5 WAYS TO EXPLORE MOAB’S NATIONAL PARKS

By Bailey Williams

There’s no better way to answer the call of the wild than with a vacation to a national park. The U.S. National Park Service cares for 63 national parks, preserving some of the most magnificent and meaningful places in the country. Better yet, when you stay at the Eddie Bauer Adventure Club resort in Moab, Utah, you’ll be just a short distance away from two of the most iconic ones — Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. 

Arches National Park contains the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches (more than 2,000 to be specific) plus numerous other geological formations. Canyonlands National Park is Utah’s largest national park, featuring miles of pristine canyons and thousands of unique buttes and mesas that you’d need a lifetime to explore entirely. A trip to Moab’s national parks is your chance to experience the American Southwest like never before, and here are five ways you can do just that:

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

The national parks in Moab, Utah, are sites of some of the world’s most impressive red rock formations, offering exciting opportunities for you to tap into your wild side. Miles of trails are waiting to guide your hike or bike ride through the soaring sandstones at Arches or the Canyonlands’ vast landforms. 

For a more unique scenic experience, you can explore climbing routes at both parks or take a boating journey on the Colorado and Green rivers through the heart of the Canyonlands. 

PRESERVED HISTORY

Long before becoming protected natural areas, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park were home to several Native American tribes. You are sure to find evidence of their presence at both sites through carved images and symbols on rock faces known as petroglyphs. 

Petroglyphs were used by tribes for centuries as a way to communicate with each other. These beautiful depictions of animals, humans, and ancient cultural experiences will give you a glimpse into Moab’s rich and colorful history dating back thousands of years.

UNBELIEVABLE PHOTO OPS

Your visit to Arches and Canyonlands is something you’ll want to remember forever, which is why photos are great souvenirs. Stunning overlooks, panoramic viewpoints, and scenic byways offer numerous awe-inspiring backdrops for immortalizing your memories in Moab. 

Whether you’re snapping a pic from under massive stone arches or while overlooking an expansive canyon, capturing moments from your national park adventures will make for a truly unforgettable vacation.

STARGAZING

Moab’s natural beauty doesn’t disappear when the sun goes down. In fact, it shines even brighter at night — literally. The public lands surrounding Moab have some of the darkest skies to be found anywhere in the United States. Light pollution limits your ability to view the natural night sky in most of the world, especially in areas of dense urban concentration. 

Moab’s preserved natural areas, however, allow you to soak in stunning views of the stars above and unleash your inner astronaut as you try to find constellations. Just be sure to bring your star chart.

CAMP OUT

Fully immerse yourself in the great outdoors by spending the day at the Devils Garden campground in Arches or at either of the two campgrounds in Canyonlands — The Needles or Island In The Sky (Willow Flat). 

Relax or refuel at one of the picnic tables on site with incredible red rocks as your backdrop. Then later, sit by a campfire under Moab’s breathtaking night sky as you roast marshmallows to make s’mores with. No matter how you choose to spend your stay in nature, camping out for the day at either of these parks is a great way to find your place in the wild