It’s officially off season in Moab as the year transitions from fall to winter. This time of year, there’s always a table available at restaurants, motels have plenty of rooms, and finding that sweet camping spot is so easy it’s scary. The place is almost a ghost town as tourists head to warmer climates and locals have skiing on the mind. But in reality, they don’t know what they’re missing since the lack of crowds and mild temperatures make fall the best time of year to do some mountain biking in Moab.
Although snow levels shut down the upper elevation trails like the Whole Enchilada and parts of Porcupine Rim, most bike trails in Moab are lower and close to town. Popular rides like Amasa Back and Sovereign Singletrack remain dry and uncrowded, giving you enough solitude to think the entire red rock desert is yours alone.
Need more convincing? Scroll through the pictures below and see what fall mountain biking in Moab can look like.
Photos of biking amongst desert rock make it look like temperatures are warm, even hot. But in the fall you can expect highs in the 50’s and lows in the 20’s. It’s the kind of weather that’s perfect for mountain biking as the workout keeps you warm and comfortable, but stop for too long and even the slightest breeze will chill any exposed skin.
So while everybody is spending their off-time mindlessly shopping at malls for the holiday season, golfing, or skiing on thin ribbons of early-season snow, mountain biking in Moab is still a pretty good bet this time of year.
For more mountain bike ideas in Moab, pick up the book “Mountain Biking Moab” by Lee Bridgers.
moabroadtrip blogspot has a recent post to detail the 2011 Moab Utah Bike Events. Currently if you google Moab Utah 2011 events and abbreviated list shows up on Gather.
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Anyone care to share experience with mtn biking Moab later November? We have a week to kill Nov 17-23 and wonder if its worth the drive down from BC for 5 days of riding in a potentially frigid month..
Thanks!
Pablo,
It will be cold, yes, but mostly just overnight if you’re camping. Daytime temps should be in the 40s or 50s, which I say is perfect for riding. You’ll not have much luck if you’re looking to ride in the La Sal Mountains, but if you stay in the lower elevation trails, you’ll have no problems unless there is a freak snowstorm, which is rare in Moab.
Another option is to go to Hurricane/St. George, which has very nice weather in late November.
Hope this convinces you to come on down and ride!