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| The Moab Summer Recreation Guide |  |
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Since hosting the Winter Olympics in 2002, the state of Utah has become synonymous with winter sports, but make no mistake; during the summer months there are a large number of activities for outdoor enthusiasts to partake in, and the quaint city of Moab rests at the center of this action. Be it a relaxing Sunday drive to one of the nearby national parks, or an exciting mountain-biking expedition through Slickrock Trail Bike Trail, the following WorldWeb.com Travel Guide will detail some of the best summer outdoor activity destinations in and around Moab. MOAB Located approximately four hours southeast of Salt Lake City, the city of Moab attracts thousands of tourists every year as the gateway to Utah’s most desirable desert parks and trails. Adventurers looking to use the city as a base-camp for their exploits have a wide array of accommodations to choose from, most notably the Holiday Inn Express on Highway 191. Featuring a wealth of amenities such as free wireless Internet access, in-room coffee makers and an indoor pool and hot-tub, the hotel is perfect for tourists looking to enjoy the Utah desert one day at a time. Understanding an adventure seeker's need for an energizing meal before a long day of biking or hiking and a relaxing dinner to prepare them for their next big excursion, Moab is home to a number of quality restaurants. Rise and shiners can enjoy breakfast treats at eateries such as Mondo Café, which offers light meal options such as Belgian waffles, and panini sandwiches, as well as a full complement of coffees, teas and fruit beverages. Then after a day of exploring, travelers can partake in a glass of chardonnay or a stout lager at popular bar and grills such as the Sunset Grill or Buck’s Grill House.
SAND FLATS RECREATION AREA Maintained and operated by the state of Utah, the Sand Flats Recreation Area is best known as home to the popular Slickrock Bike Trail. This 10.5 mi (17 km) trail attracts thousands of bikers a year with its ideal blend of complex terrain and breathtaking views. Experienced mountain-bikers riding the Slickrock Bike Trail are treated to a landscape full of sand dunes, desert flora and critters such as lizards and kangaroo rats. While this trail is only recommended for the highly skilled, it does contain a shorter “practice loop”; although bikers should be advised that even this trail is not appropriate for novice riders. Sand Flats Recreation Area also offers approximately 40 mi (65 km) of trail catering to off-roading enthusiasts. Popular trails traveled by 4x4 drivers include the Fins and Things Jeep Trail and the aptly named Hell’s Revenge 4x4 Trail. Nature lovers enjoying the Sand Flats and wishing to extend their adventure overnight or for several days can camp in any one of the area’s nine campgrounds. Most sites in the area contain picnic tables and fire-pits, however there is no access to potable water.
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK Encompassing 527.5 sq mi (1366 sq km) of southwest Utah, Canyonlands National Park contains three distinct areas of amazing badlands to traverse. Officially sanctioned a United States of America national park by president Lyndon Johnson in 1964, the park is separated into sections known as the Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. The areas are divided by the Colorado and Green Rivers, which flow through them. The Island in the Sky The Island in the Sky is well rounded in terms of the number of activities it puts forward for every skill level. Novice hikers can enjoy trails such as the Upheaval Dome Overlook, which elevates 50 ft (15 m) over its 2 mi (3 km) length, and culminates with an outstanding view of the Upheaval Dome crater. Park historians speculate this crater was caused by an asteroid impact. Avid hikers looking for a longer expedition may be interested in undertaking the Lathrop Canyon trail. A 17-mi (27-km) journey, this trail is known for the series of switchbacks hikers travel down before entering Lathrop Canyon, and eventually the Colorado River. For cyclists and 4x4 drivers, the Island in the Sky contains the expansive White Rim Road. At a distance of 100 mi (160 km) round-trip, this road takes approximately three days to travel by jeep, and four days by mountain-bike. Because of the sheer distance and the varied types, this road is recommended for experienced drivers and bikers.
The Needles In comparison to Island in the Sky, the trails found in the Needles are of increased difficulty and contain fewer developed areas. There are fewer trails designed for short hikes in this section, however two of them may be of interest to historians. Cave Spring Trail, which takes approximately 45 minutes to cross, contains a line camp once occupied by cowboys, and the 20-minute hike through Roadside Ruin Trail takes visitors to the site of an antiquated granary. The majority of the trails in the Needles are a minimum of 11 mi (18 km) long, and challenge hikers with tough inclines –some of which must be climbed with ladders– and claustrophobic areas. Hikers braving these trails are rewarded with some of Canyonlands' greatest hidden treasures. Geographical wonders found on the trails in the Needles include the Druid Arch, a natural rock formation similar to the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, and Tower Ruin, an archaic architectural wonder left by Puebloanians who once lived in the area.
As with its hiking trails, the roads open for 4x4 driving in the Needles are complex and depending on current weather conditions may not be open to the public. Drivers wanting to ride roads such as the Colorado Overlook or Lavender Canyon are required to purchase permits and agree to a number of concessions before receiving clearance to attempt them. The Maze
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK Attracting over 800,000 visitors a year, Arches National Park is internationally known as the home of over 2000 natural arch formations, including the famous Delicate Arch. The park covers approximately 119 sq mi (309 sq km) of Utah, and while it is smaller than Canyonlands, it still holds several trails and roads for hiking, biking and driving. Due to the small size of the park, the trails available for hiking in Arches are short and not overtly difficult to travel on, but do exhibit thousands of amazing geographical wonders. For instance, hikers wanting to get up close and personal with the iconic Delicate Arch can reach it by traveling a 3-mi (5-km) round-trip trail of moderate difficulty. Furthermore, the Devil’s Garden area of the park –which contains the parks largest formation, the Landscape Arch– is a 1.5-mi (3-km) adventure that can be navigated by novice hikers. PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
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