Moab, Utah, with its otherworldly landscapes of red rock formations, arches, and canyons, is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. From the spectacular trails of Arches National Park to the sweeping views across Canyonlands, Moab can feel a bit too crowded during peak tourist seasons. If you’re planning a visit but dread the thought of packed trails and viewpoints, then follow our tips for avoiding crowds while enjoying the serene beauty of Moab.
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We just returned from another spring trip to Moab, which overlapped with many Colorado school vacations and Moab’s Easter Jeep Week. This meant that the town was 99% sold out of lodging and packed with people. We got lucky and booked a pet-friendly townhouse that someone had cancelled at the last minute. We managed to not run into any crowds on our week of adventures. How did we do it? We’ll share with you some of our top tips for avoiding the crowds in Moab.
Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here is the best Moab day tour! Find the top Moab hotels!
1. Time Your Visit Wisely
If you can time your visits to avoid Moab and Arches National Park’s peak seasons, that is the easiest ways to avoid the crowds. Peak season is usually March-May and September-October. This is due to the mild weather for exploring the parks. Low season is typically November-February.
Avoiding peak weeks entirely would be ideal. If you find yourself in Moab during high season, plan to start your days early or late. Most tourists tend to explore the parks between 9 AM and 4 PM, so aim to hit popular spots like Delicate Arch at sunrise or Double Arch just before sunset. Not only will this strategy help you avoid the crowds, but you’ll also be rewarded with spectacular light for photography.
On my recent trip, I hiked up to Delicate Arch for sunrise on a chilly morning. While you need a headlamp or light for the first stretch of the hike, there were fewer than 20 people in the area around the arch when I arrived. I stopped at a number of viewpoints on the way back in to town, with few people around.
2. Explore Lesser-Known Attractions
Moab is more than just its famous parks. There are plenty of stunning attractions outside of Arches National Park. You can find many of our favorite less crowded activities in our post on Top 10 Things to Do in Moab Utah Off the Beaten Path.
The arches aren’t contained to Arches National Park. Try the Corona Arch, Bowtie Arch, Pinto Arch Trail (we like to call this the 3 arches trail) off of Potash Road. Even during our busy week, we had the trail to Pinto Arch to ourselves, and saw one other group on the way to Longbow Arch.
Other spots like Fisher Towers or the La Sal Mountains offer equally stunning scenery with a fraction of the crowds. One of our more recent favorites for a late afternoon hike with the dogs is Faux Falls near Ken’s Lake. You can combine a hike with some fishing or SUP on the lake as well.
By choosing less popular sites, you can find more peace and quiet, even on busy days.
3. Take the Road Less Traveled
Instead of sticking to the main park roads, consider alternative routes like the River Road (128) or Potash Road. These backroads offer more secluded landscapes and unique viewpoints that many visitors miss. Drive carefully on these smaller and more windy roads. Don’t miss these attractions.
River Road (128)
- Grandview Canyon
- Professor and Mary Jane Canyon Trail
- Fisher Towers
- Castleton Towers
- Dewey Bridge
Potash Road
- Wall Street (rock climbing)
- Petroglyphs near Wall Street
- Dinosaur Tracks near Poison Spider parking lot
- Corona, Bowtie, and Pinto Arches
- Jeep Arch
- Longbow Arch
See Things to Do on Potash Road for more ideas.
4. Book Guided Tours Early
Guided tours can provide access to exclusive areas of the parks that are typically less crowded. Whether it’s a 4×4 adventure, a rafting trip on the Colorado River, or a guided hike, these experiences offer a more intimate view of the area’s natural beauty. Book these tours well in advance, especially during peak weeks, to ensure your spot.
5. Head out on a Bike or on the Water
For those looking to escape the crowds and experience Moab’s natural beauty, consider biking or water sports. Biking on the lesser-known trails, such as Onion Creek or Courthouse Wash, offers a thrilling way to discover secluded areas with breathtaking views at your own pace.
Alternatively, hit the water for an equally serene escape. Whether kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or rafting on the Colorado River, you’ll find peace on the water, far from the busy trails. These water routes not only showcase stunning canyon walls and ancient rock formations but also offer a refreshing reprieve from the desert heat, allowing for a unique perspective of Moab’s rugged landscapes.
6. Intriguing Indoor Options
If you’re looking for a break from the outdoor heat or simply want a different kind of Moab experience, the town offers several intriguing indoor options that provide both entertainment and education.
- Film enthusiasts will appreciate the free Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage, which celebrates Western cinematic history as a famed filming location for classic westerns.
- For a dive into the local culture, fossils, and geology, the Moab Museum is a treasure trove of artifacts and exhibits detailing the region’s natural and human history.
- Rock collectors and geology buffs should not miss the Moab Rock Shop, where you can explore an array of fossils, gems, and minerals unique to the area.
- For some family fun, Gravel Pit Lanes offers a cozy bowling alley experience that’s perfect for an afternoon or evening out.
- The Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center is an excellent spot to unwind or get active with its pools and fitness facilities, catering to visitors of all ages looking to relax or burn off some energy indoors.
- Don’t forget to visit the Jailhouse Café, known for their excellent breakfast food.
