Tours and equipment for these sports are available throughout the area and are a good time, especially if you are doing activities for the first time. Goblin Valley State Park is known for its unique rock formations, which look like goblins or mushrooms. As I explored the 257,640-acre national park, I parked in empty lots, hiked trails without crossing paths with another person, and saw breathtaking views without seeing another soul. There are several car rental companies at Salt Lake City International Airport, including: Rental car prices can vary depending on the type of car and the rental period. I looked for a nearby park, and instead, spotted the amphitheater on the map. As I explored Iosepa I was amazed by the settler's resilience. The next time I'm in Midway, I'll still visit, but I'd likely opt to just swim instead of dive, which costs only $18, or I'd splurge for a $75 paddleboard yoga session in the crater. Lehi 23F. eat at Red Iguana. You can read more about our experience in our Hells Revenge Trail Guide. An intelligent AI-based tool like Jerry is the easiest and most effective way to find a car insurance policy that is customized for you. A trip into the Utah desert requires an extensive packing list. Suggestions appreciated. This route takes you through the small towns of Mount Pleasant and Fairview, and past the beautiful Sanpete Valley. Finally, turn right on UT-261 south (four miles) and keep an eye out for the Kane Gulch Ranger Station, where youll start your journey. If you do plan on going on many of the off-road trails without a travel guide, make sure you purchase the off-road guidebook called Moab, Ut Backroads & 4 Wheel Drive Trails. If you dont have time for a hike, a simple drive-through to enjoy the panoramic vistas is a minimum must-do when visiting the area. Some of Utah's prettiest vistas are on display as you traverse mountains and valleys on this road trip from Salt Lake City to Moab, Utah. We are an every day family prioritizing experiences and memories. The Perfect One Week in Utah Road Trip Itinerary (7 Day Guide) But we love the national parks. After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you dont have to. I'd love to visit places like Utah's little Switzerland again, but I'd skip Arches National Park. Road conditions from Moab Utah to Salt Lake City However, you definitely want to stop and explore Utah's gorgeous scenery. The scenic drive from Salt Lake City to Moab is something you wont soon forget. It earned its comparison to Switzerland thanks to the nearby Wasatch mountain range, which Swiss settlers in the 1850s compared to the Alps, according to The Herber Valley Utah. Fly into Denver, Salt Lake City or Las Vegas and rent a car. Will the Middle Fork Salmon Debris Flow Impact 2023 River Trips? The best part is it only takes four days. J.D. On my last night in Moab, I drove up to the restaurant about a half hour before sunset. Or you can book a roundtrip flight from Vegas and drive back from Moab or Salt Lake City (both drives are 6-6.5 hours). Provo comes up pretty quickly after Lehi. Clear Sky. The shops offeredwhatfelt to me like an endless combination of soda, syrups, and flavors. It isn't a long trip but there are so many amazing places to see along the way. Stretch your legs on the Queens Garden Trail, a 1.8-mile trip to Queen Victoria Hoodoo and back. I think my time would've been better spent reading, researching, and imagining the life Ogden aimed to create for her followers. According to Atlas Obscura, this set of petroglyphs is one of the world's largest collections and looks much more vividthan the ones I saw in Thompson Springs, based on pictures I've viewed online. In the 1880s, 46 Hawaiians left their homes to travel to Utah for religious reasons. The currentowners purchased the buildingin 1992 and turned it into the Jailhouse Cafe. Mostly because I thought it was crowded and complicated to enter. The Best Road Trip from Salt Lake City To Moab Drive through the Utah desert, visiting four national parks before arriving in Moab. Archaeologists estimate that the Bears Ears area contains more than 100,000 Indigenous cultural sites, and the concentration of human history here is truly awe-inspiring. Since I couldn't get close to the rocks, I strained my eyes to view the faded petroglyphs and pictographs. , a New York City-style deli. Utah and Colorado National Parks Road Trip If not, you may spring for a quick hike on BLM land alongside State Route 128 or Kane Creek. The point is accessible by a precariously narrow road dont look down. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services' website, state agencies, the general public, and USH employees can reserve the amphitheater. The beauty of the parks wild landscape viewed from your perch high up on the point is stunning. stay at Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City - a Kimpton Hotel. Crescent Junction 24F. This leg is a two-for-one national park special, and while the parks are relatively close together, youll want to be up with the sun to pack in as much exploring as possible if you plan to do both in the same day. Follow the Google link below: GIMME MY UTAH MIGHTY 5 ROAD TRIP MAP! Salt Lake City to Moab Road Trip The scenic drive from Salt Lake City to Moab is something you won't soon forget. Feels like 15.98 Wind speed 5.8 mph Pressure 1029 hPa. City: round-trip one-way. From there, its up to you. Yes! For a more scenic drive, head up US191-N before driving east towards the Colorado state line. Our family travels throughout the United States in our RV visiting beaches, national parks and everything in between. From high-energy adventure to world-renowned musical talent, your road trip between the two will be filled with history, exploration, and great food. