Mountain Project Logo

First time to Moab

Original Post
William Kramer · · Kemmerer, WY · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 935

Going to Moab to camp and climb and other stuff for the first time from March 28 to April 5. It is a family trip with lots of kids from my 1 year old up to 16 year old nephew, and lots in between. Being from the mountains where we don't have things like rattlesnakes and scorpions, and I'm nervous about the kids, especially where we will be around the rocks a lot, are there a lot of poisonous critters, or am I just being a worry wart?

KevinCO · · Loveland, CO · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 60

Just keep the tents zipped up, and instruct the kids not to turn over rocks and logs.

It is also extremely important to instruct everyone about Cryptobiotic Soil. That is the thick black crust that the plants are growing in, essentially the desert biomass. It is a symbiotic colony of fungus and algae that hold the moisture for the plants to grow in. If you walk on it is destroyed and can take hundreds of years to restore itself. Walk on existing paths, the bottom of washes and bare rock.

And 'cat holes' are not a good idea. Use wag bags instead.

Also, respect the petroglyphs and Indian ruins. A friend who has conferred with many Indian spiritual leaders and the previous leader of the Iroquois, told me that when travelling and visiting in an area rich with Indian heritage, one should ask permission (verbally but on a spiritual level) of the Indian ancestors to visit.

Aaron Mojica · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 55

Yes, what KevinCo said. Plus shake shoes and gloves out vigorously. The Utah desert is an awesome and unique place. Goblin Valley is a great place for kids.

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

+1 for Goblin Valley for kids.

The Arches campground is good too. If everything else is already reserved you may still be able to get a group site.

Have never seen a snake near Moab. YMMV
Little ones and cacti don't mix well though.

SRB25 · · Woodside, ca · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 5

Don't bust the crust!

Andesite · · Portland, OR · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 0

I'm from the PNW. On our first trip to the Moab area, we spent a night at Goblin Valley. Sitting in the shade of the shelter one afternoon, all was quiet, except for the sound of the kiddos scrambling on the rocks. Suddenly, we heard a little one exclaim, " Hey guys! I found a scorpion!" ALL of the adults in camp immediately jumped up and ran out, spilling chilled beverages everywhere. The scorpion was found and dispatched. The kiddos were rounded up and brought back to camp.

Dead Horse Point is not a bad campground if other options are full.

Kent Richards · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 81

I saw a pit viper crossing the road one night while driving back to the campsite.

Kevin Anderson · · Parker, CO · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 25

Easter Jeep Safari is that week as well, lots of people, lots of Jeeps. Reserve a spot as soon as you can if you haven't already done so.

William Kramer · · Kemmerer, WY · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 935

It would seem that everything that can be reserved is reserved, I've also been told that the BLM campgrounds fill quickly from those closer to Moab, then out. Hoping we get lucky. What's the drinking water situation like? I can filter a lot, but the filter doesn't get rid of the taste, is there somewhere we could fill jugs without costing an arm and a leg?

Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50

My son and I go backpacking in Canyonlands every year in March & have never seen any scorpions or rattlers. Not that there aren't any there, but the place isn't crawling with them either.

Awesome place, Moab. One of my favorite places in the world. Great climbing there too but mostly pretty hard and I don't know where you'd climb with younger kids.

R. Moran · · Moab , UT · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 140

Haha. Funny thread. The place is absolutely crawling with nothing at all. There are a few critters about but they are rare / scarce. Black widows are probably the most common thing of consequence. They are afraid of light and people but wind up under neath things where you might stick your fingers. You can fill water at matrimony springs at the start of the River road right after you turn off 191. You can also fill water at Gearheads near the City Market. BOTH ARE FREE. The best beta I can give you is don't come that week. The town is a total shit show.

Tate L · · Durango CO · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 56

I've seen 1 scorpion and it was in the Maze district miles from nowhere. The only place I have ever seen snakes is looking glass rock (and there were lots). Other than that I'd be more concerned with treading lightly, and keeping the soil intact. Have a blast!

You can fill water at a spring seeping from the rock on river road, near the light, if you're into that

William Kramer · · Kemmerer, WY · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 935
R. Moran wrote:Haha. Funny thread. The place is absolutely crawling with nothing at all. There are a few critters about but they are rare / scarce. Black widows are probably the most common thing of consequence. They are afraid of light and people but wind up under neath things where you might stick your fingers. You can fill water at matrimony springs at the start of the River road right after you turn off 191. You can also fill water at Gearheads near the City Market. BOTH ARE FREE. The best beta I can give you is don't come that week. The town is a total shit show.
So what you're saying is it will be crawling. I imagine it will be like Jackson Hole on July 4, but that week is spring break for the kids, so really only option.

Thanks everyone for the info on water, what about firewood?
Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50
William Kramer wrote: So what you're saying is it will be crawling. I imagine it will be like Jackson Hole on July 4, but that week is spring break for the kids, so really only option. Thanks everyone for the info on water, what about firewood?
It will be crawling with 2 legged creatures.

I always go during my son's spring break (lat week in March) & have learned to make reservations way ahead of time. It's easy to get away from the crowds by hiking a short distance away from the roads.
R. Moran · · Moab , UT · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 140

Firewood can be bought at the grocery store. But there is a place on Main Street called Triassic industries. They do the tree work in town and you should support them instead. This is by far the busiest week for Moab. There will probably be over 100,000 people. There are 5000 that live here. They have 1000 registered vehicles for the official participation. There are way more that show up than register. It will be a zoo in town, and out on the main roads to the Canyons. Places like wall street, Kane springs, River Road will all have a ton of traffic as they are the main arteries to the 4x4 trails. Just prepare your self for the worst. And plan a return trip. Moab is awesome. That is just a bad week.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern Utah Deserts
Post a Reply to "First time to Moab"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.