Red rock, big adventure and plenty of space for the kiddos to burn off energy: Moab is a great place to bring young kids. This three-day itinerary is built for families with kids under 10, with a chill arrival day, a fun-packed day two split between Arches National Park and on the river, and choose your adventure for day three, with four options suited for different energy levels.
We’ve also included our favorite spots to stay, eat and stretch little legs, plus a packing list and kid tips so you’re ready for anything. Let’s get planning!
Day One
After a long drive or flight into town, you’ll want to have a chill day soaking in your new surroundings before the big adventure begins.
Let the kids burn off some of that “are we there yet” energy right after you check in! The Aarchway Inn is a great place to stay with young kids. Their amenities include a large swimming pool and play area with a splash pad, a pirate-ship playground, and hot tubs (for you parents to enjoy at the end of the day). Adventure Inn is a great budget-friendly alternative.
Getting In Early?
Check out Swanny Park in downtown Moab! This park, located right next to the Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center, is a great place for the kids to burn off some energy, with a sizable playground and plenty of grassy space to run around. Public restrooms, water fountains, and shaded picnic tables are also available on site.
For a quick bite, head over to the Moab Food Truck Park. The shaded seating is mist-cooled on hot days, and there are a variety of meal options, fit for every palate.
For dinner, try Antica Forma for a casual, popular menu pick: pizza and pasta. Choose to sit indoors or outdoors.
Still got some energy? Stargazing is a fantastic post-dinner activity. Sunset ranges from about 6 PM in fall to nearly 9 PM in summer, so check the time for your dates before you plan your evening. Arches National Park is an International Dark Sky Park, and a great place to go stargazing. Panorama Point is about 10 miles from the entry point and offers an excellent look at the night sky, far enough from the lights of Moab to show off the Milky Way. Check out our guide on stargazing in the Southwest for more locations and tips.
Kid Tip: Lay out clothes for tomorrow’s rafting and Arches National Park tours tonight and pack a small backpack with the essentials (snacks, sunscreen, hats, towels). Having it prepared and ready to go will make the midday turnaround easier.
Day Two
Arches National Park is a must-see destination in Moab. With young kids, though, you won’t want to spend the whole day there. Instead, switch it up with half a day exploring Arches and half a day swimming and rafting through Castle Valley. With our Arches & Rivers package, experience two of Moab’s most popular attractions without needing to coordinate the logistics!
Here’s what to expect:
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Meet at our Moab office for
the Arches National Park half-day tour. Four-hour guided tour of Arches National Park with an experienced guide and driver. Avoid the parking and planning hassle involved in visiting a National Park. The kiddos will love the sights, and your guide will provide Junior Ranger car entertainment booklets for kids under 12 for the moments between stops. Stops include Balanced Rock, Windows/Double Arch, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, Wolfe Ranch petroglyphs, Sand Dune Arch |
| Noon | A 90-minute break in between activities. Head back into town for a quick bite or bring a pack lunch and enjoy the shaded picnic tables and yard games we have on site. We also have changing stalls available, so leave your river gear in the car to change into when it's time. |
| 1:30 PM | Meet at our Moab office for
the Castle Valley half-day raft tour. Spend about 2 hours on the water floating through Castle Valley, not far from town, soaking in the iconic red rock canyons and towers from the water! This section is a mild experience, with class I-II rapids and plenty of calm sections for the kids to jump in and swim. Got a bigger group? Rent some water blasters for an epic boat v. boat splash war! |
| 5:30 PM | Return back to our office and wrap up the adventure around 5 PM to 5:30 PM, just in time to catch a sunset dinner in the fall. Dewey's is a classic post-river trip dinner spot for our guides! It's right downtown, with plenty of options for whatever you're craving. |
Kid Tip: If a full day sounds like too much for your crew, you can split the two tours across multiple days. In spring and fall, choose an afternoon raft, since mornings can be chilly.
Best Hikes at Arches National Park for Young Kids
Stops on our guided Arches Tour are marked with a star (★). Distances are approximate round trips.
- Sand Dune Arch ★ (0.3 mi): Our top pick for little kids. A shady sand pit tucked between rock walls.
- Balanced Rock ★ (0.3 mi loop): A flat, quick leg-stretch around a giant balancing boulder.
- Double Arch ★ (0.5 mi): A short, flat walk to two huge arches side by side.
- The Windows loop ★ (1 mi): Three arches on one easy loop, with a few steps.
- Wolfe Ranch petroglyphs ★ (about 0.1 mi to the rock art panel): An old ranch cabin plus rock art. Good educational moment. Be sure to leave the petroglyphs untouched!
- Delicate Arch viewpoints ★ (lower: 100 yards; upper: 1 mi, steep): See the famous arch without the full hike. The upper viewpoint is best for ages 6 and up.
- Skyline Arch (0.4 mi): Short and easy, a good last stop.
Check out our Arches Guide for more!