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners. First of all, dont panic! 10:00 am leave from Moab. Can You Rent A Car With An OpenSky Credit Card? I tried it before heading into Arches National Park, and easily saw why the breakfast eatery attracts both locals and tourists alike. This route takes you through the heart of Utahs stunning countryside, past majestic mountains, red rock formations, and deep canyons. Your kids will also be amazed by the dinosaur trackway at Mill Canyon. How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a Uhaul? ). So even though I was visiting Canyonlands during its busy season, the park felt more deserted due to its large size and fewer visitors. If youre looking to explore Salt Lake and the surrounding areas along the way to Moab over an extended period of time, you might want to consider renting an RV. Salt Lake City & Wasatch Front Winter in Southern Utah Ski Resorts Dark Sky Parks Things To DoToggle Menu Close Menu Arts & Museums Backpacking Camping Cycling Dinosaurs Festivals & Events Filmed in Utah Fishing Food & Nightlife Hiking History Mountain Biking OHV & Off-Road Rafting Road Trips Rock Climbing Skiing Slot Canyons Snowboarding National Parks road trip Santa Monica to Salt Lake City According to Only in Your State, the building was originally a home. This route is approximately 240 miles long and takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes. Day 2. 48 minutes Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway. Take in the sunset over Waterpocket Fold Cliffs on the 3.6-mile Chimney Rock Loop trail, before turning in for the night. Moab is located about 3 hours and 40 minutes (234mi / 377km) away from Salt Lake City and where our Utah road trip itinerary begins from. In May, I went to Moab, Utah. One Salt Lake City restaurant standout is Caffe Molise. Each of these places offers museums and scenic points if you have time to explore. There are several rental car companies in the Salt Lake area, with many great options available at the Salt Lake Airport. The Homestead Crater's website states that it formed more than 10,000 years ago when melting snow seeped into the earth, where it heated and percolated upward. In 2019, Canyonlands welcomed 733,996 visitors, according to the National Park Service. Around this time, you will see signs for US-6 E toward Price. We have some great articles on the best hikes in Moab as well as many of the off-road trails. The Perfect 7-Day Mighty 5 Utah Road Trip Itinerary (2021) Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. Salt Lake City, Utah Search for cheap flight deals now! Hiking in Canyonlands National Park requires some pre-planning water, sunscreen, and a trail map are at the top of the list. Also remember to bring LOTS of water, especially to Bryce National Park, which has fewer stations than Zion. Beat is a good guide for explaining the differences between the two. The park also has two primitive campgrounds, which are free. Around the corner from the park sits a lone, bright yellow truck Quesadilla Mobilla. On this road trip, you'll trace the river and its tributaries across Utah and Colorado, seeing all the ways in which water has shaped the land. I love exploring new places and love cars, so renting a car for my travels is most of the time the perfect way to find new adventures. Rent Car for A Month: How to Rent a Car for a Month? Exploring Hells Revenge is at the top of everyones list when visiting Moab. The Salt Lake Express is a shuttle service that runs a route to Moab twice daily. That means purchasing the best, most affordable insuranceand signing up for, Find insurance savings it's 100% free, Compare Free Quotes (& Save Hundreds per Year! All needed equipment is provided as you learn rappelling, rope-assisted down climbs, and chimneying through slot canyons. While its a bit longer, the stunning scenery along the way makes it worth the extra time. If youre looking for a more scenic drive, consider taking Highway 89. Moab and Salt Lake City are about a 4-hour drive apart if you navigate straight through from one to the other. At 234 miles, this route takes about 4 hours. Answer 1 of 13: Will be in Denver from a Sunday afternoon in July, fly home the following Saturday. The town is located just an hour southeast of Salt Lake City. The driving distance from Salt Lake to Moab is 234 miles. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Wannabe paleontologists, archaeologists, and geologists alike will find displays to captivate their attention. I later learned on Atlas Obscura that the amphitheater, which is sometimes called the Provo Castle, was built as part of the New Deal programs in 1936 as an event space. For more road trip ideas, explore these articles: Whether she is leaving on a jet plane or exploring the open road, Sandi loves to visit destinations that offer cool and interesting activities, fabulous culinary creations, and fun libations. Bryce Canyons otherworldly hoodoos are truly unlike anything else on the planet. in Outdoor and Environmental Education from Alaska Pacific University and has worked as a raft guide, avalanche educator, and backpacking instructor around the American West. While I wouldn't go far out of my way to stop at the Castle Amphitheater, I thought it was an ideal place for a quick break. Hike Canyon