3 Weeks in Moab, Utah: Red Rocks, River Floats & Road schooling Adventures
- Tiffani Ebben
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
After two wild weeks of geysers and bison in Yellowstone, I wasn’t sure anything could top that. Then came Moab — red dust, endless canyons, and sunrises that looked like they were painted.
We had four travel days to get there, which is quite a journey for us. Normally we spend one to three weeks in each location, so packing up three nights in a row felt like a mini marathon. We try to keep our drives under four hours — between Luke, me, the kids, two dogs, and two cats, the truck can start to feel like a rolling circus.
A Peaceful Stop in Thayne, Wyoming
Our first stop was our very first Harvest Host stay — and what an unexpected gem! The little property in Thayne, Wyoming had only a few RV spots with water and electric hookups, a swimming pond, and cozy seating areas to relax. The hosts were down-to-earth and full of stories.
I bought some homemade room spray and body scrub she makes when she has time, and we paddle-boarded across their pond under the evening sun. It was peaceful, grounding, and exactly what we needed after two busy weeks. I could’ve stayed longer just to keep chatting with the owners — they’ve been living the vagabond life themselves.
Belmont Hot Springs, Utah — A Hidden Soak
Next, we stopped at Belmont Hot Springs, just north of Salt Lake City. This park has two natural spring-fed ponds — a large one for swimming and a smaller one that’s hotter for soaking.
We had the place entirely to ourselves, morning and night, which still amazes me. Floating in the warm water with the mountains in the distance was such a treat after long days of driving.
Helper, Utah: The Real-Life Radiator Springs
Our next stop was supposed to be just a one-nighter in Helper, Utah — but we loved it so much we stayed two extra days. If you’ve seen Cars, you already know the vibe. It’s Radiator Springs brought to life: small-town charm, big personalities, and locals who treat you like old friends.
The downtown is full of life — art galleries, pottery studios, antique shops, and diners, each with an owner you can’t help but adore. My favorite stop was Vintage Motor Co., run by two brothers, Bobby and Gary, who’ve turned their passion for old vehicles into something really special.
We left with full hearts (and about 200 new friends).
Arriving in Moab
After our little adventure trail, we finally rolled into Moab! Our first stop was Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway RV Park, right on the edge of town. The park was tight — we even shared our “yard” with another camper — but everyone we met was so kind that it didn’t matter.
The pool was huge, and the hot tub might just win our “Best of the Year” award. Our favorite part? The bike trail that runs straight from the campground into Arches National Park. Luke and I made a habit of sneaking out early in the morning before the kids woke up for a sunrise ride. It was pure magic.
Roadschooling Reality
The kids started school while we were here, which meant our first real test of balancing travel and schedules. Our poor free-spirited souls had to pivot hard from “mountain mornings” to math lessons. Let’s just say coffee became essential, and sometimes history class happened outside on red rock cliffs.
Thrifting in Downtown Moab
Of course, we had to explore downtown Moab and all its funky shops. That’s also where our new family tradition was born — checking out local thrift stores everywhere we go!
Moab has some gems:
We found treasures, laughed way too much, and may or may not have bought matching shirts we didn’t need.
Exploring Arches National Park
We spent three days in Arches National Park, and honestly, you could do it in one — but we liked spreading it out to savor everything.
Our first day, Luke’s parents joined us for the scenic drive. We stopped at all the major viewpoints, most of which have short, easy hikes under a mile.
On day two, we tackled the Park Avenue Trail, a moderate hike through a towering sandstone canyon. Going early in the morning meant cooler temps, fewer people, and beautiful lighting for photos.
Our final day was for the big one — Delicate Arch. It’s steep, hot, and totally worth it. Even hiking in the evening, it felt like walking on the surface of Mars. I’ll admit, I hiked it in my Birkenstocks (yes, really). I got a few funny looks, but my “Birks across America” streak is still going strong!
Fun Facts:
Delicate Arch stands 52 feet tall and 32 feet wide.
It’s the most photographed arch in the world and appears on Utah’s license plate.
Pro Tip: Start this hike two hours before sunset for the best light and cooler temps. Bring double the water you think you’ll need.
Tubing the Colorado River
We spent one sunny afternoon tubing down the Colorado River, and to our surprise, we were the only ones out there! Floating between massive canyon walls was like drifting through another world.
Canyonlands National Park: The Underrated Wonder
If Arches is famous for its shapes, Canyonlands is all about scale. I went in with low expectations — and left completely awestruck. Endless canyons, mesas, and rivers stretch as far as you can see.
Did You Know?
Canyonlands is Utah’s largest national park.
The Colorado and Green Rivers carved it over millions of years.
The “Island in the Sky” district alone offers some of the best overlooks in the entire Southwest.
We packed lunch and ate cliffside — easily one of our favorite memories.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Located right before Canyonlands, this park felt like a smaller, quieter version of the Grand Canyon. It’s also dog-friendly, so our pups were thrilled to join. We hiked the 2-mile rim loop, soaking up the views at every turn.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get more beautiful, we stumbled upon a wedding taking place at the edge of the canyon. It felt straight out of a movie.
Fun Facts:
The overlook sits 2,000 feet above the Colorado River.
It’s named after a legend involving wild mustangs corralled on the point.
The final scene of Thelma & Louise was filmed here!
The Great Lizard Hunt
When we reached Moab, we entered full-on lizard country. I hadn’t seen them since college in Florida! I told the kids if they could catch one, they could keep it. That became their full-time mission for days.
We almost caught one at Dead Horse Point… but he escaped. It’s now a running family joke — we still talk about “the one that got away.”
Hole N" the Rock
One afternoon, Luke and I took a little date break to explore Hole N" the Rock, a quirky 5,000-square-foot home carved straight into a sandstone cliff. It only takes about 30 minutes to tour, and the gift shop is full of wonderfully weird souvenirs.
Fun Facts:
It took 12 years to carve and was completed in the 1950s.
The home has 14 rooms built right into the stone.
There’s also a mini zoo and sculpture garden on-site.
A New View at Sun Outdoors Canyonlands
For the second half of our stay, we moved to Sun Outdoors Canyonlands, about 15 minutes north of Moab. We liked the first park better for the bike trails, but this one had a huge, private site and unreal views — we could literally see the arches from our campsite.
We strung up our hammocks and watched the desert sunset fade into a starry sky. It was quiet, calm, and absolutely perfect. Below is the view from our campsite. Dreamy right?
Final Thoughts
Moab feels like another planet — fiery red rocks, twisting canyons, and skies that stretch forever. There’s an energy here that’s hard to describe — it’s wild, grounding, and freeing all at once.
Next time, we plan to dive deeper into the mountain biking and rock climbing scene, but even with school starting and new routines, Moab left a mark on all of us.
Sometimes slowing down doesn’t mean missing out. It means noticing more — and Moab reminded us of that.
Next stop: Colorado! We’ll be catching up with Luke’s family in Denver… and making our first visit back home since we hit the road.
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