Tucked away in a remote region of southeastern Utah, the tiny town of Moab has drawn millions of visitors from around the world ― and for good reason. This desert town is nestled in a valley on the banks of the Colorado River between dramatic red sandstone cliffs. Wide, empty deserts stretch across the horizon, dotted with towering mesas and sharp rock formations that seem to reach for the sky. With awesome scenery like this, it’s no wonder that dozens of filmmakers have used the rugged region as a backdrop in films like City Slickers and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Visitors come to Moab to play. This small community, home to 4,000 people, is the gateway to two popular National Parks, as well as several Utah State Parks. It’s an excellent place for those who love Mother Nature and the adventure she offers.

Moab’s culture is an eclectic mix of New Age thinkers, nature lovers and those drawn to its quiet, small-town environment. There are no glitzy resorts or big developments here. Rather, Main Street is lined with little shops and family-owned outfitters.

Like many Utah towns, Moab was founded in 1855 by Mormon settlers. Yet the city was soon abandoned due to the settlers’ fear of their Native American neighbors. The town was re-settled in 1876, and then boomed in the 1950s when uranium was discovered in the area. Those mining days waned, however.

These days, tourism is the region’s main draw. Moab is wildly popular with international visitors from Europe, Japan and elsewhere (almost half of all visitors are international).

Getting to Moab is not easy, though. Although the town has a tiny airport, most people fly into Grand Junction, Colorado (1.5 hours away by car) or Salt Lake City, Utah (a three-hour drive). Others simply stumble across the town while driving through this part of the country.

The tiny town of Moab is nestled in a valley amidst towering mountains and dramatic sandstone mesas.

Moab is one hour south of I-70, a main highway running east to west across the midwestern states. If you’re driving from I-70, take Exit 214 south through the miniscule town of Cisco. The road becomes Colorado River Scenic Byway 128, and winds through dramatic red-walled gorges and past finger-like rock spires, which are visible for miles.

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Where do you stay while in Moab? If you’re willing to plop down a few bucks and want a ranch-like experience, try Sorrel River Ranch Resort (Mile 17 Hwy. 128; 435-259-4642; www.sorrelriver.com), or Red Cliffs Lodge (Mile 14 Hwy. 128; 435-259-2002; www.redcliffslodge.com), an adventure lodge which offers horseback riding, mountain biking and river rafting.

If you’re on a budget, your best bet is to stay downtown. Families will find roomy, yet affordable accommodations at the River Canyon Lodge just one block off Main Street (71 W 200 North; 866-486-6738; www.rivercanyonlodge.com). The lodge has 18 large Junior Suites for US$ 79 - $89, and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens for US$ 99/night. (The two-bedroom suites are very popular, so book ahead.)

Now that you’re situated, it’s time to play. Arches National Park (www.nps.gov/arch; US$ 10 entrance fee) is perhaps the best-known attraction in this region, so you might want to head there first. The National Park is home to the red stone formations that have become a Utah icon. Arches National Park is a photographer’s dream (think rich red color against a blue Utah sky), so be sure to pack your camera.

Trails to suit hikers of every ability level crisscross the massive park. The park guide lists out the most popular hikes— along with their length and difficulty level — so you can plan your day. Be sure to bring in lunch and plenty of water. The dry Utah sun can dehydrate you quickly!

You’ll also note that signs throughout the park warn of stepping off of the trail. Why? The desert landscape is very fragile. Much of the dry red earth is covered with cryptobiotic soil. This “crust” is actually millions of tiny organisms which take decades to grow. They are the desert’s way of preventing erosion, and one careless footstep can destroy that life in an instant. Stay on rock or on marked trails.

Ancient rock art and other cultural artifacts of the past can be found throughout the Moab region, from pioneer ghost towns to ancient stone weapons. These artifacts are protected, and in many areas, visitors are asked to follow certain rules to preserve their nature.

Located in “The Windows” section of the park, the trail to Double Arch is only .8 miles (1.2 km) long, and leads to one of the park’s largest formations — two double arches. The rock can be slippery during your trek; make sure you wear shoes with good tread.

Another hike especially good for children is the short trail that leads to Sand Dune Arch (kids will like playing in the soft sand here, and the rock walls provide cool shade).

The park’s most popular attraction, however, is Delicate Arch, a stunning rock formation which also graces the Utah license plate. To reach the arch, drive to the Wolf Ranch parking area and hike the three-mile (4.8 km) trail in. Be sure to bring at least one quart (about one liter) of water per person. There is no shade along the hike, and there is a slight rise in elevation (480 feet/146 meters). Delicate Arch is most beautiful at sunset, and it’s one of the park’s most photographed spots.