Top 9 FREE family activities to do in Moab

If you are going on a family vacation, chances are you have set up a budget to which you want to stick with (as much as possible).  

Situated 4 hours South from Salt Lake City, Moab is great city to visit for outdoor activities.  

Moab is close to two National Parks (Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park), and to Dead Horse Point State Park.  The three parks are accessible for a fee. 

However, Moab has numerous hiking and biking trails nearby.

Many activities that will keep you and your family busy at no cost:

1.  Take a hike 
2.  Admire the beauty of an arch without the crowds
3.  Explore the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway 
4.  Look for petroglyphs  
5.  Fish or paddle board on Ken’s Lake 
6.  Drive the La Sal Scenic Loop Road 
7.  Play and picnic at the Rotary Park 
8.  Visit Lin Ottinger’s Rock Shop (and get your free dinosaur bone!) 
9.  Explore Moab’s library and its children area 

1. Take a hike – There are a lot of hikes that are accessible in or just outside Moab for all levels. Some are so easy little ones can do them too. One of them is the Faux Falls hike at Ken’s Lake. It is a one mile round-trip on a sandy road. It has almost no elevation and leads to Faux Falls, man-made falls that look like a little Oasis. It is a fun family hike. It has no shade at all so if hiking in the summer, early morning or end of the afternoon is best. Click here to see is our video to Faux Falls.

   

2. Admire the beauty of an arch without the crowds – Sure, you can visit nearby Arches National Park to see sandstone arches. If you don’t like crowds, you can still see arches outside the National Park. From UT 279 (more commonly known as Potash Road), hike to gorgeous Corona Arch and adjacent Bow Tie Arch. It is a 3 miles round–trip hike. Little ones can walk most of it on their own, except for 3 passages that require help from an adult, including climbing a small ladder. There is little to no shade to pack a lot of water and visit the arch early or later in the day. If you are in a hurry and driving South of Moab on US Highway 191, stop 25 miles from Moab at Wilson Arch, which you can see from your car on the side of the road.

   

3. Explore the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway – The south tip of the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway is located in Moab. A few dinosaur tracks can be seen on Potash Road, just a few minute walk from your car. You can also drive to Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail and Tracksite, which has dinosaur tracks and fossilized bones. It is located North of Moab, a few miles off US Highway 191. Both sites are easy, short and well documented walks. Part of the dirt road get sandy toward the Bone Trail, past the Tracksite. It is accessible with a sedan car. There is little shade on both sites. More information here.  Note that it is illegal to pick up dinosaur bones and you can buy some at rock shops.

   

4. Look for petroglyphs – Petroglyphs, also called Rock Art, are drawings made on rocks by men at least several centuries ago. Petroglyphs are fragile and it is recommended not to touch them to preserve them. You can find petroglyphs in many places outside Moab, including on Potash Road. More information here. There is a listing of the petroglyphs in the area for sale at the Information Center in Moab.

   

5. Fish or paddle board on Ken’s Lake – Ken’s Lake is an open water reservoir located 10 miles south of Moab with scenic views on La Sal peaks. Access and parking to the lake and Faux Falls are free. Fishing in the reservoir is popular and only non-motorized craft as allowed. The shore of the lake is rocky and there is no shade so early or late in the day may be best with little ones.  

   

6. Drive the La Sal Scenic Loop Road – The La Sal Scenic Loop Road goes through the Manti-La Sal National Forest. The loop is paved and offers amazing views of red rock canyons. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive the 60 mile loop. Parts of the road were closed for reconstruction in 2017 so checking in advance with the Information Center may be best before hitting the road.  
7. Play and picnic at the Rotary Park – The Rotary Park is located in Moab. It has a playground, a lot of green space, picnic tables under a pavilion and through the park, a barbecue grill and restrooms. It has restrooms and free parking nearby. The special feature of this park is a setup of musical instruments with xylophones and drums for all to play with. Kids love it!    
8. Visit Lin Ottinger’s Rock Shop (and get your free dinosaur bone!) – Lin Ottinger’s Rock Shop is an institution in town. Mr. Ottinger started collecting rock since he was a child, discovered four species of dinosaurs (one of which has been named after him) and opened his rock shop in 1960. You will learn a lot just by walking outside and inside the shop. Pick a pamphlet at the Information Center for your children to get a free dinosaur bone at the rock shop, even if you don’t buy anything.

   

9. Explore Moab library‘s children area – If the weather is not cooperating but the children want a change of scenery, try the children area of Moab’s library. They have computers, toys and story time with an activity. Staff is very friendly and the library has lots of natural light.

Have you been to Moab? What was your favorite activity?