A Quick Guide to Moab for RVers

Moab, Utah, is the epicenter of the Southwest for the active RVers who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and off-road adventures. We have visited Moab three times and spent a collective time of six weeks there, but still haven't begun to run out of things to do and see. The town is adjacent to two National Parks (Canyonlands and Arches), as well as vast public lands offering free camping and almost unlimited outdoor recreation.

The one downside to Moab is its extreme high desert weather with hot summers and cold winters that concentrate visitors to fall and spring, with March and October being the peak months. Here are some of our recommendations for where to camp, play, eat, and drink.

Where to Camp

For free dry camping (aka boondocking) just outside of Arches National Park, Willow Springs Trail is ranked #8 on the Campendium.com 2018 Best Overall camping list. One reviewer commented, "This was our first true boondocking experience. We are absolutely hooked. Friendly people, great scenery, and FREE." We have also stayed at the nearby Klondike Bluff Road area and enjoyed the trails.

If you need hookups or prefer an RV park, Arch View is outside of town and boasts views of Arches. There are also many options in town and smaller rigs might be able to snag a last-minute spot in the RV parks. The Visitor's Bureau also has a pretty good list of all the camping options on their website.

Play

Moab is probably most well-know for its Jeep and mountain bike trails that combine spectacular views with extreme difficulty. Experienced mountain bikers might want to try out the Slickrock Trail, while the Moab Brands Trail System is a better option for beginners and intermediate riders. Outfitters and bike shops in town can provide rentals and trail shuttles.

You can also tackle some of the slickrock trails with a well-equipped 4x4 in the Sand Flats Recreation Area. If you are looking for something a little more sedate than trails with names like "Hell's Revenge," a drive into Canyonlands on Shafer Trail might be an easier option. Always check trail conditions prior to starting out.

Drinks & Eats

After a fun day on the trails, head into town to fuel back up. Moab Brewery is an old favorite with great pub food and beer. The tap beer in Utah will probably be weaker than you find back home. But the freshly canned beer is the real deal. The FMU double IPA was excellent. We scored a great deal on burgers during Thursday local's night starting at 5 p.m. Get there early as it gets crowded. It's always a good idea to have a designated driver, especially in Utah where the DUI limit is now .05%.

Eddie McStiff's is another option for casual eats and drinks. During our first visit in 2009, we had to buy a membership for the bar which was good towards a few bucks off a t-shirt. Membership is no longer necessary, but we wish we still had our membership card.

When the weather is good and you feel like alfresco dining, Moab also has a food truck park that gets good reviews on Google Maps.

How about you? Have you been to Moab? What are some of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below.