Moab has a reputation as an expensive destination, and if you go in without a plan it can be. Guided off-road tours, national park fees, and restaurant prices add up fast. But the free layer here is genuinely excellent — real dinosaur tracks, a desert wetland, open sand dunes, and city parks that cost nothing. This guide breaks down actual costs so you can build a budget that works.
Free Activities in Moab
These cost nothing. No admission, no fees.
Corona Arch — Free. A massive natural arch on BLM land, bigger than Delicate Arch, accessed via a 3-mile round-trip hike with a chain-assisted scramble. No fee of any kind. Pack 2L+ water per person and go early — this hike gets hot.
Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve — Free. A desert wetland with beaver activity, great blue herons, and songbirds that feels nothing like the surrounding canyon landscape. Combine with adjacent Nature Conservancy Kane Creek for a full free morning.
Rotary Park — Free. Moab's best local playground with access to Mill Creek for wading. Kids can cool off in the creek on hot days at zero cost.
Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite — Free. Actual dinosaur footprints in rock. Kids stand next to them and compare their own feet. Combine with the nearby Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail.
Old City Park — Free. Shade trees, playground, open lawn, and a peaceful setting away from Main Street tourist traffic. Pack a picnic from City Market nearby.
Lions Park and Bike Path Trailhead — Free access to Moab's bike trail system along the Colorado River. Bike rentals in downtown Moab run $30–$50/bike/day if you don't bring your own.
Moab's Sand Hill — Free. A real sand dune where kids run up, roll down, and slide. Bring a plastic sled or sheet. Pure fun at zero cost.
Moab Swingers — Free. Neighborhood playground with swings and climbing equipment. Visit first thing in the morning before temperatures climb.
Moab City Recreation — Free. City park playgrounds with open lawns and sports courts. All Moab city parks are free.
Moab Tourism Center — Free. Stop here first. Staff help you match activities to your kids' ages and abilities, potentially saving hundreds in poorly-matched tour bookings.
Playground — $0 admission. Bring snacks and water.
Budget Picks (Under $50 for a Family of 4)
Moab Museum — approximately $20–$30 (adults $6–$8, children $4–$6). Dinosaur fossils, rock art, uranium mining history, and 10,000 years of desert human life. One of the best deals in Moab — real content at a fraction of the cost of guided tours.
Moab Recreation & Aquatic Center — approximately $20–$40 (adults $5–$8, children $3–$5). Indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, year-round access. Essential summer heat relief and one of Moab's genuine bargains.
Moab Arts & Recreation Center — $30–$80 for classes and workshops; free for public events and gallery visits. Check the MARC website for free programming before paying for a class.
Coconut Cove — $40–$60 (2 kids at $10–$15 each; adults often free or reduced). Tropical-themed indoor playground. Check for punch cards or family passes.
KidsTopia Adventure - Spanish Fork — $40–$60 (approximately $10–$14/child, adults often free). Morning sessions are less crowded.
Mid-Range Activities ($50–$100 for a Family of 4)
Funrise Indoor Playground — $50–$70 (approximately $12–$16/child; adults typically free or reduced). Confirm adult pricing on their website before going.
Climb Moab Gym — approximately $60–$100 (day pass $12–$20/person; gear rental extra). Significantly cheaper than any guided outdoor tour and a legitimate rainy day or hot afternoon option.
Hole 19 - Moab Indoor Golf — $60–$100 depending on bay rental duration and number of rounds. Split one bay as a group — no separate fees per person. Book in advance during peak season.
Hole 'N' The Rock — approximately $60–$80 (house tour $6–$8/person; animal exhibits may be additional). Budget for the exotic animal add-on with camels and zebras — that's the part kids actually love.
Gravel Pit Lanes — $60–$80 (bowling $10–$15/person per game; arcade tokens extra). Ask about family packages to save on multiple games.
Canyonlands National Park — $35/vehicle 7-day pass, or $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass. The annual pass covers all national parks and pays for itself after two park visits. Essential for any Moab trip hitting multiple parks.
Arches National Park Visitor Center — $35/vehicle (7-day pass) or $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass. Pick up Junior Ranger booklets here. Balanced Rock is included with the same park entry — combine with other formations to maximize your visit.
