How many national parks are within 300 miles of Moab?

There are 10 national parks within 300 miles of Moab, Utah: Arches (5 mi), Canyonlands (32 mi), Capitol Reef (120 mi), Mesa Verde (110 mi), Black Canyon of the Gunnison (175 mi), Bryce Canyon (170 mi), Great Sand Dunes (220 mi), Zion (235 mi), Grand Canyon North Rim (270 mi), and Rocky Mountain (280 mi).

Can you do multiple national parks in a Moab road trip?

Absolutely. The classic Utah 5 National Parks road trip — Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion — all originate naturally from Moab. A 7-10 day trip can realistically cover 3-5 parks with quality time at each.

Do you need separate entry passes for each national park?

Yes, each park charges a separate entry fee. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers entry to all national parks for 12 months and pays for itself after just 2-3 parks. It's the best value purchase for any multi-park trip from Moab.

National Parks Near Moab | 10 Parks Within 300 Miles — HikingMoab

Moab is the Hub of the American Southwest

10 National Parks
Within 300 Miles of Moab

No region on earth puts this many world-class national parks within a single tank of gas. Use Moab as your base and explore Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico's greatest protected landscapes.

Explore All 10 Parks Plan a Multi-Park Road Trip

National Parks

5 mi

Closest Park

States Covered

$80

Annual Pass Value

All distances from Moab, UT

Entry fee & permit info included

Best season for each park

Guided tours available

Jump to a Park — Distance from Moab

🏜️ Arches 5 mi 🗻 Canyonlands 32 mi 🏛️ Mesa Verde 110 mi 🌄 Capitol Reef 120 mi 🔴 Bryce Canyon 170 mi ⚫ Black Canyon 175 mi 🏖️ Great Sand Dunes 220 mi 🌿 Zion 235 mi 🌅 Grand Canyon 270 mi 🏔️ Rocky Mountain 280 mi

Start Here — Your Moab Backyard

Two World-Class Parks at Your Front Door

Arches and Canyonlands are the reason people come to Moab first — and why they keep coming back. Both are within 35 miles of town.

5 miles from Moab · Utah

Arches National Park

Over 2,000 natural sandstone arches — including Delicate Arch, the symbol of Utah. The most visited national park in the Southwest for good reason.

Delicate Arch Devils Garden Landscape Arch Fiery Furnace

Trail Guides for Arches →

32 miles from Moab · Utah

Canyonlands National Park

Four districts carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. Island in the Sky is a quick drive from Moab and rewards with jaw-dropping canyon panoramas.

Mesa Arch Island in the Sky Syncline Loop The Needles

Trail Guides for Canyonlands →

Book a Guided Arches or Canyonlands Tour Browse All Moab Trail Guides

Book Direct With Operators

Guided Tours: Arches & Canyonlands

These tours are operated by licensed Moab guide services. Booking connects you directly to the operator.

HikingMoab.com earns a referral fee when you book through our links. This never affects our trail recommendations. Learn more →

Within 300 Miles of Moab

All 10 National Parks — Complete Guide

From just 5 miles away to a half-day drive — each park is worth it. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

120 mi from Moab Utah

Capitol Reef National Park

The Forgotten Gem of the Utah 5

A 100-mile wrinkle in the earth's crust called the Waterpocket Fold forms the spine of this underrated park. Fewer crowds than Arches, just as dramatic. The historic Fruita orchards are a bonus — free fruit picking in season.

~2 hrs from Moab Best: May, Sept–Oct $35 entry fee

Must-Do Hikes

Cassidy Arch Hickman Bridge Chimney Rock Loop Grand Wash

Official NPS Page Add to Itinerary

110 mi from Moab Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park

Ancient Cliff Dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only national park dedicated primarily to the works of humans. Cliff Palace — 150 rooms carved into a canyon alcove — is one of the most breathtaking archaeological sites in North America. Combine with Cortez, Colorado.

~1.75 hrs from Moab Best: May–Oct $35 entry fee

Must-Do Experiences

Cliff Palace Tour Balcony House Petroglyph Point Chapin Mesa Ruins

Official NPS Page Add to Itinerary

170 mi from Moab Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park

The World's Largest Collection of Hoodoos

Technically an amphitheater rather than a canyon, Bryce's maze of orange and crimson hoodoos is one of the most otherworldly landscapes on the planet. Winter snow dusting the hoodoos is genuinely magical. One of the best stargazing parks in the US.

