Moab, Utah has a reputation for being an outdoor junkie's wonderland. No wonder, since it's close to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Smack dab in the middle of those two famously stunning swaths of land is another gem: Dead Horse Point State Park. Cruise the park's Dead Horse Point Scenic Drive and see why it's such an underrated spot, as you make your way from Arches to Moab to Canyonlands.
Hole N' The Rock is a neat roadside attraction that serves as a memorial to the home's builders, Albert and Gladys Christensen. Yep, you read that right, this rock was once used as a house! Beginning as just a tiny room within the rock, Albert spent 20 years building and excavating the home into the 14-room, 5,000 square foot place that you see today. When Albert died in 1957, Gladys continued to develop the property; she began giving tours and even opened up a small gift shop that she ran until her passing in 1974. Pull over and take the 12-minute tour to learn about the couple's journey in building this marvel. Then explore the grounds, strewn with eclectic signs and metalwork. Keep in mind that cameras aren't allowed in the home itself, further preserving this little piece of history!
Not too many national parks can claim to be home to over 2,000 naturally formed arches and windows, but Arches National Park can. The red rock formations will spark the imaginations of kids and adults alike. A stroll through the park's various strange rocks is easy, as a majority of the trails are less than two miles long, perfect for kids or those who don't want to spend too much time on a hike, but still want to take in all of the breathtaking views. You can even stay in your car; four and a half hours of driving time will get you around the entire place! There's an entrance fee of $25 per car, but with a whole day's worth of new formations to discover, it's well worth it. Plus, if you discover a new arch, you get to name it! The red rocks "glow" more and more as the sun gets lower in the sky, so be sure to stay until later in the day, and even plan to stay the night for some incredible stargazing.
In the 1800s, cowboys left horses on this plateau as a sort of natural corral, or as a place to leave behind unwanted wild horses. Left alone with little water in the heat, it was common for the horses to die. The story is eerie but instills awe in visitors as they reach the top at the end of their drive. This 14-mile drive allows for stops along the way to check out all of the geology the park has to offer, and the end of the route is famous for offering beautiful photo ops, and breathtaking views of the canyons around.
Just around 40 minutes away from the city of Moab, Island in the Sky is another sightseeing location you don't want to miss during your trip. The mesa, a unit of Canyonlands National Park, sits on a 1,000-feet-tall sandstone plateau, and gives travelers views of the scenic drive and all of Canyonlands, with pullouts along the way. The views here will likely be the highlight of your trip, with enormous panoramas during the day and amazing stars at night. This location has been called the Grand Canyon of Utah, if that gives you an idea of how jaw-droppingly gorgeous it is. Spend your day hiking, four-wheeling, camping, or simply enjoying all the views from your car. The Willow Flat Campground has just 12 sites and is open year-round, so plan accordingly during summer months, as it's first come, first served!
Every minute of your outdoor adventure in Moab will be filled with breathtaking views of natural landscapes and rock formations, and has something for every kind of nature lover! Camp, hike, ride a four-wheeler or soak in the beauty from your car, capturing breathtaking pictures along the way... the options are endless, and each is more incredible than the last!
