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Sitting at the base of an arch in Moab, Utah
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Walking through Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
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Visiting an arch in Moab, Utah
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Sweeping views of Canyonlands National Park in Moab, Utah
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Motor bikes in Dead Horse Point State Park in Moab Utah
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Mountain biking Dead Horse Point State Park in Moab Utah
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Antique tack in Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage in Utah
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The displays at Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah
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  • States:
    Utah

As we arrive in Moab in southeastern Utah in the evening, a lot of people are still out enjoying Main Street.

Everywhere there cute cafes, restaurants, small boutiques and outdoor shops. Moab exudes an inviting charm and is the perfect basecamp to discover a variety of landscapes that are among the most beautiful in the US.

Natural Arches in Arches National Park

Located directly at Moab´s doorstep, we visit Arches National Park the next morning, where you´ll find more than 2,000 natural stone arches. Looking at the magnificent beauty and perfect shape of them it‘s hard to believe that these arches are a work of natural erosion alone. Nowhere else in the world will you find so many of these natural wonders. We hike through the Windows section of the park, easily accessible and perfectly suitable for families. Absolutely fascinated by these sights, we return in the evening to visit the arguably most famous arch, Delicate Arch. At the end of our 45-minute hike, we‘re rewarded by a sunset that soaks this graceful and elegant natural wonder in a magical red-orange light.

Hummer Tour along the Hells Revenge Trail

Early the next morning, we booked a tour on a monstrous Hummer jeep, the perfect vehicle to discover some of the not as easily accessible areas around Moab. And so we´re off, only minutes away from downtown, driving over petrified sand dunes and steep cliffs following a trail with the scary name "Hells Revenge". As we go over giant boulders we get a good shaking, but cheer with joy. More than once, we have the impression that our Hummer may not be able to take on this steep stone ascent. But it can – and the mighty wheels of our Hummer take us over high plains with fantastic views.

Sunrise at the Canyonlands National Park

The next morning we´re off early to Dead Horse Point State Park, from which you have a great view of the adjacent Canyonlands National Park. In complete darkness we stand on the rim of the canyon, as the daily magical scene begins. Slowly the rising sun casts light onto the park in front of us and reveals landscapes that make me catch my breath. Kilometers and kilometers of red shimmering canyons are revealed in front of us, through which the Colorado River has found its way deep down below.

After these magical views we drive to the nearby visitor‘s center at Dead Horse Point State Park, from where we continue with mountain bikes. There are several trails around here, some perfectly suitable for families, that lead through sandy paths and over boulders and are a lot of fun to explore.

Paddleboarding and Kayaking on the Colorado

The next morning, we drive along the Colorado River until we reach the Red Cliffs Lodge, beautifully located directly on the river and surrounded by majestic cliffs. From here we paddle a little with kayak and paddleboards along a more peaceful stretch of the Colorado with only a few rapids. Not far from here, the rapids are, depending on the time of the year, much more fierce and perfectly suitable for a whitewater rafting tour.

The Red Cliffs Lodge is also home to a little museum, dedicated to the history of the many films and commercials that were shot in this area that displays fascinating memorabilia.

We let our day come to a relaxing end with a glass of wine from the on-site winery and enjoy one of these absolutely breathtaking sunsets in Moab one last time.