Best time to visit · Salt Lake City · United States
The best time to visit Salt Lake City
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Beneathtimp, CC0
Quick answer
Salt Lake City has two peak seasons: December to March for skiing in the Cottonwood Canyons and Park City, and June to September for hiking, festivals and road trips to the national parks. May and late September to October are pleasant, quieter shoulder months. Winter valley inversions can bring poor air quality, but the mountains are usually above it.
Key facts
- Best months
- January–March, June and September
- Shoulder season
- May, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 34°C (93°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 3°C (37°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~9 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- November
Seasons
Salt Lake City has a semi-arid continental climate at about 1,300 metres: cold, snowy winters with occasional inversion smog in the valley, hot and dry summers, and pleasant but changeable springs and autumns. The mountains above get far more snow than the city.
December–March
Winter
Powder skiing within 40 minutes of the city; cold, sometimes smoggy valley days and busy holiday weeks.
April–May
Spring
Late-season skiing above, blossom and gardens below; weather changes quickly between snow and sun.
June–August
Summer
Hot, dry and sunny, with festivals, mountain wildflowers and long hiking days.
September–November
Autumn
Warm September days, golden aspens in the canyons in early October and a quiet November before ski season.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | -6°C | 9 | 9.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| February | 6°C | -4°C | 9 | 10.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 12°C | 1°C | 9 | 11.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 16°C | 4°C | 9 | 13.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 22°C | 9°C | 8 | 14.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 29°C | 14°C | 5 | 15.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 34°C | 19°C | 4 | 14.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 33°C | 18°C | 5 | 13.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 27°C | 13°C | 5 | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 18°C | 6°C | 6 | 11 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 10°C | 0°C | 8 | 9.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 3°C | -5°C | 9 | 9.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| April | General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (usually first weekend of April); Salt Lake City Marathon (usually April) |
| May | Living Traditions Festival — food and folk arts (usually May) |
| June | Utah Pride Festival (usually early June); Utah Arts Festival at Library Square (usually late June) |
| July | Pioneer Day parade and fireworks (24 July); Fourth of July fireworks (4 July) |
| September | Greek Festival at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (usually September) |
| October | General Conference (usually first weekend of October) |
| November | Temple Square Christmas lights (usually from late November) |
| December | Temple Square Christmas lights (through the end of December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in November, and the sights are quietest in November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has two peak seasons: December to March for skiing in the Cottonwood Canyons and Park City, and June to September for hiking, festivals and road trips to the national parks. May and late September to October are pleasant, quieter shoulder months. Winter valley inversions can bring poor air quality, but the mountains are usually above it.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Salt Lake City?
Usually in November. Quiet between seasons; ski resorts usually begin opening late in the month, snow permitting.
+What is the rainiest month in Salt Lake City?
January, with about 9 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Salt Lake City get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 34°C (93°F) and lows of 19°C (66°F).