Ask locals when Moab is at its best and many will say the same thing: fall. The summer heat breaks, mornings turn crisp, afternoons settle into perfect hiking weather, and the cottonwoods along the Colorado River turn gold against the red rock. It's the ideal time to lace up your boots.

This four-day itinerary covers the icons of Arches and Canyonlands, plus a few canyon hikes just outside town, with a good mix of easy walks and one big adventure day. Make Wolfe's Hotel your basecamp and you'll be close to all of it.

Day 1: The Icons of Arches

Ease into the trip with short walks among some of the most famous formations in the park, then save the showstopper for golden hour.

Morning: Park Avenue Trail

This easy out-and-back (about 2 miles round trip) winds between towering sandstone fins that feel like a city skyline. It's a perfect first hike to get your bearings.

Late Morning: The Windows and Double Arch

A series of short, easy loops (about 1.5 miles total) brings you up close to some of the largest arches in the park. Bring your camera.

Afternoon: Delicate Arch

After lunch and a rest in town, head back for Utah's most famous arch. The roughly 3-mile round trip crosses open slickrock with a steady climb, so start around mid-afternoon to arrive for sunset, when the arch glows orange. Pack a headlamp for the walk back.

Day 2: Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point

Today is all about big views from the mesa tops of the Island in the Sky district, from sunrise to sunset.

Sunrise: Mesa Arch

A half-mile round-trip walk leads to a cliff-edge arch whose underside lights up as the sun comes over the horizon. It's one of the most photographed sunrises in the Southwest, and well worth the early alarm.

Morning: Grand View Point

Walk the easy 2-mile rim trail for sweeping views over layered canyons and the White Rim far below.

Late Morning: Upheaval Dome

A short, moderate climb (about 1.6 miles round trip) takes you to an overlook of a strange, crater-like formation whose origins geologists still debate.

Sunset: Dead Horse Point State Park

On the way back to town, stop at Dead Horse Point. Easy rim trails overlook a dramatic gooseneck bend in the Colorado River, and the sunset here is one of the best in the region. Note that the state park charges its own entrance fee.

Day 3: Devils Garden and Dark Skies

This is your adventure day, and it ends under the stars.

Morning: Devils Garden Primitive Loop

The longest day hike in Arches (about 7.9 miles) passes Landscape Arch and several more, with fin scrambles and route-finding on the primitive section. Start early, carry plenty of water and skip the primitive section if the rock is wet.

Afternoon: Rest, or Explore the Fiery Furnace

Head back to the hotel to rest your legs, or explore the maze-like Fiery Furnace. A permit or ranger-led tour is required, so book ahead.

Evening: Stargazing in Arches

Arches is an International Dark Sky Park, and after dark the park takes on a whole new character. Find a quiet pullout, let your eyes adjust and watch the Milky Way rise over the arches.

Day 4: The River Road and Red Spires

Finish the trip along Scenic Byway 128, where fall color is at its most vivid.

Morning: Grandstaff Canyon to Morning Glory Bridge

Follow a creek through a shady side canyon to a massive natural bridge. The roughly 5-mile round trip includes a few stream crossings and some of the best fall foliage near Moab.

Midday: Scenic Byway 128

Drive the river corridor beneath sheer red walls lined with golden cottonwoods. Pull over often.

Afternoon: Fisher Towers

End with a moderate 4.4-mile round-trip hike beneath towering, drip-castle spires that glow in the afternoon light.

Tips for Hiking Moab in the Fall

• Pack layers. Afternoons are often in the 60s and 70s, but mornings can dip near freezing.
• Start early. Days are shorter in fall, and parking at popular Arches trailheads fills fastest from mid-morning to noon.
• Carry water. Bring at least 2 liters per person, even on cool days. There's little shade on most trails.
• Check before you go. A valid entrance pass is required for Arches and Canyonlands. Check nps.gov for current entry information and trail closures.
• Stay on the trail. Desert soil is fragile, so stick to marked trails and bare slickrock.

Trail distances are approximate. Conditions change, so always check with the National Park Service or Utah State Parks before hiking.

Make Wolfe's Hotel Your Moab Basecamp

After a full day on the trail, come back to a comfortable room and get ready for the next day's adventure. Book your fall stay at Wolfe's Hotel and start planning your Moab hiking trip.