Moab with a toddler requires honest planning. Most of what makes this place famous — long canyon hikes, technical scrambles, extreme off-road terrain — doesn't work for a 2-year-old. But there's a real toddler layer here that most families miss: a paved arch trail that strollers can handle, a free sand dune where a toddler is basically in heaven, indoor playgrounds with full nursing facilities, and a pool complex that's one of the best deals in Utah. Here's what actually works when you're carrying a diaper bag in the desert.
Top Toddler Picks in Moab
Funrise Indoor Playground The single best toddler stop in Moab. Multi-level soft-play climbing structures, slides, ball pits, and sensory play areas in a fully padded, enclosed environment. Parents can actually sit down and breathe because the space is supervised and fully contained. Stroller access: yes. Nursing/changing rooms: yes — this is the one that has both. Cost: – for a family of four (approximately – per child, adults typically free or reduced). Plan 2–3 hours. Rated 4.8. Confirm adult pricing on their website before going.
Coconut Cove Tropical-themed indoor playground with toddler-scaled equipment, slides, seasonal splash pads, and an on-site café. Stroller access: yes. Nursing/changing rooms: yes. Cost: – for a family (kids – each, adults often free or reduced). Plan 1.5–2.5 hours. Rated 4.7. The café is genuinely useful — you don't have to pack out with a hungry toddler. Check for punch cards or family passes.
Rotary Park Moab's best local playground, stroller-friendly throughout, with access to Mill Creek for wading. A toddler in shallow creek water on a hot Moab day is an extremely happy toddler. Stroller access: yes. Nursing/changing: limited. Cost: Free. Plan 1–2 hours. Rated 4.6. Bring extra clothes — creek wading guarantees full wetness.
Arches National Park Visitor Center The visitor center itself is stroller-friendly and has nursing/changing facilities — the best in the national park system around Moab. Use it as the base for toddler-manageable Arches activities. The Balanced Rock trail is paved and mostly flat, making it one of the few park experiences that works with a stroller. Stroller access: yes. Nursing/changing rooms: yes. Cost: /vehicle 7-day pass or America the Beautiful Annual Pass. Plan 20–45 minutes at the visitor center, then Balanced Rock for another 30–60 minutes. Rated 4.7.
Old City Park Shade trees, playground, and open lawn in a calm setting away from Main Street. Stroller access: yes. Nursing: limited (no dedicated room, but shaded benches). Cost: Free. Plan 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. Rated 4.6. Pack a picnic from City Market — this is a fully free, low-stress morning outing for families with toddlers who need to decompress.
Moab Recreation & Aquatic Center Indoor and outdoor pools with water slides and a lap pool. Stroller access: yes. Nursing/changing rooms: yes — full locker room facilities. Cost: – for a family (adults –, children –; verify current pricing). Plan 1–3 hours. Rated 4.3. Essential summer relief and one of Moab's genuine bargains for families.
Free or Cheap Toddler Activities
Old City Park — Free Shade, playground, calm. The free toddler default when you need easy.
Rotary Park — Free Creek access plus playground. Best free option in Moab on a hot day.
Moab Swingers — Free Neighborhood playground with swings and climbing equipment. Stroller-friendly. Visit first thing in the morning before temperatures climb. Plan 30–60 minutes.
Moab City Recreation parks — Free All Moab city parks are free. Stroller-friendly throughout. Plan 30 minutes to 1.5 hours at each. Rated 4.3.
Balanced Rock, Arches — Included with park entry The loop trail around Balanced Rock is paved and stroller-manageable. A 128-foot-tall rock precariously balanced on a narrow pedestal — even toddlers register that this is impressive. Plan 30–60 minutes. No nursing facilities at the formation itself — use the visitor center before heading out.
Moab Tourism Center — Free Stroller-friendly indoor space. Use it to plan your day with staff who know current conditions. Rated 4.5. Takes 20–45 minutes and keeps you from heading to a trail that doesn't work for a 2-year-old.
