How to Spend 3 Days in Moab, Utah with kids
Heading to Utah with the family? Many people head to Moab. While sometimes it’s hard to know what to do in a place, Moab offers SO much that’s it’s hard to narrow down the options. So here is exactly how to spend 3 days in Moab with kids! It’s a family-friendly itinerary for Moab and the surrounding area.
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We’ve been to Moab many times and everytime we go we do something different. From national parks to local events, hikes, activities, and attractions, there is a lot to choose from. It cam feel overwhelming trying to know what to fit into your 3 days.
So I’ve taken all my family’s favorite activities in Moab and nearby to put in this perfect 3 day Moab itinerary so you can get the best of the best on your first visit.
Day 1 – Arches National Park
Moab is very much known for its quick access to Arches National Park. The entrance to the park is just a mile or two from downtown Moab, making it very convenient to visit anytime of day. We’ve even driven in after dinner for a quick sunset moment because it’s so close!
I highly recommend taking a full day to explore Arches National Park with the family. There are so many family-friendly hikes to do, including SO many arches worthy of a visit.
The best hikes with easy, quick hikes include:
- Windows and Turret Arch– This is an easy hike that gets you to a few different arches. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset.
- Double Arch– located right next to Windows, this is two consecutive arches that give a cool perspective.
- Delicate Arch- the viewpoint is shorter than the full hike, but the full hike is around 3 miles if the kids are up for it
- Sand Dune Arch– This was one of my kids favorites. You feel like you’ve stepped into another world as you hike through red canyon walls onto sand
There are obviously many other arches in the park, but this is a good start to spending the day in Arches. I highly recommend packing a lunch and sitting at Panorama Point for a scenic lunch.
Tip: If your visit falls during peak seasons, make sure to have your timed entry reserved ahead of time.
Day 2- Canyonlands
Canyonlands is another national park near Moab that’s easy to spend a day at. While the entrance isn’t within town, it’s a quick 40 minute drive to get the the Island in the Sky visitor center.
This is the more popular area of Canyonlands and offers great hikes, views and sights that are very family-friendly.
While visiting, I recommend:
- Checking out the Visitor Center
- Hiking to Mesa Arch- a quick .6 mile loop to a long, shorter arch with a view
- Climbing up Whale Rock– and short hike with a climb up slickrock. Don’t worry, the kids love it.
- Taking in Grand View– an easy viewpoint with an options hike add-on
- Going back in time at Aztec Butte– this takes you to some indigenous structures right in the park
There are a lot of viewpoints and quick hikes within Island in the Sky. You could replace visiting Island in the Sky with going to The Needles area instead, but you won’t have time to do both in one day, so you’ll have to choose one. The Needles is closer to 1-1/2 hours from Moab.
👉🏼 Get a detailed itinerary on spending One Day in Canyonlands
Day 3- Moab Area
There are a lot of things to do in Moab that are really fun and exciting and even unique. With just three days in Moab, I would definitely use 2 to go to the parks. That leaves 1 day to hang around Moab. Here’s how to spend that precious time doing the most fun things.
Morning
Take a Jeep Tour through Red Canyons
Start your day by giving the kids a break from hiking, but without giving up exploring the fabulous area around Moab.
Hop on board with a tour company that gears its trips for families. This one offers morning rides through Red Rock Canyons where they make the ride as fun and interesting as it is thrilling.
Kids are welcome along and the morning route offers a smoother ride compared to the afternoon route, so I recommend staying with the morning ride when you’ve got kids coming.
Besides learning about the area, indigenous cultures, geology, and history, you’ll also be able to take part in a kids’ scavenger hunt. It’s a great tour for families, plus you get to participate in Jeeping in Moab without having to be behind the driver’s wheel.
Afternoon
Lunch at the Food Truck Park
The first time we saw the food truck park in Moab we thought, how brilliant! All the kids can choose whatever they want, and we can still eat together at a table under the shaded area inside!
They also have misters around the seating area which feels sooo good on a hot day. If you’re spending 3 days in Moab, the food truck park really comes in handy for any meals you need.
