Moab’s weather decides how your hike will feel on the trail. This page translates live conditions into clear choices so you can start at the right time, pick a route that fits the day, and pack exactly what you need. I hike these trails year round and update the guidance below to match what the desert is doing today.

What today’s weather means for your hike

If temperatures are in the mid 90s or higher
Start at dawn and finish exposed slickrock before early afternoon. Favor shorter routes with pockets of shade such as Sand Dune Arch, Park Avenue, and Grandstaff Canyon. Carry one to one and a half liters of water per hour and add electrolytes.

If winds are twenty five miles per hour or stronger
Expect sand on ridgelines and gusts on fins. Choose sheltered canyons and bench trails. Grandstaff Canyon and sections of Devils Garden away from the fins feel calmer.

If storms are in the forecast
Avoid slots and drainages due to flash flood risk. Pick rim and mesa routes like Murphy Point and Grand View Point. Slickrock gets slick when it is wet. Good traction shoes are a must.

If the morning starts cool
Pack a warm layer and a beanie for shaded canyons. Cool clear days are perfect for longer loops in Devils Garden and for big views at Dead Horse Point.

Hot and sunny today

Sand Dune Arch. Landscape Arch out and back. Grandstaff Canyon to the pool. Early starts rule the day.

Breezy with gusts

Fisher Towers lower benches. Corona Arch with an early start. Skip exposed fins if gusts make you uneasy.

Storm chance or wet ground

Murphy Point. Grand View Point. Dead Horse Point overlooks. Rim and mesa travel keeps you away from drainages.

Cool and clear

Devils Garden Primitive Loop. Chesler Park in the Needles if you have time. Park Avenue for a short but dramatic walk.

Weather by popular trails in Moab

Delicate Arch
Big exposure to sun and wind. Best at sunrise or late evening. Avoid if storms are building.

Devils Garden
Mix of shade pockets and full sun. Primitive Loop adds exposure and route finding. Great on cool days.

Landscape Arch
Mostly gentle with a few sunny stretches. Good family choice on hot days if you start early.

Sand Dune Arch
Deep shade between fins and soft sand underfoot. Ideal during the heat of the day.

Park Avenue
Tall walls create shade swings. Breezy days feel calmer down in the corridor.

Corona Arch
Open slickrock with very little shade. Put it at sunrise on hot days and bring more water than you think.

Fisher Towers
Wind can funnel across the benches. Go early if it is gusty and enjoy long shade lines in the morning.

Grandstaff Canyon
Cooler air and running water. Watch for muddy sections after storms.

Dead Horse Point
Wide views and reliable breezes. Great when storms are around since you can avoid washes and still get a big day out.

Link each trail name to your full guide to help visitors dive deeper and to strengthen internal linking.

Start time cheat sheet

Summer
Start near sunrise for any exposed route. Siesta through the heat and return for golden light in the evening.

Spring and fall
Mornings are crisp and afternoons feel perfect. These seasons are ideal for longer loops and big view hikes.

Winter
Late morning starts are comfortable. Ice can linger in shade so pack microspikes if a cold snap rolls through.

What to pack today

Grippy shoes that love slickrock.
A brimmed hat and a light UPF long sleeve.
SPF thirty or higher.
One to one and a half liters of water per hour in heat.
Snacks with salt and carbs.
Offline map and a small power bank.
Emergency rain shell during monsoon season.

Safety and current alerts

Check park alerts for Arches and Canyonlands and check BLM road status after any storm or freeze thaw cycle. Service drops fast outside town. Tell someone your route and your turnaround time. Never enter slot canyons or dry washes when storms are forecast or the sky is building.

Frequently asked questions about Moab hiking weather

Is Moab too hot to hike in summer
No if you time it right. Start at dawn, choose short shaded routes, and carry plenty of water with electrolytes.

What wind speed makes exposed fins feel unsafe
Around twenty five miles per hour and above many hikers feel uncomfortable. Pick sheltered canyons and benches on windy days.

Does rain always mean flash floods
Not always but any nearby storm raises the risk. Avoid slots and washes when storms are in the forecast or clouds are building.

How much water should I carry
Plan half to one liter per hour in mild weather and one to one and a half liters per hour in heat. Add electrolytes every hour.

Is slickrock slippery when wet
Yes especially if dust has turned to a thin film. Slow down and use shoes with sticky rubber.

What time is best for photos on hot days
Sunrise and the last two hours before sunset. You get cooler temps and the best color on the cliffs.