How To Spend 3 Days in Moab: Best Itinerary for Arches and Canyonlands

A lot of people fall in love with Moab the first time they visit, and before this trip I wasn’t sure that would happen for me. We spent 3 days in Moab in late June, and the main thing we had to plan around was the heat, in addition to the attractions.

The good news is – you can fit Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, and a handful of sunrise and sunset hikes into a long weekend here. It just takes some strategy around when you’re actually out on trail, unless you enjoy hiking in triple-digit heat.

Our plan was simple: chase sunrise and sunset for the big views, rest during the heat of the afternoon. That’s why we built our itinerary around Delicate Arch, Devils Garden and Double O Arch, the Windows Section, Mesa Arch at sunrise, and Dead Horse Point at sunset.

3 days gave us enough time to do all of that without feeling rushed or completely wiped out. If you’re planning a similar long weekend in Moab, here’s the exact route we followed.

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3 Days in Moab Itinerary Overview

This itinerary technically covers 4 calendar days, but the first day is mainly a travel evening from Salt Lake City to Moab. We spent two full days sightseeing, with one relaxed departure morning.

Our main strategy was simple: just hike early or watch the sunrise, rest in the afternoon, and save the scenic sunset stops for the evening. It felt realistic and practical, and I’d recommend this slow-paced approach to Moab during the warmer months.

Things to Know Before Planning a Summer Moab Itinerary

Visiting Moab in June is all about timing. Sunrise is around 6 AM, sunset is around 8:45 PM, and the middle of the day can feel rough if you’re hiking exposed trails.

For this itinerary, I avoided noon to 5:00 PM as it had the highest heat. Instead, we used that time for lunch and exploring parts of downtown Moab. You could also enjoy AC at a cafe, swim at a hotel pool, visit visitor centers, shop at gear shops, or go for a scenic drive.

No matter how tempting it is, I wouldn’t plan a major exposed hike during the midday heat. Only do it if you have a very specific reason and know what you’re getting into. For example, you’ll need to have enough water with you on the trail, and sufficient sun protection to avoid sunburns.

Where to Stay in Moab for This Itinerary

For this itinerary, staying in north Moab makes the logistics easier. We chose Hyatt Place Moab because it was close to Arches, had breakfast starting at 6:00 AM, and gave us an easy place to retreat during the hottest part of the day.

The double room was very spacious as it had two queen beds, a sofa sleeper that was perfect for midday breaks, and a desk for getting work done if needed. The only thing we would’ve wished for was a bigger pool. The breakfast quality was good, and if you’re feeling too tired to head out for dinner, you could always grab a bite at the bar.

If I came back to Moab again, I wouldn’t mind staying at Hyatt Place Moab again. It provided all the comforts I needed, and we felt well rested before each day’s activities.

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If you’d rather be closer to the adventure crowd, Slackline Moab, Outset Collection by Hilton is worth a look. It leans into an active, outdoorsy vibe built for hikers, bikers, climbers, and road trippers, so it’s a good alternative to a standard hotel if that fits your group better.

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Day 0: Drive from Salt Lake City to Moab

After landing in Salt Lake City, we picked up the rental car, and started driving to Moab.

We landed at around 4:30 PM Mountain Time after a delayed flight, picked up the rental car, and got on the road by about 5:30 PM. From Salt Lake City, the drive to Moab was about 3.5 to 4 hours, which puts arrival around 9:00 to 9:30 PM.

Even though we had so many things we wanted to buy for food prep, we decided to call it an early night. We had booked a stay at Hyatt Place, and the closest grocer is City Market. If you want, you can stop by the night before to get some easy breakfast food for your sunrise adventures.

Good things to grab at City Market:

• Pastries or breakfast bars
• Fruit
• Electrolyte drinks
• Trail snacks
• Easy lunch items
• Extra water

Day 1: Arches Morning Hikes and Dead Horse Point Sunset

After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast at the hotel, our first stop was Arches National Park. The plan was to visit the Windows Section in the cool of the morning, hike to Double O Arch, then spend the middle of the day recovering before heading to Dead Horse Point for sunset.

