Fall rivals spring as the best time to visit Moab, Utah. With fewer tourists than in spring, you can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere during your stay. The weather in fall is nearly perfect, with temperatures cooling down to highs between 60s and 80s Fahrenheit. The fall foliage is stunning along the Colorado River and in the nearby La Sal Mountains. Fall is also packed with local events, including the Moab Folk Festival and various outdoor sports events. Here are our top 6 reasons why fall is the best time to visit Moab, including enjoying iconic parks with cooler weather, fall foliage and fewer crowds.
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1. Perfect Weather for Outdoor Adventures
Fall temperatures in Moab are ideal for outdoor activities, avoiding the extreme heat of the summer months. September high temperatures average in the upper 80’s Fahrenheit, with lows in the mid-50’s. It’s typically still warm enough to enjoy all outdoor activities, including water sports on the river and Ken’s Lake. October gets a bit cooler, with highs averaging in the 70’s, with lows in the 40’s. November feels a bit more like winter, with high temperatures hovering around 60 degrees, with lows averaging around 30. Keep in mind that it does occasionally snow in the autumn. Check the weather before you go, and reference our day hike essentials checklist before hitting the trails.
Land-Based Activities for the Cooler Weather
- Drives, bikes, or hikes through Arches National Park
- Exploring Canyonlands National Park on foot, bike, or in a car
- Hikes or bikes through Dead Horse State Park (or drives to the scenic overlooks)
- Mountain biking Slickrock Trail
- Road biking the La Sal loop trail
- Explore off the beaten path hikes outside the parks
- Rock climbing on Wall Street
- Canyoneering
- Visiting dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs
- Off-road jeep adventures
2. Stunning Fall Foliage
While Moab is renowned for its stark red rock landscapes, autumn brings a splash of color to the region. The best time to see the foliage changing is mid-September to early October. Keep in mind that these times vary every year.
Cottonwood trees along the Colorado River turn a vivid yellow, contrasting beautifully against the red rocks and cliffs. Areas like the La Sal Mountains offer a backdrop of alpine forests turning various shades of orange and gold. They provide spectacular photo opportunities and a different perspective of the usual Moab scenery. For the warmer weather days, a bike ride or drive around the 60 mile La Sal mountain loop is a wonderful way to explore the foliage.
3. Fewer Crowds
Summer is the peak tourist season in Moab, drawing crowds from all over the globe. You’ll see these crowds spill into September and early October. By visiting later in October and into November, you’re likely to avoid the crowds. You’ll find more solitude at popular attractions such as Delicate Arch in Arches National Park or Mesa Arch in Canyonlands. Fewer crowds also means that popular tours will be more readily available.
4. Ideal Conditions for Photography
For photography enthusiasts, visiting Moab in fall is unparalleled. The clear, crisp air enhances the experience, making it ideal for capturing stunning photographs. Take advantage of fewer crowds to capture unique photos in the national parks. Capture fall foliage photos along the Colorado River, in Arches, and along the La Sal mountain loop.
5. Enjoy Fall Events
Fall in Moab is also a time for unique local events and festivals. The Moab Folk Festival, which takes place in early November, brings an eclectic mix of music to the desert, from folk and Americana to bluegrass. The Moab Jeep Jamboree, another fall highlight, attracts off-road enthusiasts with guided trail rides that cater to all skill levels.
Cultural Highlights
- Red Rocks Arts Festival September
- Castle Valley Gourd Festival October
- Red Canyon Powwow October
- Moab Art Walk November
- Moab Folk Festival November
Active Events
- Moab Century Tour (road bike) September
- Arches Marathon October
- Moab Jeep Jamboree October
- Canyonlands Ultra (running) October
- Dead Horse Ultra (running) November
6. Comfortable Camping and Accommodation Rates
With the drop in temperatures, camping becomes a cozy and comfortable option. Be prepared for cold nights especially in November. Many accommodations in the area offer lower rates during the fall, making it not only a beautiful time to visit but also more affordable.
Check out our recommended unique places to stay in Moab here!
Conclusion
Moab in the fall is one of our favorite times of year to visit Moab. While we enjoy spring visits, they can’t compare to the combination of cooler air and fewer crowds on the trails in fall. Moab’s autumn season offers an unforgettable experience with its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant community events. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and head to Moab this fall for an adventure of a lifetime!
