Planning my 1st trip to Moab. Advice/suggestions ?????

[Rockledge]

I have never been to Moab and I do not want to tackle trails there not knowing the area. I have been looking into the possibility of signing up for the Easter Jeep Safari March 28 thru April 5th 2026, thru Red Rock 4 Wheelers.
I really want to experience the views and just being there. Coming from North Carolina and driving there and back- I am not looking to damage my vehicle.
My wish list includes: NOTE : Added many suggestions to list !!!
Chicken Corners
Top of the World
Onion Creek
Potash Road
Hurrah Pass
Dome Plateau
Fins-n-Things
Heel's Revenge
White Rim - Maybe 2 days ?
Long Canyon
Canyonlands - ( Elephant Hill Road ) Devils Pocket
I'm looking for advice and suggestions to plan this out.
Where to stay? nice but not to $$.
Other trails to visit?
Just things i should know ?

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[SmallCrawler]

Book your hotels early then circle back from time-to-time since the rates often go down more than once. Use google maps to space out your stops. And consider adding Arches and/or Canyonlands NP to your trip. You can avoid the entry lines by taking the Schafer trail into Canyonlands, and the new Utahraptor state park into Arches.

 

[GnormalGnome]

Are you wanting to take your Bronco on trails, or will you just be doing ridealongs?

NC to UT is a helluva road trip. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time for scenery and unplanned delays. Both are inevitable.

Affordable lodging during the Safari is near-impossible and fills up fast, I wouldn't be surprised if some venues are already fully booked. I've only been to the event once and stayed at the Best Western so can't speak to any others. It's nice enough for what is needed...clean room, hot shower, etc.

You can spend weeks there and still not see it all. Pick a couple of key things you want to do/see. Don't try to plan every minute. Like the road trip, allow for plenty of spontaneous activities.

Have Fun!

 

[Rockledge]

Thankfully I have no time schedule. I do want to drive my bronco on the trails. This will be the longest trip I have ever been on. I do however want to make it worth while. This wont be that cheap of a trip.
I hope to add stops and have delays. Try my best to not worry about it.

 

[GnormalGnome]

Thankfully I have no time schedule.

That's the way to do it!

I've driven coast to coast a few times (not in the Bronco), and take multiple 1k+mile roadtrips each year. Destinations are great, but the journey is what it's all about, imo.

I highly recommend the Loves truck stops. Consistently the cleanest restrooms, almost always some kind of restaurant inside, and their app gives .10 off each gallon of gas, scan at the pump.

 

[dejones64]

That's the way to do it!

I've driven coast to coast a few times (not in the Bronco), and take multiple 1k+mile roadtrips each year. Destinations are great, but the journey is what it's all about, imo.

I highly recommend the Loves truck stops. Consistently the cleanest restrooms, almost always some kind of restaurant inside, and their app gives .10 off each gallon of gas, scan at the pump.

Cross country, I'm always for Love's and Flying J/Pilot truck stops.

 

[dejones64]

I have never been to Moab and I do not want to tackle trails there not knowing the area. I have been looking into the possibility of signing up for the Easter Jeep Safari March 28 thru April 5th 2026, thru Red Rock 4 Wheelers.
I really want to experience the views and just being there. Coming from North Carolina and driving there and back- I am not looking to damage my vehicle.
My wish list includes:
Chicken Corners
Top of the World
Onion Creek
I'm looking for advice and suggestions to plan this out.
Where to stay? nice but not to $$.
Other trails to visit?
Just things i should know ?

That's a good list, Chicken Corners and Onion Creek are on the less difficult side. Top of The World is a bit more difficult. My first trip to Moab was this past July, solo. I did the Shafer-Potash trail starting at the top in Canyonlands. Wish I had more time I wanted to do Chicken Corners. I camped, no hotels, so I don't have prices for you. Someone mentioned Arches and Canyonlands, do Dead Horse Point State Park, it's right there next to Canyonlands. It overlooks the Shafer-Potash trail, and Colorado River. These are all within short driving distance if you're staying in Moab. Canyonlands though is a whole other trip in itself. Make sure you check the weather daily before you head out on a trail. Moab and Park visitor centers are a good source of info. Have a great trip, take pics, stay safe and report back!

 

[EMBronco]

Moab is great. There’s something for everyone.

A couple trails I might suggest:

Tower Arch - this trail is in Arches National Park. Not to difficult, but not to easy either. It will take you to Tower Arch and Eye of the Whale Arch. The best part is you probably will not see any other people, while the rest of the park is packed. I was on this trail two weeks ago, and only saw 1 other rig on the trail. Takes 3-5 hours depending on how much time you spend at the Arches hiking.

Dome Plateau - This trailhead is right across the road from the Top of the World trailhead. It has what I think is the best overlook of the Colorado River and surrounding area. There’s lots of interesting things along the way - arches, caves, cabins, etc. I was in Moab in March and attempted Top of the World. It had rained the night before and the trail was wet. I couldn’t get up the second set of large ledges (37s, small lift, lockers front and rear). I wasn’t out with any other rigs, so after several attempts I turned around. If something like this happens to you, Dome Plateau is a good alternative. Trail takes 5-7 hours depending on how much you stop.

I’ve stayed at the Comfort Inn, Mainstay Suites, and Sleep Inn. All have been clean and had a good full breakfast included.

Good luck and have fun on your adventure.

 

[Southbound]

If you are interested in a guidebook, I bought "Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails" by Wells and Peterson.

Of course bring recovery gear, first aid kit etc.

Have fun and safe travels

 

[Demon4x4]

Add Fins & Things

 

[Ellishousehold]

My wife and I did a week in UT last year and hit all the national parks in my 23 Wildtrak and my favorite trail was White Rim in Canyon Lands. Others please chime in, I’ve been 4 wheeling for 40 years and am fairly seasoned but didn’t think it was a difficult trail. It’s remote and beautiful - 100 miles but easy enough to do in a day if you start early. It does require a permit from the NPS, you can sign up on their site. www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/whiterimroad.htm

 

[Rockledge]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I just purchased the ( "Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails" on Amazon. Thanks SOUTHBOUND ! I'm looking at all the Trip reports and Journals here on the forums.
Has anyone here had dealings with Red Rock 4 Wheelers ?
I've heard good things about them.

 

[Rockledge]

I am looking to purchase skid plates before I go - My base Sasquatch doesn't have any. I will probably get the Ford OEM skids or Looking for Aluminum to keep the weight down.

 

[Num Num]

I went with these guys. https://rcimetalworks.com/
And did aluminum as well. I’m sure there might be discussions about using steel. Please share what you end up doing. I am planning on heading that way next year and any suggestions are awesome.

 

[K2mia]

I have never been to Moab and I do not want to tackle trails there not knowing the area. I have been looking into the possibility of signing up for the Easter Jeep Safari March 28 thru April 5th 2026, thru Red Rock 4 Wheelers.
I really want to experience the views and just being there. Coming from North Carolina and driving there and back- I am not looking to damage my vehicle.
My wish list includes:
Chicken Corners
Top of the World
Onion Creek
I'm looking for advice and suggestions to plan this out.
Where to stay? nice but not to $$.
Other trails to visit?
Just things i should know ?

I am planning a similar trip but not sure it will coincide with a group tour... What are the dispersed camping areas like in Moab? Many of the trails you mentioned I was also hoping to hit and I was hoping there would be camping opportunities nearby.

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