two week utah road trip

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Utah Road Trip: A 2-Week Utah National Parks Itinerary

Last Updated on March 7, 2024

Dreaming of the perfect Utah road trip? Check out this epic 2-week Utah itinerary from national parks expert, James Ian from Parks Collecting . 

Welcome to the most rugged state in USA! From red-rock mesas to skinny slot canyons, powder-bound slopes and slick rock trails, Utah’s diverse terrain will stun you. Utah is best known for the “Big Five”:  five spectacular national parks including  Arches, Canyonland and the famous Zion National Park .  Throw in the legendary  Monument Valley , the iconic Antelope Canyon and the adventure capital of America, Moab — a road trip to Utah promises plenty of adventure and outdoor adrenaline.

As a national parks expert, I’ve compiled a perfect Utah road trip itinerary that packs in all of my favorite national parks. Join me as I show you the best hangouts in Salt Lake City, awesome hiking trails in Moab, awesome viewpoints in monument Valley, and scenic drives in Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef .

Table of Contents

•  How to Get to Utah

How to Get Around Utah

Best time to go on an utah road trip, wander around temple square, visit the capitol hill, where to stay in salt lake city, visit dead horse state park, try an adventure activity.

• Where to Stay in Moab

Stop at Park Avenue

Hike the windows section, do the fiery furnace hike, explore the devil’s garden, catch sunset at the delicate arch, visit the island in the sky, hike the needles, drive the valley of the gods road, monument valley instagram moment, see a panoramic view of the monument valley, hike the monument valley wildcat trail, where to stay in monument valley, do the monument valley scenic drive, visit the navajo national monument, where to stay in page, see the horseshoe bend at sunset, hike the narrows, where to stay in springdale, hike angel’s landing, observation point , do the bryce canyon scenic drive, hike the rim trail, walk the queen’s garden loop trail, where to stay at bryce canyon national park, fruita scenic drive, where to stay in capitol reef national park, visit the temples of the sun and moon, utah itinerary day 14: salt lake city, enjoy your utah road trip, utah road trip guide.

  How to Get to Utah

This Utah road trip itinerary starts and ends in Salt Lake City, the biggest city in Utah. Most major airlines fly to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC), including American Airlines and United. You can find cheap flights from New York to Salt Lake City for just $110 each way, and from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City for only $59 each way.

For those flying to Utah from Europe, you can get pretty good deals from London to Salt Lake City for around $650 return with a stopover in San Francisco.

Search for Flights to Salt Lake City

Utah is a road tripper’s dream. In order to drive on some of the dirt roads on this itinerary, it’s best to get a high clearance vehicle, preferably a 4WD.

A 2-week car rental in Utah costs around US$420 which equates to $30/day (with pick-up and drop-off at the Salt Lake City Airport). I always book my car rental on Discover Cars as they’ve consistently given me the best rates and customer service.

Nevada and Arizona are so close to Utah that you can easily extend your road trip as long as you have a car. Check out our recommended Nevada road trip itinerary .

The best time to travel Utah is during the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) . Late spring offers moderate temperatures in Utah with gorgeous weather for traveling in the rest of the state. It’s also a great time as you avoid the summer crowds.

Utah has pretty warm temperatures in summer. The average summer temperature in Salt Lake City is around 68 to 89°F (20 to 32°C). Winters can be snowy and cold. The average winter temperature is around 26 to 39°F (-3 to 4°C).

Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Utah itinerary days 1-2: explore salt lake city.

This Utah road trip will start in Salt Lake City. Take the first two days to relax and explore the city at a leisurely pace before heading out into the backcountry. Many people often underestimate the amount of things to do in Salt Lake City. It’s got plenty of history, great restaurants, entertainment & the arts, and scenic drives.

One of the most iconic landmark in Salt Lake City is to visit beautiful Temple Square, home to one of the oldest temples in church history. There are free tours of temple square  daily, or, if you aren’t interested in an organized tour it’s an absolutely beautiful place to walk around and enjoy the grounds year round.

Take a tour of the Utah State Capitol Building, the beautiful house of government for the state of Utah. Built between 1912 and 1916, this Corinthian style building sits atop one of my favorite neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Capitol Hill. You can walk the capitol grounds or better yet schedule a free tour, Monday thru Friday.

Nearby is the Pioneer Memorial Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of artifacts on one subject. Admission is free of charge and the museum is opened Monday through Saturday.

Budget: Comfort Inn Downtown Salt Lake City

This Comfort Inn has a great downtown location, comfortable rooms and indoor hot tub. Affordable prices and updated amenities. Check rates here.

Mid Range: The Little America Hotel Salt Lake City

A short five-minute drive to Temple Square, this mid range hotel has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and onsite shops, spa and restaurant. Check rates here.

Luxury: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City

A great accommodation choice in Salt Lake City is this chic, five-star hotel (pictured) just a ten-minute walk from Temple Square. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 3: Drive to Moab

This is the longest driving day you will have. The drive to Moab covers around 285-mile (450km) and takes around 5 hours.

If you leave Salt Lake City early in the morning, you should get to Moab around lunch time.  Check into your hotel — I recommend staying here for the next couple of days and do day trips to the nearby national parks. The town of Moab is a small desert city, but it’s a gateway to spectacular red rock formations.

If your main focus is to see the incredible nature in Utah, head to Dead Horse State Park . The view from Dead Horse Point is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world. Towering 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, the overlook provides a breathtaking panorama of Canyonlands’ sculpted pinnacles and buttes.

The park is a 45-minute drive from Moab. It costs $20 per vehicle to enter. From the park’s Visitor Center, you can drive or hike to Dead Horse Point Overlook.

Moab is the self-titled adventure capital of the world. Some of the most famous and thrilling mountain bike trails in the country are around Moab, including the truly epic Slick Rock Trail .  If you prefer four wheels to two, there are also plenty of mind-blowing trails for off-roading. Book this 4×4 adventure at Hell’s Revenge !

If you seek a more vertical thrill, try your hand at rock climbing or rappelling/ canyoneering.  Expert climbers and canyoners travel from all over America to conquer the hills and canyons around Moab – but there are also rock climbing experiences for beginners too!

Where to Stay in   Moab

Budget: The Hotel Moab Downtown 

With a great location in the heart of Moab, this budget hotel offers good value for money with spacious rooms, an outdoor seasonal pool and cable TV. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Moab Springs Ranch 

For a few more $ per night, stay at this ranch with charming rustic cabins, a lovely garden with barbecue facilities and its own restaurant. Check rates here.

Luxury: Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection By Hilton 

With an outdoor swimming pool, bar, restaurant and king-sized beds, this luxury hotel (pictured) not only has the best amenities in town, but it’s also got a location that’s hard to beat. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 4: Day Trip to Arches National Park

Next day, do a day trip to the first of Utah’s Big Five national parks. Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 natural arches and hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations, refresh you with its trails, and inspire you with its sunsets.

The entrance to Arches National Park is just 5 miles (8km) from downtown Moab.  There is only one road in and out of the park, so get an early start and beat the crowds.

The first stop along Arches Scenic Drive is a small canyon called Park Avenue . From the first parking lot, there is a scenic overlook. If you are up for a short hike, you can hike down into the canyon and walk along a trail with the towering walls on both sides.  You will soon realize why the area was named after the skyscrapers of New York’s Park Avenue.

In the Windows Section of the national park, there are two easy hikes with huge payoffs.  In one direction, a short 1.2-mile loop trail takes you to North and South Windows, and the nearby Turret Arch.  Climb up to the bottom of North Window for views through the arch.

In the other direction, a 0.5-mile roundtrip trail takes you to the spectacular Double Arch.  Not one, but two, huge arches interlock in an amazing natural display.  Be sure to look up and through the arches.

The Fiery Furnace area of Arches National Park can only be visited with a special backcountry permit or on an organized ranger-led tour, which is not scheduled for 2021. You will need to squeeze through narrow cracks, leap over deep crevices and shimmy your way over large rocks.  Along the way, you will see Skull Arch and narrow passageways and fins that few visitors to the park get to see.

This section of the park is at the far end of the road.  If you visit all of the other areas in the park, you will probably only have time for the first section of this trail, the easy paved path to Landscape Arch . This is the largest single span arch in North America!

The full Devil’s Garden Trail takes about six hours.  If you are up for a longer and truly amazing hike, head straight here and skip some of the other parts of the park. You will see eight arches, including the breathtaking Double O Arch.

The most famous arch in the national park adorns the state’s license plate.  The beautiful 52-foot-tall free-standing arch is reached at the end of a three-mile round trip hike.  Time your trip for sunset, when the arch glows golden in the last rays of sunshine. Bring a headlamp or flashlight for each hiker to return in the dark. (Cellphone light is not enough.)

Utah Itinerary Day 5: Day Trip to Canyonlands National Park

Day 5 brings you on another day trip to second national park on your Utah road trip.  Canyonlands National Park has three distinct sections, which are not interconnected.  Two of them are close to Moab, so you can choose which section you’d like to visit.

The Island in the Sky region of Canyonlands National Park is the easiest to visit.  It’s just a 40-minute drive north of Moab. The main feature is the Island in the Sky mesa.  You can see the main highlights along the paved drive around the top of the mesa.  There are plenty of places to pull over and enjoy scenic views of the surrounding canyons.

This part of Canyonlands National Park is named after the thin natural rock spires that look like needles.  There are several canyons in this section that you can either hike or drive through.

A ten-mile hike takes you to Confluence Overlook , where there are views of the Colorado River and Green River as they join together.  As an alternative, an eleven-mile hike takes you to the Chesler Park Viewpoint , with amazing views of the needles.

If you have a 4WD drive vehicle, this is a great place for off-road adventures.  Elephant Hill and Horse Canyon are more advanced trails that require some off-roading experience. For an easier road, try the Colorado Overlook Road.  You can hike the last 1.5 miles to the overlook.

Utah Itinerary Day 6: Drive to Monument Valley

Check out of your hotel in Moab and prepare for the highlight of this Utah road trip. The 162-mile drive to Monument Valley takes about 3 hours, but you will break your trip with a scenic drive through the Valley of the Gods.

This 17-mile scenic drive near Mexican Hat is much less visited than Monument Valley, but totally worth it.  The dirt road loops through a wide valley with sandstone spires, buttes and mesas.  Allow at least a couple of hours to drive the Valley of the Gods road , as you will stop frequently for photos.

If there is one photo you need to take of Monument Valley, it is the classic shot of a long straight road stretching to famous shapes of Monument Valley in the background.  Approaching from the north as you do on this road trip, you will see this view very clearly.

There will probably be several other vehicles pulled up on the side of the road as people take photos.  The best photos are near the top of the hill , as you get more of the road in your shot that way.  If you want to pose in the middle of the road, watch out for oncoming traffic!

Monument Valley straddles the border between Utah and Arizona.  The valley is part of the Navajo nation and is officially called Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle or $10 per person (children under 10 are free).

Stop and enjoy the panoramic view of Monument Valley at The View , a complex with a hotel, restaurants, visitor center, cabins and campground. This is a good spot to freshen up and have lunch.

The only hiking trail in Monument Valley that you can do without a Navajo guide is the Wildcat Trail .  The trail starts near The View campground.  The 3.6-mile trail loops around the West Mitten butte.  Best done in the late afternoon, when the entire valley glows with the last rays of sun.

Budget: Wetherill Inn

The best budget option is the Wetherill Inn in Kayenta, just a 40-minute drive from Monument Valley. It has an indoor heated swimming pool and includes continental breakfast. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Goulding’s Lodge

Goulding’s is a comfortable 3-star lodge just outside the Tribal Park, with views of Monument Valley in the distance.  It’s a short drive to Monument Valley. Check rates here.

Luxury: The View

The best place to stay in Monument Valley is The View (pictured), since it is perched on the edge of the valley with breathtaking views from some of the rooms. I’ve stayed here several times and loved it! Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 7: Head to Page

This day of the Utah road trip dips into northern Arizona – but is a worthwhile addition to your Utah trip. Stay two nights in Page and do a daytrip from there the next day. If you have some extra time, I recommend extending your trip with this Arizona itinerary.

The main part of Monument Valley can be visited on self-guided scenic drive.  The 17-mile dirt road loops around the most famous buttes, including Merrick Butte, the Three Sisters, Elephant Butte, Totem Pole, and Artist’s Point.

A popular highlight is John Wayne’s Point.  Here, you can pose on a horse while gazing out from a cliff top, with Monument Valley spread out behind you.  The cliff is not tall and the horse doesn’t move, but no one will know that when they see your photos!

After lunch, hop back in your car and hit the road again. An hour’s drive from Monument Valley is Navajo National Monument .  The easy paved 1.3-mile Sandal Trail takes you to an overlook where you can see the Betatakin Cliff Dwelling.

The Ancestral Puebloan people build their villages in alcoves in the side of cliffs hundreds of years ago.  It is amazing to see them, and Betatakin is very well-preserved.  You can see the cliff dwelling clearly across the canyon. From there, it is a 1.5-hour drive to Page.

Budget: Knights Inn Page

With a great location, seasonal outdoor pool and free WiFi, the Knights Inn Page is a solid budget choice.  Check rates here.

Mid Range: Desert Canyon Inn

This is my go-to place to stay in Page. This inn has clean rooms, with WiFi, private bathrooms and flatscreen TVs. Its location in downtown Page means you can walk to restaurants. Check rates here.

Luxury: The Lake Powell Resort

This upscale resort has its own marina and you can dine in their restaurant with a lake view or on a dinner cruise.  There is a seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center and they even have powerboats you can rent. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 8:  Day Trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

In the morning, drive out to Antelope Canyon from Page.  This is quite possibly the most stunning slot canyon in the world.  A narrow winding canyon has been carved out of the layered sandstone by flash flooding over hundreds of years.

The canyon is a photographer’s dream.  The colors are mind-blowing oranges, reds, blues and purples.  The walls of the canyon swirl and swoop and form fantastical shapes.

From there, it’s a short hop to the picturesque Horseshoe Bend in the Colorado River, an icon of the region. Get here early if you want a good spot for sunset photography. It’s only about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the overlook itself. There are no railings, so be careful on the edges.

Utah Itinerary Day 9: Drive to Zion National Park

From Page, it is a 2-hour and 15-minute drive to Springdale, the gateway town to Zion National Park.  This route enters Zion National Park at the East Entrance.  The first section is along Checkboard Mesa, where natural rock formations create amazing straight checkerboard lines.

Do the Mount Carmel Scenic Drive

The 26-mile road is a stunning way to enter the park.  You’ll pass through the historic 1920’s Mt. Carmel Tunnel, which is an engineering marvel at over 5,000 feet (1524m) above sea level.

Soon after the tunnel, jaw-dropping views of the canyon spread out below you.  Take your time – there is a pullover where you can safely stop for photos.  There is also a short one-mile Canyon Overlook Trail hike that provides wonderful views.

The Narrows is a unique hike that involves wading through a narrow slot canyon in a river.  It’s not uncommon to hike beside a river, but much rarer to hike the length of a river in the actual water.  The sheer canyon walls rise right up next to the river on both sides.

First take the shuttle to the end of Zion Canyon and walk along Riverside Walk to the start of the Narrows slot canyon.  You then enter the water and spend the day crossing back and forth as you head upstream, constantly seeking the best route. The canyon gets narrower and narrower as you go.

In the narrowest section, called Wall Street , the canyon walls are hundreds of feet tall and just a few yards wide across.  This is where most people turn back and return to the start of the trail. Wear waterproof clothing and take a hiking stick to steady yourself in the flowing water.

Budget: The Holiday Inn Express Springdale

Springdale is a lovely town with great restaurants and plenty of accommodation options. This Holiday Inn has a seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub and lovely terrace with a view. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Cable Mountain Lodge

This is a top mid-range option, with an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub with canyon views and a location right next to the park’s Visitor Center. Check rates here.

Luxury: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Zion National Park

This 5-star hotel (pictured) has a stunning restaurant/ lounge with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall looking on to Zion’s red cliffs.  There is also an outdoor pool and hot tub. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 10: Hike in Zion 

For your second day in Zion, there are a couple of different hikes you can choose from. If you’re up for a challenging hike with steep drop offs, then opt for Angel’s Landing.  If that seems too intimidating, then hike to Observation Point.

Angels’ Landing is the most famous hike in the park.  If you have a fear of heights, this may not be for you.  The last section of the 4.8-mile roundtrip hike goes along a narrow ridge with steep drop offs.  You need to hold on to a chain as you inch along this narrow section.  The reward?  Absolutely stunning views of Zion Canyon.

A much easier trail but with even better views is the easy hike to Observation Point.  You need to drive out of the East Gate to the East Mesa trailhead.  From there, it is a flat easy 6.4-mile roundtrip hike to the rim of Zion Canyon.

This has arguably the best view in the entire park.  A 230-degree view along the entire length of Zion Canyon more than 2,100 feet below.  You will actually look down on to Angel’s Landing 700 feet below you.

There are some great restaurants in St George to visit after your hikes.

Utah Itinerary Day 11: Explore Bryce Canyon National Park

Today you’ll leave Zion and drive 86 miles (about 2 hours) to Bryce Canyon.  This leaves you most of the day to enjoy Bryce Canyon National Park . Definitely one of the best national parks in USA , Bryce Canyon is famous for the orange hoodoos (sandstone spires) that form a unique, alien-like landscape you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Start your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park with the 38-mile (61km) roundtrip scenic drive along the length of the canyon.  There are 13 viewpoints along the way, so allow about 3 hours for the whole drive.

Now it’s time to get out and hit the trails.  The most spectacular section of the park is the Bryce Amphitheater.  You can walk along the rim, taking in several stunning views along the way.

The entire trail is 5.5 miles (8.8 km), but you can just hike part of it, so that you have time to also head down among the hoodoos.  Highlights are Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point.

Don’t miss the chance to hike down into the canyon, with the amazing hoodoos all around you and towering above you.  The best hike is the loop down to Queen’s Garden returning via the Navajo Trail .

The hike to Queen’s Garden takes you past several famous hoodoos including Thor’s Hammer. At the bottom, you can see a hoodoo that looks like a statue of Queen Victoria (hence the name).  The return trail goes up a series of steep switchbacks in a narrow section called Wall Street.

Budget: Red Ledges Inn

The cheapest option near to Bryce Canyon National Park is this refurbished motel that has a cool wild wild west exterior and renovated rooms. Check the rates here.

Mid Range: Bryce Valley Lodging

About a 15-minute drive from the park, this budget motel has air-conditioned rooms that feature comfortable beds and a small kitchenette. Check the rates here.

Luxury: The Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel

Nestled among the red rock cliffs of  Bryce Canyon National Park , this hotel (pictured) offers exceptional amenities, including a free hot breakfast , a restaurant, fitness center and swimming pool. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 12: Visit Capitol Reef National Park

The day starts back on the road as you drive from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. The drive to the Fruita area of the park takes about 2.5 hours.  On arrival, check in at the park’s Visitor Center to check the state of the roads, river level, and flash flood warnings.

The Fruita valley is the heart of Capitol Reef National Park.  There are plenty of easy hikes to do, a short scenic drive and several historic buildings.  Be sure to visit the historic Gifford Homestea d and Fruita Schoolhouse.

This 8-mile drive on a paved road takes you past the main Capitol Reef escarpment.  The name of the national park comes from the rock formations along this escarpment that look like a series of domed capitol buildings forming a long ‘reef’.

There are two unpaved side roads you should take as part of this scenic drive. Grand Wash is a narrow canyon with steep walls.  Park at the end and hike into the narrowest part of the canyon.  Capitol Gorge is another short side road that takes you to some of the domed rock formations that inspired the park’s name.

Budget: The Rim Rock Inn

The Rim Rock is a comfortable motel just ten minutes from the Visitor Center.  It has nice views and an onsite restaurant, and reasonable prices. Check rates here.

Mid Range: The Red Sands Hotel

Just 3 miles from the national park, this mid range hotel has an indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub with awesome views. Check rates here.

Luxury: Capitol Reef Resort

Located at the entrance to Capitol Reef National Park , this luxury resort has unique accommodations such as teepees and Conestoga wagons. It’s also got an outdoor pool and hot tub. Best location! Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 13: Drive the Cathedral Valley Loop

Within Capitol Reef National Park, Cathedral Valley is a large valley just north of Fruita with incredible red rock formations with white tops.  The best way to see this stunning part of Capitol Reef National Park is to drive the 58-mile scenic loop. You will need a high clearance vehicle, and a 4WD is strongly recommended, as the dirt road can be rough in parts.

It takes about 5 hours to drive the loop, but with stops and short side trips, it will take a full day. The drive starts from Highway 24 at Hartnet Road (mile marker 91), about 12 miles east of the Visitor Center. If you drive in a clockwise direction, you ford the Fremont River at the start of the drive.

There are many scenic viewpoints and places of interest along the way. Lower and Upper South Desert Overlooks are both reached by very short 0.25-mile walks and give great views for opposite sides of the valley.  Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook has perhaps the best panoramic views over the valley and its amazing red sandstone cliffs and church-like monoliths.

The Temples of the Sun and Moon, are enormous sandstone monoliths rising straight up out of the valley floor.  They are reached down a short side road. Other highlights include Gypsum Sinkhole and the historic Morrell Cabin.

The last leg of your Utah road trip itinerary is a 3.5-hour drive north back to Salt Lake City. I suggest driving back early to avoid the traffic and to catch your flight home. There are quite a few airport hotels at Salt Lake City in case you need one for an early morning flight.

Hilton Garden Inn – Salt Lake City Airport is the best hotel by the airport — rooms are on the top end and amenities are impressive. Holiday Inn Express Airport East is the nearest hotel to the airport. For budget traveler, Motel 6 Salt City UT West Airport is the cheapest option near the airport.

I’ve designed this Utah itinerary to include the best places this state has to offer: from outstanding national parks to Navajo land and cute charming towns. I hope this will help you plan your Utah road trip and allows you to see the best sights in the state!

If you’re interested in exploring more of the US, check out other articles I’ve written:

• Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary
• Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
• California Road Trip Itinerary
• Nevada Road Trip Itinerary
• Florida Road Trip Itinerary
• Weekend in Seattle
• Weekend in Los Angeles
• Weekend in San Francisco
• Weekend in Miami

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links i.e. I make a small commission when you purchase something through my links, at NO extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

About the Author: James Ian

James Ian has been to 82 countries and more than 30 states in the US.  He is a national parks expert and helps people have incredible vacations to US parks through his website  Parks Collecting .

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Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. She is a book author and Lonely Planet guidebook writer. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Follow her travels on her Facebook and Instagram .

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When You Wander

Travel tips, van life, the great outdoors, utah road trip itinerary – 2 weeks in the mighty 5 national parks, april 30, 2018 liana safian.

If you’re having déjà vu, (look we already picked up some French😉) you’re not alone. This two week Utah road trip itinerary is a combination of our one week eastern and western national park itineraries. We thought it’d be helpful to have all the details in one place and timeline recommendations for each destination. Plus, we’ve added more awesome things to do in each national park and new photos.

If you have 2 weeks to travel around the stunning state of Utah, you can visit all 5 national parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands) and really get a sense of the area. This Utah road trip national park itinerary is ordered from west to east because that’s how we traveled through the state, but you can easily reverse the order. You’ll find lodging options for each area (including free camping spots), food recommendations, and of course lists of our favorite activities. We’ve written specific posts about all five of Utah’s national parks so you can get even more details there.

We hope you enjoy this ultimate Utah road trip itinerary. Happy planning!

Days 1-5 at Zion and Bryce Canyon

Where to stay in zion and bryce canyon national parks.

The first thing you’ll need to decide on your Utah road trip is whether to stay at one place between Zion and Bryce or move locations. Since there’s ample free camping outside both places we moved and this is our recommendation. You’ll avoid wasting valuable time driving. Plus, you can catch sunrise and sunset at Bryce Canyon which is an incredible experience.

The Parks: The campgrounds inside Zion and Bryce Canyon are highly competitive. We’re talking Star Wars movie release level lines waiting for the next camper to leave. If you have your heart set on camping in the parks, make a reservation or get there super early in the morning.  Zion and Bryce also have lodges with various accommodations. Free Camping: There are plenty of free camping spots within 30 minutes of  Zion and Bryce . Hotels and Commercial Campgrounds: Zion has an entire village just outside its south entrance in Springdale, UT. You can even ditch your vehicle and catch a shuttle into the park. Check-out the Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau for options. The county tourism site has lodging details for Bryce. If you really want to stay in one location, here are some possibilities . Just be sure to allow extra time for traffic near and inside the parks.

Where to eat in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Fort Zion Restaurant & Virgin Trading Post: This is a fun stop for more than just a hanger cure. In addition to homemade ice cream and juicy burgers (according to Tom), there’s a petting farm and a small village of humorous old west storefronts including the Virgin Jail and Miss Molly’s House of Negotiable Affection. Fruit stand outside the south entrance of Zion: We stopped at this stand daily on our way out of the park. Great for quickly grabbing fresh produce. It’s on the left side of the road heading towards Zion’s south entrance. Just make sure to bring $ as it’s a cash only operation. Other places to eat near Bryce: Confession time. We were super budget travelers and didn’t eat out at all during our time in Bryce. Well, unless you count post-sunrise viewing coffee and a donut from the park store. Personally, I think that a 5am wake-up warrants an extra coffee and a donut, but that doesn’t exactly count as a great food recommendation. So I’ll leave this one to the pro’s and share Eater’s list of best restaurants around Bryce. We’ll definitely be hitting up a few of these next time we’re in the area.

What to do in Zion National Park

We recommend spending three full days in Zion National Park. Here are some things to keep you busy during your visit to this majestic desert oasis:

• Hike right through the Virgin River in the Narrows.
• Conquer your fear of heights at Angel’s Landing. If hiking along a narrow ridge that has 1,000 foot drop-offs on both sides isn’t your thing, you can always stop at Scout’s Lookout and take in the views from there.
• Drive through the tunnels and see Checkered Mesa on the east side of the park.
• Visit the Human History Museum.
• Get away from the crowds in the serene Kolob Canyons.
• See old settlement cabins on the trail to Double Arch Alcove.
• Trek to the Emerald Pools.

Find out more about these awesome things to do in Zion National Park here.

What to do in Bryce Canyon National Park

Two days in Bryce Canyon will allow you to see much of the park. Here are some of our favorite experiences:

• Watch sunrise at Sunrise Point. This was one our favorite experiences from all our 2017 travels.
• Watch sunset at…you guessed it…Sunset Point. Don’t worry, the names in the park get more interesting from here on out.
• See the hoodoos up-close on the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Trail.
• Hike through rock tunnels on the Peekaboo Loop Trail (our favorite trail in the park).
• Ride a horse through the hoodoos.
• Drive to the end of HWY 63 and stop at the uniquely named viewpoints. Seriously, who doesn’t want to see something called Piracy Point?
• Visit Red Canyon just outside the national park.
• Take in one of the longest views in North America on the Bristlecone Loop Trail. On clear days you can see all the way to the Grand Canyon.
• Check-out a waterfall in the desert on the Mossy Cave Trail.

Get more details about the best of Bryce Canyon here.

Days 6-8 at Capitol Reef

Where to stay in capitol reef national park.

The Park: There’s one developed campground in Fruita with 71 sites. Most sites are reservation only for much of the year so as usual, book early. Free Camping: Free BLM camping can be found to the east and west of the park. There’re also boondocking spots in the National Forest south of the park. Hotels and Commercial Campgrounds: There are other lodging options including hotels, resorts, cabins, and Bed and Breakfasts in the areas surrounding Capitol Reef. Here’s a great site for finding a place to stay. Just be sure to check distances, as some of these are bit far from the park.

Where to eat in Capitol Reef National Park

Chuckwagon General Store Deli: We went here looking for coffee and found a fresh tasty deli counter. You can grab lunch to go or eat there. Mesa Farm Market: Located 24 miles east of the Capitol Reef visitor center, this market has it all. In addition to produce they offer salads, artisan breads and baked goods, cheese, yogurt, fresh juices, and more. Other places to eat near Capitol Reef: The Capitol Reef tourism dining page lists lots of other tasty establishments.

What to do in Capitol Reef National Park

• Hang out by the natural water “tanks” in Capitol Gorge.
• Gaze upon the crooked landscape and funky rock formations along the Chimney Rock Loop Trail.
• Stand on top of Cassidy Arch (named after the infamous Butch Cassidy).
• Hike to Hickman Bridge natural rock formation.
• Take a trip through time in Fruita and learn about the history of the area’s early settlers.
• See petroglyphs and pioneer registers on the rock faces.
• Take in the stunning views at Panorama Point and Goosenecks Overlook.

Find out why you don’t want to miss Capitol Reef National Park here.

Days 9-14 at Arches and Canyonlands

Where to stay in arches and canyonlands national parks.

Arches and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands are fairly close together so you can stay at one location near Moab. You will want to move locations for the Needles district of Canyonlands, but we’ve included recommendations for that as well.

The Parks: The campgrounds inside Arches and Canyonlands are small and fill quickly, so our advice is to book as early as possible if you want to stay in the parks. Free Camping:  It’s easy to find free camping on the abundant BLM land around Moab. Of course, arrive early in the day so you’re not searching for a site in the dark. Some of the BLM campgrounds have fees so check them out ahead of time. Here’s a link to the free camping site we use and the other fee-based BLM campgrounds . Our recommendation for the Needles section of Canyonlands is this surreal free camp spot aptly named Hamburger Rock. Hotels and Commercial Campgrounds: If you prefer hot showers and indoor plumbing, the Moab Tourism website is a great resource for finding all lodging types.

Where to eat in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Moab Brewery: Gelato and beer, how can you go wrong? Zax Pizza : Three words: Pizza. Lunch. Buffet. La Hacienda : Flavorful Mexican food with big portions. Moab Farmer’s Market : Re-stock your road trip snack supply at the local farmer’s market. Last summer it was held on Friday evening at the Swanny City Park.

What to do in Arches National Park

Start your time in eastern Utah with two days exploring the trails and unique sandstone formations that Arches National Park is famous for:

• Take in sunrise at the Windows and Turret Arch area.
• Make the short trek to Double Arch (also in the Windows and Turret Arch area).
• Hike to (and stand under) Delicate Arch.
• Visit Balanced Rock.
• See 7 different arches on the Primitive Trail (including the world’s largest arch).
• Go on a ranger guided tour through the Fiery Furnace.

Get the full 2-3 Day Arches National Park itinerary here.

What to do in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is a large park with different distinct regions so we recommend spending three full days here to soak up all the amazing scenery and expansive views.

Island in the Sky District

• Stop at Mesa Arch.
• See canyons for days from the Grand View Point Overlook trail.
• Visit ancient ancestral Puebloan granaries at Aztec Butte.
• Gaze into the mysterious Upheaval Dome.
• Catch another Sunrise at Dead Horse Point State Park.

Needles District

• Stop at Newspaper Rock on your way to the Needles and see hundreds of petroglyphs—some carved 2,000 years ago.
• Climb ladders on the Cave Spring Trail.
• Hike over diverse desert terrain to Chesler Park and the needles.
• See the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers.
• Look for “puddle dwellers” at Pothole Point.
• Take in four viewpoints on the Slickrock Foot trail.

Find more things to do in Canyonlands National Park here.

Have you done a Utah road trip? Did you visit any of the national parks? What was your favorite thing to do?

Related Posts:

• Utah Road Trip Itinerary – 1 Week in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks
• Utah Road Trip Itinerary – 1 Week in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
• 13 Road Trip Essentials (Make sure to have everything you need for your road trip adventure)

10 Best Utah Road Trips: Unique Itineraries + Maps

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: July 16, 2020

UPDATED: December 19, 2023

Utah has many unique road trip options, including national parks, state parks and off-road adventures. Spectacular landscapes, bucket list hikes and beautiful photo spots make Utah one of the very best road trip destinations in the world.

In this guide, we’re going to show you 10 original and personally tested Utah road trips based entirely on our own experiences.

Our Utah Road Trip Experience

Why trust us with helping you to plan your Utah road trip?

Because we’ve explored far and wide throughout two separate Utah road trips, first in the fall of 2019 and again in the winter of 2021. We love the region and consider southern Utah to have some of the best road trips in the US .

During both our extended visits to Utah, we’ve hiked the iconic trails, explored the major parks and photographed the unmissable sunrise and sunset spots. Every Utah road trip itinerary in this guide is created from first hand knowledge . Read more about us .

With so many amazing US road trips available for your next adventure, why would you choose to road trip through Utah ?

Here’s what makes Utah such a popular place to visit:

• Five remarkable national parks
• Countless other special natural landscapes
• Year round accessibility
• Several of the best hikes in the US are in Utah
• Diverse and adventurous attractions
• Excellent weather for most of the year
• Easy logistics with Las Vegas and Salt Lake City airports

Other popular road trip routes in the US have the ocean, big cities, rainforests or rugged mountains. Utah offers dramatic canyons , extraordinary sandstone formations and bucket list hikes .

Choosing Where To Visit

Utah is home to a diverse range of topography including canyons, sand dunes, mountains and salt flats. The Mighty 5 national parks are the most heavily visited places in Utah, but there are so many other fun and underrated places to see.

So where should you visit on your Utah road trip?

Well, the answer depends on factors like your travel style, how much time you have and how many times you have visited Utah in the past.

• Are you a hiker? You should prioritize hikes in Zion National Park above all else.
• Are you a photographer? You should prioritize Arches, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon.
• First time in Utah or short on time? You should start with Zion and Bryce Canyon.
• Already seen the national parks? You should head to the adventure town of Kanab.

We think Utah is a state you can return to time and time again because there’s just so much to do. Even after 2 extensive trips to Utah, our bucket list is still only half full!

Further Reading: The 20 best places to visit in Utah

About Our Itineraries

Next, we’re going to show you our 10 favorite Utah road trip routes. You’ll find route statistics , a description and a map for each itinerary.

You can click into the interactive maps associated with each itinerary listed below. Simply touch or click the map to activate, then you can move around or zoom in and out.

We’ve tried to be as inclusive as possible in order to accommodate every traveler who wants to see the very best of Utah. Please feel free to leave us a comment at the end of the guide if we haven’t quite covered exactly what you are looking for.

Let’s get into the first itinerary!

1. Utah Mighty 5 National Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 389 miles
• Time : 7 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-8 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef , Canyonlands, Arches

The Mighty 5 national parks road trip is the ultimate Utah experience . This famous route consists of many of the best US national parks with stops at Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands.

After driving the Mighty 5 we can confidently say that it’s the all-in-one scenic Utah ticket featuring the best hikes, photo spots and landmarks. If you’ve never been to Utah and you want to see all the major highlights , this is the road trip for you.

Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Map

The Mighty 5 is most commonly driven as an out-and-back loop route from Las Vegas (here are the best things to do in Las Vegas ). Use the map above to see how the route begins in Zion, moves to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef before stopping near Moab for both Arches and Canyonlands.

Returning to Las Vegas from Moab, you have several amazing options for places to stop including Monument Valley, Page AZ, Grand Canyon North Rim and the adventure attractions around Kanab.

Road Trip Tip : Drive UT-12 from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. The route through Escalante is slightly longer but it’s incredibly scenic and shouldn’t be missed.

2. Utah State Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 476 miles
• Time : 9 hours 40 minutes
• Days : 3-5 days
• Attractions : Gunlock, Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, Coral Pink Sand Dunes , Kodachrome Basin, Escalante Petrified Forest, Goblin Valley, Dead Horse Point

We’ve created this original Utah road trip itinerary for return visitors to Utah or those who prefer to avoid heavy crowds . It follows the same route as the Mighty 5 but only stops at state parks and avoids national parks altogether.

We think Utah is overflowing with incredible state parks that are completely overshadowed by the national parks. There’s so much more to see, hike and photograph in Utah outside of the national parks. And the best part is that they’re always quiet .

Utah State Parks Road Trip Map

Our Utah state parks road trip is best driven in a loop from Las Vegas . Similarly to the Mighty 5 route, you can easily throw in plenty of extras stops along the way, which could even include one or two national parks if you don’t want to miss out.

Road Trip Tip : If state parks are your thing, do not miss the amazing Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada either on the way in or out of Utah from Las Vegas, which we have included in the route map above.

3. Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip

• Distance : 86 miles
• Time : 1 hour 55 minutes
• Days : 2-4 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon

Zion to Bryce Canyon is our top Utah road trips pick for visitors with just 2 or 3 days available. It’s a hugely popular and well established route which works perfectly with the nearby Las Vegas airport as a transport hub.

Both Zion and Bryce Canyon are amazing places, but they’re surprisingly different considering how close they are to one another. We love both parks and think this double header offers the perfect balance between ticking off some of the best Utah hikes and photo spots in a short trip.

Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Map

The Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip route is easy to plan . You simply fly into Las Vegas, drive to Zion, then drive to Bryce Canyon and eventually return to Las Vegas the same way. Here are 5 very different ways you can spend one day in Zion National Park .

Road Trip Tip : Serious hikers should spend more time in Zion, whereas photographers and sightseers should spend more time in Bryce Canyon.

4. Arches And Canyonlands Road Trip

• Distance : 78 miles
• Time : 2 hours 5 minutes
• Days : 1-2 days
• Attractions : Canyonlands, Arches

Arches and Canyonlands is one of the best bang for your buck road trips in Utah. We loved the photo spots in these two parks and can’t wait to go back for more landscape shoots. It’s possible to see the highlights of both parks in one day by starting in Canyonlands and ending in Arches.

However, 2 full days would allow you to relax and visit more natural attractions by spending a day in each park. You can tick off the best hikes in Arches and end with sunset from Delicate Arch on the first day, before spending the next day in Canyonlands which begins with an incredible sunrise at Mesa Arch .

Arches To Canyonlands Road Trip Map

Many visitors to Moab only have time to do Arches and Canyonlands in one day . Our route map above shows you exactly how to see both parks in a day from sunrise to sunset .

With more time you can do one day in each of Arches and Canyonlands. Start the second day in Canyonlands Island in the Sky district before visiting the further away districts called The Needles, The Maze and The Rivers.

Road Trip Tip : Start with Mesa Arch at sunrise and end with Delicate Arch at sunset for one of the most amazing days in Utah.

5. Kanab HQ Road Trip

• Distance : 320 miles
• Time : 6 hours 55 minutes
• Days : 3-4 days
• Attractions : Belly of the Dragon , Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Buckskin Gulch, The Wave, Toadstool Hoodoos , Grand Canyon North Rim

Our Kanab headquarters road trip is unique because you will use one tiny town as a base and the driving aspect is essentially fanning out in all directions around Kanab to visit attractions. Don’t be put off by what sounds like a boring road trip, trust us, it really isn’t!

We spent a few days ticking off hikes , landscapes , caves and sand dunes around Kanab during our second road trip through Utah and we were blown away by the area so much that we included it in our list of the 50 best US vacation spots .

Kanab is one of the most underrated places we’ve visited in America. Not only are there countless awesome things to do in Kanab , but the town also has affordable hotels, excellent restaurants and a chilled vibe.

Kanab HQ Road Trip Map

The route map above shows driving routes from Kanab to each of the most prominent attractions and hikes nearby. Visiting Grand Canyon North Rim is totally optional but it does make for a fantastic experience.

By using Kanab as a base, you can see the likes of Coral Pink Sand Dunes , Belly of the Dragon , Toadstool Hoodoos , Buckskin Gulch and The Wave . It’s also close to slot canyons and a bunch of fun adventure tours going out into the harder to reach areas of Utah like Peek-a-boo canyon.

Road Trip Tip : For the ultimate Kanab experience you should apply for the online lottery to win a permit for The Wave .

6. Kanab To Moab Road Trip

• Distance : 423 miles
• Time : 8 hours 45 minutes
• Days : 4-6 days
• Attractions : Kanab, The Wave or Grand Canyon North Rim, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands

Moving into custom Utah road trips territory , we think our Kanab to Moab road trip itinerary could be among the very best in this list . It’s perfect if you want to get off the beaten path and do something a bit different.

You’ll start with the best of Kanab , which could include hiking The Wave if you win a permit, before moving to Page AZ for Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon ( book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance). Next is Monument Valley and eventually you reach Moab for Arches and Canyonlands.

Kanab To Moab Road Trip Map

This route can be driven from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City or Denver with plenty of stops available on the back end after leaving Moab. It works perfectly for anyone who plans to spend time in Colorado either before or after Utah. Remember, Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t too far from Moab.

Do you want to visit Grand Canyon South Rim during your Utah road trip? You could leave Kanab and arrive into Page, then drive down to South Rim before re-joining the itinerary to Moab.

Road Trip Tip : You can see most of Monument Valley without actually going into the paid area.

7. Utah Hiking Road Trip

• Distance : 932 miles
• Time : 18 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-10 days
• Attractions : Fire Wave, The Subway , Angels Landing , The Narrows , Queen’s Garden , Hickman Bridge, Mesa Arch, Devil’s Garden, Delicate Arch, Buckskin Gulch , The Wave

We’ve created this custom road trip through Utah specifically for hikers and we think it’s pretty awesome! Utah’s unique landscapes are a paradise for hikers but the iconic trails are time consuming, so this is the longest itinerary in our list.

The route effectively follows the Mighty 5 path but it only consists of the best hikes . There are no photography stops, sunrises, sunsets or stops at other attractions. It’s a case of getting your permits in advance , driving from hike to hike and enjoying the trails.

Utah Hiking Road Trip Map

The map for our hikers Utah road trip route is created as though you have acquired permits for every necessary trail. Adapt the route if you are unable to obtain any permit, otherwise sit back and soak up what is going to be an incredible hiking trip !

Are you considering the Grand Canyon? Here’s our popular guide on the best hikes in Grand Canyon South Rim .

Road Trip Tip : In Utah you need permits to hike The Subway, Angels Landing, Buckskin Gulch and The Wave.

8. Utah Photography Road Trip

• Distance : 1,019 miles
• Time : 20 hours 15 minutes
• Attractions : Fire Wave , Zion Canyon Overlook , Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon Amphitheater , Fruita Barn, Mesa Arch , Delicate Arch , Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend , Grand Canyon

Our next custom Utah road trip itinerary is designed for photographers . Utah is not just for hikers, it’s also a prime location for landscape photography. Some of our favorite photo spots are in Utah. Think Mesa Arch, Delicate Arch and the Bryce Canyon amphitheater and you’ll get the idea!

The major issue with a photography itinerary is that you often need to be out for sunrise or sunset , so we’ve crafted this Utah road trip mainly around the most prominent locations at the best times of day. It’s a longer itinerary to accommodate for being in the right place at the right time .

Utah Photography Road Trip Map

Our photography route is one of our favorite Utah road trips because it leads to nothing but stunning landscapes . Use our itinerary as a starting point but be sure to include any other photo spots you know along the way (there are so many more!)

Follow the map above to see how you can drive around southern Utah and place yourself at the best photo spots every day . There are several ways you could plan this trip based on how much time you have and how important each stop is to you.

Road Trip Tip : The more time you allow for this road trip, the more sunrises and sunsets you can include. Dawn and dusk really are the most amazing times of day in Utah.

