Free to do in Moab, Utah

Arches

Moab is the #1 adventure resort town in Southeastern Utah.  Moab is the place to stay to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Visitors get two national parks from a single destination. Utah's Mighty 5 (National Parks) includes Arches and Canyonlands, in fact, there are more National Parks, State Parks and other major attractions within a 200-mile radius of Moab than any other location in Utah.

From the Colorado River and towering canyons, to the snow capped peaks of 12,000 foot mountains, Moab diligently updates visitor information on www.discovermoab.com for hikers, bikers, four wheelers, river runners, motorcyclists, sightseers, photo and astronomy buffs. The details about these free things to do in Moab can be found on the website. 

Ken's Lake Recreation Area.   

Ken's Lake is a manmade reservoir 10 miles south of Moab. The reservoir provides cool fun for the entire family with swimming, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, as well as fishing (must have license) and is available for free day use.  Three miles of hiking trails are easily accessed by the lake. Horseback trails originate from the nearby campground. Group sites A and B have horse corrals. Group sites can be reserved. (Charges apply for overnight camping). 

Movie Museum & Self guide Movie Location tour. 

Since 1949 the Moab area has been a popular location for Hollywood movies.  Movies filmed in our area range from the old John Wayne classics to more recent hits such as 127 Hours, Disney's The Lone Ranger and John Carter, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Geronimo, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Mission Impossible II.  Thelma and Louise took their final leap into the Colorado River from under Dead Horse Point State Park!  The movie museum houses memorabilia from the days of black and white filmmaking to highlights from recent film projects. The museum is self-guided and open to the public daily at no charge.  www.redcliffslodge.com/museum 

Auto Tours. 

Moab is home to three officially designated Scenic Byways and one Scenic backway.  Featuring arches, canyons, red rock formations, the Colorado River Corridor, petrogylphs, dinosaur tracks, historical sites, movie locations and the LaSal Mountains, these routes offer amazingly diverse scenery and hiking opportunities.  Self-guided tour brochure is available at the Moab Visitor Center or at www.discovermoab.com/byways.htm. http://www.utahscanyoncountry.com/utah-backways.html http://www.moabhappenings.com/Archives/ScenicRoads0908LaSalLoopRoad.htm  

The Matheson Wetlands Preserve, 

located just a half-mile from Moab, provides some of the best wetlands wildlife watching in Utah.  The packed gravel trail has intermittent stretches of boardwalk. There is a viewing blind at the property. Bird and wildlife lists are available for self-guided tours. The preserve is open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. For more information call (435) 259-4629. http://www.utahbirds.org/counties/grand/ChklstMathesonPreserve.htm 

Dinosaur tracks.  

Self guided trail guide to the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail, contains traces (vertebrae, bone fragments and impressions) of a variety of dinosaur species. Visitors can also view the remnants of an old copper mill and the Halfway Stage Station, a rest stop for travelers during the turn of the century as they traveled from the railroad at Thompson to Moab.  The Copper Ridge Sauropod Tracksite discovered in 1989, reveals the first brontosaurus trackway reported from Utah, as well as trackways of four theropods of various sizes. The dinosaurs walked in several directions across a ripple-marked sand deposit that had accumulated in an ancient river channel. Please take only pictures. Leave only footprints. 

Wineries:  

Wine tasters and connoisseurs from around the world are often quite surprised to learn that there are vineyards and wineries right here in the Moab area.  Moab's long growing season coupled with its fertile, sandy soils has resulted in production of award winning wines.  Visitors can spend half a day enjoying both Moab area wineries and their tasting rooms, or take a quick tour of either one.  Spanish Valley Vineyards & Winery is conveniently located south of Moab off of Stocks Drive - the perfect way to relax after a hike in Arches or near Moab. Spanish Valley Vineyards & Winery gained new owners in 2014 and are planning on new vintages soon.  Castle Creek Winery is located 15 miles from Moab, along beautiful Scenic Byway 128.  Its location makes it the perfect destination after a sightseeing drive down Highway 128, or a hike to the Fisher Towers. 

