Moab is a popular area to explore. There is just so much to do! With 2 national parks, 1 state park, countless trails for hiking and off roading. It is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts!
With this popularity comes heavy traffic on the roads and on the trails. On top of the crowds add over 100 degree heat in the summer! Enough over crowdedness and overheating to {almost} keep you away.
It is just too magnificent of a place to stay away! The key is going when the crowds and the weather are just right. So exactly when is the best time to visit Moab & its surrounding area?
Our family motto is,
When is the best time?
The best time to visit Moab is in the Fall & Spring. More specifically, after the Utah schools have their fall break (typically mid October) and before Jeep week (typically end of March). So go Mid October- Mid March, but try and stay on the tail ends of those times so that you are closer to 60 degree territory when it come to the weather.
Why go to Moab at this time
This is the best time as crowds are considerably smaller and the weather is milder. We generally find it worth it to go at this time even though it is a little colder. The red rock with a light dusting of snow is beautiful and you won’t be fighting the crowds at Delicate Arch.
Check out the monthly average temperature in Moab below or by clicking here!
Additionally, you can find lodging that is a lot less expensive during the off season.
Things to consider
Of course there are some trade offs with going in the off season. Not all of the food options are available during this time. There are still plenty of wonderful options though.
You will also be limited in some of your activities depending on the weather. It still can snow in Moab and the slick rock can become even more slick with rain and snow.
Arches National Park visitors center has a board that they update regularly with trail info and photos of what the trail looks like. You may not be able to do some of the trails such as the Primitive Trail at Devils Garden if it has recently snowed. So be sure and stop by to check that out!
Making a stop into the visitors center will be easy as this time of the year there is no line to enter the park (lines just to enter the park can get crazy long during peak season). You can also read about any alerts on the Arches National Park Website.
What to bring
Bring layers! A hike can start out cold, but as it gets warmer in the day and as your body gets moving you definitely warm up. It might feel counterintuitive to you to wear hats/mittens and sunscreen all at the same time, but it will keep you warm and keep you from getting sunburned.
Carry in your pack some micro spikes that you can take on and off depending on the snow cover of the trail. A trail may be completely dry in the sun and iced over snow in the shade.
For example, while hiking to delicate arch once in mid February everything was sunny, dry, and warm expect for the last little stretch that was in the shade.
We simply put on our micro spikes for this section and made it to the top without any problems. Those that did not wear micro spikes were sliding around and had difficulty staying on their feet. It was a little scary watching them and hoping they wouldn’t fall down the side of the rock.
Happy Trails
Although the temperature is a little colder it is well worth it to visit Moab mid October- mid March. You will find better deals on lodging.
Even more importantly, you will have the place practically to yourselves! The light dusting of snow on the red rock will feel like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. It will be perfect!
Learn about other lesser known things to do in Moab by clicking here.
Happy trails to Moab in the off season until we meet again!
