What's the best time to visit Moab?
The best time to visit Moab is in spring and fall, avoiding extreme summer heat and winter cold. For fewer crowds, consider February, November, or late May, when the weather is conducive to outdoor activities without the peak season rush. April and October offer the most ideal weather, with perfect 70-degree days suitable for a wide range of activities, from hiking to river rafting.
If your idea of a dream vacation involves desert scenery, incredible views wherever you look, and many ways to get out into the landscape and experience it in a very hands-on way, Moab, Utah, is a vacation you will want to find time for.
Located in eastern Utah, Moab sits on the Colorado Plateau, home to the world’s densest concentration of natural arches.
It is surrounded by natural wonders with Arches National Park immediately to the north, Canyonlands National Park to the southeast, and a small mountain range to the east on the Colorado border.
When you’re ready to plan your Moab trip, we’ll help you plan the best time for your visit. Whether you want the nicest weather, the best rates, or the most solitude, there’s an ideal time of year to visit.
Overall Best Time to Visit Moab
Scott Prokop/Shutterstock
The overall best time to visit Moab is during its peak seasons of spring and fall. Moab is a furnace in the summer and barely above freezing in the winter, so the best times to get the most out of your visit are spring and fall.
To avoid the worst of the crowds, skirting the peak months of March to May and September to October could work in your favor.
Visiting in February, November, or even late in May before it gets too hot can give you the weather to experience all the activities you want without as many other people around.
With average high temperatures around 50 in February and November, those are excellent months to go if you plan to do a lot of physically demanding activities that generate body heat, like hiking or mountain biking.
If you’ll be doing activities like river rafting, horseback riding, or others that involve water or aren’t likely to make you break a sweat, May is a good time with average high temperatures around 80 degrees.
However, if crowds are less of a concern than having the ideal weather for all activities, choose April or October when you’re likely to experience more perfect 70-degree days.
Cheapest Time to Visit Moab
Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Moab is in the winter. Because Moab’s peak tourist seasons are March to early May and September to October, you are likely to pay more for lodging during those times.
If you don’t mind the cold – or if you live in the north and don’t consider 40 degrees in the dead of winter to be cold – visit in December and January and enjoy off-season rates.
The advantage of visiting Moab in the winter is not only the discounted rates, but there is also an entirely different kind of beauty to be found when the red sandstone is covered with a dusting of snow.
Hiking and mountain biking could be a little more challenging after a snowfall, but they are still possible, and the unique photographs you will have will make it all worthwhile.
Some new opportunities open up with snow, too. Try skiing in the La Sal Mountains. The backcountry terrain provides something fun for any skill level. If you’re not into downhill skiing, try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
While some lodging and recreation choices shut down for the winter – you probably don’t want to river raft at just above-freezing temperatures anyway – you’ll find that much remains open.
Plus, the money you save during the off-season could mean that you get to extend your stay and try some things you wouldn’t have been able to if you’d visited in the peak seasons.
Least Busy Time to Visit Moab
My Good Images/Shutterstock
Avoiding crowds isn’t inherently difficult in Moab. Even during peak season, there is plenty of space on this desert playground for everyone to spread out.
Some of the most popular attractions may have crowds, but you will still have plenty of room to yourself. However, if you really want your solitude, you should avoid Moab during spring and fall.
March to May and September to October are peak seasons in Moab, and you’ll also have fair crowds in some bordering months as well – February, late May, and early November.
Easter weekend is popular in Moab, as the annual Easter Jeep Safari wraps up that weekend, so if you want to avoid crowds, that’s when to definitely not go.
Winter is when you will encounter the smallest crowds in Moab, and it has its perks, but if you want to enjoy some of the warmer weather activities as well, and if you don’t mind the heat, you can visit during the summer.
A summer visit may require some modifications, such as planning your activities for early morning and later in the day and taking a siesta or getting some pool time during the afternoon heat.
Summer temperatures in Moab regularly break into triple digits. However, it is a desert, and you may not notice how hot it is, so make sure to stay hydrated.
Worst Time to Visit
Nature’s Charm/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Moab depends to some extent on what you want to do while you’re there. If you’re counting on river rafting, for example, winter is obviously the worst time for you.
Barring special considerations, however, July and August are possibly the worst time to visit Moab. During these months, the oppressive heat is likely to make outdoor activities difficult and even dangerous.
There is still plenty you can do in the early morning and evening, but if your plans include all-day adventures, you probably don’t want to visit in the height of summer.
But if summer is the only practical time you can make the trip, don’t pass it up just because of the heat. Take advantage of the river rafting, and make sure you get splashed plenty to keep cool.