Overlook Trail (1 hour, 1 mi/1.6 km round trip) That same year, Arches National Park had 1.65 million visitors in a park that's about 180,000 acres smaller in size, according to the same source. Consider canyoneering, rock climbing, or mountain biking at some point during your visit to Moab. One thing is for certain, you can always find something to do in Moab. Sign up today for monthly giveaways, engaging stories & videos, special offers & more! Seattle to Leavenworth Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Driving Route, Fargo to Theodore Roosevelt National Park Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Driving Route, Providence to Cape Cod Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Driving Route. Next time, I'd probably pack a picnic or grab takeout and plan to spend longer at the amphitheater. , a rustic hotel right on the banks of the Colorado River. Photos: The Narrows in Zion National Park Frances Gunn/Unsplash; Bryce Canyon National Park Photo by Edgar Chaparro/Unsplash; Camping near Moab Photo by Ben Duchac/Unsplash; Arches National Park Shutterstock; Cataract Canyon rafting trip James Kaiser. We loved seeing the different sizes and different kinds of dinosaurs. Drive from Las Vegas (168 miles) or Salt Lake City (314 miles) to Springdale, gateway to Zion National Park. Spend the day in the city, sampling food and enjoying local culture before you hit the road. Salt Lake City to Moab drive - plan a road trip However, you definitely want to stop and explore Utahs gorgeous scenery. I could hardly spot what historians believe are images of horses, pale white circles representing shields, and humans. Remain on US-6 E for nearly 130 miles, then merge ontoI-70 E/US-191 S. This route will carry you the final 24 miles into Moab. Its a great place to watch the sunset. The Ultimate Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary You will find the Prehistoric Museum presented by Utah State University Eastern in Price. Spring and fall are the best times to visit Moab. Every Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., the Tabernacle choir group in Salt Lake City hosts rehearsals that are open to the public, according to the choir group's website. This is the most convenient and easy way to get a rental car in Salt Lake City. Plus, it offers your family a consistent place to live while making your way down the road. Road Trip Conditions. The quickest way back is directly up State Route 61-North. Next time I'm near Moab, I'd skip the Sego Canyon Rock Art and stop at Newspaper Rock instead, which is about 50 minutes south of Moab. The abandoned settlement is about an hour outside of Salt Lake, so I spent one morning exploring the property. Our flight from ATL . Its a must-see for the wonderfulif rather brasharchitecture alone. Road conditions from Salt Lake City to Moab As many road trippers will start in Salt Lake City, the state's main transportation hub, we'll start there for the purposes of this itinerary. One of Utah's most famous ghost towns is Iosepa, which was designed to be an oasis for Hawaiian followers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after they were pushed out of Salt Lake City in the 1880s. If you do visit, it is a good idea to make sure you bring a water bottle. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. Prices vary by individual listings. Imagine being on a movie set with John Wayne as you ride horseback through familiar movie backdrops, orfollow the path of explorer John Wesley Powellas you float down the Colorado. One of the most fun and accessible hiking trails is The Living Room. From Salt Lake City, hop on I-15 south for a straight shot to the states southern reaches. If I'm passing through Spanish Fork again, I plan to make another pit stop for either a yoga class or lunch buffet. However, when you step into the lobby, you quickly realize you have found something special a little hidden gem of a stay. While others are audio based and allow you to explore the beauty of these parks at your own pace. From Capitol Reef, take Main Street to UT-24 east (48 miles), then continue straight on UT-95 south (93 miles). Time your journey to land here for lunch. How Old To Rent A Car? for cool landscapes and Instagram-ready scenesand, most importantly, a little bit of shade! Having 33 states and territories, 23 countries, and a grand collection of national and state parks in her travel log; her current goal is to visit all 50 states in the next 5 years. So I gave up and viewed the mine from a distance. After 280 miles of freeway driving, take exit 27 toward Toquerville. How far is Salt Lake City to Moab by plane? But I can't say I'd make the 40-mile trek out to the ghost town again. I opted to go scuba diving one morning on my trip. It tends to be crowded on the weekend, so stick to weekdays and grab the earliest possible shuttle slot. find more stops. Its a little less than two hours of easy driving from Kane Gulch Ranger Station to Moab. Salt Lake City is filled with tons of outdoor options as well! It earned its comparison to Switzerland thanks to the nearby Wasatch mountain range, which Swiss settlers in the 1850s compared to the Alps, according to The Herber Valley Utah. The Cheapest Way to Get from Salt Lake City to Moab, Salt Lake City to Moab Drive Rent A Car In Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City to Moab Driving Stops Along The Way, Salt Lake City to Moab Best Driving Route. An RV is an excellent way to travel if you are planning to be on the road for several days or even weeks.