I visited Moab in July and learned all the lessons about how hot it can truly get. Here are my 9 essential tips for managing the heat and experiencing the best of Moab in the summer.
With landscapes straight out of an old-fashioned Wild West movie, Moab is a bright red desert paradise.
If you are planning to visit Moab in the summer, the heat can be a serious obstacle (though not a deterrent!). If you prepare accordingly by creating an itinerary with the heat in mind, choose activities that beat the heat, avoid accommodations without A/C, and more, you can still have an epic time.
After all, summer in Moab is when the landscape is at its prime.
Here is a complete guide to visiting Moab in the summer, with 9 essential tips, summer temperatures, and more.
You May Also Like: The Ultimate Trip Itinerary for 4 Days in Moab, Utah
Is it too Hot to Visit Moab in Summer?
No. Moab experiences intense dry hear (sometimes reaching over 100 degrees F), but it is still completely possible to visit Moab in Summer with the right preparation.
Where is Moab and What Does it Have to Offer?
Moab is in the state of Utah, in the American Southwest. This epic destination is a hub for adventure travel, containing not one but TWO national parks. It also has one equally impressive state park and a well-established tourism industry that makes travel here easy and super fun.
What Are Moab Summer Temperatures?
Visiting Moab in the summer is going to be hot with very minimal rain. The days are very long meaning you’ll have plenty of sunlight during the day. The temperatures for each month are:
Moab in June: Average highs of 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit).
Moab in July: Average highs of 36 degrees C (97 degrees F).
I visited Moab at the end of July. While many online temperature predictions say the temperatures get down to 20 degrees C (68 degrees F) at night, this was not my experience at all. We experienced lows of 31 degrees at night, meaning we had to upgrade our campsite accommodation to an air-conditioned cabin.
Moab in August: Average highs of 34 degrees C (93 degrees F).
💡 Note: The sun beating down on the red desert landscape can make this heat feel even more intense than the temperatures indicate. By following these 9 tips for visiting Moab in the summer below, you can learn to navigate these crazy temperatures and still have an action-packed trip.
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Moab in Summer (With 9 Important Tips)
1. Start Early to Escape Moab’s Summer Heat
As the temperatures climb throughout the day, you’ll want to get out early to avoid the peak of Moab’s crazy heat. With temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (or around 40 degrees Celsius), just being outside in the middle of the day can be a challenge.
This especially applies if you are hiking. Hiking in these kinds of temperatures can not only be uncomfortable, but potentially dangerous to your health.
Getting out to start your daily activities around 6 or 7 am is ideal. This will give you plenty of time to enjoy the jaw-dropping outdoor scenery before the heat becomes too unbearable. Try to avoid hiking at all in the mid-day to early afternoon, unless it is a short and not very strenuous hike.
The other added benefit to getting out so early is beating the crowds. The earlier you access the hiking spots, the more you will have it to yourself. Who doesn’t love that?
Recommended Start Time for Hikes is 7 am | 8 am for Sightseeing in an A/C vehicle
2. Take Advantage of the Evening Temperatures
Similar to getting an early start, exploring Moab in the evening can be a great way to escape the heat.
Moab is pretty famous for its spectacular sunsets and breathtaking night skies. Picture the glowing golden hour colours of a setting sun spread out over a bright red and orange desert landscape. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy the beauty of Moab while escaping the heat.
Great Sunset Spots in Moab:
- Dead Horse Point State Park – This is arguably the most popular spot to watch the sunset in Moab. The viewpoint is only a short 10-minute walk from the parking lot. You’ll watch the sunset over a massive horse-shaped canyon. Dead Horse State Point Park is only 35 minutes from Moab.
- Green River Overlook in Canyonlands National Park – This lookout point is only a short step from the parking lot in the Island of the Sky district. You’ll have sweeping views thousands of feet high above the canyon floor.
- Murphy Point Trail in Canyonlands National Park – There is a great sunset lookout at the end of this 3.5 mile round trip out-and-back hike. The trail is easy and a great option for escaping the crowds at the popular lookout points.
3. Allow Activities to Take Longer in Your Itinerary
A mistake I made when scheduling my itinerary for Moab in July was booking too many activities. The reality of a trip to Moab in summer is that high temperatures cause activities to take longer. Plus you’ll need more rest in between.
For example, I originally planned to do at least 2 different hikes pushing 3.5+ miles every day on top of other sightseeing. Under normal conditions this would be no problem, however I struggled to make it through just one in a day. Avoiding strenuous activities in the middle of the day also makes it tougher to fit in as many hikes.
I recommend budgeting for only 1 main hike a day (unless they are super short). Then plan for other heat-friendly activities in Moab around that.
