Off-roaders, adventure motorcyclists, dirt bikers, mountain bikers and hikers all know the name and the place: Moab.
Moab is a small town in eastern Utah. When off-roaders think of Moab, they’re not picturing the town, though. They’re picturing the vast expanse of trails, parks and wilderness that surround the town, a unique, otherworldly landscape that serves as a playground for motorized and human-powered adventure.
Moab is a great base for exploring two popular national parks: Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. Arches is best-known for its distinctive red rock formations, while Canyonlands is renowned for scenic hiking and exploration. The area has been a treasure trove for archaeologists and anthropologists, revealing untold measures of dinosaur fossils, carvings and paintings from indigenous people, and ephemera from early pioneers and travelers who passed through the region. Filmmakers from John Ford to Michael Bay have used Moab as a location for everything from westerns to science fiction epics.
For off-roaders of all kinds, Moab is an internationally known destination. Federal and state lands have been reserved and designated for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use, presenting challenging, scenic and seductive trails and areas for fun and adventure.
Some of Moab’s most famous OHV trails include Moab Rim Trail, Poison Spider Mesa Trail, and Hell’s Revenge Trail. On any given day, you can see Jeeps, Land Rovers, Land Cruisers and sand rails creeping along the slick rock, challenging engines and suspensions to their limits. Side-by-Sides abound, along with dirt bikes, enduros and electric mountain bikes. Outfitters in town are happy to rent vehicles to tourists, and tour companies will guide groups of vehicles or take passengers on adventures in specially outfitted vehicles. There’s something for everyone.
The Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn is in the heart of Moab, walking distance from dining and shopping opportunities. United Airlines has daily direct flights from Denver International Airport to Moab’s Canyonlands Airport, an easy way to get from the heart of civilization to the center of the great outdoors.