Winter can be very cold and summer is very hot.. lol Fall and Spring can be really nice.
I lived in Green River Ut. about 60 miles north west of Moab for 4 months last year. As mentioned above arches is good and so is National Reef. There are several National Parks within 200 miles of Moab. I went out exploring every weekend. Arches National park below.
There are some nice trails going into and up on top of the Book Cliffs just East of Green River Utah. Start by taking the second Green river exit going back towards town take the first right (East) on Old highway 50 after you pass the shooting range there is a road to the right just before the old refinery going up hill to an old military launch control site with a great view of the area. Go up and look around.
After you come back down continue East on Old Highway to Floy Canyon road turn left towards the Book Cliffs. Then turn Left on Blaze Canyon bench road it will take you along the top. There are roads you can take that will take you back to Green river but I just doubled back after driving along the top for a few miles. You can camp out in the area almost anywhere just remember there can be flash floods in some of the canyons.
This is looking back along Floy canyon road towards the interstate in the next photo.
Another easy road is Little Valley road going towards Crystal Geyser. Crystal Geyser is a cold water geyser if you are lucky you might see it erupt but don't get your hopes up... lol If you explore some of the roads in that area you are bound to come across a lot of old White sands Missile launch sites. One of the roads you will cross going to the geyser is "New Area 51 road" take it to the east and you will come across several launch pads. After you check them out just turn around and the same road will take you back to the interstate. But don't be afraid to explore other roads in the area.
In Moab we went down Chicken Corners it is a beautiful ride heading along the river then climbing high above then back down again. There are a lot of good trails along the Colorado river head east along the river just before getting into town and explore the roads along the river to the south as you go back towards Grand Junction.
Places to eat in Green River... For steak and burgers the must stop place is
Ray's Tavern or if you want something a little nicer overlooking the Green River stop in at
Tamerisk they have great food also.... But be warned those are the only good places to eat in Green River... lol Well unless you want Coffee you can stop in at Green River Coffee company... Ok one other place if you want a quick taco or burrito then hit the Mexican food truck it is actually pretty good and you can take yor food inside to eat...
The hands down favorite dinner place for me in Moab is the
Sunset Grill good food best view in town for a sunset the owners are very nice and love to share the history of the place... Sun set grill is a must eat place in Moab...