We are looking to take a trip to the Moab area. I would like to do October, but scheduling conflicts may make that difficult. We have more time in early August. Is it unbearably hot? Crowded? We want to do Arches and Canyonlands for sure, maybe Capitol Reef. |
Very hot, very crowded. You will need timed reservations to get into Arches, and you just missed the window to get them for August (it was May 1). They release some the day before but you have to be vigilant and lucky to get a ticket.
Canyonlands doesn't require reservations but the lines to get into the park can be several hours long. I visited in May last year around this time and it took us an hour and a half just to get into the park; August will be worse. Capitol Reef is much less crowded but is still very hot. |
Hot and crowded. We went in late September one year and while temps cool off over night it was still fairly hot during the day. I would not want to hike there in August. |
There are still PLENTY of timed entry tickets available for August dates. I think a lot of people aren't aware of the ticketing requirements yet. |
Highs around 100. |
Yes, crowded and hot like a frying pan and no shade! |
Is it possible for you to go during spring break instead? We just went this past April, and it was gorgeous there. I cannot imagine going during August and roasting in the hot, blazing sun at temps over 100 degrees. |
I would love to go during spring break, but I worry it may be too snowy/cold? Our kids have spring break March 22-31 next year. |
Hmmm. We went the first week of April this year, and it was great -- chilly in the mornings, but warming up nicely in the afternoons. I think you could run into some snow issues in March. If you could wait until 2025 and the later spring break, it would be perfect. We had so much fun there (mountain biking, canyoneering, hiking, paddleboarding, moab museum, looking at the dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs, taking a UTV tour). I really cannot imagine doing all of that in 100+ degree temperatures, but lots and lots of tourists do so and don't have any issues. Good luck to you in your planning! |
You really had to crowdsource this question?
Hot OP. It will be very, very hot in Moab in August. SMH |
Dangerous, don't do it. |
How crowded is it during spring break? |
Are crowds better during summer or spring break? Is Thanksgiving a good time to go (less crowds??) |
I love Moab but think august would be a nightmare, both weather and crowd wise. I’d try to go in the fall or spring. Spring break can be very crowded FYI. |
We went in May and it was already pretty hot by 11am. August would be an inferno. |