Moab turns magical come fall. Here are four reasons to venture into Utah’s red rock playground in October.

First, families are busy tucking children into school schedules which means fewer visitors in the region. Second, fewer visitors mean easier access to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Third, the weather can be sublime, shirtsleeve and hovering between 75F and 85F. Fourth, the spectacle of autumn hues is unbeatable. Think yellow and gold spiked with red rock arches and topped by blue sky. Fifth, Moab cuts lose with the cooler temperatures to stage its annual fall calendar of events.

While there may not be one single headliner event, these come close. Following are suggestions for pairing other Moab Adventure Center activities with the activities calendar.

Oct. 1-3: The Canyonlands PRCA (Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association) is part of the All American Pro Rodeo Series. You can create your own rodeo warm-up on Moab Adventure Center’s Horseback Adventures come with cowboy-trained quarter horses. A professional wrangler leads the way on trails made famous by John Wayne himself.  Rides are three hours in the mornings and 90 minutes in the afternoons. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/moab-horseback-riding

Oct. 1-3: Plan to take in Outerbike, a mountain bike expo, while you’re doing your own thing on Moab Adventure Center’s Mountain Bike Tours.  Or on Oct. 16-18 enjoy the excitement of Moab Rocks, a mountain bike race. Oct. 28-31 brings Moab Ho-Down, a mountain bike festival. Moab has become the undisputed mecca for mountain bike enthusiasts from all over the world. Whether beginner or advanced the Moab Adventure Center offers professionally guided mountain biking tours on all of Moab’s classic rides.     https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/moab-mountain-biking

Oct. 2-3: The Moab Banff Mountain Film Festival features two nights of uplifting sport & cultural films to benefit two local non-profits: the Utah Avalanche Center and Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Moab Adventure Center’s Hot Air Ballooning can get folks up in the air during the day on a breathtaking flight over the astounding red rock landscape of Moab. It’s a great way to experience the sights of Moab in the quiet of the early morning. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/hot-air-balloon-rides-moab-utah

Oct. 21-23: The 23rd Moab 21 Jeep Jamboree is three days of backcountry adventure. Don’t have your own jeep for the safari? Never mind. Moab Adventure Center’s Hummer Tours are conducted in style and comfort aboard the world’s most serious 4×4. Spectacular backcountry opens up in the hands of professional guides who help visitors explore seldom-seen, awe-inspiring Moab overlooks. Tours are two, three and four hours including a sunset safari. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/moab-hummer-tours

Throughout the fall are several competitive running events. For those who prefer a slower pace, Moab Adventure Center’s Arches National Park Tours are stunning, morning or evening. Arches National Park Tours showcase the more accessible of more than 2,000 arches, the highest concentration on the planet, after which the park is named. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/arches-national-park-tours

And to really escape the crowds and disappear into Nature, think Moab Adventure Center’s River Rafting Adventures for full or half days, some served up with a BBQ lunch on a world-renowned stretch of the Colorado River, winding through scenes made famous by dozens of popular movies. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/moab-river-rafting

For more Moab year-round events please see:  https://www.moabhappenings.com/events%20year.htm