What Is The Closest Airport To Moab Utah? The Best Things To Do In Moab!
Published on: Oct 12, 2022
Last updated on: Apr 16, 2025
Arches National Park in Moab recorded one of the highest visitor spending in 2023, reaching $283 million.
Further, Moab, the largest city in the Grand County of Eastern Utah, has been witnessing a massive boost in tourism as the gateway to the best national parks of Utah. People now are willing to spend a few days in Moab.
“What I’m seeing is that people are coming to Moab to stay in Moab, and they’re staying a little bit longer, as opposed to rushing off to visit all the other national parks.”
Emily Niehaus, Former Moab Mayor
Also, Canyonlands Field Airport, the closest airport to Moab Utah has made the city all the more accessible. In fact, Moab enjoys proximity to many other airports, such as the Grand Junction Regional Airport, Telluride Regional Airport, etc.
So, in this Dream and Travel Guide, we will explore Moab as an emerging travel destination in Utah with a special focus on the airports near the city.
However, let’s begin with understanding the location of Moab as a travel destination and the best time to visit the city.
Where Is Moab Located?
Located on the eastern borders of Utah, Moab is the largest city in the State of Utah. It is also the seat of Grand County.
Further, it is south of the Colorado River on the Colorado Plateau.
Moreover, Moab is famous for its dramatic desert landscape. Also, as I have already mentioned, it has the top national parks in Utah in terms of visitor spending.
It has Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Moab?
Despite Utah not being one of the warmest states in the USA, the city of Moab experiences extreme desert weather.
So, during summer, which spans June to September, Moab remains scorching hot. Further, the highest temperature in these months can reach close to 40 degrees Celsius.
As an arid region, Moab also experiences the harshest winter. Moreover, from December to February, the lowest temperature in the city ranges between -3 and -6 degrees Celsius.
So, the shoulder seasons of autumn and spring are the best times to visit Moab. March to May is the spring season in Moab, and October to November is the fall season.
Moreover, the table below will give you a better idea of Moab’s weather conditions during these months.
| Months | Highest Temperature (Degree Celsius) | Lowest Temperature(Degree Celsius) | Days of Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 17 | 2 | 5 |
| April | 22 | 5 | 3 |
| May | 28 | 10 | 4 |
| October | 25 | 5 | 4 |
| November | 14 | -1 | 2 |
Closest Airport To Moab Utah: Top 5 Closest Airports
Here is a list of the top five closest airports to Moab, Utah.
| Airport | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ➼ The Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) | 18 miles or 28 kilometers | 30 minutes |
| ➼ Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) | 114 miles or 183 kilometers | 2 hours |
| ➼ Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) | 132 miles or 212 kilometers | 3 hours |
| ➼ Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) | 172 miles or 276 kilometers | 3.5 hours |
| ➼ Salt Lake International Airport (SLC) | 234 miles or 376 kilometers | 4 hours |
1. Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY):
Driving Time: 20 Minutes
The CNY or Canyonlands Field airport is Moab’s main airport. So, you can take direct flights to Moab from any part of the USA to explore the city’s beautiful national parks and the biggest tourist attractions.
However, CNY is a small airport, and flights to the Canyonlands Field airport are often expensive. Again, the Moab airport you will fly to will depend on the places you need to explore.
For example, it is the closest airport to Arches National Park. However, Zion National Park is closer to Salt Lake City International Airport.
2. Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT):
Driving Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
The Grand Junction Regional Airport, or GJT, located in Colorado, has regular flights most of the year.
However, there are no non-stop flights from this airport to the CNY airport.
Also, the GJT route to Moab can sometimes include a long layover (17+ hours sometimes) at the Denver International Airport.
3. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC):
Driving Time: 4 Hours
The Salt Lake City International or SLC airport is one of the major closest airports to Moab Utah. Plus, you can also book flights from the Salt Lake City International Airport to the CNY airport, which is only a 20-minute drive from Moab. While SLC is not the airport closest to Moab Utah, you can drive directly from the SLC airport to Moab. The drive is enjoyable and does not take very long.
4. Durango – La Plata County Airport (DRO):
Driving Time: 3 Hours 45 Minutes
La Plata County, or DRO airport, is located in Durango, Colorado. It offers a setup similar to the Grand Junction Airport in terms of commuting to and from Moab.
Also, you need to note that there are no direct flights from the DRO airport to the CNY airport.
Instead, some routes go via Denver, with major layovers that can take up to 20+ hours. However, driving to Moab from Durango will take less than 4 hours.
5. Telluride Regional Airport (TEX):
Driving Time: 2 Hours 45 Minutes
The Telluride Regional or TEX airport runs in a similar way to the other airports in Colorado.
Of course, there are flights to Moab from the TEX airport, but again, these flights are expensive and come with extended layovers.
Instead, if you can just fly to the TEX airport and then drive to Moab. It will take you a little less than 3 hours.
