Visiting Moab In The Fall
Moab is a top vacation spot due to its location in Southeastern Utah close to Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point State Park. You can’t beat the weather when visiting Moab in the fall!
The fall months are one of the best times to visit Moab to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, photography, and off-roading in Jeeps and ATVs.
Use this Moab Utah Vacation Guide to plan a Fall vacation: weather, activities, what to pack, where to stay and more! The weather is amazing, but expect crowds because Moab is a popular fall destination in Utah.
We are lucky to live close to Moab so we are able to visit often and at various times of the year. The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting Moab during the fall months of September, October, and November. Use our Moab, Utah packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for your fall trip! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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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
Fall is a popular time to enjoy all the outdoor things to do in Moab. The mornings and evenings are cool and the daytime highs don’t get too hot. Be prepared for the town, trails and attractions to be crowded.
Moab Weather in the Fall
The Moab weather in the fall starts to cool down making it a great time to explore the area because it will be cooler in the mornings and evenings, and the daytime temperatures aren’t too hot compared to the summer.
- Moab in September: high 88 / low 54
- Moab in October: high 74 / low 41
- Moab in November: high 58 / low 30
In the fall you’ll still want to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated. Early fall in Moab will still be hot and dry. Late fall you’ll enjoy moderate temperatures. The mornings and evenings will be cold!
- Wicking Clothing: Loose-fitting, light-colored, wicking clothing.
- Sunhat: Sun protection for early fall.
- Fleece jackets: Layers are key during the fall!
- Darn Tough hiking socks: Do not wear cotton socks. Darn Tough Socks are comfortable, breathe well, and prevent blisters!
- Sturdy hiking shoes: Hiking shoes or boots should be sturdy with good tread and traction.
Things To Do in Moab in the Fall
Below you’ll find our recommended Moab fall activities when visiting in September, October, or November.
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.
NOTE: Arches is one of the nine US National Parks requiring reservations. You must have a timed entry reservation to enter the park from April 1 to October 31. You can enter Arches National Park before 7am and after 4pm without an advance reservation.
Arches National Park in the Fall – You’ll need Timed Entry tickets are required in September and October. You can still visit Arches even if you don’t have a ticket! Just plan to get into the park before 6 am or after 5pm. We suggest getting into the park early to enjoy the cooler temps with no crowds to see and photograph sunrise at Arches National Park!
Canyonlands National Park in the Fall – To make the most of all the Canyonlands National Park fall activities, we recommend you spend one day at Island in the Sky and one day at Needles. There are fun things to do at Canyonlands Island in the Sky vs Needles like hiking, backpacking, driving 4×4 roads and photographing the unique sandstone rock formations.
Dead Horse Point State Park – Located near the entrance to Canyonlands Island in the sky, it’s an iconic location to see the panoramic vistas and the bend in the Colorado River. Photographers come from around the world to capture this landscape scene, especially at sunset. You can explore the Dead Horse Point State Park hiking trails or biking trails. It’s a terrific place to camp as well. The yurts are a popular place to stay here!
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 fall hikes take you to amazing landscape views! The entire Moab area is one big playground, especially for hiking. It’s a terrific way to see and photograph this scenic area filled with sandstone arches, pinnacles, petroglyphs and even dinosaur prints!
Our favorite day hikes in Moab are: Corona Arch Trail, Dellenbaugh Tunnell Trail, and Fisher Towers!
And of course you can’t beat the trails in the National and State Parks:
- Arches National Park Fall Hikes
- Canyonlands National Park Fall Hikes
- Dead Horse Point State Park Hiking Trails
Fall Biking in Moab
The Moab biking trails 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
Moab photography is best at sunrise and sunset because the reflected light on the red rocks is so vibrant! In addition to the photo spots at Arches and Canyonlands below, we like Fisher Towers and Dead Horse Point at sunset!
- Sunrise at Arches National Park
- Sunset at Arches National Park
- Sunrise at Canyonlands
- Sunset at Canyonlands
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!
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!
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.
During the fall, the Milky Way is visible:
- September – 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm
- October – 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
- November – not visible
Use a headlamp with a red light when you’re out stargazing!
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!
Moab Tours in the Fall
With experienced guides on Moab tours, you can explore all the amazing sights the area has to offer and make sure you don’t miss anything.
Here are a few of our favorite tours in Moab:
- Private Full-Day Moab Tour and Hike Combo
- Moab’s Best Kept Secret: Cool Summer Creek Hike
- Private Half-Day Canyoneering Tour in Moab
- Moab Half-Day Rock Climbing
- Day Photography in Arches, Canyonlands, & Moab
- Moab Back Roads, History, and Winery E-Bike Tour
- Hell’s Revenge UTV 4X4 Off-Roading Tour from Moab
Fall Scenic Drives in Moab
Check out all the beautiful drives you can enjoy in the Moab the area:
Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway – the 34-mile round-trip drive is a terrific half-day excursion from the Moab area to see great views of the Colorado River, ancient rock art, and dinosaur tracks. Potash Road or the Lower Colorado Scenic Byway runs along the Colorado River and ends at the border of Canyonlands National Park. We recommend this drive in the late afternoon when the red rocks glow and reflect in the river!
Watch for signs and pullouts indicating petroglyphs. And look for the “Dinosaur Tracks” sign and turnout. A short hike takes you to a series of three-toed dinosaur tracks. You’ll be amazed at all the dinosaur tracks in Moab you can find.
Arches National Park Scenic Drive – the full 43-mile scenic drive, including the spur roads, takes 2 to 3 hours. Add more time if you plan to walk around and take photos or do any hiking at any of the stops.
Canyonlands Island in the Sky Scenic Drive – you’ll definitely want to have your camera ready to capture the beauty you’ll see at all 10 overlooks along this drive!
Located near Needles Canyonlands you’ll find two stunning places to see views of Needles, Island in the Sky, Dead Horse Point, and the Moab area!
- Scenic Drive to Needles Overlook
- Scenic Drive to Anticline Overlook
We recommend the Arches & Canyonlands GuideAlong App to hear fun behind-the-scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.
Camping in Moab in the Fall
There are a variety of ways to camp in the Moab area during the fall months: RV Parks and Campgrounds, National Park Campgrounds, State Park Campgrounds, and BLM camping.
- Arches National Park Camping
- Island in the Sky Campgrounds
- Needles Canyonlands Camping
- Dead Horse Point State Park Camping
- BLM Campgrounds in the Moab area
You’ll definitely want to make a reservation if you can!
Moab Lodging in the Fall
If camping is not your thing, here 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.
Utah Bucket List
To make your vacation planning easier, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide that covers must-see sights, must-do activities, and must-taste foods across the state. Simply click on the graphic below to get your free download and start planning your next adventure!
Check out our Utah Bucket List that includes ideas for things to see, do and taste all around the state! Grab the free download by clicking the graphic below!
