Ultimate Guide to the Best Moab Hikes - With or Without a Tour Guide

Arches National Park is home to some of the most famous hikes in the world, but exploring the park with a guided tour first can enhance your experience before you return for a self-guided adventure to some of the suggestions below.

1. Maximize Your Time: Arches can get crowded, and parking is limited. A guided tour ensures you see the park’s highlights efficiently without wasting time searching for parking or planning your route.

2. Learn the Geology & History First: Understanding the geologic wonders helps you find more wonder as you wander. Guides make it easy to absorb the history and background.

3. Discover Hidden Gems: Guides are generally available to offer tips for exploring hidden gems on your own later. Many unaware travelers visit Delicate Arch unprepared and regret their timing, shoe choice, and lack of water and snacks on the longer hikes.

4. Beat the Heat & Crowds: Guides know the best times and routes to avoid peak crowds and hike in the most comfortable conditions.

After experiencing Arches with an expert guide, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to return and hike on your own, making the most of your time in Moab.

Photo: Arches Guided Van Tours are a great jump-start to your self-guided exploration of all there is to do and see in Moab

1. Delicate Arch (Most Famous Hike in Moab)

• Distance: 3.2 miles round trip

• Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

• Time Needed: 2-3 hours

• Best Time to Go: Sunrise or Sunset

This is the most famous arch in Utah and one of the most photographed landscapes in the world. The trail is steep and exposed but rewards hikers with an unforgettable up-close view of Delicate Arch.

🛑 Not Included on Guided Tours: This hike is best done on your own. However, if you book a Moab Adventure Center tour of Arches, your guide will stop at Delicate Arch Viewpoint, where you can see it from a distance.

2. Devil’s Garden & Landscape Arch (Longest Trail in Arches)

• Distance: 1.6 to 7.8 miles round trip (multiple route options)

• Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous (depending on route)

• Time Needed: 1-5 hours

• Best Time to Go: Early Morning

This is the longest hiking trail in Arches National Park and features multiple arches, spires, and narrow sandstone ridges. The highlight is Landscape Arch, which spans 290 feet, making it the longest natural arch in North America.

🛑 Not Included on Guided Tours: This hike is great for independent adventurers.

3. The Windows & Turret Arch (Best Short Hike in Arches)

• Distance: 1 mile round trip

• Difficulty: Easy

• Time Needed: 30-45 minutes

A short, family-friendly hike to some of the largest arches in the park.

✅ Included in Guided Tours: Moab Adventure Center’s Arches Morning & Sunset Tours stop here, where guides share fascinating geology and history.

Guided Hikes in Arches National Park

Want an expert guide to lead you through the park’s highlights? These tours include easy walking trails and stunning viewpoints.

1. Arches National Park Morning & Sunset Tours

• Difficulty: Easy (all stops are short walks)

• Time Needed: 4 hours

• What You’ll See:

◦ Balanced Rock

◦ The Windows & Turret Arch

◦ Delicate Arch Viewpoint (Distant View Only)

📍 Best For: Visitors who want to see the best of Arches without hiking long distances. The expert guides handle logistics, parking, and entry times, making it a stress-free way to explore the park.

“We did the Arches Sunset Tour and got incredible views without having to deal with the park crowds. Highly recommend it!” – Linda B.2024 MAC TripAdvisor Re…

Photo: Hikers look minuscule relative to the towering mass of the world's most famous arch: Delicate Arch

If you want to combine hiking with rappelling, Moab Adventure Center’s canyoneering tours take you into remote slot canyons and hidden arches that can only be accessed with expert guides.

1. Morning Glory Arch & Ephedra’s Grotto (Best Rappel Adventure in Moab)

Distance: 4 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 4-5 hours

What You’ll Do:

Hike from Sand Flats Recreation Area to the first rappel

Experience a 75+ foot rappel into the cool of Medeival Chamber

Rappel 100 feet off Morning Glory Arch into Ephedra’s Grotto

Hike through Grandstaff Canyon, a lush red rock gorge with a running stream

✅ Guided Only: This isn’t just a hike—it’s a full-on canyoneering experience with expert guides leading you through safe, controlled rappels.

