Circle CliffsWhen to Go
Best Time to Visit Circle Cliffs
Best visited in spring or fall for temperate weather and safer driving conditions.
Spring (Mar-May)
Mar-May · 40-75°F (4-24°C)
Wildflower flush and cooler hiking temperatures; still possible late-season snow at higher elevations.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Sep-Nov · 35-70°F (2-21°C)
Clear light and dramatic shadowing on the cliffs; afternoons warm, mornings cold.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Jun-Aug · 70-100°F (21-38°C)
Very hot; flash-flood risk in slot canyons after monsoon storms; best avoided midday.
Weather & Climate near Circle Cliffs
Climate
Circle Cliffs's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 30°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
Air Quality:
AQI 17
Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
-9°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -9° - 4° | -6° | 15 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -6° - 6° | -3° | 15 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -3° - 10° | 1° | 17 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 0° - 15° | 5° | 11 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 21° | 13° | 17 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 10° - 27° | 19° | 13 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 14° - 30° | 22° | 30 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 14° - 29° | 21° | 37 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 9° - 24° | 17° | 28 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 3° - 17° | 10° | 24 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 9° | 0° | 18 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -7° - 5° | -5° | 16 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
Getting There & Around
How to Get to Circle Cliffs
Access is by unpaved BLM roads off state routes in Wayne/Emery counties; the nearest services are in Hanksville and Torrey. From Hanksville (UT-24), head west and then south on a series of dirt roads - a high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended. GPS coordinates for the main viewpoint: 37.99665, -111.12905. Cell coverage is spotty; prepare with maps and fuel.
Tips for Visiting Circle Cliffs
- Use a high-clearance 4x4 - many access roads are sandy, washed-out, and unsigned.
- Download offline maps and bring a GPS; cell service is unreliable in the canyon country around the cliffs.
- Plan daylight navigation only - the cliffs are in remote BLM land with few landmarks; don't rely solely on mileage signs.
- Check Bureau of Land Management (BLM) alerts for seasonal closures or wildfire restrictions.