13 Mistakes to Avoid in Moab, Utah [Arches & Canyonlands]

Moab, Utah is the home to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. It is a great destination with many things to do...and not do. Thanks to my son, Jack, for editing this video!!

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Some movies to watch before visiting Moab:
- The Lone Ranger (2013)
- Thelma & Louise
- Austin Powers: Goldmember
- 127 Hours
- The Greatest Story Ever Told
- Rio Grande

Chapters:
0:00 Welcome & Intro
0:23 Not realizing there is more to do
0:52 Not booking a Jeep tour
1:20 Not looking for petroglyphs
2:14 Getting a hotel too close to Main Street
2:53 Not hiking to delicate arch
3:38 Not getting a ticket
4:43 Ignoring Canyonlands National Park
5:35 Visiting Dead Horse Point State Park
6:19 Not renting an SUV if you are getting a rental car
7:07 Not watching movies before you go
8:30 Not packing a picnic lunch
9:02 Walking on the arches
9:39 Not being prepared before your trip

Gear I use:

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[ikmarchini]

The number 1 mistake people make is not reading Edward Abbey's 'Desert Solitaire' before traveling to Moab. He puts it all in perspective. Bravo, Matt, these are all great points. I've been to Moab five times now and you are dead right about Dead Horse SP. I drove up at 8pm and they were still open and wanted full fare of $20. Same view in Canyonlands is free with my Senior Pass. And don't forget rafting the Colorado River, stargazing at the Parks, La-Sal Loop Rd. and mountain biking. PS. love your channel - clear, informative, and friendly.

[FAFOBITCH]

First off it's native or indigenous not Indian. Other than that good Info

[dougberrett]

Delicate Arch may be the most famous rock in the world. Before I retired from the oil patch, I traveled to many far and diverse places. To my surprise, travel agencies everywhere had photos of Delicate Arch in their windows.
Decades ago, I hiked to Delicate Arch. Took a photo through the arch of Balanced Rock, and Chip off the Old Block. Yes it was long enough ago that the smaller balanced rock was still standing. Your advice to hike to Delicate Arch is good advice!

[MOAB-UT]

Very good tips. I'll clarify a few things for your viewers.

#1. You must pay if you use the parks...no matter what time you drive in (gate is open but they do have cameras.)

2. Shafer "TRAIL" is awesome but most rental places have GPS on their vehicles. No, washing it well won't trick them- come on now! The rental places in MOAB for sure told me they check. In fact, he told me that he and most other rental places will get a text message the minute their vehicle leave the paved road. The fines can be steep and if you get ANY damage on these trails (very easy to get rock chips and broken windshields on Shafter Trail) when you are off-road, your contract is voided. You can end up paying thousands out of pocket. If you rent from Twisted Jeeps, you are allowed to go off road...but still not damage the vehicle in any way. It can still get pricey if you do. Most car insurance won't cover off-road or "out of use" fees (daily fee you are charged when they are fixing it- or waiting weeks for parts and it can't be rented.)

3. DEAD HORSE STATE PARK is worth it. It's a stunning area. you can come back down via LONG CANYON- but you need good clearance SUV for the pass area and under the huge rock. Chicken Corners is another stunning trail. We do this one and Hell's Revenge in rented UTV's. Shafer requires a street registered regular vehicle (no OHV's.)


4. Hikers should explore MORNING GLORY ARCH down rt. 128 (not in either park.)

5. Biggest mistake to avoid, by far when in MOAB is NOT HYDRATING enough. Drink even when you are not thirsty. It is very dry and you will feel poorly if you do not do this. I like to add some pink salt and electrolytes to my water. Also, wear hats, long sleeves, sunglasses, etc.

[bhendrikabel]

Another mistake. Not doing the La Sal loop. The La Sal Mountains and Castle Valley

[roytallericoGunner]

Enjoy it..back about the early 70s we had the whole place. Houses were 20000.00 a piece. Have fun ...I did.

