Moab in the Summer

For a successful summer day, your family can start with early morning adventures and end with a refreshing rafting trip in the evening.

Moab, Utah is a big draw for outdoor enthusiasts, but its reputation for triple-digit summer temperatures often deters visitors. While spring and fall offer ideal weather for all-day adventures, a summer trip to Moab is possible. The key is a simple strategy: embrace the early mornings and dedicate your afternoons to cooling down.

The Moab Summer Strategy: Early Birds and River Rats

The secret to a successful summer trip to Moab lies in planning your activities around the daily temperature swings. With highs often exceeding 100°F, you need a plan to beat the heat.

The Early Bird Gets the Arch: Temperatures in Moab can rise from a comfortable 70°F at sunrise to over 90°F by late morning. The smartest move is to wake up early and hit the trails before the sun becomes too intense. Not only is the hiking more enjoyable, but you'll also find it much easier to secure parking at popular trailheads in Arches and Canyonlands national parks.

Afternoons are for the Water: Once the heat peaks in the afternoon, it's time to seek out relief. Your hotel pool, the local aquatic center, or a refreshing dip in the Colorado River are all excellent options.

Timed Entry for Arches National Park: It's important to note that Arches National Park often requires a timed entry reservation during peak seasons. However, the National Park Service typically suspends this requirement during a specific summer window (usually from July to late August) due to the natural dip in visitation caused by the heat. This means less traffic and fewer crowds for those willing to brave the desert sun. Be sure to check the official National Park Service website for the most current information. Even on days when reservations are required, you can enter the park before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m. without one.

See below for a tried-and-tested, three-day, family-friendly summer itinerary for Moab.

Day 1

The Drive and a Cool-Down Rafting Trip

235 Miles

The Drive: The drive from Salt Lake City to Moab (approximately 230 miles) is a scenic journey. Departing early (around 7 a.m.) leaves plenty of time to arrive for afternoon plans. The route travels along I-15 before a scenic excursion on U.S.-6 through the towns of Price and Helper. About 30 miles outside of Moab, US-191 offers increasingly impressive red rock views that border the northwest tip of Arches National Park.

Rafting the Colorado River: A guided rafting trip on the Colorado River is the perfect way to spend a hot afternoon. We booked a four-hour trip with NAVTEC Expeditions (Read: 3 Best Rafting Trips on the Colorado River). The section of the river known as the "Moab Daily" is a family-friendly route with Class I and II rapids, or as our guide described them, "Class II rapids with Class V views." With a minimum weight of 50 lbs required for life jackets, it was a first-time rafting experience for all the kids in our group. Guides provide a dry bag for electronics, but in a low-water year, a camera is safe in your pocket. The trip provided a riverside lunch, and the opportunity to swim and splash in the water while surrounded by high, red canyon walls was a perfect escape from the heat.

Evening: After returning to the hotel for a rest and a swim in the hotel pool, we enjoyed dinner in by ordering delicious wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas from local shop, Antica Forma. (Read: Restaurants in Moab)

Day 2

Early Morning Arches & Pool Time

20 Miles

Early Morning Hike: Waking up early is essential for summer hiking in Arches National Park. We made the two-mile drive from our hotel to the park entrance and arrived just before 7 a.m. The early start allowed us to easily find parking and hike the park’s most popular trail, Delicate Arch. This iconic hike is great for families, though it's wise to keep a close eye on young children as you near the end of the trail due to steep drop-offs.

More Park Exploration: We finished the hike by 9:30 a.m., just as the temperatures were climbing into the mid-80s. A short drive along the Arches Scenic Drive allowed us to see other famous formations like Balanced Rock and the Three Gossips before a quick stop at the visitor center for an informational video. Other great family-friendly hikes in Arches include Landscape Arch, the Windows Loop and Double Arch.

Midday Refresh: Everyone was ready for a break and a swim at the hotel by midday. We grabbed a late breakfast at Sweet Cravings and Bistro and then headed to the resort pool to beat the heat.

Evening: After a rest, we rallied for an early dinner in downtown Moab at The Spoke on Center. Classic American fare and a kids' menu made it a perfect choice for our group. The slim crowds on this summer weekday were an added bonus. Plus we were able to explore some of the local shops along Main Street after dinner.

**Moab Giants Dinosaur Museum** | Kim Heys

Day 3

Dinosaurs and Departure

234 Miles

Dinosaur Fun: We started our last day with a visit to Moab Giants Dinosaur Museum. This museum is open Thursday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make the most of the outdoor exhibits, including the dinosaur trail and dig-it-out sites, it’s smart to arrive right when the museum opens to avoid the midday sun. However, the indoor interactive tracks museum, 3-D film and 5D prehistoric aquarium offered air-conditioned, indoor entertainment.

Lunch on the Road: On our route back to Salt Lake City, we made a stop in the city of Green River, once a stomping ground for Butch Cassidy. We had a great lunch at The Tamarisk and then stopped at a local fruit stand to pick up some of the areas famed melons, which are celebrated each September at the annual Melon Days Festival.

Essential Tips for Your Summer Trip

A summer visit to Moab is an experience unlike any other. By planning your days around the rhythm of the sun, you can enjoy the stunning scenery and the thrill of outdoor recreation, all while enjoying the peace of fewer crowds.

Packing Essentials: Be sure to pack an abundance of sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and reusable water bottles. SPF-rated clothing, such as long-sleeved sun shirts, can provide excellent protection without causing you to overheat.
Stay Hydrated: The dry desert air makes it easy to become dehydrated without realizing it. Visitors are advised to carry a lot of water — at least one gallon per person per day. Drink water even when you don't feel thirsty, and consider bringing electrolyte packets to add to your water.
Limited Shade: There is often very little natural shade when you're on the desert hiking trails. Use your vehicle as a base for shade and AC, and take advantage of the visitor centers for a break.
Plan Ahead: Make reservations for guided tours, rafting trips, or popular dinner spots in advance. This ensures you have a solid plan and don’t waste valuable time waiting in the heat.