Morning: The Windows Section

It only takes about 35 minutes to reach the Windows Section from Hyatt Place Moab (which is why I love the hotel location), and we got there at about 8am. Make sure to bring your America the Beautiful Annual Pass if you have one – and it’ll save you a $30 vehicle fee.

The Windows Section is a good first stop because it gives you a lot of classic Arches scenery without needing to hike a long way. Here, you’ll see the North Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch all close together.

This is also a nice section to photograph early before the park gets busier. I really like the North Window because it felt the most dramatic. The early morning sun filtered through the sand in the air, making it look like the arch was truly a window to the viewpoint. As a first impression – I’m just amazed by how large these arches get.

As you loop around the trail, you’ll come to South Window and look up at it from the base. Turret Arch and Double Arch are also a short walk away, but we didn’t spend much longer here in order to move on to our hike of the day.

Late Morning: Hike to Double O Arch

After the Windows Section, continue to the Devils Garden Trailhead for the Double O Arch hike. We got there at about 9:15am and thankfully it wasn’t too hot yet. The Double O Arch trail is about 4.1 miles round trip as an out-and-back and takes around 2.5 hours.

I highly recommend being extra prepared on this trail because you can never underestimate the desert. Even though it’s a relatively short trail, you still want plenty of water, sun protection, and snacks. I would also add that if you’re afraid of heights, you might want to turn around after you see Landscape Arch.

The scariest part for me was after Landscape Arch where the trail turns into narrow rock ledges. With steep drop-offs and no guardrails whatsoever, you’ll need to have decent balance or perhaps hiking poles to help you feel secure.

After this hike, I realised I’m quite a scaredy-cat. Every time I had to walk on those narrow parts of the trail with drop-offs on both sides, I’d question whether the Double O Arch would even be worth it. But seeing how much fun other people were having on the trail, and seeing the amazing view from the top, made it easier for me to carry on.

Midday: Heat Block in Moab

After the morning in Arches, we had some free time in the afternoon for a break. We headed downtown for Thai food lunch at Arches Thai, where we also got iced coffee.

Since we didn’t have time to get any groceries or snacks the day before, we dropped by City Market. We also picked out picnic-style food that we could have for dinner at our sunset spot later in the evening. That way, we don’t have to rush back downtown for dinner.

If you have the energy, some easy midday options include:

• Lunch on Main Street
• Arches Visitor Center
• Moab Museum
• Gear shops
• Pool at the Hyatt
• A scenic drive

While it was 100 degrees outside, we did some work at the hotel and then took a shower and nap.

Evening: Dead Horse Point Sunset

Dead Horse Point is the perfect sunset option after a big hiking morning because it is scenic without requiring much effort. You get the huge Colorado River gooseneck view with just a short walk to the viewpoint.

We left Moab at around 7 PM and arrived at Dead Horse Point around 7:35 PM. When we were there sunset timing was 8:43 PM, so that gave us time for an easy flat rim walk as we looked for a suitable spot to sit at.

This viewpoint reminds me of the Grand Canyon, where the view stretches as far as your eye can see. The Colorado River also features prominently in this view, and the reflection of the calm water stands out against the red rock cliffs.

It was even more beautiful as the sun hung lower in the sky, and the golden glow accompanied us as we ate our sushi dinner. More people started coming to the viewpoint closer to sunset, some even bringing their own camp chairs which I thought was pretty smart.

I’m so glad we came to Dead Horse Point during sunset instead of midday, because the colors of the rocks were highlighted beautifully by the sun’s golden glow. It would’ve looked washed out with the sun directly overhead, plus we wouldn’t have lasted out here for more than 10 minutes.

