Moab, Utah is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers throughout the year. However, winter offers a unique experience as the weather cools down and the crowds become less dense. This season is one of our favorites to explore the area since it is so peaceful, and you never know what to anticipate from the weather. If it does snow, the combination of contrasting colors of snow covering red rock is breathtaking, and the sunrises and sunsets seem to last forever.

'Storm Clouds Entering Moab'  Highway 128 (January 2024)

We often look forward to escaping the crowds of skiers in Colorado and the cold weather by traveling four and a half hours west to the desert where it can be warmer, in the forties. We’ve certainly had some adventures driving through the snow the entire way and had cold weather, but those trips have their kind of beauty to them as well. On this trip, we were expecting to arrive in the snow, but we caught the tail end of it and only saw a light blanket of white on the day we got there. Meanwhile, back home, our town was facing a huge blizzard. Our timing was excellent.

Behind the Scenes

After entering Utah, we decided to take Highway 128 near the junction of I70 and the town of Cisco to reach Moab. This road is our favorite as it winds along the Colorado River, offering stunning landscapes at every turn. It is one of Mike's favorite areas to photograph, and we often camp nearby and hike the many trails. Despite the intense storms all around us, he managed to capture some great shots, although the wind posed a few challenges in keeping the camera steady. That first afternoon and evening were among the best of the trip, with perfect lighting as the sun kept trying to peek through the clouds and create a dramatic skyline.

'Icy Colorado River in Moab'  - Driving along Highway 128 outside of Moab, Utah (January 2024)

Once we settled in at our hotel we headed back out to visit Dead Horse Point State Park. We only saw two other cars there the entire evening. We went on a brief hike, and as Mike scouted for new compositions, the clouds parted and a beautiful sunset unfolded around us. Mike was running all around, facing west, facing east, one camera was set up for a timelapse and the other he ran around with. It was one of those sunsets that lasted forever. 

'Golden Dead Horse Point Sunset'  - Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah (January 2024)

The following morning we woke up early to watch the sunrise at Arches National Park. It was so nice to be out in the fresh desert air and be warm in thirty-degree weather! Just like the previous evening, we were among the few visitors in the park and could drive around without encountering anyone else. It was incredibly calm and tranquil, a perfect way to start the day.

'Sunrise at Five Fingers Rock'  - Arches National Park

We returned to our hotel and had some breakfast, then started our next adventure to Goblin Valley State Park. We had never been but had only heard good things. The drive was easy from Moab, it took us 2 hours with a stop along the way. As we passed the entrance you drive by some designated campgrounds for individual tents, some for RVs, and some large reservable areas for groups. Without much shade, I can’t imagine how this would feel during the summer but it would be great in spring and fall. 

Walking Into Goblin State Park

When you reach Goblin Valley there’s a parking lot overlooking the area with picnic tables and views of the ‘goblins’. The name is appropriate as these formations were formed because of the uneven hardness of sandstone, showing different levels of erosion. You can imagine water flowing around the rock formations carving out the soft round angles. There are flood zones that have created deep paths, and a lot of soft sand to walk around on. 

After returning to town, we spent the evening unwinding as the sky was heavily clouded. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't ideal for a sunset and we were aware that a large storm was still hitting home, which meant we had a long day ahead of us. We were uncertain about potential road closures and alternative routes and didn't know what to expect. The next day, we departed early and decided to take our favorite route back along Highway 128, the same way we came in. As always, it was a great choice as this morning turned out to be amazing as we narrowly made some photographic opportunities and missed some others.

'Backroad Sunrise' Near Highway 182, Moab

Looking back on our Moab adventure, we are filled with fond memories of the vibrant sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park, the morning glow at Arches National Park, the whimsical formations at Goblin Valley, and the unexpected beauty of a stormy sunrise on our journey home. Moab's diverse landscape will always hold a special place in our hearts, with its red rock, changing light, and the juxtaposition of snow covering the desert. It seems like winter is becoming our favorite time of year to visit this beautiful place.

-Amy E. Bauer