Rain in Moab is rare but it does happen, and when it does it hits differently — you drove hours or flew to a desert, and now the canyon hike you planned is off the table. Here's the thing: the indoor options in Moab are actually solid. You can fill a full rainy day without repeating yourself or sitting in a hotel room. Here's what actually works.
Best Indoor Museums and Cultural Spots
Moab Museum — 1–2 hours — approximately – for a family of four This is the best rainy day move for families with curious kids. Dinosaur fossils, ancient rock art, uranium mining history, and 10,000 years of human life in an extreme landscape — it's genuinely engaging, not a filler activity. Rated 4.6. Adults –, children –. If your kids have already been outside in Arches or Canyonlands, the museum adds context that makes what they saw outside more meaningful. Start here.
Moab Arts & Recreation Center — 1–3 hours — – for classes; free for public events The MARC is the cultural center of Moab, and a rainy day is exactly when you want to be here. Hands-on art classes, local performances, creative programming — completely different from the trail-and-red-rock experience everywhere else in town. Rated 4.9. Check their website the day before your visit for free public events or drop-in programs. A pottery or painting class after three days of hiking is a genuinely fun change of pace.
Arches National Park Visitor Center — 20–45 minutes — /vehicle or annual pass Not traditionally thought of as a rainy day destination, but the visitor center itself is an indoor experience worth the stop. Exhibits, films, and Junior Ranger materials — turn a wet morning into a learning session that sets up the rest of the trip. Rated 4.7. Covered by park entry, so if you have the pass it's free marginal cost.
Entertainment Venues
Hole 19 - Moab Indoor Golf — 1–2 hours — – for a family Fully indoor golf simulators where you hit real balls into a giant screen tracking shots through famous courses. Rated 5.0. No golf experience needed — the simulators explain everything. Kids 8+ can manage on their own with minimal coaching. Book a bay in advance during peak tourist season. Open until midnight on Saturdays.
The Rush Funplex — 3–5 hours — – for a family The most complete rainy day option on this list. Under one roof: bowling, go-karts, laser tag, rock climbing, roller skating, and a massive arcade. Rated 4.6. Each attraction priced separately — buy a bundle package rather than individual tickets. Go-karts and laser tag are the consistent favorites with big kids and teens. Five hours here and nobody runs out of things to do.
The Hive Trampoline & Adventure Park — 2–3 hours — – for a family Wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball courts, and a dedicated toddler area. Approximately – per person; toddlers often cheaper. Rated 4.4. Rare to find a place that genuinely works for toddlers and older kids simultaneously — toddlers bounce safely in their own padded zone while big kids flip into foam pits. Check their website for toddler-specific pricing.
House of Jump Trampoline Park — 2–3 hours — – for a family Similar format in St. George — trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball, toddler section. Approximately – per person. Rated 4.4. Check for weekday deals. Kids naturally migrate through different jump zones, keeping the experience fresh for a full session.
Gravel Pit Lanes — 2–3 hours — – for a family Retro bowling lanes plus an arcade. Rated 4.5. Bowling runs – per person per game; arcade tokens extra. Ask about family packages. The laid-back vibe here is genuinely good — kids can be loud and rowdy without anyone caring. A rare find in a town that's all trails.
Indoor Playgrounds
Funrise Indoor Playground — 2–3 hours — – for a family Multi-level climbing structures, slides, ball pits, and sensory play areas in a fully enclosed, padded environment. Rated 4.8. Approximately – per child; adults typically free or reduced. Confirm adult pricing on their website. Parents actually relax here because the space is fully enclosed and supervised. Best for toddlers through elementary school.
Coconut Cove — 1.5–2.5 hours — – for a family Tropical-themed indoor playground with slides, climbing structures, seasonal splash pads, and a café. Kids – each; adults often free or reduced. Rated 4.7. Check for punch cards or family passes. The café means you don't have to rush out to find food.
KidsTopia Adventure - Spanish Fork — 1.5–2.5 hours — – for a family Community-loved indoor playground in Spanish Fork. Approximately – per child; adults often free. Rated 4.6. Local family vibe, less commercial than chain options. Morning sessions are less crowded and equally priced.
Climb Moab Gym — 1.5–3 hours — approximately – for a family Indoor climbing gym in a town famous for rock climbing. Day pass – per person; gear rental extra. Rated 4.6. This is the rainy day move for kids who want to feel like they're doing something real. It's also a legitimate introduction to climbing before they tackle Moab's outdoor walls.
Free or Low-Cost Indoor Options
Moab Tourism Center — 20–45 minutes — Free Use a rainy morning to plan the rest of the trip. Staff know current conditions and can redirect your outdoor plans to alternative sites. Rated 4.5. Takes 30 minutes and can save you from a wasted day.
Hole 'N' The Rock — 1–2 hours — approximately – for a family Partly indoor (the carved house), partly covered outdoor (animal exhibits). A 5,000-square-foot home carved into a sandstone rock wall, plus exotic animals including camels and zebras. Rated 4.3. House tour – per person; animal exhibits may be additional. Gift shop is free to browse. Works in light rain — the carved house portion is fully sheltered.
Moab Recreation & Aquatic Center — 1–3 hours — approximately – for a family Indoor and outdoor pools. The indoor pool works regardless of weather. Adults –, children –. Rated 4.3. One of the best deals in Moab.
Quick Picks by Age Group
Toddlers (0–4) 1. Funrise Indoor Playground — padded, enclosed, nursing room available (–) 2. Coconut Cove — toddler-sized equipment, café on site (–) 3. Moab Recreation & Aquatic Center — indoor pool, year-round (–)
Big Kids (5–12) 1. The Rush Funplex — 5 hours of activities under one roof (–) 2. Climb Moab Gym — real climbing, real challenge (–) 3. Moab Museum + Hole 19 back-to-back — history then simulators (– combined)
Teens 1. The Rush Funplex — go-karts and laser tag (–) 2. Hole 19 - Moab Indoor Golf — competitive simulator golf, open late (–) 3. The Hive Trampoline & Adventure Park — foam pits and dodgeball (–)
Bottom Line
A rainy day full-day plan that works for most families: Moab Museum in the morning (–), lunch out, then The Rush Funplex for the afternoon and into evening (–). That's a complete 8-hour day indoors for –, and the kids will have done more than if they'd hiked a short trail. Moab's indoor game is better than its reputation suggests.