Stay up late and experience night skies as you’ve never seen them before. And plan shorter hikes or bike rides for early in the morning or in the evening. Don’t let the scorching temperatures keep you from Moab completely. It is a trip you do not want to pass up.
Moab by Month: Climate & Activities
Sarah Quintans/Shutterstock
Still unsure about the best time to visit Moab? Take a look at our summary of the weather and climate by month below:
January
January in Moab, with temperatures often ranging from 22 to 41°F (-6 to 5°C), offers a quieter experience. It’s a perfect time to visit Arches National Park, enjoying the winter scenery at Canyonlands National Park, and exploring the downtown galleries and shops.
February
February continues with cool weather, ideal for off-season explorations in the parks, photographing the stunning landscapes without the crowds, and enjoying the unique charm of Moab’s small-town atmosphere.
March
As spring approaches, March brings temperatures from 30 to 59°F (-1 to 15°C). This is a great time for mountain biking on the famous Slickrock Trail, attending the Moab Skinny Tire Festival, and exploring the petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock.
April
April’s milder weather, with temperatures between 38 to 68°F (3 to 20°C), beckons for rafting on the Colorado River, enjoying the Moab April Action Car Show, and hiking in the lesser-known areas of the national parks.
May
May brings warmer days, from 48 to 80°F (9 to 27°C), perfect for exploring the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park, visiting the Dead Horse Point State Park for spectacular canyon views, and joining in the Moab Arts Festival.
June
June, welcoming summer with temperatures between 58 to 93°F (14 to 34°C), offers ideal conditions for stargazing in the designated Dark Sky Parks, kayaking on the Colorado River, and experiencing the Moab Music Festival.
July
July’s heat, ranging from 66 to 100°F (19 to 38°C), invites you to cool off with river activities like paddle boarding and rafting, early morning hikes to beat the heat, and enjoying the vibrant nightlife in downtown Moab.
August
In August, with temperatures of 65 to 97°F (18 to 36°C), explore the La Sal Mountains for a cooler retreat, enjoy scenic drives through the Castle Valley, and discover ancient dinosaur tracks at the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail.
September
Welcoming fall, September, with temperatures from 55 to 88°F (13 to 31°C), is perfect for the Moab Music Festival set against red rock landscapes, mountain biking on the world-class trails, and enjoying the less crowded national parks.
October
October’s cooler days, from 41 to 73°F (5 to 23°C), are ideal for the Moab 240 Endurance Run, photographing the fall colors against the red rocks, and exploring the area’s off-roading trails with jeeps or ATVs.
November
November, as the air turns crisp, temperatures from 29 to 57°F (-2 to 14°C), is a time for peaceful hikes in the Arches and Canyonlands, visiting the Hole N’ The Rock roadside attraction, and experiencing the quiet beauty of the desert.
December
December brings cooler weather, from 17 to 42°F (-8 to 6°C), along with a peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy the winter solitude in the parks, explore the unique rock formations with fewer tourists, and celebrate the holiday season in the charming town of Moab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vincent Streech/Shutterstock
Have questions about visiting Moab? See answers to some of the most common questions below:
What is off-season in Moab?
Moab’s off-season is in December and January. While there are still many options for experiencing the scenery, most people prefer to avoid the colder weather. You can snag better deals on lodging and other expenses if you choose to visit during the off season.
What is the best time of year to visit Arches National Park?
It’s best to visit Arches National Park in April and May or September and October. The park’s trails can be quite exposed, and when daytime temperatures reach close to 100 degrees during the summer months, it can be quite uncomfortable to explore.
Is Moab busy in May?
Early May is when the peak spring season ends, so you can expect a fair number of people to be visiting Moab at that time.
However, there is a lot of landscape in the area to explore, and you aren’t likely to experience large crowds or long waits. Lodging will likely be your main difficulty if booking your visit in May.
Is Arches free after 5?
Yes. Since Arches National Park is so popular, a timed entry system is in place. Between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., around 2,700 vehicles are allowed entry into the park, and each vehicle must enter in a designated time slot, which is reserved ahead of time.
However, if you enter before 6:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m., you do not need to have a reserved entrance ticket. Additionally, if you are entering the park in another way, such as with an organized tour, you do not need a ticket.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Moab?
Moab is definitely a top spot to visit at any time of year. It offers views you can’t find anywhere else in the world and many recreational options by which to view the scenery.
Try to get there in the spring or autumn for the most enjoyable weather, but don’t allow any scheduling conflicts to deter you from making the trip.
Even the heat of the summer months and the cold of the winter months offer their unique experiences. No matter when you go, it will be an amazing experience that you’ll never forget!