Favorite Places to Explore Nature in Moab

Today’s guest post is part of the “Favorite Places to Explore Nature” series and comes from fellow outdoor adventurer, Melissa of Adventure Tykes. She hasn’t let motherhood slow her down – she still enjoys outdoor adventures aplenty. I’m glad she’s sharing a few of her favorites with you.

Moab, isolated in the southeast corner of Utah, is a mountain biking mecca and a rock-climbing haven. With two national parks just 20 minutes away, it is a tourist hot spot. The winters are mild and the summers are toasty with a high sometimes reaching 109.

We moved to Moab four years ago from Denver and what a change it was. We went from green, mountainous terrain to the dry, high desert. Even though Moab is small with a population of 4,500, there are still plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy – especially with a tyke.

Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve
The Matheson Wetlands Preserve is located on the west side of town and is a great place to allow your tykes to run loose. Great educational material is posted at the entrance of the preserve.

There are a handful of trails and boardwalks that lead you to different viewing areas around the preserve. My son had a blast exploring the maze of trails.

There is a trail that leads you to the Colorado River and another that leads you to a wildlife blind. In the mornings and evenings, deer can be spotted grazing or resting in the area. On this day they were playing hide-and-seek.

Other animals such as beavers, raccoons, bunnies and many different species of birds can be spotted at the preserve. All we saw were footprints.

Hidden Valley Trail Hike
Hidden Valley trail provides a wonderful view of the Moab Valley. It is 4 miles round trip (if you go to the pass), but you can make the length however long you want.

There is a climb to the top with switchbacks; once on top, it flattens out into a valley nestled between cliffs of redrock. It is beautiful up in the valley and at the pass you can find petroglyphs on some of the rocks.

Along the trail you will come across tiny lizards scurrying in front of you from one side of the trail to the other. Sometimes if you are lucky, you will see bigger lizards sunning themselves on a rock.

Depending on the season, you might even see cactus blooming.

Devils Garden Hike in Arches National Park
This hike is one of the most popular trails in Arches National Park, and with little elevation gain it is perfect for younger tykes. You can make the length of the hike as long as you desire. Devils Garden area contains the largest concentration of natural arches in the world and is a great place for the whole family.

Two of the most popular arches are Landscape Arch and Double O Arch.

Along the trail you will see soil that is called Crypto Biotic Crust. Cryptobiotic soil crusts, consisting of soil cyanobacteria, lichens and mosses, play an important ecological role in the arid Southwest. They increase the stability of otherwise easily eroded soils.

There are many places to stop, take a break or have lunch and allow your tyke to explore.

Ken’s Lake
During the hot summer days Ken’s Lake just south of town is a great place to cool off. The lake fills from the snowmelt in the La Sal mountains, which are 30 minutes southeast of town. You will find many locals and tourists enjoying their summer days there.

Located close to Ken’s Lake is Faux Falls. A man-made waterfall with easy access to the top – and your canines can come along, too.

Hole N” The Rock
Fifteen minutes south of Moab, there is a world-renowned destination called Hole N” The Rock. Here you will find a home built inside a HUGE sandstone rock. Across the parking lot is a petting zoo that is fun for all ages.

They recently revamped the zoo, adding additional animals and it looks great.  You can buy a bucket of food for $5, then hand feed the animals. My son had a blast passing out carrots and peanuts to all the animals.

You will find pigs, billy goats, Watusi, an aviary pen, donkeys, emus, an ostrich and many, many other animals.

My son’s favorite animals to feed were the pygmy goats and camel.

Although we have been here four years and have found some great activities, we are always searching for other fun and exciting things to do.

If you are ever traveling to Moab and need ideas, feel free to contact me.

Melissa Edge is the founder of Adventure Tykes and loves to share outdoor adventures with her husband and 19-month-old son. With her website and blog she hopes to inspire and motivate other parents to continue their outdoor adventures once they have a tyke.