Seasons
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Utah
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Utah is spring and fall for the southern desert and summer for the mountains. St. George, Zion and Moab ride best from March to May and September to November. The high roads, like the Alpine Loop, the Mirror Lake Highway and Cedar Breaks, are snowbound in winter and usually open from late spring into October. Here's the year, month by month and region by region.
- Southern desert
- Mar to May, Sep to Nov
- Mountain passes
- June to September
- Storm season
- July to September
- Fall color
- Late Sep to early Oct
The short version
Elevation runs Utah's riding calendar
St. George sits under 3,000 feet and Moab around 4,000. The rim at Bryce Canyon is above 8,000, and Bald Mountain Pass on the Mirror Lake Highway is above 10,000. That spread means you can ride somewhere in Utah in almost any month, just not everywhere. The Utah state guide covers the regions. This page is about timing.
The pattern is simple. When the desert is too hot, ride up. When the mountains are snowed in, ride down. Spring and fall are the weeks when both work, which is why they're the busiest months in the parks.
Month by month
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Utah, month by month
| Month | Southern desert (St. George, Zion, Moab) | Mountains and plateaus (Wasatch, Bryce, Uintas) |
|---|---|---|
| January | St. George often mild at midday, Moab cold | Snow. High roads closed |
| February | Warming in St. George, cold mornings | Snow. High roads closed |
| March | Season opens. Spring break crowds | Snow. Canyons icy in the shade |
| April | Prime. Busy parks | Still snowy up high. Lower canyons open |
| May | Prime early, hot by late month | Some closed roads start opening |
| June | Hot. Ride early | Prime. Most passes open |
| July | Very hot. Storms start | Prime mornings, afternoon storms |
| August | Very hot. Flash flood risk | Prime mornings, afternoon storms |
| September | Cooling. Prime by late month | Prime. Aspen color late in the month |
| October | Prime | Color early, first snow, closures begin |
| November | Good in St. George, cold in Moab | Snowy. Seasonal roads closed |
| December | Short days, mild midday in St. George | Snow. High roads closed |
General patterns, not a forecast. Every year is different. Check the weather and UDOT Traffic before you ride.
Southern Utah
Riding the southern desert: spring and fall
St. George, Zion and Moab are at their best from March to May and from September to November. Summer afternoons around St. George and in Zion often top 100 degrees, and Moab isn't far behind. If you ride the desert in July, start at first light and be done by early afternoon.
Spring is the busiest season: spring break, wildflowers and full campgrounds, with the Zion shuttle running and Moab packed around Easter. Fall is the local favorite, with cooler air and smaller crowds after Labor Day, though October weekends in Zion and Moab are still busy.
Winter in St. George is often rideable on sunny afternoons. Moab, Capitol Reef and Bryce get cold nights and some snow, and UT 12 stays open but can be icy over Boulder Mountain. The road list is in the best motorcycle roads in Utah.
Mountains
Riding the Wasatch and the high plateaus: June to September
Most high roads close for winter and open when the snow is cleared. Typical patterns, which change with each year's snow:
Even in July, it can be 20 degrees or more cooler on Bald Mountain Pass than in Salt Lake City. Pack a real layer and gloves for any ride above 9,000 feet.
- Alpine Loop (UT 92): closed in winter, usually open from late spring to fall.
- Mirror Lake Highway (UT 150): the upper road closes for winter and typically reopens in late spring or early summer.
- Nebo Loop and Guardsman Pass: closed in winter.
- Cedar Breaks rim road (UT 148): closed in winter.
- Open all year, but snowy: Logan Canyon (US 89), UT 14 out of Cedar City and UT 12 over Boulder Mountain. Expect snow, ice and sand outside summer.
Summer storms
Monsoon season: July to September
From about July into September, moist air from the south builds afternoon thunderstorms over southern Utah and the mountains. They bring lightning, hail, wind and sudden heavy rain. Ride in the morning and be off exposed plateaus like Boulder Mountain and the Uintas by early afternoon.
Flash floods are the real danger in the desert. Water can run across a dip in the road even when it isn't raining where you are, and it can carry mud, rocks and debris. If you see water running across the pavement, stop and let it pass. Never ride into moving water.
Fall
Fall color on Utah motorcycle roads
Aspen color usually peaks from late September into early October, earliest at high elevation. The best rides for it are the Alpine Loop, the Nebo Loop, Logan Canyon, UT 12 over Boulder Mountain and UT 14 and UT 143 near Cedar Breaks and Brian Head.
Peak weekends on the Alpine Loop get crowded, so go early or ride midweek. The first real storm of fall can close a high road for days, and it can come in early October.
By region
Best months to ride, by Utah region
| Region | Best months | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| St. George and Zion | March to May, October to November | Summer afternoons |
| Moab and Canyonlands | April to May, September to October | Midday in July and August |
| Capitol Reef and Byway 12 | May to June, September to October | Icy winter mornings up high |
| Bryce and Cedar Breaks | June to September | Winter snow |
| Wasatch Front canyons | June to early October | Winter closures |
| Uintas and Flaming Gorge | July to September | Snow outside summer |
Plan it
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FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best month to ride a motorcycle in Utah?
September is hard to beat: the desert is cooling, the high roads are still open and the aspens start to turn. May is the spring pick, with the desert at its best and some mountain roads opening.
When do Utah's mountain passes open?
Seasonal roads like the Alpine Loop, the upper Mirror Lake Highway and the Cedar Breaks rim road usually open in late spring or early summer, depending on snow. Check UDOT before you go.
Can you ride Zion and Moab in summer?
Yes, early in the day. Afternoons around St. George and Zion often top 100 degrees in July. Start at first light and be done by early afternoon, when storms build.
Can you ride a motorcycle in Utah in winter?
In St. George and the far southwest, often yes on sunny afternoons. Most of the rest of the state is cold and snowy, and the high seasonal roads are closed.
When is monsoon season in Utah?
Roughly July through September. Afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning, hail and flash floods across desert roads.
When is fall color on Utah motorcycle roads?
Usually late September into early October, earliest at high elevation. The Alpine Loop, Nebo Loop and Logan Canyon are the classic color rides.
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