Moab, Utah, is a fun town. It bustles with activity during the spring and fall, when the community hosts epic events drawing people from around the world. The final such event of the year will happen later this month, when the Moab Halloween Bike Fest comes to town.
The bike fest will be held Oct 27-30. Formerly the Moab Fat Tire Festival, this event is now owned and managed by local riders. It offers a bike expo, daily live bands and deejayed music, food, trail rides, guided rides, shuttles, arts & crafts fair, famous guest appearances, plus camping on site! It is one of the world's premier mountain bike events. For more info visit www.moabbikefest.com.
The bike fest brings a circus-like atmosphere. When it ends, when the crowds go home, the town's personality changes, becoming more laid-back and relaxed. It's at this time that I like to visit the area. Late fall is the best time of year to hike in Arches and Canyonlands national parks and to ride the area's mountain bike and jeep trails.
Arches National Park is a fantasyland. No other place on earth contains such an amazing collection of gravity-defying rock formations. When friends visit Utah I love to take them hiking through the Devil's Garden, past fragile-looking Landscape Arch and a half-dozen other arches etched from stone by wind and weather.
Delicate Arch is also a favorite destination when I'm showing off Utah's scenic wonders. It is perhaps the most famous natural arch on earth; it has become an icon that symbolizes the state of Utah. It can be seen at the end of a short, moderately-adventurous hike up a slickrock ridge.
The paved, scenic drive through the national park provides access to the most popular sights. But the park and its wonders extend far beyond the paved road. I love to trek off the beaten path and explore areas seldom seen by others. The Klondike Bluffs area in Arches provides opportunity for such adventure.
Moab's annual Folk Music Festival is held in the late fall (Nov 4-6). There are also races and cultural events and other activities for locals and tourists. But the biggest attraction, for me, is the warm fall sunshine and opportunity for exciting hikes.
All of our national parks offer good hiking opportunities during the fall.
We have created a National Parks Map and Guide to help people travel to and explore the parks in the "Grand Circle" area. We will send it to you for free. Click here for details.
– Dave Webb
Reprinted with permission from The Utah Office of Tourism
www.travel.utah.gov
Activities to Enjoy: |
| Hiking |
Golf |
ATVs |
Boating |
| Camping |
Ice Skating |
Biking |
Rafting |
| Hunting |
Wildlife |
Fall Colors |
Scenic Drives |
| Museums |
Lakes/Rivers |
Snowmobiling |
Dog Sledding |
| Horseback Riding |
Fresh Water Fishing |
| Climbing/Canyoneering |
Festivals/State Fairs |
| Alpine & Nordic Skiing/Snowboarding |
|