Tips for visiting Dead Horse Point at sunset

A few things to note before coming here:

• Dead Horse Point has a separate entrance fee from Arches National Park
• Get fuelled up in advance because you won’t find a gas station next to the park
• The rim can get breezy in the evening, so bring a light layer just in case

If we had the energy, it would’ve also been fun to take part in the Scorpion Search event organized by the Dead Horse Point Visitor Center. While it was tempting, we decided to head back early to rest before our sunrise plan the next day.

Day 2: Canyonlands Sunrise and Delicate Arch Sunset

Day 2 has the earliest start and the latest finish, but given the hot summer days, it’s really the best way to enjoy Arches and Canyonlands all in one day. The morning is mostly for scenic overlooks in Canyonlands from sunrise onwards, then we’ll have our sunset hike to Delicate Arch.

Sunrise: Mesa Arch and Shafer Canyon Overlook

Mesa Arch is famous at sunrise for a reason, because that’s when you’ll get a reddish glow on the underside of the arch. It also looks out to a massive canyon that makes you feel like you’re in outer space.

To get to Mesa Arch, you’ll need to walk a short 15-minute trail from the parking lot. It was very easy and I’d feel comfortable walking there with a headlamp if it’s dark. This is a loop trail, so on the way out you can continue the rest of the trail back.

While I expected it to be really busy, I was surprised that it’s much calmer than a lot of spots in California. We took some pictures at the arch alongside other photographers, then found a spot to sit and enjoy the rest of the sunrise.

For breakfast, we had a canned coffee, protein bar, and banana that we got from City Market the day before.

Morning Overlooks: Green River and Shafer Canyon Overlook

After the sun had fully risen, we decided to move on to some quick viewpoints at both Green River and Shafer Canyon Overlook. They also happened to be relatively close by to where Mesa Arch is.

We kept the Canyonlands visit focused on Island in the Sky, since this morning is more about big views instead of hiking. That helped conserve our energy since we still had Delicate Arch later that day, and we didn’t want to tire ourselves out before the sunset hike.

Green River Overlook was an easy stop with a short walk to the viewpoint where you’ll look out to a panoramic view of the canyon. However, after an epic sunrise at Mesa Arch, the Shafer Canyon Overlook Trail was a bit underwhelming. One cool thing to look out for here is the cars taking the winding roads to descend the canyon.

However, we also noticed a bit of a haze in the distance, and decided that we probably enjoyed the best parts of the morning already. So we wrapped up and headed back to Moab.

Midday: Rest Before Delicate Arch

We had a longer rest at Moab that day as there’s so much time between sunrise and sunset. While you’re resting indoors, it’s a good idea to rehydrate with electrolytes, charge your electronics, and pack headlamps for the sunset hike.

We took the opportunity to get the hotel breakfast, take a nap, go for lunch, coffee, and even ice cream in the afternoon. We also bought an early dinner since the sunset hike would mean we wouldn’t have many dining options by the time we’re back.

Here’s where we went during our afternoon break downtown:

• Lunch at Antica Forma, they have amazing pizza
• Coffee and ice cream at Moab Coffee Roasters. The Press would’ve been nice too
• Bought early dinner at Moab Food Truck Park (the shade and mist really helped with the heat)

Honestly, that’s all we did and we just stayed in AC the whole time if we could. The heat made it almost impossible to enjoy walking outside and we were glad we weren’t out hiking at this time.

Evening: Delicate Arch Sunset

Now for the finale! Delicate Arch is the iconic Moab sunset hike, and there’s a reason why you see this on so many car plates. It’s such a unique rock structure, and the best time to see it is at sunset.

While we were tempted to switch this to a sunrise activity to avoid the crowds, we figured that the sun would hit the arch differently, and decided to stick to sunset.

The Delicate Arch hike is about 3 miles round trip with roughly 600 feet of elevation gain. One thing to know about this is that it is fully exposed. Thankfully though, it’s much less “scary” than the Double O Arch trail we did the previous day. While we had some slightly narrow ledges, it felt more like a slide than a drop-off.

