Moab
Most visitors come to Moab, in eastern Utah, as a base for Arches and Canyonlands national parks, then stay for the mountain biking and Jeep trails.
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Most visitors come to Moab, the largest city in Grand County, Utah, as a base for Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. The town sits just south of the Colorado River on the Colorado Plateau, at about 4,025 feet (1,227 m). The Arches entrance is about 4 miles (6 km) north of town on US 191. Canyonlands Field, the local airport, offers air service, and Salt Lake Express runs bus service to town.
Beyond the parks, the town draws mountain bikers to an extensive trail network that includes the Slickrock Trail. Kokopelli's Trail, a 142-mile mountain biking route, begins near Loma, Colorado, and ends here. Off-roaders come for the annual Moab Jeep Safari. Summers are hot, with about 41 days a year reaching 100°F (38°C), and winters are chilly. Spring and autumn suit outdoor activities best.
Moab in five
- Check Arches timed entry for your datesArches uses timed entry reservations in the busy months, booked on Recreation.gov. Arrive before or after the window, or book a slot, so you are not turned away at the gate.Arches National Park
- Know the $100 fee does not apply hereArches and Canyonlands are not among the 11 parks that charge non-US residents $100. You pay the standard entrance fee, or use an annual pass if you visit several parks.The $100 fee, explained
- Visit in spring or fallApril to May and September to October are mild. July and August are very hot, so hike at dawn and take a river trip or a drive in the afternoon.
- Add Monument Valley with a long driveMonument Valley is about 2.5 hours south. It makes a strong second stop, but plan a night nearby rather than a rushed day trip.Monument Valley
- Stay in town and book earlyMoab has the main supply of rooms, tours and restaurants. Spring weekends and fall fill fast, so book rooms and rafting trips early.
Need to know
- Airport
- Grand Junction (GJT) or Salt Lake City (SLC); Canyonlands Field (CNY) is small
- Getting there
- Drive US-191 and I-70: Grand Junction about 1.5 hours, Salt Lake City about 4 hours
- Getting around
- Car, or bike in town; many trailheads are out of town
- Best base
- Moab town, near the Arches entrance and tour operators
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 days for Arches, Canyonlands and a river trip
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low-5°Cold, quietJanuaryClear
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryClear3 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low-2°Cold, quietFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh14°Low2°Spring, busyMarchClear
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, busy
- AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh20°Low6°Peak, mildAprilClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, mild
- MayClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low12°Warm, busyMayClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low18°HotJuneClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh36°Low22°Very hot, stormsJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, storms
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh34°Low20°Monsoon stormsAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon storms
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low15°Warm, fewerSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, fewer
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh19°Low7°Mild, busyOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, busy
- NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh11°Low1°Cool, quietNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberClear4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low-4°ColdDecemberClear
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
Average daily high and low in Moab, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Moab
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 53%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 64%
Moab
03:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°6°64%Monday: Snow. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Tue13°4°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed13°7°15%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Thu14°6°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri15°9°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat16°9°3%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun16°8°0%Sunday: Clear. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 11:16 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Arches National Parkabout 10 to 15 minutes from townDelicate Arch and the Windows. Check timed entry.Read the guide
- Canyonlands, Island in the Skyabout 40 minutes to the entranceMesa-top overlooks above the canyons.
- Monument Valleyabout 2.5 hours southA long day, or add a night near the park.Read the guide
Before you go to Moab
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Moab, checked
- US entry rules depend on your passport. Check whether you need ESTA or a visa on travel.state.gov before you fly.Source
- Arches entry rules and any timed-entry reservations can change. Check nps.gov/arch before you drive north on US 191.Source
- Drive off-road only on marked routes. Check Bureau of Land Management rules for the Moab area before you go.Source
- Taking rocks, plants or artifacts from federal land near Moab is illegal. Leave everything where you find it.
Plan around Moab
Timed entry and Delicate Arch
Read the guideUtahFive national parks and the road between them
Read the guideMonument ValleyNavajo Tribal Park, 2.5 hours south
Read the guideZion National ParkPermits and the shuttle, 5 hours southwest
Read the guide$100 park fee for visitorsWhich 11 parks charge non-US residents
Read the guideAll of the USAStates, parks and cities in one planning hub
Read the guideMoab FAQ
How many days do you need in Moab?
Three days is a good minimum: one for Arches, one for Canyonlands and one for a river trip or a drive. Add a fourth for mountain biking or Dead Horse Point.
When is the best time to visit Moab?
April to May and September to October. Winter is cold but quiet, and summer is very hot, with afternoon storms that can cause flash floods.
Do I need reservations for Arches?
Often yes in the busy season. Arches uses timed entry reservations on Recreation.gov for part of the year, so check the park page for your dates before you go.
Do I pay the $100 fee at Arches?
No. The $100 nonresident fee applies to 11 national parks, and Arches and Canyonlands are not among them. You pay the standard entrance fee.
Is Moab worth visiting without a car?
Hard. The parks and trails are spread out, and public transport is limited. Join tours from town if you do not drive, but a car gives you far more freedom.