9. 4×4 Adventure Utah Road Trip

• Distance : 745 miles
• Time : 17 hours 30 minutes
• Attractions : Sand Mountain, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Red Canyon Slot, Willis Creek Slot, Kodachrome Basin, Zebra Slot, Natural Bridges, Valley of the Gods, White Pocket

Our custom 4×4 Utah road trip would be an entirely different experience to the typical routes. You can either hire a Jeep and drive yourself or take tours into the scorched wilderness. This adventure filled itinerary leads into countless slot canyons, washes and totally off the beaten path spots.

A lot of this itinerary is based around Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument but you could also include Glen Canyon National Recreation Area . These are the places nobody else goes in Utah so you really get that lost world feel.

Utah 4×4 Road Trip Map

The map above shows a basic 4×4 off-road adventure itinerary that we would follow if we were to take on this awesome road trip through Utah. Adapt, remove and include as you see fit based on any other spots you have pegged to visit.

This is the only itinerary in this list that deserves a cautionary warning up front . It’s vital that you are experienced with these types of terrains and situations, as well as being proficient in vehicle fixes and knowing what to do in emergency situations.

Road Trip Tip : With more time you can take your Jeep way off the beaten path. Study the roads in Grand Staircase Escalante in particular to plan the perfect off-road adventure.

10. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip

• Distance : 832 miles
• Time : 16 hours 10 minutes
• Days : 7-10 days
• Attractions : SLC, Bonneville Salt Flats, Antelope Island, Park City, Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, Bear Lake, Jackson, Grand Teton National Park , Yellowstone National Park

Our last Utah road trip is an extension of our extremely popular 7 days Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary . You can create a fantastic 10 day itinerary with Yellowstone and Grand Teton simply by including 3 days ticking off the top attractions around Salt Lake City.

Uinta Wasatch Cache is home to some seriously amazing hikes, Bonneville Salt Flats and Antelope Island are perfect for photographers, Park City is a famous skiing destination and downtown SLC is lovely to walk around.

SLC To Yellowstone Route Map

The map above shows an extended version of our classic 7 day SLC to Yellowstone road trip route with several spur trips near Salt Lake City creating a 10 day itinerary.

After leaving the Salt Lake City area, the route continues through Jackson to Grand Teton and Yellowstone before ending in Gardiner, MT. You can either fly home from Bozeman or return to SLC airport.

Road Trip Tip : Allow at least one full day in Grand Teton and two full days in Yellowstone at a minimum. In an ideal world you will have six full days to see both parks. Here’s our 4 days Yellowstone itinerary .

Planning Tools

So you know the routes and you’re excited to get started with planning. But what about logistics and the important things you need to know?

Here are the tools we use and the key information you should be aware of:

When searching for flights to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, we recommend checking prices on both Skyscanner and Google Flights as the two best flight search engines.

Tips to save on flights to Las Vegas or SLC:

• Shop around and compare prices on several days of the week
• Use incognito or private browser and clear your cache
• Use several devices such as your laptop and smartphone
• Read our guide on how to book cheap flights

You should have no issues booking accommodation for any of the Utah road trips covered in this guide with the exception of Zion National Park hotels during the peak season.

We always use and recommend using Booking.com to book hotels in the US. You might want to compare prices with Hotels.com to see if you can find a better deal.

Tips for booking hotels:

• Book your hotels in advance
• Sign up for a free membership account with Booking or Expedia
• Arrive at Zion during the week to avoid expensive weekend prices
• Read our popular guide on how to book cheap hotels

Resource : Our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere can help you find the best hotels in Las Vegas, Moab, Kanab, Page, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Grand Canyon South Rim.

3. Hire Car

If you’re not driving your own car to Utah, you’ll need to hire a car when you land at Salt Lake City or Las Vegas airport.

Our top recommendation is to find prices with Rental Cars and compare costs against Discover Cars . Input Salt Lake City airport or Las Vegas airport and your travel dates to see your options.

They’re our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point.

Tips for hiring a car:

• Book in advance for a better selection of cars
• Small cars are better for parking in tight spots at the national parks
• You’ll need a 4WD high clearance vehicle to go off road in Utah

4. National Parks

It’s important to stay up to date with live conditions such as roads, weather, hiking trails and lodging when you visit any of the national parks in Utah.

One of the unsung positives to visiting Utah is that natural disasters, wildfires, flooding and other problematic conditions are rare. Just look at Yellowstone and Yosemite in 2022 and 2023.

With that said, we still recommend keeping on top of the following current status reports:

• Arches – Live conditions
• Bryce Canyon – Live conditions
• Canyonlands – Live conditions
• Capitol Reef – Live conditions
• Zion – Live conditions

What To Pack For Utah Road Trips

Packing for a road trip in Utah will depend on what you plan to do and what time of year you decide to visit.

Our two trips to Utah have been in the months of October and December. Both times we packed for cold mornings and cold evenings but warmer days, especially when hiking.

If you plan your Utah road trip for summer you can expect hot days so your packing list will look very different. Take plenty of shorts, t-shirts and socks in case you need to wear more than one per day.

Are you planning to visit the Mighty 5? The number one thing you should buy and pack is an America the Beautiful Pass to save money on national park entry costs.

Here is a basic road trip packing list to get you started:

• America the Beautiful Pass – REI
• Car emergency kit – First Secure
• In case of snow – Snow Brush
• Hiking shoes – Men | Women
• Day hiking backpack – Best day bags
• Down Jacket – Men | Women

Further Reading: The essential road trip packing list

Where To Stay On Your Utah Road Trip

Let’s take a summarized look at the top rated hotels in the most popular Utah road trip destinations to help get you organized. Don’t forget you can click the links below to read complete hotel guides on our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere .

Each hotel listed below is a hotel we have either stayed at or would stay at because they have excellent ratings.

Springdale (Zion)

• Cable Mountain Lodge
• Red Rock Inn
• Watchman Villas

Further Reading: The best hotels in Springdale UT

Bryce Canyon City and Tropic (Bryce Canyon)

• Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
• Bryce Canyon Log Cabins
• Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn Bryce Canyon

Further Reading: Where to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park

Torrey (Capitol Reef)

• Capitol Reef Resort
• Broken Spur Inn
• Red Sands Hotel

Further Reading: Best places to stay near Capitol Reef National Park

Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)

• Aarchway Inn Moab Utah
• My Place Hotel Moab Utah
• Hoodoo Moab Utah

Further Reading: Where to stay in Moab Utah

• La Quinta Kanab Utah
• Kanab Suites In Kanab Utah
• Canyons Boutique Hotel Kanab Utah

Further Reading: Best places to stay in Kanab UT

Camping Special

Are you planning to camp during your Utah road trip?

We’ve teamed up with The Dyrt to offer our readers an exclusive no strings attached 30 day free trial with The Dyrt PRO .

This is our favorite camping app because it helps you find the best campgrounds along your specific driving route with benefits including no booking fees and free camping spots.

You can also use a fantastic new feature called Dyrt Alerts to receive notifications when sold out campgrounds have cancellations so you can snag near-impossible spots.

In Conclusion

Utah is home to some of the most scenic and exciting road trip routes in the US. Unique rock formations, dramatic canyons and adventurous hiking trails make Utah the perfect road trip destination for hikers, photographers and lovers of nature. It’s great for solo travelers, couples, groups and families alike.

After exploring most of the US, we can confidently say that Utah is one of our favorite states to visit. Hiking and landscape photography are our two favorite things to do when we travel, and Utah has both in abundance!

More Road Trips

• Las Vegas to Death Valley day trip
• Kancamagus Highway fall road trip
• Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip
• New England fall road trip
• San Francisco to San Diego road trip
• Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip
• South Dakota road trip
• Best road trips in the USA
• Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip

Want more Utah content?  Head over to our Utah Travel Guides to explore the Mighty Five national parks and beyond.

We hope this Utah road trips guide helps with planning your visit to the Beehive State!

Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the routes in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

13 thoughts on “10 Best Utah Road Trips: Unique Itineraries + Maps”

Dear Mark and Kristen, my boyfriend and I are thinking of having a 3-week vacation (we are coming all the way from Europe so less doesn’t really make sense for us) doing the classic national parks road trip in Utah and Arizona at the end of May. We are planning 2 days in each park (1 in Capitol Reef), and around 4 days in Kanab and Page each, trying to see and do as much as possible as most likely we will never come back to that part of the world again. We love hiking and active holidays, but we are not extreme hikers and we are not going to do the most challenging (even if they are the most famous) trails such as Angels Landing, the Narrows, or the Wave. I extensively used your website picking out the best trails and things to do and trying to estimate how much time is needed for each 🙂 The rough plan is this:

Day 1 – travel from Europe, arrive in Las Vegas the evening Day 2 – Valley of Fire, evening drive to Springdale Day 3 – Zion main canyon (Emerald pools & Kayenta trails, Watchman trail, Riverside walk, Zion Canyon overlook) Day 4 – Zion Colob canyons, evening drive to Kanab Day 5-7 – Kanab guided day tours to 1) Grand Canyon North Rim Toroweap Viewpoint, 2) White Pocket, 3) Peekaboo Slot Canyon, The White Wave, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, 4) Grand Staircase Escalante Day 8 – Kanab guided day tour (see above), evening drive to Bryce Canyon city Day 9 – Bryce canyon (Scenic drive viewpoints, Fairyland loop trail, Queen’s garden & Navajo loop trails) Day 10 – Bryce canyon (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Torrey Day 11 – Capitol reef, afternoon/evening drive to Moab Day 12-14 – Arches (Delicate Arch trail, Devil’s garden trail, Balanced Rock, Park Avenue trails, The Windows trail & Double arch) and Canyonlands (Island in the sky, Mesa Arch, Grand View point, Green river overlook, Needles/Chesler Park loop trail) Day 15 – Arches/Canyonlands (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Mexican hat/Monument valley Day 16 – Monument and Mystery valley full day Navajo guided tour OR Monument valley half-day guided tour and Natural Bridges national monument, evening drive to Page Day 17-19 – Page (Upper & Lower Antelope canyons guided tours, Secret Antelope Canyon guided tour & Horseshoe bend outlook, Antelope Canyon X guided tour, Navajo canyon boat tour, Horseshoe bend rafting tour, Paria Rimrocks Toadstool Hoodoos) Day 20 – Page (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Grand Canyon village Day 21-22 – Grand Canyon South Rim (all viewpoints, beginning of Bright Angel trail, South Rim trail, Shoshone point trail) Day 23 – morning drive to Las Vegas Day 24 – Las Vegas Day 25 – morning travel back to Europe

As you can see, the ideal plan is a bit longer than 3 weeks and we will have only 22 days (including traveling to/from Europe, which uses up 2 whole days). So we will have to cut 3 days our of our plan, and we are not sure what to sacrifice. I’m thinking the following: – 1 day in Valley of Fire → instead combine as day trip from Las Vegas on day 24 – 1 day in Kanab → which of the 4 tours do you think is the least interesting? – 1 day in Page → scrap Navajo canyon boat tour and Horseshoe bend rafting tour? Is there anything else you would suggest?

In addition, I wanted to ask if it’s worth visiting Natural Bridges national monument compared to all the other sites, and if a full day Navajo guided tour of Monument and Mystery valleys is worth it?

We will appreciate any advice that you can give us!

Hi Petia, thanks for getting in touch and we are more than happy to help. This sounds like an amazing travel plan but let’s trim it a bit so you can make it work.

To answer you final questions first:

1. Valley of Fire – If you don’t mind losing that last day in Vegas, then you can definitely do Valley of Fire as a day trip on your last day. But if you want the day in Vegas, you should still include Valley of Fire early in your itinerary because it is unique. We recommend trying to arrive at Fire Wave Trail as early as possible because sunrise here is the park’s top highlight. 2. Kanab – They all sound great, but we would skip Grand Staircase because the others have the best balance. Kanab is a nice little town. 3. Page – It sounds like you are more interested in the canyons, so yes skip the rafting and boat tour. It doesn’t take long to see Horseshoe Bend from the overlook. You will end up with a lot of spare time in Page because the canyon tours don’t take long. Maybe look around Lake Powell or hike a portion of Buckskin Gulch. 4. We haven’t been to Natural Bridges yet. It looks great but you can get a similar theme at all the national parks in Utah, so we would skip it. We have been to Monument Valley and we drove the self guided tour, which was cool but again we would skip this if we were doing your trip. You can see Monument Valley from the main road you will drive anyway. Tip – Monument Valley is best seen early in the day if driving from Moab to Page which you are.

That is 3 full days saved already (or 4 if you decide to combine VoF into your last day in Vegas). Here are our other tips:

1. By skipping the 4th tour in Kanab, you can travel to Bryce Canyon on the morning of Day 8, spend the day hiking and driving the scenic roads, watch sunset, stay over and then watch sunrise in the morning. There’s not much else to do and Bryce is small so you can leave early on Day 9, spend 6-8 hours in Capitol Reef and drive to Moab. It would be a long day but it would also save another full day on your itinerary. 2. You have loads of time for Arches and Canyonlands. If you wanted to, you could probably save a day at Arches by doing Devils Garden Trail, Windows, Park Avenue and Delicate Arch in one day. That’s Arches done. Canyonlands isn’t as easy because it is split into regions but unless you plan to go hiking long distances, you won’t need much time there either, you can do Mesa Arch, Green River and Grand View in a few hours. So overall for Moab you could save a day. Probably skip Dead Horse State Park because it is another $20 and is similar to Canyonlands. 3. Two days is more than enough time for Grand Canyon South Rim if you don’t intend on hiking down into the canyon. You can see the viewpoints on both Desert View Drive as you enter Grand Canyon and Hermit Road in one day. So again, you could save time here if necessary.

If you haven’t already got one, definitely buy an America the Beautiful Pass for $80 which will get you into all National Parks on your trip.

There are plenty of places you can cut or save, but it will depend on exactly what you both want to do. You will also need some downtime because this is a full on adventure! The driving and hiking gets tiring after a few weeks, so you might end up needing a half day to relax and take it easy.

Hope this helps but if you have any more questions send us an email which you can find on our Contact Page. Have a great trip!

Thank you so much for the feedback, we will definitely consider your advice! I find it very difficult to estimate how much time is needed for each park, probably they could be done in shorter time as you said, but we also need downtime between intense days as you said 🙂

Hello. If you had to choose between taking a Utah road trip in the spring months of April or May vs the end of October, which would you choose? We would like to see Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and go on into Arizona for the Grand Canyon. Thanks for your help!

Hi Jane, both Spring and Fall are the best times to visit the Utah/Arizona parks so either time will be great. We personally prefer traveling the US southwest in Autumn, through September and October. However, if you are only able to do the very end of October, you may run a risk of temperatures cooling significantly in the morning and at night as you approach November (sunrise / sunset photography, long day hikes). If you are able to go in April or early – mid May, you are more likely to see more comfortable conditions for hiking (late May onward can be challenging for hiking with heat). Late October would also mean you may just about miss Utah’s considerable fall colors. With that said, hotels in Springdale, Moab and Grand Canyon will likely be more affordable in late Oct than in May. Finally, it’s impossible to avoid crowds in these parks, but late October will likely be slightly less busy than April / May. The balance between crowds, cost and weather is similar at either time. If you can make it slightly earlier in Oct, we’d say go for that, otherwise the beginning of May. April can have extreme weather in the US Southwest, which is something else to consider. Have a fantastic time whichever season you choose!

We’re planning a trip round trip Vegas through southwest Utah national parks to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We’ve got two weeks. How would you split the time and what are the best roads to take. We’d like to see Bryce, Hoseshoe Bend, Arches, Canyonlands, up through Salt Lake City to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. We don’t hike as we’re seniors but love photography. Any assistance would be appreciated. It’s feels so overwhelming! Btw….your website is fabulous!

Hi Marie – sounds like a fantastic trip and we know how overwhelming it can be with so many amazing places to see in just two weeks. You’re right to avoid Zion, it is a wonderful place but is more of an adventure hiking park. When visiting Horseshoe Bend in Page, you might want to try nearby Antelope Canyon if you can book a slot for a photography tour. If you’re planning sunrise photography – Bryce Canyon amphitheater, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and Mormon Row / Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton are our top 3 recommendations for your trip. Grand Teton is extremely photogenic and we’re sure your cameras will get a serious workout here! You’ll have an action packed driving itinerary here but this is roughly how we would do it:

D1 – Bryce, D2 – Bryce sunrise, drive to Page and HS Bend, D3 – Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and arrive in Moab, D4 – Arches, D5 – Canyonlands, D6 – Drive to Salt Lake City, D7 – Morning in SLC and Drive to Jackson, D8 and D9 – Grand Teton, D10, 11, 12 – Yellowstone, D13 and D14 – Long drive back to Vegas, maybe break it up in SLC.

Roads – 89, 163 Monument Valley, 191, 6, 89 through Afton, 191 again through Yellowstone, then 20 and I-15 back to Vegas.

Hope this helps but let us know if you need any more info and have the best trip!

Hi! Could you please share your itinirerary from google maps? It isn’t loading anymore! Thanks!

Hi Agnes, thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear you can’t load the map. Just checked and I can load all maps on both mobile and desktop on my end. I’ll shoot you an email to see if we can get the map working for you!

Thank you so much! It works for me now. We are planning to do the mighty 5 and do a big counter clockwise loop, and was wondering what you think the best order/road is. We are planning to start from the Grand Canyon and to finish with Zion and drive back to LA from there.

Perfect, glad it’s working. Sure, from Grand Canyon, drive to Page, AZ and do Horseshoe Bend / Antelope Canyon, then onto Monument Valley. Head up to Moab for Arches and Canyonlands, from Moab take UT-24 down into Capitol Reef, then drive the stunning UT-12 through Escalante to Bryce Canyon (don’t miss this one). Down US-89 to Zion / Springdale and maybe end with a night in Vegas?!! Have a great trip!

Omg Utah is now definatley on my bucket list to visit now.

That’s what we like to hear! Utah is an awesome US road trip destination Graham!

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Utah Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks (+Grand Canyon!)

In the heat of July, my family went on a Utah road trip vacation. We mixed in overnight camping, backpacking and staying in hotels. We flew out, rented a car, and explored the wild west!

It is a lot of driving, but incredibly scenic. With this schedule, we were able to see all of the MIGHTY FIVE on our Utah road trip itinerary!

Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you!). 

Day 1 : PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Fly into phoenix :  dinner at four peaks brewery –, drive 3.5 hours to town of tusayan (gateway to grand canyon national park)., lodging/overnight : grand hotel tusayan, day 2 :  grand canyon national park, 5 minute drive from tusayan to entrance of grand canyon national park, hike “ bright angel” trail halfway down, then hike back up..

• Be sure to go early, it is VERY hot.
• Be on the lookout for rattlesnakes!

Hike the West Rim Trail and see Maricopa Point

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Day 3 : GRAND CANYON  ⇒  ZION NATIONAL PARK

Breakfast at local treat, r.p.’s stage shop, stop at many of the scenic overlooks near the park.

Drive 5 hours to town of Springdale, Utah:  Swim in hotel pool, explore town

Lodging/overnight : la quinta inn: springdale, day 4 : zion national park, go in to town, get rental items for hiking the watery trail of “the narrows”, drive five minutes to entrance of zion national park (ps- see my post on nearby kanab, utah ), begin to hike “ the narrows ” – a famous and stunning hike through a slot canyon.

• A thunderstorm began halfway through our hike, so we ladies turned back. My Dad and husband kept going, and we were anxiously waiting and worrying. The park closed the trail due to a flash flood hazard , but they made it back safe. Don’t be like them!!
• The trail is, of course, very slippery. Make sure you are wearing sturdy walking sandals. I recommend a hiking stick for balance too.

My Mom and I took the convenient shuttle to sites around the park, including:

• The Watchman Trail
• Zion Visitor Centre
• Court of the Patriarchs

Next, we took a scenic drive to stop at various overlooks. We climbed the abstract rock formations all around the park area, including Checkerboard Mesa . We also saw several bighorn sheep!

Day 6 : ZION ⇒  PANGUITCH, UTAH

Pack up campsite. stop at several scenic overlooks and short trails on the drive out., drive 2.5 hours to town of panguitch, utah ., head to visitor center at bryce canyon , register for backcountry camp permit, drive to nearby overlooks. do some hiking to see  hoodoo rock formations.

Lodging/Overnight : Marianna Inn

Day 7 : bryce canyon national park, explore the “old western” vibe of main street in small town panguitch, head to bryce canyon national park , 30 minute drive away, backpack the “ under the rim ” trail towards iron springs campsite : (4 miles: mostly downhill).

• Overnight backpacking trail, camping in the woods. Great view of the stars!
• Be wary of bears ! Also be sure to register and get a permit for back-country camping

Lodging/Overnight: Campsite at the Park: North Camp

Day 9: bryce canyon ⇒  capitol reef, hike “ queens garden ” trail: the navajo loop.

• Hike among the stunning rock formations for 3 miles round-trip

Drive 2 hours to Torrey, Utah : Home of Capitol Reef National Park

Explore town, drive around the park, and get stuck in a bad storm.

• Road floods due to flash flooding! See several “pop-up waterfalls”

Lodging/Overnight : Rim Rock Inn

Day 10 : capitol reef national park: torrey, utah, hike the “ grand wash ” trail.

• Another storm begins, so we head back ( washes are prone to flash flooding )

Dinner at Red Cliff Restaurant in town of Torrey

• Dessert at shake joint, Slackers

Day 11 : CAPITOL REEF ⇒  MOAB, UTAH

Hike the “ sulphur creek ” trail  (5.5 mile, 1 way hike).

• The hike has several deep water areas, which we weren’t expecting. It also has a few steep waterfall drops, with no other way down than to jump them. I hate heights, so this was scary for me!!
• During our hike, it began to thunderstorm, and I was terrified there’d be a flash flood in the narrow canyon.

Scenic Drive around the Park:

• See the Cathedral Valley rock formations
• Visit the Fremont Petroglyphs , carved by the natives in 600 AD

Drive 3 hours to the town of Moab, Utah

Lodging/overnight : vrbo house rental: rim village condo, day 12 : arches national park: moab, utah, drive 10 minutes from moab to the entry of   arches national park, hike several small trails and see landmarks including:.

• Park Avenue Trail (awesome!)
• Landscape Arch (beautiful)
• Balanced Rock Trail
• Windows Rock

Have dinner in town at the Moab Brewery

Day 13 : arches ⇒ canyonlands, utah, stop at the canyon voyages office moab to rent kayaks for the day, kayak down the colorado river (13 miles).

• We experienced some whitewater, but nothing major, and no crowds at all
• At the end, when you have to bring your boats to shore, the current pulled our kayak downriver. It was a big fiasco trying to chase it down!

Drive 35 minutes to the entrance of Canyonlands National Park

• Do the Crater View Trail to Upheaval Dome
• Hike the Mesa Arch Loop Trail
• Green River Overlook at Sunset
• We wish we would have camped in Canyonlands , it is incredibly scenic!

Day 14 : MOAB, UTAH ⇒  SALT LAKE CITY

Explore and shop the hip town of moab, drive 4 hours to salt lake city, utah ..

• Walk area around the Mormon Temple and gardens

Fly home out of Salt Lake Airport – Hope you enjoy your UTAH ROAD TRIP!!

More helpful links:, ♥ get some travel insurance i never travel abroad without it now, ♥ browse my amazon storefront to see my favorite travel products, ♥ book your hotel in utah, ♥ follow me on instagram , and send me a dm with any questions, ♥ find a fun local utah tour or activity to book  .

Pin it for later!

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Amazing post! Thanks for the link back- looking forward to seeing more of these places in 2017!

Another Iconic landscape…..would love to visit the canyons one day.

Each of them is fascinating in its own unique way. Difficult to decide which to skip. It great that you covered them all in a 2 week trip.

We love the Grand Canyon! Last time we’ve been lodging in one of the Xanterra facilities and it was much better, because we were also able to experience Sunset and Sunrise without having to wake up at an ungodly hour!! 😀

How did you bring your camping gear? Did you fly with it or rent? Thanks for the post!

We flew with our camping gear and then rented a car with a storage pod on the top. We had a good deal of items but with 5 people we were able to consolidate into 5 different bags so we did not end up with extra baggage fees.

Incredible family trip! Perfect in all ways. Great job Michelle!😄 The Sulphur Creek hike at Capital Reef was fun, just don’t go if there’s a huge thunder storm coming in!

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Adventure | VanLife

Two-week utah road trip, utah’s “mighty-5” & more.

A Utah Road trip is a MUST-DO for any road trip lover out there.  It’s got ALL the road trip essentials- epic views, dispersed camping, diverse landscapes, jaw-dropping scenery, country roads, and OF COURSE, five for the price of one National Park wise!  Utah’s “Big-5” or “Mighty-5” refers to five iconic national parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches) located in the state of Utah all within a day’s driving distance of each other.  

If that’s not enough convincing to Road Trip Utah, then I don’t know what is.  Below I’ve outlined a two-week day-by-day itinerary for your epic Utah Big-5 Road Trip!

This Utah road trip itinerary involves a lot of day hikes, so be sure to check out our Day Hiking Essential’s so you don’t forget anything!

The Best Time of Year to Road Trip Utah

The best time of year to go on a Utah road trip depends on your preferences and the activities you want to enjoy. Utah experiences four distinct seasons, each offering different experiences and fun things to do, so there’s no “bad” time to visit!

Spring, March-May

Spring is a popular time for a Utah road trip, especially in late April and May. The weather is mild, and the landscapes come to life with colorful wildflowers and budding trees. Many of the national parks are less crowded compared to the peak summer months. However, keep in mind that some higher elevation areas may still have snow during early spring.

Summer, June-August

Summer is the busiest and most popular time for road trips in Utah. The weather is generally hot, especially in the southern parts of the state, making it an excellent time for activities like swimming, river rafting, and exploring slot canyons. The national parks and tourist attractions can be crowded during this time, so plan ahead and expect larger crowds.

Fall, September-November

Fall is another great time to road trip Utah. The weather starts to cool down, making outdoor activities more comfortable. The fall foliage in some areas, such as the mountains and certain canyons, can be stunning, offering excellent opportunities for photography. September and October are generally less crowded, but popular national parks may still see a fair number of visitors.

Winter, December-February

Winter is a unique, but breathtaking time to make your way across Utah.  Between snow covered landscapes, fewer crowds, cheaper accommodation and winter activities like snowshoeing- road tripping Utah in winter is an adventure like non other! BUT, alternatively winter also brings snow and icy roads, limited park access, and shorter daylight hours… so just be aware of that. 

What Kind of Vehicle Do You Need to Road Trip Utah?

It is essential to choose a vehicle that can handle the diverse landscapes and sometimes challenging road conditions you might encounter on your Utah road trip.  My personal favorite option is to rent a camper van! Camper vans’ aren’t necessarily good for off-roading nor are they fuel efficient, BUT Utah has so much dispersed camping that make travelling in a camper van a super fun (and cheap) experience!

Factors to consider when choosing your Utah Road Trip Vehicle:

• High Clearance and 4WD/AWD (Optional): While many of Utah’s main attractions can be accessed by regular passenger vehicles, having a high-clearance vehicle (e.g., SUV, crossover, or truck) can be beneficial for exploring off-the-beaten-path areas and rougher roads, especially in national park backcountry or remote regions. Four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) can be advantageous for added traction in sandy or muddy terrain or when navigating snowy roads in winter.
• Fuel Efficiency: There is a lot of driving in this itinerary so it’s important to consider your gas efficiency when choosing a vehicle.
• Good Suspension and Tires: Utah’s terrain can be rough, with unpaved roads and occasional potholes. A vehicle with a well-tuned suspension and good quality tires can provide a smoother and safer ride.
• Comfort and Space: Since you might spend a considerable amount of time driving, choose a vehicle that offers comfort, enough space for passengers, and adequate cargo capacity for your luggage and gear.
• Reliability: Reliability is crucial for any road trip. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition and has been properly serviced before hitting the road.

What to Pack for Your Utah Road Trip

The best part about road tripping is that you can pack anything and everything as long as it will fit in your car! We have road tripped across the U.S. > 10x and while we definitely switch up brands/items/supplies based off of where we’re going, we ALWAYS pack these items as they have proved to be used and abused on every trip we go on!  

Must have items for your Utah road trip:

Car charger :  Having a way to charge while on the road is essential! 

Phone mount :  We didn’t have one of these for a long time and had no idea how much we were missing out on.  I used to call this a luxury but now I would categorize a phone mount as an essential.

Travel pillow : For all my fellow passenger princesses out there- you MUST get a comfy, portable travel pillow .  Game changer.

Comfy blanket :  For the cold souls in the car! The Rumpl is the BEST and I love the multicolors of this one!

Flashlight : You never know when you might have to pull over on the side of the road in the dark. A flashlight or headlamp is a great tool to have.

Kindle :  I’m much more of a “Real book” gal myself, but a kindle is nice to use while travelling!

Reusable water bottle :  We love sustainability!  A reusable water bottle is one of the simplest ways to reduce your plastic use.

Portable towel :  For showering, hand & face washing, or possible spills.  The possibilities are endless with a travel towel .

Body wipes :  For the moments you don’t have access to a shower!  Trust me, your time will come, and you’ll be thankful for your wipes .

Hanging toiletry bag :  Great for public bathrooms!   We love a hanging toiletry bag .

Packing cubes :  Organization on the road is IMPERATIVE! We absolutely love packing cubes !

Cooler :  What’s a road trip without cold snacks and drinks?!  REI has a great affordable soft cooler that’s perfect for your Utah road trip!

Chairs : Packable, lightweight, comfortable, & affordable… this is the only chair I’ve found that fit all four categories.

Camp stove : The tried-and-true Coleman stove ! We’ve had one for years and absolutely love it!

Utah Road Trip Day 1-4: Zion National Park

Day 1: las vegas -> zion national park.

Miles: 166 mi (route crosses time zones)

Las Vegas is the PERFECT start/end point for your 14-day road trip!  Go ahead and rent your car right from the airport and head straight to Zion National Park!  This is a great afternoon to get some of the “must-do’s” out of the way.  Take your Zion sign picture and go to the visitor center for some souvenirs and to get a good lay of the land.  If you don’t have permits for Angel’s Landing already, then make sure to enter the “next day” lottery on recreation.gov .

If you’re feeling up for something a little more adventurous on day 1, then head up for a sunset at Timber Creek Overlook in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion.  It’s a commitment to get there as it’s 40 mi northwest of the visitor center… but nevertheless a beautiful part to explore.  Plus, this is your only opportunity to explore this part of the park!

Day 2: Zion National Park, Angel’s Landing Hike

GET READY FOR AN EPIC HIKE! Today you’ll be hiking up to Angel’s Landing (permit required).  If you have a fear of heights, or didn’t manage to snag permits, you can try the Canyon Overlook Trail.  It provides epic views without the steep drops… but I PROMISE Angel’s Landing is not nearly as scary as it looks, so you should really give it a try!

***Make sure you have sturdy hiking boots and a good day pack! We love these men’s and women’s Solomons for boots, and we both have this Ortovox day pack .

Other hikes in Zion to consider:

• Taylor Creek
• Observation Point via East Mesa

***Observation Point via East Mesa requires driving on a rough dirt road to access it.  4×4 & high clearance recommended.

Day 3: Zion National Park, The Narrows + East Zion

Start your day by hopping on the Zion shuttle system and going straight to the Narrows (stop 9)!  “The Narrows” refers to a section in Zion Canyon where the Virgin River flows between towering sandstone walls, creating a “narrow” and dramatic canyon.  The best (and most popular) way to experience The Narrows is by wading straight through the river itself!  You can go as far as 5 miles one without a permit, but I’d suggest going a mile or 2 one way before heading back!  That will give you a perfect amount of time to explore and enjoy yourself. A good pair of trekking poles are ESSENTIAL for this hike!

After hiking the Narrows, you can explore some of the other shuttle stops on your way back to the car.  You can choose to hop on/off on your own or do some of the popular hikes listed below:

• Weeping Rock (stop 7)
• Kayenta Trail (stop 6)
• Emerald Pools (stop 5)Watchman
• Zion Human History Museum (stop 2)
• Watchman Trail (stop 1)

Day 4: Zion National Park->Bryce Canyon National Park

Miles: 72 mi

I HIGHLY suggest waking up for sunrise on your last day in Zion.  The best sunrise hike is the Zion Canyon Overlook Trail.  It’s short and sweet and provides epic views of Zion, perfect for sunrise!  Don’t forget to pack a headlamp since you’ll be hiking in the dark to get there!

After sunrise, you should drive BACK west and experience the iconic Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel!  It’s a famous, narrow tunnel about 1.5 miles in length.  You probably drove through it already in order to get to your sunrise hike… but it’s so much better to drive it East-West as you get the gorgeous Zion landscape upon exiting the tunnel.  The tunnel entrance is right beside the Zion Canyon Overlook Trailhead, so you won’t be going too far out of the way!  

***the line for the tunnel can get VERY long especially mid-day.  If there’s a line, you should just skip going back through and continue East towards Bryce Canyon National Park.

Once you get to Bryce Canyon, go ahead and do your sign pic and hit the visitor center!  You know the drill!  You can catch sunset at Inspiration Point if you’re up for it, otherwise get settled in for the night and enjoy a full night’s rest.

Utah Road Trip Day 5-6: Bryce Canyon National Park

Day 5: Bryce Canyon National Park, Queen's Garden Loop + Scenic Drive

You’ve got a full day of adventure ahead of you for day 5!  Start your day by catching sunrise at Sunset Point (yep, you read that correctly). Shortly after the sun rises, you’ll want to head down on the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Combo Loop Trail.  This is a VERY popular hike in Bryce Canyon, therefore starting right after sunrise is your best bet to avoid the crowds.

After your hike, you’ll want to start the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive.  The drive is an out and back drive and is about 18 mi one way!  The BEST way to enjoy the drive is to go ahead and drive straight to the end of the road without stopping, and then make your scenic stops as you head back towards the visitor center.   This way, everything will be on the right-hand side of the road; much safer than pulling across traffic every time you want to see a viewpoint. 

If you’re up for another hike you can try out the fairyland loop trail!  It is much more remote and less travelled than the popular Queen’s Garden.  

Day 6: Bryce Canyon National Park->Capitol Reef National Park

Miles: 112 mi

Today you’ll be heading towards National Park #3 of the “Utah Big-5 Utah”!  Capitol Reef National Park is one of those parks that we had zero expectations for… and it ended up BLOWING us away!

Once you arrive… sign pic & visitor center!  I know I sound redundant with that, but it really is nice to get those things out of the way!

Next, you’ll want to hit my personal favorite trail in the park- The Navajo Knobs Trail!  The full trail is long & tough being that it’s 9.5 mi & 2,700 ft elevation gain… but if you’re up for the challenge, I say do the entire thing!!  Otherwise, you should at LEAST go to the Rim Overlook via Navajo Knobs.   It is about 4.5 mi round trip and 500 ft elevation gain.  This is the best view in the park in my opinion.  BONUS points if you get there for sunset.

Utah Road Trip Day 7-9: Capitol Reef National Park

Day 7: Capitol Reef National Park, Scenic Drive + Temple of Sun & Moon

Alright it’s about time for another FULL day of adventure!  You’re going to start your day by visiting the ancient Petroglyphs of Capitol Reef.  They are located right before the visitor center and I PROMISE they do not disappoint.  These ancient rock carvings represent different Native American cultures that inhabited the region over thousands of years.  

After the Petroglyphs, make your way towards the Gifford House.  The Gifford House in Capitol Reef National Park is a historic farmhouse that serves as a visitor center and a small store. Store wise, it’s not super impressive BUT… every day they serve home-made deliciously hot & fresh pies with ingredients straight from the land.  They make them daily on-site and usually sell out by noon.  It’s SUPER important you make this your first stop on your way into the park so you can snag one or two before it’s too late!

Alright, NOW it’s time to head out on the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive.  The entire scenic drive is about 10 mi one way, so you have time to take some stops and do some hiking if that’s your jam. There are a couple of noteworthy hikes along the way.   My favorite hikes are Cassidy Arch Trail and The Grand Wash Trail!

Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon

Once you’re done exploring the Scenic Drive, it’s time to head out to the far Northeast corner of Capitol Reef National Park where a little (or shall I say, big) hidden gem resides!  The Temple of the Sun and the Moon is our absolute FAVORITE spot in Capitol Reef.  It lives down a 15 mi rough dirt road (high clearance and 4×4 recommended) and because it is so difficult to access, there is usually NO ONE around (or very few).  In case I haven’t convinced you to make the drive… here’s a little bit about the epic formations-

Temple of the Sun : The Temple of the Sun is a prominent sandstone formation located in the Waterpocket Fold, a major geological feature that runs through Capitol Reef National Park. The Temple of the Sun is characterized by its towering cliffs and intricate layers of sedimentary rock. It gets its name due to its size and grandeur, resembling a colossal temple rising from the earth.

Temple of the Moon : The Temple of the Moon is situated right beside the Temple of the Sun and shares similar geological features with it. It also showcases towering cliffs and fascinating rock layers, giving it a distinctive appearance. The name “Temple of the Moon” reflects the awe-inspiring and otherworldly quality of the formation.

You technical cannot camp at the Temple of the Sun and Moon, but the entirety of the road leading up to them has plenty of dispersed camping! There are sites as close as 0.5 mi from the formations.

Day 8: Capitol Reef National Park->Moonscape

Miles: 32 mi

We’ve got another sunrise call this AM!  Head over to the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the moon for one of the most serene and peaceful sunrises you’ve ever seen.  Explore the area as much or as little as you wish before saying goodbye to the beautiful formations! 

You’re now faced with 2 options… you can either explore the rest of the Cathedral Valley (ONLY recommend if you have 4×4 and high clearance), or you can go ahead and head back towards Moonscape Overview.  As we do not have 4×4, we chose the latter.

Moonscape Overlook

The Moonscape Overlook is a scenic viewpoint located near Caineville, Utah, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It is situated along Utah State Route 24, approximately 10 miles southwest of the town of Hanksville.

Moonscape provides a panoramic vista of eroded badlands, rugged terrain, and unique geological formations. The landscape is characterized by its undulating hills, intricate patterns, and a desolate appearance reminiscent of the lunar surface, hence the name “Moonscape.” This is truly one of the highlights of the trip and is so unique that it is difficult to describe!

You can (and should) set up camp RIGHT at the overlook and enjoy sunset in one of the most scenic spots you’ve probably ever camped.

Day 9: Moonscape->Moab

Miles: 127 mi

Today is another early wakeup call because you MUST see Moonscape Overlook at Golden Hour!! The way the sunrise lights up the colors of the unique geological formations is unmatched beauty!

After spending the morning at the overlook, it’s time to head towards Moab, the cutest little desert town that you’ll be basing out of for the next 4 days.

Utah Road Trip Day 10: Canyonlands National Park

Day 10: Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Arch + Overlooks & Hikes

This is your ONLY day in Canyonlands, so it’s best you get an early start on the day! Canyonlands National Park is MASSIVE.  You could spend an entire season exploring the park and barely scratch the surface.  The park is laid out into “sections” and one day will be enough to see the highlights of just one “section”.

Assuming it’s your first time to Canyonlands National Park, you should use your one day to explore the Island in the Sky district . It’s the closest section to Moab and has incredible overlooks and hikes.

Today should be another sunrise start!  Since it’s your first time to Canyonlands, seeing sunrise in Mesa Arch is basically a right of passage.  Yes, it will be crowded… Yes, it’s not the most peaceful sunrise you’ll ever experience… BUT it is incredibly unique and the main highlight of Canyonlands!   ***plus, if you wait until mid-day to go see Mesa Arch the crowds will be waaaay worse.

After sunrise, continue along the Island in the Sky district road, stopping at every viewpoint and hike that you wish!  For time’s sake, I’m not going to describe each overlook & hike.  Rather, I will list each of the one’s we enjoy below:

• Grand View Point
• Buck Canyon Overlook
• Green River Overlook
• Upheaval Dome
• Schafer Canyon Overlook
• Gooseberry Trail
• White Rim Overlook Trail
• Aztec Butte

I know this sounds like a lot, but I promise it can all be done in one day and with time to spare!  On your way out of the park, you can make your visitor center and sign pic stops since you bypassed it for sunrise.

Utah Road Trip Day 11: Moab

Day 11: choose your own adventure.

A lot of people don’t realize that there is so much to do in Moab, apart from the national parks! I’m going to give a few suggestions here, but based off what you like to do, you should just spend the day however you like!

• Rock Climbing
• Whitewater rafting
• Off-roading
• Horseback Riding
• Relax & enjoy the town!

Optional: Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset:  I say this is optional, but this is a MUST-DO in my opinion… It’s only 30 min from Moab.  10/10 recommend.

Utah Road Trip Day 12-13: Arches National Park

Day 12: Arches National Park, Sunrise + Devil's Garden

Alright, this is the LAST early wakeup call of the trip (MAYBE), so let’s make it worthwhile! 

Arches National Park requires a timed entry permit from 7 am-4 pm in the months of April through October. Since you will be entering the park for sunrise, you shouldn’t need a permit… but it’s a good thing to know in the case that you’d prefer to skip sunrise (not recommended)

Sunrise location :  the BACKSIDE of Landscape Arch (shown in pic above)

Devil's Garden Primitive Loop

After sunrise you’ll want to hike the Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop.  The Landscape Arch is actually the first stop on the loop so you’ll already be on your way if you catch the sunrise here (how convenient)! 

The Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop is a long trail at 8 mi long and 1000 ft elevation gain.  It is the best hike in the park and the only one that gets you away from all the crowds!  I would suggest downloading the alltrails.com map as the route isn’t super defined the entire time. 

Delicate Arch

This evening you’ll want to catch sunset at the prestigious Delicate Arch!  It will undoubtedly be super busy, but the viewing area is large so there’s plenty of room for everyone.  Definitely worth doing at least once. 

***alternative to sunset at Delicate Arch:  STARS at Delicate Arch ! Leave the park after your hike and get some rest.  Wake up in the middle of the night and make your way to Delicate Arch Trail to shoot the Arch with the Milky Way! If you’re into astrophotography you won’t regret it!

Day 13: Arches Scenic Drive ->Las Vegas

Make sure you snag permits for your timed entry today OR head into the park for sunrise again! 

***Another good sunrise spot is Turret Arch

After entry, drive the length of the park and stop at all the easy to see roadside attractions!  I’ll list our favorites below:

• Balanced Rock
• Windows @ Turret Arches
• Double Arch
• Delicate Arch (if you haven’t seen it already)

Be sure to stop at the visitor center and park sign on your way out today… it’s your last chance to do so!  Once you’re done exploring, it will be time to drive back to Las Vegas and prep to fly home tomorrow. 

Utah Road Trip Day 14: Fly Home

Bittersweet, but all good things come to an end!

1 thought on “Two-Week Utah Road Trip, Utah’s “Mighty-5” & More!”

Hey! Absolutely love this itinerary! I’m trying to figure out, what kind of budget range would you suggest for anything from dispersed camping to lodging every night. Trying to get a feel for what to expect!

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The Ultimate Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

With its otherworldly landscapes, Mighty Five national parks, fascinating slot canyons, and its seemingly endless number of state parks and other beautiful natural spots, Utah is, without a doubt, one of the most unique states in the USA–and nothing puts that uniqueness on display quite as well as a Utah national parks road trip.

