Move Over Zion! This Affordable Utah Town Is Just As Beautiful With Less Crowds

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So many things come to mind when it comes to Utah.

Whether it’s how underrated and gorgeous Salt Lake City is, one of the best states to book a trip of a lifetime to hit the slopes, or perhaps a handful of jokes about BYU’s student life, Utah is so much more diverse than given credit for.

But if there’s one obvious claim to fame it’s Zion National Park, for better or worse. As someone who has had both a mix of pleasure and displeasure of visiting, you have to prepare for what’s in store, be it the lack of pet-friendly trails or the surprising amount of traffic on scenic winding roads along the fiery landscape.

Here at Travel Off Path, we know there’s rarely a seamless trip, but we believe the city of Moab is the perfect Zion alternative that’s just as beautiful, less of a headache to navigate, and fewer crowds in 2 stunning red-rock desert national parks of its own.

Arches National Park

When you’re in Utah, seeing a McDonald’s sign isn’t the only arches to pull over for.

Arches National Park is a stunner, and it boasts open spaces, no traffic jams, and majestic red-rock panoramas we all envision when we picture the great outdoors of Utah.

While Arches and Zion both display nature’s wondrous fiery terrain, there are some clear differences:

• Arches is defined by otherworldly rock formations rather than towering canyon walls
• Crowds feel more dispersed than packed in
• Zion has shuttles; Arches is best explored by car
• Scenery feels wide-open and expansive
• Hikes are generally less physically demanding
• Pets are not allowed on Arches hiking trails (campgrounds pass the sniff test)

Admission costs $30 per vehicle to enter, but if you plan on visiting more than once, purchasing an Annual Pass for $55 makes more sense.

Unlike some national parks that don’t live up to the hype beyond a quick drive-through, Arches offers more than just a mesmerizing environment you have to see to believe, whether it be mysterious balanced rocks or massive rock fins.

There’s a deeply rooted history here that you can still witness today, such as Newspaper Rock, which showcases one of the most remarkable collections of Indian petroglyphs, dating back thousands of years.

Canyonlands National Park

Some might consider Canyonlands Arches 2.0, but that doesn’t mean it’s one of those ‘drive-through’ national parks not really worth visiting.

As Arches lies north of Moab, Canyonlands lies south of Moab. It also costs $30 to enter and can be used with the same Annual Pass.

As you can imagine by its name, this sprawling area is more in line with Zion, boasting seemingly endless red canyons, but without winding roads filled with cars driving at a snail’s pace and tourists gawking at every turn.

Despite some similarities, there are some distinct differences as well:

• Feels so remote you might actually believe you can hear the sound of silence
• Delivers massive panoramic views rather than enclosed canyon hikes
• Landscapes feel far more expansive and untouched
• Scenic drives offer open roads with dramatic overlooks and no gridlock
• You will find even fewer crowds here than Arches
• No pets allowed on any trail

Moab Is One Of America’s Coolest Towns

You don’t often hear about travelers bragging about Utah’s cities, unless they booked a posh ski resort in Park City.

Some even believe Salt Lake is a snoozer, but we all know that the title should go to Provo.

Moab is none of the sort.

It’s just a cool, unpretentious town that gets you pumped up to see the sights.

With many fellow adventurers out and about exploring the rustic townscape, there’s a constant buzz of excitement with people sharing their experiences.

It’s a great spot to grab a local pint at such places as Moab Brewery. It’s true, Utahns enjoy a brewski like the rest of us, unlike their uptight reputation…

Moab is super affordable across the board, as you can see by its $30 entry prices to national parks.

However, it is advised to book in advance to score great hotel rates at one of many chain hotels or highly touted glamping resorts since travelers are chomping at the bit for spring’s 60 – 70 degree weather to kick in.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.