7. Stay Flexible and Be Prepared
Lastly, always have a backup plan. If you arrive at a destination and it’s overwhelmed with visitors, have a list of alternative spots to check out instead. Flexibility can make all the difference in enjoying your trip.
Additionally, prepare for all weather conditions and bring plenty of water and snacks, as amenities in less-visited areas are limited. Keep in mind that cell phone service is spotty within the parks. Download google maps or Alltrails or similar before heading into the parks.
7. Use Technology to Your Advantage
Utilize apps and online resources to check real-time updates on park traffic and trail usage. Download the national parks (NPS) app, which can help you plan your visits to popular sites with better timing.
Moab’s landscapes are undeniably attractive, drawing crowds from around the globe. However, with a bit of planning and some insider tips for avoiding the crowds in Moab, you can experience the quiet majesty of this unique place without the stress of battling tourists. By visiting at less conventional times, exploring lesser known sites, and using technology smartly, you can uncover a side of Moab that many never see.
Where to Stay in Moab
Check out our recommended Unique Places to Stay in Moab here! Search for additional lodging options below:
For more inspiration on unique places to stay while in Moab, check out Best Unique and Cool Places to Stay in Moab, Utah.
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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 wonderful time of year to visit Moab, Utah, especially for those interested in avoiding the crowds while exploring its national […]
[…] 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 […]
[…] The Ken’s Lake and Faux Falls Loop Trail, south of downtown Moab, is an easy way to get away from the crowds in Moab. […]
I have always wondered if I can avoid crowd when I visit Utah -A place this pretty got to have many people around. But now I know better 🙂 Thanks for the useful tips
Hope you’re able to visit Utah without the crowds!
this is so helpful!! i love taking self-portraits but get really self-conscious when other people are around.. this is gonna really come in handy for sure! 🤩
Thanks!
[…] the scenic route to Moab via the River Road (Route 128) is not just about reaching your destination away from the crowds, but enjoying the journey itself. Whether you’re seeking just a scenic drive, or the solitude […]
I have only great memories of Moab but it was November and not busy at all. These are great tips, thank you for sharing!
Great tips that apply to so many different places too. Definitely need to be flexible whenever you travel too. Amazing photos.
Thanks!
Great tips on planning a visit to Moab, Utah! The views are absolutely spectacular. I’d love to visit some of the off the beaten path areas that most tourists miss so I’ll save this post for later.
Thanks, hope you have a chance to visit Moab!
These are great tips — all very practical!I’ve visited Moab in every season and crowds in summer and spring can be nuts!
I agree! Our latest trip at the end of March was the busiest I’ve ever seen it. Luckily, we didn’t run into many people on the trails we chose.
Your photos look otherworldly beautiful, thanks for the handy tips! Moab is on my bucket list – biking a few lesser-known trails would be an epic plan!
Hope you’re able to enjoy a Moab visit!
Thanks for all of these great tips for avoiding the crowds in Moab! Utah is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but that means so many of us go there that it can be hard to enjoy some of it because of the crowds. I especially appreciated the tips on visiting lesser known areas.
Thank you!
Utah has amazing red rock formations. I haven’t been to Moab yet but visited Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park along with a few caves in Kanab. The National Parks app and offline maps saved us while we were without cell signal.
We used the national park app and also heavily use Alltrails (with downloaded maps).
Helpful tips – I need to get back to Arches and the Moab area sometime soon.
Thanks!
Great tips and very beautiful photos!
Thank you!
Great info! Can’t wait to go camping in Moab someday.
Hope you have a chance to visit Moab!
Absolutely beautiful photos, teally makes me want to visit soon!
Thank you, hope you can visit soon.
Great post! So many useful tips! I always try to have a backup plan and visit some lesser-known locations but sometimes is just impossible…
Thanks!
Stunning photos and excellent tips! I will definitely follow your advice when visiting Moab, Utah. Need to put it on my itinerary one of these days.
Thank you, hope you can fit in a Moab visit!
I’m wayyyy too interested in learning more about the Jailhouse Cafe lol! looks like such a unique spot.
We stop at least once a trip. I hear their lingonberry pancakes (more like crepes) are amazing. I can’t eat them personally, but my family and friends love them.
Great Tips about Moab! I will definitely save this for later!
Great, hope you are able to fit in a visit to Moab
Amazing landscape, especially without the crowds!
I agree!
We stayed at Moab, Utah way back and liked the vibe in town. Arches NP has so many beautiful arches. Avoiding the crowds is always the best, so good tips!
Thank you!
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I love Arches NP but the crowds are def and real challenge. Back in summer 2021, I got to the Delicate Arch trail at 7 am on a weekday and the parking lot was already full. We had to drive around a loop a couple times to wait for someone to leave. It may have gotten better now though- that was the summer everyone was going to national parks and doing domestic travel as international travel was still complicated with covid. Great tips overall on this post!
Thanks!
Amazing photos and great advice! Thank you!
Thank you!
We did not really have problems with crowds in Moab but we visited very late in the season. But even then, we did start our days early to get many places to ourselves. Being out on the water is a great way to avoid crowds in many spots. And the Colorado River is such a great attraction! All good tips for a return visit.
Thanks, and glad you were able to visit late in the season!
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[…] For more ideas on how to avoid the crowds in Moab, see our Tips for Avoiding the Crowds in Moab Utah. […]