The Hive Trampoline & Adventure Park — $80–$120 (approximately $18–$25/person; toddlers often cheaper). Wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball, and a dedicated toddler area.
House of Jump Trampoline Park — $80–$120 (approximately $18–$25/person; toddlers sometimes cheaper). Check for weekday deals.
Splurge-Worthy Experiences (Over $100)
These are where Moab's real money goes — and they're worth it for the right family.
Rope Swing Moab — $120–$200+ (per-person pricing for swinging out over a canyon on a giant rope swing). Book online in advance. Rated 5.0.
The Rush Funplex — $120–$200. Bowling, go-karts, laser tag, rock climbing, roller skating, and a massive arcade under one roof. Each attraction priced separately. Buy a bundle package rather than individual tickets.
Outlaw Adventure Jeep and UTV/Side by Side Tours — $250–$500+ for a family tour depending on vehicle and duration. Group tours distribute cost across passengers — ask about shared options. Rated 5.0.
Epic 4X4 Adventures - Moab — $300–$600+ depending on tour type and duration. Self-drive rentals cost less than guided tours for families comfortable navigating independently. Rated 5.0.
Raven's Rim Adventure Tours — $300–$600+. Boutique off-road and hiking experiences with smaller group sizes. Shared tours significantly reduce per-person cost.
High Point Hummer and ATV Tours and Rentals — $300–$700+ depending on tour type, vehicle choice, and duration. Moab's most-reviewed off-road operator with nearly 5,000 reviews at a 5.0 rating. Hummer tours distribute cost across more passengers — better value than ATVs for bigger family groups.
Moab Adventure Center — $400–$600+. Rafting, jeep tours, and canyoneering, each $80–$150 per person. Book combo packages for better pricing across multiple activities.
Moab Cliffs & Canyons — $400–$600+ (canyoneering tours approximately $100–$150/person). Book directly through their website; combo trips offer better value.
Money-Saving Tips for Moab Families
- Buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) before your trip. It covers Arches and Canyonlands (both $35/vehicle each) plus every other national park and federal site. Pays for itself the moment you enter your second park.
- Split bay rentals at Hole 19. One bay, one fee, the whole family plays.
- Go to the Moab Tourism Center first. Free advice from staff who know every activity — saves you from booking a poorly matched tour.
- Self-drive 4x4 rentals cost less than guided tours. If your family is comfortable navigating, Epic 4X4 and similar operators offer rentals at lower prices than guided packages.
- Pack all food for park days. Arches and Canyonlands have no food vendors inside. Lunch from City Market before you enter saves $40–$60 per day.
- Shared adventure tours cut costs significantly. Raven's Rim and other operators offer shared tours that dramatically reduce per-person prices versus private family bookings.
- KOA Value Kard saves 10% on stays at Moab KOA Holiday ($65–$150/night). Book directly through koa.com.
What a Typical Family Spends
Budget Day (Free + Low-Cost): - Corona Arch hike: $0 - Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite: $0 - Moab Museum: $20–$30 - Pack lunch from City Market: $15–$25 - 1-day total: $35–$55
Mid-Range Day (National Parks + Indoor Activity): - Arches National Park (vehicle pass): $35, or $80 annual pass - Balanced Rock + park formations: Included - Climb Moab Gym after the park: $60–$100 - Dinner in Moab: $50–$80 - 1-day total: $145–$260
Splurge Day (Guided Adventure): - High Point Hummer or Epic 4X4 half-day tour: $300–$500 - Lunch packed from City Market: $15–$25 - Moab Recreation & Aquatic Center for afternoon cool-down: $20–$40 - 1-day total: $335–$565
2-Day Mid-Range Estimate: - Day 1: National parks + museum + packed meals: $70–$145 - Day 2: Guided off-road tour (budget option) + dinner: $350–$580 - 2-day total: $420–$725
Bottom Line
The honest truth: one guided off-road adventure plus two days of free hiking, dinosaur tracks, and parks delivers a genuinely excellent Moab family trip. The free layer is real here. You don't have to spend $500/day to have a great time.
Browse all Moab family activities on KidPaths to plan your trip.