Things To Do
Mill Creek
This is one of our favorite spots in Moab. It's free and has everything you could ask for on a hot day. You'll find swimming holes, natural water slides, cliff jumping, some of the best general desert exploring, and gorgeous scenery to top it all off. If you've got time afterwards, we recommend a stop at Milt's where you can get a solid milkshake plus burgers and such if you're hungry.
La Sal Mountains
This unique range is an excellent way to escape the heat and see the valley from a unique perspective. There are tons of options for hiking, camping, swimming and biking in the mountains. It can get a bit buggy up there at times, so just be aware of that. You can get to the mountains from the south of the town of Moab, or via the Castle Valley Road, which would be a much more direct route from the lodge. You could even make it a loop if you're wanting to fit a lot into your day!
Professor Creek and Mary Jane Canyon
This nine-mile round-trip hike is great for a hot summer day! It's long but still family friendly (little to no elevation gain), and the trailhead is only a 13 minute drive from the lodge. It follows Professor Creek and eventually enters Mary Jane Canyon, culminating at a 30-foot waterfall with a shallow swimming hole. Make sure to wear waterproof footwear! You'll be walking in and through the creek. The beginning of the hike is not shaded, but as you continue the canyon walls will get higher and offer some reprieve from the sun. There are also some side canyons along the way with tighter slots to explore if you're feeling up to it. Directions: From River Road (128), turn right onto a dirt road signed “Ranch Road Dead End” (BLM 98). Follow this road a little over 2 miles, staying to the right where the road forks. The road ends in a small parking area. To start the trail, follow the well established dirt trail on the left side of the parking lot, not towards the signed trailhead.
Corona Arch
The Corona Arch Trail is a great *free* 3-mile hike to one of the largest and most spectacular arches near Moab. Corona Arch, also called Little Rainbow Bridge, is your final destination, but the trail also passes Pinto Arch and Bowtie Arch along the way. The trail is easy to follow although it does cross some wide expanses of slickrock pavement. These sections, however, are well marked with cairns. A couple of slickrock sections also have metal cables to use as handrails as well as a ladder on one steep step. If you have a fear of heights or unsure footing, it’s best to stop after the first cable to view the arch. We'd recommend doing this hike first thing in the morning or later in the evening since it gets sun all day. Carry plenty of water and wear a hat since little shade is found along the trail, except beneath overhanging cliffs in the late afternoon.
Takeout Beach
Only a 7 minute drive from the lodge, this *free* sandy beach along the river offers an easy way to cool off in the river after your day of adventuring, or whenever! Parking can get limited, but there's always room on the shores to cool off in the water. Some people will bring floaties and tie them to the shore. The scenery is also pretty much unparalleled.
Arches National Park
Arches is so easy to access from the lodge or the town of Moab. It's worth a trip if you've never been. You will need to make reservations in advance to visit between 7am-4pm. Reservations open up on January 2, 2026 for the month of June. Once you have a pass, you can use it in any national park for the next year). It will likely be quite hot, so it wouldn't be the worst to visit outside of the reservation hours if you're interested in checking out this beautiful slice of Earth! Reservations require a $2 processing fee, and you will also need a National Parks pass to enter ($80). These are per vehicle, and will be valid for 12 months after purchase. They can be purchased upon entry. Reservation link included below
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is MASSIVE. Honestly, we recommend doing your own research on this one if you're wanting to explore it as there are so many options for your adventure there. It is a bit further from the lodge and town, so it would be a bigger time commitment. It's an amazing area if you're looking for a more immersive visit than Arches with plenty of vast, remote landscapes to explore. You do NOT need reservations for Canyonlands, but you will need a National Parks pass. There are some roads that require a day use pass as they are only meant for 4x4 vehicles, so make sure to take note of that while you're looking at areas to see in this park.
Dead Horse Point State Park
A bit further out of town, but with simple and short hikes or mountain biking trails that provide epic views of the whole valley!
