Travel Guide For Visiting Moab With Kids
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Moab with kids. Since we live so close, we have a ton of tips to share! Use this Moab Utah Vacation Guide to plan an amazing itinerary full of family-friendly activities!
Located in southeastern Utah, Moab is close to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Dead Horse Point State Park. The area is filled with stunning red rock landscapes and wide open spaces!
Kids will find a variety of fun things to do like hiking, biking, stargazing, and more. Plus, it’s a terrific area to see petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks in the rocks!
Take a look at all the fun things to do and get ready for an unforgettable adventure with kids in Moab!
Use our Moab, Utah packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting any time of year! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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A Photo Tour of Moab, Utah
Take a visual tour through the Moab, Utah area to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Moab Weather and Seasons
We live close enough to enjoy Moab at various times throughout year so we have lots of ideas and tips to help you decide the best time to visit Moab.
Spring and fall are the peak times to visit Moab since the temperatures are more mild. Keep in mind the town, parks and trails will all be busy so be prepared for crowds.
During the summer, the Moab weather is pretty extreme with temperatures averaging 105 degrees! Even with the heat, summer can be a busy time.
During the winter there are days you could wear a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, or you’ll need to be bundled in layers depending on the weather. The off-season prices and fewer crowds make winter a terrific time to visit Moab.
Things To Do in Moab With Kids
There are many kid-friendly things to do in Moab like hiking, biking, junior ranger programs, and discovering dinosaurs!
Get the kids excited before, during and after the trip with National Park activities for the parks near Moab:
- Arches National Park Facts
- Canyonlands National Park Facts
- Arches National Park Coloring Page
- National Park Activity Pack (FREE PRINTABLE)
- National Park Activity Books for Kids
Arches National Park With Kids
A must-see when in Moab is visiting Arches National Park with kids! The landscape is full of arches, spires, fins and balanced rocks!
It’s a good idea to start your visit at the Arches National Park visitor center. Tell the on-duty ranger what activities you are interested in doing at Arches. The rangers can give you tips for the best things to do with kids. You can also find out what ranger-led programs at Arches National Park are offered during the time you visit.
The Junior Ranger Program at Arches is a fun kid activity! There are activities to complete in order to earn the Junior Ranger Badge and signed certificate. Grab the free Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center.
People of all ages and abilities can see and explore the park. You can see many features from the Arches National Park scenic drive and parking lots.
You’ll find many of the best hikes in Arches National Park are family-friendly like Balanced Rock, Landscape Arch, The Windows Area, Double Arch, Sand Dune Arch, and Skyline Arch!
Canyonlands National Park With Kids
Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky is the closest district to Moab. It’s also the most accessible and offers fantastic, panoramic views of the park along the scenic drive.
When you visit Canyonlands National Park with kids, stop at the Visitor Center and talk to the park ranger to get information about things you are interested in seeing and doing. The rangers can give you tips for the best things to do with kids You can also find out what Canyonlands ranger-led programs are offered during the time you visit.
The Junior Ranger Program at Canyonlands is a fun kid activity! There are activities to complete in order to earn the Junior Ranger Badge and signed certificate. Grab the free Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center.
We recommend exploring the Island in the Sky scenic drive that is 2,000 feet above the Colorado River. Stop at all the overlooks to see the stunning views from atop the mesa.
Dead Horse Point State Park With Kids
Located near the entrance to Canyonlands Island in the sky, Dead Horse Point State Park is an iconic location to see the panoramic vistas and the bend in the Colorado River.
You can explore the Dead Horse Point State Park hiking trails or biking trails. It’s a terrific place to camp as well!
The side trip and Utah State Park fee are worth the visit!
Moab Giants Museum
The Moab Giants Dinosaur Park is a cool attraction for kids and adults! Explore the outdoor trail and walk along 100 life-sized dinosaurs. They have dinosaur egg wagons to transport the kids. How cool is that!?
This fun attraction in Moab also includes a 5D PaleoAquarium, Tracks Museum and playground. We recommend you go in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the scorching heat of the sun.
Moab Biking With Kids
Biking in Moab has become a popular activity to explore the area. There are a variety of trails for any experience level, from beginners to seasoned bikers.
There are numerous locations in Moab where you can rent bikes or book a bike tour! Here’s one we recommend if you’re new to biking:
Introductory Moab Mountain Biking Adventure: This guided, 4-hour tour is on one of the most famous mountain biking destinations in Moab, the Moab Brands Trail. The tour allows you to explore Moab’s Courthouse Loop, which is ideal if you want to experience off-road terrain and riding techniques for the first time.
Moab Scenic Drives With Kids
Along the Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway you can see great views of the Colorado River, ancient rock art, and dinosaur tracks. It’s a 34-mile round-trip drive to Jug Handle Arch and back to Moab. Plan two hours for the trip with stops.
Potash Road begins about 4 miles north of Moab, where it turns off of Highway 191. Soon the road enters the deep gorge of the Colorado River. Look for rock climbers on the cliffs that locals refer to as Wall Street.
Watch for signs and pullouts indicating petroglyphs. And look for the “Dinosaur Tracks” sign and turnout. A short hike takes you to a series of three-toed dinosaur tracks. You’ll be amazed at all the dinosaur tracks in Moab you can find.
The final attraction on the road is Jug Handle Arch. Beyond this, the road becomes rough and requires a 4WD vehicle. It connects with the Shaefer Trail in Canyonlands.
Moab Stargazing With Kids
Stargazing is a MUST-DO activity while you’re in Moab. It’s home to many Dark Sky locations like Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Dead Horse Point.
All three locations are all internationally recognized as the best places for viewing stars and photographing the Milky Way due to their remote locations, altitude, and clear skies.
The slogan “Half the Park is After Dark” encourages visiting these National Parks in Utah at night and simply LOOK UP!
During the spring, summer and fall the Milky Way is visible!
Moab Tours With Kids
There are a variety of Moab Tours kids would love: guided hikes, off-roading, biking, and river rafting!
- Short Day Moab Canyoneering
- Moab Half-Day Rock Climbing
- Moab Half-Day Fisher Towers Rafting Tour
- Off-Road Private Jeep Adventure in Moab
