On the Colorado River · Luxury
Sorrel River Ranch
A ranch resort and spa on the river beneath the red cliffs.
Official details for Sorrel River RanchUtah · Couples · Two nights
Moab, Arches & Canyonlands
Red rock, two national parks and big skies.
Moab sits in a red-rock valley on the Colorado River, with Arches National Park on the edge of town and Canyonlands a short drive away. Land at Canyonlands Regional north of town, see Delicate Arch at sunset, stand on the rim at Island in the Sky and Dead Horse Point, float the river and stay at a ranch on its banks. Scenic flights over the canyons are a highlight.
National parksRed rockScenic flights
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KCNY
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~1516 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~10 hr 22 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car
Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.
01 / Aviation & getting around
A desert regional airport.
KCNY, Canyonlands Regional, is a non-towered field at 4,579 feet with a 7,360-foot runway about 16 miles north of Moab, a few minutes from the Arches entrance road.
The FBO
Redtail Aviation
435-259-7421Canyonlands Regional Airport, Moab, UT
Hot afternoons: compute performance for the temperature. Book a rental car in advance; there are few. No live fuel price is shown.
High desert flying: hot afternoons with high density altitude, strong gusty winds and dust in spring, summer monsoon storms from July to September, and few alternates. About 1520 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way with several fuel stops. Plan a week, or overnight on the way out and back.
02 / Where to stay
A river ranch or a lodge.
Rates and availability need travel dates. Spring and fall weekends fill early.
On the Colorado River · Lodge
Red Cliffs Lodge
A riverside lodge with cabins and a winery.
Official details for Red Cliffs LodgeLocal guide
More places to stay
Hotels and inns in Moab.
Discover Moab for More places to stay03 / Where to eat
Dinner after the parks.
Reserve weekend dinners.
Saturday dinner · Fine dining
Desert Bistro
Moab’s special-occasion restaurant.
Official details for Desert BistroLocal guide
More restaurants
Breweries, cafés and grills downtown.
Discover Moab for More restaurants04 / Things to do
Arches, canyons and the river.
Go early and late for the light and the cooler air.
Arches National Park
Delicate Arch, the Windows and more than 2,000 arches. Timed-entry reservations may be required.
NPS05 / What’s happening
Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.
This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.
March–May
Spring season
Mild days and wildflowers; busiest time of year.
Discover Moab for Spring seasonSeptember–October
Fall season
Warm days and cool nights.
Discover Moab for Fall seasonYear-round
Park updates
Check reservation and closure news.
NPS for Park updatesConcerts, festivals & local happenings
Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.
06 / Suggested itinerary
Friday in. Sunday home.
A sample long weekend. This is a two-day flight each way; plan a week. No bookings or availability confirmed.
Day trip version
Just for the day
- Arrive
Land at KCNY early.
- Midday
The Windows in Arches (check timed entry).
- Afternoon
A scenic flight, then home before the heat.
DAY 1
Arrive
- Arrival
Land at KCNY, subject to weather, density altitude and your actual flight plan.
- Afternoon
The Windows section of Arches.
- Evening
Dinner at Desert Bistro.
DAY 2
Explore
- Morning
Mesa Arch at sunrise, then Island in the Sky.
- Afternoon
Dead Horse Point.
- Evening
Delicate Arch at sunset.
DAY 3
Morning & home
- Morning
A river float or scenic flight.
- Before leaving
Compute takeoff performance for the morning temperature and allow time at the FBO.
- Fly home
Hot afternoons and summer storms; leave early.
Longer stay · Add a day
With an extra day
- Morning
Mesa Arch at sunrise.
- Afternoon
Dead Horse Point.
- Evening
Delicate Arch at sunset.
07 / Good to know
Keep the weekend easy to change.
These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.
Book in this order
Lodging, a rental car and any park reservations.
Very long flight
About 1,520 nm: two days each way.
Heat
Summer is very hot; carry plenty of water.
Best seasons
March to May and September to October.
Reviewed · Destination 183
Reviewed November 5, 2026.
Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking. Spotted something out of date, or have a favorite we missed? Email us at [email protected].
WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.