Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are a favorite because of the striking canyons, arches, monoliths, spires, fins and balanced rocks, primarily composed of Entrada Sandstone. A winter storm left about an inch of snow, making for some scenic photography, even though Arches was closed by the National Park Service the day after it snowed. Luckily Canyonlands was still open. The drive from Dolores, Colorado was scenic.
Last Updated: May 24, 2026
Moab, Utah is the gateway city to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Thanks to its setting amid some of the most spectacular canyon country in the Southwest, Moab is famous for outdoor recreation of every kind — mountain biking, hiking, river rafting, motorcycling, ATV and Jeep trails, rock climbing, and canyoneering. We arrived in spring 2018 after exploring Monument Valley and Bluff, and quickly understood why Moab draws adventurers from all over the world.
