Arches and Canyonlands
 

Hello!

We are considering a trip to see Arches and/or Canyonlands in mid July and wondering just how hot it may be for hiking. There is conflicting info online regarding elevation and cool temps vs scorching.

We would have 4 days, and fly into Salt Lake.
Not even sure if too late to find accommodations since it is nearly June but would love your feedback. Also open to other suggestions. We have been to Bryce and Zion and they are spectacular.

Thank you!

Hi,
My family went there two summers ago in July. We stayed at the Archway Inn in Moab. Great hotel and spot. Very close to Arches Park. In Canyonland we mostly drove around to take in the sites. We did go to Dead Horse. Well worth it!!! Super views!! Our kids were 4, 7, and 9 at the time. We all loved it!!! In Arches, the hike to the Delicate Arch is long!! Leave plenty of time for that hike!! Well worth it though!!!! It does get hot, but we experienced very little sweat due to the dry air. Bring water backpacks!! It helps and frees up your hands. It is different hiking in that area compared to hiking out East, but it was really fine. Just take breaks in the shade of the arches, and enjoy the beauty :))) Wear hats and sunscreen.

Enjoy!

Thank you!
Is there really shade? :)

kittygirl--there is no shade while you are hiking in Arches. The best way to do it would be to go really early in the morning--like on the trail by 6-7 am and done by noon at the latest. I personally wouldn't do it--way too hot for me.

What about Yellowstone or Grand Teton NP? That's the place to be in July. Or you could do Cedar Breaks National Monument, which is up higher. Arches and Canyonlands are not high enough to be cooler. You have to get to 8,000 feet and up to get cooler. 5-6000 feet are baseline here in Utah. So while that might seem high to people from sea level, it isn't in this region.

Arches and Canyonlands are amazing. If you decide to make a go of it, bring a gallon of water per person on your hike--and make sure you eat salty snacks or mix in some Gatorade with your water. You do sweat, alot, it just dries off before you see it. The air just sucks the water out of you.

There is limited shade on some of the longer hikes but very little on the shorter, more popular ones. The hike to Delicate Arch is very exposed for most of the way.

Hike in the morning, take scenic drives or a rafting trip in the afternoons.

I would love to do Yellowstone just cannot get accommodations or get there easily.
We are in Philadelphia area, seems the flights are complicated returning.
All great suggestions, thank you!

We found plenty of shade!! Yes it is hot, but not unbearable. Just take your time, bring water, and wear a wide brim hat!! We found it to be a wonderful family experience. We did go to Delicate Arch towards sunset for the views. It was like 45 minutes to an hour I believe. Like I said, leave plenty of time for that one. I wouldn't change your plans just because of the time frame. It is certainly doable!!

If you keep on your eastern time zone schedule, then getting out to hike at 6 or 7 AM is like 8 or 9 to your body , so not so early. Hike for a couple of hours then drive a bit and look at the fantastic scenery or take a rest until late afternoon and go for another hike.

Then make plans to go back in the spring or fall to do some of the places you didn't get to on this trip.

When our boys were young we had not choice but to go during the summer. It's very do-able. Like everyone said, hike early in the day and late in the day. There will be some shade on some of the hikes. I like to bring my Misty-Mate which helps in the hot dry climate.

Utahtea

We were there in late September/early October and it was hot during the day. Early morning was OK. I know everyone has different heat tolerances, but personally, I would not do Arches in the summer.

I was there in mid-May and it was perfect. But that's not when you are going so I'll just give you some ideas.

It's dry so that helps.
Wear a wide brimmed hat.
Drink a lot of water.
Wear a lot of suntan lotion. Protect yourself.
The obvious would be to hike early and late but that's not always practical.
While there are very few trails with real shade. You should be able to stop and sit down on a shady side of something or under something.

Thanks everyone!
This may be best for fall, as we don't have a great heat tolerance given how we are still experiencing very cool weather at home. Feel free to chime in if you suggest other cooler areas, knowing we have been to Bryce and Zion (but spent most of time at zion).
We really dream of Yosemite and Yellowstone at some point but but it is a bit late to plan. Perhaps Arches is best in the fall.

Wish we could find a direct flight to a beautiful location in or close to the US.

Thanks all!

kittygirl,

As StantonHyde mentioned, when you get up to 6,500 - 8,000 ft. in Utah, summer is heavenly! I live in Park City, easy to get to via SL Intl Airport (30 min drive) and tons of outdoor activities for all up here. Beautiful. Just a thought.

You can get lodging outside of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons at this point--makes for longer travel days but it is doable. You can also call the actual lodges themselves to see if they have cancellations--they get lots of them. I would fly into Salt Lake, drive the 6 hours to Yellowstone or Jackson. See what you can find for lodging--you never know. (not sure about the flights for you though!)

What about Glacier??

And the mountains around Salt Lake City are awesome and cool!

4 days isn't really enough time to do justice to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. You'd spend 2 days just driving and flying (unless you mean you have 4 full days not including travel days).

I think the two most obvious options are the mountains around Salt Lake City, or the mountains in Colorado. Flights into Denver seem to be generally cheaper than Salt Lake City. Rocky Mountain National Park is only 2 hours from Denver, or you could head further west into the mountains.

We do love RMNP and Co as well as Glacier, just hoped to check out a few new places, but yes time is limited.
The 6 hour drive sounds more appealing then the huge delays in layover flights to get to Yellowstone/Tetons, just wondering if there is yet another airport option as we would lose a lot of time either flying or driving of course.

Dayle - sure looks beautiful - we are mostly shade hikers since not used to extreme heat and love nature and wildlife so trying to pick something that offers either or but both is a plus. :)

Thank you!

If you can't make it to Yellowstone, but have flights into SLC, consider going to Dinosaur NP and then some of the state parks in Utah.

If you haven't already purchased your flights, would you consider someplace like Portland, Oregon? You could hike the Columbia River Gorge. It should be relatively shady and cool (in comparison to Moab at least). There are some good hikes--although with other attractions--in the city itself.

Will check out Dinosaur NP and more of Utah
Yes, Portland/Columbia River Gorge is heavenly! Thinking now maybe British Columbia would be a nice option as well.... love love love WA state and Oregon

Four days is not enough time for Yellowstone. You might try calling to see if you can get in on a cancellation at Yosemite. They happen all the time but you have to keep on it.

We do Arches and Canyonlands in Sept/Oct and love that time of the year.

Utahtea