Is Moab worth visiting in winter?

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).



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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.

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December and January in Moab see much smaller crowds, cold weather and short days. You'll also get good deals on hotels. In the American desert, you can get warm sunny days any time of the year, so it's still doable to take on outdoor adventures.

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Winter is certainly a great time to visit Arches National Park. With fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and a beautiful dusting of snow resting on the red rock formations, Arches in winter is a dreamy place.

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Moab's weather is as varied as its landscape. The typically mild winters in the lower elevations provide perfect conditions for hiking, golfing and bicycling while the higher elevations offer skiing and snowmobiling. An occasional winter snowfall in the red rock valleys creates an awesome color contrast.

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MOAB WEATHER IN DECEMBER December temperatures in Moab: highs 45 and lows 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Any time of year it's important to stay hydrated and use sun protection, even in the winter.

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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.

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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.

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Most hiking trails remain open year-round. After a snowfall, popular trails like Delicate Arch quickly become slippery from packed snow and ice. We recommend traction devices and trekking poles. Drifting snow can cover trail markers, making even easy trails harder to follow.

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Bryce Canyon National Park is open year-round. In winter, the visitor center has reduced hours and is closed on holidays. Check the park's website or call to find out about current conditions and closures. Roads, trails, overlooks and other areas may close due to hazardous conditions, and some are closed all winter.

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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.

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Moab is known for its rust-red stone arches and spires. The drive to Moab in southern Utah has no shortage of dramatic scenery.

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Moab is 4,025ft above sea level, with the nearby La Sal Mountains topping out at over 12,000ft above sea level. These higher altitudes may trigger mild altitude sickness in visitors, regardless of gender, age, or physical health. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

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With many different elevations to climb at, Moab offers year-round adventures. From summertime climbing in the Abajos and La Sals, down to Potash Road and Indian Creek in the winter, one can visit any time.

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Avoid the Crowds While 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.

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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.

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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.

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Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) is located 18 miles north of Moab. The closest major airport to Moab is located in Salt Lake City (236 miles from Moab - 4 hour drive). Walker Field Airport, located in Grand Junction Colorado (110 miles from Moab - 1 hr 45 min drive), provides the closest option for most airlines.

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This quirky hippie town is home to two Utah national parks, a small-town main street area with eclectic local shops, and plenty of hiking, biking, and off-roading trails. I find myself going back to Moab every year, as do most travelers who visit the red rock town.

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Best Time To Visit Moab Peak tourist season is March 15 through May Sept and Oct. still busy in the summer but not as crazy as spring and fall. The summer slows a bit because temperatures can easily average 105 degrees.

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