Moab in the In-Between
Most people know Moab as the gateway to the stunning Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, and while those places absolutely deserve the hype, our recent trip revealed so much more to love about the area—especially in the quieter winter months.
But like most places we go, the video only tells part of the story. What it doesn’t show is everything in between—and that’s usually the part we end up remembering most.
We rolled into Moab in mid-February and were met with a sleepy town vibe—think the calm before the spring break storm. It felt like we’d stumbled into a summer destination where only locals remained. Shops and restaurants were still closed for the season, and the streets were so peaceful. But by the time we packed up and left at the beginning of March, we could feel the pulse of Moab returning. More restaurants opened their doors, and suddenly there were people everywhere—winter coats traded for hiking boots and sunglasses as spring’s energy took over.
Of course, we had to eat our way through town. Our favorite spot is Arches Thai (seriously, don’t skip it if you visit). For a classic treat, Milt’s is our go-to for old school burgers, crispy fries, and the kind of shake that makes you want to linger outside on a sunny day.
We found an amazing campsite nestled along the Mag 7 mountain bike trails—so good, in fact, that we returned after checking out other activities. It’s easily one of our favorite places we’ve ever set up camp. From here, we squeezed in some mountain biking right from camp, and Jacob took it up a notch with a longer ride from Rodeo to Navajo Rocks. I met him at the finish, driving the EarthRoamer (by myself for the first time!) and even managed to back into a parking spot like a pro (I’ll omit how spacious the lot was for dramatic effect).
Moab’s quirks kept things interesting. We saw plenty of cows roaming freely and were amused by the abundance of signs reminding us to stay on the trail to protect the cryptobiotic soil. We respected the rules, but couldn’t help but wonder if the cows ever got the memo!
Scenic drives topped off our visit. Potash Road was cool, but not quite the jaw-dropper we’d expected. Highway 128, on the other hand, was a stunner—winding along the Colorado River with dramatic cliffs and endless views. If you’re ever choosing between the two, we’d vote for Highway 128 every time.
Moab in the off-season gave us the best of both worlds: peaceful solitude, small-town charm, and just a taste of adventure before the crowds roll in. We can’t wait to go back.