Travel Guide For Visiting Utah in November
If you’re wondering what it’s like visiting Utah in November, we’ve written this guide that includes where to go, things to do, what to pack, and where to stay.
When looking for places to visit in Utah in the month of November, it’s important to know the expected weather you may encounter this time of year if you plan to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or even snow skiing!
You’ll also find a variety of events happening in November in Utah like concerts, Afternoon Tea at the Grand, Community Art Day, and the Bison Roundup at Antelope Island to name a few!
November temperatures will vary between Northern and Southern Utah, with those in the south about 10 degrees warmer. Keep in mind the higher elevation temperatures will be cooler than the average by 10 to 20 degrees.
And some ski resorts could be opening mid-November if there have been a series of early snow storms!
Visiting Utah in November can be a truly magical experience. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast seeking an adventure or a photographer chasing the perfect shot, a November trip to Utah offers something for everyone.
We have lived in Utah for over 20 years and November is one of our favorite times to travel! Check out our tips based on our experiences traveling all around the state this time of year
Use our Utah Packing Lists to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in November! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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A Photo Tour of Utah National Parks
Take a visual tour through all five Utah National Parks to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Northern and Southern Utah in November
There are fun places to to go in Utah in the fall like exploring the National and State Parks. You can also still do many outdoor activities like hiking, biking, scenic drives, and photography.
One thing to note is that the state of Utah is usually divided into two regions: northern and southern.
Northern Utah:
Salt Lake City and Park City are the largest cities in Northern Utah. You’ll find vibrant main streets and downtown centers with nightlife, festivals, historic buildings and performing arts.
Northern Utah is also home to mountains, forests, lakes and reservoirs. You can still enjoy hiking and biking during the day in the Northern Utah valleys or in the mountains before the snow starts to fall!
Southern Utah:
Driving from the north to Southern Utah you’ll pass small towns with limited services. Take note where the various Utah vacation spots are located around the state. A drive from Salt Lake City to any of the National Parks in the south can take 4 to 5 hours.
You’ll find all 5 Utah National Parks in Central and Southern Utah. In November the crowds begin to diminish and the weather conditions aren’t too cold yet to enjoy outdoor activities. Keep in mind that Thanksgiving Weekend will be busy at all 5 parks so try to avoid that time if you can.
There’s an equally stunning list of Utah State Parks and National Monuments around the state to hike, bike, and off-road.
Utah Weather in November
The weather in November in Utah becomes much cooler. Average precipitation is 1.5 inches of rain/snow, with snow likely at locations in the high elevations of Utah. You have a better chance to avoid snow by visiting the first half of November compared to late November.
Average temperature in Northern Utah (Salt Lake City): highs 51 / lows 36 degrees F.
Average temperature in Southern Utah (St. George): highs 63 / lows 40 degrees F.
It’s important to know the expected weather forecast and temperatures for the parks you’ll visit in November so we’ve written detailed guides for each National Park in Utah:
- Arches National Park weather
- Bryce Canyon National Park weather
- Canyonlands National Park weather
- Capitol Reef National Park weather
- Zion National Park weather
What to Wear in November in Utah
Remember to stay hydrated and use sun protection, even in the cooler months like November. If you’ll be doing any outdoor activities, we recommend wearing and packing layers to accommodate for the cold mornings and evenings and moderate daytime temperatures:
- WATER: Drink plenty of water (this isn’t just for the summer months) – we use hydration packs or carry refillable bottles in our backpack.
- FOOD: Pack and eat healthy snacks.
- SUN PROTECTION: Sunscreen is still important – use lip balm with sunscreen and hydrating lotion if you’re not used to dry desert environments.
- LAYERS: Pack a fleece jacket, winter hat, and gloves at a minimum. A puff jacket is always something we pack when traveling in November.
Is November a Good Time to Visit Utah?
We really enjoy traveling around Utah in November. It’s one of the best times to visit Utah because the crowds at the popular destinations are diminishing.
Yet the weather and daytime temperatures aren’t too cold to really enjoy all the outdoor activities you can do in Utah.
And if you like snow skiing or snowboarding, usually by mid-November there are some ski resorts that will be open!