Moab's Sand Hill — Free (stroller access: no) A real sand dune — toddlers who can walk independently absolutely love it. Running up and rolling down a sand dune is basically perfect for this age. Not stroller-accessible; carry or let them walk. Bring a plastic sled or cardboard. Visit before 9am to beat the heat.
Indoor Options (Nap-Schedule Friendly)
When nap timing forces you inside, here's the stack from best to backup:
- Funrise Indoor Playground — 2–3 hours of soft play in a climate-controlled space. The best nap-window activity. You can time your arrival to get a full play session, then car-nap on the drive back.
- Coconut Cove — 1.5–2.5 hours with on-site café. Good for a post-nap afternoon activity where you need food access.
- The Hive Trampoline & Adventure Park — Has a dedicated toddler trampoline area. Cost: – for a family (toddlers often cheaper; check website). Plan 2–3 hours. Rated 4.4.
- House of Jump Trampoline Park — Toddler section exists separate from big kids. Cost: – for a family. Plan 2–3 hours. Rated 4.4.
- KidsTopia Adventure - Spanish Fork — Indoor playground with nursing/changing facilities. Cost: – (adults often free). Rated 4.6. Worth the drive if you're heading toward Spanish Fork.
What to Pack for a Day Out with Toddlers in Moab
Every day, everywhere: - Sunscreen — Moab UV is intense. Apply before you get out of the car. - Sun hats that actually stay on - 2+ water bottles per kid — desert air dehydrates fast - Snacks and a real meal — restaurant options exist but toddler patience at a table has limits - Change of clothes (two sets for creek/water days)
For outdoor park and trail days: - Stroller rated for gravel paths (paved trails at Arches are fine; unpaved desert trails are not) - Closed-toe shoes for kids — sand and rock get hot - Wipes and diapers beyond what you think you need — the nearest store is Moab proper
For creek and pool days: - Swim diapers - Towels x2 per kid - Flip flops for pool deck
For national park visits: - Arches America the Beautiful Pass or cash for vehicle entry - Water to fill up at the visitor center — last reliable water before the park - Diaper bag well-stocked — no changing facilities inside the park beyond the visitor center
For indoor playground visits: - Grip socks (most require them for climbing structures; some sell them on site) - Snacks for after — kids are ravenous after an indoor play session
Practical Tips for Visiting Moab with Little Ones
- Morning or nothing. Moab summer heat peaks between 11am and 4pm. Any outdoor activity needs to be wrapped up by 10:30–11am. Plan indoor activities for afternoon nap-overlap windows.
- The visitor center at Arches is your best nursing/changing stop in the national park system here. Use it before heading to any trail. There are no facilities inside the park beyond this point.
- Rotary Park creek wading is the best free toddler activity in town. Mill Creek stays cool even on hot days. Let kids play in the shallows for an hour — free, cooling, and genuinely fun.
- Sand Hill requires a carry. The dune itself is not stroller-accessible. If your toddler can walk independently, this is a great free stop. If they can't, skip it for now.
- KOA and Sun Outdoors campgrounds have family facilities. Moab KOA Holiday (–/night) has full nursing/changing facilities, a jumping pillow, pool, and playground — it's a toddler vacation within the vacation. Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway (–/night) has full facilities and puts you right at the Arches entrance. Both have nursing/changing rooms: yes.
- Build in more downtime than you think you need. Toddlers in the desert heat get overwhelmed faster than at home. Two activities per day is plenty. Three is optimistic. Four is a meltdown.
Plan Your Visit
Moab with a toddler works best as a combination of one national park activity per day (Balanced Rock in the morning, back by 10:30am) plus one indoor or water activity in the afternoon. Free city parks and creek wading fill the gaps. The indoor playground options are genuinely good — Funrise and Coconut Cove are the best in this region for toddlers. Total daily spend for a toddler-focused day: /bin/zsh– depending on whether you hit a free park or an indoor playground.