The Trickster Shibes

It was a priority for us to get south as quickly as possible on our Midwest USA road trip last spring. The canyons, arches, and deserts of the region were a huge draw and Moab, with its vibrant red rocks, was high on our list of places to visit. Here’s how we made the most of our whirlwind stop in this stunning desert town:

Day 1: Corona and Bowtie Arch Hike

After a long day of driving, we kicked off our visit to Moab with an evening hike to Corona and Bowtie Arches. Despite encountering unseasonably cold and (extremely) windy weather, the upside was having the trail entirely to ourselves. The solitude meant that we didn’t have to compete with anyone for photos in front of the arches. Huge bonus! And Ivy, our shy rescue pup, was in her glory with no one else around.

We had worried about the difficulty of the hike as it includes chain and ladder sections but it turned out to be very doable with a little teamwork and patience. I was so proud of the pups for their calmness and willingness to tackle this new terrain. Reaching the arches was a jaw-dropping accomplishment and we spent some time just taking in the awesome view. It was unlike anything we’ve ever encountered in our hikes through the Rockies.

Accommodations

We returned to our accommodations for the night at the Moab Rustic Inn. I have to say, this is one of the nicest dog-friendly hotels we’ve encountered in our travels. Our room was so clean and smelled amazing; it had tile floors instead of carpet (always a huge perk when traveling with pets); they had no problem allowing us to bring three dogs; and best of all, no pet fee! This was a much appreciated rarity.

Day 2: Exploring Arches National Park

Most of our second day was dedicated to exploring Arches National Park. Like most American national parks, Arches is not particularly dog-friendly. Here are the key rules and regulations for pets:

• Where Dogs Are Allowed: Pets are permitted in developed areas, parking lots, and on roads open to vehicles. They are also allowed in campgrounds.
• Prohibited Areas: Dogs are not allowed on hiking trails or at viewpoints that require leaving the road.
• Leash Requirements: Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times.
• Supervision: Pets should never be left unattended, whether in vehicles or at campsites.

We didn’t include many national parks in our itinerary because of the limitations but we made an exception for Arches partly because of its proximity to where we were staying and partly because there is enough you can see from the road to make a drive through worth it (in my opinion). We entered the park with a timed entry ticket and the America the Beautiful Pass we had purchased at Yellowstone. It’s a requirement to reserve an entry time for Arches National Park unless you plan to visit during the park’s off hours: prior to 7am or after 4pm.

Upon entering the park, we stopped at the visitor centre where a kind park ranger helped outline a route with some scenic points we could bring the dogs, including a lesser known dirt road where we would be able to go for a short walk and get a view of the iconic Delicate Arch.

While we couldn’t do any major hikes, the drive through Arches National Park is breathtaking in itself. It was a worthy addition to our itinerary.

Sunset at Pinto Arch

After spending the afternoon in Arches National Park, we returned to the same trailhead as the previous night but this time to hike to Pinto Arch. The weather had transformed into a beautiful, calm evening, and we were treated to a stunning sunset. Once again, we had the trail to ourselves. This hike felt like the perfect way to end our time in Moab, with the warm glow of the setting sun illuminating the rugged red rocks around us.

Reflections on Moab

If I have one regret, it’s not spending more time in Moab. It’s a destination that deserves more than a brief stop–there’s so much to see and do and we hardly touched a fraction of it. From its iconic arches to its vibrant main street, this red rock paradise is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. If we had more time, I would have liked to visit Dead Horse Point State Park, Morning Glory Natural Bridge, and Fisher Towers (all dog-friendly).

But you know what it means when you can’t fit everything in on the first trip: we will just have to go back someday!