The MOAB Travel Guide
Everything you need to know about hiking and glamping in Moab with Root Adventures!
You’re about to partake in an incredible adventure! The combination of visiting both Arches and Canyonlands National Park with the added challenge of canyoneering, will leave you feeling inspired, awakened and refreshed. Your exploration of the great outdoors will only be enhanced with mindfulness practices designed to lead you on an exploration of the great indoors, aka “the self”.
To get the most out of your journey it’s best to be prepared! We’ve laid out everything you need to know about traveling to Moab with us. We can’t wait!
The Weather
How should I dress?
April is the perfect time to visit Arches and Canyonlands national park before the hot hot summer season hits.
Daytime highs average 60º to 80ºF and lows average 30º to 50ºF. This is a region that is notorious for wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day, so you’ll want to make sure you pack and dress in layers! You’ll be wearing mostly warm weather clothing for hiking during the day, but be prepared for cold nights and cool mornings.
On these cooler Utah nights you’ll be cozy in your warm glamping yurts!
The gear
What do I need to bring?
For your day hikes you’ll need a day pack (recommended with hydration bladder) to hold your needed gear (sunscreen, water, camera, extra layers, etc.).
You will need to provide your own hiking clothing, rain gear, day packs, and sturdy hiking footwear.
You can find a detailed packing list here. We will also go over gear in much more detail on our two pre-trip calls.
Sustainability is one of our core-pillars, so we love to suggest sourcing gear from friends/family or second hand stores that sell lightly used gear! If you’re buying gear new, we recommend shopping locally or from small companies in whose mission you believe. Check the packing list for some of our favorites!
Preparing For Your Trek
How difficult is this really going to be?
We classify this trip a difficulty level of 3 out of 5. No prior hiking experience is required, however multi-hour sustained physical exertion will be required for day hikes. There is a potential for elevation gain and up to 6 hours of movement per day. You need to have the ability to carry a day pack with a hydration bladder. Hikes may be optional: route, group and guides depending!
On the third day you’ll be spending half the day canyoneering. This entails hiking, rappelling, down-climbing, and stemming! This is a beginner friendly experience and you will be very well-supported.
We know, you don’t want to be the last one or hold up the group…we hear this before every trip! However, please know that we consider our group to be a team, working together on each hike. This is an incredible opportunity to ask for help and support when perhaps in your daily life you’re always the one giving it.
Our local guides and Root Tour Leaders will be checking in with the group along the way and will be adjusting pacing as needed. Let’s do this thing together!
Accommodations
Where am i sleeping?
Ahh the luxury of being warm while camping!
Sleeping accommodations are 3 nights at yurt-style glamping accommodations and a 1 night hotel stay as detailed in the itinerary.
There is access to some electricity at your glamping accommodations and there is heat in your yurts so you’ll be staying warm on those cold Utah nights. We also always recommend bringing a battery pack for your phone just in case you want to keep it charged for snapping some great photos!
And while there aren’t showers at your glamping accommodations there are flushing toilets and sinks, yay! Plus you’ll get the opportunity to take a nice hot shower at your hotel the last night of your trip so you can travel home clean and well-rested….what a feeling!
No Trace Left Behind
Let’s Talk Poop
There’s no way around it. Yes, you’ll be going #1 (and maybe #2) in the great outdoors!
While hiking during the day there will be no access toilets. Your guides will show you how to practice “leave no trace” practices for elimination on trails and outdoors.
At your glamping accommodations you’ll have access to showers and flush toilets.
We highly recommend purchasing a Kula Cloth to pee on trail!
Mindfulness
What if I’ve never meditated?
Have no fear! No prior meditation or mindfulness experience needed.
Nature is the ultimate teacher. Just getting out into the great outdoors has been proven to be incredibly beneficial for your mental and physical health.
Your Root Tour Leaders will provide you with simple and practical ways to keep your connection with nature, yourself, and your fellow travelers at the forefront of your experience.
But don’t worry, this won’t be a serious or quiet trip. At Root we see mindfulness as a way to participate in the ALIVENESS of life.
There will be moments you’ll be encouraged to observe silence, listen to nature, reflect on your internal experience or even possibly journal and share. And there will be many moments of raucous laughter, joyous storytelling, and playing in the dirt. Our trips have a little bit of everything!
To help you get the most out of your experience you will receive a pre-trip guide that has mindfulness and meditation practices, potential journaling prompts, and thoughtful ways to connect with nature throughout your adventure.
Final Tips
Anything else I need to know?
We’d love to impart some final words of wisdom for you here. These are tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years exploring, trekking, and guiding groups.
Pack light! The lighter the better. We cannot stress this enough! When packing ask yourself this question: “Do I absolutely need this?” If the answer is no, leave it behind.
Don’t wait to get your hiking boots! Purchase them well in advance of your hike and go for practice walks to wear them in.
Tell your guides if you have a “hot spot” forming on your feet while hiking. They can help! Hot spots are red tender areas that appear before blisters form. The keyword here is before! Telling your guide early can help prevent blisters from forming.
A word about luggage. If possible, pack so that you can bring everything in a carry-on. That way if your luggage gets lost (knock on wood) you won’t be trying to piece gear together or purchase lots of expensive items last minute. If you are checking luggage then we recommend wearing your hiking boots and packing hiking essentials in your carry-on just in case!