Utah was made for road tripping: there is no shortage of dirt roads to meander down, quiet corners to explore, stargazing to enjoy, and iconic landscapes to seek out.

We’ve taken several road trips in Utah at this point, and every time we visit, we end up even more enchanted with a state whose landscapes encompass the word “otherworldly” so perfectly that I will no doubt overuse it in this blog post.

Planning your first (or third) Utah Mighty Five road trip and want to make sure you make the most of your time in southern Utah?

We have you covered: t his Utah national parks road trip itinerary covers all of Utah’s Mighty Five national parks, along with several state parks, small towns, and interesting side trips.

Here’s how to structure the ultimate road trip through Utah’s national parks!

Table of Contents

How We Structured This Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Getting around during your utah national parks road trip, getting to utah’s mighty five (where to fly into + out of), other places to add to your utah national parks road trip, essential tips for a utah mighty five road trip, southern utah road trip itinerary map, what to pack for a utah road trip.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

We structured this Utah road trip itinerary not as a loop, but as a trip with different starting and ending points.

Since this Utah national parks road trip takes place in primarily very rural areas, you’ll need to get yourself to the starting point of Moab if you fly into the region–we’ll cover more on how to do that later–and back to the airport (or a different airport) from Zion National Park after your trip is over.

Later, we’ll also cover possible additions to this road trip, including in neighboring states, if you’d like to consider turning your trip into a Utah and Arizona road trip or even a general southwest road trip .

This blog post is quite long, so feel free to use the table of contents above in order to navigate through different sections!

We also have many, many more blog posts about exploring Utah’s national parks and the southwest in general here on Our Escape Clause.

While we’ll link them throughout the post, you can also use the search bar in the top right of the screen (on desktop) or on the pop-out menu (on mobile) to search for blog posts about various parks and topics!

If you’re planning to rent a car for your Utah road trip, the best company to rent from will likely vary dramatically depending on exactly when you’re traveling.

Sometimes large international carriers offer the best prices, sometimes local outfits.

Sometimes one company has an excellent base price, but terrible rental requirements.

The best way to find your rental car is to search through  Discover Cars , which will sift through dozens of companies to find the best combination of low prices and reasonable rental terms for your road trip.

We’ve taken several road trips in the southwest over the years, and have never used or needed a 4-wheel drive–but if you want to get far off the (literally) beaten path, you may want to consider renting one!

Check rates & book your rental car for your Utah Mighty 5 road trip!

We have offered suggestions for the best hotels in each place but if you are doing this as a true road trip it is really cool to do it in an RV. You can rent incredible RVs and camper vans from Outdoorsy, book here for your next road trip!

The Utah national parks road trip outlined here takes place over 9 days.

In other words, it takes just enough time to take one week off of work and make a trip through the southern part of the state at breakneck speed, which is similar to what we did on our very first Utah road trip back in the day (no regrets).

However, any of Utah’s Mighty Five national parks could easily soak up more time, so if you have more days to work with, you’ll definitely find plenty to do!

Day 1: Kick off your Utah National Parks road trip in Moab.

Moab is the perfect starting place for your Utah road trip itinerary!

This small, outdoorsy town in southeastern Utah is perfectly positioned to access not one, but two of Utah’s Mighty Five national parks, as well as state parks and other highlights!

If you get into town early enough, consider spending the afternoon and evening kicking off your explorations of Arches National Park, which is located just outside of town!

Where to Stay in Moab

Moab has plenty of hotels and motels to choose from, but fair warning–it’s one of the priciest destinations covered during this road trip, so don’t expect to nab a great deal during high season!

Red Stone Inn — Centrally located in Moab, the Red Stone Inn feels like a callback to another era of American road trips.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive slice of Americana, the Red Stone Inn is a great option–and the swimming pool and laundry services located on-site are a selling point, too.

Check rates & book your stay at the Red Stone Inn!

Comfort Suites Moab — We stayed here during a recent visit to Moab, and couldn’t have been happier with the comfortable rooms, exceptional customer service, and great location in town.

Check rates & book your stay at Comfort Suites Moab!

Hyatt Place Moab — Moab isn’t exactly a destination that lends itself to luxury, but those looking for some great creature comforts during their trip will find them at the new, swanky Hyatt Place Moab, which is just a few years old!

In addition to its swimming pool, included breakfast, and great rooms, Hyatt Place Moab also boasts an exceptional location on the edge of Moab, just minutes from the entrance to Arches National Park.

Check rates & book your stay at Hyatt Place Moab!

Vacation rental.

My Place Hotel  — Need access to a kitchen while exploring the best activities in Moab? Consider the studios at the brand-new My Place Hotel!

We stayed here on our most recent trip to Moab and loved the kitchen access (though be warned, it’s not stocked, so bring your own plates/pans), the view, the extreme cleanliness, and beyond all, the location.

My Place Hotel is located on the edge of town, a short drive from Arches National Park, making it an ideal place to stay for hikers.

It’s also pet-friendly, a must for Ranger!

Check rates & book your stay at My Place Hotel!

Day 2: Explore Arches National Park.

On day 2 of your national parks road trip in Utah, head (back) to Arches to knock off at least one of its iconic hikes.

We have a full post detailing the best hikes in Arches here , so I’ll try not to repeat myself much, but the Delicate Arch trail and the full Devils Garden trail are among our favorites.

Even if you’d rather not go more than, say, a mile along a trail, though, Arches still has plenty to offer!

In the evening, head back to town to enjoy dinner at one of the great restaurants in Moab .

Day 3: Check out Canyonlands + watch the sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park.

Canyonlands National Park is enormous, and it is divided into three distinct sections: Island in the Sky , the Maze, and the Needles.

This Utah road trip itinerary includes a visit to Island in the Sky, both because it is the easiest section to access from Moab and because it is the district that is most accessible in general.

Be sure not to miss the iconic (and short) hike to Mesa Arch: it’s popular at sunrise for a reason, but even if you’re not willing to get up well before dawn, it’s still worth visiting at any time of day.

You’ll want to pack a picnic lunch for this part of your Utah road trip because after spending the bulk of the day on the Island in the Sky, we recommend stopping by Dead Horse Point State Park on your way back to Moab to enjoy the sunset from one of Utah’s best sunset spots.

If you’re on a strict budget, you may want to skip Dead Horse Point State Park as it’s an additional $20 fee per car to enter–but the sunsets are magical enough that we have visited more than once.

Day 4: Drive to Capitol Reef National Park + stop at Goblin Valley State Park.

Today, it’s time to leave behind popular Moab and head off to the least-visited of the Mighty Five national parks in Utah: Capitol Reef National Park. 

We recommend traveling along beautiful Highway 24–the scenic drive is worthy of being considered a tourist attraction itself!

Along the way, consider making a detour to Goblin Valley State Park .

This valley is populated by a unique set of hoodoos that look remarkably like goblins! 

A stop here doesn’t necessarily need to be longer than a couple of hours to be worth the effort, but be sure to come prepared for lots of heat and sun exposure: the valley floor is mercilessly hot and exposed.

Once you finish checking out the goblins, head to Capitol Reef to finish your day with some absolutely stunning views.

Where to Stay Near Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is located in a very rural area, but there are a decent number of nearby hotels to consider, particularly in Torrey.

We personally went for a more unique stay when we visited and stayed in a covered wagon!

If you’re looking for unique accommodation, Capitol Reef is a great place to look. Yurts, glamping tents, covered wagons, and beyond are fairly easy to come by!

Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse — We stayed at the Broken Spur during our time at Capitol Reef National Park and loved the novelty of sleeping in a covered wagon!

For those looking for a well-located property close to the national park with a few more creature comforts, though, the inn does also have more typical rooms available in the main building.

Check rates & book your stay at Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse!

Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel — With great reviews and plenty of southwestern curb appeal, Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel is a convenient and reliable place to stay near Capitol Reef National Park–and the views from the property aren’t bad, either!

Check rates & book your stay at Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel!

Capitol Reef Resort — Set on a beautiful property and boasting amenities like a luxurious pool with a view and a fitness center, Capitol Reef Resort is a choose-your-own-adventure style accommodation.

Whether you’d like to glamp in a tent, indulge in a memorable night’s stay in a covered wagon, or simply stay in one of the resort’s more traditional rooms, Capitol Reef Resort has an option for you!

Check rates & book your stay at Capitol Reef Resort!

Day 5: Enjoy Capitol Reef National Park.

Many Utah road trips skip past or barely touch Capitol Reef National Park, partially because it’s small and partially because it’s a bit out of the way, but that’s a mistake.

In our opinion, Capitol Reef is incredibly beautiful, and also has the benefit of being less crowded than parks like Arches and Zion!

The scenic drives through the park are stunning, and there are several cool hikes worth checking out, including the popular Hickman Bridge and the Cassidy Arch Trail, so named because it is said that Butch Cassidy once hid out there.

Be sure to also spend some time in the Fruita Historic District: this small village was built by 19th-century Mormon settlers, and the fruit trees there produce some truly remarkable things to eat.

Head to the Gifford House, now a small shop, where you can pick up homemade jams, pies, baked goods, and other desserts that are made from the fruit grown on-site.

The triple-berry pie is one of the best pies we’ve ever had in our lives, and it makes a delicious post-hike snack!

Day 6: Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park via Highway 12 + start exploring.

The scenic route from Capitol Reef National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park along Highway 12 will see you spending most of your driving time in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

In other words, the views are pretty incredible, and you may want to stop a few times along the way!

Once you reach Bryce Canyon, head directly into the park and start exploring: scenic viewpoints like Inspiration Point and Bryce Point are the perfect way to start exploring the park.

For sunset, head to the aptly-named Sunset Point to watch the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon shift color as the sun goes down.

Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon City is located right outside Bryce Canyon National Park and is the best place to stay when visiting.

Here are a couple of great places to consider!

Bryce Canyon Pines — For basic, comfortable accommodation with a wildly popular restaurant on-site, Bryce Canyon Pines is an excellent option!

We stayed here during our most recent trip to Bryce Canyon and found it to be exactly as advertised: basic but decent enough for a quick stay.

Check rates & book your stay at Bryce Canyon Pines!

Mid-range/Luxury

Best Western Plus Bryce Grand Canyon Hotel — After staying in literally hundreds of hotels over the last several years, we still count this as one of our most memorable stays–in part because of the hotel’s absolutely phenomenal breakfast, and in part because of the excellent location and customer service.

This is our #1 choice of where to stay near Bryce Canyon, and we will always check if it’s available before booking anywhere else when we return to the park!

Check rates & book your stay at the Best Western Plus Bryce Grand Canyon Hotel!

Day 7: Spend the morning at Bryce Canyon before driving to Zion National Park.

This morning, we recommend hiking a combination of Bryce Canyon’s most popular trails: Navajo Loop to the Queen’s Garden Trail (via Wall Street if it’s open). 

If you get a prompt start, you can easily finish before lunch and be ready to head onto Zion, while still getting to see what are arguably the best views in Bryce Canyon first!

Once you reach Zion, if you have the energy for a second hike, consider knocking a short one off of your wish list–but be sure to leave enough energy for tomorrow, when you’ll tackle one of the most unique hikes in Utah!

Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

Springdale is the closest town to Zion National Park and the ideal place to stay when visiting–however, like Moab, it is popular and therefore pricey.

If you’re on a strict budget, you can also consider looking a bit further out in towns like La Verkin.

However, be prepared for a 30+ minute drive into the park each morning if you stay further out!

La Quinta Springdale — Located just a few miles from Zion National Park, La Quinta Springdale has comfortable rooms, great reviews, and a beautiful pool to cool off in to go along with its prime location.

Check rates & book your stay at La Quinta Springdale!

Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites — With fantastic reviews, great amenities, and a prime location in the heart of Springdale, this hotel is a reliable and comfortable option for visiting Zion National Park!

Check rates & book your stay at Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites!

Holiday Inn Express Springdale — With beautiful lodge-style architecture and phenomenal reviews, Holiday Inn Express Springdale is located less than 2 miles from Zion National Park and is the perfect place to cool off after a long day of hiking.

Check rates & book your stay at Holiday Inn Express Springdale!

Day 8: Go hiking in Zion National Park.

On your full day in Zion National Park , we recommend tackling one of Zion’s two most famous and incredible hikes: Angel’s Landing (which requires a permit as of April 2022) or the Narrows.

Angels Landing is a bit terrifying for people like me who are scared of heights, but ends in a positively stunning view of Zion Canyon, and it ranks among the best hikes in the USA for a reason!

The Narrows, in contrast to the soaring heights of Angel’s Landing, involves hiking directly in the Virgin River as you descend deeper and deeper into the canyon.

Both are utterly unforgettable, and while you can technically attempt both in the same day, that’s really only suitable for very athletic and determined hikers.

Other hikes to consider include the West Rim Trail (if you’re up for a big challenge), or if you’re lucky enough to nab a permit, the Subway.

Unfortunately, a few popular hikes in Zion, including Observation Point and the Weeping Rock Trail, are closed for the foreseeable future due to large rock falls.

Check here for updates before visiting.

Also, keep in mind that from March to October, you can’t drive your private vehicle onto Zion’s Scenic Drive–you’ll need to catch the shuttle instead!

Day 9: Say goodbye to Utah’s Mighty Five + head home (or to wherever is next).

On the final day of your Utah national parks road trip, say goodbye to Zion National Park and head home–or to wherever is next!

If you have time for one more quick hike before leaving Zion, we highly recommend the Canyon Overlook Trail for something fast and easy with a great pay-off at the end (and unlike most hikes in Zion, you can drive your own vehicle to the trailhead year-round).

As fantastic and rewarding as a Utah Mighty Five road trip is, this road trip does take a bit of effort to actually start, as there are no major airports in the direct vicinity of Moab.

That being said, it is slightly more convenient to get to/from Zion National Park at the end of the trip.

Of course, there’s no rule stating you need to follow this Utah national parks road trip itinerary exactly.

D epending on your flight schedule and what airport you choose, you may prefer to reverse this trip (though personally, I am partial to starting in Moab if you can).

Assuming you’re flying into the region for your trip, there are several cities that would work as a starting point–h ere are some that we recommend checking flight prices and times for.

Depending on exactly when you’re visiting and what your priorities are, the best (and most affordable) airport will vary, but that being said, Las Vegas is a very popular option.

In addition to those listed here, if you plan to extend your Utah road trip into a larger Utah and Arizona road trip and/or southwest road trip, you may want to check prices for Albuquerque and Phoenix as well.

For sheer convenience alone, St. George is arguably the best airport to fly into for this Utah national parks itinerary.

St George is about an hour from Zion National Park, and a little under 5 hours from Moab.

Las Vegas is often the cheapest and most convenient option when flying into the US southwest.

Flights are plentiful and typically affordable from a wide variety of initial destinations, and Las Vegas is about 6.5 hours from Moab and less than 3 hours from Zion National Park.

Salt Lake City

Utah’s capital city makes a solid starting point and is located under 4 hours from Moab and under 5 hours from Zion National Park.

If you want to extend your itinerary to include northern Utah, SLC is the clear choice for you!

At more than 5 hours from Moab and 4 hours from Zion National Park, Flagstaff isn’t the most convenient airport for this Utah road trip–but it is ideal if you’d like to add a stop at the Grand Canyon to your trip!

Have more time to spend on your road trip in the southwest?

The first thing we would recommend is adding additional time to your favorite national parks–Zion and Arches, in particular, could each use more time, especially for enthusiastic hikers.

Adventurous travelers with access to 4-wheel drive may want to visit other sections of Canyonlands and Capitol Reef, as well.

In addition to extending your time, though, here are a few other places to consider adding to your Utah road trip itinerary!

Within Utah

Grand staircase-escalante national monument.

This Utah national parks road trip already takes you right through Grand Staircase-Escalante–you’ll drive through it on Highway 12 between Capitol Reef and Bryce–but it’s well worth spending some time in if you have a chance to spend longer in Utah!

There is plenty of diverse hiking in Grand Staircase-Escalante, but these days it’s known for its incredible slot canyons. 

Some of the most popular include Zebra Canyon, Peekaboo Canyon, and Spooky Canyon, where we took this photo:

Coral Sand Dunes State Park

Want to see some rolling sand dunes without leaving Utah?

At Coral Sand Dunes State Park, you can–and depending on the light that day, the dunes can indeed look a bit pink.

There are also several other fun things to do in Kanab that are worth checking out after your visit!

Monument Valley Tribal Park

Situated in Navajo Nation right along the Utah/Arizona border, Monument Valley is known for its soaring rock formations and its status as a popular place to film movies–including, perhaps most famously, Forrest Gump!

Natural Bridges National Monument

Home to 3 stunning natural bridges, those who fell in love with Arches National Park will also enjoy Natural Bridges National Monument!

Beyond Utah

Located just over the border in Arizona, the Wave is not easy to access–its permit system limits access to just 20 people/day.

If you manage to nab one of the elusive Wave permits , though, it’s worth rearranging your road trip itinerary to make it happen!

Valley of Fire State Park

If you fly into or out of Las Vegas, Nevada’s beautiful Valley of Fire State Park makes for an excellent stop along the way–even half a day is long enough to see some of the coolest spots in this park.

Horseshoe Bend + Antelope Canyon

Hop over the Utah/Arizona border, and you’ll immediately find Page , the small, unassuming town that is home to two of Arizona’s most popular attractions: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.

While Horseshoe Bend can be accessed spontaneously (it’s $10 per vehicle to park and visit), visiting Antelope Canyon requires some advance planning and a tour guide. 

The canyon is located on Navajo land, and you can check the availability of tours here , on the Navajo Nation’s national parks website.

Grand Canyon

Of course, no discussion of places to visit near Utah’s Mighty Five could skip over the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona, which is one of the most famous national parks on the planet!

Just be aware of the distance involved: the Grand Canyon may look close on the map, but in order to reach the popular South Rim from Utah, you’ll need to drive around most of the canyon!

Check to see if you need a reservation.

Starting in April 2022, Arches National Park is piloting  a reservation system  to enter the park between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

This applies daily between April 3 and October 3, so be sure to book your dates as soon as you can!

Other national parks have also been introducing reservation systems for hikes and even access in the last couple of years (such as Angel’s Landing in Zion or the timed access requirements for Rocky Mountain National Park), so it’s best to double-check to see what the latest requirements are as you plan your Utah road trip.

Grab an America the Beautiful Pass before getting started.

The America the Beautiful Pass is the USA’s annual national parks pass and is priced at $80/year for most travelers (there are discounts available for seniors and military personnel).

The $80/year covers daily use fees for all lands that the National Park Service controls.

And, considering that each of Utah’s Mighty Five costs between $20-35/car to enter, you’ll absolutely save money on this trip alone by having one!

Grab your America the Beautiful pass today!

Book your accommodation early!

If you’re traveling during high season, and especially on the weekends, it’s imperative to book your hotel stays ASAP.

Hotels do fill up, especially in places like Bryce Canyon where there are relatively few choices, and you don’t want to be stuck with a less-than-ideal place to stay or an extra-long drive to your park of choice!

We book all our lodging for Utah road trips on Booking.com .

Be prepared for a few dirt roads. 

You don’t need a 4-wheel drive vehicle for this Utah national parks road trip (though it would help you reach a few more spots, including Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef), but you very well might end up down a dirt road or two!

Check on permits if you have your heart set on exclusive hikes.

Some hikes you could potentially complete during your southern Utah road trip do require permits, including the Subway in Zion National Park, the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park, and the Wave (technically in northern Arizona, but very close to the border).

If you have your heart set on anything in particular, be sure to do a bit of research on how to make it happen before you go.

You’ll probably want to do laundry along the way.

This isn’t difficult–most towns along this route, including Moab, have laundromats available, but to make life easier, you may want to bring quarters along with you instead of needing to track down cash during your trip!

Watch the weather carefully during your Utah national parks road trip.

The brutal heat of the desert summer, the snowstorms of the winter, and the potential flash floods throughout the year all mean that watching the weather during your Utah road trip is imperative.

Be sure to bring plenty of season-specific supplies when hiking in Utah, and as always, make sure to put safety first during this Utah national parks trip.

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

America the Beautiful Pass — I mentioned this above, but it bears repeating: a national park pass is a must on a Utah national parks road trip!

If you don’t have one before leaving, each of the Mighty Five does sell the in-person.

Travel Insurance (For You) — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and an epic road trip is definitely a case of better safe than sorry. Check travel insurance policy inclusions and prices for your trip here .

Sunscreen  — Keep your skin safe from sun exposure both in and out of the car by adding sunscreen to your road trip packing list!

Proof of Insurance (For the Car)  — If you’re driving a rental car, this may or may not be covered by either your rental company, your credit card, or your travel insurance–but you’ll definitely want to know exactly what the expectations are before leaving!

Rental Contract (If Applicable)  — If you’re renting a car for your road trip, be sure to keep your rental contract handy–we generally keep ours in the glove compartment.

Roadside Emergency Kit  — If you’re taking your own car on your road trip, hopefully you already have one of these packed and ready to go–but if not, now is the time to buy one!

Basic roadside emergency kits are extremely useful, very affordable, and a great way to stay safe on the road.

Windshield Shade — During the hot summer months, you’ll no doubt come back from a sweltering hike during your Utah road trip to find your car practically boiling.

Windshield shades aren’t practical for flying with, but if you’re driving your own vehicle to visit Utah’s Mighty Five, you’ll be glad you picked one up before setting off!

Downloaded Maps — You will undoubtedly lose cell signal at some point during this Utah national parks road trip, so make sure to download your essential maps before heading off!

Reusable Water Bottle(s)  — Cut down on plastic waste, save money, and make sure you don’t have to stop for water constantly: a reusable water bottle has lots of benefits on a road trip.

We personally love and use  these , and love both the look and the functional design!

Extra  USB Cables  and/or Phone Charging Cables  — Whether it’s to charge your phone, your camera, or even your portable USB charger, odds are that you’ll be glad to have a few extra cables lying around.

Hands-Free Phone Mount  — This is especially important if you don’t have a reliable co-pilot: the last thing you want to do is be fumbling with the GPS on your phone during your road trip.

Pack a cell phone holder to attach to the car and you’ll be able to drive much more safely!

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

5 thoughts on “The Ultimate Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary”

That sounds like a pretty kickass itinerary. I love the wild outdoors, and national parks are the one of the best ways to experience native natural history. Love this post wish I living in America right about now, only so I could take this on! lol

Thank you, it was a great trip!

Our National Park system is one of, if not the, top reason to visit the USA in my opinion–we have some incredible (and diverse!) landscapes.

• Pingback: The Great American Bucket List

how many days should we alot for this kind of a trip to UTAH? We were just going to Bryce and Zion but I would want to do the waves. From Utah we were going to Las vegas for a meeting so what would be the most logical place as a last stop in Utah? Thank you for this escape memoir

The core itinerary outlined here takes place over 9 days, but the reality is that a southern Utah road trip can take up as much or as little time as you have!

As I’m sure you know, hiking the Wave requires winning the lottery, so to speak, so you’ll want to base yourself in/around Kanab for as long as possible to give yourselves the best chance of getting to go. Luckily there is lots to see in the area, including the Vermillion Cliffs, Coral Sand Dunes State Park, etc. It is a bit out the way if you’re focusing on Zion/Bryce though!

Driving from Zion to Las Vegas, you could stop around St. George before leaving Utah, or explore Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.

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6 National Parks in 2 Weeks: My Utah Road Trip Diary

Camping , Road Trip , TYPE OF TRIP

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I’ve come to really love road trips over my 10+ years of travel and recently I did a refreshing trip to Utah and its gorgeous national parks. Read my travel diary and discover the items I brought along for my camping and hiking adventures!

My 2-Week Road Trip to Utah

Table of contents.

I’ve come to realize something lately! I don’t miss international travel as much because I yearn to be in nature at this time. 

So before I move back to Playa del Carmen , I recently did a 2-week trip to Utah and visited some amazing outdoor spots. It’d been a while since I’d done a substantial trip, so I got some great advice from the TFG Facebook Group and began planning! 

If you want to see the top highlights of my journey, check out my Instagram stories here and here ! 

And if you want to know about some of the clothes and gear I brought, check out my National Park Checklist at Amazon.  You can also visit my full Amazon Blogger Page  and see my other shopping lists, such as my spring and summer finds and my decor picks!

But for the full list of ALL the items I brought, check out my National Park Packing List , where I cover what worked and what didn’t!

If you want some extra packing help for Utah for camping and road trips, check out our packing guides:

• What to Wear When Visiting Utah National Parks
• What to Wear when Visiting Utah National Parks in Spring
• What to Wear to Utah in the Summer
• Car Camping Checklist for a Week in the National Parks in Utah

I’m now going to share my trip diary, and kind of thrilled as it’s been a while since I documented a journey. Hope you enjoy my trip report!

My Utah Road Trip Diary

Viewpoint at Garden of the Gods

Day One: Monday 

Activity: Drive Day

Leisurely morning. Finished packing up the car and departed at 1 pm. 

Drove for about 8.5 hours, halfway to Colorado Springs to see the Garden of the Gods, the first official stop. Stopped at a brewery for lunch and spent the night in Lawrence, Kansas, where I stayed at the Hampton Inn . I was absolutely exhausted by 10 pm when I arrived. The check-in process was so fast, the room was incredibly clean, and the bed comfortable. Highly recommended!!

The breakfast options were limited due to Covid so you may want to call hotels in advance if you’re looking forward to a hot breakfast in the morning. (Note that this was the ONLY Hampton Inn location on my trip that did not serve a hot breakfast.)

Tip: Every 10 nights you book with Hotels.com , you get 1 free night stay! After this booking, I earned 1 free night I plan to use for a staycation at a Playa del Carmen or Cancun resort!

Feeling dwarfed by such amazing nature: Garden of the Gods

Day Two: Tuesday 

Activity: Garden of the Gods

I didn’t realize that Lawrence is the official home of the show Supernatural!!! I’m a huge fan of the show and have been watching it for over 15 years. 

I was sooooo ridiculously excited to take a picture with the Lawrence sign, don’t judge me. Any other Jensen Ackles fans? You’d totally understand my addiction to the show and my excitement about being in Lawrence.

Fangirling at the Lawrence sign in my Columbia Jacket

That was the perfect start to the second day of the road trip, I was over the moon with this unexpected tourist spot!

Drove for another 8.5 hours stopping in Hays, Kansas for lunch at Tiger Burger for a delectable Mac and Cheese Burger. Oh-my-gosh. Sooo decadent and delicious! I’m glad I’ll never see this restaurant again because I looove Mac and cheese and don’t need such a tempting heart-attack-inducing fest on an everyday basis. But unique food stops like these are sooo worth it on a road trip and all part of the fun!

Due to the 2-hour time difference, I got to the Garden of the Gods at 6 pm, early enough to see it the same day as the sun set at 7:45 pm that day. It was so cold so I’m glad I had my warm insulated Columbia Jacket and winter accessories including merino wool thermals , hat , and gloves .

Feeling cozy at Garden of Gods in my Columbia Jacket and Ugg Simmens Boots ( similar )

The small but beautiful national park is only about an hour round trip to walk-through and was worth a quick stop on the way to the Great Sand Dunes . The formations were awe-striking and the red peaks were a beautiful sight amidst the snow-capped mountains that surrounded it.

Had enough energy at the end of the day to keep driving another hour for an overnight stay in Pueblo, Colorado. Stayed at the Hampton Inn , which was slightly more dated than the last one but still had all the same amenities and comforts. Would stay there again.

Tip: when arriving at a hotel, try to find parking close to the entrance or next to a bright light if you’re leaving gear in your car overnight, which I did because I had all my camping gear in the back. Accommodation for the first half of my trip was hotels and the second half I planned to camp.

The endlessly fascinating views of Great Sand Dunes

Day Three: Wednesday 

Activity: Great Sand Dunes

Today’s main stop was the Great Sand Dunes , recommended to me by the TFG readers in our Facebook community .

Wow, their recommendation did not disappoint!

After a leisurely morning with a hot breakfast this time, I made the 2-hour drive to dunes just in time for a mid-day hike. While I was a bit hesitant about this stop on the trip, it was a true treasure! The most unexpected landscape, a desert oasis at the base of a snow-peaked mountain range, and a challenging yet rewarding hike through the dunes. 

It was only a 2-hour round trip to the main peak and back to the parking lot but it was a challenging trek to walk a steep incline in the sand while the wind lashed out at you the higher you went. I made it ⅔ of the way up but decided to sit out the rest of the trek and sit down to just enjoy the view. 

Tackling sand dunes in Patagonia Fleece Shell , Zella Leggings , and Scarpa Hiking Boots

While my new Patagonia fleece shell kept me nice and warm, I was so glad I had my Columbia waterproof jacket to offer some reprieve from the fierce wind and sand at the top of the dune. My sunglasses and face mask were also essential as my face, eyes, nose, ears, and even my mouth was covered in sand.

Despite what felt like a windy war zone, this was such an unreal landscape and USA road trip experience that it was one of the top highlights of the trip!

Just come prepared!

I made a quick stop at the nearby UFO Watchtower before making my way 3 hours west to spend the night at the Hampton Inn Durango . 

Tip: bring waterproof hiking shoes (to cross the small stream), waterproof jacket or windbreaker, sunglasses , and a buff scarf or mask to protect you from sand filled wind if you plan to do this hike.

Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde

Day Four: Thursday 

Activity: Mesa Verde

Recommended by many readers, Mesa Verde was an unexpected treasure! Spent the day here stopping at the various Native American pueblos in awe at the villages built into the mountains and the underground dwellings scattered throughout the top.

The tours weren’t running and I didn’t do any of the hikes, but I would love to return in the summer when the Castle Rock opens to get a close-up view of the large and seemingly well-preserved ruins.

The main loop was open and it seemed that the ruins got more impressive the further into the drive. Highly recommended!

Loving the views of Mesa Verde in my Outdoor Research Hat , Patagonia Jacket , and Ugg Simmens Boots ( similar )

The day started off really cold but I found myself peeling off my layers as the weather warmed a bit. The Patagonia shell has been the big winner on this trip for sure! It’s the item I used the most during the trip.

Day Four ended up being a long day after making the lengthy drive to Flagstaff from Mesa Verde. 

If you also make this drive, note that gas stations through Navajo Nation closed at 8pm and restrooms closed earlier for cleaning at 7:30pm. Don’t make my mistake and drive there too late or you’ll have to wait.

Tip: pack a lunch and enjoy the scenery in one of the many picnic areas or viewpoints. And don’t worry about the 40+ mile round trip drive in and out of the park. There were an abundance of bathrooms sprinkled at almost every viewing spot!

Day Five to Seven: Friday-Sunday 

Activity: Friday was spent driving to Los Angeles to spend the weekend with family and friends.

Day Eight: Monday

Activity: Detour to Vegas

I was planning to drive from LA to Zion Under Canvas today then spend Day Nine hiking in Bryce Canyon , but with below freezing temperatures and snow on the forecast for Monday and Tuesday, I was on the hunt for warm weather. Los Angeles was colder than originally in the forecast so Vegas at 70℉ during the day seemed like the best option.

Fortunately, with the exception of my LA Airbnb, I was booking accommodation on the go so I didn’t need to cancel any reservations. I made a last-minute change of plans and booked 2 nights at the Mandalay Bay .

To be honest, after a long 5-day drive and a lack of sleep in LA due to an Airbnb that was too bright for a proper night’s sleep, I was desperate for a comfortable hotel bed and blackout curtains before the second half of the trip camping in a tent. 

A highlight for today was getting a chance to use my new travel telescope to see the Pink Supermoon at a rest stop between LA and Vegas. Perfect practice for the upcoming nights at the Dark Sky Parks.

Tip: I love booking accommodation on the go because of the flexibility, but it did take up a lot of driving time, which I’d rather spend enjoying the views out the window and just being in the moment. When on a road trip and not in the driver seat, remember to take a break from looking down at your phone and enjoy the view—it’s a part of the experience! Don’t blink or you might miss the epic formations that add to the natural beauty of the USA.

Short break in the “City of Lights” – Vegas!

Day Nine: Tuesday 

Activity: Poolside at the Mandalay Bay

Have you ever felt like you needed a vacation from your vacation after getting home at the end of a trip? Deciding to spend a day doing nothing at all just relaxing by the pool was an amazing idea. I wish I would’ve taken more time to relax on other trips so I think I’ll be incorporating more down time in the future. I’ve been to Vegas countless times so no pressure to sightsee, just relax.

The hotel was surprisingly busy but nowhere to regular capacity. You were required to wear a mask even when lounging by the pool although some areas enforced this more than others. The buffet restaurants were closed so dining was a bit more limited than normal. 

I would’ve loved a massage at the Mandalay Spa but missed the last booking for the day. I love the plunge pools and hot tubs amenities at this spa but they were closed so no chance for a day pass.

Looking back I wish I would’ve chosen a resort on Red Rock to have a beautiful setting with a national park feel vs. the Vegas Strip which is better for fun than relaxation. However, I was so exhausted I just wanted to get in a comfortable bed and chose a hotel I was familiar with for ease.

Tip: always pack a bathing suit for any trip. You never know when the opportunity will arise for a dip in the pool or impromptu spa visit.

Iconic pic at Valley of Fire State Park in   Icebreaker Tee,   Outdoor Research Sun Cap, and Ray Ban Sunglasses

Day Ten: Wednesday 

Activity: Valley of Fire State Park and a glamping stop in Zion .

The original plan for today was to spend the afternoon hiking in or near Zion. While I’ve previously road-tripped through Utah and hiked and camped inside Zion, it actually was my least favorite of the national parks between Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse State Park, so it was great to extend my trip a little and revisit Arches and Canyonlands a second time. 

Don’t get me wrong, it was so beautiful but also super busy in comparison. Plus, one of the things that most enchants me about Utah is the red rock so the other parks are complete landscape eye candy for me.

Hitting the trail in Zella Leggings , Icebreaker Tee , Scarpa Boots , and Osprey Tempest 20 Daypack

However, stopping at the Valley of Fire State Park threw the day off and I didn’t get a chance to hike Zion. While it was a lovely park, I learned to skip side trips like this one and focus on my main stops due to time restrictions. Definitely recommend the Valley of Fire for trips with fewer parks to visit and shorter distances. In the future, I want to plan a trip to just visit Utah State Parks vs. National Parks.

Incredible view from the Zion Glamping Adventures Site

Arriving at Zion around 5 pm and too late for a hike in the busy park, I ended up finding accommodation at Zion Glamping Adventures —one of the top highlights of the trip!! It was located about 30-40 minutes east of the park and it was such a treasure! The setting was out of this world and more magical than any other glamping site I’d looked at closer to Springdale and Zion.

I did a full Instagram story on the experience at Zion Glamping Adventures because I was so enchanted!! 

At night it was absolutely magical!

The glamping accommodations were not luxury if you’re after an Instworthy picture. This place is all about travel and special experiences and not just about the ‘Gram. It consisted of a comfortable, spacious tent with queen size bed, sofa bed, small table with two chairs, air conditioning, heating, and a private footprint with a firepit, grill, and picnic table. The area was dotted with solar lights and looked so beautiful at night. It was also well-priced at a fraction of what the more popular, luxury glamping tents cost in other places so that was the cherry on top!

This was the perfect balance between camping and hotels because I had the comfort of a hotel room with the nature aspect of camping. I made Good to Go and RightOnTrek backpacking and camping meals on my propane stove, enjoyed a fire and stargazed until midnight with my telescope .

Note that the bathrooms were shared but they were super comfortable, incredibly clean, and had hot showers.

Start of trail at Water Canyon

As a bonus, Elizabeth, the host, recommended a nearby trail, Water Canyon, which made for a gorgeous one-hour sunset hike and was the perfect ending to the day. I only saw a handful of other people on the trail and felt as if I had stumbled upon a relatively untouched treasure without the Zion crowds.

I would’ve loved to have spent a few nights here doing more hikes and their horseback riding tour. I will be back in the future!  

If you’re dreaming of a trip to Zion, I recommend reading our hiking packing guide !  

Tip: With all this driving and hiking I was clocking in, I was grateful for my Orange Mud car seat cover that doubles as a change towel with a secure clip! I could change into some post hiking clothes with discretion in the car while also keeping grime and sweat off my seat when the car got moving.  

Gorgeous red rocks of Bryce National Park

Day Eleven: Thursday

Activity: Bryce National Park

Determined to make the most of my next destination, I drove directly to Bryce the next day arriving before noon and just in time to luck out on a campsite at the park. They’re first come, first serve so I never thought I’d get to camp inside the park.

I spent the afternoon doing the Queen and Navajo combination loop trail at Bryce and fell in absolute love. This was it . Bryce has officially become my top favorite Utah park and I can’t recommend it enough. The rock formations were out of this world!! From a distance, I felt like I was looking at the Amer Fort in Rajasthan, India, or the Ayutthaya temples in Thailand but completely natural and not man-made.

WOW! The view is amazing in my Eddie Bauer Ripstop Shirt , Zella Leggings,   Outdoor Research Cap , and Osprey Tempest 20 Daypack

And then the colors!! Incredible. The landscape was incredible. There was a more awe-inspiring view at every turn! Pictures just don’t do this place justice.

I was very happy to have had my Eddie Bauer long sleeve shirt to keep my arms cool over my Icebreaker tee in the strong sun in addition to my Trail Buddy hiking poles . The trek was moderate but steep with a 400+ foot elevation change into and then out of the canyon. Don’t worry, if you want to visit, but don’t want to do the hike, there are many accessible and spectacular views from the rim.

I will be back here again in the future to spend multiple days here! I also want to visit the nearby Red Canyon. The red rock was even more striking in this area, which made the drive into Bryce just that much more spectacular.

Spending the evening inside the park offered an epic view of the stars. The low temperature did hit 34℉ so I was glad I had both my Sea to Summit silk liner plus Kelty 20 down sleeping bag to keep me toasty inside my North Face Storm Break 2 tent . I wore my Merino 33 thermal top and bottoms , plus Kirkland merino wool socks to sleep. I should probably mention that I also had a Sable blow up mattress , which probably accounted for my comfort. I did bring my memory foam pillow from home so I was snug as a bug.

Tip: I always travel with my trusty headlamp but I also purchased two led lanterns for this trip and they were awesome in the tent and campsite. At under $20, they were incredibly convenient and I’ll also be purchasing a second set to keep in Playa del Carmen for hurricane season.

Incredible view of Capitol Reef

Day Twelve: Friday

Activity: Capitol Reef

Spent the morning packing up the campsite leaving before the checkout time of 11:30 am, and arrived at the Capitol Reef National Park around 2 pm. Had lunch in the picturesque picnic area in the park’s Fruita Orchard then visited the Petroglyphs before making the 200-foot climb to Hickman’s Arch.

I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and highly recommend the hike. I was grateful to have had my hiking poles , long sleeve hiking shirt , sun cap , and sturdy hiking shoes due to hot sun without shade plus the steep incline and descent to reach the beautiful arch. 

Enjoying Capitol Reef in Old Navy Tank Top (similar) , Patagonia Tights , Osprey Tempest 6 Waist Pack , and holding Trail Buddy Hiking Poles

Overall, Capitol Reef is less busy than the other Utah National Parks and the drive around the park itself was absolutely stunning. The formations never cease to amaze me and the colors were striking especially as the sun started to set.

While I originally wanted to camp here as well, I was pretty exhausted from the journey and booked last minute into the Capitol Reef Resort . It was actually overbooked as with every other accommodation in the tiny town but to my relief, they had a last-minute cancellation and I felt like I’d won the lottery to spend the night in a comfortable hotel room. I had a chance to take a quick dip in the pool before heading to dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, which was surprisingly delicious.

I spent the rest of the evening stargazing with my Gsyker travel telescope enjoying the star-filled night sky. I even saw a shooting star!

Tip: book accommodation for the Capitol Reef area in advance! You can also camp for free in the nearby BLM areas. However, you can spend the night at a hotel, while enjoying the free nearby campsites to cook dinner, lounge, and enjoy the dark Capitol Reef sky before retiring in your comfortable hotel bed for the evening.

Exploring Arches National Park

Day Thirteen: Saturday

Activity: Arches

While I wasn’t originally planning to visit the Moab national parks, I decided to make a quick stop at Arches and Canyonlands before making my way back.

I drove directly to Arches from Capitol Reef in the morning. I’ve previously been to Arches so I knew the main sights were easily accessible from my vehicle and my visits would consist of mostly short walks.

It was pretty busy I’d assume because it was a Saturday. However, using the primitive trail that was available instead of the paved walkway was a good way to get the North and South Windows all to myself!

At Arches National Park in Eddie Bauer Tank Top , with Trail Buddy Hiking Poles , Scarpa Boots , and Osprey Tempest 20 Daypack

After stopping at a few of the viewing points, I ended the day with the Delicate Arch trail, which was so beautiful! I only did a couple of hours but it would’ve been awesome to do the five-hour hike as I did on my last trip.

I was happy to have my Eddie Bauer tank top which I bought last summer. It’s nice, comfy, airy, and can also be worn off the trail. The downside is I wore yoga shorts because the weather was the hottest on this day and while buttery soft and super comfortable they’re definitely not for hiking as they absorbed moisture instantly and felt gross and uncomfortable in the heat! Lesson learned! I should’ve just bought new hiking shorts.

Went to Trailhead Public House and Eatery for dinner and then enjoyed the starlit sky from the Arches Drive Bed and Breakfast in Moab that evening. It was actually my very first time staying at a proper B&B and it was very comfortable and homey. I was able to do laundry free of charge and also had a very generous and delicious breakfast in the morning.

Day Fourteen: Sunday

Activity: Canyonlands 

This was my favorite national park on my last trip and a second visit confirmed that it’s still one of my favorites! (Bryce has now moved this one to the #2 spot on my list.) I loooove Canyonlands so much! It’s definitely one of the most underrated parks. I believe it only gets one third of the visitors as nearby Arches, but it truly rivals the Grand Canyon in its beauty. 

There’s something about the vastness of the canyon that enchants me. Walking around the rim, the view gets more spectacular at every turn. I truly encourage you to visit! Even though it was a Sunday, it was not as busy as Arches had been the day before and the last time I came here I don’t remember seeing many people at all.

The weather was mild so it was the ideal weather to enjoy the park. I wore my freshly laundered Patagonia Tights with Old Navy Tank Top workout tank, layering my Eddie Bauer long sleeve to protect me from the sun. Note that I didn’t wash my Eddie Bauer shirt on the entire trip and even though it’s white, it didn’t look dirty despite the dusty trails. Impressive! 

Taking in Canyonlands with Osprey Tempest 20 Daypack , Outdoor Research Sun Cap , Patagonia Tights , and Old Navy Tank Top

No need for my hiking poles on these relatively flat walks but I did bring along the Osprey Tempest 20 daypack instead of the Tempest 6 waistpack to carry a few extras like my lunch and a rain jacket as it looked like it might rain.

I spent most of the day at the park doing the easy White Rim Overlook trail and stopping at several of the viewpoints after that. I wasn’t prepared to do a longer hike into the canyon on this trip, but I wouldn’t mind doing one in the future.

This couldn’t have been a better ending to my national park adventure!!!! So happy I saved Canyonlands for last!

