Visiting Moab in September
Use this travel guide to plan your vacation to Moab in September. You’ll find everything you need to know: weather, activities, what to pack, where to stay and more!
Use this Moab Utah Vacation Guide to plan a September vacation: weather, activities, what to pack, where to stay and more!
There are plenty of things to do in Moab, Utah if you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, photography, and more!
September is a busy time of year in Moab. Keep reading for our tips and recommended activities for visiting Moab in the fall.
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What To Pack for a Trip to Moab
- Hiking shoes
- Darn Tough hiking socks
- WATER: Hydration packs or carry refillable water bottles in your backpack.
- Healthy snacks – there may be NO services on the trails you’ll hike or drive.
- Lip balm with sunscreen and hydrating lotion – Utah’s high elevation and dry air can be hard on your skin.
- Summer – High temperatures, unrelenting sunlight, and low humidity. To keep cool, wear light colored, loose fitting UV protection clothing that does not absorb sunlight. Also avoid sun burn by wearing a sunhat and by generously applying sunscreen to any parts of your body that are exposed to the sun.
- Winter – Pack winter clothing to stay dry and warm.
- Fleece jacket
- Buff headbands
- Hand sanitizer
- Flashlight or headlamp
- First aid kit
- DOWNLOAD – Camera gear checklist
A Photo Tour of Moab, Utah
Take a visual tour through the Moab, Utah area to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
VISITING MOAB IN SEPTEMBER
There’s not much shade in the Moab area so you’ll want to do your Moab adventures like hiking and biking in the mornings when it’s cooler and the sun isn’t blazing.
Moab in the fall is a busy time and it WILL be crowded. You’ll find higher prices for accommodations and long lines at the restaurants! The national parks, state parks, overlooks, hiking trails and points of interest will also be packed with people.
If you’re wondering what it’s like to visit Moab at other times of the year, check out our article: Best time to visit Moab.
MOAB WEATHER IN SEPTEMBER
September temperatures in Moab: highs around 88 and lows around 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to stay hydrated and use sun protection in Septmeber:
WATER: Moab is a high desert area so you should drink at least one gallon of water per day, and always carry water with you – hydration packs or carry refillable bottles in your backpack.
FOOD: Pack and eat healthy snacks because there may be NO services on the trails or scenic drives.
SUN PROTECTION: Wear a sunhat and use sunscreen . Carry lip balm with sunscreen and hydrating lotion to apply as needed.
THINGS TO DO IN MOAB IN SEPTEMBER
Moab is one of the popular places to visit in Utah for hiking, biking, climbing, river rafting and more! Here’s a list of activities to do in September:
National and State Parks Near Moab
Explore the two National Parks and one State Park in the Moab area. In September the highs will still be in the upper 80s so we recommend you enjoy the AC on scenic drives during the hottest part of the day. Hit the hiking trails in the cooler times of the day! Here are some guides to help you plan your visit to these destinations in September:
- Arches National Park in September
- Canyonlands National Park in September
- Dead Horse Point State Park
Dinosaurs and Petroglyphs in Moab
The Moab Giants Museum is a MUST for anyone who loves dinosaurs! In September you’ll still want to visit early when it’s not too hot because you’ll be outside walking along a trail of life-sized dinosaurs!
There are also lots of places to see dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs in Moab too!
- Moab Giants Museum
- Dinosaur Sites Near Moab
- Moab Museum
- Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage
- Amazing Petroglyphs in Moab
Moab Hikes in September
Definitely hit the Moab Utah hiking trails in the morning when the temperatures are cooler and not as crowded. Remember to stay hydrated and wear a sunhat and sunscreen!
Our favorite day hikes in Moab are:
And of course you can’t beat the trails in the National and State Parks:
- Arches National Park Hiking Trails
- Canyonlands Hikes
- Canyonlands Island in the Sky Hikes
- Dead Horse Point State Park Hiking Trails
Biking in Moab in September
Moab biking trails are well known so most of the year you’ll need to share the trails. September is a busy time of year so we recommend you get out early to enjoy the cooler weather and avoid the crowds! You can rent bikes in town and even join a Moab bike tour!
River Rafting, Paddleboarding and Kayaking in Moab
September is still a good time for river rafting and kayaking in Moab! You’ll find all types of Moab rafting trips to float along the Colorado River.
You can also do stand-up paddleboarding in the calmer waters of the Colorado River close to Moab. There are local companies that rent kayaks and paddleboards.
Moab Area Photography
Moab is also a bucket list destination for photographers. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to photograph the areas around Moab because the light at this time creates a spectacular glow on the red rocks that’s so beautiful!
We’ve created an Arches and Canyonlands Photography Guide detailing the best photo spots in these parks and our favorite 3 day itinerary some of our favorite ‘lesser known’ places to take pictures in Moab!
Remember that if you want pictures at the most popular sites without people getting in the way, early morning is the best time to be out taking pictures!
Moab’s Potash Road Scenic Drive
If you’re looking for beautiful views of the Colorado River, ancient rock petroglyphs, and dinosaur tracks, then drive the Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway!
It’s a 34 mile roundtrip drive along the Colorado River. Plan about 2 hours for the drive and stops to take pictures. We like going in the late afternoon so the canyon walls will glow with that deep orange color and reflect into the Colorado River.
Moab Stargazing in September
When visiting Moab, you must take one evening to go outside and LOOK UP! In September you can see or photograph the Milky Way right after sunset!
Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point are internationally recognized as one of the best places for stargazing because of the remote location, accessibility, altitude and clear skies.
Off-roading in Moab in September
If you’re up for an adventure, plan to explore the off-road trails in Moab! Local tour companies offer 4×4 rentals for you to tackle the trails on your own. If you’re an inexperienced driver, we recommend you book a tour or have a guide ride along with you to navigate and teach. We have used and recommend Outlaw Jeep Tours. You can also book a Moab 4WD guided tour where you sit back and let the driver navigate the trails!
