The Desert is Different: How to Visit Moab, Utah
About the Course
This course equips adventurers preparing for a trip to Moab, UT with essential knowledge on preserving Moab’s fragile ecosystems while enjoying its iconic trails, slickrock terrains, and awe-inspiring vistas. Learn practical tips for minimizing your impact, respecting local wildlife, staying safe in the backcountry, and engaging in sustainable practices that ensure Moab remains a haven for future generations. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer, this course is your guide to experiencing Moab to the fullest!
What you're going to learn:
- Trip Planning Essentials: Learn how to prepare for your Moab adventure with safety, sustainability, and local guidelines in mind.
- Protecting Moab’s Resources: Gain insights on safeguarding fragile biocrusts, respecting cultural sites, and minimizing your environmental impact.
- Recreation-Specific Tips: Master best practices for hiking, mountain biking, motorized activities, camping, river use, climbing, canyoneering, and recreating with dogs.
- Trail Etiquette & Shared Spaces: Explore strategies for sharing trails, respecting other users, and fostering a positive outdoor community.
- Waste Management Made Easy: Understand proper waste disposal techniques, including the use of wag bags, to keep Moab’s pristine environment clean.
Planning Your Trip To Moab
Moab’s stunning, remote landscape offers unparalleled adventure, but it also demands careful preparation. Before heading out, make sure you're equipped with the 10 essentials—like a navigation system, water, sun protection, and communication tools—to stay safe and self-reliant in the backcountry. With the right planning and gear, you can explore this rugged paradise with confidence and respect for its unique environment.
Sharing Moab and the Trails
Moab's vast wilderness is a popular destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. To ensure everyone can enjoy their unique experiences, it's important to respect other trail users, practice good campsite etiquette, and follow local guidelines for wildlife, noise, and traffic. By being considerate, prepared, and mindful of the environment, we can help preserve this incredible landscape for future generations and honor the people who call Moab home.
Waste and Wag Bags
Explore the beauty of Moab’s trails while minimizing your environmental impact! Mariah Ward, Healthy Trails Coordinator, shares essential tips for eco-friendly outdoor adventures, from packing out human and pet waste to proper trash disposal. Equip yourself with tools like wag bags, respect trail rules, and help preserve these stunning landscapes for future generations.
Cultural Sites
Discover the awe-inspiring ancestral landscapes of Bears Ears, home to over 100,000 cultural sites across 1.3 million acres in southeastern Utah. Visit with respect by preserving the integrity of sacred sites—leave artifacts undisturbed, avoid touching rock imagery, and report any damage to authorities. By honoring these lands and their living cultural significance, you show care for the history, traditions, and communities that make this region unique.
Biocrust
Explore the delicate beauty of this unique ecosystem, where every step matters. Held together by vital biological soil crusts that prevent erosion, retain water, and nourish plants, this landscape is as fragile as it is breathtaking. Stay on marked trails to protect this sensitive environment and help preserve it for future generations.
Hiking
Discover the wonders of public lands with respect and preparation. From towering peaks to riparian oases, these spaces offer unmatched diversity—but responsible hiking is key. Stay informed, follow marked trails, and prioritize safety and conservation to protect these shared treasures for everyone.
Mountain Biking
Explore the epic beauty of Moab's 170 miles of desert trails, perfect for bikers of all skill levels. Whether your headed out with a local expert guide or venturing into pristine wilderness on your own, we leave you with some tips to maximize fun and safety.
Motorized Vehicles
Experience the thrill of Moab’s diverse off-road adventures, from E-bikes to jeeps and rock buggies, with over 90 trails to explore. Prepare for your journey with the right gear, trail etiquette, and a commitment to preserving the environment. Respect the local community and fellow adventurers as you enjoy the ultimate off-road experience in one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.
River Use
Explore the breathtaking beauty of the Colorado and Green Rivers with a wide range of adventures, from serene paddleboarding to exhilarating whitewater rafting. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a first-time visitor, guided tours ensure a safe and educational experience, while self-planned trips offer endless opportunities to customize your journey. Respect the environment, embrace "Leave No Trace" principles, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure under the desert sky.
Climbing/Canyoneering
Moab is a world-class climbing destination like no other, where diverse sandstone formations offer thrilling adventures for every climber, from bouldering to multi-day summits. With stunning landscapes, a delicate ecosystem, and rich cultural history, it’s a place that inspires awe and demands respect. Plan ahead, embrace sustainable practices, and let the desert challenge and reward you in equal measure.
Camping
Discover the joys of camping on public lands with low-impact practices that protect our natural treasures for everyone to enjoy. Plan ahead for your Moab adventure, from reservable campsites to dispersed options, and follow essential guidelines for fires, waste, quiet hours, and leash laws. Let’s create unforgettable experiences while preserving these lands for generations.
Recreating with Dogs
Explore Moab with your furry best friend and create unforgettable memories in this dog-friendly paradise! From pet-friendly trails and accommodations to tips for staying safe in the desert heat, Moab offers a wealth of adventures for you and your pup. Plan ahead, pack the essentials, and enjoy a responsible, paws-itively amazing experience! 🐾
Resources
Below are some useful links to resources that will help you plan your Moab trip and have a fun and safe experience!
Keep Learning!
Bouldering: Fitness and Mindset with Nina Williams
Bouldering: Fitness and Mindset with Nina Williams
Downhill & Enduro Mountain Biking with Eliot Jackson + Special Guest Bernard Kerr
Downhill & Enduro Mountain Biking with Eliot Jackson + Special Guest Bernard Kerr