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Travel Tips
How to Get to Moab
Flights
While Moab has a small airport, the closest major airport is Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado, a 1.5-2 hour drive away. Alternatively, Salt Lake City International Airport is 4 hours to the north and provides more flight options. From either airport, renting a car is the most convenient way to enjoy the scenic journey to Moab, allowing for stops along the way to take in the stunning landscapes of the American Southwest. It is beneficial to have a car when visiting Moab.
If you are driving from Denver or points East, check Top 10 Stops on Your Denver to Moab Road Trip for more information. If you’re driving from Salt Lake City, we’d recommend stops in Park City, at the Utah Olympic Park, and Homestead Crater along the way.
Amtrak runs the California Zephyr with daily service between Denver and Green River, Utah. From Green River, rent a car or get a transfer to Moab. The Rocky Mountaineer has multi-day train trips from Denver to Moab if you are looking for a unique high-end train experience.
Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
Air Travel | SkyScanner |
Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com |
Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
Train tickets | Trainline, RailEurope |
Bus tickets | Flixbus, Busbud |
[…] is a great time to explore Moab, Utah and its parks. The weather is ideal, and the atmosphere is more relaxed than in high […]
[…] Moab in the fall offers more budget-friendly lodging rates, pleasant temperatures, and fall foliage, which typically peaks in late September and early October. […]
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Moab’s been on the bucket list for years! I’d love to see the fall colors one day!
Moab’s great any time of year, fall just makes it that much more special!
The landscape in Utah is just stunning!!! I hope I would visit one day!
Hope you have a chance to visit sometime, it’s truly unique!
I’d love to see the fall colours there. The aspens look spectacular. And less crowded always sounds good to me.
Thanks for the feedback
I always love traveling to places in the off season for fewer crowds. Plus traveling in the fall means beautiful colors!
I agree!
I’d love to visit during Autumn to avoid the heat and crowds. Thank you for your tips.
Fall certainly looks like the most perfect time to visit Moab. The fall colours make the perfect backdrop.
Thanks, it’s a beautiful time to visit!
Between the colors, the better weather, and the fewer people, fall sounds like the ideal time to go!
It is!
I hate going away and it’s too hot to explore so I always love knowing what the weather will be like before I go.
I would love to visit Moab during fall to check out all the outdoor adventures and hiking – although the fall foliage looks beautiful on its own!
The weather itself and fewer crowds make it worth a fall visit, but the foliage is certainly a nice addition!
We went in the summer but it sure sounds like autumn is where it’s at!
Thanks!
Hello! The place looks amazing! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it & such detailed information!
Thank you for your feedback!
I have never been to Moab so any season would suit me – though fall does look gorgeous.
Fall looks like a great time to visit Moab! Love that all the leaves are changing and the weather seems more mild too. It’s on my list!
Thanks for the feedback! Hope you’re able to visit Moab.
Looks like there’s so much to do in Moab, Utah. I miss the colorful layered rocks and all the outdoor activities Utah has to offer.
We never run out of things to do for our visits!
After working a summer at a summer camp, we drove through Moab and hiked all over Arches National park. It was long before social media and I have only 1 blurry photo of it! But I remember it so well and it being stunning. I’d love to visit again with my family now.
Sounds like it’s time for a return visit!
Gosh — it seems fall is THE time to go to Moab! Thanks for all the tips!
Thanks for the feedback!
I love Utah but am always frustrated by how crowded everything is. I’ll have to try going later into fall and hope I can see that gorgeous juxtaposition of the foliage against the red rocks!
I try to avoid the crowds as best I can, which often means going off season, and avoiding the crowded park areas.
Well, I’m convinced! It looks like the perfect time!
Hope you can give it a try in the fall!
Going to Utah in Sept and can’t wait to use these recs!
Have a great trip!
[…] trip offers unique experiences, from outdoor adventures to peaceful nature escapes. If you time a fall visit to Moab right, the foliage along the river road on your way in will be stunning. If you continue your road […]
[…] for hiking, biking, and exploring the national parks with less crowds and more pleasant weather. Fall in Moab tends to have fewer crowds than in spring, making it ideal for many […]