~3 hrs from Moab Best: May, Sept–Nov $35 entry fee

Must-Do Hikes

Navajo Loop Queens Garden Fairyland Loop Peekaboo Trail

Official NPS Page Add to Itinerary

175 mi from Moab Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

One of the Deepest, Darkest Gorges in North America

The Gunnison River drops faster here than almost any river in North America, carving a narrow, near-vertical gorge that plunges 2,700 feet. The inner canyon walls get barely 33 minutes of sunlight per day in winter. Least-visited of Colorado's national parks — and genuinely spectacular.

~3 hrs from Moab Best: June–Oct $30 entry fee

Must-Do Hikes

Rim Rock Trail Warner Point Nature Trail Chasm View Trail Painted Wall Overlook

Official NPS Page Add to Itinerary

220 mi from Moab Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park

The Tallest Sand Dunes in North America

Dunes rising over 750 feet against the backdrop of 14,000-foot Sangre de Cristo peaks — this park shouldn't exist, and that's what makes it so unforgettable. Star Dune is the highest sand dune in North America. The seasonal creek at the base is a surreal bonus in spring.

~3.5 hrs from Moab Best: May–June, Sept–Oct $25 entry fee

Must-Do Experiences

High Dune Hike Star Dune Summit Medano Creek Mosca Pass Trail

Official NPS Page Add to Itinerary

235 mi from Moab Utah

Zion National Park

Utah's Most Visited — and Most Spectacular — Park

Towering Navajo sandstone walls rising 2,000 feet from the emerald Virgin River. The Narrows — a slot canyon wade through waist-deep water — is one of the most iconic hikes on earth. Plan around the free park shuttle and book the Angels Landing permit well in advance.

~3.75 hrs from Moab Best: Mar–May, Sept–Nov $35 entry fee

Must-Do Hikes

The Narrows Angels Landing Emerald Pools Canyon Overlook

Official NPS Page Add to Itinerary

270 mi from Moab Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park

The North Rim Is the Moab Traveler's Access Point

From Moab, the North Rim (open mid-May to mid-October) is the logical approach — wilder, quieter, and 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim. The Cape Royal Road and North Kaibab Trail are highlights. The South Rim is 300 miles but accessible year-round if that's your target.

~4.5 hrs (North Rim) Best: May–Oct (N. Rim) $35 entry fee

Must-Do Hikes

North Kaibab Trail Cape Final Angels Window Overlook Transept Trail

Official NPS Page Add to Itinerary

280 mi from Moab Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park

Alpine Tundra, Elk, and 14,000-Foot Peaks

Trail Ridge Road — the highest continuously paved road in the US — crosses tundra at 12,183 feet. A dramatic counterpoint to Moab's desert landscape. Requires a timed entry permit in summer. The complete contrast to Arches makes it an ideal bookend to any Southwest trip.

~4.5 hrs from Moab Best: June–Sept $35 entry fee

Must-Do Hikes

Sky Pond Emerald Lake Flattop Mountain Bear Lake Loop

Official NPS Page Add to Itinerary

🎟️

America the Beautiful Annual Pass — Worth Every Dollar

At $80, the America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass covers entrance to all national parks, national monuments, and federal recreation areas for 12 months. With 10 parks each charging $25–$35, visiting just 3 parks pays for the pass in full. For any multi-park trip from Moab, this is the single smartest purchase you can make.

Covers all 10 parks listed here 4 people per vehicle Valid for 12 months Also covers BLM & USFS sites

Buy the Annual Pass ($80) ↗

Trip Planning

Multi-Park Road Trips from Moab

Use Moab as your launching pad. These are the proven road trip circuits — organized by trip length and distance.

🌵

Utah's 5 National Parks

The iconic Southwest circuit — all from Moab

Arches National Park

Start at Delicate Arch. Sunrise from Wolfe Ranch.

5 mi — Your backyard

Canyonlands NP

Mesa Arch at sunrise. Island in the Sky for panoramas.

32 mi from Moab

Capitol Reef NP

Hickman Bridge + Fruita orchards. Overnite nearby.

120 mi from Moab

Bryce Canyon NP

Navajo Loop + Queens Garden combo at sunrise.

170 mi from Moab

Zion National Park

The Narrows. Angels Landing with a permit.

235 mi from Moab

🏔️

Colorado Parks Loop

Desert to alpine in one epic circuit

Arches + Canyonlands

Full 2 days in your Moab backyard first.

5–32 mi

Mesa Verde NP

Cliff Palace tour requires a timed ticket. Book ahead.

110 mi from Moab

Great Sand Dunes NP

Alien landscape between two mountain ranges.

220 mi from Moab

Rocky Mountain NP

Trail Ridge Road. Tundra world. Elk in fall.

280 mi from Moab

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Return loop through Gunnison. Rim walk at sunset.

