A Weekend Adventure in Moab: Spring Camping, Off-Roading & Epic Views
A Weekend in Moab: Off-Roading, Red Rock Views & Everything You Need to Know
By Lacy Wanderlust | Moab, Utah
Moab keeps pulling me back. I’ve been a few times now — my first trip was in August 2020 during a spontaneous COVID van trip, and I quickly learned my lesson: Moab in the dead of summer is no joke. It was so hot that my van’s air conditioning couldn’t keep up, and with my dogs in tow, I had to get a hotel for their safety. Lesson learned. Now I time my Moab trips for spring or fall, and the difference is everything.
Most recently, I went for an extended birthday weekend in late April with a big group of friends. We camped on BLM land, rented off-road vehicles, hiked to arches, chased sunsets, and cooked chili over a campfire under a sky full of stars. Moab is one of those places that just makes you feel alive!
After every Moab trip, I leave covered in red dirt with a bandana tan line on my face and a full heart. If that sounds like your kind of adventure, keep reading.
Why Spring Is the Best Time to Visit Moab
If you’re planning a Moab trip, April and May are the sweet spot. Days are warm and perfect for hiking, off-roading, and swimming – but not dangerously hot. Evenings cool down quickly, making campfires feel like a necessity rather than a novelty.
Here’s the honest breakdown by season:
- April–May: The move. Perfect temps, wildflowers, and manageable crowds.
- June–August: Brutally hot. We’re talking 100°F+ every single day. I camped in August once and had to bail to a hotel because it wasn’t safe for my dogs. Don’t do it.
- October: Beautiful fall colors and great weather, but the days are shorter, and it gets dark around 5pm, which limits your outdoor time.
- Winter: Possible for the adventurous, but some roads and campgrounds close.
If you’re coming from Denver, Moab is about a 5 to 6-hour drive, depending on where you’re staying or camping. Perfect for a long weekend.
Where to Stay: Free Camping on BLM Land
One of the best-kept secrets about Moab is how easy and free it is to camp on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land just outside of town. There are no reservations, no fees, and no neighbors for miles if you drive far enough in. We had music playing late into the night, and not a single complaint because there was no one around to complain.
BLM camping tips you need to know:
- Pack it in, pack it out. There are zero facilities. Bring a trash system and leave the land better than you found it.
- Toilet situation: Do NOT bury your poop! Seriously, this is a desert, and it doesn’t break down. Use a portable toilet, bring a WAG bag, or head into town where there are public restrooms available.
- Finding a spot: Just drive out on the dirt roads outside of town off Highway 191, and keep going until you feel secluded. You’ll find it.
- Wildlife alert: We saw scorpions at our campsite. Shake out your shoes every morning. Also, watch for snakes because I’ve seen some MASSIVE ones on trails out there.
If camping isn’t your thing, I’ve stayed at the Expedition Lodge Moab, and it’s a solid choice. It’s affordable, right on the main strip, dog-friendly, has AC that actually works (crucial), and even has a pool with a waterslide. It’s not fancy, but after a full day of outdoor adventures, you just want somewhere clean and cool to crash. Jumping in the pool in that summer heat felt amazing.
#1 Thing to Do in Moab: Rent an Off-Road Vehicle
If you do nothing else in Moab, do this. I cannot overstate how incredible off-roading in Moab is. It’s the main reason I keep coming back.
I have rented UTVs (side-by-sides) a few times while visiting Moab for 24 hours, and it was worth every penny. The 24-hour rental is the move because for just about $100 more, you can take the vehicle back to your campsite, drive into town for ice cream, stay out for sunset, and really make the most of your time. We took ours down a forest road from camp all the way to the Green River, and it was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had out there.
If you aren’t super comfortable driving yourself, guided tours are available as well. You go on the same trails, but with a professional to guide you, provide tips, and show you the best viewpoints. Personally though, I really enjoyed doing a self-guided UTV rental and exploring with my crew on our terms and timeline.
Here are the Moab off-roading trails we rode and what you need to know:
Fins N Things
Start here if you’ve never done Moab off-roading. It’s still very intense because you’re navigating slickrock fins and some serious terrain, but the exposure is more forgiving than Hells Revenge. This is where you learn your vehicle and build confidence.
Hells Revenge
This is the one everyone talks about, and for good reason. It’s scary. I grew up riding 4-wheelers with my dad and come from a family of truck drivers, so I’m comfortable with driving off-road vehicles, and this trail still made my heart race. You’re driving over massive slickrock domes with serious drop exposure on the sides, all while crawling the side of steep desert canyons with views for miles.
Important safety notes for Hells Revenge:
- Choose your line before you commit. You cannot cut the wheel at the last second or you will flip.
- Do NOT try to skid out. You’ll roll. I watched a guy flip his UTV with his girlfriend inside because he was trying to drift. You cannot drift in a rock-crawler like that; you are strategically traversing technical terrain. It’s not a joke.
- I would not take a 4WD truck or SUV on these trails (personally), though I’ve seen Jeeps and 4Runners try. A UTV or ATV with a roll cage is the way to go.
- Ride Fins N Things first. Get comfortable before you tackle Hells Revenge
Chicken Corners / Hurrah Pass
More exposed canyon rim driving with absolutely epic views. This one winds along cliff edges and is as much about the scenery as the driving. Take it slow and soak it in. There are some caves you can explore once you get to the bottom of the canyon. I have always wanted to take overnight gear and camp out there, but that is for a future adventure.
