A Complete Guide to Visiting Moab in Summer

Traveling to Moab, Utah in summer and wondering what to expect? Yes, it’s going to be hot as heck. But lots of people still visit during June, July, and August – you just need to prepare!

I travelled to Moab at the height of summer at the end of July. We stayed for 5 days and explored Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and the Colorado River.

I learned firsthand how hot it can truly be in Moab’s summer, but also how to still have an awesome time and check off my wish list despite that.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what to expect of summer weather in Utah, specific activities to beat the heat, an ideal summer itinerary, and more!

After all, summer in Moab is when the landscape is at its prime.

Moab, Utah’s Summer Weather + Temperatures

33% of Utah is officially a desert and Moab is smack dab in the centre of it. In the summer, you can expect it to get ridiculously hot and have almost no rain.

The days are long, with daylight lasting over 14 hours at the height of summer. The temperatures you can expect are:

Moab in June:	Average highs of 94 degrees F (34 C)	Lows of 59 degrees F (15 C)
Moab in July:	Average highs of 99 degrees F (37 C)	Lows of 66 degrees F (19 C)**

** This is according to weather networks and projections. When I visited in late July, the lows were between 80 – 89 degrees F (30 – 32 C) and the highs got up to 104 degrees F (40 C).

Moab in August:

Average highs of 96 degrees F (36 C)

Lows of 64 degrees F (18 C)

💡 A note on “dry heat”: Everyone we talked to about the heat said, “But it’s dry heat so it doesn’t feel as bad as it looks.” WRONG! I could not feel any difference between dry or wet (?) heat, it was still really hot. We learned the hard way our first day and then adapted and had a ton of fun afterwards. That’s a huge reason why I’m sharing this guide, so you can learn from my mistakes.

Tips For Thriving in Moab’s Summer Heat

1. Start your days early

There is virtually zero shade in Moab’s parks and on hikes. Any strenuous physical activities should be scheduled to start early in your Moab itinerary.

For example, if you want to hike the famous 3 mile Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, start as early as 7 or 8 am.

The noon time sun gets really intense. I got heat stroke from hiking to Delicate Arch too late in the day and my grandfather started swaying in his boots.

Stick to short hikes like the Windows Loop trail or the Double Arch trail that are only about a mile each. Even better, take some breaks in the A/C car between hiking.

2. Explore in the evenings too

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.

The Best Sunset Spots in Moab:

• Dead Horse Point State Park – This is 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 horseshoe-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. Add extra time for each activity in your itinerary

A mistake I made when scheduling my itinerary for Moab in July was expecting I could fit way more into my day. The reality of a trip to Moab in summer is that high temperatures cause activities to take slightly 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 evening temps 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.

I HIGHLY recommend staying in a place with A/C in Moab. You absolutely need it to get relief from the heat.

I booked my entire stay with camping. After 1 night of fitful sleeping and heat stroke the next day, we went straight to the front desk to upgrade to an A/C cabin. We got lucky that they had a cancellation!

💡Helpful Hint: Accommodations with pools are also a big help! It’s great for cooling down before bed.

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, seek out 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 have big showers, pools, camp-shops, cafes, etc.

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 activities that beat the heat

There are so many things you can do in Moab during summer to get relief from the heat.

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 on your back 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. It is the perfect activity for the middle of day because the cool water keeps you safe from the 100 degree temperatures.

👉 Here’s the River Rafting Tour that I did and loved!

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.

• Bring more water than you’d expect to need. The visitors center at Arches National Park has a station to fill your water for free.

• Schedule in frequent breaks from the outdoor heat. Especially when hiking.

• Take time to cool down each day. Find a swimming pool, buy freezies, or get some ice cream.

• Wear tons of sun protection. I wore a gigantic hat after getting sick the first time.

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.

Things to Do in Moab When It’s Hot:

1. Cool Down in the Water with River Rafting

A portion of the Colorado River runs through Moab. With stretches of calm and slightly rapid waters, rafting is a popular activity along the river and is a great way to get some relief from the intense Moab heat.

The river rafting tour consists of a leisurely float, some mild rapids (you can actually float through them on your back), and lots of views of red cliffs and spires around you. You’ll be getting in and out of the water to cool down and the guides organize fun rafting games to compete against the other boats.

I cannot recommend this Moab activity enough!

⭐ Here’s the River Rafting Tour in Moab that I did and loved.

2. Watch the Sunset Over Dead Horse Point

A great thing to do in Moab when it’s hot is enjoy the sunset. The heat of Moab’s summer days will be much lower at this point and the golden hour of a setting sun does wonders to the red and orange landscape.

Dead Horse Point State Park is one of the best places to see the sunset in Moab. The canyon reaches 2000 feet tall above the Colorado River. At the top, you’ll have panoramic views of the geological masterpiece that is Canyonlands National Park in the distance. It is jaw-droppingly beautiful and only a short walk from the parking lot.

Check what time the sun sets for the day and plan to be there at least half an hour early to catch the entire show.

