3 Reasons to Visit Moab During the Winter Season

3 reasons why you should visit Moab during the winter season – listing all the details below on this famous travel destination.

Moab is a small city located in southeastern Utah, just four miles from the entrance to the famous Arches National Park.

We visited Moab in January, with temperatures typically ranging from mid 40s during the day, to as cold as 15 degrees at night. If you do visit during the colder months, be sure to plan accordingly, packing warm clothes, extra blankets, and spiked shoes if you have them.

3 Reasons to Visit Moab During the Winter Season

1. Way less crowded! We hiked a popular trail in Arches National Park without having to deal with crowds of people, to view one of the most famous geological features in the world. We also had no issue finding a parking spot near the trailhead; that’s a win-win situation.
2. Temperatures are perfect for those longer hikes. While there was quite a bit of snow when we visited, the weather was comfortable during the day as we explored. Just be sure to pack extra layers as the temperatures do drop considerably at night.
3. Cheaper prices. The peak season for visiting Moab is March to early May, and September to late October. During this time, lodging will be more expensive due to higher demand with all the tourists. Visiting in the off-season will guarantee cheaper lodging rates!

Hiking and Campground Recommendations

Whether you’re visiting in the winter or summer season, be sure to stay hydrated. It is easy to become dehydrated when hiking in the desert.

Hiking Recommendations

• We hiked the famous Delicate Arch Trail – I highly recommend this hike as the views were stunning.
• Broken Arch Trail is located within the Devils Garden Campground, an easy 1.7-mile round trip hike.
• Devils Garden Trail and Fiery Furnace Hikes are the more challenging hikes within the park. If you decided to do the Fiery Furnace Hike, you will need a ranger-guided tour ticket or an individual hiking permit.
• Wall Arch and Pine Tree Arch is a 2.7-mile out-and-back trail.

Campground Recommendations

We camped at Devils Garden Campground during our stay at Arches National Park. We highly recommend this campground as the views were absolutely stunning! The campground is first-come, first-served January through March. We stayed in spot #20 and were able to enjoy a gorgeous 360° view of both the red rocks and snow covered mountain ranges. From the months of April through December, be sure to reserve a spot well in advance to ensure a stay at this campground.

Other Tips

Planning a trip to Arches National Park? View the Arches visitor guide for more information on timed entry and park fees that are required certain months out of the year.