Moab in July (prices, activities, gas)

[woodneckbeach]

We are going to Moab July 1-6. We expect to get up and go to the parks early in an attempt to beat the heat of midday. Any suggestions for hot afternoons other than the pool?
What's your favorite adventure guide company for rafting, etc? How about family activities for the evenings? How do the locals celebrate Independence Day?
Thanks for any help you can offer!

[goozer]

Sounds like you have a good plan in getting up early to avoid the midday sun. If the heat is really oppressive, you might consider heading to the nearby mountains. Moab is bordered on the east by mountains that exceed 12,000 feet. You can definitely count on cooler temperatures at those elevations. Of course, you might also have a risk of thunderstorms up there in the summer.

[FreeMarketSlave]

It's been too long to remember exactly which road i was on, but if you drop south of moab, somewhere near the border, you will be driving along and all the sudden you are on the rim of monument valley. That was really cool, i didn't know it was there(duh!). Maybe it was hwy 191? I'm sure someone on here knows the place. That was really a great view, and well worth seeing.

[woodneckbeach]

Thanks! we plan to see Monument Valley on our way to Mesa Verde prior to Moab. It all looks beautiful! Pray for lower gas prices by summer!