Best Things to Do in Moab, UT With Kids
Moab's family lineup is Arches National Park (Delicate Arch viewpoint and the Windows section), Canyonlands National Park's Island in the Sky district, a calm-water family float on the Colorado River, Moab Giants dinosaur park, and a guided UTV or Jeep tour on the slickrock trails.
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1Area photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Arches National Park (Windows & Delicate Arch Viewpoint)
The highest concentration of natural stone arches on Earth. The Windows section is a short, flat walk to multiple arches, and the Delicate Arch viewpoint trail (a shorter, easier alternative to the strenuous main hike) still delivers a real view of Utah's most iconic arch.
Watch out: Arches requires a timed-entry vehicle reservation during peak season (spring through fall) — book well ahead or you may be turned away at the gate. Little shade anywhere in the park; midday summer heat is genuinely dangerous.
2Area photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky)
Dramatic mesa-top overlooks reachable by short, flat walks from the parking areas, giving young kids a real payoff without a strenuous hike. Grand View Point and Mesa Arch are the standout, family-manageable stops.
Watch out: No services (gas, food, much water) inside the park — fill up and pack supplies in Moab before driving in. Guardrails are minimal at overlook edges; keep a close hand on young kids at the viewpoints.
3Area photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Colorado River Family Float Trip
A calm-water float through the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River — no whitewater — gives families a relaxed way to see the red-rock canyon walls without a hiking day's heat exposure.
Watch out: Confirm "calm water/scenic" explicitly when booking — some Moab river trips upstream include rapids not suitable for young kids. Sun exposure on the river is intense; reef-safe sunscreen and hats matter even more than on land.
4Area photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Moab Giants Dinosaur Park
A life-size dinosaur walking trail with a small museum of real regional fossil tracks — a good break from hiking heat, and a hit with dinosaur-obsessed younger kids in a way the national parks alone can't match.
Watch out: Mostly outdoors with limited shade in places — visit morning or evening rather than midday summer. Skews younger; older teens may find it quick to move through.
5Area photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Guided UTV / Jeep Slickrock Tour
Moab's signature adventure activity, and a guided family tour skips the most technical trails while still delivering the red-rock slickrock terrain Moab is known for. A guide also means someone else is navigating and worrying about the vehicle.
Watch out: This is genuinely bumpy and dusty — motion-sickness-prone kids and anyone with back issues should think twice. Some outfitters have minimum-age or minimum-height rules for riding, not just driving.
Frequently asked
Do we need reservations for Arches National Park?
Yes, during peak season (roughly April through October) Arches requires a timed-entry vehicle reservation booked in advance — arriving without one risks being turned away at the gate.
Is the Delicate Arch hike doable with young kids?
The full hike to Delicate Arch is a strenuous 3-mile round trip with exposed slickrock and a steep final section — better for older kids and teens. Younger kids can still see it from the shorter viewpoint trail at a distance.
What is the best season to visit Moab with kids?
Spring and fall (roughly March–May and September–October) have the most comfortable hiking temperatures. Summer is genuinely hot and requires careful heat and sun planning; winter is cold but far less crowded.
How many days do you need in Moab for Arches and Canyonlands?
Two to three full days lets you see the highlights of both parks without rushing, plus time for one water or off-road activity. A single day can cover one park's essentials but feels tight for both.
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