How to Do Moab, According to an Outdoor Adventure Guide

Sunset’s Insider Guide series highlights seasonal diversions and secret travel tips from local experts.

Whitney Saggboy. Photo by Krista Simmons.

Meet the Insider: Whitney Saggboy, General Manager, Wild West Voyages

Location: Moab, Utah

Whitney Saggboy is a proud born-and-raised Moabite. Growing up as a Navajo woman in one of the West’s most notable regions for natural beauty, she has a deep passion for the outdoors, whether that be hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding, or kayaking. When she’s not trail running with her pooch Crimson alongside her fiancé, you can find her guiding at Wild West Voyages, where we met on a session paddling down the Colorado River. Here, Saggboy shares her local tips on how to enjoy this quirky town located in a unique corner of the American West.

STAY

Matt Kisiday/Courtesy of Field Station Moab

At the newly opened ULUM Moab, you can “have all the comforts of a luxury hotel while being immersed in the outdoors.” It’s located “just south of Moab on the outskirts of Canyonlands National Park” and “feels otherworldly with its expansive, picturesque views.” Field Station is also an excellent option.

EAT

Amanda Jo Hill

“Anytime I get the chance to go out, Trailhead Public House & Eatery is my go-to. They have really fantastic kombucha on tap, and my favorite is their mushroom Swiss burger—a staple!” Also of note is Sweet Cravings Bakery & Bistro. A “locally owned bakery with incredible paninis, fresh food, and an awesome gift shop. Beyond their culinary delights, I love the outreach they do within the community and their passion for giving back in Moab.” A nearby Sunset staff pick is Spitfire Smokehouse, where you’ll often find guides enjoying a local craft brew and a plate of ribs, baked beans, and cornbread after knocking off work on countless trails and slot canyons.

DO

David Epperson/Getty Images

Stand-up paddle boarding, also known as SUP, is Saggboy’s preferred way of getting down the river. “Growing up in Moab, I never had a ton of river experience, but I always love gaining new skills. The past seven years with Wild West Voyages, one of my favorites has been stand-up paddle boarding and SUP yoga. I’m partially deaf in one ear so balancing on a SUP board without an equilibrium is a challenge I enjoy.” Another sport that doesn’t cost anything at all is trail running. “Living in Moab, there’s no shortage of gorgeous trails to walk or run. Growing up doing sports and cross country, running has been a hobby of mine. I love to run the mountain biking trails here. A favorite is the Pipe Dream mountain biking trail. It’s so close off the main road that it is often overlooked, but it’s quite a challenge with the reward of breathtaking views.”