Hiking Moab in Summer Heat: How to Stay Safe (and Still Have a Stellar Day)
Moab summers are stunning, and seriously hot. Here's how experienced desert guides prepare for the heat — plus the smartest ways to explore when temperatures peak.
Moab summers are stunning, and seriously hot. Here's how experienced desert guides prepare for the heat — plus the smartest ways to explore when temperatures peak.
Summer in Moab can be absolutely euphoric, but it’s not subtle. Temperatures regularly climb past 100°F, the sandstone radiates heat long after the sun moves, and the dry desert air can leave the body lacking for hydration. The canyon country doesn't cool down between June and August — it doubles down.
That's not a reason to stay home (never that). It's a reason to go in completely prepared.
We've been guiding this backcountry through every season for three generations. We’ll share how we think about summer heat, and a few ways to make sure you’re embracing everything the land has to offer without letting weather slow you down.
In the desert, thirst is a lagging indicator. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already behind. The standard advice holds: drink at least one gallon of water per day in summer conditions, more if you're active or sweating heavily.
On any activity — hike, tour, or river trip — carry a minimum of two liters of water and know where your next refill point is before you need it. A hydration pack makes this easier than constantly reaching for a bottle.
One thing people underestimate: avoid diuretics on big desert days. Coffee, soda, and alcohol all accelerate fluid loss. Save them for the evening when you're back somewhere cool. During the day, water and electrolyte drinks are what the terrain actually calls for.
Speaking of electrolytes…salty snacks aren't just satisfying, they're functional. Nuts, crackers, jerky, and trail mix all help your body hold onto the water you're drinking. Bring ‘em in your pack.
Counterintuitively, covering up is often smarter than stripping down in the desert. Loose-fitting, light-colored clothing reflects heat and protects skin from direct sun exposure, which can drain your energy fast even when you don't feel like you're burning.
A wide-brimmed hat isn’t just sweet desert fashion. It shades your face, neck, and shoulders, which are the areas that take the most sun on an exposed trail. And sunscreen on all exposed skin, applied before you head out and reapplied after a few hours, is just part of the routine. At elevation and in full desert sun, it matters more than most people expect until the day after they skipped it.
The single most effective heat management strategy is simple: save strenuous activity for early morning or evening. The canyon is a different place at 7am than it is at 1pm. Temperatures can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler, the light is extraordinary, and the trails are quieter.
Plan your hardest miles for the first hours of the day. By midday, be somewhere with shade, water, and a reason to slow down. Frequent shade breaks are the secret to how experienced desert travelers keep going longer.
Some of the best Moab experiences in summer are specifically designed for the heat. A river trip on the Colorado is one of the most refreshing ways to spend a summer day in the desert. The canyon walls rise around you, the current carries you, and the temperature drops noticeably the moment you're on the water.
For those who want to cover more ground, Navtec's air-conditioned backcountry 4x4 tours let you reach some of the most remote and dramatic terrain in Canyonlands and Arches — comfortably, with a guide who knows every shade pull-off and water source along the way.
Both options are worth considering not just as alternatives to hiking in the heat, but as the best possible version of a Moab summer day.
Moab at 100°F is still one of the most beautiful places on earth. The heat is part of what makes it feel so alive, so elemental, so unlike anywhere else. It just asks something of you in return: a little planning, the right gear, and the willingness to let the land set the pace.
Come ready, and it gives back everything.