A Spring Weekend Getaway to Moab, Utah
A recap of a long weekend getaway to Moab, Utah in March
Sometimes all the soul needs is some fresh air, a campfire, and a starry night. That is exactly what mine needed the first week of March. I think spring fever is a pretty universal feeling for most people this time of year. Days are getting longer, temperatures are starting to rise, and we all are just waiting for the snow to melt away and the flowers to come out. I started my first full-time remote job this winter. Since I am home alone most everyday, my desire for adventure and fresh air has skyrocketed. When our friends texted me and my boyfriend Jack asking if we wanted to go on a weekend camping trip in early March, we instantly agreed.
One of our favorite places to camp in the shoulder season (early spring and late fall) is Moab, Utah. Given its desert-like climate, the days tend to be warm and sunny even when the mountains an hour away are still getting pounded with snow. You can pull out your gear for the year, test out your new camping gadgets you got as Christmas gifts, and enjoy one of the most unique sceneries in the United States with very few crowds.
Moab is just under a six hour drive from the Denver/Boulder area and doable for a long-weekend if you are up for some driving and an adventure. You can find dispersed camping areas all around and plenty of attractions to keep you busy. This trip was our friends’ first ever time in Moab, so we had a great time showing them our favorite sites and discovering a few new ones along the way.
If you are planning a longer trip to Southern Utah and want a detailed itinerary on what to see and where to go all around the region, be sure to check out my 11 Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary Through Southern Utah.
Day 1- Friday March 10th
We drove out on Thursday afternoon and camped at a dispersed spot close to town for easy set up in the dark. We arrived in time to set up camp, have a quick bonfire, admire the stars, and then climb into our sleeping bags for the night. On Friday morning Jack drove me into town so I could get some work done at a local coffee shop while he went to find a spot at our favorite dispersed camping area.
We love camping near the Lone Mesa Campground off UT 313 that takes you to Canyonlands National Park. This spot has a beautiful mesa and is rarely crowded in the off-season. If you drive past the Group Campground and RV Park you will find some amazing dispersed sites.
Once we finished up work for the day, we still had a few hours to kill while we waited for our friends to join us on Friday evening. We decided to go exploring in one of our favorite canyons. State Highway 128 follows the Colorado River from Cisco, off of I-70, all the way to Moab. If you are driving into Moab during the daytime and can sacrifice an extra 30 minutes, we recommend taking this way into town. It has breathtaking views and is a nice break from driving on the interstate.
From Moab, we drove about 30 minutes up the canyon to a place called Fisher Towers National Recreation Area. Here, Jack was able to fly his drone and capture some cool videos of the towers. National Parks do not allow you to fly drones but some National Recreation Areas and Public Lands allow it. Make sure you do your research and respect the natural area when flying a drone.
It had rained all morning and the trail up to the towers was a bit muddy, so we opted for enjoying the views from the trailhead. The trail is about 2.2 miles long and takes you up to the base of the towers. We definitely want to return and do the full hike in the future.
Now, in full transparency Friday evening did not go as we had hoped. Some of the risk of early season camping is unpredictable weather. Jack and I returned to our campsite and make dinner just in time for it to start pouring on us. We then spent quite a few hours playing games in our tent and trying to stay warm in our sleeping bags until our friends arrived. The weekend ended up bringing quite a few pockets of rain our way but we made the most of it nonetheless.
Day 2 – Saturday March 11th
After exploring Canyonlands, we took a quick break to explore the town of Moab before heading into Arches National Park in the afternoon. The town of Moab is very nice and has great restaurants, shops, and outfitters for any adventure. We stopped by some great small businesses, got a coffee, and then headed in Arches for our next round of sightseeing.
One of the coolest parts about Moab is all of the varied and unique landscapes you will find in such a small area. Arches is completely different than Canyonlands and the fact that you can see both in one day has always amazed me. We opted for the short hike to the Upper Viewpoint for Delicate Arch. This is a great way to see the arch if you don’t have time for a 3 mile trek.
After Delicate Arch, we headed to the Windows Section to see even more arches and the petrified sand dunes.
I think you can easily see both of these parks in one day. It may be harder if you want to include a longer hike in there, but we have found that most of the main attractions are fairly easy to access by car.
After exploring more arches, we headed back to camp and cooked up some dinner. We got a nice fire going, played great music, and enjoyed each others company while watching for shooting stars. In my opinion you cannot beat a night like that. We all get so sucked in to our lives and responsibilities that being forced to unplug and just be is what we all need sometimes.
On Sunday morning, we packed up the cars and went our separate ways for the long drive home. Even if these weekends are short, the memories made and the adventures to be had are worth every second. Hopefully Moab will bless us with a bit warmer weather and dryer days the next time we visit. Even so, we made the most of it and had a great time getting outside and exploring with great company.
To see more content from this trip and others follow Fresh Air Philosophy on Instagram @freshairphilosophy