscape
- Panoramic rim views – featuring distant La Sal Mountains
Your climb rewards you with out-of-this-world scenery from the canyon top. Extensive slickrock sections display nature’s artistry through textured surfaces and varied colors. You’ll experience diverse terrain spanning from 3,972 to 4,805 feet elevation, where water-sculpted features and multi-layered formations create unforgettable Moab vistas.
Porcupine Rim Trail: High Desert Views Above the Colorado
Towering 1,500 feet above Castle Valley, the Porcupine Rim Trail delivers some of Moab’s most spectacular high desert views. This 14-mile point-to-point route takes you through red rock terrain with panoramic vistas of the Colorado River and La Sal Mountains. You’ll climb 900 feet over four miles before reaching a scenic overlook—your reward before the real fun begins.
The descent drops nearly 3,000 feet along dramatic cliff edges, where you’ll peer into Negro Bill and Rill Canyons. Castle Valley’s iconic buttes spread below: Castle Rock, Priest and Nuns, Perriott Mesa, and Round Mountain. The epic views start within five minutes and don’t stop.
While primarily a mountain biking trail, hikers who tackle it experience unforgettable 360-degree panoramas from elevations reaching 7,400 feet.
Amasa Back Trail: Challenging Climb to Sweeping Canyon Overlooks
Rising 1,400 feet above the Colorado River, the Amasa Back Trail earns its “Cliffhanger” nickname with every hard-won step. This 9-mile out-and-back tests your endurance with technical slickrock, ledgy climbs, and exposed doubletrack that’ll have you walking sections even if you’re experienced.
From Kane Creek Boulevard, you’ll drive 5 miles along the river before parking at the gravel trailhead. The route splits at multiple junctions, offering options like:
- Hymasa singletrack – easier technical riding
- Cliffhanger jeep road – rocky exposure with steep drops
- Pothole Arch offshoot – 2-mile detour to sandstone arch
Your reward? Sweeping panoramic views of red rock canyons and the Colorado River valley below. Spring and fall offer ideal conditions, while summer heat makes this already-difficult trail brutal.
Conclusion
You’ve got everything you need now to plan your perfect Moab adventure! From easy family-friendly trails with dinosaur tracks to technical slickrock challenges, there’s a hike here that’ll blow your mind. Don’t forget your water, sunscreen, and camera—you’re going to want proof of these incredible views. Pick a trail that matches your skill level and get out there. Moab’s waiting for you, and it’s absolutely worth it!