"I was nervous about rappelling, but the guides made me feel completely at ease. One of the most rewarding experiences of my life!" – Hsin-Yi H.2024 MAC TripAdvisor Re…

2. Bow & Arrow Canyon (Best Slot Canyon Adventure)

Distance: 5 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Time Needed: 4-5 hours

What You’ll Do:

Hike through a hidden desert canyon under Longbow Arch

Rappel down multiple cliffs

See ancient petroglyphs

✅ Guided Only: This is an off-the-grid adventure that lets you explore Moab’s backcountry with experienced guides.

"An epic mix of hiking, rappelling, and history. Seeing petroglyphs while rappelling was surreal!" – David R.2024 MAC TripAdvisor Re…

Photo: Ephedra's Grotto is accessible via Grandstaff Canyon or drop in from above via Medieval Chamber and Morning Glory Arch guided rappels.

Moab is more than just Arches National Park. Some of the region’s most stunning hikes are located outside the national parks, offering fewer crowds, diverse landscapes, and unforgettable views.

1. Corona Arch (Best Free-Standing Arch Outside Arches NP)

Distance: 2.4 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

What You’ll See: A massive, free-standing arch without the crowds of Arches National Park.

📍 Why It’s Worth It: This arch is one of the largest in Moab and doesn’t require an entry fee or permit. The trail involves a short cable-assisted climb and delivers amazing views of Bootlegger Canyon.

🛑 Not Included on Guided Tours.

2. Dead Horse Point Rim Trail (Best Canyon Overlook Hike)

Distance: 1-3 miles round trip

Difficulty: Easy

What You’ll See: A breathtaking overlook of the Colorado River, often compared to the Grand Canyon.

📍 Why It’s Worth It: The sunrise and sunset views here are unreal. It’s a fantastic alternative to the busier Grand View Point in Canyonlands National Park.

✅ Included in a Guided Mountain Bike Tour

3. Fisher Towers Trail (Best Moab Hike for Dramatic Cliffs & Spires)

Distance: 5 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

What You’ll See: Towering sandstone spires that make this one of the most photogenic hikes in Utah.

📍 Why It’s Worth It: This hike winds through the base of the Fisher Towers, offering otherworldly views of vertical red rock formations. If you time it right, you’ll likely see rock climbers scaling the 900-foot Titan Tower—one of the most famous climbs in the world.

🛑 Not Included on Guided Tours: This is a great self-guided adventure for those looking to explore a lesser-known yet iconic Moab landscape.

4. Mill Creek Canyon (Best Waterfall Hike in Moab)

Distance: 2-5 miles round trip (depending on route)

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

What You’ll See: A cool, shaded canyon, flowing water, and hidden waterfalls.

📍 Why It’s Worth It: If you’re visiting Moab in the summer, this is one of the best hikes to cool off. The trail follows a year-round stream and leads to natural swimming pools and waterfalls.

🛑 Not Included on Guided Tours: But a nice spot for those seeking a relaxing, scenic hike with water access.

Photo: Fisher Towers are shaded in the morning, or blazing red with a sunset glow.

If you want to hike on your own: Delicate Arch, Devil’s Garden, and Corona Arch

If you want a guided experience: Arches Morning/Sunset Tours (easy walks, no long hikes)

If you want an adventure: Morning Glory Arch & Bow & Arrow Canyon (hiking + rappelling)

Moab has a hike for everyone. Whether you're exploring on your own or joining a guided tour, these trails will take you to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.

Get your Moab Insider's Guide today and start planning!

Photo: Hiking beneath Longbow Arch on the Bow & Arrow guided adventure hike which includes multiple rappels.

1. Start Early: Beat the heat and the crowds by hitting the trail at sunrise.
2. Bring Plenty of Water: The desert climate is dry and hot—hydration is key.
3. Wear Proper Footwear: Slickrock and sand can be tricky; sturdy hiking shoes with good grip are a must.
4. Know Your Limits: Some trails involve scrambling, ledges, and exposure—be sure to choose hikes that match your comfort level.
5. Respect the Land: Stay on designated trails to protect the fragile desert ecosystem.