I was planning to hang out at Moab for the week, but I decided to head back a little earlier than planned, especially as the weather seemed a bit rainy the next few days.

Tip: If you plan to camp in the area, the campgrounds at Arches and Canyonlands are always full, but try the nearby Dead Horse Point State Park camp site as an alternate option. It was fully booked on this trip by the time I decided to visit Moab, otherwise I would’ve loved to stay there again. The setting was stunning, especially at sunset!

Day Fifteen – Seventeen: Monday – Wednesday 

Activity: Drive Days

Drove back at a leisurely pace, working at the hotel during the day and driving in the afternoons. Having Hilton Gold status as a benefit through my American Express card , I was able to get late checkouts to catch up on work and have a little downtime. 

Not much to report on the drive back, but I couldn’t wait to get back as I was absolutely exhausted!

On a random note, I found out that the hotel I stayed at in Hays, KS was haunted. The scariest part is that I actually experienced the ghost for myself. Crazy I know!

This morning, I commented to my travel buddy that even though it sounded weird but I oddly thought there had been a ghost in my room the night before. They laughed at me but I swore I heard footsteps in the room before I went to bed. Secret: I’ve always been scared of the dark so I put myself to sleep with the thought that I hadn’t heard the door open and I had closed the latch securely before getting in bed just to be certain. 

I fell asleep and forgot about the brief incident until I checked out in the morning. Before leaving and at the risk of sounding absolutely ridiculous, I embarrassingly asked the hotel manager, “I have a random question but is this hotel haunted?” Without any hesitation at all, he firmly answered with an instant and clear, “ YES ”. 

He had said this in such a matter-of-fact manner that I thought he was for sure joking with me and I asked him repeatedly if he was messing with me. He continued to say yes, that it was haunted and that people had different experiences here, he’d seen something himself, and even the hotel staff had their own stories. 

I felt like there was a wooden board attached to my neck as I sat in the hotel lobby working on my laptop instilled with a mix of shock and a sedated sense of fear.

He asked another hotel worker about his experience and he just laughed mentioning doors opening and slamming shut and that’s when I stopped listening. I didn’t want to hear any more. I couldn’t stop laughing nervously at this random occurrence at the end of my trip.

I’ve always been intrigued by ghost stories but never in my life would I have purposely stayed in a haunted hotel. As I continue to sit here in shock at the hotel lobby writing about this experience, all I could say is thank you Hampton Inn Hays for the most unexpected experience of this trip! 

Had an overnight stop at the Kansas City Blue Springs Hampton Inn and a delicious dinner at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-Be-Que. Soooo yummy!!! 

Feeling joyous in my Patagonia Fleece , Zella Leggings , and Ray Ban Sunglasses

My Final Thoughts

Many people prefer to travel slower and recommend only visiting one or two destinations per trip, but this all depends on your personal preferences. I prefer to sample various locations and stay longer in the ones I like or plan a second trip to revisit destinations. 

Also, my trip was fast but it suited my abilities as I was only capable of hiking a maximum of 2-3 hours per day. 

Averaging one park per day, this was a fast-paced trip and I wish I could’ve skipped LA to focus all of my time at the National Parks . However, visiting friends and family in LA wasn’t something I wanted to miss. 

Originally, I was planning to spend more time in Bryce and Capitol Reef (camping 2-3 days in each location) and I wasn’t planning to go to the Moab area at all but the weather changed these plans. I lost a couple of days by going to Vegas but then extended my trip to revisit Arches and Canyonlands, which I’d previously been to. 

That’s the beauty of having a flexible schedule. You can adjust the pace of a trip to move faster or slower and update destinations as you see fit. 

Because I wasn’t doing long hikes, driving in the morning then hiking in the afternoon worked out well. The parks seemed less crowded in the afternoons which was a big plus. Because of the fast pace, the only thing I’d change is that instead of camping and glamping, I would’ve planned to treat myself to a nice hotel or resort at the end of each day in order to rest and decompress at the end of the tiring day.

As I get a bit older, those creature comforts become way more appealing than my long-term travels when roughing it nightly for years was not an issue at all. What can I say? Maybe my hostel days are over but I can now experience and appreciate a cushy hotel bed.

Note: if the trip was slower and I was visiting less parks, camping would’ve been perfect! 

What are your favorite national parks in the US? Share in the comments!

If you want more help with camping or hiking ideas, please read: 

• Hiking and Camping Supplies List for Overnight Trips
• What to Take on a Hike: Gear and Safety
• Summer Camping Essentials Checklist for Overnight Trips
• Best Hiking Gear List for Women

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We hope you liked this post on my 2-week Utah road trip . Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

I’ve hit a lot of those National Parks – Our bucket list is to keep checking them off during vacations. From Moab 2 years ago we went south to Sedona, but hit Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona. Not sure if you’ve been there but definitely mysterious and oh so cool!

Will add to my list of must places to visit!

Your trip sounds amazing and just like something i would like to do. I am curious – were you traveling alone? did you feel safe on the trails? Loved your stories. Thank you!

Hi Pam, it was incredible!!! ❤

I wasn’t traveling alone but would’ve felt comfortable hiking alone on all the trails except Water Canyon because this one was off the beaten path and not. very busy. I did see solo female travelers of all ages at the national parks. Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for taking us along on your very interesting trip! Spectacular scenery for sure. Will have to put your itinerary on our list of future travels.

Thank you so much Sophie, so glad that you enjoyed my trip diary ❤️

I did a road trip from Wisconsin to Yellowstone and the Mighty Five back in 2017. It is one of my favorite trips I’ve ever taken.

Sounds incredible Rachel!! I can’t believe how much I enjoyed my road trip and seeing the amazing sites the USA has to offer ❤️

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Ultimate Utah Road Trip Itinerary – by a Local

Planning the perfect Utah road trip itinerary can be overwhelming. Utah is a perfect place for a road trip because there is so much to see, so it’s not surprising that it often ends up on travelers’ USA bucket list.

While I recommend doing this road trip for at least two weeks, especially if you enjoy hiking, you can skip some spots or shorten your itinerary to 7 days in Utah, 10 days in Utah, and extended as well.

I’ve lived in Utah for over 2 years so I know some secret places many visitors don’t and visited the popular ones on various occasions . If you have any more questions, feel free to comment on this post and I’ll answer as soon as possible. 

Utah Road Trip Highlights

• See the Big 5 National Parks
• Hike Zion National Park

Grand Escalante

Swim in hot springs.

• Visit the world’s largest living organism

Glamp in Moab

Get impressed by capitol reef, paddle on lake powell, walk among goblins in goblin valley.

Ultimate Utah Itinerary for 2 Weeks

Proposed itinerary (starting in st. george and finishing in salt lake city).

• this is a very intense itinerary if you want to squeeze everything in
• ideally, this itinerary should be extended to 3 weeks
• this itinerary can totally be done with kids
• if not camping, keep in mind that most hotels/motels on the road aren’t very luxurious
• total driving time – about 15.5h (excl. time from Las Vegas to St. George – about 1.5h)

🚙 For the best road trip you will need a rental car.  Discover Cars  has plenty of options including 4WD options for off-roading in Utah. 

Day 1 : Fly into Las Vegas Airport, rent a car or van and start your road trip by driving to St. George

Day 2 : St George

Day 3-5 : Zion National Park

Day 6 : Bryce Canyon National Park

Day 7 : Capitol Reef National Park

Day 8 : Arches National Park

Day 9-10 : Moab

Day 11 : Goblin Valley

Day 12 : Hot Springs & Pando Forest

Day 13 : Park City

Day 14 : Bonneville Salt Flats half-day trip from SLC, if you have time

Zion National Park

Famous for the Canyon Overlook Trail , Zion National Park is also home to the Riverside Walk near The Narrows, The Subway, The Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel, Kolob Canyons, the Emerald Pools, Lava Point Road, Mount Zion, and a lot more.

Angels Landing is one of the most popular hikes here.

There’s actually so much to do in Zion National Park that you can easily spend up to a week here.

Inhabited for over 8000 years , Zion National Park was home to the Anasazi and Fremont tribes till circa 1300 . As other tribes came and went, the Mormons settled here in the 1860s.

In 1909, in an attempt to protect the region, the area was named Mukuntuweap National Monument by President William Howard Taft . But it was later changed to the Zion National Monument in reference to the Mormom culture.

Zion National Park has 590 km 2 of mountains, canyons, deserts, and rivers, and is home to over 32 species of reptiles, 75 species of mammals, and 289 species of birds.

Hiking in Zion National Park will take you through a range of landscapes. If you want to trudge through the Virgin River that created the canyon you’re walking through, hike The Narrows . The trail is perfect for wading through from May to September, although some areas require a swim.

If you’re traveling with kids, Zion has a few easy trails to hike – The Watchman Trail, Water Canyon Trail, or The Emerald Pool Trails (Upper, Lower, and Middle). If your kids are above 4-feet tall, do a short bottom-up hike from the Temple of Sinawa into the Narrows.

The more adventurous can go further and explore Ordville Gulch and Kolobs Creek, or even spend a night under the stars . Or they could try the short but difficult East Temple Saddle or the Angel Landing trail !

The Sand Bench Loop Trail is another moderate trail that only requires you to be wary of horse droppings and gives you a great view of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You could do this trail on horseback too!

If you misjudged your time, and only have 45 minutes to an hour to see Zion, drive to Springdale and do the Zion Canyon Overlook Trail. This 0.9-mile (1.4 km) trail gets a bit crowded but offers spectacular views of the Canyon .

Other Important Zion National Park Info

• Entry fees to Zion are $35 per vehicle or $30 per motorcycle
• Cyclists, hikers, and pedestrians pay $20
• Annual passes cost $70
• Parking is VERY limited so you need to get around with shuttle busses
• Zion National Park is 308 miles or 496 km from Salt Lake City
• Zion National Park is 160 miles or 258 km from Las Vegas, Nevada
• A permit is required to camp overnight in the Narrows (booking in advance is a must)
• There are 12 designated campsites in The Narrows
• The Subway is an intense hike that canyoneers will love
• Zion Canyon Overlook Trail is open all year round
• Zion Canyon Overlook Trail is best accessed from Springdale, Utah

Where to Stay in or near Zion National Park

Zion Glamping Adventures

Red Canyons Cabins, Kanab

Hampton Inn Kanab

Arches National Park

Home to more than 2000 arches including the Delicate Arch , the Arches National Park is famous for the 7-mile (11-km) Devils Garden Trail.

With the Green River Overlook Point, Landscape Arch, Balanced Rock, Fiery Furnace, Corona Arch, Courthouse Towers, Partition Arch, Elephant Butte, Parade of Elephants, and more; you can easily more than 2 to 3 days exploring the park at a slow pace.

Canyonlands National Park

Island in the Sky and the Mesa Arch are the highlights of Canyonlands National Park . Canyonlands is also famous for the Upheaval Dome, The Needles, Green River Overlook Road, Druid Arch, Labyrinth Canyon, Dead Horse Point, and Tower Ruin.

It’s also home to the Zeus and Moses rock towers that were made of sand almost 200 million years ago.

Capitol Reef National Park

Holding the remains of the Mormon town of Fruita that was once called Junction , Capitol Reef National Park is open all year. There’s more info about the town of Fruita below but if you wanted it in a nugget, Capitol Reef is perfect for fruit picking and short summer or autumn hikes with the family.

Other must-visits in Capitol Reef include the Water Pocket Feld, Cohab Canyon, Cassidy Arch, Hickman Natural Bridge, Thousand Lake Mountain, Chimney Rock, and the Grand Wash Trailhead.

Popular for the Navajo Dome that stands 1978-meters tall , Capitol Reef National Park in Wayne County, Utah covers an area of 978.95 km 2 . The dome is made of Navajo Sandstone that was formed 180 million years ago.

The park is famous for what’s called the Waterpocket Fold that extends from Lake Powell to the Thousand Lake Mountain . This 160-km long formation of rocks looks like a spine made of rock. Eerie or not?

You can also visit the old Mormon settlement of Fruita that was called Junction before 1902. You can still see the old schoolhouse built in 1896, a few old houses and the orchards.

Capitol Reef is quite popular for hiking – opt for any of these trails. Hickman Bridge Trail, Capitol Gorge Trail, Cassidy Arch Hike, Cohab Canyon Trail, Castle Trail, Fremont River Trail, and Frying Pan Trail.

And if you only wish to drive through, State Route 24 runs through the park . Take the Scenic Drive and you’ll see the some of the highlights of the park.

Capitol Reef National Park info

• Free entry with the America the Beautiful Pass
• Scenic Drive costs $20 for a 7-day pass
• Individuals and cyclists pay $10 each, bikes pay $15
• You have to apply for a free day permit for canyoneering, bouldering, and rock climbing
• Fruita Campground charges $20 per night

Where to stay in or near Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef Resort

Cougar Ridge Lodge

Red Sands Hotel

Bryce Canyon National Park

Looking like spires sticking out of the desert landscape, the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon steal the show.

Some points not to miss in Bryce Canyon are Inspiration Point, Wall Street, Bryce Amphitheater, Bryce Point, Black Birch Canyon, Agua Canyon Overlook, Fairy Castle and the Paria View.

Bryce Canyon is also popular for the Fairyland Loop Trail, Navajo Loop Trail, Mossy Cave Trail , and a whole lot more.

But before you head off on your adventures, here’s a great tidbit! Entrance with a car to the National Parks cost $30 each . Buy an America The Beautiful Annual Pass instead. This pass costs $80 a year and gives you free entrance not only to the Mighty 5, but also to dozens of parks and forests across America.

Declared a National Monument in 1996, the Grand Staircase Escalante is almost a museum itself. Named after the town of Escalante and the different layers of cliffs , the Grand Staircase is a natural wonder.

You could easily spend days hiking the Grand Staircase, right from the Kainab Plateau in Grand Canyon National Park , to the Chocolate Cliffs in Glen Canyon , to the Vermillion Cliffs, White Cliffs, and Grey Cliffs in Zion National Park , and finally the Pink Cliffs in Bryce Canyon National Park .

One of the large places in the US to be mapped, the Grand Staircase Esclante has yielded many dinosaur fossils, ancient rock art, and old Anasazi and Fremont campsites dating 950 to 1100 AD .

The rugged landscape is also a treasure trove of natural bridges and arches, slot canyons, and monoliths. Some of the best hikes in Escalante include the Devils Garden, Calf Creek Falls, Coyote Gulch, Spooky Gulch, Golden Cathedral Trail, Peek-a-boo Gulch, and the easy Escalante River Hike.

The 3.2 miles (5.14 km) roundtrip to Spooky Gulch is the perfect medium-sized hike to undertake if you want those Instagrammable pictures that you see fellow travelers posting.

Why is it named Spooky Gulch?

Well, because of how narrow the walls get at times and how dark it is in some parts of the slots.

The 14 miles (22.5 km) roundtrip on Death Hollow Hike takes you through the Old Boulder Mail Trail Cross Country Route . You’ll also come across waterslides, petroglyphs, and dramatic untamed wilderness.

More Grand Staircase–Escalante Info

• It’s the most remote area of the US
• There are three main regions: the Grand Staircase, the Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Canyons of the Escalante (Escalante River)
• With trails connecting different paths, you could easily group together a few of the hikes into one longer hike
• The hike to Calf Creek Falls is verdant and beautiful
• Escalante is also perfect for camping or horse back riding

Where to stay near the Grand Escalante & Bryce Canyon

Bryce Valley Lodging

Slot Canyons Inn Bed & Breakfast

Escalante Cabins

A contrast to the arid desert landscapes, the hot springs in Utah are perfect for cooling down after a long hike .

Diamond Fork and Mystic Hot Springs are the most popular hot springs. Others include Saratoga Springs, Baker Hot Springs, Filimore Crater, Crystal Hot Springs, and Meadow Hot Springs.

Getting to Diamond Fork requires an uphill walk of about 4 km (2.5 miles) , but the gorgeous pools that welcome you are absolutely worth it. And entry is free!

Mystic Hot Springs , also known as Monroe Hot Springs or Cooper Hot Spring are bit more rustic , with open-air bathtubs up for grabs at $25 per hour. Both the 2-feet shallow pool here and the 4-feet deep pool offer sulfur-free mineral-rich waters. Visit here if you like the sort of hippie vibe!

Where to stay near Mystic Springs, Monroe

Best Western Richfield Inn

Hampton Inn Richfield

Visit the World’s Largest Living Organism

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest living organism on earth is the Armillaria ostoyaem or honey mushroom in Malheur National Forest, Oregon. Aged between 2400 to 8650 years old, these mushrooms or actually “mushroom” occupy an area covering 1350 soccer fields or 2385 acres.

But is a mushroom a living organism or a fungi?

So according to the University of Colorado at Boulder, the pando or quaking aspen is the largest living organism . Covering an area of 108 acres, this clonal colony of Pando is known as the ‘trembling giant’ .

The colony of identical trees in the Fishlake National Forest just north of the Bryce Canyon National Park weighs 6,000,000 kilograms and includes 40,000 stems (or trees) from the same root system.

Although the roots are about 14,000 years old and the oldest trees are circa 130 years old, the National Park Service believes the quaking aspen might be 80,000 years old .

The hundreds of aspen are perfect for a scenic drive through!

Moab is situated partway between Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park . So it’s the perfect spot to set up base if you want to spend a few days at a single base while driving to and from the different parks in Utah.

Moab is also home to unique landscapes that include dinosaur tracks, and the Museum of Moab that’s home to dinosaur bones among other historical artifacts .

Stay in Moab if you want to go white water rafting on the Colorado River or canoeing on Green River. The forests and parks near Moab are perfect for 4×4 driving, ATV driving, canyoneering, rock climbing, mountain biking, base jumping, and of course backpacking and hiking.

The Mesa Arch in Canyonlands is the perfect spot for Instagrammable sunrise pics .

Come winter and the La Sal mountains that you can see through the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park are perfect for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking .

You might also want to visit Dead Horse Point while in Moab. The Dead Horse State Park covering 21 km 2 was once a corral where wild mustangs roamed free . You can’t see the mustangs anymore, but you can get gorgeous views overlooking the Colorado River.

There are a few luxurious glamping locations in Moab that you’ll want to try. My favorite is the Under Canvas Moab. https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/moab-under-canvass.html? These beautiful tents set on 40 acres of land offer otherworldly views of Arches National Park .

The Fun Stays camps are a bit more affordable, but also quite good.

Where to stay near Moab if you don’t like glamping

Hoodoo Moab by Hilton

MainStay Suites Moab near Arches National Park

Red Cliffs Lodge

Expedition Lodge

Not a real lake, Lake Powell is a manmade reservoir covering 658 km² that looks like a river. The ‘lake’ was conceived in the 1950s and filled by 1963 by turning Glen Canyon into a dam.

This also led to the creation of the Glen Canyon National Park surrounding Lake Powell, which is the perfect spot for summer activities . You can go hiking around the park, to visit the Rainbow Bridge, Castle Rock, Antelope Canyon, Cha Canyon, Gregory Butte, or one of the many amazing rock formations.

Lake Powell is popular for water skiing, fishing, kayaking, or boating, or my favorite paddle boarding. Both kayaking and paddle boarding allow you to visit side canyons that boats sometimes find it difficult to enter.

If you want to spend the night in the area, there are some amazing houseboat rentals or luxury campgrounds surrounding Lake Powell.

Lake Powell Info

• Entrance fee to Glen Canyon National Park – $30 per car for 7 days
• Open all year, but the warmer months of April to October are the best time for water sports!
• For boating go to either Rock Creek Bay, Warm Creek Bay, Padre Bay, or Halls Creek Bay
• Lone Rock Canyon (Utah) and Antelope Canyon (Arizona) are the best paddle spots
• Paddleboard rentals average $65 a day

Where to stay near Lake Powell

Under Canvas lake Powell Grand Staircase

Lake Powell Resort

Pet-Friendly Adobe near Lake Powell

Best Western View of Lake Powell Hotel

If you’re driving over to Page, Arizona, which is also a great base, stay at Courtyard Page by Marriott .

Featured as an alien planet in the 1999 science-fiction movie Galaxy Quest , Goblin Valley could be one of the last stops on your trip before heading back up to Salt Lake City to catch your flight out.

Goblin Valley was named after the many sand dunes called hoodoos that look like goblins . The goblins are created by the erosion of the soft rock bottom of sand dunes while the harder rock at the top stays intact.

A popular place to hike, Goblin Valley is also good for picnicking or camping at night. Out of the 14 hiking trails, the most popular hikes are to the Goblin’s Lair, The Three Sisters rock formations, Carmel Canyon Trail, and Mollys Castle Spur Trail.

If you have extra time, you can combine a visit to Goblin Valley State Park with a visit the San Rafael Swell that’s an hour’s drive North.

I recommend staying inside the State Park on the camping grounds (pictured below) but booking in advance is a must.

Goblin Valley Park Info

• Entrance Fees – $15 per vehicle
• Open All Year. No Closures.
• 10-minutes drive from Highway I-70
• Campground Access – $30
• Climbing on the goblins is not recommended!

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Jennifer M. Bell

Monday 30th of January 2023

Salt Lake City - visit Temple Square, Red Butte Garden, and the Natural History Museum of Utah.

Clark Andrews

Wednesday 9th of June 2021

Loved reading this blog! It has such details of all the places, really intriguing. Thank you for sharing this.

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Bucket-List Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

February 6, 2024 //  by  Follow Me Away //   18 Comments

Are you trying to plan the best Utah road trip possible? I am here to help!

I have done road trips in Utah both as a kid and an adult and absolutely love this state! With five epic national parks and otherworldly landscapes, Utah is a nature lover’s dream come true.

My Utah itinerary is unique since it is full of tips from someone who has spent months road-tripping the state and slow traveling through Utah’s Mighty 5.

A Utah national parks road trip includes Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. I highly suggest purchasing a National Park Pass beforehand to save money on entrance fees.

Along with the national parks, this itinerary for Utah will feature other beautiful nature spots!

For this Utah road trip itinerary, I am not going to specify an amount of time so you can make the drive as time allows for your schedule.

Don’t forget to check out my detailed road trip packing list so you don’t forget any essentials!

Now, let’s look at my top Utah road trip ideas!

Utah Road Trip Map

Some of us are more visual and that is okay! I’ve created this Utah national parks road trip map so you can see where everything is located across the state.

As you can see, once you drive away from Salt Lake City, everything is only within 30-120 minutes of each other. This means more time to enjoy everything on your Utah road trip and fewer hours in the car!

Click Here For The Utah Road Trip Map

Stop 1: Begin Your Utah Road Trip In Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is the largest city in Utah and the most accessible to fly into to begin your Utah road trip. Both affordable international and domestic flights fly into this city.

I recommend checking out Skyscanner to find the best and most affordable flights. I use this tool to discover the best flights because you can easily compare rates.

When you fly into SLC, consider buying a one-way ticket. Depending on how you structure your Utah road trip, you may want to fly into Salt Lake City and fly out of Las Vegas.

This itinerary will end at Zion National Park so I recommend flying out of Las Vegas which is closer.

If you choose to follow this itinerary exactly, all you have to do is decide if you want to drive 2.5 hours to Las Vegas or 4.5 hours to Salt Lake City.

Compare prices on flights out of both cities so you can find a deal that is best for you!

Best Hotels In Salt Lake City:

• Affordable: Holiday Inn Express Downtown . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Hilton Garden Inn . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 2: Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks

I have so many memories surrounding Moab from growing up traveling around that area! It is a truly fantastic little city and a family favorite. It has only gotten better over the past few decades.

Moab is around a 4-hour drive from Salt Lake City. It is a bit of a drive but that is okay! This is hands down the best place to start your Utah road trip!

I recommend spending 2 to 3 days in Moab if you have the chance. Utilize Moab as a home base to explore the nearby Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.

These are two of the best national parks in all of the United States and you will NOT be disappointed. They are family-friendly with many things to do and will transport you to an otherworldly landscape.

The Moab area is one of the best stops on your Southwest USA road trip itinerary!

Best Hotels In Moab:

• Affordable: Moab Valley Inn . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Holiday Inn Moab. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Family Fun: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Moab . Check Rates: Booking.com

Visiting Arches National Park

Arches National Park is the ultimate way to begin your Utah road trip. Arches is just outside of Moab and is ideal for your first national park of the trip.

The arches are beyond incredible and visiting will not disappoint!

I would like to caution you to please be careful and NEVER carve your name into the arches or take rocks. Please think of the future and REFRAIN from harming this beautiful nature in any way!

There is one road in and out of Arches National Park and it is 18 miles long. This means you can easily see Arches in one day on your Utah Road trip.

That being said, if you can spend more than one day here, I highly recommend it. It is very close to Moab so you can always come back if you missed something! This region is one of the best places in Utah !

Best Hikes In Arches National Park

If you can only do one thing at Arches National Park, I suggest hiking to Delicate Arch . This outstanding rock formation is the icon of the park. You will see photos and imagery of it all over the place.

This Utah hike is family-friendly and is around 3 miles round trip. If you are hiking during the heat of the day, make sure to wear sun protection and take plenty of water!

Delicate Arch is something I remember from growing up and now is your chance to make family memories too!

I also highly recommend the Windows Hike . It is shorter than the Delicate Arch hike and will get you up close and personal with many arches.

This hike is short, easy, and very rewarding. It is a 1.2-mile loop trail and the most popular in the park.

Another favorite is Double Arch which is a really short and fun trail! The trail to Double Arch is an easy 0.5-mile, well-maintained loop. It is accessible from the parking lot of the Windows Hike.

Finally, you must pay a visit to  Landscape Arch as it is the longest natural arch in the entire world! It spans a whopping 306 feet long!

You can reach Landscape Arch from the Devil’s Garden Loop Trail. It is on an easy, maintained part of the trail so don’t go past Landscape Arch unless you want to embark on a harder 7-mile hike.

Visiting Canyonlands National Park

While I love the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands National Park is just so incredibly special! The canyon formations are beyond insane and will blow your mind.

Canyonlands National Park is located 36 minutes away from Moab so it is a tad bit further than Arches but the drive is worth it!

Canyonlands is divided into four distinct sections. These include the Green and Colorado Rivers, the Maze, the Needles, and the Island in the Sky districts.

Having a basic understanding of how Canyonlands National Park is laid out will help you see the “big picture” when planning your Utah road trip.

Best Canyonlands Scenic Drives

If you aren’t the hiking type, don’t worry! Canyonlands is home to some wonderful scenic drives!

Island in the Sky  offers some amazing Utah road trip sightseeing by car. The overlooks and pull-outs along this 34-mile scenic drive are not to be missed!

It is perched 1000 feet above the canyon floor and offers breathtaking, memorable views! If you want to drive this route, plan for at least an hour.

If you want to hike some short trails and picnic, plan longer! This is the perfect thing to do if you don’t want to do a lot of hiking!

Another great scenic drive in Canyonlands is  the Needles.  It begins at the Canyonlands Visitor Center and is 6.5 miles long. It concludes at the Big Spring Canyon Overlook.

As with Island in the Sky, there are multiple pullouts and picnic spots along the way. It is also the way to access several of the more popular Canyonlands hikes.

It is important to note that Island in the Sky and the Needles are about two hours apart from each other. Keep this in mind when planning how much time to spend in Moab on your Utah national parks trip.

Best Hikes In Canyonlands National Park:

If you can only do one thing during your Utah road trip in Canyonlands, make sure you hike to Mesa Arch . It is located in the Island in the Sky district.

It is an easy 0.6-mile round-trip trail and is perfect for families. If you are a photographer looking for some fantastic sunrise or sunset photos, make sure to prioritize Mesa Arch!

The arch is located on the rim of the Plateau so you will have some incredibly stunning viewpoints.

Another one of our favorite easier hikes is the Cave Spring Hike. This hike is located in the Needles district. It is an easy 0.6-mile loop and provides some incredible views.

You will see prehistoric rock art, a cowboy camp, and more. The trail is easy, but you have to climb two short, wooden ladders.

If you are looking for some of the best canyon views, the Aztec Butte Trail is the perfect trail for you. It is an easy 2-mile loop trail and provides outstanding views of the surrounding canyons once you arrive!

The hike will end at Butte Summit which is where you can see these fantastic views. This hike is located in the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands.

Stop 3: Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park is one of the lesser-known stops on this Utah road trip itinerary. It is located roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Moab.

The landscape will make you feel like you have entered another planet. The formations create small structures that look like goblins, hence the name!

Goblin Valley State Park is home to the incredibly unique valley itself as well as some easier hikes, a disc golf course, and plenty of pullouts for viewing.

This state park can be a day stop along your Utah itinerary or you can choose to spend the night. If you want to stay here, you will have to camp as the only hotel options are around 45 minutes away.

This stop can also be done as a day trip from Moab if you want to wake up early and drive. Using Moab as your home base is an easy possibility.

If you could choose one thing to do here, I recommend the easy Three Sisters Hike.  It brings you to the most iconic “goblin” formation in the entire park.

Most people view Three Sisters from the road, but if you pull off, there are small trails that go up to it.

You can also see down into the Carmel Canyon Drainage System 100 feet below from this hike too so it is two for the price of one hike!

The beauty of Goblin Valley State Park is that you can drive around and explore at will. It is a beautiful and unique stop to add to your Utah road trip itinerary and you won’t want to miss it.

Best Hotels Near Goblin Valley:

• Cute Cabin: Duke’s Slickrock Cabins . Check Rates: Hotels.com
• Mid-Range: Pet-Friendly Cabins in Hanksville Utah . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 4: Capitol Reef National Park

When my family visited Capitol Reef National Park a few times in the early 2000s it was the “weird” thing to do and a strange national park to visit.

Now, Capitol Reef is all over Instagram and social media, and for a good reason! It is pretty neat to see a remote national park surge into the limelight in the past 20 years!

Although it has become more popular lately, it is still off the main tourist trail when compared to places like Arches and Zion. I suggest checking it out if you want to complete your Utah Mighty 5 road trip.

This national park is defined by the “Waterpocket Fold” which is essentially a 100-mile warp in the Earth’s crust. This is an incredible and unique feature!

There are various things to do in Capitol Reef National Park on your road trip in Utah. You can choose to hike, explore by car, pick fruit like apples, or go on a tour. There is truly an option for everyone!

Best Hotels At Capitol Reef National Park:

• Affordable: Days Inn Capitol Reef . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Affordable: Capitol Reef Resort . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Capitol Reef Hikes

One thing I remember from childhood is the Capitol Gorge Trail . This trail is incredible and the views are breathtaking. You will have to exit the main road and then turn onto a dirt road to get here.

On this trail, you’ll walk along a dried-up river bed through a massive gorge. The rock walls tower on either side and it really makes you feel small among nature.

If you want to see yet another arch,  Hickman Bridge  is one of the more popular hikes in Capitol Reef.

It is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of 400 feet, but it is still easy for families or amateurs to complete. It is a 1.8-mile hike round trip. Once you reach Hickman Bridge, you will love the views!

If you want to walk on an arch without going hiking in Sedona , I recommend Cassidy Arch Hike. This is one of the hikes in Utah where you can walk on top of the arch itself, instead of just walking under it!

Of course, this is a very unique feature and it makes the hike worth it. It is 1.7 miles each way and there is a 700-foot elevation gain.

The gain comes from the fact that you have to climb up on top of the rocks to walk across the arch. It is totally worth it and still an easy-to-moderate hike with some incredible payoff at the end!

Stop 5: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Another awesome memory from my childhood and teen years? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!

It is only 1 hour away from Capitol Reef yet many people don’t even know about it or decide to skip it on their Utah road trip. I am here to tell you that is a huge mistake!

First off, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers an absolutely HUGE expanse of land. You could take a week just to explore this area alone.

I will narrow it down to the best things to see. For example, did you know you can see slot canyons in Utah? You don’t have to go to Arizona to see these incredible features!

Want more arches? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is at your service there too!

I really can’t recommend this national monument enough if you are looking to get off the main tourist trail during your Utah road trip. You are going to love it!

Best Hotels In Grand Staircase Escalante:

• Affordable: The Inn At Escalante . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Unique: Escalante Yurts . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hikes In Grand Staircase-Escalante 

If you want to visit slot canyons in Utah , the Zebra Canyon Hike is the place to be! It is an easy 5.3 miles round trip and takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete.

There is another slot called Tunnel Slot that you can continue on to if you want but then the hike will take around 5 to 6 hours.

Zebra Canyon is epic enough as it is! This hike is in the northern part of the national monument so it is easy to reach on your Utah road trip.

There are two more slot canyons you can visit! Peek-a-boo and Spooky Gulches are just 3.5 miles round trip, perfect if you are looking for a shorter hike.

These slot canyons are near Zebra Canyon so you can easily do them both in a day. This is one of the more surreal hikes in Grand Staircase!

If you are a serious hiker and plan to trek or camp during your Utah road trip, this next hike is for you.

Coyote Gulch Hike is around 12 miles round trip and generally takes between 8 to 12 hours depending on how fast you walk and how many times you stop. You will see some stunning and remote scenery.

It is entirely possible to hike this trail in a single day, as long as you start early and pay attention to the weather.

Stop 6: Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is still one of the most incredible landscapes I have EVER visited in my entire life. You are going to agree! Do NOT skip Bryce Canyon. It will not let you down!

Hoodoos are rock formations formed by erosion. In Bryce Canyon, they are formed by winter frost eating away at the rock.

The rocks are weathered and eroded to create the incredible formations known as hoodoos. They are tall and thin and unique to arid areas such as the desert. They are fantastic to behold!

One of the best parts about seeing Bryce on your Utah road trip is that many areas are accessible by car. You can drive throughout the whole park and see stunning views!

If you have accessibility challenges, this is a wonderful Utah national park to visit as you can still experience a lot of what it offers because you don’t have to hike to see many things!

Bryce Canyon is one of the most popular stops on this itinerary for Utah’s national parks. You can park your car and take the shuttle if you want.

If you go during the off-season, you can find parking more easily. If you are completing this Utah road trip during the summer or high season, I recommend taking advantage of the shuttle.

Best Hotels Near Bryce Canyon:

• Affordable: Bryce Canyon Pines . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Luxury: Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hikes In Bryce Canyon 

Possibly the most famous hike in Bryce Canyon is the Navajo Loop/Queens Garden Trail . This takes you down into the canyon so you can walk among the hoodoos.

There is one switchback area of this trail called ‘Wall Street.” I highly recommend walking DOWN this section. You get a better view and the experience is just better overall.

Most people don’t know this and do the opposite. This is the premier hike in Bryce, so do it while you are here! It is a 2.5-mile heavily trafficked loop trail and it is popular for a good reason!

If the park is busy and you want to do something fun, I love the Mossy Cave Waterfall hike. You must leave the park a tiny bit, but you get to see a waterfall and a sleeping bear cave.

This is a slightly different landscape than you are used to seeing in Utah so it is something fun and different to do. It is an easy, 1-mile trail.

I also recommend Bryce’s Rim Trail. It is 0.5 miles to 5.5 miles one way and is located above Bryce Canyon. It connects all the scenic overlooks from Fairyland to Bryce Point.

If you do NOT want to hike, many of these viewpoints are accessible by car too!

If you want an accessible trail, there is a 0.5-mile section of trail between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point that is wheelchair accessible.

I love the Rim Trail because you can choose to do as much or as little hiking as you want without missing out on epic views!

Stop 7: Zion National Park

Zion National Park is easily the most famous and popular stop on this Utah Mighty 5 itinerary and for a good reason!

Often, you cannot drive in Zion unless you are staying in the campground. There is a shuttle that will take you in and out of the park. This is very important to know.

Many people do not know about the shuttle until they arrive and are in for a surprise. If you know about the shuttle, you can be prepared for your experience.

March through November, access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by free shuttle bus only. Private vehicles are allowed to access the Scenic Drive only when the shuttle system is not in operation.

If you are visiting in say, January, you will be allowed and able to drive your vehicle. This is one reason why I love doing a trip to Utah national parks in winter! Zion National Park in winter is a great time to visit.

The thing I love about Zion National Park is that it blends the red rocks with greenery! This is a sight for sore eyes after days of being in the desert.

There are very many cool things to see and do here during your trip to Utah.

While you end your road trip with Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, they are some of the highlights of the vacation.

Best Hotels Near Zion National Park:

• Affordable: Zion Park Motel . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Zion Mountain Ranch . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hikes In Zion National Park

One of the most memorable hikes from my childhood is the Narrows Hike . It is very long and involved, but you can choose to just do the beginning portion of it which is what I did as a kid.

It is about 16 miles round trip and you must walk through the river and even swim at some points!

If you aren’t doing the whole 16-mile hike, you can go to the beginning and have fun walking through the water in the canyon for as long as you want. This is what I did and it was such a wonderful experience!

If you want to do the most popular hike in Zion, that is the Angels Landing Hike . People do this with kids quite often, but it is strenuous and around 5 miles long.

This takes you to the peak of Zion National Park and the views are beyond incredible! If you do one hike during your Utah road trip, choose this one! I recommend budgeting around 3 to 5 hours.

The Canyon Overlook Trail is another great option. This is only a 1-mile trail and provides stunning views. It is easy and you can access it to see some of the best views in the park.

Since it is so short and easy, it makes a great beginner hike for all ages when visiting Southern Utah’s national parks. This is the perfect introductory hike to do when you arrive in Zion!

Stop 8: Valley Of Fire And Fly Out Of Las Vegas

Once you finish in Zion, I suggest flying out of Las Vegas, Nevada, since it is just over a two-hour drive from the park.

As I mentioned in the beginning, though, you can also fly out of Salt Lake City which is 4.5 hours away from Zion. Choose whichever fits your needs or budget best.

If you choose to go to Las Vegas, I highly recommend stopping by Valley of Fire State Park on the way. I absolutely love this park’s landscapes and photography opportunities.

The deep red rocks and gorgeous scenery make the park one of the best things to do in Nevada!

How Long To Spend On This Utah National Parks Road Trip

You should take as much time as you can for this Utah trip itinerary since there is so much to see and do. I understand, though, that not everyone has the chance to take over a week off for a vacation.

When planning a trip to Utah, I suggest a minimum of 7 to 10 days to see everything on this itinerary without rushing. With more time, you can also easily fly roundtrip from Salt Lake City.

If you have less time, you can cut out anywhere you have been before or that does not strike your fancy. I recommend focusing on the five national parks and saving the other spots for next time.

Best Time To Visit Utah National Parks

You can do a national parks road trip in Utah at any time of the year, but each season does have its pros and cons.

Personally, I love to road trip Utah in winter! This is when I did my last Utah parks road trip and it was great! It can be cold, but the white snow adds a beautiful contrast to the red rocks.

I think national parks are best during the off-season. Winter means fewer crowds and cheaper accommodations and car rentals. Camping is easier with less competition at campgrounds.

Plus, in winter you do not have to deal with the shuttle in Zion and can drive through the park on your own.

Summer in Utah is hot and the national parks are crowded with families and other tourists. Spring and fall are shoulder seasons with the best weather for hiking in Utah national parks.

No matter when you road trip through Utah, you will love the amazing landscapes and the chance to make memories with family and friends.

I hope you have a fantastic time visiting national parks in Utah!

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about planning your Utah Big 5 itinerary in the comments below!

Please let me know how you got on and if you went to any of the places I suggested in this itinerary for Utah national parks!

Next, check out more of the best Southwest road trip itineraries .

Reader Interactions

October 1, 2019 at 11:56 pm

Many thx for all ur tips

it was perfect

best regards,

October 8, 2019 at 7:19 pm

I live in SLC and have only visited Zion NP and Goblin Valley. I am going to steal your list! Except I’ll just take I-15 home at the end instead of heading to Vegas.

October 9, 2019 at 2:46 pm

Yessss have fun!!!!!! Def head back home!

April 23, 2021 at 1:07 pm

This is an amazing itinerary. Based on the road conditions do I need a special vehicle (4WD) in order to do this route? Are the roads paved or gravel? Can this be done with a standard sedan?

June 3, 2020 at 2:58 pm

We have never been to Utah. Family of 4. I’m planning our whole trip based off of this. Thank you!

November 10, 2020 at 8:38 am

My wife and I just completed a 2 week trip through Big 5 Utah National Park and it was spectacular! We followed your itinerary and continued on to The Grand Canyon after a 2 night so over in Las Vegas. We turned 2020 into a trip of a lifetime!

November 10, 2020 at 1:51 pm

Thank you for sharing!!!! I am so glad you had an amazing time despite 2020!!!

February 2, 2021 at 11:06 pm

This looks amazing, and so helpful. Do you know how this would be traveling with a dog? I have heard that taking dogs hiking in National Parks can be very restrictive. Thanks in advance!

February 7, 2021 at 4:27 pm

Depends on the park! I just got back from Utah! Arches allows and Zion doesn’t allow! So weird! You just have to look!

March 9, 2021 at 5:49 pm

Soooo I have an adventurous husband that would like to do some ATVing. We are following your itinerary. Any spot along the way you could suggest to rent some equipment and have some fun?

March 29, 2021 at 10:49 pm

I love this itinerary. Would you be so kind to let me know how many nights and in which location(s) you recommend booking if I were to follow all of your stops? Would it just be Moab and Zion area for the hotels / accommodations or would you suggest another location as well in between, etc. Thanks again.

March 29, 2021 at 11:03 pm

Oh goodness! how many nights is up to you and how much time you have off!! If you want to do capitol reef, I would stay in that area too for sure! It is a long drive! I would do 3-4 in Moab and 2-3 in Zion at minimum, depending on the length of time you have!

April 30, 2021 at 10:24 am

HI- My husband and I had been talking about such a trip- he had some 1200 mile trip planned but I want to do more than just drive. This came up on my pinterest feed and I am SOOOOOO excited (we really enjoy hiking). I think we are looking at 2 weeks. We are thinking September – would that be a good time?

April 30, 2021 at 2:17 pm

Yes!!! September will be a great time to go!!! Enjoy!!!!

March 3, 2021 at 1:15 pm

is all this doable in 7 days?

March 3, 2021 at 1:56 pm

Yes it is doable, but we recommend a bit longer! With 7 days we recommend arches and canyonlands, bryce and zion! That way you can do what you want without rushing too much!!

March 14, 2021 at 11:53 pm

This is great! We are heading out on Thursday and using your itinerary for our first 10 day family trip to Utah with our teenagers. Sooo excited!

March 15, 2021 at 2:06 pm

It is so fun!!!

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Our Ultimate 2 Week Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary

Utah boasts 5 national parks, commonly referred to as “The Mighty 5” when done as a single road trip. But why stop there? In addition to all 5 Utah national parks, you can easily add Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, and Lake Powell (Glen Canyon Recreation Area) to your itinerary. All together this makes up the Grand Circle road trip.

How To Use This Itinerary

We’ve tried to make this itinerary as customizable as possible. As it stands, it can be done in a busy 2 weeks. We would love it if everyone could spend 3 weeks on a Grand Circle road trip, but totally get that for most people that isn’t possible. Whenever possible, we’ve indicated places that are good to add time (if you have it!) or cut if you’re super short on time.

This itinerary starts from Salt Lake City, Utah. You could pick it up from somewhere else. Las Vegas, Nevada is another common starting point. If you start in Las Vegas, go to Zion or Grand Canyon first.