4. Book Your Accommodation with Hot Summer Nights in Mind
A lot of online information about Moab’s summer weather tells you that the nightly temperatures will drop. This definitely happens in Moab’s other seasons, but summer nights still average above 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is where A/C accommodation is essential. You need it to get relief from the heat.
I visited Moab in July planning to camp for the entire 4 day trip. However, after getting heat stroke and then spending a sleepless sweaty night, I immediately upgraded to an air-conditioned cabin.
I would highly recommend booking accommodation with air conditioning if your budget allows. A pool is also a big help!
Best AC Hotel Option: Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn (has a pool, free breakfast, and is located right in the heart of downtown Moab).
Best AC Cabin Option (I stayed here!): Sun Outdoors Downtown Moab (AC cabins to maintain a camping vibe with an outdoor pool and clean shower amenities).
5. If You Are Camping, Look for Heat-Relieving Amenities
If you are pretty intent on camping or need to based on your budget, there are still ways to make camping more doable in the summer.
Try to find campgrounds that offer amenities to make your stay more comfortable in the heat. For example, there are some campgrounds in Moab that have swimming pools for their visitors. Even having amenities like showers, where you can take a cold shower to relieve some of the heat can make a big difference.
We stayed in Sun Outdoors Campground Downtown and thought it was great. It has a pool, clean showers, A/C cabins, and a camp shop on-site.
6. Plan for Activities that Beat the Heat
There is a huge list of things to do in Moab in summer that help you get out of the heat and still enjoy your time there.
My favourite activity we did in Moab in July was river rafting. The tour is a leisurely float down the Colorado River (despite some photos showing rapids). You’ll have views of red cliffs and spires around you as you float and enjoy the cool water. There are a couple of sections that are small “rapids” but you can actually float through them because they are so tame. The guides play games with the group in the boat and you can jump in and out of the water.
Book the Best: River Rafting Tour in Moab
Related Post: 7 Things to Do in Moab in Summer
7. Be Proactive to Avoid Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a real and serious risk when visiting Moab in the summer months. I got bad heat stroke our first day there because I didn’t follow the tips below.
It is recommended to:
- Drink lots of water – the visitors centre at Arches National Park has a station to fill your water for free.
- Taking frequent breaks when hiking and partaking in other strenuous outdoor activities
- Taking time to cool down each day – find a swimming pool, buy freezies or get some ice cream
8. Wear Heat-Protective Proper Clothing
Hot temperatures do not always equate to simply wearing less clothing. When the heat and UV rays get particularly high, there are specific articles of clothing you can wear to protect yourself against the heat.
I found it super helpful to wear loose-fitting, thin materials that covered most of my skin.
Wearing big hats with a brim that covers your face is important to bring as well. Ones that have the brim around the entire hat and cover the back of your neck are even more ideal.
In addition to proper clothing and hats, sunglasses are another must when visiting bright red desert landscapes.
9. Sunscreen Sunscreen Sunscreen!
I feel like a nagging mother reminding you to wear sunscreen when you go outside. However, it needs to be said.
If you are the type who can usually bypass the sunscreen and be fine, this is likely not going to be one of those times.
The summer heat and UV rays are intense. It won’t take much to get totally fried to a crisp in the burning Moab sun. It would suck if this happened on the first day of your trip, leaving you sore and overheated for the rest of your time there. So do yourself a favour and wear some sunscreen.
Plan Your Trip to Utah – Logistical Tips:
📱 Stay Connected Without Expensive Roaming Fees
I never travel without an E-Sim now. Stay connected at a fraction of the price of roaming fees, and my favourite part, you can simply down the E-Sim to your phone and don’t have to switch SIM cards around. The service I always use is Airola.
🚘 Book Your Car Rental in Utah
The best website to book rental cars in the USA is AutoEurope USA. They scan all the most popular car rental agencies in the USA and find the best prices for the best vehicles for you.
🏠 Book Your Accommodation
Hostelworld is the best place to book hostels, whether you are staying in a dorm or a private room. They offer great environments to meet people and many will also offer activities. If you prefer hotels, Booking.com is great for finding the cheapest rates.
🏄♀️ Book Your Tours and Excursions
The best search tool I use to book tours in Utah is Viator. It has the largest selection of tours with local operators and offers flexible cancellation.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Moab in Summer
With the right steps and proper preparation, Moab can be an amazing summer destination. Follow these 9 tips I have laid out for you and you will be a ton more prepared to face the heat and come out of your trip with nothing short of amazing memories.
Happy adventuring!
* Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products and companies that I use. Thanks for the support!
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