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Major city · United States

Moab

Give Moab 3 nights: one full day for Arches, one for Canyonlands or Dead Horse Point, one for a river or 4x4 day. Book Arches timed entry and beds before you come.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), and holiday weekends when beds sell out
Airports
CNY · GJT · SLC
Nights
3
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Moab is a town of about 5,000 people on the Colorado River, 6 miles from the Arches National Park entrance and 32 miles from Canyonlands. Almost everyone comes for the red-rock parks and stays in a motel on or near Main Street (US 191). Two nights is a rushed look at Arches only; three to four nights lets you add Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point and a river or jeep day. Spring and autumn are the good windows; July and August are hot enough to change what you can do in the middle of the day.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Moab, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffeecheck$4–6
  • BeerDraft beercheck$7–9
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekcheck$15–30
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$40
  • Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
  • High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$180 · High US$320

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Arches National ParkCanyonlands National ParkSlickrock and jeep trailsColorado River rafting
Airports
CNY Canyonlands Field (About 20 miles northwest of town; commuter flights to Denver and Salt Lake City, ground transfer should be reserved in advance) · GJT Grand Junction, Colorado (Larger-carrier option with a rental car; road distance to Moab is check) · SLC Salt Lake City (About 4 h 30 min by road or the Salt Lake Express bus)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Moab: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

5°C

−7°C

4 rd

Feb

10°C

−3°C

4 rd

Mar

17°C

2°C

5 rd

Apr

22°C

6°C

5 rd

May

28°C

11°C

5 rd

Jun

34°C

16°C

4 rd

Jul

37°C

20°C

6 rd

Aug

35°C

19°C

7 rd

Sep

30°C

13°C

5 rd

Oct

22°C

6°C

5 rd

Nov

13°C

0°C

4 rd

Dec

6°C

−6°C

4 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car. Main Street is US 191: north to the Arches entrance and Interstate 70, south toward Monticello. Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point are reached by paved UT 313, which branches off US 191 north of the Arches entrance. There is no useful local bus network for the parks; walk downtown, drive everywhere else. Fill the tank in town before park days.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Arches National Park

go

Door to door: 15 min to the gate; about 45 min more inside the park to Devils Garden

Drive US 191 north about 6 miles to the entrance, then the park road

Timed entry may apply in busy periods; go at sunrise for parking at Delicate Arch and Windows.

Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky)

go

Door to door: About 45 min

US 191 north, then UT 313

Grand View Point and Mesa Arch; combine with Dead Horse Point on the same drive.

Dead Horse Point State Park

go

Door to door: About 40 min

US 191 north, then UT 313

State park entry fee applies; best light late afternoon.

Fisher Towers rafting section (Colorado River)

go

Door to door: Half or full day

Outfitter shuttle from town

The classic family float; book ahead in season.

Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracks

caution

Door to door: About 30 min

US 191 north about 13 miles, then a dirt road

Short trail to fossils; dirt-road condition varies, check locally.

Monticello

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

US 191 south

Small town and museum stop on the way to the Needles district.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Main Street (US 191) north end

Closest to the Arches entrance and the airport road; motels with parking, 5–10 min drive to the gate.

Downtown Main Street

Walk to restaurants, shops and the museum; the busiest and priciest strip in season.

South Main Street (US 191 south)

Cheaper motels and the hostel; 5–10 min drive from downtown.

Camping and RV (along the river and Sand Flats)

Bureau of Land Management and private campgrounds; most need booking months ahead in spring and autumn.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–140 excl. bed
Mid
$160–260 excl. bed
High
$300+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel double room1 × 3 nights × US$200US$600
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$180US$1,080
Arches National Park entry, one private vehicle, 7 days1 × US$30 · checkUS$30
Dead Horse Point State Park day-use entry, one vehicle1 × US$20 · checkUS$20
Half-day guided river or jeep trip2 × US$120 · checkUS$240
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 · checkUS$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$201
Trip total≈ US$369 per person per day, bed includedUS$2,211

check

2026 estimate in US dollars; park entry fees and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffeecheck$4–6
Burger or pizza maincheck$15–25
Draft beercheck$7–9
Motel room, spring or autumn weekendcheck; rates spike in season, book ahead$180–350
Gasoline, per galloncheck$3.50–4.50
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekcheck$15–30

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Moab is a safe small town; the real risks are heat, dehydration, flash floods and off-road driving beyond your vehicle and skill. Carry water, check the forecast and tell someone your route.
  • Arches National Park may require timed-entry reservations in busy periods: check current National Park Service rules for your dates before you travel.
  • Summer heat: carry more water than you think you need, at least 1 gallon (about 4 L) per person per day if you hike, ride or camp in the heat.
  • Cell signal is patchy in the parks and on jeep trails; download offline maps.
  • Flash floods can hit slot canyons and washes even when it is dry where you stand: check the forecast and never enter a slot canyon with rain in the area.
  • Jeep and off-road trails range from easy to vehicle-damaging; rent a suitable 4x4 and ask about current conditions.
  • Beds and campsites sell out on spring and autumn weekends and around the Easter Jeep Safari: book months ahead.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MoabMoab

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Moab; your country's embassy or consulate is in Denver, Salt Lake City or Washington, DC.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Salt Lake City → Moab, Salt Lake Express bus: about 4 h 35 min (check)
  • Arches National Park entry, private vehicle: about $30 for 7 days (check)
  • Dead Horse Point State Park entry, vehicle: about $20 (check)

Say or show

  • Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
  • Do I need a reservation? — Do I need a reservation?
  • How far is the park entrance? — How far is the park entrance?
  • Is there water here? — Is there water here?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • I need help — I need help

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Moab. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), and holiday weekends when beds sell out · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for CNY and GJT: last connections, taxi and shuttle fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Main Street, north Main near the Arches road, south Main, and the campground strips.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, Mill Canyon, the museum) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Heat, flash-flood and timed-entry fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources