I am pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Solo Travel Society member Pat, to complement an earlier one from Christine. Both are from the United States, and each submitted reports from their solo travels to Moab, Utah and Arches National Park. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo Travel Rating: 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages spoken: English
Costs at Destination: Reasonable (local transportation, dining, tours, events and attractions)
Pat's Solo Utah Road Trip to Arches National Park
I drove from Oregon to Arches National Park in Utah, which was a two-day drive. On AirBnB, I found a teepee to stay in for two nights in Moab. It was definitely a glamping experience!
Exploring Arches National Park is an amazing experience. You can see some of the arches and other rock formations from the park’s road, but there are so many more to see if you park your car and take even short hikes. A map you are given at the entrance shows the various hikes and ranks them based on distance and difficulty. The park becomes very crowded by late morning, so I suggest visiting early in the morning and in the late afternoon/early evening.
There is a nearby state park called Dead Horse which was pretty expensive and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend. There’s a nice viewpoint at the top, but it seemed to be very geared towards mountain biking.
From April to October, 2022, Arches will be piloting a timed-entry system to manage visitor traffic and improve the experience for everyone. Be sure to check the park website for up-to-date information.
Solo Travel Rating
- Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
- Language – 1 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
- Navigation – 2 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
- Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
- Average Rating – 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)
Christine's Solo Trip to Moab, Utah
Although there are many fascinating travel destinations abroad, within my own country of the United States lie a plethora of exciting places for a solo traveler to explore. Moab, Utah combines the beauty and tranquility of the West with the feel of a small town that embraces adventure seekers from around the globe!
Moab's most spectacular attractions are its two National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands, and the equally amazing Dead Horse Point State Park. Each of these parks is easily accessible from the town, but you will require your own transportation to enter the parks. These parks are also popular for hikers and mountain bikers, but I recommend that you bring sufficient water and a GPS in order to find your way back to the trailhead!
Dead Horse Point State Park, the furthest from town, butts right up against Canyonlands National Park and affords amazing views of the Colorado River. Canyonlands is quite large and requires a considerable amount of driving to reach popular points within, but the views and hiking trails are worth the effort. I recommend conducting driving tours with a lot of picture stops through both of these parks to complete them together in one day.
Arches National Park, my favorite of the three, offers the most scenic views and best marked hiking trails. You will need at least one day to hike to some of the most spectacular rock formations in the country. The 1.5 mile hike up to the Delicate Arch is a must! You will meet lots of friendly hikers along the trails in all of the parks.
Moab has plenty of lodging in town, however, I would definitely book in advance and make sure there are no events during your stay because accommodations can fill up quickly. The town itself is quite small and one can easily walk to all the little shops and eateries. My favorite local eatery was Eddie McStiff's Brew Pub–the atmosphere was lively and had a good mix of locals and tourists. The place was packed in the evenings with adventurers recounting all of the great places they visited in the park! Unfortunately, this pub has now closed, but you are sure to find your own favorite. If you have a spot to recommend, please add it in the comments section below.
Moab, Utah is by far one of my favorite places I've visited in the US and I can't wait to get back and retrace some of my steps!
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 1 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 2 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)