We’ve listed approximate drive times and distances. That’s only “in the car” time. Your travel time will vary depending on breaks and sightseeing.

2 Week Grand Circle Itinerary

Day 1: salt lake city to moab, utah.

Driving Time: 5 hours

Today is the first day of your Grand Circle road trip. I know you’re excited, but today is largely a travel day. Settle in with a good audiobook and start your engines.

Make use of any evening time you have left with a visit to Arches National Park.

If you arrive in time, Delicate Arch is postcard-perfect at sunset. It’s also a massive crowd scene. If anyone in your group is afraid of heights, Delicate Arch may not be the hike for you.

Day 2: Arches National Park

Today is your chance to enjoy all that Arches National Park has to offer. You really can’t go wrong with what you decide to see. The only mistake you can make is arriving too late. By 8:00 am the entrance line will be huge.

Today we recommend you:

• Enter the park early.
• Hike Delicate Arch first, if you missed it at sunset on Day 1.
• Pick up a Junior Ranger book at the Visitor Center
• Drive through the park hitting several of the short, gorgeous hikes. You should be able to fit in several. Great choices include Park Avenue, Windows, Double O Arch, Balanced Rock, and Tower Rock (AWD required).
• Finish off your day outsid the park on a heart pumping sunset jeep tour with Dan Mick’s Jeep Tours .

One longer hike worth the time and advanced planning is Fiery Furnace . This is our favorite hike in all the national parks we’ve visited. A permit is required so make sure to read our detailed trail guide .

Day 3: Canyonlands National Park & Dead Horse State Park

Driving Time: 2 hours

Today you are headed to the Island in the Sky region of Canyonlands National Park. Like Arches, Canyonlands offers lots of shorter hikes that are great for families and multi-generational trips.

Canyonlands is divided into 4 parts and roads do not connect the different areas. The area closest to Moab is Island in the Sky.

Today we recommend:

• Start your day with the short hike to Mesa Arch (0.5 miles). You’ll probably just catch the sunrise photographers finishing up.
• Clamber up the dome of Whale Rock (1 mile, but steep)
• Stop at the Green River Overlook
• Hike to Grand View Overlook (2 miles)
• Complete your Canyonlands NP Junior Ranger badge at the Visitor Center.
• Spend late afternoon in Dead Horse State Park. At minimum, do the short, paved walk to Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail and complete the Utah State Park Junior Ranger badge.

Extra time? We recommend river rafting and more time in Arches.

Day 4: Canyonlands National Park Needles Area

Driving Time: 2.5 hours

Short on time? Head straight to Mesa Verde National Park. Skip Canyonlands Needles area, Hovenweep, and Anasazi Heritage Center.

Forget the crowds in Arches and Canyonlands Island in the Sky. Today, you leave them all behind in the Needles area of Canyonlands. Seriously, I don’t think we saw another person on the trails.

After you drive from Moab to Canyonlands Needles, we recommend you:

• Explore the 0.6-mile Cave Spring trail.
• Traverse the wild landscape of the Slickrock trail (2.4 miles).
• Appreciate the Newspaper Rock petroglyphs from 2000 BC.

Stay the night in the small town of Monticello, Utah.

Extra Time? Natural Bridges National Monument features three magnificent rock bridges.

Day 5: Hovenweep National Monument and Travel to Mesa Verde National Park

Today you’re headed to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado! Luckily, the drive offers several great stops to learn about ancestral Puebloan cultures as you head towards Mesa Verde.

For more details, read our Hovenweep travel guide .

• Visit Hovenweep National Monument. Hike the Square Tower Group loop trail including Tower Point (2 miles)and earn your Junior Ranger badge.
• Enjoy the hands-on activities at the Canyons of the Ancients NM Anasazi Heritage Center
• Stop at the Mesa Verde NP Visitor Center. Pick up a map and Junior Ranger book. Book your ruins tour, if you didn’t do it in advance (ideally you did).

We recommend staying inside the park. The drive from the park entrance to the sites is 1-1.5 hours. Otherwise, stay in the nearby towns of Mancusco or Cortez. 

If you stay in the park, make sure and look up tonight. The high altitude and dark skies make stargazing AMAZING.

Day 6: Mesa Verde NP

Unlike the natural beauty of the Mighty Five, Mesa Verde is all about immersing yourself in ancestral Puebloan history and culture.

For more details on visiting this unique national park, read our complete guide to Mesa Verde .

2021 Closures! Both Balcony House and Cliff Palace are closed in 2021. Other Cliff Dwelling tours are still available.

• Get up close with history on a cliff dwelling tour. Try to book your tickets in advance. Our favorite cliff dwelling is Balcony House tour as it’s a little bit adventurous, but if you want less climbing consider Cliff Palace.
• Send a postcard from the second smallest post office in the USA
• Drive the Mesa Top Loop and stop at the Far View sites. Our favorite is Sun Point View across the Cliff Palace.
• Get sworn in as a Junior Ranger.
• Relax under the stars!

Day 7: Monument Valley & Page, Arizona

Driving Time: 4.5 hours

Monument Valley is a must-stop on the drive from Mesa Verde to Page, Arizona. We recommend driving US-163 through Mexican Hat. That route has the best views!

We took a slight detour and also crossed Four Corners Monument off the bucket list. After all, who doesn’t want to be four places at once?

Milepost 13 on US-163 is the “Forrest Gump” spot where Forrest famously decided he was done running back and forth across the US.

Monument Valley lies entirely on Navajo Nation land. Right now, you need to book a guided tour to see the valley up close. We can’t recommend a specific tour as we did the self-drive on our visit.

From Monument Valley, continue driving to Page, Arizona . You should be early enough to catch a stunning desert sunset.

Day 8: Page & Lake Powell

Extra time? Page, Arizona is worth at least 2 days of time. If you have extra time, consider adding a day. We especially like the trip to Rainbow Bridge National Monument .

• Admire the beauty of Antelope Canyon
• Enjoy the sparkling water of Lake Powell
• Admire the sunset at Horsehoe Bend

Page is one of the larger cities on this road trip. Take some time to stock up on supplies.

Day 9: Page, Arizona to Grand Canyon

You have a big decision to make. Will you go to the North Rim or South Rim of the Grand Canyon? This itinerary works with either. Honestly, you can’t go wrong. The Grand Canyon will blow your mind no matter where you choose to go.

We prefer the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s quieter (but not quiet) and more wooded. The drive time is also shorter for this itinerary.

The South Rim is where you’ll find the classic Grand Canyon photo views. It’s lower, more deserty…and more crowded.

After your travel day, we recommend you:

• Pick-up a map from the Visitor Center and get tips on viewpoints and hiking trails.
• Start your Junior Ranger badge.
• Find a place to unwind and enjoy a sunset view.

Day 10: Grand Canyon

Your goal today is to enjoy Grand Canyon views above and below The Rim.

A hike below The Rim will leave the crowds behind. Definitely watch the temperature and your water. You DO NOT want to be caught short of water on the hot, uphill hike out.

If you’re on the north side, take the North Kaibab Trail. Turn around by Supai Runnel (4 miles).

If you’re on the south side, try the Bright Angel Trail. Turn around by 1.5 Mile Resthouse (3 miles).

Day 11: Zion

Driving Time: 3 hours (from North Rim)

Driving Time: 5 hours (from South Rim)

Zion is gorgeous, but it’s also crowded. You must arrive early or the parking lots and trails will be full.

• Hit the trails early! Our absolute favorite hike is The Narrows. If wading up a river isn’t your thing, Pa’rus Trail, Watchman Trail, and Lower Emerald Pools are all scenic, family-friendly hikes.
• Attend a ranger talk and earn the Junior Ranger badge.
• Drive Route 9 through the beautiful Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel to Bryce National Park.

Extra time? Spend an extra day hiking inside the park or canyoneering outside the park.

Day 12: Bryce

The hoodoos are the highlight of the show at Bryce National Park. Enjoy them from above and also make sure you get down into Bryce Amphitheater to see them up close.

• Get oriented at the Visitor Center. Make sure and pick-up the Junior Ranger book and ask about the “I Hiked the Hoodoos” program.
• Enjoy the viewpoints at Bryce Point and Inspiration Point.
• Hike the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise points (1.0 mile).
• Explore the hoodoos on the Queen’s Garden Trail to Navajo Loop (2.9 miles).
• Drive the Scenic Southern Loop to Rainbow Point. Walk the Bristlecone Loop (1.0 mile) for the best views.
• Enjoy pristine stargazing on your own or with a free Ranger-led program.

Extra time? Bryce or nearby Red Rock are perfect horseback riding territory. You could add on a day or swap out the Scenic Southern Loop to fit this in.

Day 13: Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is an unexpected gem. Overshadowed by the more famous Bryce, Zion, and Arches, Capitol Reef is stunning in its own right.

The star attraction is the Waterpocket Fold – a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth’s surface.

• Stop at the Visitor Center to pick-up the Junior Ranger book and get a map
• Drive the Scenic Drive, stopping wherever catches your fancy.
• Hike Hickman Bridge (1.8 miles) or Cassidy Arch (3.5 miles).
• Enjoy pie at the Gifford House Store and Museum (fingers crossed there’s still pie).
• Pick fruit in the Fruita orchards.

Day 14: Head Home

Driving Time: 3.5 hours (to Salt Lake City)

You finished your Grand Circle road trip! Today is about getting home.

If you’re heading back to Salt Lake City, then consider a longer drive and a stop at Goblin Valley State Park. The weird and wonderful scenery is worth the detour.

We hope you have a great time on your Grand Circle road trip! Did you have a great time or have any suggestions for our itinerary? Either way, we would love to know. Drop us a comment below.

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How to Plan an Incredible Utah National Parks Road Trip

If you’re here, that means you’re probably in the early-ish stages of planning an Utah National Parks road trip. We have good news – you’re in the right place! In the guide below, you’ll find pretty much everything you need to plan a bucket list-worthy trip to all five of Utah’s National Parks.

We’ll begin with some important logistics, like where to start and end your Utah national parks itinerary and how many days to spend in Utah, and then get into the best stops, things to do and see, sunrise and sunset spots, hikes, places to stay, and more. 

Over the last three years, we’ve been to 18 national parks. And multiple Utah national parks make it into our top five list of America’s national parks (though we haven’t visited them all…yet).

We’ve now been twice in the past few years – fall and spring – and have updated the guide below with some of our latest discoveries. 

We absolutely love Utah, and think you will too. I, Matt, have been to Utah four or five times at this point, including two trips in the past few years. The diversity of landscapes in southern Utah – which is home to the “Mighty Five” national parks – is pretty mind boggling. 

You’ll find natural arches in, well, Arches National Park. Unique rock formations called hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. The vast and surprisingly lush canyon in Zion National Park. And there’s so much more – it would take a lifetime of exploring to see everything that Utah has to offer. 

If those incredible landscapes sound like something you want to experience, you’re in the right place. In this Utah national parks road trip itinerary, we’re going to cover – in detail – how to plan an amazing road trip through Utah. 

We love Utah, and think you will too. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How Many Days Do You Need for a Utah National Parks Road Trip?

We think that you need a full 10 days to do the complete Mighty Five circuit . Less time means a lot of driving and not a lot of time dedicated to each park. With 7 days, you’d essentially only have one day for each. Which we don’t think is enough time. 

Some parks have more to see than others and are worth spending two to three days in to have the best experience.  

We’ve written this guide for someone with 10 days , which I think is the perfect amount of time to see all five national parks in Utah, and have an extra day to spend on the other things that make Utah special.

What if You Only Have 5-7 Days in Utah?

If you have a week or less in Utah, we’d strongly urge you to focus on EITHER Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, OR Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef. 

When you include driving time, which totals around 10 hours or so over the course of the itinerary, 5-7 days BARELY gives you a day in each park if you were to do all five. 

Focusing your time on only a few of them will give you a little more time in each park, rather than spending less than one day in each. The key benefit of this approach is that you’ll be able to spend more time in the early morning and late afternoon, which is when the crowds are thinnest at these parks. 

Where to Start and End Your Utah Road Trip Itinerary

There are two options for getting to Utah – driving in from nearby, or flying in, renting a car, and driving. 

The two best starting points for this road trip are Las Vegas and Salt Lake City . Denver is a distant third. It’s still doable, but involves more driving.

If you don’t live nearby, like in Salt Lake City or Denver, you’ll need to fly to one of the gateways to Utah, rent a car, and drive to your first destination. 

The two easiest airports to fly into would be Salt Lake City and Las Vegas . 

From Salt Lake City, it’s going to take around four hours to drive to the start and end points on this road trip itinerary (Zion and Moab). 

From Las Vegas, it’s going to be just two and a half hours to Zion, but six and a half hours to Moab. 

The best way to do this road trip if you want to avoid long days of driving is to fly into Salt Lake City and out of Las Vegas , which is how we’ve organized the itinerary below. 

You could absolutely do it the other way around, but doing it this direction front loads the longer drive from Salt Lake City to Moab, versus having to do that drive at the end of your trip when your enthusiasm is waning and you only have your return flight to look forward to. 

You can also fly in and out of the same airport, it’ll just involve a few hours of extra driving on one end of the trip. 

Important Note : You need to check with the rental car company to make sure that it’s okay to pick up in one spot and drop off in another. You might have to pay a one way fee, but we think it’s worth it to avoid wasting a day of your vacation driving. See below in the rental car section to see what the tradeoff is between picking up / returning to the same place, and doing a one way rental.

You could fly into Denver and out of Vegas if you wanted to add on a few days exploring Colorado. It’s going to be five and a half hours of driving between Denver and Moab, but there’s plenty of things to do and see along the way. 

Good to Know : Book the earliest flight you can into Salt Lake City, and the latest flight out of Las Vegas to give yourself as much time as possible to explore. 

Tips for Your Road Trip Through Utah

Before we get to the full itinerary, a few general tips about planning a road trip through Utah. 

National Park Entrance Fees

It costs $30 per vehicle to enter each national park (good for 7 days), and you can either pay online in advance (be aware that you must print it out and bring it with you), or at one of the park’s visitor centers. 

If you are planning on visiting three or more national parks in the next 12 months, we’d highly recommend an America the Beautiful Pass , which covers entry to all national parks, national forest trailheads, national monuments, and more for 12 months. 

It costs $80, which means it pays off with three national park visits (or some combination of national parks, forests, and monuments). 

On this trip, you’re going to be visiting several national parks, which means it’s probably worth buying an America the Beautiful Pass before your trip. 

Crowds in the Utah National Parks

If you’re visiting the Utah national parks in the summer (or a weekend in the spring or fall), you’re going to experience crowds. 

There are a couple of things we’d say about crowds and how to avoid them as much as possible. 

First, get an early start, and plan on staying out late . Peak time is from about 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, which makes the hours from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm some of the best times to be out and about in the park. Plus, the rising/setting sun means the light will be better for pictures!

If You Want to Camp, Book Your Site Well in Advance

Camping inside the national parks is super competitive . For reservable sites, people book months and months in advance, and when there are first-come-first-served sites, they are snatched up immediately in peak season. 

The good news? There are tons of camping options outside of the parks that are affordable and accessible, and you’ll find some recommendations in the where to stay section for each park.

This is a Good Route to Test Out Van Life

If you’re not into sleeping in a tent, consider an RV or Campervan rental . It’s a good way to save money on accommodations by staying at campgrounds or RV Parks instead of hotels. For what it’s worth, we did this entire trip living in a Honda Odyssey. 

Think of it as a middle ground between camping and staying in hotels and vacation rentals. 

Escape Campervans is a good choice, and they have options for the exact route (Salt Lake City to Vegas) that the itinerary below has you on.

Book Your Accommodations Well in Advance

If you’re planning on staying in hotels and lodges, book several months in advance between May and October . That’s peak season, and things fill up FAST. 

Even outside of those months, you’ll still find that some places are full a few months in advance. You’ll find some hotel recommendations in each section to help you find the best place to base yourself to make the most of your time in each park. 

The Perfect 10 Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Now, on to the itinerary itself! 

Below, you’ll find a detailed day-by-day itinerary for a 10 day Utah national parks road trip based on our personal experience over the course of multiple trips. We’ll give you our favorite stops, the best hikes, places to stay, and more. 

Grab a cup of coffee and strap in – this is a long one, but it has literally everything we could think of to help you plan an amazing adventure.

Here’s an overview of that road trip, plus a map to help you visualize the route.

Here is the 10 day Utah national parks road trip itinerary that you’ll find – in detail – below: 

• Day 1 : Arrive in Salt Lake City, Drive to Moab
• Day 2 : Arches National Park
• Day 3 : Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky)
• Day 4 : Around Moab + Drive to Capitol Reef
• Day 5 : Capitol Reef National Park + Drive to Bryce
• Day 6 : Bryce Canyon National Park
• Day 7 : Bryce Canyon National Park + Drive to Zion National Park
• Day 8 : Zion National Park
• Day 9 : Zion National Park
• Day 10 : Zion National Park + Fly Home from Vegas

If you have a full two weeks in Utah , you’ll be able to get a little bit off the beaten path, exploring places like Kolob Canyons in Zion National Park and the Needles District in Canyonlands National Park that most visitors never even realize exist.

Below the full itinerary, you’ll find our suggestions for extending the 10 day trip. 

With 7 days , rather than trying to fit in the entire Mighty Five Circuit, we’d opt for spending 7 days exploring EITHER Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef OR Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef.

Days 1 & 2: Arches National Park

On your first day, you’ll spend most of the day in transit between Salt Lake City and Moab, which is the jumping off point for this itinerary. 

We spent five full days in Moab , and loved just about every minute of it – minus the hour-long wait to get into Arches National Park to check into our campsite. A good reminder to make sure to enter the parks early (before 9:00 am at the latest!) to avoid long lines and crowds. 

We didn’t realize it before arriving, but there are an astounding number of things to do in Moab .

Between exploring the two national parks that are a stone’s throw away – Arches and Canyonlands – to hikes outside the parks, and more adventurous activities like whitewater rafting and 4WD-ing, there’s plenty to keep you busy even if you had a full week JUST in Moab.

What to Do in Arches National Park

Here are our favorite things to do in Arches National Park. 

Sunset at Delicate Arch

On your first day, you’ll be driving from the airport and you’re probably going to be arriving mid-afternoon depending on what time your flight was (try and get the earliest flight possible!). 

Check into your accommodations for the next few days and head up to Arches National Park for that sweet, sweet golden hour light and sunset at Delicate Arch . 

It’s a 3 mile hike (round trip) that was a little harder than we thought it would be, but that didn’t stop literally a hundred people – ages 5 to 65 – from doing it.

It will probably be crowded if you’re there anytime between April and the end of October, but it’s worth it. You’ll climb up a section of rock, so you’ll want to wear your hiking shoes with plenty of grip. 

There’s one short section of the trail right before you get to the arch that’s narrow with a steep drop off, so keep an eye on your kids. 

If you do that hike at sunset, make sure to bring a headlamp for the way down. It gets dark FAST, and the last thing you want is to be hiking down the slab of rock in the dark. 

The Windows and Double Arch

Start your day off your second day with an early morning at the Windows and Double Arch, which are quite possibly our favorite set of arches in the park. And they’re so close together that you can easily see all of them (there’s four arches here in total) in about an hour or so. 

The Windows are two huge rock formations that are on the southeast side of the parking lot. There’s a nice trail that connects the North and South windows, along with nearby Turret Arch.

Make sure to walk through the North Arch and look back through the window to get a nicely framed picture of Turret Arch. 

Double Arch is on the opposite side of the parking lot, and it’s the tallest arch in the park. There are two separate (huge) arches that you’ll be looking up at.

You can climb around inside the arch and marvel at the two arches sharing the same base structure. It’s about a quarter of a mile from the parking lot on a flat, sandy trail. 

Hike the Devils Garden Trail

The Devils Garden Trail is a must-do hike in Arches National Park . The best part about this hike? You can customize it based on your experience and fitness level. 

If you do the entire loop, including the fun primitive trail on the way back, it’s going to be just under seven miles, with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Along the way, you’ll see seven different arches, and you’ll do some light scrambling and trail finding on the primitive trail, which we thought was a lot of fun. 

You’ll want solid hiking shoes or hiking boots (Alysha loves her Columbia Newton Ridge boots , an excellent first hiking boot) with good traction for the scrambling sections, which have you making some steep climbs on rock that necessitate good footing. It’s nothing too crazy though if you’re an experienced hiker. 

If you’re not up for 7 miles in the desert, do the 2 mile hike to Landscape Arch or the 4 mile (ish) hike to Landscape, Navajo, and Partition Arches , which takes you a bit further than most of the hikers go. 

Whatever you choose, it’s going to be hot. Drink plenty of water, eat plenty of snacks, and wear sun protection. Sun exposure is no joke, particularly in the summer. 

Broken Arch and Skyline Arch

Stop for a quick picnic lunch near the Devils Garden trail (there’s a picnic area just south of the campground and trailhead), then do the short hikes out to Broken Arch and Skyline Arch. 

You can park in Devils Garden Campground ( here ) to start the hike out to Broken Arch . 

It’s a cool hike, which is why it’s on this list duh, and you’ll pass through a couple of cool canyons on the way back from Broken Arch. It’s about 1.8 miles round trip, and is basically flat. This is a good sunset hike too if you’re staying at Devils Garden Campground since you can leave from camp without driving anywhere. 

Skyline Arch is also worth seeing. You get there via a pull off just south of the campground, and it’s a short, easy hike out there. 

Where to Stay in Moab near Arches National Park (and Canyonlands)

You’re going to stay in Moab for the first three nights of this itinerary. You should try to stay in one place for all three nights UNLESS you’re camping, in which case we’d try to find a site in Arches for the first night. 

Pssst ! Make sure to read our guide to the best places to stay in Moab to find the perfect home base for exploring this incredible area.

Hotels in Moab

We were planning on staying in a hotel in Moab for a night to shower and take a break from the weeks of sleeping in our van, but later decided to stay at a campground for an extra night instead. 

There were exactly three places on our list of hotels that we wanted to stay in. 

• The first is Moab Springs Ranch , which has a range of rooms from bungalows to more lodge-style rooms, and has a great coffee shop onsite (Horsethief Coffee). Unfortunately, they were sold out for our dates (book early, people!), but we would have chosen to stay there given the opportunity.
• The second, which is a place we booked then later canceled, is the Expedition Lodge . It’s in a great location along the main drag in Moab, and it looks nice. It’s motel style, which was what we were looking for during the summer of 2020, and it has some nice retro touches like the mint green mini fridges in the rooms. They also have some unique room configurations, like two queen bunk beds, which are nice for a traveling family (nobody likes sleeping on the cot on a hotel room floor). Oh, and there’s a pool, which is always a bonus.
• The last option was Moab Under Canvas , which is less a hotel, more glamping, but still fits here. This is your chance to stay under the stars while still maintaining some semblance of the comforts of a hotel. It looks incredible.

Camping In and Around Moab

If you’re looking to camp, you’ve actually got a fair number of options both inside Arches and Canyonlands, and just outside the national parks. 

• Inside Arches, there’s only one campground – Devils Garden . It’s reservable in advance ( learn more here ), and it’s a really nice campground. We stayed there for three nights, and it’s a great base for exploring Arches for a couple of reasons. First, it’s at the trailhead for Devils Garden, so you can get an early start to beat the crowds and heat (staying outside the park means a 45 minute drive to the trailhead). Second, being inside the park means you’ll avoid the crazy lines at the entrance to the park. We waited an hour to get in one day because we had to leave the park to get ice for our cooler.
• Inside Canyonlands , you have only one option in the Island in the Sky District (which is the part of the park you want) – Willow Flat Campground . It’s first-come-first-served, and only has 12 sites. Unless you show up early AND get lucky, you’re probably out of luck. You could also camp at Dead Horse Point State Park , which is close to the entrance of Canyonlands, and is worth a visit in its own right, particularly for a spectacular sunset over the canyons. 

Outside the park, there are a surprising number of campgrounds on BLM land that are all first-come-first-served. There are two major areas where you’ll find them. 

• The first group are along Highway 128 northeast of Moab on the Colorado River, and they are competitive and you’ll need to show up relatively early for the first few campgrounds. They’re in an incredible location along the river and deep inside a gorgeous red rock canyon. Goose Island, Grandstaff, and Big Bend are the nicest based on our drive through the canyon.
• The other area is along Highway 279 northwest of Moab – check out Gold Bar Campground , which is near the trailhead for Corona Arch. 

Day 3: Canyonlands National Park

On your third day in Moab, head out to Canyonlands National Park , which is a very different experience than Arches. 

While Arches is about feeling small standing under the towering rock formations littered around the park, Canyonlands is about feeling miniscule while looking out over the deep fissures in the earth created over thousands (millions?) of years of tectonic plate action. 

There are three sections of Canyonlands: Island in the Sky (closest to Moab, most accessible), the Needles District, and the Maze (technically I think there’s a fourth called the Rivers, but I’m not quite sure about that one).

With just one day, you should focus on Island in the Sky , which is the most accessible part of the park coming from Moab. However, if you have more time, a trip down to the Needles District is worth your time. 

What Not to Miss in Canyonlands National Park

Here are some that we enjoyed in the Island in the Sky part of Canyonlands National Park. 

Early Morning at Mesa Arch

Start your morning at Mesa Arch just after sunrise. It’s a really short hike out to a low arch, through which you get a nice glimpse of the vastness of Canyonlands. 

Why just after sunrise, you ask? Because at sunrise, there will be hundreds – yes, hundreds – of photographers vying for the best position to take that picture-perfect shot of the natural bridge with the sunstar on the bottom. I bet you’ve seen it before – it looks like this: 

I took that around sunrise at Mesa Arch, where we’d arrived an hour before sunrise and still didn’t get a spot. Instead of jostling for position, we took a seat on a rock overlooking the arch and watched the sun rise, then I ventured down when the crowds started to thin. 

Here’s the behind the scenes view of the sea of photographers that you don’t see in the pictures on Instagram. 

The point is that going after sunrise is a much more pleasant experience. 

Hiking in Canyonlands

After experiencing Mesa Arch, head out on a hike in Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky District. 

Here are three options for various levels of hiking experience and fitness. If you’re up for it, you could totally do a couple of the shorter ones together as part of a little circuit along Canyonlands’ main thoroughfare. 

Aztec Butte (1.7 miles / 250 ft. elevation gain): This is a cool hike that has two distinct parts that form a “Y” shape. First, take the right fork to climb to a nice viewpoint over Canyonlands. Then on the way back, take the left fork and check out the ancestral Puebloan structures, which are pretty cool. DON’T TOUCH THE STRUCTURES – leave them be. 

White Rim Overlook (2 miles / 200 ft. elevation gain): A short and sweet hike to an incredible overlook that really illustrates the scale of Canyonlands. It’s a short, well-marked hike out to a little “peninsula” (for lack of a better word – there’s no water, but it’s a peninsula shaped part of the canyon rim). Follow the rock piles, known as cairns. 

The Gooseberry Trail (5 miles / 1,500 ft. elevation gain): This hike is no joke. You basically climb straight down the wall of the canyon to get to the lower plateau, which takes you to a nice overlook of the canyon forged by the mighty Colorado River. Just remember, the first part of the hike is a descent…which means what goes down must come back up. Try to get an early start so that you’re not out there in the heat of the day. 

Grand View Point Overlook

Next, head out to Grand View Point , which is another short stroll along the rim of the canyon that we DEFINITELY think you should do, no matter what. It’s mostly flat, with a little bit of up and down, but the end viewpoint is going to be well worth the small effort to get there. 

The Scenic Drive

Grand View Point is at the end of the road, which means you can make the drive back towards the visitor center a scenic drive by stopping at all the viewpoints along the way. 

The first stop, if you didn’t already tackle it, is the White Rim Overlook . We loved this short hike, and it’s worth mentioning again. 

Make sure to also stop at the Buck Canyon Overlook and, our favorite viewpoint on the drive, the Shafer Canyon Overlook , which has amazing views of the canyon, and of the steep switchbacks of Shafer Canyon Road, which descend from the rim down to the plateau via tight switchbacks that I would be too terrified to drive myself. 

It’s also worth venturing out on the road that leads to Upheaval Dome, aptly named Upheaval Dome Road . 

The turnoff is a little ways south of Shafer Canyon Overlook. Willow Flat Campground, the main campground in this part of Canyonlands, is out there, but stay on Upheaval Dome Road to get to Upheaval Dome, Whale Rock, and Aztec Butte – three great short hikes just off the road. 

Day 4: Exploring Around Moab

Spend the morning and afternoon around Moab, exploring what we think are two of the best hikes in the area – neither of which are inside a national park – and then make your way over to Capitol Reef National Park. 

Things Not to Miss Around Moab

Here are some things we really enjoyed near Moab (that aren’t within national park boundaries).

Corona Arch

We did the hike out to Corona Arch at sunrise, and sat on a rock watching the light creep down, illuminating the arch about an hour after sunrise. Because of the rock walls here, we actually think the best time to be here is just after sunrise. 

It’s only 2.5 miles long (round trip), but there are some sections of scrambling along slickrock, and a ladder that you have to climb. As long as you’re prepared with sturdy footwear, you should be fine, but you should know what you’re getting into before you leave the parking lot. 

The arch itself is enormous, and is one of the more impressive arches we saw in Moab, including the ones in Arches (Delicate Arch and Double Arch might be the only two ahead of it). 

The trailhead is along highway 279, just a twenty minute drive northwest of Moab.  

Just down the road from Corona Arch is another amazing hike that most people probably skip since it’s not inside one of the nearby national parks – and that’s Jeep Arch .

You’ll park in the small dirt parking lot along the road. We were there mid-morning after our hike to Corona Arch, and we were only the second car in the parking area. 

This hike is a bit longer at 3.6 miles (1,000 ft. of elevation gain), and it is COMPLETELY exposed. No shade to speak of, except right at the base of the arch. 

You’ll start by hiking up through the water pipe, which we didn’t realize on our way out and ended up hiking up to the railroad tracks, crossing the tracks, and then scrambling down the other side. Only to look through the other end of the pipe and say “ah, that’s the way you’re supposed to go.”

From there, you’ll follow a trail that is somewhat well marked by cairns across the rocky landscape, surrounded by the towering red rock walls of the canyon. It’s a loop, and after doing it both directions, we really don’t think it makes a huge difference which direction you go. 

We will say that the arch will sneak up on you. We were very worried that we were going the wrong way because the map showed the arch just ahead of us, and we couldn’t quite see it yet.

It’s carved into the towering canyon wall, and if you squint, it looks a little bit like a jeep, hence the name (Matt’s not convinced). 

Sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park

After a day of exploring Moab, head out to nearby Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset. Dead Horse Point is on the way back to Moab, which makes it a perfect last stop of the day before retiring to your hotel or campground for the night. 

You’ll need to pay the entrance fee, since it is a Utah State Park and is not covered by your America the Beautiful Pass. It’s $20 a vehicle as of 2021 – double check the up-to-date fees here . 

If you’re up for it and have some extra time before sunset, it’s worth doing one of the short hikes along the west rim. Our pick would be to park at the main parking lot and hike out to the Rim Overlook, and back along the rim to the parking lot, with a short detour to the Shafer Canyon and Meander overlooks along the way.

It’s about 2.5 miles there and back, and it’s flat. 

After that, pick your spot, plop down, and watch the sunset over the canyon. 

Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park

Be honest – before you started researching for this trip, had you ever heard of Capitol Reef National Park?

We hadn’t either. 

But I understand why. Sandwiched between Arches and Canyonlands to the east, and Bryce and Zion to the west, it is the runt of the litter. Not that it isn’t a great stop and well worth your time, it’s just that the rest of the national parks in Utah are spectacular. 

The most unique part of Capitol Reef in my book is the amount of green you’ll see. Coming from Moab, it’s pretty surprising to drive around a corner with red rocks towering above you and see… an orchard? Several orchards, actually.

And you can freely walk through them and eat the fruit in the late summer too! You have to pay if you want to take it to eat later though. 

What Not to Miss in Capitol Reef National Park

Here are some things not to miss in Capitol Reef National Park. 

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

Stop at the visitor center to grab a map and a hiking guide, then it’s time to tackle the 10 mile scenic drive out to Capitol Gorge . 

Take your time on the drive – it’s a gorgeous road through the red rock formations that are Capitol Reef’s specialty. 

Eventually, you’ll arrive at the end of the paved road, where there’s a small parking lot and picnic area. If you continue on the dirt road, you’ll end up at the trailhead for Capitol Gorge , which is the beginning of a short one mile stroll through the towering canyon along the original path into the Fruita Valley. 

Be careful with weather in the summer – afternoon thunderstorms and rain showers can cause flash floods, and you definitely don’t want to be stuck in the gorge during a flash flood. 

Head back the way you came, making a right onto the dirt road that will take you to the Grand Wash Trailhead. 

Cassidy Arch

Head to the Grand Wash trailhead, which includes a short drive on a well-maintained dirt road, to hike to Cassidy Arch . 

In high season, you might have to wait a few minutes to get a parking space, since the lot is small and the dirt road makes it hard if not impossible to park on the side of the road. The wait will be worth it – you’ll climb the wall of the valley to an arch that you can actually walk on! 

It’s a steep climb up some stairs for the first bit of the trail, but it mellows out as you wind between the cairns (those are the little rock piles that mark a lot of the trails) up to the arch.

It’s a pretty stunning hike, as you’ll get views of the surrounding valley and beyond as you make the ascent. All in all, it’s a three mile hike with 660 feet of elevation gain. 

You should know that it will be hot in the afternoon, so bring tons of water, snacks, sunscreen, and a hat for sun protection. 

Hike Hickman Bridge + Rim Overlook Trail

We really enjoyed the hike to Hickman Bridge , which is another natural bridge (which is similar to an arch, but slightly different). It’s a short one mile hike up, and it’s another spot where the trail actually takes you up and through the arch, which is pretty cool. 

From the Hickman Bridge, it’s another 2 miles to the Rim Overlook , which is an incredible hike that takes you to a high point on the canyon walls and looks over the entire valley. It was one of our favorite spots not only in Capitol Reef, but on our entire Utah road trip. Well worth the effort. 

All-in, if you go all the way up to the Rim Overlook, it’s going to be between 5 and 6 miles, with a moderate elevation gain of about 1,000 feet. 

Fruita and the Barn

Post-hike, head to Fruita and hit the Gifford House for a fresh baked fruit pie as a reward for finishing the morning hike. They don’t have gluten free options, so we ended up skipping the actual pies, but the historic Gifford House is worth a stop regardless. 

It’s a good representation of the original Mormon Settlement in Fruita Valley, though it has definitely been updated and renovated since it was built in 1908. Grab a mini pie and take it out to the picnic area outside. 

Don’t miss walking up the road towards the campsite to get a picture of the Fruita Barn with the red rocks in the background – I love the contrast between the dry red rock canyon, and the lush field (with horses, if you’re lucky) where the barn stands. Super unique. 

Sunset Point for… Sunset

A little over an hour before sunset, head out to Sunset Point / the Goosenecks for the second most breathtaking panorama in the park (don’t worry, you’ll tackle the best viewpoint tomorrow morning). 

The Goosenecks are an okay view of the river winding through the valley below, and they’re basically at the parking lot. 

But the star of the show is Sunset Point , which has a view across the Fruita Valley with all sorts of interesting terrain as far as the eye can see.

It’s spectacular about a half hour before sunset, when the golden light brings out all the different colors in the surrounding landscape, particularly the red in the canyon walls. Here are a few pictures for you from our trip, if you’re not convinced. 

Where to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park

There are really not many options near Capitol Reef – you can either camp inside the park, or stay in the nearby town of Torrey, Utah. 

Camping in Capitol Reef

The best option, by far, is Fruita Campground , which is the only place to stay inside the park that you can reserve in advance. It’s a super nice campground, set in between red rocks and orchards.

We were discussing whether it was the nicest campground we’d stayed in on our four month road trip, and it’s definitely in the top five. Check availability here .

You could also stay at Cathedral Valley Campground , which is near the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, but it’s a journey to get there and it’s super remote with no amenities.

That being said, it’s free, so there’s that. Make sure you have a 4WD, high clearance vehicle or you’re going to have a bad time.

Hotels near Capitol Reef

You’ll have to head to nearby Torrey to find a place to stay that isn’t camping. It’s only about a 15 minute drive to the park entrance, so it’s a perfect stopover before heading onwards to your next stop, Bryce Canyon National Park.

As far as hotels and resorts go, the leaders of the pack are Capitol Reef Resort – which is also the closest place to stay near the park (and their two bedroom cottages have a kitchen) – and Red Sands Hotel .

Vacation Rentals near Capitol Reef

If you want a vacation rental with more space and access to a kitchen, there are a couple of good options around Torrey . 

For couples, we like this cozy house .  

For families and groups who need a bit more space, look at this modern two bedroom flat .

Days 6 & 7: Bryce Canyon National Park

We spent two and a half days in Bryce Canyon, and I didn’t quite realize just how compact this national park is. Unlike places like Yellowstone and Yosemite, where you can literally drive for hours and still not leave the park, there’s essentially one 19 mile road that makes up the entirety of Bryce Canyon National Park. 

Bryce Canyon really isn’t that big, so we think that a day and a half is enough to see the highlights.

For that reason, if you’re time constrained and only have ten days, I’d only spend one day in Bryce Canyon National Park , plus a portion of the next morning before driving to Zion.

If you’ve got more than 10 days, this is the first place I’d add time (an extra day would be perfect). 

One thing you should know for Bryce that I didn’t know before my trip: the best light for photos is in the morning . 

In the afternoon, the sun is on the opposite side of the canyon from most of the interesting stuff, which leads to long shadows that really mess with your pictures because of the extremes of light and dark in the photo. 

In the morning, the sun lights up the hoodoos and other formations, making them that much more spectacular.

The Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park

Here are five things not to miss in Bryce Canyon National Park. 

Sunrise at … Sunrise Point

Start your time in Bryce Canyon with sunrise at Sunrise Point . This is a popular spot, so get there early. 

You’ll have views of the hoodoos to your right, which is the direction you want to be facing, and the horizon on the left, which is where the sun will come up.

Again, it bears repeating, make sure to watch the rising sun light up the hoodoos – most people will be looking at the horizon to watch the sunrise, which would be a mistake!

As the sun comes up, it brings out all the different hues of the hoodoos, making for some spectacular photos.

Sunset Point and Thor’s Hammer

Next, walk along the rim to Sunset Point , which is another good viewpoint to see the hoodoos from a slightly different angle.

Hike down a little ways to get a good view of Thor’s Hammer , a unique rock formation that looks like the Marvel hero’s signature hammer.

Hike the “Figure 8” Loop

After you’ve taken ALL the photos, you should embark on our favorite hike in Bryce Canyon – the Queen’s Garden / Navajo / Peek-a-boo Loop, which we’ll call the “Figure 8” loop because it sounds cooler and is less of a mouthful. 

It’s a six mile hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain. You’ll start at Sunset Point and end along the rim near Sunrise Point. 

Make sure you’re fueled up with coffee and breakfast before heading out. To really take in the beauty and scale of Bryce Canyon, you HAVE to get below the rim. This hike takes you through canyons, between hoodoos, and to viewpoints with sweeping views of the magnificence of this park. 

You’ll start by descending Wall Street – a set of (very photogenic) steep switchbacks that take you down, down, down into the canyon. Try to get started early, because this spot gets very, very congested. 

You’ll wander through the canyon for a bit before you reach a junction – veer right to tackle the peek-a-boo loop, ending back at the exact point you veered right. From there, you’ll climb back up to the rim of the canyon via the Queens Garden trail, which is not an easy hike, especially if it’s hot, but it’s totally doable for most people. 

After the hike, take a break from being in the sun and eat some lunch to refuel, either a picnic lunch, or at the Bryce Canyon Lodge are your best options. 

The Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

One thing you definitely shouldn’t miss in Bryce Canyon is the scenic drive along the 19-mile road that runs from one end of the park to the other. It’s a good afternoon activity, and it will only take you about an hour or so. 

Make sure to check out Natural Bridge and Bryce Point , our two favorite stops, and stop at any viewpoints along the way that catch your eye.

You’ll want to start this drive at least two hours before sunset, before the sun drops behind the canyon wall and takes all the color out of the hoodoos for the night.

Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon National Park

There’s exactly one place to stay in the park (plus two campgrounds – scroll down to read about those) – the Bryce Canyon Lodge . The location is great, but it’s going to be expensive and it’s a little dated. That being said, it’s a solid choice if you want to stay in the park and aren’t on board for camping. 

Staying Outside the Park

If you’re looking for more options, you’ll need to look outside the park to the towns of Bryce and Tropic . 

The best place to stay to be close to the park is in the town of Bryce . It’s as close as it gets to the entrance of the park, and you’ve got a few options. Unfortunately, the selection isn’t great. 

The Best Western Plus Canyon Grand is, by far, the best place to stay. I know what you’re thinking – “really Matt? Best Western? That doesn’t seem like you.” I hear you, believe me. I had the same reaction. But this is a NICE Best Western.  

Tropic, Utah is another place you could stay, and it’s about 15-20 minutes outside the park entrance, which means it’s about 30 minutes from Sunrise Point, which is where you’ll start the next morning. Generally, Tropic is going to be the cheaper option between the two, but also the less convenient option. 

Camping in and Around Bryce Canyon

There are two campgrounds inside the park. 

Sunset Campground is the bigger of the two campgrounds inside the park. You’ll need to book well in advance, or be prepared to check the availability daily for a cancellation, which is how we ended up getting a spot for a night.

The location is great, right across from Sunset Point, which will mean you can walk over and skip dealing with the parking nightmare that is that parking lot in the morning. Oh yeah, and the bathrooms are heated, which I’ve never encountered before at a campground. 

North Campground is basically right on the rim of the amphitheater, which also means that you will be able to leave the car at camp and walk to the two best hikes in the Bryce Canyon National Park (more on that in a second). There are 99 sites, and for 2023 (May through October) you’ll need to reserve in advance. 

The best option for camping (and RV sites) outside the park is Ruby’s RV Park and Campground , which is where we stayed for the rest of our time in Bryce Canyon because we couldn’t get a reservation in the park. 

Days 8 – 10: Zion National Park

Zion is the park I’ve spent the most time in on road trips growing up, and finally we made it back in the spring to marvel at both the canyon itself, and the ingenuity that went into constructing the Mt. Carmel – Zion tunnel, and the trail up to Angels Landing. 

Both were built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps , and are amazing feats of engineering, especially when you consider they were made almost a century ago. 

Zion is one of the best national parks in the country, let alone Utah, so you’re ending your trip on a high note. 

There’s tons to do and see, and two days in Zion is not nearly enough time to see all there is to see, but you can get a great taste of the park that will leave you hungry to return and spend more time exploring the canyons, rivers, and hanging gardens that make Zion a special place.

The best thing to do in Zion National Park, by far, is hiking. And there are two iconic hikes in the park that you should tackle – one on each day. 

They are the Narrows and Angels Landing – you’ll do Angels Landing on Day 1, then the equally-iconic Narrows of the Virgin River on Day 2. In between, there are some great shorter hikes to tackle. 