It took us about 45 minutes to get to Delicate Arch, and we tried to get close to it since we were early for sunset. Trying to walk toward the arch was a little tricky because it’s a big slopey rock surface, almost like an amphitheatre.

Tips for enjoying Delicate Arch at sunset

I recommend wearing well-fitting shoes with good grip so that you can make it all the way across to Delicate Arch for photos (if you wish). We were content with sitting at the side, waiting for the sun to illuminate the arch.

Though it was indeed crowded at sunset, it wasn’t to the point where it negatively affected my experience there. That said, it’s still best to get there early to secure your spot. Bring some snacks, an iced drink (in your Owala maybe), and have a mini picnic while waiting for sunset.

Day 3: Sleep In and Drive Back to Salt Lake City

The last item on the agenda is just to drive back to Salt Lake City. After two early mornings, two sunsets, and several desert hikes, we didn’t see a need to squeeze in one more sunrise mission.

We slept in, took our time having a full hotel breakfast, got packing, and eventually left Moab at around 10:00 AM. The drive back to Salt Lake City takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, so that will get you back at around 1:30 to 2:00 PM.

Additional fun things to see and do in Moab

If we had more time, I would’ve loved to add a few more adventures to our trip. Some of the options we considered included:

• The Needles District
• Visiting even more spots in Arches National Park
• Another sunrise on Day 4
• Off-roading on a jeep ride
• Kayaking on the Colorado River
• Scenic byway drives (like U-128)

With only 3 nights in Moab, our goal wasn’t to check off every possible stop, but to prioritize the best parts without making the itinerary feel like a ton of work. There’s always a next time – but I’m glad we got to see Delicate Arch as that was the highlight for me.

Heat-Friendly Things To Do in Moab

If you are visiting in summer, the middle of the day is better used for recovery, handling logistics like groceries, and low-effort sightseeing – preferably in AC.

A few good midday options:

• Visit Arches Visitor Center
• Visit Canyonlands Visitor Center
• Walk around Main Street
• Stop at Moab Museum
• Browse gear shops
• Eat a big lunch
• Rest at the hotel
• Use the pool
• Take a scenic drive
• Refill water and repack for sunset
• Take a nap, or get some work done

What to Pack for 3 Days in Moab

For early mornings, exposed hikes under the unforgiving sun, and sunset expeditions, here are the things I would pack:

• Daypack
• Plenty of water (>0.5 liters for every hour of hiking)
• Electrolytes
• Salty snacks
• Sun hoodie or breathable long-sleeve layer
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
• Hiking shoes or trail runners
• Headlamp
• Light layer for sunset picnics
• Portable charger
• Offline maps
• Camera or phone with enough storage
• Easy breakfast food
• America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass

Is 3 Days Enough for Moab?

Three days in Moab is enough for a first trip if you focus on Arches, Canyonlands Island in the Sky, Dead Horse Point, and one or two bigger hikes. For our itinerary, our must-sees were narrowed down to:

• Delicate Arch sunset
• Devils Garden (Double O Arch and Panorama Arch)
• The Windows Section (North and South Window, Turret Arch)
• Mesa Arch at sunrise
• Green River Overlook
• Shafer Canyon Overlook
• Dead Horse Point sunset

Moab also makes a great anchor if you’re stringing together a longer Grand Circle road trip through Utah’s national parks.

Final Thoughts on This Moab Itinerary

So after 3 days in Moab, did it win me over the way it does for most people? I’m still more of a mountains-and-lakes person than a red rock person, but I get the appeal now.

It’s hard not to be a little obsessed after watching the sun light up Delicate Arch. Or standing at the edge of the canyon at Dead Horse Point, knowing the Colorado River carved all of this over millions of years.

If you follow this itinerary, I think you’ll leave with the same feeling – tired in a good way, and glad you made the trip. Let me know what your favorite part was!