Arches National Park | Adam Clark

Winter in Moab

Winter is the perfect time to experience Moab without the crowds. While winter is slower than other times of year, Moab is by no means shut down for the season. Find a place to stay and enjoy the bounty of public lands available nearby. Revel in the red rock paradise of Arches and Canyonlands, find endless snow in the La Sal Mountains and save plenty of time for shopping and dining around town. Moab is the perfect winter getaway.

How to Visit Southern Utah in Winter

Winter in Moab

Winter Activities in Moab

Backcountry Skiing at La Sals

The La Sal Mountains provide Moab with a snowy backdrop and a fantastic winter playground. Plenty of winter adventures await, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Enjoy everything from short part-day adventures to multi-day excursions like skiing between backcountry yurts. Be sure to check weather and road conditions as well as the avalanche forecast and pack everything you need for a winter adventure. Be aware you will need solid route-finding skills, especially if you venture off the main trails. You may need four-wheel drive or chains to reach some trailheads, and always be prepared for winter driving conditions.
Mountain Biking

Winter is still mountain biking season in Moab, and the Amasa Back trail network is a fun winter option. Be aware of slippery patches on any winter ride, and make sure your bike is ready for the conditions you’ll encounter. Stop by one of the local bike shops for recommendations and to make sure your bike is ready for the adventure ahead.
Winter Hiking

Immerse yourself in red rock by going for a winter hike. One favorite spot to explore is Dead Horse Point State Park where seven miles of trails connect eight overlooks along the rim. There isn’t much elevation change along the route, and it provides stunning views of the Colorado River, La Sal Mountains and incredible scenery all around. Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district is just 45 minutes from Moab and it offers a plethora of hiking opportunities. Take a hike on a relatively easy route along the mesa top or gear up and get ready for a challenging winter hike. With any winter hike, be prepared for winter conditions and consider traction devices for your boots if ice or snow may be present.
Winter in Arches

Located just outside city limits, Arches National Park is a must-see destination on any trip to Moab. Go for a scenic drive or hike and revel in fiery red rock arches — sometimes dusted with snow. Spend time hiking a wide variety of trails, from easier paths like the Nature Trail by the visitor center to more challenging routes like Balanced Rock, Double Arch and beyond. Spend some time snapping stunning images of the park’s array of arches and then come out at night for stargazing and celestial views.
Winter Shopping & Dining

Indulge in delicious meals at an array of Moab restaurants, including Thai, barbeque, pizza, coffee shop delights, classic diner-style dishes, pizza, Mediterranean, vegetarian options and more. Be sure to check a restaurant’s hours before making plans since some reduce operations in the winter. Plenty of shopping options are also available, so you can stroll along Main Street searching for books, ceramics, gear, art, biking accessories, rocks, photography, t-shirts and much more.

"Revel in red rock paradise, find endless snow in the La Sal Mountains and save plenty of time for shopping and dining around town."

Arches National Park, a Dark Sky Park, is recognized for its commitment to preserving some of the darkest night skies in the Southwest.

Photo: Shannon Kalahan

Winter in Canyonlands National Park

Photo: Hans Kruse

Backcountry Skiing in the La Sal Mountains

Photo: Jay Beyer

Moab Winter Weather

Moab's winter weather is often sunny and cold. Winters typically see daytime highs in the 40s and 50s, with nighttime lows dropping well below freezing. Bundle up — layers are best — and prepare for an amazing journey. While it can be cold, there usually isn’t too much snow, so there’s plenty of opportunity for lower elevation fun like hiking and biking or even golfing. Skilled recreators can head into the mountains to enjoy winter sports like backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. Moab sees about a foot of snow a year, but the mountains receive far more of the fluffy white stuff. Average daily high and low temperatures:

October: 73/39 F (22/3 C)
November: 56/27 F (13/-2 C)
December: 44/20 F (6/-6 C)
January: 41/17 F (5/-8 C)
February: 51/24 F (10/-4 C)

How to Pack for Winter in Southern Utah

Winter Travel Tips

Moab and the surrounding areas are incredible in the winter, so be sure to plan ahead to get the most out of your trip and have a safe journey.

Be sure to check weather and road conditions before heading out (and avalanche conditions in the La Sals, if applicable). If visiting local parks and public lands, check conditions there as well since the weather and conditions can be quite different from town.
If planning an outdoor adventure, leave a trip plan with an emergency contact. Always bring appropriate winter gear, including plenty of warm clothes for layering along with extras in case your clothes get wet, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen.
Consider traction devices for your boots if you’ll be hiking or walking on potentially icy areas, especially on steep slopes or near drop-offs.
Be flexible with your plans. Check the forecast the day of the trip and be prepared to switch to Plan B (which could be staying indoors) depending on conditions.
Make sure you and your car are prepared for winter driving, with chains or snow tires and a full winter emergency kit.
When taking photos in the area, be sure to practice mindful photography.

Yurt under the Milky Way at Dead Horse Point State Park

Photo: Bret Edge

Winter Lodging in Moab

While some lodging options close for the winter season, many more remain open year-round. Stay in a hotel, motel, resort, lodge, B&B, cabin or vacation rental during your winter visit. Or opt for a camping or glamping experience. While some campgrounds close for winter, many others remain open. If you’re camping, be sure to find out if the campground will have water available or if you’ll need to bring your own since many water systems shut down when temperatures drop below freezing. Winter campers should be well-prepared with all the gear, equipment and supplies they will need, in addition to the skills and experience to safely camp in winter conditions.

Be sure to check if your preferred accommodation is open or closed in the winter, and know that even if your first choice is shuttered for the slow season, there are plenty of other options to choose from.