Winter is the perfect time to experience Moab without the crowds. While winter is slower than other times of year, Moab is by no means shut down for the season. Find a place to stay and enjoy the bounty of public lands available nearby.
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Winter in Moab can be an amazing time to explore the desert. The average high in December and January is about 44 degrees, which suits some hikers and mountain bikers just fine. Nights can be quite cold, however, dipping into the single digits — and of course, night falls earlier in winter.
Yes, you can explore Moab, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands in the winter months. They are the perfect winter hiking destinations. Not only are the temperatures relatively mild, but fewer folks know about this secret little winter hiking hot spot.
Winter at Arches is a peaceful time, without the crowds or scorching heat that can plague summertime visits. Ice, snow, and reduced park operations, however, can provide their own challenges for winter visitors.
Moab and the surrounding areas are incredible in the winter, so be sure to plan ahead to get the most out of your trip and have a safe journey. Be sure to check weather and road conditions before heading out (and avalanche conditions in the La Sals, if applicable).
Trail ConditionsMost hiking trails remain open year-round. After a snowfall, popular trails like Delicate Arch quickly become slippery from packed snow and ice.
Avoid the CrowdsWhile the peak seasons of spring and summer see around 200,000 monthly visitors, winter only sees about 40,000 visitors per month. With fewer people visiting Arches, you won't have to worry about finding a parking spot or waiting in a long line to enter the park.
You don't even have to leave your car to soak in the stunning red rock scenery. Explore Arches National Park by embarking on a scenic drive. Be sure to prepare for winter driving conditions, have snow tires or chains, and check the weather forecast and road conditions before heading out.
What time of year is busiest? From March through October, visitation at Arches is extremely high. These holidays and weekends are especially busy: The weeks surrounding Easter (date varies, in 2022: April 10-23)
Bundle up (and expect great rates) during low season in December and January. December and January in Moab see much smaller crowds, cold weather and short days. You'll also get good deals on hotels.
We recommend at least 2 full days/ 3 nights for the Moab area. One day for Arches National Park and half a day to a day for Canyonlands National Park, plus the Dead Horse Point State Park. In addition, you can also take a short rafting tour, as we did. 3 days/4 nights would make your visit more relaxing.
The La Sal Mountains provide Moab with a snowy backdrop and a fantastic winter playground. Plenty of winter adventures await, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Enjoy everything from short part-day adventures to multi-day excursions like skiing between backcountry yurts.
Vehicles must stay on established roads within Arches National Park. Some park roads are unpaved and require high-clearance 4X4 vehicles. These routes lead into parts of the park where there are few visitors and extraordinary scenery.
You cannot sleep in your car at Arches National Park unless you have a reserved campsite at the Devils Garden Campground, which is the only designated campground within the park.
Climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rapelling off any named or unnamed arch with an opening greater than three feet is prohibited in the park. This is to promote visitor safety and the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed. Balanced Rock is also closed to climbing.
Explore the best of Arches National Park on this incredible two-day vacation. There's a lifetime's worth of exploration to be had in the red rock desert of southeastern Utah, but a fabulous place to start is by spending two days in Arches National Park.
Without a doubt, Delicate Arch is the most famous natural stone arch in the world. Referred to as The Arch by many arriving visitors for whom it is No. 1 on their must-see lists, Delicate has an allure that is hard to explain but impossible to deny. The light opening beneath Delicate Arch is 46 feet (14 m) high.
Timed entry tickets are required in addition to your park pass OR entrance fee. You may enter the park before 7 am or after 4 pm without a timed entry ticket.
However, if possible, try to schedule your vacation for the late fall, winter or early spring months. Shoot for November to April. If you're insistent on a red-hot Moab summer, stick with the weekdays — Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to go. And on any day in any season, go before 8 a.m. or in the afternoon.