We saw trucks that offered
- crepes
- Greek food
- Pizza
- Pasta
- Hot dogs
- Ice Cream
- Chinese food
- Mexican
And many more. It was a huge area with lots of options and my kids look forward to going here anytime we’re in Moab.
Hike Mill Creek Falls
Mill Creek Falls is such a fun place to hang out, especially on a hot day in Moab. The hike itself is pretty fun, too.
Wear hiking sandals like Chaco’s, Tevas, or Keens. You’ll come to at least 3 different water crossings and there’s no way around them but through the shallow water. My kids really enjoyed this, especially on a hot day.
I say at least 3 because one year we went and the water was so high that it required us walking in a little deeper water as the rock on the side was too steep for scrambling across.
But on typical days, it’ll be 3 easy water crossings where the creek is lower and won’t come much higher than your ankle.
At the end of this (about .8 miles), you’ll come to a beautiful waterfall in a smaller, intimate area. Some people will choose to jump from the top (I did this in my younger, braver years) and many will just be enjoying the cool water.
Note that the city really encourages you not to cliff jump as it has led to many injuries in the past.
We’ve done a lot of hiking around Moab, and I’d say this has been my kids favorite. Bring some snacks, lots of water, and your swimsuit and towel and enjoy Mill Creek for the morning!
Discover Dinosaur Tracks (if you have time)
This one is perfect for kids in Moab to explore if you’ve got some extra time in the late afternoon. It’s technically a little hiking (more just walking around), but they’ll be having so much fun finding dinosaur footprints and bone fossils that they probably won’t complain.
To find the track sites, head north out of Moab for about 15 miles and turn left at the sign for Mill Canyon. Follow the signs to the parking area.
The Tracksite has hundreds of footprints to find, while the Fossil Trail exhibits dino bones that are fossilized in the rock around the area. Signs will lead you and help you spot these fossils, as they blend in a bit with the rock.
This spot is easy for kids to walk, but not stroller accessible.
👉🏼 Got a little one? Check out the best hiking child carriers so they don’t miss out!
Evening
No filter here, just vibrant hues at sunset!
Go into Arches for the Sunset
Since Arches is such a close drive and because you are not required to have timed-entry passes after 4 pm, this is the perfect time to casually head back into Arches for an amazing sunset.
Head to the Windows parking lot and make the short, easy hike up to one of the arches (Windows of Turret).
This is a great place to watch as the sun turns the arches into a vibrant goldish-red color.
This is something really easy to do in Moab with kids thanks to its easy access and short hike. Plus, it’s something special the adults will appreciate.
Where to Stay in Moab
While there are ample places to stay in Moab, they book up incredibly quick during peak times like holiday weekends or in September when Jeep events come to town, so try to book early!
High End– HooDoo Moab is a 4.5 star hotel that can sleep up to 6 in a room. Guests especially loved the beautiful pool and relaxing spa. Located a block off the main street in downtown Moab.
Mid-Range- Element Moab offers free breakfast, upscale lobby, clean pool, and rooms to sleep up to 6. It’s located right outside of town, between downtown and Arches National Park.
Budget- Expedition Lodge looked a little rusty on the outside every time we walked by in the past. But this last trip we stayed there because it was a good deal, and we actually loved it. It is well kept and updated inside, with a retro 50’s theme, included breakfast, free parking, and a small but very fun pool and waterslide. Bonus: it’s right in the middle of downtown so you can walk to most restaurants and shops.
3 Days in Moab, Utah with kids
I’m not going to lie, that was kind of hard trying to narrow down what to do for 3 days in Moab. Even with kids in tow, there is still so much to do and see.
This town is really a lot of fun to visit for families. From the national parks to stunning local hikes and immense amount of dinosaur experiences, it’s a great family vacation. Don’t miss Jeeping in Moab (a classic adventure) and enjoying the town at a slower pace in the evenings.
I hope this made planning your three days in Moab nice and easy. It really hits the highlights and the things we (and the kids) enjoyed most. Because vacation is making sure everyone is really enjoying it, especially the young ones!