A note here for RVs and trailers: if your vehicle is higher than 11’ 4” or wider than 7’ 10”, you’ll have to pay a $15 “escort fee” to pass through the Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel (which you’ll have to do to get into the park from the east) which basically means that a ranger will stop traffic in the tunnel and make it one-way so that you can pass through to avoid accidents. More information can be found here .

The Best Things to Do in Zion National Park

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Zion National Park. 

Hike Angels Landing

Get an early start on your first day in Zion to make your way out to Angels Landing (shuttle stop is the Grotto ). It is, along with the Narrows, one of the best and most unique hikes in Utah if not the entire western United States.

It’s only 5.4 miles long, but it’s a steady climb of over 1,500 feet, which is going to feel like A LOT at this elevation and temperature. Seriously, the trail starts flat for about a quarter of a mile, but then it starts climbing steadily for the rest of the hike up to Angels Landing. 

You need to pack plenty of water (more than two liters per person), sunscreen, and a hat. If you’re afraid of heights, the tail end of this hike is going to test your willpower. You’ll need to do some scrambling and climbing with the help of chains, but the sweeping views at the top will make it all worth it. 

However, you should know that we stopped before the serious part of the chains started. There are essentially two sections of chains – one that traverses the side of a ridge, and another that makes the ascent to the summit. We did the first section, and turned around before the second section. 

It had rained the day before, which created a fine sand that coated every rock surface on the hike. We weren’t super comfortable with our footing as we were traversing the first set of chains, and the unbearable crowds didn’t help with the anxiety. Know that it is perfectly okay to stop and turn around if you’re not feeling comfortable. We did, and we regret absolutely nothing. 

I mean it when I say to start early. It gets hot in Zion, and the last thing you want is to be stuck at one of the sections with chains waiting for a slow group to go up or down while you, quite literally, roast in the desert sun. 

It’s going to take you most of the morning and part of the afternoon to do this hike. Afterwards, head to the Zion Lodge to eat lunch – either a pre-packed picnic, or a meal at the lodge’s cafe – and relax before tackling some other short hikes in the afternoon. 

Note : in 2023, you need an advance reservation to hike to Angels Landing. It’s meant to control crowds, which we experienced and literally said to each other on the way down “they should really permit this hike.”

Sunset at the Watchman

This was one of our favorite hikes in Zion, though we did it at sunrise, when the light wasn’t at its best thanks to the towering rock wall behind you that blocks the sun from lighting up the Watchman. 

That’s why we have it here, at sunset instead.

It leaves from the visitor center, and climbs pretty gently to a mesa that is directly across the valley from the Watchman, one of the most famous rock formations in the park. It’s a good spot to pack a picnic and a couple of beers after a long day of exploring. 

Hike The Narrows

Today, hop on the shuttle early and head up the canyon to the Temple of Sinawava stop to do the ten mile hike (roundtrip) to the Narrows. 

This hike is through a canyon and river, which means it is CRUCIAL that you check with the rangers about conditions and flash flood warnings before you start the hike . In the spring, heavy water flow from snow runoff might mean that this trail is closed. 

Seriously, flash floods in canyons are no joke. Stop by the visitors center to make sure you’re good to go. 

Don’t let that scare you – the hike through the Narrows is the #1 Zion experience that I think you should have on your trip.

The hike follows the Riverside Walk for the first bit, then continues on when that trail ends. You’ll pass through narrow canyons, deal with knee-high water, and do some bouldering en route to Big Springs, where the hike ends and you’ll turn around to head back the way you came.

It’s going to take you five to six hours, maybe more. To make it as smooth as possible, bring plenty of water, tons of snacks, proper footwear (not flip flops – either hiking sandals like Chacos , or real hiking shoes), a dry bag , and a pair of trekking poles for stability.

After that, recharge for a second and catch your breath. Maybe take a nap. It has been a whirlwind of a couple of days!

East Zion Scenic Drive

The eastern side of Zion National Park is one of the more unique landscapes in the country. Checkerboard Mesa, in particular, is pretty impressive. It’s a huge, textured cone-like formation that has checkerboard textures all over its surface.

The drive through the eastern side of the park, from the East Entrance to the tunnel, is spectacular. You should do it in the late afternoon if you can, so that you’re well-positioned to do the Canyon Overlook Trail at sunset. 

The Canyon Overlook Trail

Parking for this one is a bit of a pain due to all the people vying for a very limited number of spots. You’ll need to park along the road and walk to the trailhead. 

The hike itself is short, but a little steep, and takes you up to a spectacular view out over the canyon. Below, you’ll see the road switchbacking its way up to the tunnel, and the iconic, impressive rock formations of Zion Canyon across the valley below. 

Last light on the canyon from the setting sun is amazing, and it’s worth hanging out up here for a bit until after sunset. 

Where to Stay near Zion National Park

Unlike a place like Capitol Reef, where it’s hard to find a place to stay that’s close to the park, Zion has some great options nearby in Springdale, Utah . 

Whether you’re looking for a campground or you want a comfortable hotel, there are plenty of great places to stay near Zion.  

Inside the park, your options are splurging on a lodge room or private cabin at the iconic Zion Lodge , or snagging a campground at either Watchman Campground (we stayed here and it’s great) or South Campground .

Both are walkable to the visitor center, which is where you’ll need to catch the shuttle if you’re here between March and November. 

In Springdale , which is immediately outside the entrance to the park, you’ve got a wide range of options, from budget to bougie. Here are some picks based on what you’re looking for. 

• On a budget : I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express , and it’s nicer than most Holiday Inns, and there’s a shuttle that will take you to the park entrance right outside the front door. The Best Western is another option, and it’s slightly closer to the park  entrance.
• Mid-Range : I love the cottages at the Red Rock Inn Cottages , and that’s where we would have stayed if we weren’t camping. Flanigan’s Inn is an eco-friendly hotel with nice rooms, a beautiful property, and a great onsite restaurant. The Desert Pearl Inn is a good choice if you need a kitchen (and the rooms all have nice patios overlooking the pool).
• Best of the Best : The Cable Mountain Lodge is the best place to stay near Zion thanks to its location RIGHT OUTSIDE the park entrance. It’s a nice boutique hotel, so it’s not the cheapest, but it’s worth every penny for the location alone. In the same complex, there’s a small grocery store, a coffee shop, a brewery, and an outfitter that rents bikes and gear for the Narrows if you need it. 

You could also stay in a vacation rental in Springdale , which there are plenty of. That’ll give you more space to spread out and relax, which is particularly helpful if you’re traveling with a group. Nobody wants to cram four people in a small hotel room with two queen beds. 

For a once-in-a-lifetime glamping experience, stay at Zion Under Canvas . It’s a little further out – 45 minutes from the South Entrance – but it’ll make up for the distant location with the superb facilities.

They have a range of options – from simple “safari tents” that are basically a bed with a shared bathroom (they’re single-occupancy and nice, though) to “Stargazer” (private bathroom and deck!) and Suites. Some even come with a separate kids tent – perfect for families.

Psst ! We have a whole guide dedicated to helping you find the perfect place to stay at Zion National Park – you can read it here . 

What to Do with More Time in Utah

Here are three things to add to your Utah itinerary if you are lucky enough to have some extra time. 

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Time required : 1 full day

Before heading to Bryce, it’s well worth a stop in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument , home of some of the best slot canyons in Utah that don’t require a permit lottery to access.

The best way to do it is to tackle one or two of the hikes (if you’re ambitious) on the way to Bryce Canyon, staying overnight either in nearby Boulder, Utah, or completing the hikes and heading into Bryce at the end of the day. 

There are at least three hikes that are worth your time in this area, and which ones you choose basically depends on your ability to navigate a long dirt road with some questionable spots for passenger vehicles and your willingness to navigate tight spots in slot canyons. 

The road to get to the trailhead for Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Canyons is a 26-mile long dirt road called “Hole-in-the-Rock Road”. It’s passable in a passenger vehicle, but you’ll need to take it slow and it’s going to take you about an hour. I’d recommend a 4WD, high clearance vehicle to get to the second two hikes on the list. 

We skipped them all because Homer, our Honda Odyssey, was sick of unpaved roads after some misadventures in the Pacific Northwest. 

Here are those three hikes, with a short description of each. 

• Lower Calf Creek Falls (6 miles roundtrip): This is right along Scenic Byway 12, which means you don’t have to survive a dirt road to get to the trailhead. It’s a lovely hike through a surprisingly green canyon to a 126 foot waterfall, Lower Calf Creek Falls, which is in a grotto-like setting. Bring a swimsuit on a warm summer day to take a dip in the pool underneath the falls.
• Zebra Slot Canyon : This trail is not always accessible, since the entry point fills with water after storms. But if it hasn’t rained in a while, it’s a worthy five mile trip. I haven’t personally done it, but I’ve seen plenty of pictures on Instagram of the wave-like textures in the Zebra slot.
• Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons : This hike includes a 15 foot climb on rock walls, and a 20 foot descent with assistance from a rope, along with some very tight spots (12-18 inches wide) through a slot canyon. We didn’t make it here because the 26 mile long dirt road scared us and our minivan off, but I’ve heard from family members and friends who have done it that it’s amazing. The reward is two of the best slot canyons in Utah, which means it’s a busy trail. Be careful in slot canyons if there’s an incoming rainstorm – flash flooding is no joke.

If you’re looking for an awesome overnight backpacking trip, look no further than the 11.5 mile journey to Coyote Gulch . It has quite a bit of elevation gain, which makes it a little much for a day hike. But the destination is pretty epic. Permit information here . 

If you’re not up for the 26 mile drive on a dirt road, do the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls on the drive from Capitol Reef, then head to Bryce Canyon National Park that night. 

Add a Detour into Arizona

Time required : 3-4 days

If you’ve got two weeks and you’re looking for a great addition to your Utah road trip adventure, a mini Arizona road trip would be a great option. 

Zion is just two hours away from Page, Arizona, which is home to two amazing natural wonders – Horseshoe Bend (you’ve probably seen it on Instagram) and Antelope Canyon . 

Horseshoe Bend is a giant picture-perfect bend in the Colorado River that makes for an amazing sunset location, while Antelope Canyon is one of the most picturesque slot canyons in the Southwest, but is only accessible by guided tour (check out this company , which is Navajo-owned). 

On the way to Page, make a stop at Paria Canyon to hike to Buckskin Gulch. The Wave is also here, in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, but you’ll need to apply in advance to get a permit to hike it. More information here .

After Page, continue on to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and spend two days at the Grand Canyon in constant awe over the natural beauty and scale on display. Make sure to drive Desert View Road at sunset , hike the South Kaibab Trail , and catch sunset at Hopi Point along Hermit Road while you’re there.

From the Grand Canyon, it’s a four hour drive west to Las Vegas. You’ll pass by Hoover Dam along the way, which is worth a stop for the sheer scale of the dam. 

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Sitting just north of Zion (an hour and a half drive) is Cedar Breaks National Monument. It’s even higher than Bryce Canyon at 10,000 feet above sea level, which means the ecosystem is very different from most of the places you’ve seen so far in Utah. It’s most similar to Bryce Canyon, with its orange-tinted rocks and ponderosa pine forests. 

It’s also shaped kind of like Bryce, forming an amphitheater, but unlike Bryce you can’t hike below the rim because it’s steep and dangerous. As a result, there aren’t a whole lot of long hikes here, so a half day is probably enough time. 

Similar to Bryce, morning is the best time to be here for the light since the sun sets behind the canyon and mid-afternoon it’s shrouded in darkness. While you’re there, make sure to hike both  the South Rim Trail and the Alpine Pond Trail . Both are short and relatively easy. 

How to Plan a Shorter Utah National Parks Itinerary

If you have less time in Utah, like we mentioned above, rather than trying to fit in the entire Mighty Five Circuit, we’d opt for spending 7 days exploring EITHER Zion and Bryce OR Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef.

The first itinerary might look something like this (you’ll want to fly in and out of Las Vegas for this one).  

• Day 1 : Arrive in Las Vegas, drive to Zion
• Day 2 : Zion National Park
• Day 3 : Zion National Park
• Day 4 : Bryce Canyon National Park
• Day 5 : Bryce Canyon National Park
• Day 6 : Day trip to Grand Staircase-Escalante (Calf Creek Falls)
• Day 7 : Drive Back to Las Vegas

If you’re more interested in spending your time in and around Moab (which is where you’ll find Arches and Canyonlands), here’s what it might look like. 

• Day 1 : Arrive in Salt Lake City / Moab
• Day 3 : Arches National Park
• Day 4 : Canyonlands National Park
• Day 5 : Around Moab
• Day 6 : Capitol Reef National Park
• Day 7 : Drive Back to Salt Lake City / Moab

The Best Time to Visit the Utah National Parks

In general, we think fall and spring are the most pleasant times to be in Utah (we were there in October and April, and it was lovely). 

Visiting in the Fall and Spring (March – May / September – October)

Fall and spring in southern Utah, which is where the national parks are, are fairly similar. We’ve been in both October and April over the past year, and both were very pleasant times to be there. However, the weather is certainly more unpredictable than the summer – it was 80 degrees and sunny one day, and then snowed the next day on our trip in April. 

On our road trip to the Mighty Five in the fall (October), we found temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s during the day, and between 50 and 60 degrees at night. This varies by park – Bryce Canyon is at 8,000 feet above sea level, and is much cooler than Arches and Canyonlands, for example. 

The parks are still busy, so you’ll need to reserve things early – it’s actually still considered high season.

Visiting in the Summer (June – August)

Summer is crowded and blazing hot. In the United States, a lot of families plan summer vacations because that’s when the kids are out of school. The result? Parks are packed, camping reservations are few and far between, and good luck getting a parking spot at the most popular trailheads in the park. 

Usually, the weather is the most predictable in the summer, where it’s often warmer and drier than other times of year. There’s also going to be afternoon thunderstorms, which are a phenomenon that we’ve run into multiple times in the southwest and in Colorado. 

Summer isn’t the best time to visit Utah’s Mighty Five national parks. You’ll find unbearable temperatures in the heat of the day, often reaching over 100 degrees, which basically means you can’t do much during the middle of the day. You’ll need to plan on being out early in the morning and late in the afternoon and drink plenty of water. 

That being said, I’ve been on two separate versions of a Utah road trip in the summer growing up, and I’m still here. It’s doable, but not preferable. 

Visiting in the Winter (November – February)

In the winter , the parks are basically empty, but it’s going to be freezing cold. You might even get a little bit of snow, which is a particularly beautiful way to see the Mighty Five in Utah. Pack a warm jacket (we basically wore this jacket every night on our road trip) and some long underwear and you’ll be fine. 

It’ll be in the 30’s and 40’s during the day, and drop below freezing at night. You might even get treated to a nice dusting of snow covering the parks, which is stunning. If you’re planning on visiting in the winter, I’d avoid camping (although we’ve camped in Yellowstone when it was below 20 degrees before) and plan on staying in hotels and vacation rentals along the way. 

The best part? You won’t have to brave the crowds – you’ll have the major sights virtually all to yourself. The worst part? Some roads and hikes might be closed due to snow and ice, so you might miss out on an experience or two. 

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

This has been by far the most imformative review I have ever had the pleasure of reading on any vacation. Awesome, Thank you so much for the detailed description and personal tips. This is helping us plan for our trip next summer, I’m taking some of your advice and hope for a great trip with out teenage boys. Thanks again

Hey Paul, thanks for the kind words! Glad you found it helpful – we plan (and pay for) all of our own trips, so we do our best to include all of those important tidbits that come from personal experience on a route. You’re going to have an amazing trip next summer. Cheers!

Hello Matt and Alysha – this site is amazing and full of info. My hubby and I and another couple are thinking of visiting Utah from Wisconsin. Our plan is to drive from home so no flying. We are all retired. If we visit in April are hotel/motel reservations still necessary? My thoughts are traveling ‘on the fly’ so to speak and when we are tired we stop and get a hotel room. Possible? Thanks.

Hey Pam! April is actually high season for the Utah parks, so yes you will probably want to reserve in advance. With the huge rise in number of visitors at national parks over the past couple of years, it’s really tough to do it “on the fly” these days between hotel reservations and park entrance permits (those haven’t quite hit the Utah parks yet, but I imagine they’re coming at some point!). Enjoy!

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Southern Utah Road Trip: Ultimate Two Week Itinerary

Driving through the National Parks in the United States is one of the most iconic road trips you can do. Crossing through extraterrestrial red valleys and monumental rock formations carved over millions of years, there is a sense of having been transported to another planet. One of the greatest feelings while traveling is when you are so captivated by what you are seeing that you can barely believe it is real. A Southern Utah road trip is filled with such moments .

But with so many incredible sights and parks to visit, it can be overwhelming to decide how to best plan your road trip itinerary . Utah is vast and each national park has an abundance of hiking trails to see. Beyond hiking though, there are some other incredible experiences to discover including canyoneering, paddle boarding the Colorado River, and watching some of the most epic sunsets.

If you are adventurous and want to discover Utah beyond the typical tourist trail , then this Utah trip itinerary is perfect for you! And to get you even more excited, other than Iceland, this was our favourite road trip ever !

How many days do you need in Utah?

We would recommend a minimum of 10 days, ideally 2 weeks, to fully experience this Southern Utah Road trip itinerary. We did 14 days in total and were able to visit most of the national parks at a comfortable pace. Although Utah primarily has 5 national parks , it also has 11 national monuments and historic sites which are also really worth visiting.

Keep in mind that since this is a road trip, reducing the number of days would mean driving really long distances every day, or skipping certain attractions.

We have seen some itineraries propose seeing all 5 national parks within 7 days but that would mean potentially driving 4-6 hours per day. For us, the true spirit of road-tripping is the sense of freedom, so rushing from site to site doesn’t sound like much fun. 

Main sites and experiences on this road trip

Every road trip itinerary will include different experiences. We believe that what makes a trip truly incredible are the things you will get to experience , more than just the areas you will visit. Check out below some of our favourite bucket list moments included in this Southern Utah Road Trip itinerary:

• Climbing Angel’s Landing
• Trekking through the Narrows
• Paddle boarding Horseshoe Bend and Colorado River
• Paddle board the secret Antelope canyon
• Witnessing the sunset over the iconic Horseshoe bend
• Discovering the alternative Antelope Canyon
• Canyoneering and rappelling 230ft in Moab
• Quiet sunset at Delicate Arch
• White water rafting in Moab
• Figure 8 Trail through the Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon
• And much more!

Quick Summary of Southern Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Number of days: 14 Day 1 – Las Vegas (1 night) Day 2 – 4 – Zion National Park (3 nights) Day 5 – 7 – Page, AZ (3 nights) Day 8 – Bluff, UT (1 night) Day 9 – 11 – Moab, UT (3 nights) Day 12 – Capitol Reef, UT (1 night) Day 13 – Bryce Canyon (1 night) Day 14 – Las Vegas (1 night)

About this Itinerary

Our road trip around Utah was definitely one of the best we’ve ever done.

Nan and I love hiking and Utah’s abundance of epic national parks surpassed our expectations. Although this is a road trip, it doesn’t mean you should spend most of the time on the road.

For that reason, our itinerary minimizes the amount of driving per segment to usually less than 2 hours, and we tend to stay in a region for about 3 days . Because who likes packing and unpacking constantly right?

This left us with a comfortable pace to truly immerse in the beauty and activities of each region.

In this trip, we included hiking , nature viewpoints , photography , paddleboarding , rafting , canyoneering , and city life. A perfect variety of adventures that Utah can offer!

We visit all of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks and also add in some off-the-beaten-path activities that many do not know of.

Southern Utah road trip Itinerary

Below we do a full day-by-day breakdown of our Road trip itinerary including what to do, the main attractions, the driving route, and where to stay.

Day 1: Arrival at Las Vegas (1 Night)

One of the best starting points for your Southern Utah Road trip is at Las Vegas. The reason for this is that there are usually cheap and quick flights reaching Las Vegas’ international airport. We also found that renting a car from Vegas to be cheaper than from Arizona or Salt Lake City. Las Vegas, with its world-class shows, is also a very fun city to start your trip in.

🚗 Rent your car

Since this is a road trip, you will certainly need to arrange for a car rental. Two great options include Turo and DiscoverCars . What we love about DiscoverCars is that you can purchase insurance coverage directly with DiscoverCars at an affordable price that will cover you for all damages and deductibles!

Also, make sure to pick up the car at the airport so you can avoid paying the pricey taxi fees to get to the city.

🎫 Prepare for the road trip – America the Beautiful Pass

After picking up your car, head to the nearby grocery store and local REI to pick up some of the things you will need on your road trip.

First, since you will be visiting most of the National Parks in Utah, make sure to pick up the America the Beautiful National Park pass . 

For around 80$ , it will give you access to over 2000 recreation sites and national parks across the United States. It is valid for a year and will provide access for the pass holder and any accompanying passengers in the vehicle . This means that with just one pass, you are covered for everybody in your vehicle. 

You can order it online and have it mailed to you but since we are outside of the United States, we prefer to pick up the pass from REI .

This pass will cover you for all 5 National Parks of Utah , but not for the private parks such as Dead Horse Point State Park, Monument Valley, and Horseshoe Bend. 

Regardless, the America The Beautiful Pass is definitely worth it . To give you an example: entrance into Zion National Park is 35$ per vehicle. In this itinerary, we will be going to Zion twice so that is already 70$. For 10$ more, you are covered for all the other parks for the rest of the road trip itinerary.

Finally, this road trip wouldn’t be complete without snacks. Make sure to go to the grocery store to pick up snacks for the road as well as for your hikes.

🏠 Where to stay

Click here for some of the top hotels in Las Vegas

Day 2: Zion National Park (3 nights)

From: Las Vegas, Nevada To: Hurricane, UT Driving time: 2h20 (149 miles)

🛣️ Drive towards Zion National Park

As you head towards Zion National Park , you will have the choice of a few cities to stay at near Zion .

The closest to Zion National Park would be inside Zion or Springdale . However, due to its prime location, it is also the busiest and most expensive. If you stay in Springdale, they offer a f ree shuttle service to reach many of the main points of the city. This helped to reduce the amount of cars on the road, but we still felt like there were a lot of traffic jams in Springdale.

The next closest city is Hurricane . Located around 35 minutes drive from the Zion Visitor’s Centre, Hurricane provides far more affordable accommodations and is a lot easier to drive. We elected this option and drove into Springdale very early every morning in order to find available parking. Since we were starting our hikes at 7 am, we had no difficulty finding parking at the Visitor’s centre.

The final option is St-George , however, we wouldn’t recommend it as much since it is around 1-hour drive away from Zion National Park.

🏨 Check in to your hotel

If you are not sure where to base yourself when visiting Zion, and you don’t want to spend a fortune on hotels, check out this post where we compare the best places to stay near Zion .

Spend the afternoon getting settled in and grabbing an early dinner as you will be spending the sunset hours at Yant Flats.

⛰️ Evening – Yant Flats

Drive time: 45 minutes (23 miles) each way Duration of hike: 1 hour each way Hiking distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip, mostly flat

The Yant Flats are known as “Candy Cliffs” because of their unique rock formations that have been sculpted by the forces of nature over millions of years. The result is an otherworldly landscape of orange and white swirls that makes you feel like you stepped onto another planet.

This was one of the most unique landscapes we’ve ever witnessed and it is also quite off-the-beaten path. If you head there for sunset, it is usually quite empty.

Note: The drive there is on a narrow mountain bumpy road so make sure to drive slowly. You do not need a 4×4 though.

Day 3: Zion National Park – Angel’s Landing

From: Hurricane      To: Zion National Park Driving time: 35 minutes (23 miles) to Zion Visitor’s Centre each way

🛣️ Drive to Zion National Park

Wake up very early in the morning and try to r each the Zion visitor’s centre before 7 am . The reason for this is that there are limited parking spots at the visitor’s centre and the shuttle buses that enter the National Park start from there.

During the peak season (March – October) , the roads through Zion National Park are closed to private vehicles and only the designated shuttle buses can be used. If the visitor’s centre is full, then you can park on the Springdale streets.

In order to get to the trailhead of the Angel’s landing hike , you will need to take their shuttle bus from the Visitor’s Centre. Angel’s landing is towards the end of the route, at Stop #6 called The Grotto , which is about 8km from the visitor’s centre.

The shuttle through Springdale and Zion National Park is free to ride . To get more information about the shuttle times and stops, check out the official National Park page .

🌄 Morning – Angel’s Landing Hike

Hiking trail: Angel’s landing Duration of hike: 5 hours Distance of hike: 4.2 miles (but with a lot of elevation gain) Difficulty: Moderate

🛑 Important Note: Due to the high popularity of the Angel’s Landing trail, it is now required to enter a lottery draw to try to obtain an entry permit pass. To learn more about this process, check out Angel’s landing reservation page . If you do not succeed in getting the permit, then you can check out some of the other hikes that do not require a permit . These include The Narrows, Canyon Overlook, Emerald Pools, and the Watchman Trail.

Angel’s Landing , rated as one of the most dangerous hikes in the United States, was definitely high on our bucket list. It is a 1,500-foot-high rock formation in Zion National Park, and the only way to get up is along its ridge, bordered on both sides by sheer cliffs, scrambling along the chain links.

It’s definitely one of those ‘not for the faint of heart’ hikes, but ended up being one of our favourite hikes of the entire trip!

Make sure to start this hike early as the trail gets very crowded by around 10-11 am. Since the trail is quite narrow at certain points, waiting in line with the crowds on the edge of a cliff is certainly not something you want to do. Due to the exposure, it also gets quite hot by noon.

Note: I would consider this hike moderately difficult. There is a lot of uphill at the beginning to reach the top of the ‘fin’. After that, it is not too strenuous but does have a lot of exposed cliff areas. So if you have a fear of heights, make sure to reflect if this hike is suitable for you. As a point of reference, Nan has a big fear of heights but she was able to do this trail.

🏞️ Evening – Kolob Canyon viewpoint

Driving time: 36 minutes (27 miles) each way from Hurricane Hiking trail: Timbercreek overlook trail in Kolob Canyon Duration of hike: 15 minutes each way Distance of hike: 1 mile roundtrip Difficulty: very easy Parking: free

Kolob Canyon offers visitors a more remote and rugged experience than other parts of Zion National Park. Unlike Angel’s Landing and the Narrows, there are only a few visitors here, allowing you to quietly enjoy the beautiful sandstone cliffs.

It is an amazing spot, reached by a very short 15-minute hike, where you can overlook the entire Northern Zion Valley. There are also several other longer hikes in the area if you are interested.

Make sure to bring warm clothes as it gets very windy there

🏨 where to stay

You will be spending the 3 nights in Hurricane, UT or if you have the budget for it, Springdale.

Day 4: Zion National Park – The Narrows

From: Hurricane     To: Zion National Park Driving time: 35 minutes (23 miles) to Zion Visitor’s Centre each way

🛣️ Drive to Zion National Park Visitor’s Centre

Similar to the day before, make sure to arrive at the Zion National Park Visitor’s Centre before 7 am . You will take the same national park shuttle bus all the way to the last stop #9, called Temple of Sinawava , to start the Narrows hike . This takes around 45 minutes to reach and is 12.4km from the visitor’s centre.

🥾 Rent the Narrows Equipment package

We would recommend that you book the Narrows equipment package including hiking sticks, 5mm neoprene socks, and hydro canyoneering boots. Some packages also include Dry pants, similar to those that fly fishermen wear. 

We didn’t end up getting the package and really paid the price for it. Within 30 minutes, our feet were freezing and we couldn’t get our body heat back up. We toughed it through but were shivering almost the entire hike. 

Don’t make the same mistake as us. The water in the Narrows is cold!

🌊 Morning – The Narrows

Hiking trail: The Narrows Duration of hike: 4-8 hours (but can be shorter) Distance of hike: 6-10km (but you are trekking through water so it is slower) Difficulty: Moderate

The Narrows is Zion’s second iconic hike. You will be trekking through ankle to knee-deep water within the towering walls of the slot canyon. It is one of the most unique experiences you can have in Utah, however, we didn’t get to fully enjoy it since we were poorly equipped for the hike. 

The Narrows are a total length of 15 miles but the distance you hike is totally up to you since it is a there-and-back hike. Most will be doing this from the bottom-up direction and go as far as Wall Street or the Big Springs, then turn back. Reaching Wall Street takes around 3 hours each way.

Note: Make sure to check the weather at the Park Ranger’s Visitor’s Centre before embarking on the hike. Since the Narrows are slot canyons, there is a significant danger of flash floods when the forecast predicts rain. Also, since you will be hiking in the canyon, sunlight rarely reaches the water. For that reason, both the water and air get quite chilly.

🏨 Where to stay

After hiking the Narrows, you will be pretty tired. Spend the evening resting and enjoy a warm meal. You will spend your night in Hurricane again.

Day 5: Page, Arizona – Canyon X and Horseshoe Bend (3 nights)

From: Hurricane, UT         To: Page, AZ (-1Hr time zone) Total driving time: 2h15 (135 miles)

🏜️ Afternoon – Canyon X

Canyon X is a breathtakingly beautiful slot canyon located in Page, Arizona, USA. The canyon is part of the Navajo Nation and is only accessible through guided tours with authorized Navajo guides. It is considered one of the lesser-known slot canyons in the area, which makes it a perfect destination for those looking for a more intimate and exclusive experience.

We chose to see Canyon X instead of the very busy Antelope Canyon to avoid the crowds . In Canyon X, you will see beautiful orange and red hue narrow slot canyons carved into incredible swirls and waves through millions of years of wind and water erosion.

Tour company: Taadidiin Tours or National Park Express Canyon X Tour duration: 1.5 hours Driving time to reach Canyon X: 14 minutes (12 miles) each way from Page, AZ

🌅 Evening – Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is one of the most recognized and quintessential landmarks of Utah, as it is often depicted in the National Geographics. Here, you will witness one of the most breathtaking sunsets as the orange glow lights up the unique horseshoe curve of the Colorado River.

As it is one of the most known locations in Utah, it is usually quite busy at sunset time. However, the area is surprisingly large and you will always be able to find a quiet corner to enjoy the experience.

Driving time: 10 minutes (4.8 miles) each way from Page, AZ Time required: 2 hours Parking: Entrance fee of 10$ per vehicle. Check out the official Horseshoe Bend website for more information. 

You will be spending 3 nights in Page, Arizona . We recommend the Sleep Inn and Suites Lake Powell or Rodeway Inn Lake Powell in Page, Arizona.

Day 6: Page, Arizona – Paddle boarding Colorado River

From: Page, AZ          To: Lee’s Ferry, AZ Driving time: around 53 minutes (45 miles) each way from Page, AZ

One of the very unique activities we wanted to do in Utah, which is rarely included in other’s itineraries, was to paddle board down the Colorado River through Horseshoe Bend . 

Starting close to Glen’s Canyon Dam , you paddle down along the current of the Colorado River, surrounded by the towering canyon cliff walls of Marble Canyon . This was one of the most special experiences we had in Utah and other than the group of 4 people we departed with, we didn’t see anyone else along the way. Talk about off-the-beaten-path !

As you float through the canyons, you will also have the chance to stop off and do some short treks and even see some ancient petroglyphs . We also found a rock outcrop where we were able to try out some small cliff jumps. Navigating through the twists and turns of the Colorado River, you truly feel like the first explorers to discover this land! 

Time required: around 6 hours (can be shortened by backhauling you less far upriver). We chose our starting point to be 20km from Lee’s Ferry .

How to do it: Check out this post about how to organize your kayak/paddleboarding trip down the Colorado River through Horseshoe Bend . We detail the entire experience, tons of helpful tips, and exactly how to organize the trip!

Company: Kayak Horseshoe Bend for Backhaul service and equipment rental. Alternatively, you can rent your equipment with Lake Powell paddleboards or Lake Powell vacations but you will still need to arrange for backhaul service.

You will be spending your night back in Page, AZ.

Day 7: Page, Arizona – Paddle boarding Antelope Canyon

From: Page, AZ         To: Antelope Point Launch Ramp, AZ Driving time: 15 minutes (9 miles) each way from Page, AZ

Everyone knows about Antelope Canyon , but did you know there is a ‘secret’ way of reaching an off-the-beaten-path and less frequented section of that canyon ? By renting a kayak or paddle board, you can paddle through a beautiful water-filled slot canyon toward the starting point of the hike.

From there, you leave your watercraft on the shore and hike up to several kilometres into the red-orange canyon. Although it is not as beautiful as the original Antelope Canyon, the uniqueness of the adventure of getting there makes it a very special spot to visit.

The main tourist Antelope Canyon can get so busy that you will feel like you’re in a Disney World ride lineup. If that doesn’t sound like fun to you, then this alternative is perfect! We hiked through the canyon several kilometres and although there were others around, it still felt remote.

How to do it: To do this, you will need to rent your paddle board from Lake Powell paddleboards or Lake Powell vacations . Some companies will deliver the paddle board to the launch ramp whereas others require you to pick it up from their office. After reaching the boat launch, and paying for your parking, head out west (left). You will paddle for around 45 minutes following the cliff wall until you see a large slot canyon entrance. Don’t worry about missing it as there will certainly be others heading there. After 15 minutes of paddling through the canyon, you will reach the shore. Leave your watercraft there and hike to your heart’s content . Make sure to bring water shoes or sandals for this part!

Company: If you would prefer a fully guided experience to ensure your safety and not getting lost, then you can check out this excellent guided kayak tour in Antelope Canyon .

Time required: around 4-6 hours

This will be the third and final night in Page, AZ.

Day 8: Bluff, UT – Valley of the Gods / Monument Valley (1 night)

From: Page, AZ        To: Bluff, UT Driving time: 2h40 (172 miles)

Today, we leave Page Arizona behind and head towards the Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley. We used Bluff as the home base since it was close to both sites and also shortened the drive to Moab for the next day.

📸 Morning – Forest Gump Point

As you drive towards Bluff, you will have the option of visiting Monument Valley, Forest Gump Point , and Valley of the Gods (in that order). Make sure to stop at Forest Gump Point to capture the famous photo of Monument Valley. This location was also featured in the movie Forest Gump, hence the name. 

There will be 2 small gravel parking lots where you can stop your car (free). I would recommend going to the one higher up the hill as we saw many tour buses stop at the one lower down the hill. 

Once there, check for cars and once it’s clear, you can run onto the road to capture the photo. Be VERY CAREFUL though as this is a highway and there are cars coming from both directions. At one of the parking lots, there is also a local Navajo lady selling handcrafted jewelry.

Time required: 10-20 minutes

🌄 Afternoon – Valley of the Gods

Valley of the Gods is located about 20 minutes drive before Bluff, UT. We recommend first heading to your accommodation in Bluff to check in to your hotel and then heading back out to the Valley of the Gods for sunset. This is what we did and the sunset there was epic!

The valley, filled with towering pinnacles, buttes, and huge expanses , offers similar scenery to Monument Valley but without the restrictions and costs imposed by the local tribes . 

Here you can drive through 17 miles of dirt road winding through the valley and stopping wherever you want to explore the cosmic terrain. Valley of the Gods is visited by only a fraction of the people who tour Monument Valley which makes it an ideal spot to enjoy the nature off-the-beaten-path. 

We also saw many other visitors staying there overnight in their tents or campervans which we would love to do one day. Keep in mind that if you are doing the full loop, you will be exiting the park around 4 miles south of the entrance.

Side story: As we found the perfect spot to watch the sunset, we suddenly noticed a blurry wall of beige heading towards us. We weren’t sure whether the desert was playing visual tricks on us so we ignored it. After another 5 minutes, it was evident that it was heading towards us. It was a sandstorm, and it was heading straight through our location. We ran back in the car and braced for the high winds and sand. In the end, it passed after a few minutes and made for quite a memorable souvenir of Utah!

Entrance fee: free Driving distance within the Valley: 17 miles loop Time required: 2 hours

🪨 Alternative – Monument Valley

Monument Valley is a great alternative if you have the extra time. It is one of the most iconic symbols of the American West and also represents the sacred land of the Navajo people. 

For this reason, there are certain restrictions and costs to visiting the valley. At the moment of writing, it costs 8$ per person for entry . You are only permitted to drive on their designated 17-mile route and cannot go off-road or venture off-trail for hiking. 

The Navajo reserve does offer many very exciting tours though that bring you by jeep or horseback up close to the towering buttes and mesas.

Entrance fee: 8$ per person Time required: you can easily spend 2-4 hours there For more information about Monument Valley, check out their website .

We stayed at Willow Street Cottages in Bluff, UT for the night. It was a lovely mini house and included both a kitchen and a washer/dryer. This was ideal for us since we were at the mid-point of our trip and we needed to wash our hiking clothes.

If you are interested in staying within Monument Valley , you can check out Goulding’s Lodge, which is stunning! 

Day 9: Moab, UT – Dead Horse Point State Park (3 Nights)

From: Bluff, UT       To: Moab, UT Driving time: 1h42 (100 miles)

🚚 Afternoon – explore Moab town and Food truck park

Driving to Moab from Bluff should take under 2 hours so you should reach there by around noon. Since this will be too early to check in to your hotel, spend part of the afternoon exploring the town of Moab.

Also, make sure to stop by the Moab food truck park to enjoy some delicious street food! They have Tacos, Hot dogs, shaved ice and ice cream, smoothies, pizzas, waffles, and much more!

Once you’ve grabbed a couple of interesting food items, they have multiple picnic tables where you can sit to enjoy your meal. This whole food truck park is outdoors so it creates a very festive and communal environment.

After exploring the town, head over to your hotel to check in. 

🐴 Evening – Dead Horse Point State Park

From: Moab, UT        To: Dead Horse Point State Park Driving time: around 40 minutes (29 miles) each way Entrance fee: 20$ per vehicle (to verify the prices and hours: Dead Horse Point website ) Time required: 2 hours Parking: included free in the entrance fee

Dead Horse State Park is an incredible place for photography.

Not only is it less visited, and thus you may have the place all to yourself, but it is also like a compressed version of the Grand Canyon. It is also easy to drive to and you can get to the viewpoints with minimal hiking , making it very accessible. 

We visited Dead Horse State Park close to sunset and spent two hours exploring all the beautiful canyon viewpoints. Most of the trail is flat so it makes for a very relaxing hike.

🟡 Alternative – Mesa Arch

If you have the extra time, you can also head over to Mesa Arch , another one of the famous viewpoints of Utah that is often photographed during sunrise or sunset.

It is located about 24 minutes drive from the entrance of Dead Horse Point State Park and is located within Canyonlands National Park .

The hike is quite short at only 0.6 miles roundtrip so it can be an easy stop.  For more information about Mesa Arch, check out the official site trail information .

Spend the next 3 nights in Moab, Utah . We would recommend the Aarchway Inn or Hyatt Place Moab .

Day 10: Moab, UT – Canyoneering Moab

With Moab’s rugged and picturesque landscape comes the opportunity to really explore off-the-beaten-path . To discover the remote areas, you have the option of venturing out by UTV, hot air balloon, mountain biking, or even canyoneering. 

For us, canyoneering seemed to present a great adventure as you get to scramble, climb, hike, and rappel into the epic canyons, reaching places that cannot be seen without the use of technical equipment . 

We chose to do the Zig-Zag trail which was rated as moderate difficulty, taking a total of 5-7 hours . Throughout the day, we climbed over the slickrocks of Moab reaching incredible viewpoints with no other tourists in sight . Our guide Kai was there to help us all the way, ensuring our safety and teaching us the techniques of traversing through this rugged terrain.

It was amazing being able to access these places that without a guide, we would have deemed impossible. But just with the correct knowledge, and our kit of ropes and carabiners, we were able to use what was around us to freely navigate. 

Then we reached our first challenge, a 30-foot rappel . After she explained to us how to do it, it turned out to be quite easy. This was followed by a 60-foot rappel where we needed to swing to the side to avoid landing in a pond. Although slightly harder, we succeeded without too much difficulty. 

The final obstacle was a humungous 230-foot cliff that we had to rappel down. As we hung above the nothingness, our hearts racing with adrenaline, we couldn’t help but smile with the feelings of excitement. It was just us 3, no one else around, a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure.

If this sounds too intense for you, there are countless other trail options , each with its highlights. Some navigate through slot canyons, others through water-filled canyons, and some like ours feature huge canyon rappels. You are sure to find one that suits your level! Make sure to also check out our post about 7 important things to know about canyoneering in Moab !

Tour Company: Desert Highlights Duration: 5-7 hours Activity difficulty: moderate-difficult

Other alternative outdoor adventure tours in Moab:

• ATV tour through Hell’s Revenge in Moab, with over 2000+ 5 Star reviews!
• Hot air balloon ride over Moab
• Off-road jeep tour with over 285+ 5-star reviews! 

Spend the night back in Moab, Utah .

Day 11: Moab, UT – White water rafting Moab + Arches National Park

Today, you will be white water rafting in Moab and then visit one of the most famous parks of this Utah Road Trip, Arches National Park.

🚣 Morning – white water rafting Moab

Another day another adventure! Other than canyoneering and off-road touring, Moab is an ideal destination to do some white water rafting . We opted for this to see the park from another perspective and also to rest our legs after an intense day of canyoneering. 

In this section of Moab, the rapids are usually only class I and II, which is mild, so this activity is suitable for people of all ages. We rented a two-person raft but also joined a big family of 10 who all fit on their large raft. It is absolutely beautiful seeing the pinnacles and cliffs from the perspective of the rushing river.

Book your White water rafting half-day tour now ! Location: Moab, UT Duration: half-day, 4 hours

🏞️ Afternoon – Arches National Park

🛑 Important Note : Arches National Park now requires visitors to get a timed entry permit to enter the park from April 3rd to October 3rd . This measure was implemented to help control the traffic and crowds visiting the national park. To learn more about this and to reserve, check out the Arches National Park Reservation page .

Drive time: 10 minutes (5 miles) each way Duration: half a day to a full day

Arches is one of the most unique national parks in Utah and that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. What makes Arches National Park so special is well, you guessed it, all the rock arches there. In fact, there are over 2000 naturally formed arches in the park, the densest concentration of natural arches in the world! 

You can easily spend an entire day exploring the park. What is also very convenient about Arches is that most of the main sights can be easily accessed by car , with ample parking space, and then just a short hike.

Most spots even have paved walkways so it is also wheelchair accessible. Make sure not to miss seeing the longest arch (Landscape Arch), the tallest arch (Double Arch), as well as the most famous arch (Delicate Arch).

We decided to embark on the 2-3 hour roundtrip hike to Delicate Arch to witness the sunset. Once there, you will notice it gets quite crowded. However, if you are quite agile, you can navigate across the slope of the bowl-shaped valley to reach a far quieter area. 

Be very careful as you hike across though since it is quite slanted and the rock can be slippery. Also, make sure to bring some headlamps as you will likely need to do the 1 hour return hike in the dark.

Hiking trail: Delicate Arch Trail Hiking distance: 3 miles roundtrip Duration of hike: 2-3 hours Difficulty: easy-moderate

For more information about Arches National Park, opening hours, traffic status, and parking status, check out the Arches official website .

Day 12: Capitol Reef National Park + Cassidy Arch (1 night)

From: Moab, UT        To: Escalante, UT Driving time: 4 hours (219 miles) with stops along the way

Today will be the longest drive day of the entire trip, at around 4 hours . However, the drive will not be boring at all.

