This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,074, Oct. 13, 2026. Today's theme is, "The Photographer's Guide to Moab and Its Surrounding Parks." I'm Derrick Story.
After having spent over a week in the Moab, Utah area, both scouting and leading a photography workshop, I can say with great confidence that it's one of the most photo-rich areas I've ever worked. But there's lots to know in order to maximize your experience there. And I'm going to cover just that on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
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The Photographer's Guide to Moab and Its Surrounding Parks
I drove the VW ID.4, loaded with supplies for our workshop, from Santa Rosa, CA, across Northern Nevada, the great salt flats of Utah, then down Highway 191 to Moab where we set up our workshop headquarter. To the north of us was Arches National Park, to the Southwest was Canyonlands, and in-between was Dead Horse Point State Park. Here's what I learned and what I recommend. I hope you enjoy the show.
Before I get into the specific sites themselves, I'll start with a few basics. In early October, sunrise is a little after 7 am, and sunset is a bit before 7 pm. These times are important because you want to be at your chosen location before sunrise and sunset. After 9 am the light is contrasty and difficult to tame.
Our mornings generally went like this: Up at 4:30 am, coffee and protein shakes at 5:00 am, depart HQ at 5:30 am, be in position at our location at 6:30 am, continue field work until 11:00 am, head back to HQ for lunch and lab, then head out again at 4:30 pm for the waning light and sunset.
In addition to our cameras, mandatory gear included a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, layered clothing, hiking boots, lots of water, snacks, and a flashlight. There are some areas where a trekking pole can be quite useful for balance.
Altitude does play a role. The Visitor Center at Arches is 4,085 feet and Delicate Arch is a strenuous hike up to 4,829 feet. I recommend arriving in the Moab area a couple days before you begin your trekking up trails.
Pets are not allowed on the trails. Drones are not allowed in the national parks, and stay on trails to protect fragile living soil crusts. I shouldn't have to say this, but no climbing on arches. Now, on to the locations themselves.
Arches National Park
Day 1: I recommend starting with the Windows at sunrise, then hiking over to Double Arch. Parking is in the middle of the park. You don't have to move the car to get from one area to the other. The hike up to the Windows is fairly easy. Along the way note Turret Arch to your right. It can yield many great compositions depending on the angle you're viewing it.
After the Windows, you can begin to work your way back. I recommend a stop at Balanced Rock, then Courthouse Towers, and wrap up the morning at Park Avenue Viewpoint. We could still get good shots there at 10:30 am. But by 11:00 it's time to get out of the sun and rehydrate and refuel.
Delicate Arch is the star of the park and is best viewed at sunset. There are 3 ways to do this ranging from easy to strenuous. If you want to stand in the presence of the arch itself, then hike all the way up the steep trail. Allow an hour for this trek and bring water. If you're not a seasoned hiker, I do not recommend this adventure.
An easier view is from the east side parking in the Lower/Upper Delicate Arch parking lot. From here, you can obtain a good view by hiking an easier trail that's about 500 yards. Bring a telephoto for this shoot, and you can frame some nice compositions.
Either way, you'll need a headlamp or flashlight for the walk back to the parking lot.
Day 2: I recommend another early start and a fairly easy hike to Landscape Arch. Allow about 30 minutes on the trail from the time you leave the parking lot. There's lots to explore in the entire Devil's Garden area including Pine Tree Arch, Tunnel Arch, and Skyline Arch.
Later that day, consider an evening shoot at Panorama Point which is excellent for night photography. You'll want to check the position of the Milky Way and moon. And for a good foreground subject drive a short distance to Balanced Rock.
Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point
Day 3: It's a bit longer drive from Moab, but Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park offer many stunning visual opportunities.
Start with a sunrise shoot at Mesa Arch. It's a quarter mile hike from the parking lot with moderate up and down. Be careful with your footing in the dark. It's much easier on the return trip in daylight.
You will have lots of company there, so arrive at least 45 minutes before sunrise so you can get a parking spot. You'll have to be patient with the other tourists when you arrive at the arch itself. It will be crowded. But it is worth it when the sun rises and lights up the underside of the arch. I would be prepared to shoot HDR to capture both the bright glow and the stunning canyon behind it.
After Mesa Arch, check out the Green River Overlook for a Grand Canyon-like experience. Be sure to include some foreground subjects for a maximum sense of depth. Green River Overlook is also excellent for sunset.
BTW: The Canyonlands Visitor Center is one of my favorites and is definitely worth a stop on the way out of the park. They have lots of great clothing, bandanas, and hats there.
For the sunset shoot, it's hard to top Dead Horse Point that is in the neighboring state park. You can also get great images there in the early morning, so it just depends on how you configure your day.
The state park has lots of covered picnic tables, so if your pack a lunch or snacks, you can extend your visit there when the light is too harsh for photography.
A great stop, especially if you have kids with you, is the Moab Giants park that's at SR 313 as you approach Highway 191. We called it Dinoland, and it's a blast. You can walk a half mile trail through time visiting real life sized dinosaurs. They are spectacular. And afterwards, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Giants Cafe.
Final Thoughts
Moab itself is a wonderful place to hang out. There's lots of good dining there and the meals are relatively affordable. There are plenty of motels and places to stay. I recommend securing your reservations ahead of time, however, because the entire town will sell out during popular times of the year.
If you drive an EV, there's a big Electrify America lot at Lions Gate Park. And there's Tesla charging as well in town.
I could have easily stayed another week. Moab is a great place to establish your basecamp for days and days of adventure in the parks.
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