MOAB PACKING CHECKLIST
A season- and activity-aware desert packing list you can check off — water, sun, layers, monsoon safety, biking, and rafting. Saves in your browser.
Essentials
0/10Sun & Heat
0/7Hiking
0/7Layers & Cold
0/2Monsoon & Safety
0/2Mountain Biking (optional add-on)
0/7River & Rafting (optional add-on)
0/7Photography & Dark Sky
0/8This is a general guide for Moab's hot, high-desert climate with big day-to-night temperature swings. Conditions, fees, and reservation rules change — always check the current forecast, flash-flood potential, and park rules at nps.gov/arch and nps.gov/cany (and stateparks.utah.gov for Dead Horse Point) before your trip.
Moab Packing FAQ
What should I pack for Moab and Arches National Park?
Pack for a hot, high-desert climate with big day-to-night temperature swings: at least one gallon of water per person per day, sunscreen SPF 30+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, a long-sleeve sun shirt, broken-in hiking shoes with grippy soles for slickrock, a headlamp for the dark walk down from Delicate Arch, and packable layers for cold mornings and nights. Bring your entrance pass (Arches needs no timed-entry reservation in 2026) and confirm any Devils Garden Campground or Fiery Furnace reservations. Use the interactive checklist above to tailor the list to your season and add mountain biking, rafting, or astrophotography gear.
How much water do I need to pack for hiking in Moab?
Plan on at least one gallon (about 4 liters) per person per day in summer, and carry water even on short walks. Summer highs in Moab frequently top 100F and there is almost no shade on the slickrock at Arches, Canyonlands Island in the Sky, or Dead Horse Point, with no reliable water on most trails — so come fully self-sufficient and stash extra water in the car. Add electrolyte mix or tablets when you're sweating hard in the dry heat.
Do I need to pack for Moab's monsoon and flash floods?
Yes, if you visit from mid-July through September. The North American monsoon brings fast-building afternoon thunderstorms that can trigger flash floods in slot canyons and washes — even from rain falling miles away. Pack a packable rain shell, check the NWS forecast and flash-flood outlook every morning, never enter a narrow canyon or wash when storms are forecast, and get off exposed slickrock, fins, and arches when you hear thunder. Dirt roads like the Shafer Trail can also turn impassable when wet.
What do I need to pack for Moab in winter?
Winter days hover in the 40s and low 50s with strong sun, but nights plunge into the teens and 20s, so pack an insulated jacket, warm base layers, a beanie, and gloves. Shaded slickrock, canyon bottoms, and the ~5,900-6,000 ft mesa parks (Canyonlands Island in the Sky and Dead Horse Point) can hold ice and packed snow for days, so bring microspikes or traction devices. Daylight is short — carry a headlamp and plan an early turnaround. The red rock dusted with snow makes winter Moab's best photography season.
Should I pack mountain biking and rafting gear for Moab?
Pack it if those adventures are on your itinerary. For Moab's famous slickrock and Whole Enchilada rides, bring a helmet, padded gloves, a hydration pack, eye protection, and pads for technical descents — and book shuttles ahead in peak season. For a Colorado River raft trip like the family-friendly Moab Daily (Class I-III), pack quick-dry clothing, secure river sandals, a dry bag, and sun protection; spring snowmelt means high, cold water, so ask your outfitter about a splash jacket or wetsuit. The checklist above has dedicated mountain biking and river sections you can include by season.