175 mi from Moab

⚡

Long Weekend (3 Days)

Maximum parks per minute from Moab

Day 1: Arches NP

Delicate Arch at sunset. Devils Garden in the morning.

5 mi — Full day

Day 2: Canyonlands

Mesa Arch sunrise. Island in the Sky drive + hike.

32 mi — Full day

Day 3: Capitol Reef

Hickman Bridge + Cassidy Arch. Drive Scenic Drive.

120 mi — Day trip

Build Your Full Itinerary

See the Full 7-Day Moab Itinerary All Sample Itineraries

When to Visit

Best Season for Each Park

Timing matters enormously when planning a multi-park trip. Here's an honest breakdown — matched to your home base in Moab.

Park	Spring (Mar–May)	Summer (Jun–Aug)	Fall (Sept–Nov)	Winter (Dec–Feb)
Arches NP5 mi · Utah	Prime	Very hot — go early	Best	Uncrowded, cold
Canyonlands NP32 mi · Utah	Prime	Extreme heat	Best	Cold, quiet
Mesa Verde NP110 mi · Colorado	Opening season	Peak access	Excellent	Many closures
Capitol Reef NP120 mi · Utah	Wildflowers	Hot but manageable	Best	Quiet, some ice
Bryce Canyon NP170 mi · Utah	Prime	Busy but good	Best — fall color	Snow on hoodoos
Black Canyon175 mi · Colorado	Good	Peak season	Excellent	North Rim closed
Great Sand Dunes220 mi · Colorado	Creek flowing	Sand burns feet	Best temps	Snow dunes — beautiful
Zion NP235 mi · Utah	Prime — Narrows best	Busy, hot in canyon	Best overall	Low crowds, cool
Grand Canyon N. Rim270 mi · Arizona	North Rim closed until mid-May	Peak access	Best — closes mid-Oct	North Rim closed
Rocky Mountain NP280 mi · Colorado	Trail Ridge opens late	Full access	Elk rut — incredible	Snowshoe season

Best season Good conditions Acceptable Avoid or limited access

Best October Hikes in Moab →

Guided Experiences

Book a Multi-Park Day Tour from Moab

Let a local expert handle the logistics. These guided day trips cover the highlights of Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point in a single unforgettable day.

HikingMoab.com earns a referral fee when you book through our links. Learn more →

Common Questions

National Parks Near Moab — FAQ

There are 10 national parks within 300 miles of Moab: Arches (5 mi), Canyonlands (32 mi), Mesa Verde (110 mi), Capitol Reef (120 mi), Bryce Canyon (170 mi), Black Canyon of the Gunnison (175 mi), Great Sand Dunes (220 mi), Zion (235 mi), Grand Canyon North Rim (270 mi), and Rocky Mountain (280 mi). No region in the US — or arguably the world — concentrates this many world-class protected landscapes in a single tank of gas.

Absolutely, without question. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass costs $80 and covers entry to all 10 parks listed on this page — plus Dead Horse Point State Park is not covered but every federal site is. Arches alone costs $35. Visit just 3 parks and the pass has paid for itself. If you're doing a Utah 5 road trip, you'll save over $100. Buy it here before you arrive.

Several parks and specific trails require advance permits or reservations. Zion's Angels Landing requires a lottery permit. Arches' Fiery Furnace requires a separate guided or self-guided permit year-round. Rocky Mountain NP uses a timed entry reservation system in summer (May–Oct). Mesa Verde's Cliff Palace tour requires a timed ticket. Always check the official NPS website for each park before your trip, as permit systems change frequently. Our trail guides flag permit requirements for Arches and Canyonlands hikes.

The classic loop from Moab: start with Arches and Canyonlands (your Moab base, 2–3 days), then drive west through Hanksville to Capitol Reef (1 day), south to Bryce Canyon (1–2 days), and finish at Zion (1–2 days) before returning northeast to Moab or flying out of Las Vegas. This circuit is roughly 600 miles total. See our 7-Day Moab Itinerary and sample itineraries for day-by-day planning.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is consistently the least-visited national park in this group — and one of the most genuinely dramatic. Capitol Reef is also significantly less crowded than Arches or Zion despite being equally spectacular. Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde see far fewer visitors than the Utah parks. If you want dramatic landscapes without the crowds, Black Canyon and Capitol Reef should be your first additions to any Moab trip.

Arches and Canyonlands (Island in the Sky district) are easily combined into one full day — many visitors do both. Guided day tours covering Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point State Park are also available and highly recommended for first-timers. Capitol Reef is a 2-hour drive and best done as an overnight. Any park beyond 150 miles warrants an overnight stay to experience it properly. See guided multi-park day tours here.

Plan Your Moab Base