We'll be out west in late July for a family reunion, and I'd like to see some areas we haven't been to yet while we are out in that part of the country. Specifically, I'd love to spend a few days in Moab and go to Arches and then go to Durango and see Mesa Verde NP. But...will the heat just be horrendous? We enjoy hiking and other outdoor pursuits and we're certainly used to heat, living in Kansas. Your thoughts?

Durango and Mesa Verde will not be as hot as Moab and Arches. It's all about the altitude! And no humidity like Kansas.

It'll be very hot but it's dessert.

Would I do it? It depends on when I think I could get back there.

Drink a lot of water, wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.

Maybe go to the park very early and then late in the afternoon. Hang around in the pool in the middle.

If this was my only chance I'd go.

I just went to Arches and Mesa Verde this July! I would definitely recommend going to both parks. Yes, it will be hot, but if you plan to do your outdoor activities early in the day and bring lots of water, you'll be fine. The scenery is SO beautiful and unique; there's nothing like it. The parks are open early (in fact, there was no one at the gate at Arches when we arrived before 7 am one morning) so you can just drive in and it's so much more pleasant without the scorching heat of midday. The red rock formations against the blue sky is breathtaking. And Mesa Verde is so unique--we did the climb down to Cliff Palace and it was well worth it to see the cliff dwellings up close. I wouldn't be scared off by the summer crowds/ heat. Both parks are worth your time. Enjoy!

will the heat just be horrendous?

It's a bit over 4,000 ft elevation so it's not hellishly hot like the lower deserts, but yeah it's warm ... I'd go for a couple of days if you really want to visit that area and this is your best/only chance (also do Island in the Sky unit of Canyonlands, which is even higher) and if it's too hot in the PM do a rafting trip on the Colorado.

"Horrendous" is not a National Weather Service category. How tough are you? Here are some actual data.

http://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/weather.htm

I would go not bad drink plenty of fluids stay out of

the mid-day sun go for sunrise sunsets you will be fine

Arches Dead Horse Canyon Green River area aweome for me

then try some mountain biking rafting if time.

Moab is the beautiful capital on the mountain biking world.

Yes, go. Get up early, do your hiking before it gets too hot, then drive in your air conditioned car go to lunch then go over to Canyonlands Island in the sky, get out briefly to look at the beautiful scenery at each of the overlooks, get back into your air conditioned car, grab an early supper, go back to Arches and do another hike. Then hit the pool at your hotel/motel.

Definitely go. Hike in the morning, cool off in the afternoon. You'll be surprised at how comfortable it is in the shade too, maybe try to do the Fiery Furnace one afternoon because you'll be shaded. The hike to Delicate Arch is best in late afternoon/evening so you can see it at sunset but there's little shade along the way. Don't make the mistake of being out in the sun all day and then try to hike to Delicate Arch at the end of the day - get out of the sun for a bit, cool off and eat and then go for it.

I'm another vote for going to Arches in July. We did it enought times when our boys were in school. I'd rather be hot than miss a place like Arches!!!!

Like everyone said, do the hikes early morning and late evening and save touring around in an air condition car for the middle of the day.

Carry plenty of water and you might want to invest in a misty-mate. I love hiking in Utah with one of these! This is the one I have http://www.mistymate.com/16-oz-pump.html


Utahtea

Utahtea, I love the mistymate. Great idea.

Here is one more vote for a July visit. One reason we go in July or August is to raft. Those are the best months for a trip down the Colorado River. There are several good options. If you want the ultimate do Cataract Canyon. But Westwater was a good one day substitute. And we were able to enjoy the Moab daily this year which was not as much adventure but just plain fun and kept us cool on the hottest day that week.

Then do your longer tougher hikes early in the day as everyone has said. Arches is great and I've hiked to Delicate arch in the middle of a hot day and survived, so it is possible, just be prepared, but better early or late.

Oh and PS: about going earlier than the pay station is open. That doesn't mean you aren't supposed to pay. If you haven't before, pay as you leave. Entrance to these parks are a steal anyway, but their dollars are already stretched very thin. Do your part to keep them affordable for all.

We went to Arches and Canyonlands in July and it was miserably hot. However, we had a fantastic time and have no regrets. One thing about Arches is that there is NO shade, and that's what was rough for me. So make sure you have a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.

First thing to do when you arrive is go to the Visitor Center/Ranger Station in Arches to sign up for a Fiery Furnace hike. It is ranger-led and will be in deep shade due to the maze of slot canyons. You sign up a day or 2 in advance. For other hikes, go early or late, and if you are out mid-day like we were, take advantage of every spot of shade you find.

We didn't kayak on the river but should have. Everyone doing that seemed to be having a blast.

Normally fanatical hikers, the heat led us to seek out an organized trip into Canyonlands. Can't remember the company name in Moab, but they had a permit to take a boat on the Colorado River 36 miles into Canyonlands National Park. We explored areas of the river off boat and on, saw fossilized palm trees and dinosaur bones and petroglyphs, etc. They fed us a picnic lunch in a shady cove and then transferred us to air-conditioned 4-wheel drive vehicles for a spectacular ride up the canyon with lots of stops for short hikes and views. It was totally worth the cost. We'd love to return, but I'd pick a different time of year. DH disagrees.

If you are going to be in the area, I think you should definitely go, and just plan ways to enjoy it all despite the heat.

Fiery Furnace hikes can now be booked up to six months ahead of time online. This is the way to go even though they do accept walk in reservations but they are often already full. Check the NPS website for Arches for more info: http://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/programs.htm

I may have missed it, but apparently no one has suggested carrying an umbrella for shade. My wife and I do this when walking around in hot desert areas. Any comments we do get are generally complimentary, and sometimes along the lines of "why didn't I think of that?"

Thanks for your replies. I think we will go, because this will be our only chance for a few years, at least. I appreciate the advice!!