Here Are The Closest International Airports To Moab, Utah
| Airport | Distance |
|---|---|
| ➼ Salt Lake International Airport | ➼ 234 miles or 376 kilometers |
| ➼ Denver International Airport | ➼ 276 miles or 444 kilometers |
| ➼ Las Vegas International Airport | ➼ 468 miles or 753 kilometers |
Other Routes To Reach Moab
What about other modes of transport or routes to Moab?
If you are planning to travel to Moab, Utah, by other routes, like roadways, here are the best ways to reach the place:
| Drive From | Hours |
|---|---|
| ➼ Salt Lake City | ➼ 4-hour |
| ➼ Las Vegas | ➼ 7 hour |
| ➼ Denver | ➼ 6-hour |
The Best Places To Visit In Moab Utah
Lying at the center of some astounding scenery, Moab is a small city with an excellent base for tourists to explore southern Utah.
Furthermore, located near the beautiful Colorado River is the dry and desolate part of the Canyon Country.
Moreover, both Canyonlands and Arches are located nearby, making it an ideal vacation spot for thrill-seekers, nature lovers, and travel enthusiasts.
Also, apart from the beautiful buttes, elegant arches, and massive mesas dotting the dry area, there are many thrilling outdoor activities to check out.
Again, you will love whitewater rafting, rock climbing, camping, mountain biking, and hiking here.
Furthermore, with age-old dinosaur fossils and prehistoric petroglyphs in the museums, the scenic environment, and the remote settings, Moab is a treasure trove of awe-inspiring tourist sports right on its doorsteps.
1. Arches National Park:
Arches National Park is an incredible tourist spot located very close to Moab in Canyon Country.
Interestingly, the national park is home to the most significant concentration of organic arches on the planet, with over 2000 of them dotting about the park’s confines.
Sculpted and shaped by the rain and wind over many centuries, the sandstone silhouettes create a spectacular sight.
Moreover, the lovely Landscape Arch is graceful, stretching 88 meters in length with its slender silver-colored sandstone.
Additionally, the Devil’s Garden area has plenty of eroded arches that look weathered and wind-swept.
The most popular arch is the dainty and beautiful Delicate Arch. Mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking are also popular here.
Exploring the several unusual rock formations and similar terrain on display during hiking will be the best experience here.
2. Canyonlands National Park:
Home to a magnificent array of spires, buttes, mesas, and arches, Canyonland National Park is the wildest and largest of the state’s Mighty Five.
Located only 30 minutes from southwest Moab, Canyonlands National Park has four secluded yet scenic spots for you to check out, with awe-inspiring sights wherever you choose to go first.
For instance, at the Island in the Sky, you will love the incredible views of massive mesas and craggy canyons stretching over the whole horizon.
Contrastingly, the Maze and Needles districts have remote and rugged areas to explore, with epic mountain biking and hiking on offer.
Perhaps one of the most photographed and famous sights in this park is the stunning Horseshoe Canyon, a delightful district that boasts phenomenal panoramas, petroglyphs, and pictographs.
3. Other Places To See Near Moab:
Here are some lesser-known gems to visit in Moab, Utah.
Dead Horse Point State Park,
- Dead Horse Point State Park,
- Hell’s Revenge 4X4 Trail,
- Corona Arch,
- Wilson Arch,
- Moab Giants Dinosaur Park,
- Hole ‘N the Rock, and
- Birthing Scene.
Closest Airport To Moab Utah: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the closest airport to Moab Utah.
Ans: If you are looking for things to do in Colorado, there are plenty. Here are the five best places to visit in Moab:
1. Canyonlands National Park
2. Arches National Park
3. Corona Arch
4. Hell’s Revenge
5. Dead Horse Point State Park
Ans: Moab is located in Utah. If you are planning to travel from Colorado, keep in mind that it is located along Utah’s eastern border.
Moreover, it is less than 50 miles away from the borders of Colorado.
is less than 50 miles away from the borders of Colorado.
Ans: Moab is located in Utah. The Arches National Park is a place to visit in Moab.
It is famous for having the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone and is one of the best places to visit in Moab.
Ans:If you are planning a trip to Moab during the summer, you must be aware that the hottest months are from June to September. Moreover, the temperature rises quite a lot, as high as 110 degrees.
Also, the summers are dry, and you might feel dehydrated. So, if you are planning to visit the state during these months, make sure you are drinking enough water and keeping yourself hydrated.
Have A Safe Trip To Moab!
With Canyonlands Field Airport being the closest airport to Moab, Utah, this city is now experiencing significant growth in tourism.
Moreover, the dramatic desert landscape and the national parks with surreal rock formations make the city a geological wonder.
Further, located on the eastern borders of Utah and just 50 miles away from the Colorado border, Moab allows you to explore various outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, hiking, swimming, etc.
So, when you are planning a trip to Moab? Travel safe, and don’t forget to share your experience with us!
