Visiting Moab in October: Fall Color, Crisp Air, and Some of the Best Weather All Year

October weather in Moab

October is the month the desert cools off for real. The 30 year average high in Moab is 73°F and the average low is 41°F, a full 14 degrees cooler than September in the afternoon. Early in the month you can still hike in short sleeves at noon. By Halloween, afternoons sit in the low to mid 60s and mornings start near freezing.

Rain is light and most days are clear, which is what makes October so reliable for planning. The big swing to plan for is between afternoon and night, often 30 degrees or more. Bring layers, and a campfire evening goes from a nice idea to the best part of the day.

Moab temperatures, September to November

NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Moab. Individual days can run 10 degrees warmer or colder.

Early, mid and late October

Sunset times are Mountain Daylight Time for Moab. Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, 2026, and sunset moves to about 5:20 pm.

Fall color in the La Sal Mountains

Moab is known for red rock, but October adds gold. The aspens in the La Sal Mountains behind town usually turn in late September and hold into the first part of October, with scrub oak adding reds and oranges a little lower. The timing shifts every year with elevation and how early the cold arrives, so ask locally or check recent photos before you build a day around it.

The easiest way to see it is the La Sal Mountain Loop Road, a roughly 60 mile paved loop that climbs from the desert into the aspens and comes back down through Castle Valley. Pair it with Highway 128 along the Colorado River and you get red cliffs, river views and fall color in one day. Our Moab scenic drives guide covers both routes.

Later in the month, the color moves down to the cottonwoods along the Colorado River and in the side canyons, so late October visitors still get their share.

What to do in Moab in October

Almost everything is in season and comfortable at any hour. A few highlights:

• Hiking. Classic trails like Delicate Arch, Corona Arch and Fisher Towers are pleasant at midday instead of a dawn only outing. Our best hiking trails in Moab list ranks the rest.
• Mountain biking. Cool slickrock means better traction and less overheating on the Slickrock Trail. Newer riders do well on the flowy loops at Dead Horse Point, and e bike tours make the bigger rides open to anyone.
• Off roading. Hell's Revenge and Fins and Things are at their best in the fall light. Drive a rental yourself or let a guide do the driving.
• Canyoneering and climbing. October and November are prime months for both, when the sandstone isn't baking. See our canyoneering guide and rock climbing guide.
• Overlooks at sunrise and sunset. Low autumn sun lights up the canyons at Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands. Our Moab sunset guide lists the best viewpoints.
• Stargazing. Longer, cooler nights and dry air make October a strong month for it. Canyonlands is a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, the top rating in the dark sky park program.
• River trips. Some outfitters run day trips on the Colorado into October, but the water is cold and schedules shrink as the month goes on. Check with the outfitter and ask about splash gear. Our Moab rafting guide compares the trips.

Crowds, reservations and park entry

October is peak season. Moab's busiest stretches are spring and fall, not summer, and October sits right in the middle of the fall rush. Expect full parking lots at the famous trailheads by mid morning, lines at the Arches entrance on weekends, and busy restaurants in town.

Arches did not require timed entry in 2026. The park dropped its timed entry reservation system for 2026, so you could enter any time with a valid entrance pass. As of October 31, 2026, the park has not announced its plan for 2027, and the policy has changed from year to year. Check the National Park Service's Arches website before you travel. Two things still need their own reservations on Recreation.gov: Fiery Furnace permits and tours, and campsites at Devils Garden Campground. When parking fills at popular areas like Delicate Arch, the Windows and Double Arch, rangers can close those areas until spaces open up.

Entrance fees. A private vehicle pass for Arches is $30 for seven days. If you will visit both Arches and Canyonlands, or come back within the year, the $55 Southeast Utah Parks annual pass usually pays for itself. Our Arches National Park guide has the full details.

Lodging and campsites. Rooms in and near town are at their tightest in September and October. Book as early as you can, and consider arriving Sunday through Thursday, when prices and crowds both drop. Browse Moab lodging or our Moab campgrounds guide, and remember the BLM land around Moab has more campsites when the parks are full.

Fall events

October often brings Outerbike, a mountain bike demo festival where riders test new bikes on Moab's trails. Dates change year to year, so check the organizer's site before planning around it.

If your trip runs into early November, the Moab Folk Festival takes over town on November 6 to 8, 2026, the same weekend as the Moab Trail Marathon. Expect lodging to be scarce that weekend.

What to pack for October

• Layers. A base layer, a fleece or puffy jacket and a wind shell. Add a warm hat and gloves for late October mornings and evenings.
• Sun protection. The sun is gentler than summer but still strong at this elevation. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen on every outing.
• Water. Plan on at least a liter per person for every two hours on the trail, even in cool weather. The air is dry.
• A headlamp. Shorter days catch people on the trail after dark more often than in summer.
• Warm camping gear. If you are camping, bring a sleeping bag rated for freezing temperatures, especially after mid month.
• Reservations. Lodging, guided tours, Fiery Furnace permits and Devils Garden campsites, all booked before you arrive.

October in Moab: common questions

Should you visit Moab in October?

If you want comfortable hiking and riding weather, cold clear nights and fall color, October is hard to beat. The price is popularity: rooms, tours and parking all go fast. Book early, plan your big hikes for the morning, and keep a quieter backup like Dead Horse Point or a BLM trail for the busiest days. Do that and October gives you Moab at its best.

Last updated October 31, 2026. Park rules, fees and event dates change; confirm them before you travel.