Self-Drive: Moab 6-Day Adventure

Overview

Day by day

1. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 1

   Arrive in Salt Lake City & Explore Downtown

   Kick Off Your Utah Road Trip

   • Drive Time / Distance: Airport transfer to downtown SLC.
   • Today's Highlights: Rental car pickup, Salt Lake City Capitol, Temple Square, downtown dining.

   Welcome to Utah! Your self-drive adventure begins when you touch down at the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). After picking up your rental vehicle, make the quick drive to your downtown hotel to check in and freshen up.

   Spend the remainder of your afternoon and evening experiencing the unique culture of Utah's capital. Take a scenic walk up to the historic Utah State Capitol building for a panoramic view of the valley, or stroll through the iconic grounds of Temple Square. Wrap up your first night by exploring downtown Salt Lake City’s vibrant culinary scene and enjoying a relaxing evening before heading south tomorrow.

2. 

   Day 2

   Scenic Drive to Moab, Luxury Glamping & Dark Sky Stargazing

   Journey to Red Rock Country & Telescope Tour

   • Drive Time / Distance: 4 hours from SLC to Moab via US-6 East and I-15 South.
   • Today's Highlights: Wasatch Mountains, San Rafael Swell, Book Cliffs, Moab glamping check-in, exclusive high-powered telescope tour.

   Fuel up with breakfast before starting your spectacular 4-hour scenic drive from Salt Lake City to Moab. Your route climbs high into the rugged Wasatch Mountains over Soldier Summit, before dropping down into the northern edge of the surreal San Rafael Swell—one of the most remote, uninhabited expanses in the American Southwest. Keep your camera ready as you pass the dramatic, golden-hued Book Cliffs guarding the approach to red rock country.

   Arrive in the world-famous adventure hub of Moab, Utah. Check into your premium Moab glamping property, featuring beautifully appointed Safari Tents (options include king beds or 3 twin beds with shared bath facilities), a relaxing outdoor garden, and full wheelchair-accessible amenities. Spend your late afternoon browsing downtown Moab's local artisan shops, microbreweries, and galleries.

   • Night Activity: Exclusive Moab Dark Sky Viewing (8:00 PM – 2.5 Hours) Around sunset, meet your expert astronomy guide in town and follow them in your own vehicle to a permitted, light-pollution-free dark sky site right outside Arches and Canyonlands. Look through a high-powered telescope to view star clusters, nebulae, planets, and faraway galaxies while learning about Western Native American constellations. (Note: Remember to dress in layers as desert temperatures drop rapidly at night!)

3. 

   

   

   Day 3

   Whitewater Rafting the Colorado River & Off-the-Beaten-Path Hikes

   Splashy Rapids & Local Desert Exploration

   • Activity Duration: Half-day river rafting (approx. 3–4 hours).
   • Today's Highlights: Rafting Fisher Towers, Colorado River swimming, Moab Main Street shopping.
   • Morning Activity: Half-Day Colorado River Rafting Trip Start your morning early with an exhilarating guided rafting tour down the legendary Colorado River. Launching from a site just upstream, you'll float down the famous Fisher Towers section. This family-friendly stretch features soaring red sandstone monoliths, massive rock spires, and native wildlife. Navigate moderate, splashy rapids in an oar raft, or request a paddle boat or single/double inflatable kayak for extra excitement. Take a quick swim break in the river and learn about the deep canyon history from your professional guide.

   In the afternoon, enjoy open free time. Use this opportunity to escape the crowds on some incredible off-the-beaten-path hikes outside the national parks, or head back to Moab Main Street to grab a bite to eat and explore the local Southwest artwork.

4. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 4

   Arches National Park In-Depth & Private 4x4 Sunset Safari

   The Ultimate Day Among Sandstone Arches

   • Activity Duration: Full-day park exploring + 4-hour evening 4x4 tour.
   • Today's Highlights: Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, Double Arch, Landscape Arch, private backcountry 4x4 tour.

   Spend today exploring the highest density of natural sandstone arches in the world at Arches National Park. Map out your self-drive stops to hit iconic formations including Park Avenue, the Courthouse Towers, and Balanced Rock.

   • Top Day Hikes to Include:
     • Landscape Arch: An easy 2-mile round-trip trek to view the longest natural stone arch on earth.
     • The Windows Section: Walk right up into the massive North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch loop.
     • Double Arch: A short, flat walk to the spectacular, interlocking dual arches.
     • Delicate Arch: A bucket-list 3-mile round-trip hike that climbs 480 feet up an open slickrock slope. It is a moderately strenuous trek, but rewarding you with up-close views of Utah's most iconic geological landmark. (Tip: Start early in the morning to beat the desert heat and the crowds!)
   • Evening Activity: Private Guided 4x4 Safari Tour of Arches (4 Hours) Rest your legs and meet your private guide on Moab Main Street. Board a specialized high-clearance safari vehicle (a custom Sprinter van or bus equipped with extra-large picture windows for premium viewing) for an unforgettable backcountry tour. Your professional guide will handle the off-road navigation past Panorama Point, the La Sal Mountains, and the Petrified Dunes. Enjoy short guided walks to the Windows Section and culminate your evening at the legendary Delicate Arch Overlook, watching the setting sun paint the desert stone in brilliant shades of crimson and gold. (Snacks, water, and park entry fees are fully included).

5. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 5

   Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky) & Dead Horse Point Sunset

   High-Altitude Overlooks & Deep Labyrinths

   • Drive Time: 45 minutes from Moab to Canyonlands.
   • Today's Highlights: Mesa Arch hike, Grand View Point, Dead Horse Point State Park sunset.

   Head across the plateau to the breathtaking Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. Sitting atop a sheer mesa sheer thousands of feet above the surrounding desert, this area offers unparalleled views down into a vast, endless labyrinth of carved canyons.

   Walk the short, scenic trail to Mesa Arch, perched precariously on the cliff edge. It is famously recognized as one of the most photographed vistas in the Western United States. Continue driving along the scenic loop to gaze over Grand View Point and Green River Overlook.

   In the late afternoon, make your way to neighboring Dead Horse Point State Park. Stand 2,000 feet above a massive gooseneck pinch in the Colorado River to witness a world-class desert sunset. Head back into Moab for one final celebratory dinner at a local microbrewery.

6. 

   Day 6

   Return to Salt Lake City & Departure

   Homeward Journey

   • Drive Time / Distance: 4 hours back to Salt Lake City.
   • Today's Highlights: Scenic return drive, flight checkout.

   Check out of your accommodations and begin the scenic 4-hour return drive northward back to Northern Utah. Arrive at the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), return your rental vehicle, and head to your gate to board your flight home, bringing your unforgettable 6-day Moab self-drive adventure to a close.

Optional Activities That You Can Arrange

Departure Dates

Tour details

More from Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park

SWAT Trip Protection Plan

The SWAT Trip Protection Plan (TPP) gives you the freedom to cancel your tour for any reason up to the day before departure and receive a full refund of your SWAT-collected tour payments. It’s a simple, transparent cancellation waiver designed to provide flexibility for our guests and clarity in our booking process.

Read the full Trip Protection terms — eligibility, how to buy, cancelling, rescheduling and refund timing.