Along the way, you will be driving through Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park, The Mars Desert Research Station, the famous scenic Route 12, Hickman’s Natural Bridge, and finally Gifford Homestead. 

Although we didn’t have the time to stop at many of these locations, we wanted to mention them anyway so you have additional ideas for things to do.

🥧 Gifford Homestead for apple pie

Driving time: 2.5 hours (147 miles) into the total 4 hours of driving Opening hours: 9am-12pm, then 12:45pm-4:30pm (they do close for a lunch break so try to arrive before that!) Time required: 30-60 minutes

Gifford Homestead , in Capital Reef National Park, is a farm located within the Fruita Valley. The original home was built in 1908 and served as a farm, smokehouse, and agricultural field. Today, the Gifford homestead serves as a historical museum that also sells locally produced goods as well as their well-known pies. 

Not only is this location beautiful, a lush farm surrounded by the red rocks of Utah, but it is also an amazing pitstop to try out their delicious pies ! We made sure to arrive as early as possible as the pies do tend to sell out. 

They had the choice of fruit pies with apple, peach, cherry, and rhubarb. Don’t forget to pick up a little pot of ice cream to pair with the pie! 

🚶 Afternoon – Cassidy Arch

Driving time: 10 minutes (2.9 miles) from Gifford Homestead

Once you’ve finished your pie, head south for around 10 minutes to reach the Cassidy Arch trailhead , within Capitol Reef National Park. Cassidy Arch is a 3.4-mile out-and-back hike that will bring you through some truly out-of-this-world landscapes and finish at an incredible rock arch that you can stand on top of! 

We headed there once again for sunset and other than 2 or 3 families, we had the place all to ourselves . First, you hike through the Grand Wash Trail before seeing a clearly marked sign pointing you toward the Cassidy Arch trail. 

You will zig-zag your way up until you reach the summit. Here is where the terrain turns into slick rock with beautiful bands of red, white, and orange. The rocks were smooth and bubbly and made us feel like we were walking on Mars!

Head a little further and you will reach the main Cassidy Arch. 

To get this photo , we set up a tripod with a 30-second timer and had to sprint to get to the Arch on time! We do not recommend doing it this way and hopefully, someone will be there to take the photo for you!

📖 For a full guide on how to do this hike and what to expect from the experience, check out our Cassidy Arch hiking guide !

Hiking Trail: Cassidy Arch Trail, in Capitol Reef National Park Hiking distance: 3.4 miles out and back Duration of hike: 2-3 hours Difficulty: easy-moderate

Finish off your day by checking in to your hotel in Escalante . This will bring you closer to Bryce Canyon and shorten your drive for the next day.

We would recommend staying at Prospector Inn for a simple but affordable accommodation. When I researched other hotels in the area, they were all from 200-400$ per night.

Since we were simply staying the night after visiting Cassidy Arch, we preferred to choose a more budget-friendly hotel. For more options of where to stay, check out our guide to hiking Cassidy Arch .

Day 13: Bryce Canyon – Hiking (1 Night)

From: Escalante, UT         To: Bryce Canyon Driving time: 1 hour (48 miles)

👣 Morning – Hiking in Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon presents you with a vast alien-like landscape filled with Hoodoos. What we really loved about Utah is that every single national park has something unique. No two national parks there have similar scenery. 

So when we arrived in Bryce Canyon, we were amazed by the countless intricately carved rock spires in multiple shades of bright orange and white. Here you will have the opportunity to embark on one of several hikes. 

Make sure not to miss seeing the sunset and sunrise points, the switchback amphitheatre, as well as winding in between the pinnacle hoodoos! Make sure to only look at them from above, but also hike on the trails among them. For a list of hiking trails by difficulty, check out the official Bryce Canyon website .

We chose to embark on the Figure 8 trail which combines the Navajo + Peekaboo + Queen’s Garden trail . This hike will bring you through the most famous sites of Bryce Canyon and will have you finish at the sunset point, hopefully, timed perfectly for sunset hour!

Note: Parking is limited in Bryce Canyon. We arrived at 8 am and found parking right at the trailhead but the spaces were starting to fill up. If you don’t find space in your preferred parking lot, they also offer a shuttle service within the park.

Hiking Trail: Figure 8 trail (Navajo + Peekaboo + Queen’s garden trail Hiking distance: 6.4 miles Duration of hike: 4-5 hours Difficulty: moderate

We chose to stay in Panguitch, UT to reduce the final day’s driving time back to Las Vegas.

It is a very small town and will offer more affordable accommodation than staying right within Bryce Canyon. We stayed at the Panguitch House which was lovely and they also offered a delicious breakfast.

Day 14 – Las Vegas (1 Night)

From: Panguitch        To: Las Vegas, Nevada (-1Hr time zone change) Driving time: 3h30 (237 miles)

On your final day, you will be heading back to Las Vegas.

Spend the afternoon freely exploring the strip or shopping at the outlet malls. If you get the chance, make sure to go to the ‘Chinatown’ of Las Vegas . It is about 10 minutes drive from the main Strip. 

We had some of the most delicious Asian food there! We would highly recommend checking out Chanko Shabu & Izakaya for Japanese food and Kushi BBQ skewer for delicious Asian grilled meat skewers.

If you are flying out tonight, then head to the airport. If not, then you can go watch one of the famous shows in Las Vegas.

📲 Easy cellular data in Guatemala: Airalo

Regardless of what activity you will be doing, you will definitely need cellular internet in the United States. We used Airalo and it was both affordable and reliable! Click here for Airalo !

Alternative experiences in Utah

Although our Southern Utah road trip itinerary is already filled with many exciting activities, there are always additional great things to experience. Here are some of the other main activities and experiences that you might be interested in adding to the itinerary:

• Visit the Wave
• Monument Valley – Tribal Park Loop 17km scenic drive
• Toadstool Hoodoos
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
• Mexican Hat
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• Moab ATV tour
• Dixie National Forest
• Grand Canyon in Arizona

How to modify the itinerary if you only have 10 days in Utah

If you only have 10 days, that means you will need to remove about 4 days of activities from the current itinerary. Although we loved all our experiences in Utah, if we had to choose to remove 4 , it would be:

• The Narrows hike in Zion National Park
• Paddleboarding Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona
• Bryce Canyon

By removing these 4 days of activities, you will be able to complete the itinerary in 10 days. Overall, the driving times per day will remain mostly the same and under 3 hours, other than the last day when you will depart from Escalante to Las Vegas (4h50).

Important Travel tips for Utah

• Book your accommodation early as Utah is a very popular tourist destination. The hotels around the main National Parks are also limited!
• Be careful with the several time zone changes that occur during this trip. This particularly affects when you go from Las Vegas to Hurricane, then from Hurricane to Page, AZ, then from Page to Monument Valley (they have their own time zone), then Utah back to Las Vegas
• We used our cellular data to search “local time in X” in order to be certain and not miss our activity start times. To ensure you have cellular data, you can purchase it on Airalo .
• Since you will be visiting most of Utah’s parks, it is worth it to buy the America the Beautiful National Park pass . For around 80$, you and your entire vehicle’s passengers will be covered for all of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks as well as a ton of other parks nationwide. The pass is valid for 12 months.
• Always check the weather since most of this region is at risk of flash flooding . Please verify on www.weather.gov/slc/flashflood every morning before hiking. Even if the region you are in is not raining, if the neighbouring town has heavy rain, the rain will funnel down the slick rocks and slot canyons and can still be a hazard on your hike. Make sure to consult with the visitor’s centre before starting your day’s activities.

This post is part of our series about Utah . If you want to learn more about Utah, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below: Cassidy Arch Hiking Guide: Uncover Capitol Reef’s Hidden Gem Where To Stay NEAR Zion: Comparison of Towns Near Zion 7 Things to Know before Canyoneering in Moab (2024) Kayak Horseshoe Bend: Ultimate Guide to Kayaking the Colorado

where to start your road trip?

We recommend starting your trip in Las Vegas instead of Salt Lake City. The main reason for this is that Las Vegas usually has cheaper international flights than Salt Lake City. Furthermore, Las Vegas is located only 2.5-hour drive from the first part of the itinerary, Zion. Contrarily, Salt Lake City is a good 4.5 hours drive away.

Another reason is that Las Vegas has an abundance of options for car rentals at an affordable price. We also enjoyed spending some time in a bustling and lively city before spending 2 weeks in the nature of Utah.

Which direction to do the Southern Utah Road Trip?

Counter-clockwise ! We decided to take our road trip in a counter-clockwise direction since we wanted to start our trip with the highlights and also start with the most challenging hikes (Angel’s Landing, Narrows).

This also allowed us to save the longest driving day (Moab to Escalante) towards the end of the trip, when we were grateful to rest up our legs!

Do you need a 4×4 to do the Road Trip?

We ended up renting just a car and were able to navigate through the entire itinerary without difficulty. A 4×4 vehicle is not needed as you will not be doing any major off-roading.

We would’ve loved to rent a campervan and have the option of sleeping in the middle of the National Parks. As mentioned in the itinerary, we saw campervans spend the night at the Valley of the Gods which would’ve been amazing!

Best time to visit Utah?

The Ideal months to visit Utah are April, May, June, and then September, and October . During these months, the temperature is milder and the crowds are no longer at their peak.

Since Utah attracts millions of travelers every year to its National Parks, traffic and over-tourism have become a challenge. This is also seen in how Angel’s Landing and Arches National Park are currently restricting the number of visitors by using the permit entry time reservations .

We went from the end of September to the beginning of October and had a perfect time!

Is Utah road trip expensive?

Overall, we did not find Utah too expensive to visit. However, in order to save money, you need to book in advance and be smart about where you book your accommodations.

For example, we opted to stay in Hurricane instead of Springdale to visit Zion National Park. Our AirBnB ended up costing around 100$ per night instead of what would’ve easily been 200-300$/night in Springdale. Overall, the average hotel stay in Utah away from the main tourist areas can be for around 100-140$ per night. 

The main expenses of the trip were on activities including the paddle boarding backhaul service including rental (around 310$ for two), Canyoneering tour (408$ for two), White water rafting (140$ for two), and the car rental (we paid 650$ with Turo for 2 weeks rental).

Since you will be purchasing the America the Beautiful National Park pass for about 80$ total, this will allow you to visit all the main national parks for ‘free’. So if you are mostly visiting the Main 5 National Parks of Utah to do hiking, and not the guided tours and expeditions, then you will save a lot of money as well.

Is Utah road trip safe?

We felt Utah was very safe to travel . Not only are all the town accustomed to tourists, but the people are also very friendly. The main risk of traveling through Utah is flash floods or injuring yourself during a hike.

Do you need an international driver’s license to drive in Utah?

You do not need an international driver’s license to drive in Utah as a tourist. As long as you are over the age of 16, and have a valid driver’s license in your home country, your license should be valid in Utah. 

However, if your driver’s license is not written in English, then you will be required to get an international driver’s permit.

Recap: Southern Utah Road Trip Itinerary

So there you have it!

This was our incredible 2-week itinerary traveling through the beautiful National Parks of Utah and adding in some rarely mentioned adventurous activities.

Utah is absolutely filled to the brim with incredible experiences and was one of our favourite road trips to date . If you are in any way interested in beautiful landscapes, outdoor adventures, hiking, or photography, then Utah is the perfect place for you!

Ryan Chan is the owner and author of Wayless Travelers, a blog that seeks to inspire others to venture off-the-beaten-path and discover unique destinations around the world.

As a passionate photographer and outdoor enthusiast, Ryan loves to explore experiences outside of his comfort zone. Whether it is trekking multiple days into a cave, reaching mountain peaks of 6500m, or scuba diving with sharks, Ryan loves to capture and share his experiences.

As an expert travel planner, his objective is to help facilitate your next trip by providing detailed guides, itineraries, and recommendations based on his first hand experiences.

Two Week Utah Itinerary – The National Parks and more

If you have 10 to 14 days to explore Utah , you’re in the right place! In this two week Utah itinerary you’ll find a route that allows you to see as much of Utah as possible. This itinerary includes travel time, suggested accommodations, and where to dine.

Sightseeing and hiking suggestions are also offered for each stop. If you’re looking for more options or in-depth descriptions, check out each National Parks Post linked throughout the article. Let’s get planning!

Utah National Parks Road Trip

Day 1 : salt lake city, utah and lake blanche trail head.

After landing, or driving into, in Salt Lake City, pick up your rent-a-car so the two-week Utah itinerary fun can begin. Stock up on whatever food and gear you might need at REI and then head to the Lake Blanche Trail head.

From here you have two choices:

1. Pack your bags for an overnight trip and hike the 3 and a half steep, completely uphill miles to Lake Blanche where you will camp for the night. Find a great campsite, enjoy the sunset, and hang out on the rocks but keep your distance from grazing moose in the Twin Peak Wilderness! You’ll likely find them in the meadow to feed at dusk, we were lucky enough to spot two large bull moose from a safe distance. Please Leave No Trace by camping on durable surfaces and carrying out everything you carry in!

2. Complete Lake Blanche as a day hike to experience the Utah Alpine landscape before traveling into the desert for the next 10-14 days. Return to your car after taking in the beautiful views and head off to a nearby campsite or hotel to retire for the evening.

DAY 2: Salt Lake City to Moab

Did you camp? Wake up, enjoy breakfast in an alpine paradise, and hike back down to the car. Enjoy the trail on the descent, it’s truly beautiful, but a tad difficult to appreciate when you’re struggling up it. Although there is no swimming in Lake Blanche, Big Cottonwood Creek at the parking lot makes for a great place to wash off before climbing in the car for the 4 hour (237 Miles) drive to Moab.

Where Should I Eat in Moab?

Breakfast: Sweet Cravings Bakery and Bistro and Wake Bake Cafe

Dinner: Milt’s Stop & Eat , Sunset Grill

Where Should I Stay in Moab?

The Lazy Lizard Hostel in Moab is an amazing budget option that includes running water, air conditioning, and good company! With the ability to utilize the kitchen, the amount of money you will spend on meals will decrease as well. We paid $46 a night for a private cabin. Splitting the cost among the three of us made it dirt cheap and well worth it.

If air conditioning and four walls aren’t a necessity for you, Canyonlands and Arches each host Campgrounds that can be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov .

As always, BLM land in the Moab area is available for primitive camping options. It is free and provides perfect solitude from the summer crowds of Moab.

There are a variety of hotels in Moab as well for those who prefer all the amenities. This two-week Utah Itinerary will include hotel suggestions based mostly off of research; to keep on our budget we camped for about 12 days of our 17-day stay.

DAY 3: Canyonlands National Park: The Needles District

One hour and twenty-five minutes from Moab you will find the visitors center for The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

Along the way you will drive right by the Wilson Arch to the East of Highway 191; take a stop on your way back and climb on up. Although it is simply a drive-by attraction 24 miles south of the Town of Moab, this impressive arch will definitely wow you.

Top 3 Hikes in Canyonlands Needles District

• Cave Springs
• Pothole Point

The Needles District is more primitive in nature and a great place for an overnight backpacking trip or a long day hike. I suggest Cave Springs and Pothole Point for a short and sweet day hike due to their simplicity and unique landscapes; if you’re looking for a more difficult hike, Druid Arch or Peekaboo Springs are at the top of my list!

Check out our Best Hikes in Canyonlands Post for a full list of The Needles District’s top trails.

DAY 4: Canyonlands National Park: Island in the Sky

A mere half-hour from Moab and full of amazing hiking opportunities, Island in the Sky is certainly the busiest of Canyonland’s three districts. Arrive early in the morning, preferably before sunrise, to have the famous Mesa Arch to yourself. After welcoming the sun embark on further adventures within the park to complete your day.

Top 3 Trails of Island in the Sky, Canyonlands

• Aztec Butte
• Upheaval Dome

Upheaval Dome, White Rim Overlook, and Aztec Butte are all great moderate level hikes for you to move onto after Mesa Arch.

If you’re feeling full of energy and ready for a challenge, complete all three before hiking out to Murphy’s Point for a gorgeous sunset. Don’t forget your headlamp, a sunset worthy snack, and be sure to look out for low flying bats. We were able to complete all of these hikes without arriving at Mesa Arch until about 9:30 AM!

For a detailed list of Island in the Sky’s best hikes, check out our full Canyonlands National Park Post!

DAY 5: Arches National Park

The best part of Arches National Park is that it is right outside of Moab and only one, 18-mile road long. Another early start can bring you a full day of amazing hikes. Definitely stop at the visitor center in Arches; it has so much information on the geology of the park!

Top 3 Hikes in Arches National Park

• Delicate Arch
• Devil’s Garden
• Double Arch

For a full list of Arches hikes read our Full Trail Guide for more information.

There are so many amazing arch-focused hikes in Arches National Park. We started our day in the park with Devil’s Garden, taking the primitive trail around and through to hit all of the beautiful arches along the way.

From here, we mosied around and checked out Double Arch, North and South Window, and balanced rock. Heading to Delicate Arch for sunset is a great way to end your day.

If you have already been to Arches National Park and want a completely unique and thrilling experience, reserve a Fiery Furnace Tour. These typically run from Spring through Fall and sell out quickly! This tour is offered two different ways, ranger-led and self-led. If you’re looking for true freedom in the Fiery Furnace, choose the self-led permit option. If you’re looking for education and guidance, ranger-led is the best.

DAY 6: Moab to Capitol Reef National Park

Wake up in Moab, grab breakfast, and take the drive to Capitol Reef. After driving through what seems like the driest terrain in all of southern Utah, you’ll drive into the Waterpocket Fold. In this space along the Fremont River, you will find the juiciest U-pick Orchards and luscious foliage river-side foliage.

As you drive through, stop and hike Hickman Bridge. At just under 2 miles this popular trail brings you to a 133-foot natural bridge with stunning canyon views. After your hike, settle into your new digs and grab dinner just outside the West Entrance in Torrey.

Where Should I Eat Near Capitol Reef National Park?

Breakfast: Castlerock Coffee, Austin’s Chuckwagon Deli

Dinner: Cafe Diablo, Torrey Grill and BBQ, The Rim Rock Restaurant

Where to Stay In Capitol Reef?

The town of Torrey is just west of the Capitol Reef Park Entrance. The Capitol Reef Resort, The Torrey Schoolhouse B&B (which is open seasonally from April through October), and the Broken Spur Inn all 4+ star hotel options.

There are a number of RV Parks and campgrounds within 15 minutes from the park’s Western entrance. Read the full article to choose the RV park or campground that suits all of your needs! Whether you’re looking for free, dispersed camping or an RV resort with all of the best amenities, we have you covered.

If you’re looking to stay inside the park, Fruita Campground is a very family-friendly option which you can book through Recreation.gov . If free, dispersed camping is more your style, check out the BLM land that runs along the East entrance to the park down Notom-Bullfrog Road. Free, dispersed camping is definitely the most budget-friendly option for executing your two-week Utah itinerary.

DAY 7: Things To Do in Capitol Reef National Park

There is so much to do in Capitol Reef! Miles of hiking trails, an scenic drive, U-pick fruit orchards, and pastries – yeah, I said pastries and I meant it – can be found within the National Park’s boarders.

Make a day out exploring Capitol Reef from the car, or tack these sights onto your morning of hiking. You don’t want to miss the seasonal fruit from the U-PICK orchards within the park; there is nothing more refreshing after a long, hot hike.

Enjoy ranger-led programs regarding the history of the Capitol Reef Area and pastries from the 1908 Gifford Homestead. Let out your inner child at the Ripple Rock Nature Center, and be sure to embark on the 8-mile scenic drive. For a small fee enjoy stunning views and dirt spur roads that lead to Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge.

Hike Capitol Reef

Choose from this list of the most popular hikes in the park.

• Hickman Bridge Trail
• Grand Wash Trail
• Cassidy Arch Trail

The full Capitol Reef Post includes 10 amazing hikes inside the park.

DAY 8: Capitol Reef to Grand Staircase Escalante

Remove this stop if you have less than 14 days to complete this itinerary! You will drive straight through from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon to save time.

Pack up camp and head South to Lower Calf Creek Falls Campground in Grand Staircase Escalante. Stop at Larb Hollow Overlook for a quick break from the desert sand and a beautiful, mountain view! This quick pull off would be a great spot for sunrise. This is a super scenic drive with quite a few pull-off opportunities and I suggest taking them all!

The trail leaves from the campground and is an absolutely beautiful route with a stunning ending. Take a pamphlet and enjoy an education along the way before meeting the 126-foot cascading waterfall, which is only the lower portion of a larger 214-footfalls. It is the perfect spot for lunch after cooling off with a swim. Be sure to bring your camera because you won’t want to forget this view!

Enjoy your views on route 12. This scenic byway shares astounding beauty. Do your best to reach Grand Staircase by noon and snag a campsite at Lower Calf  Creek Falls Campground; after setting up camp, take a 5.5-mile round trip hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls.

DAY 9: Grand Staircase Escalante to Bryce Canyon National Park

Grand Staircase has so many wonderful hiking opportunities that it wouldn’t be a poor choice to stay and play a day longer! However, if you’re looking to spend a couple of days in Bryce and Zion, you should head that way today. Or, if you would rather spend an extra day in Bryce or Zion, drive right through Escalante on Day 8. This will tack on an extra day in either park.

Upon your arrival to Bryce, check in to your new digs and head out to do some sightseeing!  Learn about the eroding plateau that makes up Bryce Canyon National Park at the visitor center before venturing out to see the magic. Enjoy your scenic drive and stop at all the overlooks along the way; notice trailhead parking to be prepared for the next day’s hikes!

Where Should I Eat In Bryce Canyon?

Breakfast: Bryce Canyon Coffee Company

Dinner: Valhalla Pizza (inside the park), IDK Barbeque

Where Should I Stay Near Bryce Canyon?

Bryce Canyon Inn, Stone Canyon Inn , Bryce Canyon Country Cabins , North Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park  

Day 10: Hike Bryce Canyon National Park

Wake up early and catch the sunrise at Rainbow Point! After sunrise, head to your desired trailhead to really experience Bryce Canyon.

Top Bryce Canyon Hikes

• Queens and Navajo Loop
• Fairyland Loop

Our Ultimate Guide for Visiting Bryce Canyon highlights all of the hikes in the park!

For one day in the park we highly suggest the Queens and Navajo Loop. Both allow you to ‘Hike the Hoodoo’s’ by bringing you down among the orange spires of the plateau.

Participate in the Hike The HooDoos Challenge by taking your photo with three different benchmarks found throughout the park. Claim your prize at the visitor center but don’t forget to bring your proof, the Rangers will ask for it!

Enjoy the view from your campsite and stargaze through the night. The night sky is one of the most beautiful parts of Bryce Canyon National Park !

DAY 11: Bryce Canyon National Park to Zion National Park

Take the trek to Zion early if you’re hoping to secure a first come first serve campsite! We arrived around 10:30 AM on a summer week day and we were able to snag the last of two left.

Create as much shade as possible before heading out for a late afternoon hike; we decided to explore the Canyon Overlook Trail on our first day in Zion to see what Zion was all about!

Head over to the visitor center to check the upcoming days’ forecast if you’re interested in hiking the Narrows; there will also be a list of trail closures and a plethora of the best resources out there – park rangers!

Where do I Eat Near Zion?

Breakfast: Cafe Soleil, Deep Creek Coffee Company

Dinner: Oscars, Bit & Spur, Spotted Dog Cafe

Dessert: Stop by the Bumbleberry Gift Shop for their Bumbleberry Pie & ice cream selection.

Where Should I Stay to See Zion National Park?

Under Canvas Zion (NOT IN THE CANYON), Majestic View Lodge , South Campground or Watchman Campground

DAY 12: Zion National Park

Wake up early and catch the first shuttle to Weeping Rock (stop 7) and start the long trek up to Observation Point. Sitting at a higher elevation than angels landing, this viewpoint provides an amazing perspective of Zion Canyon.

On your hike you will pass the turnoffs for Weeping Rock and Hidden Canyon; be sure to hit these on your way back to the shuttle to check off everything at top 7! Hidden Canyon is an exciting little side trip that feels like a true adventure!

Upon returning to your hotel or campsite, go for a swim (Virgin River or Pool) to cool off and relax, before returning to the park for a sunset hike. Hike the Watchman trail for a fun, 3-mile round trip, trail for a rewarding sunset of pastel hues cast upon red rock. Don’t forget to pack snacks/dinner and a headlamp! If night hiking is your ‘thing’, hang out up on the edge of Watchman’s Bench for some Zion stargazing.

DAY 13: Zion National Park

If weather permits, hop on the first shuttle to Riverside Walk (Stop 9) to hike The Narrows today. Be sure you have the appropriate equipment; renting boots and a walking stick from Zion Outfitters was a great choice personally but others might not need any equipment or may need more.

Hike out to Big Springs and enjoy the lush greenery and water that falls from the canyon walls. On your return be sure to adventure as far down Orderville Canyon as you’re capable and enjoy an adventure free of many other hikers.

If you have been to Zion before and have already enjoyed The Narrows, I would suggest looking into a permit for The Subway ! The Subway is a much more remote and technical version of the Zion Narrows. For both of these hikes, you must pay close attention to the weather forecast. Flash flooding in slot canyons is lethal.

There are tons of hikes inside and outside of the canyon to look into if you plan on spending more time here at Zion. Take a look at our Incredible Hikes in Zion post!

DAY 14: Zion National Park to Salt Lake City

While on our adventure, we purchased quite a few souvenirs for family and friends as well as our own mementos to remember a place by. On our way out of Springdale we stopped at the post office and filled up two flat rate boxes with all of the books, patches, t-shirts, artifacts, etc. we had since we travel light!

Aside from our duffel full of camping gear for two we each brought our Gregory Day packs and a small suitcase with our clothes for two weeks. Stopping to ship home the good stuff helped lighten our load and prevented us from going over the weight limit for checked luggage.

Break the drive from Zion to Salt Lake City up with a stop at Cedar Breaks National Monument if you have time; it’s about 40 extra minutes of driving but worth the adventure. Sitting at 10,000 feet, Cedar Breaks supplies tons of family fun in the form of campgrounds, viewpoints, hiking trails, seasonal mountain biking and/or skiing/snowboarding.

Utah Road Trip From Las Vegas

Change your starting point around and begin in Las Vegas. You can complete the trip in a reverse loop if you’ll be traveling from Nevada or Arizona. No matter where you begin, you’ll experience dramatic landscapes and unique rock formations.

If you’re exploring Utah’s Mighty 5 from Las Vegas, I would suggest leaving out Lake Blanche and Salt Lake City. Instead, visit Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada prior to, or after, visiting Zion National Park.

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About The Author

Kaitlyn Fortier

Kaitlyn is a long time adventure travel seeker and took to blogging to share her travels. A proud graduate of SUNY Cortland and SUNY Brockport, they were inspired to pursue a career in education after her teachers and coaches helped instill in her a lifelong love of curiosity and learning. Luckily, teaching provides many incredible opportunities to explore and Kaitlyn is sure to take advantage of those opportunities as often as possible.

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Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: How to Plan a 7-Day Trip to the Mighty 5 in 2024

Planning a Utah national parks road trip? I’ve got the ultimate Utah itinerary, based on my own travels in this beautiful state. And to make your planning easier, I’ve even included a handy downloadable trip planner!

With five national parks to explore, hiking trails galore and some epic scenery, a Utah national parks road trip is something you’ll never forget.

Hitting the so-called Mighty 5 – Utah’s five national parks of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef – is possible in just a week, and you won’t believe how different and beautiful each national park is .

Here I’m sharing the Utah road trip itinerary my husband and I took. This itinerary allowed us to see the Mighty 5 in just seven days – and we even snuck in a quick side trip to Arizona .

This is one of my favourite adventures of all time in the United States, so here’s how you can follow the Utah itinerary we took.

I’ve even created a printable planner so that you can plot out your own Utah national parks road trip itinerary, so download a copy here .

This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

How to do this Utah road trip

This is a road trip, so of course you’ll need your own wheels . You have a few options here:

• Rent a car through Discover Cars and either camp or stay at hotels/Airbnbs along the way.
• Rent a campervan or RV – this is what we did and it made the trip even more fun! You’ll combine your transport and accommodation costs, saving some dollars as well. RVShare is a good option for this; it’s like the Airbnb of RVs. Escape Campervans is another great option for campervan rentals. I’ve listed campground throughout this post and you can use apps like iOverlander or US Public Lands to find free campsites .

A question I get asked: Do you need a 4×4 for this road trip? If you follow this itinerary, you won’t need a 4×4 – a regular car is perfectly fine. The roads are all sealed and well maintained. Of course, you won’t be able to get out to some of the backroad locations – but you probably wouldn’t have time to do that in this short itinerary anyway.

Utah Mighty 5 road trip routes

To do this bucket list USA Utah national parks road trip, I’d recommend at least a week . This itinerary will give you a day in each park (two days in some parks) so there isn’t a lot of room for downtime.

If you have 10 days or two weeks to road trip Utah’s national parks, that would be even better. This will allow you to really explore all the natural beauty this state has to offer.

There are several ways you can visit all five Utah national parks in a week , depending on where you’re starting from. The best places to start and end this trip is in Las Vegas or Salt Lake City .

We did option number 1, but if I was doing this trip again, I’d probably take the Las Vegas to Salt Lake City (or vice versa) route to save on a bit of backtracking.

For option #2, check that your rental company allows you to return a vehicle to another location (there may be an additional charge).

For option #3, you could even add in a side trip to the Grand Canyon if you have one or two extra days.

These three Utah road trip route options include a side trip into Arizona to Monument Valley. But if you’re short on time, you can cut this out of your Utah itinerary.

National parks road trip itinerary

As mentioned earlier, we did a loop starting and ending in Salt Lake City , so that’s what I’ll get into in this article. You can easily take the information here and adapt it to the alternative routes listed above.

This 7-day Utah road trip itinerary that loops from Salt Lake City is:

Day 1: Salt Lake City to Zion National Park

Day 2: zion national park, day 3: bryce canyon national park, day 4: monument valley.

• Day 5: Canyonlands National Park and Moab
• Day 6: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park
• Day 7: Back to Salt Lake City via Capitol Reef National Park

Map of Utah national parks

Before I get into the nitty gritty of the Utah national parks road trip itinerary, here’s a map of where you’ll be going if you follow the route we took. You can download a map of national parks in Utah on the Visit Utah website or they’ll even post one to you if you plan ahead.

Alright, it’s time to hit the road!

Driving time: 4.5 hours / 308 miles

First up on this 7 day Utah national parks itinerary: pick up your car or campervan . Pick up any supplies you may need (including plenty of road trip snacks!). I have a handy road trip checklist so you don’t forget anything important.

You could check out of a few of the best things to do in Salt Lake City , but I’d recommend jumping straight on the road and heading for Zion National Park . It’s about a 4.5-hour drive from Salt Lake City.

Zion National Park is the busiest Utah national park , with more than 5 million visitors. Despite the crowds, it’s a must-visit on a Utah parks road trip.

Springdale is the town just outside of the entrance to Zion, and it has several great options for your first dinner on the road.

Zion National Park quick reference guide

Entrances: The main entrance is the South Entrance, near the town of Springdale Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $35, valid for 7 days Website: Zion National Park Tips: Access to cars through the park is limited during high season (March to November), but Zion National Park has a fantastic free shuttle bus system to get around. The shuttle stops at all the key trailheads and loops around fairly frequently.

There’s also a shuttle bus that links to the Zion Canyon Shuttle from Springdale, which is convenient if you’re staying in town.

Where to stay in Zion National Park

Zion national park campgrounds.

Zion National Park has three campgrounds : South, Watchman and Lava Point. You can reserve South and Watchman in advance (campsites are $20 per night, $30 for powered sites at Watchman). South Campground can be reserved up to 14 days in advance, while Watchman can be reserved up to 6 months ahead of time. (Update: As of December 2023, South Campground is partially closed for rehabilitation works.)

If you can’t get a reservation in advance, you can still plan to arrive at the campgrounds at around 10 or 11am just in case a site becomes available. That’s how we got a site for the night.

Lava Point only has six basic campsites and is more remote, with no cell reception. Reservations can be made online. It’s open May to September only.

Hotels near Zion National Park

• Zion Lodge is the only hotel inside Zion National Park
• For something partway between a hotel and camping, try the luxury, safari-style tents at Under Canvas Zion
• Cliffrose Lodge is close to the entrance to Zion National Park
• Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites has comfy rooms with mini fridges and coffee makers – and great views

Vacation rentals near Zion National Park

If you can’t get a hotel room, plan ahead and look at vacation rentals instead. VRBO has several options to suit all group sizes and budgets. Check vacation rentals near Zion National Park .

Wake up early (I’m talking, like, 5am) to get a head start on the Angel’s Landing hike . This hike is very popular on most people’s Zion national park itinerary, and starting early helps to avoid both the crowds and the heat of the day. It’s a beautiful but fairly strenuous hike with some pockets of shade.

The final ascent to Angel’s Landing is a narrow ridge with steel chains as the only barrier to keep you falling hundreds of metres off the side.

I’m not shy in admitting that I just couldn’t bring myself to do this final section – it was too scary for me. I stayed below while my husband did the final section. He said that it was hairy in some parts, but the views are worth it if you don’t have a fear of heights .

Later in the afternoon, take off on your next hike along the Riverside Walk .

If you can brave the icy water, end the day by wading through the start of The Narrows hike . We only did a small portion of this, and I would love to come back and do it completely. You can hike as far as Big Spring without a permit. It’s a 10-mile round-trip, so you’ll need the whole day to tackle this.

Best hikes in Zion National Park

• Angel’s Landing (5.4 miles, strenuous)
• Observation Point (8 miles, strenuous)
• Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile, moderate; easier alternative to Angel’s Landing)
• Riverside Walk (2.2 miles, easy)
• Weeping Rock Trail (0.4 miles, easy)
• The Narrows (10 miles (to Big Spring) return trip, strenuous; high water levels and the risk of flash flooding can mean this is closed at some times during the year)

Driving time: 1.5 hours / 75 miles

Leaving Zion National Park on your way to Bryce Canyon , traverse the scenic 12-mile Zion-Mt Carmel Highway , passing through the historic tunnel. It’s a beautiful, winding road that exposes the red rocks of Zion.

It’s time to see just how different Bryce Canyon National Park, with its orange and white hoodoos , is to the deep red rocks of Zion National Park.

In my opinion, Bryce Canyon is the best national park in Utah . The landscape is out of this world and when we visited it was far quieter than Zion.

Hike the  Navajo Loop / Queen’s Garden trails which take you down into and back up the canyon and past Thor’s Hammer . Later, hike a section of the Rim Trail , and stand above the hoodoos to get an idea of what Mars surely must look like.

Sunset at Inspiration Point is a must, watching the colours of the hoodoos change as the sun goes down.

Best hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park

• Navajo Loop / Queen’s Garden (2.9 miles combined, moderate)
• Rim Trail (up to 11 miles, easy; paved from Sunset to Sunrise Points)
• Fairyland Loop (8 miles, strenuous)

Bryce Canyon National Park quick reference guide

Entrances: The only entrance to the park is via UT 12; you’ll pass through the small town of Bryce Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $35, valid for 7 days Website: Bryce Canyon National Park Tips: Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the free shuttle bus that operates through the park

Where to stay in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce canyon national park campgrounds.

There are two campgrounds in Bryce Canyon: North Campground and Sunset Campground (sites $30 per night). Both are close to the visitor centre.

Campsites at both campground can be reserved between mid-May and early October. For the rest of the year, they operate on a first-come, first-served system.

Outside of Bryce Canyon, Ruby’s Inn has an RV park and campground, which is where we stayed.

Hotels near Bryce Canyon National Park

If you’re not camping, try one of the hotels near Bryce Canyon National Park .

• Ruby’s Inn Best Western Plus is a popular option outside Bryce Canyon National Park (we stayed at the adjoined RV park and campground)
• The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is located inside the park, with 114 rooms and an on-site restaurant
• Stone Canyon Inn has several cabins onsite

Vacation rentals near Bryce Canyon National Park

• This charming country home on a large property – with fruit picking available in the fall
• This incredible chalet halfway between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Driving time: 4.5 hours / 275 miles

On day four of the Utah national parks road trip, we’re actually heading into another state: Arizona !

As I mentioned earlier, you can skip Monument Valley if you want to stay in Utah and spend more time at the Mighty 5 national parks. But it’s a great detour.

It’s a long day of driving from Bryce Canyon south into Arizona. Stop for pie at the retro Thunderbird Restaurant at Mt Carmel Junction. As an Australian, this place is exactly how I always pictured American diners to be!

Stop at Page , home to the highly Instagrammed Horseshoe Bend , and nervously watch everyone as they perch on the edge to get the perfect selfie.

It’s a hot and dusty walk to the viewpoint, so bring adequate shoes and lots of water and sunscreen . To manage the huge influx of visitors that Horseshoe Bend has recently experienced, you’ll now need to pay an entrance fee of $30 per passenger vehicle.

Another popular site in Page is Antelope Canyon . Here you can visit Upper Antelope Canyon, an incredible slot canyon. Reservations are a must. We unfortunately didn’t have time, but photos I have seen are spectacular. If you can make the time, there are tours of Lower Antelope Canyon and Upper Canyon .

If you have even more time, many people add on a trip to the Grand Canyon to their Utah national parks road trip itinerary. You’ll need at least two days, though, to see the park properly.

Continue on to Monument Valley , famous from oh-so-many movies. Drive through the valley ($8 per person, per day; Monument Valley isn’t covered under the America the Beautiful national parks annual pass ) in the late afternoon as the sun is going down for some spectacular silhouettes of the buttes . Early morning is another option for nice light.

You need two to three hours to do the 17-mile self-guided driving tour through Monument Valley (maps available at the Information Center).

There are a few hiking trails (permit required) or you can take an organised tour which will allow you access to a traditional Navajo hogan, a small house. Here’s a good option for a sunset tour , or a 2.5-hour trip with backcountry access  where you’ll learn more about Navajo culture.

Be respectful of the land at all times and stick to the trails – this is Navajo land .

Hotels near Monument Valley

There are a couple of hotels near Monument Valley :

• We parked our campervan at Goulding’s Lodge , which has both a hotel and campground. It’s also got a restaurant, gas station, laundry, trading post and a museum highlighting the history of the area, including about the films that have been shot there. The theatre shows John Wayne movies nightly
• The View Hotel is located within Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. As the name suggests, it has great views over the valley

Day 5: The Needles, Canyonlands National Park

Driving time: 5.5 hours / 238 miles

Day five will see you heading back into Utah on your way to Moab . Before you get too far, stop at mile marker 13 on highway 163 for the classic road jumping shot with Monument Valley in the background.

Before getting to Moab, take the long detour to The Needles area of Canyonlands National Park . It’s a side trip off the main road and does add extra time to this Utah road trip itinerary, but it’s worth it. If you’re short on time, then you can skip this and head straight to Moab.

Canyonlands National Park is actually split into three distinct areas by the rivers that run through the park: The Needles, Island in the Sky and the Maze. The Maze is only accessible by 4WD and is very remote. I haven’t included it in this Utah national parks itinerary because we didn’t visit it.

The Needles is far less touristy than the other national parks in Utah. To get a taste of the park, hike the Slickrock trail , which will take you over smooth, mustard-coloured rocks as you follow the cairns-marked trail.

After that, hit up another hike like the Cave Spring trail . This one winds through old cowboy hangouts and up ladders. Again, you’ll be marvelling at just how different the landscape is compared to the other national parks visited on this trip.

We only wish we’d had more time to do some of the longer, more challenging hikes. Unfortunately, there was a spectacular lightning storm starting up as we began hiking, and we didn’t want to be exposed.

Continue on to Moab and have a late lunch of burgers and peanut butter milkshakes at Milt’s Stop and Eat .

Best hikes in The Needles, Canyonlands National Park

• Chesler Park Viewpoint (6 miles, strenuous)
• Slickrock Trail (2.4 miles, short)
• Big Spring Canyon to Squaw Canyon (7.5 miles, strenuous)
• Cave Spring (0.6 miles, short)

Canyonlands National Park quick reference guide

Entrances: The entrance to Island in the Sky is about 40 minutes from Moab, while The Needles entrance is about a 90-minute drive Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $30 Website: Canyonlands National Park Tips: Moab is the best place to base yourself to see the two main sections of the park

Where to stay in Moab

Moab campgrounds.

• We stayed at the KOA campground in Moab . Staff were friendly and they have a pool and shop onsite.

Hotels in Moab

Moab is a small town, but its reputation as an action hub means that it’s full of hotels and campgrounds.

• The Gonzo Inn is a popular place to stay in Moab. There’s an outdoor pool which will be a huge relief in the heat of the afternoon – Moab gets really hot
• Red Cliffs Lodge has 115 simple rooms, some with balconies with great views over the river

Vacation rentals in Moab

There are plenty of vacation rentals in Moab , so you’ll have lots of choices. I like the look of:

• This light-filled cabin with a great patio with grill (and it’s dog friendly!)
• This property would be good for groups of up to 6 people

Day 6: Arches National Park and Island in the Sky

Arches National Park is just outside of Moab, and is famous for its variety of sandstone arches.

Tackle some of the shorter hikes to Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch in the morning.

In the afternoon, hike to Delicate Arch . This is a must-do on your visit to Arches National Park. Be aware that this hike has no shade, and the last part is around a cliff face with a sharp drop off. It’s one of the most photographed spots on any trip to Utah.

Best hikes in Arches National Park

• Delicate Arch (3 miles, strenuous)
• Double O Arch Trail (4.2 miles, strenuous)
• Park Avenue Trail (1 mile one-way, moderate)
• Devil’s Garden (7.2 miles, strenuous)
• Windows Trail (1 mile, easy)
• Fiery Furnace (reservation necessary, guided by Park Ranger)

Arches National Park quick reference guide

Entrances: The entrance is just a 10-minute drive from Moab Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $30, valid for 7 days Reservation needed: Between 1 April and 31 October, you’ll also need to book a timed entrance. Book online here Website: Arches National Park

Before sunset, drive out to the other section of Canyonlands National Park, the Island in the Sky . From the viewpoint, gaze out over the land, which looks like a giant dinosaur has left its footprint behind.

If you’re in luck, you might even have Mesa Arch all to yourselves for a few minutes. Most people recommend to visit Mesa Arch at dawn, but we found it to be just as beautiful at sunset.

Moab is one of the best places to visit in Utah for adventure lovers , so if you’ve had enough of hiking, you can try mountain bike riding , offroading , 4×4 adventuring , rappeling  or rafting on the Colorado River . There are companies throughout Moab that offer all sorts of outdoor adventures.

Best hikes in Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park

• Mesa Arch (0.5 miles, easy)
• Grand View Point Trail (2 miles, easy)
• Neck Spring (5.8 miles, moderate)
• Gooseberry Trail (5.4 miles, strenuous)

Day 7: Capitol Reef National Park and back to Salt Lake City

Driving time: 5.5 hours / 369 miles

On the last day of the road trip, return to Salt Lake City via Capitol Reef National Park .

As the smallest of the five Utah national parks , you can easily drive through it via the 9-mile scenic drive and stop off to do shorter hikes. We only spent a few hours here, the shortest visit of our trip.