[johnchedsey]

I used to drive back and forth between Flagstaff & Grand Junction in the early 90s. Moab was such a sleepy little town back then and it's crazy to see how much it has changed, as well as the explosive growth in tourism at Arches. Utah might have been just a wee bit too successful in advertising their amazing parks to the world.

I'd suggest people range a little further than just the Moab area to check out great spots like Gooseneck State Park, Natural Bridges National Monument and Valley of the Gods (which requires a reasonably high clearance vehicle). Eastern and southern Utah is so ridiculously beautiful as well as full of amazing history of ancient peoples.

And bring extra water.

[brennanjames]

Isn’t the ticketing system for arches only from April to October?

[deborahmichals]

One tip you left out…carry wag bags and privacy pop
up! It’s so gross when people use this pristine environment as a public restroom, leaving TP or worse behind. (Pardon the pun.)

[jizmoglass]

First thing I learned was, "Don't walk on the CryptoBiotic soil." Second was, "Don't eat fungus on a un-guided venture into the Feiry Furnace after signing your life away." That one, I learned the hard way. 🤣🍄. Used to camp on the river and go mountain biking during mud season after the ski resorts closed. Broke my collar bone on Gemini Bridges trail. Lot's of great memories. I also recommend Slickrock Bike trail, It's a must. Porcupine Rim for the experts. Cheers. Great video.

[dogmamma]

I love it out there!!!! We’ve done hotels, boondock camping (both in the La Sal mountains and in the desert). If you don’t do a jeep tour off road in some way.

It’s such beautiful country and I’ve had the pleasure of being there in both winter and summer. Been there four times total. Want to move out that way someday.

Don’t forget the old mines too!!

[robhamilton]

We’re staying just outside Moab this summer, june, staying at Castle Valley Inn bed and Breakfast in a cabin, for 3 or 4 days. Thanks for the great videos of area around. The view from the Inn looks gorgeous

[sulevisydanmaa]

INYO National Forest near Bishop Ca has a far greater film historical shooting usage frequency than Moab area. BUDD BOETTICHER, RAOUL WALSH etc ...

[thewanderingpinto]

We are heading to Moab for the first time in April on on way to Alaska. Getting excited about it! We are camping there 6 nights which will give us 5 days to explore. Already have the days planned. Day 1 Canyon Lands Schafer switch backs, 2 Arches 3 Bronco Off Roadeo, 4 Hells Revenge, 5 Chicken Corners.

[tcbtcb]

Don’t hate on Dead Horse Park, only place where you can get a good view of the potash ponds. 👍👍

[joejoe]

Tip 1 stay on the trails, tip
2 if you are driving a UTV 15 mph and stay OFF THE SIDEWALKS with you’re UTVS

[everydaywarriors]

Hello, will Arches and Canyonlands be open on Feb. 20th? Also, how are the ATV rentals then? Any recommendations on where to go (White Rock Sand Dunes)? Hard to get info here.

[wncjan]

I have visited Moab a few times and have stayed at Red Cliff Lodge twice. One thing I would like to add is if you are visiting Island in the Sky go take a look at Upheaval Dome. And take a drive on UT 279 and see petroglyphs and dinosaur foot prints. And maybe even the potassium evaporation basins.

[cindyrotermund]

Thanks for the great video. Starting to plan for our Utah trip for next fall. Between Kanab & Idaho Falls....any snow issues in early October? Might do last week of Sept, 1st week of Oct. We'll have our F150. Shafer Road good that time of year? I'll check out ur website!

[tedecker]

You missed mountain biking, white water rafting, canyonearing, sky diving, hot air ballooning, dirt biking, ATV driving, rock climbing, slacklining, BASE jumping, stand up paddle boarding and more. We get a couple of million visitors per year to visit the parks (as your excellent video shows), but an equal number who come for the adventure sports and probably never visit the parks. Have fun and come back for some real adventures!