Moab Information Center Lecture Series 

Informative series of lectures relating to southeastern Utah. Usually on Thursday evenings at the Moab Information Center, although some dates may vary. - Main & Center Street in Moab - Free - 6:00pm. For more information visit www.cnha.org/mic.cfm 

The Moab Art Walk 

occurs the second Saturday of each month (April - June and September - November). Stroll Moab's galleries, shops, and cafés and view some of the region's finest locally created artwork. From traditional painting, pottery, and sculpture, to large format landscape photography, mixed media, bead and stonework, woven articles, and jewelry, the Moab Art Walk offers diverse, quality exhibits inspired by the region. For more info visit moabartwalk.com. 

Mountain Biking and BMX. 

Bring your own mountain bike and ride the Amasa Back area, Gemini Bridges Road & Beyond, Klonzo network, MOAB Brands Focus area, Monitor & Merrimac Trail, Klondike Bluff Trail Network, the Whole Enchilada, NEW 2014 Navajo Rxs area, and the Spanish Valley aerobic trails. See an overview of trail difficulty and trail descriptions on http://www.discovermoab.com/biking.htm. Bring your own BMX bike to use the jumps and pump track at Anonymous Park. Named for an anonymous donor who gave the creekside property located at 500 West and Williams Way to the City of Moab. Across 500 West is the slackline park. 

Skateboarding and Slacklining. 

Moab has a public skate park situated at 400 North 199 West. It is adjacent to the new Aquatic Center. The pool requires a fee to swim. Bring your skateboard and helmet to pull a sick trick and free use of the skate park. Moab has the Nation's first slackline park. This park consists of five posts to set up lines of varying lengths from 25 feet to 100 feet. The lines have to be put up and taken down by the party using them. In the future it is hoped to have permanent lines strung. The ambiance of the park couldn't be better with the location right next to Mill Creek on South 500 West. The park is attractive for silence and meditation or a family outing with exploration along the creek. The Mill Creek pathway stretches from Rotary Park to the wet lands preserve and offers an array of activities along the way. 

Disc Golf. 

Bring your disc to enjoy terrain dappled by cactus, sage, deep washes, pinion and juniper. There are 18 baskets. Every Tee pad has signage to indicate direction of throw. Located at the corner of Murphy Lane and Old City Park Road, adjacent to Old City Park. Restrooms are located in Old City Park. Pack it in, Pack it out rule. Discs are sold in gear shops in Moab too.

FREE Festivals to Attend in Moab, Utah

April Action Car Show
antique and classic vehicles assemble to compete for Best of Class, Best of Show, Best of Gas Guzzler, Best of Rat Rod, Mayor's Choice and Chamber of Commerce Choice. The public may walk among the entries. Free to enter. Held in last April at the Swanny City Park 100 W 400 N. 

The Moab Arts Festival
held Memorial Day weekend is a great family event featuring art exhibits and vendors, kids' activity and entertainment tent, and live music in the  Swanny City Park (400 North 100 West). The Festival turns 21 in 2014 and adds a beer and winefestival partner. Free Admission at a beautiful shaded park. - Jewelry - Pottery - Wood - Sculpture - Clothing - Fine Art - Photography - Kid-o-Rama - Music - Entertainment - Taiko Drummers - Food Court - For more information visit www.moabartsfestival.org 

Fourth of July Celebration. 
Fun filled day starts at 10 am with a parade down 400 North between 500 West and Swanny Park at Park Avenue. Saunter on over to the park for free music, contests, and activities provided by the Moab Chamber of Commerce. Food Vendors will have stalls with food for sale. After dark, fireworks will be in the skies over the east valley wall approximately in the Sandflats area and can be seen from much of downtown. 

Electric Light Parade  
 Kick off the winter holiday season with Moab's Electric Light Parade. This annual display of holiday costumes, bikes, and assorted mobiles are illuminated spectacularly. The parade is a culmination of two days of handcrafted items on display and for sale at Holiday Gift Bazaars. The entire family will enjoy this amazing collection of lighted floats as they travel along Main Street in downtown Moab. For more information call the Moab Chamber of Commerce: 435-259-7814.