Visiting Moab In The Fall
Use our handy vacation guide for visiting Moab in the Fall. It includes everything you need to know to plan a fall trip to Moab: weather, activities, what to pack, where to stay and more!
Use this Moab Utah Vacation Guide to plan a Fall vacation: weather, activities, what to pack, where to stay and more!
Fall is a popular time to enjoy all the outdoor things to do in Moab. Be prepared for the town, trails and attractions to be crowded.
The fall temperatures in Moab do start to cool off from the summer highs of 100. Keep reading for our tips and recommended activities to enjoy 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
Where to Stay in Moab
There are many types of accommodations to choose from in Moab: budget-friendly hotels to higher-priced resorts. You’ll also find vacation rentals, a hostel, campgrounds and RV parks in Moab.
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 THE FALL
If you love outdoor activities like hiking, biking and landscape photography, then Moab should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Utah!
Fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoor Moab adventures! The mornings and evenings are cool and the daytime highs don’t get too hot.
The moderate Moab weather and temperatures in the fall makes it a popular destination so it WILL be crowded. You’ll find higher prices for accommodations, long lines at the restaurants and the surrounding trails and points of interest 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 THE FALL
The fall months of September, October and November in Moab start to cool off and are perfect for outdoor activities! You’ll want a fleece jacket for the colder mornings and evenings.
- Moab in September: high 88 / low 54
- Moab in October: high 74 / low 41
- Moab in November: high 58 / low 30
WATER: You should drink at least one gallon of water per day, and always carry water with you during all hiking activities. We use hydration packs and carry refillable water bottles in our camera backpack.
SNACKS: Pack and eat plenty of healthy snacks and food. There may be NO services on the trails you’ll hike or the drives you take.
SUN PROTECTION: Wear a sunhat and use sunscreen. Moab’s high elevation and dry air can be hard on your skin. You’ll want to carry lip balm with sunscreen and hydrating lotion to apply as needed when you’re out exploring the trails.
THINGS TO DO IN MOAB IN THE FALL
Below you’ll find our recommended fall activities when visiting Moab. Check out this list of kid-friendly things to do in Moab if you’ll be traveling with kids!
Moab History and Geology
If you enjoy history and geology, the Moab area has petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks and geological formations. Moab Giants Museum is a must-visit for anyone who loves dinosaurs!
- Moab Giants Museum
- Moab Museum
- Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage
- Amazing Petroglyphs in Moab
- Dinosaur Sites Near Moab
National and State Parks in the Fall Near Moab
There are two National Parks and one State Park near Moab that you must take time to explore: scenic drives, hiking and camping. Check out these resources for visiting this Utah National Parks in the fall:
Fall River Rafting, Paddleboarding and Kayaking in Moab
River rafting and kayaking are great fall activities to enjoy in Moab! You’ll find half-day, full-day and multi-day 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.
Fall Hiking in Moab
The Moab Utah hiking trails take you to amazing landscape views! We highly recommend these trails:
And you can’t beat the hikes you find 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
Fall Biking in Moab
The biking trails around Moab are very popular, and fall is a busy time of year so be prepared to share the trails. Get out early to avoid the crowds.
Rent your bike in town or join a guided Moab bike tour to explore the amazing landscape in the area!
Fall Photography in Moab
Fall photography can be hampered by smoky skies if there are any wildfires in California. But that smoky haze can make for some interesting effects!
The best times for Moab photography are sunrise and sunset because the reflected light creates a spectacular glow on the red rocks. Be sure to download our camera gear checklist!
CHECK OUT our Arches and Canyonlands Photography Guide! We share 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 Stargazing in the Fall
You can’t beat stargazing in Moab. We recommend you take one evening to go outside and LOOK UP!
Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point are some of the best places in Moab for stargazing. They are internationally recognized due to their remote location, accessibility, altitude and clear skies.
Fall is a good time to photograph the Milky Way because it’s visible right after sunset!
Off-roading in Moab in the Fall
Moab off-roading can’t be beat! Local tour companies offer 4×4 rentals for you to tackle the trails on your own. But for inexperienced drivers, 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.
There are all types of tours offered where you can sit back and enjoy a 4×4 Moab guided adventure!
Potash Road Scenic Drive
The Potash Road is a scenic drive that’s 34 miles roundtrip and will take about 2 hours. You’ll see beautiful views of the Colorado River, ancient rock petroglyphs, and even dinosaur tracks.
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 Utah Tours and Resources
