Planning a Moab Spring Break Vacation
Located in southeast Utah, Moab offers a unique combination of breathtaking landscapes and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. With the mild temperatures and sunny days, it’s a terrific Moab spring break vacation spot!
Use this Moab Utah Vacation Guide to plan a trip in the spring: weather, activities, what to pack, where to stay and more!
During the spring months the temperatures are perfect to enjoy all the things to do in Moab like hiking, biking, scenic drives and more!
Visiting Moab in the spring is a great way to experience the beauty of this stunning desert oasis. Plan your spring vacation to explore what this incredible destination has to offer and make memories that will last a lifetime!
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Spring Clothing for Hiking
Moab, Utah in early spring will still have cold mornings so layers are key.
- Clothing: Loose-fitting, light-colored, and wicking clothing
- Sunhat: Sun protection is a must
- Fleece jackets: A jacket is perfect for that morning layer when the temperatures are cool.
- Darn Tough hiking socks: Do not wear cotton socks. Darn Tough Socks are comfortable, breathe well, and prevent blisters!
- Waterproof hiking shoes: Spring rain is common so be sure your hiking shoes are waterproof. Be sure the shoes are sturdy with good tread and traction.
Spring Hiking Gear
Here’s the spring hiking gear we recommend for exploring the Moab area:
- Water: Carry and drink at least two liters of water. Use refillable water bottles or hydration packs. We carry Propel powder packets to add to our water to help replace electrolytes.
- Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin! Due to the dry heat in Utah, you’ll also want lip balm and lotion!
- First aid kit: No matter whether your hike is long or short, always pack a hiking first aid kit. Make sure your first aid kit has the essentials like plasters, bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, etc.
- Headlamps: If you’ll be hiking in the morning or late afternoon, carry a headlamp so you’re prepared in case you need to hike in the dark.
- Snacks: Pack salty and easy to digest snack to replace electrolytes.
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!
Planning Your Moab Spring Break Vacation
Moab, Utah is one of the most popular places to visit in Utah, especially in the spring.
The spring Moab weather is perfect to explore the national parks and surrounding areas! It will be cool to cold in the mornings and evenings, but it’s just right during the day when the sun in shining.
There is not much shade to be found around Moab so it’s nice to be outside on a sunny day when the air is cool! It makes hiking, biking and offroading so much more enjoyable!
And you’ll see waterfalls and desert flowers in the spring you won’t see any other time of year!
BUT Moab is a popular destination for spring break in Utah so expect crowds! The town, trails and points of interest will be packed with people.
And definitely avoid the weekend of the Moab Easter Jeep Safari unless you are going there to specifically attend this event. The small town will be very crowded which means higher prices for accommodations and long lines at the restaurants!
Moab Weather in the Spring
The spring months of March, April and May are almost perfect in Moab.
- Moab in March: high 64 / low 35 – 3 days rain
- Moab in April: high 73 / low 42 – 3 days rain
- Moab in May: high 83 / low 50 – 3 days rain
It’s always good to check the Moab weather forecast so you’re prepared for rain in the spring, and maybe even a dusting of snow in March. Usually if it snows, it doesn’t last long and quickly melts.
If you’re wondering what it’s like to at other times of the year, check out our article: best time to visit Moab.
Moab Spring Break Activities
Moab is a popular spring break destination so expect crowds. Beat the crowds by getting up early to enjoy your outdoor fun! Here’s our list of fun Moab adventures to do in the spring!
Spring Break at National and State Parks Near Moab
The two National Parks and one Utah State Park near Moab are must-see destinations! These guides can help you plan your trip! Our big tip: go early to avoid the crowds! Here’s what you can expect when visiting these parks in the spring:
Arches National Park in the Spring – spring is one of the best times to visit due to the moderate temperatures that aren’t too hot or too cold. If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend going the first two weeks of March. There may be lines to get into the park, especially on the weekends. And the points of interest will be packed with people.
Canyonlands National Park in the Spring – it’s a terrific time to visit, but it’s also a popular spring break month so be sure to enter the park early, leave when it gets crowded, then go back in the afternoon!
We recommend the Arches & Canyonlands GyPSy Guide App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.
Dead Horse Point State Park – known for its stunning views of the Colorado River, dramatic vertical cliffs, canyons, and vista views. We highly recommend this location at sunset!
Moab Hiking During Spring Break
The Moab Utah hiking trails get overshadowed by the hikes in the National and State Parks. But there is so much landscape to explore right around the city.
And of course you definitely want to explore the trails in the National and State Parks near Moab:
Hiking in the spring is awesome because sun is out and the temperatures are moderate. Your hiking day pack needs to include water, sunscreen and chapstick!
- Day Hike Checklist
- What to Bring on a Hike
- Photography Gear for Hiking
- Hiking Gear for Kids & Tips for Hiking with Kids
Moab Biking During Spring Break
Moab really is the adventure capital of the USA! Biking has become a popular activity to explore the area.
The trails will be more crowded during spring break, especially on the weekends. Again, get up early to hit the trails and avoid the crowds. And remember to be patient and pay attention while riding.
You can rent bikes in town and even join a Moab guided bike tour!
Moab Photography During Spring Break
No matter what time of year… you definitely want to pack your camera to take pictures of the stunning landscape. Download our camera gear checklist!
The light during sunrise and sunset hours is the best for photography because the sun on the red rocks is so vibrant!
CHECK OUT our 3 day photography guide for Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point to capitalize on all the best places and times to take pictures in the Moab area! We share 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 During Spring Break
Definitely plan at least one night for stargazing. Leave the city and just look up to see a spectacular show in the sky.
Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point are all International Dark Sky Parks where you can see thousands of stars in the sky. You might even get lucky and spot the Milky Way!
Here are the times when the Milky Way is visible in the spring during the new moon phase (no moon in the sky):
- March – 3:00 am to 5:45 am
- April – 1:00 am to 4:45 am
- May – 11:00 pm to 4:00 am
Off-Roading in Moab in the Spring
During the spring, the famous Easter Jeep Safari takes place. It’s a fun time to see a lot of Jeeps in town, but it’s also a very crowded time so you may want to plan around that if you’re not participating in the event.
You can rent 4×4 Jeeps and ATVs from many local companies to go out and explore the trails. But if you are not used to off-roading, join a tour and have a guided 4×4 adventure in Moab. We love using and recommend using Outlaw Jeep Tours.
Moab Scenic Drives During Spring Break
Moab, Utah is a scenic destination with many beautiful drives to enjoy the breathtaking views around 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
Moab History and Geography During Spring Break
Here are some fun kid-friendly things to do in Moab to learn more about the history and geography of the area:
- Moab Giants Museum
- Moab Museum
- Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage
- Amazing Petroglyphs in Moab
- Dinosaur Sites Near Moab
Run Down the Dunes Near Moab
The big sand hill just outside Moab is for all kids… and kids at heart! It’s across the highway from Arches National Park so you’ll need to access it by driving south into Moab and it’s on the right side of the road. Have fun sledding, rolling or running down the sand hill. It’s totally free and the kids can be entertained for hours.
Moab River Rafting During Spring Break
If you feel like a real adventure and the water is not too cold in the spring then perhaps plan a river rafting adventure in the Colorado River.
You will find half-day, full-day, and even multi-day Moab rafting trips. This is a fun adventure to go on with your family or even a group of your friends.
Moab Camping During Spring Break
There are a variety of ways to camp in the Moab area in the spring: 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
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.