La Sal Mountains
One more tip: when it gets hot in the middle of the day, drive up to the La Sal Mountains. The temperature drops dramatically as you gain elevation, and it’s a stunning contrast to the red desert below. Just watch for free-roaming cows on the road near the national forest land and keep an eye out for snakes on the trail.
Book with my favorite UTV company in Moab here.
More Things to Do in Moab
Corona Arch Hike
This is my top hiking recommendation in Moab, and it’s not even inside a national park, so there’s no entrance fee. The trail takes you to two arches, includes a fun ladder section and a chain-link rope climb, and the payoff views are absolutely stunning. It’s not super long (about 3 miles round trip), and it’s dog-friendly, which is a huge bonus.
Pro tip: after the hike, cool off with a dip in the river nearby. That cold water after a hot desert hike is chef’s kiss.
Mill Creek Waterfall
A short, refreshing creek walk that ends at a beautiful waterfall. On a hot day this is essential. It’s more of a wade-through-the-water type experience than a traditional hike, and it’s exactly what your body needs after a desert hike or day of off-roading.
Sunset at Dead Horse Point
This might be the most incredible sunset I’ve ever seen in my life. Located inside of a state park, you do have to pay an admission fee to enter the park, but it is worth it. Drive all the way to the end for the best canyon views, but there are some epic pull-off areas along the way as well, perfect for a more private picnic. The canyon below glows orange, and the sky turns shades of pink and purple that don’t look real. I’ve also been for sunrise, which is beautiful, but the way the western light hits the canyon walls at dusk is something else entirely. Do not miss this.
Arches National Park
A classic for a reason. You can make this as easy or as intense as you want: everything from driving through and stopping at viewpoints to serious hikes like Delicate Arch and Devil’s Garden. One of the friends on our trip was injured and couldn’t do much walking, and she still had an amazing time just driving the park. It’s genuinely one of the most accessible national parks for all ability levels.
Also on the list if you have time: Fiery Furnace (you need a guide or a permit, don’t wing this one), Fisher Towers, and Canyonlands National Park (the False Kiva hike at Whale Rock Trailhead is a hidden gem; ask the rangers for the unmarked trail).
Stargazing
Zero light pollution + clear desert skies = one of the best stargazing experiences in the country. Bring a blanket, lie on the ground, and just look up. It’s one of those moments that resets your whole perspective. It is a great place for astrophotography, and I am hoping to do a workshop there later this year. Book a stargazing tour here.
Moab Bungee Jumping
Not for me, but a friend in our group jumped off a canyon, and the video was absolutely insane. If you’re a thrill-seeker who wants a full adrenaline experience, add jumping off a canyon to your list.
Colorado River Rafting
If you want to experience the Colorado River from a completely different angle, book a rafting trip. Half-day tours run right through the heart of Moab’s red rock canyon and are beginner-friendly — no experience needed. It’s one of those activities that looks way more intense than it is, and the canyon views from the water are genuinely stunning. I haven’t done this one yet but it’s firmly on my list for the next trip. Book a half-day Colorado River rafting trip.
Campfire Cooking
Honestly, some of my favorite meals on this trip were cooked over the fire at camp. I made white chicken chili one night, and it was a campsite hit. There’s something about eating in the desert under the stars that makes everything taste better.
That said, there are plenty of solid food options in town. Grab ice cream on the main strip. Wander the shops. Moab’s downtown is genuinely charming and worth a couple of hours.
Moab Weekend Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Arrive + Sunset
- Drive from Denver (5–6 hours)
- Set up camp on BLM land
- Sunset at Dead Horse Point
Day 2: Off-Roading + Explore Town
- Morning: Off-roading on Fins N Things and Hells Revenge
- Afternoon: Ice Cream and souvenir shop in town
- Evening: Sunset UTV ride on Hurrah Pass OR to La Sal Mountains
- Night: Stargazing at your campsite
Day 3: Sunrise Hike + Water
- Morning: Catch the sunrise – it’s worth it! Visit Arches National Park OR Corona Arch Hike
- Afternoon: Mills Creek waterfall cool-down walk
- Night: Final campfire, soak it all in
Quick Tips Before You Go
- Best time to visit: April / May or September / October
- Budget option: Camp on BLM land for free
- Off-roading: Do the 24-hour UTV rental; it’s worth every penny
- Hells Revenge: Ride Fins N Things first, choose your line, no last-second wheel cuts
- Wildlife: Scorpions at camp are real. Shake your shoes. Watch for snakes on trails.
- Summer heat: Avoid July / August unless you have solid AC, don’t plan to hike, and no dogs
- Sunset: Dead Horse Point. Go. Period.
Moab is one of those places that genuinely changes you a little every time you go. The red rocks hit differently when you’re covered in desert dirt at golden hour, watching the sun drop behind the canyon walls, thinking this is what it’s all about. Whether you’re bungee jumping off a cliff or just sitting by a campfire with your favorite people, Moab delivers.
Save this post for your spring trip planning, and if you go, I want to hear about it.
Have questions about planning your Moab trip? Drop them in the comments or DM me on Instagram @lacywanderlust.
