Just across the Utah border from Colorado is a town so jam-packed with activities that it draws adventurers from all categories – mountain bikers, ORV thrill seekers, rafters, hikers, trail runners, kayakers, campers, and the like. If your idea of a vacation involves kicking up a little red dust in the desert’s playground, you’ll love Moab, Utah.
But if you’re planning a trip to Moab, there are a few things you’ll want to make sure you consider in your preparations.
Best Time of Year to Visit Moab
Choosing the best time to visit Moab depends largely on what activities you’re looking to do, but I’ve always had the best trips during the shoulder seasons. To dodge the heat and the crowds, I’ve found that there are two windows of time that are best for visiting Moab:
- Late March through Memorial Day Weekend
- Early September through mid-November
Weather in Moab
Predictably, Moab is hottest in the summer months, with daily temps reaching 100 degrees. While it’s true that the desert provides a drier heat which can feel more forgiving than the more humid heat in other parts of the country, it’s still hot – and shade can be hard to come by.
VanCraft’s vans come with heat shields fitted to each window in the van, and I highly recommend using them during the daytime to keep the interior of your van cool.
Just like many places near the mountains, the weather in Moab can change quickly. Be sure to check the forecast frequently, especially if you’re going to be in a location that would be dangerous during heavy rain (slot canyons, low areas along the river, etc.).
Crowds in Arches and Canyonlands National Park
As with most National Parks, the most popular trails and views are busiest during the weekends and over schools’ summer vacation. Timed entry into the parks helps keep crowds down, but desirable time slots can fill up months in advance. However, the expansive landscape allows for the opportunity to find places to spread out, and it’s usually pretty easy to get away from the crowds.
Campsites in Moab
There are a number of commercial and BLM campgrounds in the Moab area – some with full hook-ups for RVs, flush toilets, running water and even cabin rentals available. There are also a few campgrounds with fewer amenities managed by the National Park Service and State Park. These all typically get booked up well in advance, which can make it hard to do a spontaneous long weekend trip to Moab.
Thankfully, with a VanCraft campervan rental, you’re autonomous enough to camp pretty much anywhere (or at least, anywhere that camping is permitted). The Moab area has some of the best dispersed camping area in the country, which is perfect for camping with your VanCraft campervan. Be sure to download the iOverlander app prior to your trip to find camping locations.
Once you’ve got your plans set, you’re off! While a little bit of preparation and planning can make your trip much smoother, there’s always something that goes awry. Embrace the change of plans or the alternative route and you’ll find that wild adventure you were looking for in just about every corner of Moab.
Be sure to check out 3 Day Moab Itinerary to learn how you can maximize your trip.