Things to Do in Utah in November
If you’re planning a trip in November, here’s a fun list of places to visit, things to do, outdoor activities, and cultural events in Utah.
November is still a great time to enjoy a variety of Utah fall activities to explore this unique state when the temperatures are just right!
Utah National Parks in November
All of the Utah National Parks are open year-round, and every single day in November. The Visitor Center at all five parks will have shortened hours in November, and they will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Some of the National Parks in Utah now have permits to enter or do certain activities, so be sure to check about reservations required when determining the best time to visit Utah National Parks.
We’ve written specific guides about visiting Utah National Parks in November:
- Arches in November
- Bryce Canyon in November
- Canyonlands in November
- Capitol Reef in November
- Zion in November
Utah State Parks in November
Check out this list of Utah State Parks where you can enjoy hiking, biking, climbing, photography, and stargazing. Here are a few of our favorite State Parks in Utah to visit in November:
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Kodachrome Basin State Park
Utah National Monuments in November
There are stunning Utah National Monuments locations that would be perfect for visiting in November. Most of the ones we recommend for this time of year are located in Southern Utah.
- Bears Ears National Monument
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Snow Canyon State Park
- Monument Valley (not technically a Utah National Monument, but definitely a place to add to your bucket list)
Hiking in Utah in November
We enjoy hiking in November in Utah. There are plenty of trails that offer a variety of different terrains all around the state at National parks, State parks, National forests, and Wilderness areas.
Check out these fun Utah Fall Hiking ideas:
- Arches National Park Fall Hikes
- Bryce Canyon National Park Fall Hikes
- Canyonlands National Park Fall Hikes
- Capitol Reef National Park Fall Hikes
- Zion National Park Fall Hikes
- Moab Fall Hikes
- Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike
- Dead Horse Point State Park Hikes
Utah Scenic Drives in November
In November the Utah Scenic Drives in the lower elevations around the state are open to explore. The scenic byways in the higher elevations are usually closed in November.
You’ll find stunning scenic drives at all five Utah National Parks! Here’s a list of the scenic drives in Utah we recommend for the month of November:
- Arches National Park Scenic Drive
- Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
- Island in the Sky Scenic Drive
- Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
- Zion National Park Scenic Drives
- Best Stops Along Scenic Byway 12
- Moab’s Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway
- Needles Overlook Scenic Drive
- Anticline Overlook Scenic Drive
Utah Photography in November
Late fall is a good time of year to photograph the beautiful landscapes you see in Utah because the light isn’t as harsh as it is during the summer.
You’ll find deserts with sandstone cliffs, forested mountains, deep canyons, and red rock monoliths to photograph.
In November the sunrise and sunset times aren’t too early or too late. We highly recommend rechargeable hand warmers and photographer gloves for those cold early morning sunrise outings!
Here’s a list of our favorite year-round photography spots in Utah:
- Arches Photo Spots
- Bryce Canyon Photo Spots
- Canyonlands Photo Spots
- Capitol Reef Photo Spots
- Zion Photo Spots
- Moab Photo Spots
- Kanab Photo Spots
Utah Stargazing in November
You won’t find a better location than Utah for stargazing! Did you know that Utah has the highest concentration of certified International Dark Sky Parks in the world!?
We definitely recommend you take time to view the night skies during your vacation. And better yet, photograph the milky way at these Utah locations!
Northern Utah Stargazing Locations:
- Antelope Island State Park
- Dinosaur National Monument
- East Canyon State Park
- Jordanelle State Park
- North Fork Park
Southern Utah Stargazing Locations:
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Goosenecks State Park
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Natural Bridges National Monument
Utah Tours in November
- Arches National Park Tours
- Bryce Canyon National Park Tours
- Canyonlands National Park Tours
- Capitol Reef National Park Tours
- Zion National Park Tours
- Moab tours
Places to Stay in Utah in November
- Coolest Hotels in Utah
- Arches National Park Lodging
- Bryce Canyon National Park Lodging
- Canyonlands National Park Lodging
- Capitol Reef National Park Lodging
- Zion National Park Lodging
Utah Bucket List
To help make your trip planning easier, we’ve compiled this comprehensive list of must-do activities that belong on every Utah Bucket List: things to see, do and taste all around the state! Grab the free download by clicking the graphic below!