👉 How to Get There – Moab is roughly 51.5 km (or 32 miles) from Moab and takes about 45 minutes to drive there. Dead Horse Point State Park’s location is easily accessible on Google Maps.

3. Cool Off in the Mist on a Jet Boat Ride

If you like to add a little thrill to your adventures, taking a Jet Boat ride might be the perfect thing to do in Moab when it’s hot. Rush up and down the Colorado River, jumping through the rapids in a high-speed boat. Adrenaline rush guaranteed!

With the mist from the cool river spraying into the boat, you are sure to be nice and cool despite the blazing desert sun. With almost no physical activity required, a jet boat ride is a great summer activity to break up your day and still have an awesome time. You will be talking about this Moab activity for many days after this, that’s for sure.

Check out this Thrilling 1-Hour Jet Boat on the Colorado River!

4. Explore Thousand-Year-Old Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs are images that were sketched and carved into rock by groups of prehistoric people. Moab’s earliest petroglyphs date back to 3500 BC and depict numerous scenes that are open to interpretation.

Spend part of the day driving between a few of the sites in an A/C vehicle, enjoying the chance to stay cool and rested. There usually isn’t much walking involved – some of my favourites were right beside the road.

How to See Petroglyphs in Moab:

Three of the most popular Petroglyph sites in Moab can be found by searching their names on Google Maps. Here are the best ones:

• Birthing Scene Petroglyphs
• Courthouse Wash Rock Art
• Golf Course Rock Art

5. Paddle Board on the Colorado River

The Colorado river has large sections that are quite calm and allow for more leisurely water sports, like paddle boarding.

Similar to river rafting, paddle boarding won’t be very strenuous and allows the opportunity to cool off in the river water. You will also get to enjoy views of impressive red towers and pinnacles along the edge of the river.

You can book a tour to explore the river by paddleboard or rent your own in the shops in Moab. If you choose to rent paddleboards, keep in mind that you’ll need to transfer them to the river on your own.

Book Your Moab Activities –  Flat Water Paddleboard Adventure in Moab

Rent a Paddle Board – Paddle Moab

6. Hike to a Desert Oasis Swimming Hole on the Mill Creek Trail

The Mill Creek Trail is another excellent thing to do in Moab when it’s hot. It’s pretty much the only shady hike near Moab and leads to a desert oasis that you can swim in to cool off.

Trail Length: 1.8 miles (3 km) there and back.

You’ll hike under trees and across small streams before arriving at the swimming hole. It has really clear water, a running waterfall, and short cliff walls surrounding it that many use to jump off into the water.

👉 Getting There – Search for The Mill Creek North Fork Trailhead on Google Maps

7. Go Star-Gazing in One of Moab’s Dark Sky Parks

Visiting either of the national parks on a clear night will provide an awe-inspiring galactic experience.

Dead Horse Point State Park and Arches National Park are both considered International Dark Sky Parks. In addition, Canyonlands National Park is known as a Gold-Tier Dark Sky Park. Which basically means these parks get really dark at night.

The lack of light pollution provides the perfect opportunity to view the stars in all their glory.

You can book an awesome night-sky photography tour in Arches National Park. The guides will bring you to the Windows section of the park and help you adjust your camera settings to take the most epic photos of the stars over the arches. The tours are great for every level of photographer.

✨ Here is an amazing Private Night-Time Photo Hiking Tour in Arches National Park

How Many Days to Spend in Moab in Summer?

I highly recommend spending at least four days in Moab. You’ll get three days to dedicate to each of the three parks nearby: Arches, Canyonlands, and Deadhorse State Park. And then an extra to book an excursion like river rafting or even 4x4ing through the desert.

Other National Parks to Visit Near Moab

If you are exploring Moab as part of a longer road trip, like I did, here were some of my favourite parks that are road-tripping distance:

1. Zion National Park – 4.5 hours from Moab

Zion is also in Utah and a great combo with Moab. The road trip between the two spots is incredibly scenic, passing by Bryce Canyon and over massive red cliffs and mountains.

There is incredible hiking in Zion National Park, like Angel’s Landing and the Narrows. Plus so many other activities to do in Zion, like helicopter tours, glamping, riding the scenic shuttle, and more!

2. Antelope Canyon – 4.5 hours from Moab

Also only about 4.5 hours from Moab, and 2.5 hours from Zion (it makes a loop), Antelope Canyon is on so many people’s bucket lists. It is a slot canyon made of bright orange sandstone. There are bright light beams that shine down like spotlights into the canyon during the middle of day. The canyon walls also twist and curve like waves of stone that makes for incredibly unique photos.

There are some important tips to know before visiting Antelope Canyon. It is 100% worth the trip to combine it with Moab.

Read More About Adventures in the USA:

• Amazing Places to Stay in Zion National Park: Camping & Hotels
• What to Do in Zion National Park: 33 Best Activities
• The 21 Best Hikes in Zion National Park (Full Guide)
• The Ultimate Trip Itinerary for 4 Days in Moab, Utah
• The 11 Best Hikes in Badlands National Park