Is Moab safe?
Very safe for crime. Desert heat, flash floods and technical terrain cause the real emergencies.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Moab at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Occasional theft from cars at trailhead lots and campsites; leave valuables out of sight. |
| At night | Quiet after 10 pm; streets are safe and dark. Bars on Main Street close early, so stargaze from Arches instead. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; trails are busy. Tell someone your route and carry extra water. |
| Other risks | Heat and dehydration in summer; Flash floods in washes and slot canyons; Cliff edges and cryptobiotic soil damage |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake rental and permit listings on social media
Take care
- Hiking in July–August midday heat without 3+ litres of water
- Slot canyons and washes when thunderstorms are forecast
- Driving at night on Highway 128 and 191, with wildlife on the road
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Moab compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Moab | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Moab safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; trails are busy. Tell someone your route and carry extra water.
Is Moab safe at night?
Quiet after 10 pm; streets are safe and dark. Bars on Main Street close early, so stargaze from Arches instead.
What is the crime rate in Moab?
Occasional theft from cars at trailhead lots and campsites; leave valuables out of sight. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Moab?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Moab
Going to Moab solo?
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Sources
- Arches National Park, NPS
- Canyonlands National Park, NPS
- Moab Arts Co-Working
- Moab Regional Hospital
- Grand Junction Regional Airport
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.