When is the best time to visit Utah?

Utah experiences a dry, semi-arid, desert-like climate that sees temperatures soaring in summer and plummeting in winter. However, due to the lack of humidity this state sees (Utah is considered one of the driest states in America), winters are unlikely to reach freezing temperatures or experience that much rain.

The best time to travel to Utah depends on what kind of vacation you want to have, whether you're visiting cities or hiking through the state's beautiful national parks. If you're purely taking the weather into account, the best time to travel to Utah would be out of the peak season of summer not only because you can avoid the busy crowds but also the high temperatures. The months of April, May, and June, as well as the months of August, September, and October, are the best months to visit Utah as the temperatures are milder and nature is either blossoming or turning a beautiful shade of orange, red, and brown.

Spring in Utah

Best for: outdoor activities, hiking, visiting national parks, walking through gardens and cities

The weather in Utah at the start of spring can often be quite cold as temperatures slowly increase during the month of March and April. You can expect to see quite a bit of rainfall in March which helps to keep the temperatures down but the volume should diminish as spring progresses.

Some parts of the state including Salt Lake City and snow resorts such as Brighton Ski Resort and Powder Mountain Ski Resort enjoy a constant stream of snowfall usually beginning in November and finishing up in mid-April. This means while temperatures may still be a little chilly during the first month or so of spring, they will continue to warm up as the country heads towards summer.

During spring you can enjoy sunnier days without the heat of summer, allowing you to make the most of outdoor activities.

Summer in Utah

Best for: swimming and other water sports, strolling through the Ogden Nature Center

Summers in Utah can be quite hot due to the state's arid, desert-like climate, however, you're unlikely to experience much humidity considering the state is one of the country's driest. This should make high temperatures manageable as long as you take the necessary precautions if you plan on spending a lot of time outside.

At the beginning of summer, you can still expect a few rain showers here and there but sunshine and moderate temperatures are much more common. The months of July and August prove to be the hottest months with temperatures climbing over 100°F. If you're planning on hiking through some of the state's national parks, it is advised that you thoroughly plan your journey before starting as the hot conditions combined with the sun's high UV rays can make spending long periods of time outside unenjoyable.

If you're spending time outside, make sure to always put on sunscreen, wear a hat, and carry a bottle of water with you so you're protected from things like sunburn and heatstroke.

Fall in Utah

Best for: visiting hot springs, hiking through national parks, going for long drives, and going to pumpkin patches

While it can still be quite warm at the start of September, temperatures usually lower quickly with rainfall expected for an average of six days (at least) for the month. This increases with the season as 9 rainy days are expected in the month of November. Snow will start to fall in October but the storms won't last for long and the snow doesn't generally stick to the ground until November when the official snow season starts. Of course, there are some areas in Utah that won't experience any snow at all like in St. George near the border of Arizona.

Visiting Utah during fall is extremely popular as Utah is known for its iconic national parks that only get more beautiful when the colors start to change from green to red, orange, and brown.

Winter in Utah

Best for: skiing and other snow sports, bobsledding at Olympic Park

For the months of winter, heavy snowfall is expected in some areas of Utah. February and March are usually the months that experience the heaviest snowfalls with January being the coldest month temperature-wise. During the winter months, days are also shorter so spending longer periods of time outside become harder. However, as it is offseason, popular tourist destinations and national parks are quieter so exploring the state of Utah might become a tad more enjoyable (that is, if you don't mind the cold).

If you're traveling around Utah in winter it is recommended that you pack appropriate cold-weather clothing as temperatures can lower to freezing levels, especially at night. This includes clothing items such as long trousers, sweaters, waterproof jackets, coats, thick socks, gloves, and beanies. You should also remember to pack the right footwear if you plan on doing some hiking while you're in Utah.