Day Three
Who knows your family better than you do? Certainly not us! That’s why we are giving you some options for day three. Different activities will be a better fit for your crew.
| Option | Best For |
|---|---|
|
Dinosaur Lovers' Delight Moab Giants features a life-sized dinosaur trail, play areas, and indoor theater entertainment. Check their website for seasonal hours before you go. |
Kids with tired legs after two big days, or little ones with a special interest in dinosaurs. |
|
Moab Jeep Tour Our 1/2 Day Moab Jeep tours allow you to discover unique, less visited areas outside of the National Parks from the back of one of our custom open-air Jeeps. Our guides provide extensive and fascinating knowledge about ancestral and geologic history of the area, perfect for families seeking an educational addition to their trip. Ask for a scavenger hunt for the kiddos! Want to book it all together? Our Arches, Rivers, and Trails Package combines the Arches tour, a Castle Valley raft trip and a Moab Jeep Tour, so you don’t have to coordinate the logistics! Note: Bring your own car seat or booster for children 8 and under or under 4'9". Required under Utah law. |
Families who love a guided experience and want to explore beyond the National Parks. |
|
Mill Creek — Short Hike and a Swim Mill Creek is a fantastic place to explore with active, adventure-loving kids. The trailhead is very close to town, and this section is packed with opportunities to explore. Head down to swim in the “teacup” pools and check out petroglyphs in the first section. Continue down the trail about a mile to a mile and a half to find the lower Mill Creek Waterfall. On hot days, this spot is a very popular swimming spot! Tip: Bring water shoes and dry socks in early spring or fall. The creek can be chilly! |
Active, adventure-loving kids who want to explore without a full-day commitment. |
|
Scenic Hike Corona Arch: About 3 miles long, with a short steep section and a small ladder climb near the end, this trail is best for kids who are confident on their feet. You’ll have full sun exposure for the entirety of this hike, so be sure to wear a sunshirt, hat, and light hiking pants. Bowtie Arch is just a little farther if your crew wants more. If you stay for sunset, bring headlamps for the walk back. Grandstaff Trail to Morning Glory Bridge: This canyon hike is about 5 miles round trip and follows a creek, with several stream crossings, shade, and a huge natural land bridge at the end. (The seventh largest in the world, in fact!) Most people wade through the crossings, so wear water shoes or sandals. Watch for poison ivy along the trail, especially near the water, and start early to beat the heat and the crowds. It’s best for older kids or families who like a longer day On any hike: bring extra water, sun protection, and check the forecast. Flash floods are a real risk in monsoon season (late summer). |
Kids with energy to spare who are confident on their feet. Corona Arch suits ages 6+; Grandstaff is best for older kids or families who enjoy a longer day. |
Ready to bring the kiddos to Moab?
Our Arches & Rivers Package covers your Arches National Park half-day tour and Castle Valley rafting trip in one easy booking, with no coordinating logistics. Want to add a day? Our Moab Jeep Tours are a great way to get personal with the red rock. Our Arches, Rivers, and Trails Package has you covered with all three experiences!
2027 dates are live! Book your trip below, or give us a call! We can help you pick the right adventures for your crew.
Kid Tips
- Ask about wetsuit and boot rentals for small kids on your rafting trip. Little bodies chill faster than adults.
- Plan one rest block each day (pool, hotel, meal, park, etc.). Moab’s sun is strong, even in cooler months. Changes in elevation and intense sun exposure can wear you out without you realizing it.
- Make sure to carry extra snacks and water with you wherever you go. Better to have them and not need them!
Where to Stay and Eat
Many Moab restaurants’ hours change seasonally, so call ahead to make sure they are open!
| Slot | Our picks |
|---|---|
| Lodging | Aarchway Inn (pool, splash pad, pirate-ship playground); Element by Marriott Moab (pool, breakfast, 1 mile from Arches NP); voco by IHG Moab; Adventure Inn (budget, Main St.) |
| Quick breakfast | Love Muffin Cafe; Gloria's Corner Cafe |
| Sit-down breakfast | Moab Diner (traditional diner breakfast); Hidden Cuisine (health-option, upscaled breakfast) | Grab-and-go lunch | Red Rock Bakery; Sweet Cravings Bakery & Bistro |
| Sit-down lunch | Moab Food Truck Park; Milt's Stop & Eat (burgers and shakes); Hidden Cuisine (wraps/sandwiches) |
| Casual dinner | Dewey's (American); Antica Forma (pizza); Sultan Mediterranean Grill |
| Treat dinner | Sunset Grill (views; better for older kids) |
What changes by season?
| Spring (April–May) | Summer (June–Aug) | Fall (Sep–Oct) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high/low | April 72°/35°F · May 83°/50°F | June 93°/58°F · July 99°/64°F · August 93°/63°F | Sep 87°/53°F · Oct 73°/41°F |
| What to expect | Mild days make this one of the most popular times to visit Moab. Snowmelt from the Utah and Colorado mountains also feeds the canyon creeks and brings the Colorado River up, which means bigger whitewater. | Days are hot and the sandstone soaks up the sun, so plan your hikes for early morning or evening. Late summer is the monsoon season. Afternoon and evening storms can cool things off, but watch the weather, since lightning and flash floods are possible. | Fall is another popular time to visit. Cottonwoods turn gold along the river, and the days cool off while nights stay crisp. The Colorado River is at its warmest of the year, which makes it a great time to be on the water. |