The park also has an old Mormon mission and you can stop by the historic Gifford Homestead to enjoy a fruit pie in the shaded grounds. The perfect sweet way to finish your Utah national park itinerary!

Best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park

• Sunset Point Trail (0.4 miles one-way, easy)
• Hickman Bridge Trail (0.9 miles one-way, moderate)
• Chimney Rock Trail (3.6 miles, strenuous)
• Rim Overlook Trail (2.3 miles, strenuous)

Capitol Reef National Park quick reference guide

Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $20, valid for 7 days Website: Capitol Reef National Park

Where to stay near Capitol Reef National Park

If you do decide to stay longer than a few hours or one day, here are a few options for sleeping.

Capitol Reef National Park campgrounds

There’s only one developed campground within Capitol Reef, and that’s the 71-site Fruita Campground . The fee is $25 per night, and sites are reservable only between 1 March and 31 October. The rest of the year it’s first come, first served.

Hotels near Capitol Reef National Park

• For something  truly unique, book a night in a Conestoga wagon! Peek out your wagon at Capitol Reef Resort in the morning for stunning red rock views. Or, choose from luxury teepees and cabins
• Broken Spur Inn and Steakhouse (located in Torrey) is a simple hotel only a 10-minute drive to the entrance of Capitol Reef National Park

Vacation rentals near Capitol Reef National Park

• This cute cabin is great for couples or small families
• This 2-bedroom home with a great deck in the nearby town of Teasdale

Finally, return your car or campervan in Salt Lake City – 7 days in Utah goes by quickly! This will be a trip you won’t quickly forget – and if you’re like me, you’ll be wanting to go back very soon.

Tips for planning a Utah national parks road trip itinerary

Buy a national parks pass.

If you’re planning to road trip to Utah national parks, buy the America the Beautiful annual pass , which costs $80. Each national park costs between $20 and $35 to visit, so if you visit three or more parks on this Utah mighty 5 road trip, this pass will save you money .

The pass is also valid at any national park in the entire United States so you can use it at other parks for the rest of the year.

Book accommodation in advance

Hotels, lodges and camping sites around the national parks can be booked out months – even a year – in advance, so book accommodation in advance . (I use Booking.com and Expedia to book accommodation, comparing prices across both sites before I book.)

Each campsite has different processes for booking. Some can be booked online in advance, others can only be booked in person on the day, so you’ll need to factor this in to your planning.

Research each park before you visit

Do your research on each park’s website in advance – there’s a huge amount of information available online. This will help you plan your days to get the most out of each park.

And when you arrive at each park, stop by the visitor centre to pick up a map and talk to the rangers . They know the best time to visit each location for the perfect photos and which hikes to do to maximise the time you have.

Best time to visit Utah national parks

We visited in early June and found it to be a great time to visit the Utah Mighty 5 – just before school vacation so the crowds were not quite in full force, and the weather was warm and sunny, but not yet suffocatingly hot.

Spring and autumn/fall

These are the best seasons to visit the national parks in Utah – but also the most popular. Temperatures are milder, so hikes will be more manageable, but you’ll have to battle the crowds.

It goes without saying that summer is the hottest time to visit the national parks of Utah, with temperatures often creeping toward 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). If you must visit during these months, plan your visit carefully and aim to hike either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. And always have plenty of water with you.

The winter months can bring temperatures below freezing at night – and snow . I’ve seen photos of some of the national parks during winter and it looks stunning with snow-dusted peaks and few crowds, but make sure to come with adequate winter clothing.

What to pack for a Utah national parks road trip

When you’re visiting the national parks in Utah, come prepared. Here are a few items I’d recommend packing, and I have a longer road trip packing list guide with more ideas:

• An America the Beautiful annual pass to save you tonnes of money!
• A cell phone mount is helpful for hands-free navigating. Remember to download maps as you’ll encounter areas without service.
• Bring a good backpack for all your gear, and a daypack for hiking.
• Use a water bladder to stay hydrated while tackling the hiking trails.
• Pack sturdy hiking boots . 
• Don’t forget plenty of  sunscreen ! It gets hot out here, and the sun can be brutal, even in winter.
• If you’re travelling in a campervan like we did or camping in Utah national parks, you may go several days without a shower (pee-yew!). Pack some body wipes to stay fresh.
• If you’re camping or in an RV, pack a power inverter to keep your electronics charged while you’re driving.
• Don’t forget a good first aid kit .
• Pick up a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Southwest USA  or Lonely Planet’s national parks guidebook   so that you can learn more about Utah . 

For other items you’ll need to bring on this Utah national parks itinerary 7 days, check out this packing list for camping in the national parks .

Utah national park road trip: FAQSs

How many days do you need to see the national parks in utah.

You need at least a week to see all of the national parks in Utah. With 7 days, you can visit each of the state’s five national parks. This will give you 1-2 days at each of the national parks.

Can you see all 5 national parks in Utah?

The great thing about the Mighty 5 is that you can see all of them in a week. Follow my itinerary and you’ll be able to visit all 5 national parks in Utah in just 7 days.

How many national parks are there in Utah?

Utah has 5 national parks: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park.

Did you find this article helpful? Consider buying me a coffee as a way to say thanks!

Have you visited Utah? Which is your favourite national park? Let me know in the comments below.

Related posts

Before you go… you might like these USA road trips:

• New Mexico Road Trip Itinerary: Discover the Land of Enchantment
• Plan a Deep South Road Trip Itinerary: What to See, Do and Eat
• Mississippi Road Trip: 7 Fascinating Places to Visit in the Magnolia State
• 17 Fun Things to do in West Texas: An Unmissable West Texas Road Trip

USA TRIP ESSENTIALS

• Book flights to and around the USA online with Skyscanner . I like this site because it shows me which dates are cheaper.
• Find a great hotel in the USA. Check prices on Booking.com   and Expedia online.
• Check out the huge range of day tours throughout the USA on GetYourGuide or Viator . There’s something for everyone.
• A copy of the  Lonely Planet guide to the USA will be handy.
• One thing I always purchase is  travel insurance ! Travel Insurance Master allows you to compare across multiple policy providers, while SafetyWing is great for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

7 DAY ITINERARY UTAH NATIONAL PARKS: PIN IT FOR LATER

Don’t forget to save this Utah national parks road trip itinerary to Pinterest and guide so that you can plan your own road trip!

About REBECCA

I'm a travel junkie who started dreaming about seeing the world from a very young age. I've visited more than 40 countries and have a Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management. A former expat, I've lived in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Argentina and the United States. I share travel resources, tips and stories based on my personal experiences, and my goal is to make travel planning just that bit easier.

17 thoughts on “Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: How to Plan a 7-Day Trip to the Mighty 5 in 2024”

Hi Rebecca, I am looking to do a SLC to LV of the Mighty 5 plus GC, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon in October. I have 15 days including fly days. Ideas on an itinerary? Thanks so much!

Hi Amy! You could do something like: Salt Lake City (spend a day there if you haven’t already visited), then Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Moab (for both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks), The Needles portion of Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Zion, LV. Plan to spend 2 days at least in each of Bryce, GC and Zion, plus 3 days in Moab. That should stretch you out to two weeks without feeling rushed. I’m jealous you’ll have so much time exploring this beautiful part of the world!

Hi…I love this post but I am looking to do LV to LV including a brief visit at GC, Antelope and Horseshoe and then travel on to the Utah parks. I have 10 days including flying. Any ideas on an itinerary?

Hi Joan, how fun! The most efficient route, then, would be Las Vegas – Grand Canyon – Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon – Arches NP/Canyonlands – Capitol Reef – Bryce Canyon – Zion NP – Las Vegas. You could easily do that in 10 days, with one day at each stop (or two days in places you really want to spend a bit more time in). Have fun!!

Dynamite photos, loved looking at them.

Thanks! It’s such a beautiful state, so fun to drive around.

Enjoyed reading this very much. Thanks! Since you did a fair amount of driving around where I’m planning to go, wondering if you had any info/advice to share about using an RV for this trip in the winter. Curious about accessibility with the roads, whether any of the segments between parks make driving difficult because of vehicle clearance, or whether the roads are not paved and may be difficult to traverse in a larger vehicle.

Hey Patrick! So excited that you’re heading this way – it’s a beautiful part of the world. We visited in early June and had no issues with the roads – and there were so many RVs out as well. In winter, I’d say it’d be much the same. The roads between all the parks are paved and well-maintained. Even within the parks the roads are really good so I wouldn’t think you’d have any issues. The only limitation I can see is if you want to get offroad at any time. For example, driving through Monument Valley was quite bumpy in our small campervan, and it might be tough in an RV (depending on how big it is) – check first whether they even allow RVs inside the monument. Happy travelling and let me know if you have any more questions!

Just got back from Zion, but I want to see them all!

What I loved about all the parks in Utah is just how close they were to each other – so it is possible to see several in just a few days!

Such incredible photos – Zion National Park looks like a different planet!! What an adventure – definintely one for the bucketlist!

Absolutely! Was such a great trip 🙂

Rebecca!! Seriously, I cannot thank you enough for opening my eyes to the world of camper vans! We leave in two weeks and last minute Chase wanted to camp (and we pretty much have no camp supplies, although it’s been on my list to get for this summer – to start small and camp close to home LOL, he was ready for a 3000 mile away camp trip), so it left us scrambling to figure out how to get a tent on a plane, oh and then buying a tent, and yadda! We already reserved a rental car, but believe we are returning it and going with the camper van. This post made me even more excited!

Thank you again! <3

Oh I’m so glad I saw your post and commented. It really does make life easier – you don’t have to lug a whole lot of stuff on to a plane, and buy stuff that you might not use again. It will be a bit cold while you’re there, too, so sleeping inside a van will make it a little warmer. Have so much fun – can’t wait to see your pics!!

This post reminds me of your adventure to see Mt Fitz Roy in Patagonia for you took some really great shots at both places! Weather plays an important role in making an outdoor adventure pleasant or not, and you seem to always know when to go. I have to say your photos of those national parks in Utah are some of the best I’ve ever stumbled upon! Btw, in that photo of you and other hikers wading through the icy water at the start of The Narrows, it’s not easy to spot which one your husband is. That bird of paradise reminds me of the days when you were still living in PNG. 🙂

Bama, you always leave the nicest comments!! This really brightened up my day when I first read it and I was in a slump about blogging in general. Thank you! And the fact that you noticed the bird of paradise tattoo! 🙂

Wow Rebecca this is a wonderful blog. I have really enjoyed reading it and will read the others. Elly just told me about it. Glad she did as it gives me an heads up on how you and Matt spend your rec time. Great stuff.

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WILL TRAVEL FOR SUNSETS

• Apr 8, 2021

Fall in Love with Southern Utah: A Two Week Road Trip Itinerary

Updated: Apr 8, 2022

I spent two weeks road tripping through Southern Utah’s magical landscapes with a group of friends. I recommend spending as much time as possible in this area; only visiting one of the national parks isn’t enough! The drives and parks feel as though you are visiting another planet. The landscape is truly unique.

Separate detailed blog posts are available for each section of this trip. They are linked below as well as throughout this post. This post expands on how to put all of the stops together and includes recommended stops on the driving days.

If you need a slightly shorter trip, I recommend skipping the day one activities or the day fourteen activities. Those stops are easy to eliminate logistically and were slightly less exciting than the other places we visited. If you want an even longer trip, adding the Grand Canyon to this trip is also easy. It is a short drive from Paige, Arizona (days four through seven).

Jump to specific blog posts here:

Day One through Three: Moab, Arches and Canyonlands

Day Four through Seven: Lake Powell

Day Seven through Eleven: Zion and Bryce National Parks

Day Eleven through Fourteen: Grand Staircase Escalante and Capitol Reef National Park

Daytime: Canyonlands National Park

Overnight in Moab, Utah

See post for more details here .

Daytime: Arches National Park- Hike the Devil's Garden Loop Trail

Evening: Arches National Park-Watch the Sunset in the Windows Section

Morning: Arches National Park- Hike to Delicate Arch

Afternoon: Arches National Park-Hike the Windows Section

Evening: Dead Horse Point State Park

Overnight in: Moab, Utah

Morning: Drive 4 hours to Page Arizona

Afternoon: Visit Monument Valley

Overnight: Lake Powell

For the drive to Page, Arizona, take historic highway US Route 163. It is a jaw dropping drive and has many options for stops along it. I’ve outlined potential stops below:

Valley of the Gods

This is a backcountry park that has similar scenery and sandstone buttes to Monument Valley. We drove through a portion of it on our trip. The road going through the area isn’t paved, but our 4-wheel drive SUV handled it fine. It’s located directly off of the highway so it’s an easy stop.

Mile marker 13 on US Highway 163, the end of Forrest Gump’s Cross Country Run

Take a quick stop here to take a fun picture, or to try Frybread.

Monument Valley

If Monument Valley is open I recommend prioritizing your time to spend most of the day there. Once in the Valley, drive the scenic drive to see the sandstone buttes in the area, take a guided hike (a guide is required), or book a tour to see Puebloan ruins.

National Bridges Monument

This is a park with three naturally former stone bridges to see.

Mexican Hat National Monument

This park’s main attraction is a balancing rock formation that looks like a sombrero.

Along this route be sure to try Native American Fry Bread. There are numerous small stands selling it as you drive closer to Monument Valley. It is a flat dough bread that is deep fried. It can be eaten by itself or with honey, jam, powdered sugar or beef. Navajo tacos are also popular in the area and are made with Fry Bread.

Morning: Kayak to Antelope Canyon

Afternoon; Hike in Antelope Canyon

Overnight in: Lake Powell

Morning: Mountain bike in Page, AZ

Afternoon: Visit Horseshoe Bend

Morning: Kayak to Lone Rock Canyon

Afternoon: Drive to Kanab or Springdale

Overnight in: Kanab or Springdale

Daytime: Zion–Hike the Narrows

Overnight in Kanab or Springdale

Morning: Zion–Hike Angel’s Landing

Afternoon: Zion–Hike the Emerald Pools Trail

Morning: Zion–Hike to Observation Point

Early Morning: Drive to 1-2 hours to Bryce Canyon

Morning: Bryce Canyon– Hike the Figure Eight Combination Trail

Afternoon: Drive 1 hour to Escalante.

Overnight in Escalante

Note that staying in Kanab instead of Springdale will make the drive to Bryce Canyon shorter by about 30 minutes. If you take the route from Kanab, stop at the Cave Cafe along the way. They sell smoothies, juices and Acai bowls.

Morning:Grand Staircase Escalante–Peek-a-boo, and Spooky Slot Canyons

Afternoon:Grand Staircase Escalante–Zebra Canyon

See the blog post for more details here .

Note that for the Escalante portion of this two week trip, I removed the day hikes mentioned on day one of the detailed blog post. If you have room for a 15 day trip, feel free to add it back in! Day one of the Escalante post gave options for longer, more difficult hikes. Those trails add significant hiking mileage, especially as part of a 2-week road trip with lots of other hiking.

Day Thirteen

Morning: Grand Staircase Escalante–Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail

Afternoon:Drive 40 minutes to Boulder

Overnight in Boulder

The total drive to Boulder is 40 minutes, but the trailhead for the hike is along the route.

The drive to Boulder is along Scenic Byway 12 and is appropriately described as scenic! Be sure to pull over at viewpoints to take it in.

Kiva Koffeehouse is a perfect halfway point and pre-hike stop on the drive. The restaurant offers a wide selection of coffee and tea drinks but also serves house-made baked goods and breakfast and lunch options like quiche and soups. It is built up on a ledge overlooking the surrounding rock formations with lots of outdoor seating to take in the panoramic views.

Day Fourteen

Morning: Drive one hour to Capitol Reef National Park

Afternoon: Capitol Reef National Park

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2-Week Arizona Utah Road Trip Itinerary

April 29, 2023 · Arizona , Road Trip , United States , US National Parks , Utah

My very first road trip was through the American Southwest. I probably never would have gone on this trip if my best friend Emilie had not insisted on visiting the Grand Canyon. Little did I know this road trip would be the catalyst for my obsession with travel. It was also the beginning of many yearly, best-friend road trips throughout Europe and the United States . I caught the travel fever as we drove hundreds of miles through the dry, sandy deserts of Arizona and shrubby plains of New Mexico. In March of 2021, we returned to the Southwest and road tripped through Utah’s Mighty 5 . I designed this Southwest itinerary by combining the best of Arizona and Utah into one perfect road trip. Here’s what you should expect to see on this epic 2-week trip:

Day 1 – Phoenix, AZ

Day 2 – sedona, az, day 3 – sedona, az, day 4 – slide rock state park, day 5 – grand canyon national park.

• Day 6 – Page, AZ

Day 7 – Zion National Park

Day 8 – zion national park & kanarra falls.

• Day 9 – Bryce Canyon

Day 10 – Capitol Reef National Park

Day 11 – dead horse point state park & canyonlands national park, day 12 – arches national park, day 13 – monument valley, day 14 – drive/ fly home, no time to read pin it for later.

Phoenix is the perfect place to begin your Arizona Utah road trip. It is home to Phoenix International Airport and features great proximity to major Southwest attractions. Depending on what time you land, you may have enough time to spend some time in Phoenix and even do a short hike up Superstition Mountain. There you’ll find countless Saguaro cacti and great views of the valley. If you lack the time to explore Phoenix, you can head straight to Sedona, AZ. The drive from Phoenix to Sedona is about 2 hours.

If you have additional time to spend in Phoenix or would rather substitute a day in Sedona to spend more time in Phoenix, here are some of the best things to do in Arizona’s state capital.

• Roosevelt Row Art District
• Hot air balloon ride
• Desert Botanical Gardens
• Musical Instrument Museum
• Goldfield Ghost Town
• Stay in Scottsdale, AZ

If you arrive early and would rather check another national park off your bucket list, head to Saguaro National Park in Tucson, AZ. Saguaro is about 1h30 to 2h south of Phoenix. Click here for my Saguaro National Park guide.

For your first morning in Sedona, I suggest visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross and exploring the spiritual side of Sedona. In downtown Sedona, you’ll find lots of places to shop and eat. Enjoy walking around Sedona’s commercial district then head to lunch

If you’re looking for great food with even greater views, I recommend the northern section of AZ-89A. Canyon Breeze, 89 Agave Cantina, and Open Range are all solid options. These restaurants offer great views of the Sedona red rocks, especially late fall during peak foliage.

Sedona is also heaven for vegans and vegetarians with tons of meatless options. Sedona’s Pizza and Pasta Company , one of the most popular pizza restaurants in Sedona, is actually vegan and features the same amazing views as the non-vegetarian options mentioned above.

In the afternoon, I recommend heading to Mescal Trailhead and going on a hike. Late afternoon is the best time to hike Devil’s Bridge. You will get incredible views of the surrounding vista as well as much lower crowds than other times of day.

If you’re looking to splurge on accommodations, we recommend the  Enchantment Resort  located in the heart of Boynton Canyon. However, if you are passing through Sedona on a budget, we recommend staying at  Harmony House , an Air BNB style rental. We loved our stay there. The host was very friendly, and the room was comfortable, clean, and quiet. We had our own parking spot right outside our bedroom, and a small kitchen area with tea and coffee.

For your second day in Sedona, I recommend hiking a few trails and enjoying some R&R among the beautiful red rocks. Some of my favorite hikes in Sedona include Subway Cave, Seven Sacred Pools, and Birthing Cave. See the link below for detailed directions for each trail.

Related – 6 Best Hikes in Sedona

For your third day in Sedona, I recommend driving up AZ-89A to Slide Rock State Park to take a dip. Make sure to arrive early as it can get quite crowded in the summer. The cool oasis of Oak Creek attracts loads of locals and tourists alike.

Slide Rock State Park is one of Arizona’s most popular swimming holes and perfect for families. This former apple farm is open 8am to 6pm from February 1st to November 30th and 9am to 5pm the rest of the year. The park is closed for holidays. The entrance fee is $10-$30 per vehicle depending on the time of year. National park passes are not accepted at this Arizona state park. Click here for hours of operation, fees, and information regarding swimming.

When you get ready to leave Slide Rock, head north on AZ-89A and make sure to stop at the top for breathtaking views of Sedona’s alpine hills. After snapping a few pictures, continue driving to Williams, AZ better known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. Stop at Goldies Route 66 Diner for some delicious food and get a good night’s rest before visiting one of America’s most famous natural wonders.

Today, your road trip through Arizona and Utah will take you to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, the 4th most visited national park in the United States with 4.5 million visitors in 2021.

US NATIONAL PARKS  – Read all national park guides

With one day in GCNP

When we first visited the Grand Canyon, I thought it would take us several days to see it all, but the truth is it is absolutely possible to admire all the viewpoints along the South Rim in just one day. The National Park Service provides four free shuttle lines that stop several times per hour at nearly all the viewpoints along the South Rim with the exception of the easternmost points – Grand View, Lipan, Navajo, and Desert View Points.

• The purple line runs from early spring to fall and shuttles visitors from Tusayan into Grand Canyon Village. There are two lines on the purple shuttle: north bound and south bound.
• The blue line circulates year round within Grand Canyon Village. There are two blue lines: east bound and west bound.
• The orange line runs year round as well and will take you to Mather and Yavapai Points on its west-bound line and to the South Kaibab trail, Yaki Point, and Pipe Creek Vista on its east-bound line.
• Finally, the red line runs from March 1st to November 30th and will take you all the way to Hermit’s Point, the westernmost viewpoint on the south rim of GCNP. It is important to note that all of the red-line viewpoints located west of Grand Canyon Village are accessible by shuttle only.

WINTER NATIONAL PARKS – 15 Best National Parks to Visit in the Winter

What we did

We parked our car at the Yavapai Geology Museum and walked from Yavapai to Mather Point and back. You could also visit the points using the orange line. Then we stopped for lunch in Grand Canyon Village and then used the red line to explore the viewpoints from Grand Canyon Village to Hermit’s Point. As the evening approached, we got back in the car and headed to Desert View to watch the sunset. We stopped at Grand View, Lipan and Navajo Points on the way.

With two or more days in GCNP

If you are lucky enough to have more time to spend in Grand Canyon National Park, I recommend spending some time canoeing/ rafting down the Colorado River or hiking one of the trails down into the canyon. The Bright Angel Trail is a popular option. It is a strenuous hike with multiple stopping points from 4.6 mi/ 7.4 km to 9.3 mi/ 15 km one way . A majority of those who hike all the way down do so on a multi-day hike and either camp down at Bright Angel Campground or stay at Phantom Ranch Lodge, both of which require permits.

Another popular option is to hike Rim-to-Rim starting from the North Rim. Unless you are an extremely fit, marathon-running hiker, you will need to hike Rim to Rim on a multi-day hike as well. The hike from the north to the south rim of the Grand Canyon is approximately 24 miles/ 38.6 km and one of the most strenuous hikes in the world. No permits are required for parties of 11 or less. However, always check with the National Park Service prior to your visit as hiking conditions and permit requirements may change. It is highly recommended to begin your rim-to-rim hike at the North Kaibab trailhead and make your way to Phantom Ranch where the trail turns into Bright Angel Trail right before crossing the Colorado River. This is because the elevation gain is nearly 1,400 ft higher when hiking from the south to the north rim.

ATTENTION! The activities mentioned above are suitable for more adventurous travelers and experienced hikers only. Please always check weather conditions before going out on a hike in Grand Canyon National Park. During the winter time, temperatures can drop quickly while summertime can be unforgiving to those who set off on a hike unprepared.

Day 5 – Page, AZ

Page, Arizona is located near the border between Arizona and Utah and is one of the greatest stops on this road trip. It is home to a multitude of geological gems including Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell.

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. Though there is no entrance fee, the city of Page charges $5 per motorcycle and $10 per vehicle. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. I recommend visiting during sunrise and sunset for lower crowds, but around noon to photograph the bend in full sunlight. The hike to the viewpoint is about 1.5 mi/ 2.4 km and requires close-toed shoes. I walked to the viewpoint in my sandals, and they broke. 0/10 would not recommend. Please be mindful of your surroundings and windy conditions as you approach the edge for a photo op. A visitor had died just a few days prior to our visit after falling from the cliff edge.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon was Garrett’s favorite part of the trip. There are two ways to visit Arizona’s most famous slot canyon: the Lower and Upper route. Upper Antelope Canyon features the unique light beams you see in many photographs while Lower Antelope Canyon is brighter. However, travelers on a budget might prefer Lower Antelope Canyon as it offers cheaper tours. Antelope Canyon is located on Najavo land, and only a few companies are authorized to provide guided tours for visitors. Dixie Ellis and Ken’s are the only two companies that tour Lower Antelope Canyon. Their prices are identical, and they share the same parking lot. Tours depart every 30 minutes and last around 1 hour.

We visited Lower Antelope Canyon with Dixie Ellis and thoroughly enjoyed our time. I was nowhere near as experienced in trip planning back in 2018 and had not made reservations ahead of our visit at Antelope Canyon. To this day, I do not know how we managed to score three permits during peak daytime on a holiday weekend, but somehow we did. I highly recommend making reservations ahead of time and visiting during a weekday in low season to avoid the crowds. When we visited, there were hundreds of people in the canyon at once, which slightly tarnished our experience.

Lake Powell

After spending your day exploring the rock formations of Page, AZ, head to Lake Powell to lay on the beach and relax. Like Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. Straddled on the border between Arizona and Utah, it is a must see on a Southwest road trip. There is a $30 entrance fee per vehicle, but you get in free with your national park pass. I highly recommend purchasing a national park pass if you plan on visiting 3 or more national park sites within the next 12 months.

There are several beaches along the shore of Lake Powell though no lifeguard is on duty. Lake Powell is also a water sports enthusiast’s paradise. During our visit, we saw people paddling, kayaking, swimming, boating, fishing, etc… The heartbreaking truth about Lake Powell is that it is in danger of disappearing due to increasingly dry climate in the area. In 2021, Lake Powell hit its lowest water level, and experts have warned that the lake may disappear in the next decade.

You have now entered the Utah portion of your Arizona Utah road trip. There is so much to do in Zion National Park. To help you plan your visit, I designed the perfect itinerary for your first day in Utah’s most popular national park. I recommend starting the day with either Angel’s Landing or Observation Point. Both offer stunning views of Zion Canyon. Angel’s Landing is more thrilling but also more difficult to plan for. You will need to ride the shuttle and enter the Angel’s Landing Permit Lottery . If you are prone to acrophobia (fear of height) or don’t want to deal with the hassle of planning this hike, I recommend hiking to Observation Point via East Mesa Trail. This hike doesn’t require shuttle tickets or a permit of any kind and offers even better views of Zion Canyon.

Click here for my detailed guide on the best things to see in the Mighty 5.

Angel’s Landing

Angel’s Landing is a strenuous 5.4 mile (8.7 km) out-and-back trail. It takes approximately 4 hours to complete and feature about 1500 ft of elevation. It is one of the most popular hikes in the United States but also one of the most dangerous. During our visit in March 2021, we took one of the very first shuttles of the day at 7:15am, and every single passenger (around 30 people) stopped at the Grotto to begin hiking up Angel’s Landing. We were the only ones left in the shuttle for our Narrows hike. Keep in mind this was prior to the lottery system implementation.

However, this trail isn’t for everyone. The last portion of the trail consists of walking along a narrow footpath with 1,000 ft drop-offs on both sides. Seventeen people have lost their lives on Angel’s Landing, including a teenage girl. As you will be reminded throughout your visit; your safety is your responsibility. Always avoid hiking alone and let people know where you are headed.

Observation Point

Though Angel’s Landing offers a unique and thrilling experience with breathtaking views of Zion Canyon, the views at Observation Point are unmatched. From the top of Observation Point, you can see all of Zion Canyon, including the narrow trail at the end of Angel’s Landing, which doesn’t even seem walkable in the distance. I recommend getting to the viewpoint at sunrise or around lunch time to enjoy less shadow on the canyon.

The hike to Observation Point is 6.7 miles (10.8 km) long and moderate. The only way to currently access Observation Point is through the East Mesa Trail near the East Entrance along Zion-Mt Carmel Highway, 45 minutes away from the main entrance. The road to the trail head can get very muddy and requires a vehicle with high clearance and 4-wheel drive on days following precipitations. If you do not have 4-wheel drive, it is recommended that you park your car and walk to the trailhead. If you are unable to access Observation Point or are looking for a shorter hike but still want to enjoy breathtaking views of Zion Canyon, check out Zion Canyon Overlook Trail. It is a moderate out-and-back 1 mi/ 1.6 km trail. Neither of these trails requires riding the shuttle.

Enjoy lunch at the Zion Lodge or picnic in the park at one of the many designated picnic areas. After enjoying the views of Zion Canyon, I recommend heading back to Canyon Junction Bridge (shuttle required) to enjoy the sunset then into Springdale, UT for dinner.

The Narrows

The Narrows is another strenuous hike of Zion National Park but oh so worth it. There are two ways to hike the Narrows: bottom up (up to 9 mi/ 14.5km) and top down (17 mi/ 27.3 km). Hiking the Narrows top down requires a permit and is an all-day hike with an option to camp overnight up the canyon. Hiking from the bottom up and back does not require any additional permit, is much shorter, and the path we chose for our hike.

The hike begins at the Temple of Sinawava (Shuttle Stop #9). The first mile (1.6km) of the trail consists of walking along the Riverside Walk. I highly recommend starting this hike as early as possible. We got on the shuttle at 7:15am, and there were swarms of people at the entrance of the canyon when we finished our hike around 2pm. Our hike lasted 6 hours for a total of 8 miles (13km) in the freezing Virgin River surrounded by sandstone walls a thousand feet (300m) tall. We had to stop at Wall Street due to rising water levels. Hiking back is usually easier as you are hiking with the current and no longer against it.

Before heading to the Narrows, check current conditions (the trail often closes during April and May due to high water levels) and make sure you have the appropriate equipment. There are many outfitters in town offering Narrows hiking gear packages for each season. We chose to rent from  Zion Outfitters  because they had the best prices and refund policy. While waterproof shoes may be fine in the summer, you will need waders in the winter. We hiked the Narrows mid-march, and the water was just a few degrees above freezing.

CYANOBACTERIA WARNING following a pet death in july 2020, zion national park has issued a warning for high levels of cyanobacteria in the virgin river. toxins enter the body through the nose, mouth, or open cuts, so do not submerge your head in the water or drink it even if it has been filtered.

Kanarra Falls

After leaving Zion National Park, head to Kanarra Falls in Kanarraville right off I-15. Make sure to follow the signs once you get to Kanarraville because your Google Maps GPS may take your to a residential area 2 blocks down from the actual trailhead. There are free parking and bathrooms available in the parking lot below the entrance booth. This hike requires a $12 hiking permit, and the number of visitors is limited to 150 per day. These tickets can go fast, so I recommend getting them ahead of time if you can but keep in mind that they are non refundable.

The hike to the falls is 3.7 miles out and back and follows Kanarra Creek. The trail can be difficult to locate in places, so simply make sure to stay near the river. If you hike this trail during shoulder season when the water temperatures are low, I highly recommend getting a pair of neoprene socks to keep your feet warm and dry as hiking in the river can save a lot of time. Make sure to watch your step to avoid disrupting the ecosystem and potential falls. The rocks can be slippery, and I fell in the water twice during our hike. In case I did not make this obvious enough, this trail requires water shoes and cannot be done in flip flops or other loose-fitting shoe. Also keep in mind that, like the Narrows, this hike may close in April and May due to high water levels.

Day 9 – Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is located approximately 1.5 to 2 hours (85 mi/ 137 km) away from Zion National Park. The very last portion of the drive will take you on a scenic route through the red rocks and cedar trees of Dixie National Forest. Bryce Canyon got its name from Ebenezer Bryce, a Scottish immigrant sent to the region for his carpentry skills by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The locals began calling the impressive collection of hoodoos “Bryce’s Canyon,” and the name stuck. Bryce Canyon National Park is the highest of all of Utah’s Mighty 5 with an average elevation of around 8,000ft (2500m), which also makes it the coldest. Be advised that road closures are frequent October to May, so make sure to check the national park service website before your visit.

WHAT IS A HOODOO? Hoodoos are tall, thin rocks that rise from the bottom of an arid basin. They form when a plateau slowly erodes into a wall, which then erodes into a window with a central cavity. As the eroding process goes on, it slowly eats away the bottom of the window, and finally the top of the now bridge-like formation collapses, leaving only the sides and forming individual hoodoos.

Queen’s Garden/ Navajo Loop Trail

I recommend you begin your day in Bryce by hiking the Queen’s Garden/ Navajo Loop Trail, starting at Sunrise Point. Most hikers choose to hike counterclockwise from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point. I would highly recommend hiking counterclockwise if the weather is warmer to avoid having to climb up the switchbacks. However, when the switchbacks are covered in ice as they were when we hiked, it is much easier and much safer to hike uphill than downhill. Bryce Canyon National Park is covered in snow over 200 days out of the year. If that is the case during your visit, consider purchasing a pair of traction cleats for snow and ice. They are available at the visitor center during the winter season.

The Queen’s Garden trail begins by taking you down and into the hoodoos. Always stay on trail to avoid weakening the fragile base of the hoodoos. As you near the junction with Navajo Loop Trail, you’ll be greeted by majestic conifers and blankets of moss.

Going up the Navajo Loop Trail, you’ll get a peek at Two Bridges from a distance (Two Bridges and Wall Street are both closed during winter) before climbing up the switchbacks to Sunset Point. Near Sunset Point is Thor’s hammer, one of the most famous hoodoos in the park. The trail then continues on the paved Rim Trail back to Sunrise Point.

Once you get back in your car, continue driving down Main Park Rd to Rainbow Point stopping at the many overlooks in Bryce’s Amphitheater and beyond.

Where to stay and where to eat?

For dinner, check out Bryce Canyon Inn and Pizza Place just minutes from the park’s entrance. Their hand-tossed pizzas are homemade with fresh, high-quality ingredients. You won’t be disappointed! We stayed at  Red Ledges Inn  in Tropic, UT, 10 miles from Bryce Canyon. It was surprisingly cheap, and the rooms were very nice and clean. I highly recommend.

Capitol Reef is the second-least visited of the Mighty 5. This can be explained by its location, a longer distance (about 2h15 minutes) from the other 2 pairs. The park is still worth the detour as it features geological formations that are among the most unique in all Southern Utah.

For the perfect day in Capitol Reef, I recommend enjoying your drive down scenic UT-24, making sure to stop at the many roadside pullouts. Because it is a state highway, no entrance fee or permit is required to drive down UT-24.

Cassidy Arch Trail

As you keep driving, you’ll arrive at the Visitor Center. There you can get a map or advice from the park rangers and purchase souvenirs. There you’ll turn right onto Capitol Reef Scenic Drive that is just 7.9 mi/ 12.7 km long. This road does require you to pay the entrance fee ($20) or show your national park pass. Down this road, you will find the Fruita Barn, Gifford Farm, and Cassidy Arch trailhead. The Gifford Homestead offers delicious farm-fresh pie year round. Consider stopping by the orchard to see the trees in full bloom in the spring or pick your own fruits in the summer. The Cassidy Arch Trail is moderate 3.1 mile out and back and features a beautiful imposing arch you can stand on.

Hickman Natural Bridge Trail

After hiking the Cassidy Arch, drive back up Capitol Reef scenic drive and turn right when you reach UT-24. On this section of the highway, you will come across the Fruita Schoolhouse, a historic structure nestled below the Wingate Sandstone Cliffs and just a few hundred yards down the road, the Petroglyph Panels featuring bighorn sheep and other symbols of the Fremont Culture.

Your last stop of the day will be one of the most popular hikes in Capitol Reef National Park. Hickman Natural Bridge is a 1.8 mile hike out and back trail that features moderate inclines and begins along the Fremont River before ending with breathtaking views of Hickman Natural Bridge.

The drive out of Capitol Reef on UT-24 was one of the most scenic I have ever taken. The 2.5 hour drive to Moab will take you through the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) past countless multi-colored layered rocks. I highly suggest doing this section of your Arizona Utah road trip during the day not to miss out on those gorgeous views.

Dead Horse Point State Park

As you carry on through your Utah and Arizona road trip, I recommend setting your alarm early and heading to Dead Horse Point State Park for sunrise. I had to drag my husband out of bed that day, but when we arrived on the edge of the canyon and watched the rock walls bathe in fiery red light, we knew it had been more than worth it. There is a $20 entrance fee per vehicle to enter the state park, but discounts are available for seniors, walk ins, or motorcycles. Click here for more information on entry and camping fees. The park is open year round from 6am to 10pm.

According to the legend, Dead Horse Point was once used by cowboys as a corral for captured wild mustangs. One day, for unknown reasons, the unwanted horses were left abandoned in the corral and died of thirst 2,000 feet above the Colorado River. Dead Horse Point was also the filming location for Thelma & Louise (1991) starring Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, and Harvey Keitel.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is the most overlooked of Utah’s Mighty 5 , which is a pity. The park can be visited in as little as half a day and is located just 45 minutes from Arches National Park. I recommend combining your visit with Dead Horse Point State Park. Both parks are extremely popular locations to watch the sunrise, but if I had to pick one, it would be Dead Horse. Another option could be to watch the sunrise at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and the sunset at Dead Horse. Whichever location you choose for sunrise or sunset, make sure not to miss the views at the different overlooks in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. If you have additional time, consider going off-roading into Shafer Canyon.

Many people skip Canyonlands on their road trip through Arizona and Utah, but I strongly recommend against. The scenic 45-minute drive from Canyonlands to Arches is well worth your time. I suggest staying in Moab, UT tonight as it is close to both Canyonlands and Arches National Park.

For your last national park of this Arizona Utah road trip, you’ll be headed to Arches National Park, one of the most popular national parks in Utah and the Southwest. So much so, that the National Park Service piloted a timed-entry system. Starting in 2023, the timed entries must be reserved online on recreation.gov and costs $2 per slot. Vehicles can enter the park any time during their 1-hour time slot and remain as long as they wish. No reservation is required for entry before 7am or after 4pm. Click here for more information. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and heat, consider visiting during low season in January or February.

Related – 15 Best National Parks to Visit in the Winter

As you make your way up Arches National Park Rd, you’ll drive through Courthouse Towers. Further down the road, you’ll find the Windows. I highly recommend spending some time walking around the Windows. The hikes are all under a mile and feature unique views. If your legs don’t give out by then, I recommend hiking to Landscape Arch in Devil’s Garden and Delicate Arch for sunset. If you must choose one of the two, make it Delicate Arch. It offers the most license-plate worthy view in the country!

For a more complete guide to Arches, check out my Arches National Park – One Day Itinerary .

If you are looking for  a place to eat   in Moab , I highly recommend the  Spoke on Center  for great food, great service, and an eclectic downtown setting. Give the huckleberry ice cream a try for a delicious local specialty.

No Arizona Utah road trip would be complete without this iconic view of the Southwest. It’s so iconic it even has its own emoji.  Monument Valley , like many other tourist attractions in the area, is located within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation and has a fee of $8 per person. Make sure to put the correct address in Google Maps to avoid getting lost. The exact coordinates for Monument Valley are N 37.00414 W 110.09889. The 17-mile loop through Monument Valley is open 8am to 4pm during winter time, 8am to 5pm during summer time, and closed on holidays.

After exiting Monument Valley, make your way back to Phoenix, AZ.

Headed East?

If you are heading east or continuing on from your Arizona Utah road trip through New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, here are a few locations I recommend stopping by. These locations are listed from westernmost to easternmost.

• Petrified Forest National Park in AZ
• Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque, NM
• Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX
• Eiffel Tower in Paris, TX
• Beavers Bend State Park in OK

Headed West

If you are heading east or continuing on from your Arizona Utah road trip through Nevada and California, here are a few locations I recommend stopping by.

• Las Vegas, NV
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park

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How to Pull Off the Perfect Utah National Parks Road Trip

A s the morning’s first rays beam through windows encasing my comfy bed in an Adventure Wagon Sprinter 144 van, the feeling hits me again. Parked on the edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument —on a Utah national parks road trip—we've arrived in our personal oasis. The van’s cool air, a stark contrast to the bone dry heat already warming this rocky, desolate landscape in the heart of Southwest Utah, makes me want to hunker down in our little Sprinter sanctuary, but only for a few extra moments. Soon enough, we’re naturally drawn out into yet another spectacular scene during our week-long Utah national parks road trip. 

Related: These Lesser-Known Scenic Drives Roll You Way Beyond the Crowds

Sliding open the van’s door, I emerge into a massive amphitheater perched above sandstone cliffs dropping into a twisty brown river. Steaming French press coffee awaits on a sleek wooden Dometic table overlooking the desert vista. It’s a breakfast vista that conjures comparisons to Horseshoe Bend, which is not far from here, and even the Grand Canyon to a degree.

From Moab to Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bryce Canyon National Park , and Capitol Reef , here remains one of the more rugged and remote regions left in the old American Southwest. It’s reminiscent of classic road trip scenes described in Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitude and Kerouac’s On The Road , which described this part of the country as a “road to heaven.” Indeed, it’s a place where you can insert many a mile and acre between you and anywhere else. Southern Utah is still one of the best places on Earth to just disappear for awhile, in the best sense. Here’s how we pulled off a fantastic week-long Utah parks road trip from Denver to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in the perfect vehicle with spectacular stops along the way. 

How to Choose the Right Vehicle for a Utah National Parks Road Trip

When it comes to a road trip in these parts, the vehicle is everything. It’s more than just your mode of conveyance. It’s where you spend much of your days, and it can make or break a trip accordingly. The mix of comfort and reliability all in one vehicle is key.

Thankfully, the days of the family Griswold station wagon are long gone. Today, when it comes to cross-country trips, the van life movement has revolutionized road travel. These large vans are outfitted with everything from plush beds to kitchen sinks, making your home for the night wherever you decide to park.

Related: Complete Guide to Zion National Park: Hikes, Hotels, and Tips

For our cross-country trip, we opted for an Adventure Wagon , made by a company which specializes in modular van setups to accommodate a variety of adventures and lifestyles. More than just a barebones “home on the road,” it’s an all-purpose home base for mobile adventures.

The modularity of the Adventure Wagon's system allows users to configure seating, sleeping, and storage based on their activity in a matter of minutes. Our van setup includes a bed, a pullout tray bike rack, and a galley with sink, stove, and fridge. Add plenty of ingeniously placed storage room for gear, bags, and a pile of firewood, and you’re fully equipped and prepared for wherever the road takes you.

Day 1: Denver to Rabbit Valley, CO

We hit the highway with the Utah/Colorado border in mind for our first stop. On a holiday weekend in late spring, the majority of campgrounds and dispersed camping between the Front Range and the Western Slope of Colorado are unsurprisingly packed. Rolling onwards under a crystal clear Milky Way lighting up the cool desert evening, we park the large yet maneuverable Sprinter in Mesa County’s Rabbit Valley region—swiftly shifting from driver’s seat to bed without leaving the vehicle.

As the name implies, Rabbit Valley is a valley located in northwestern Mesa County best known for its mountain biking and OHV trails. Located within McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, there are five established campgrounds available for camping with easy access to trails in the area. I rode my bike right out of camp hitting Trails 2 and 3, which provide stellar views of the surrounding region including the Colorado River and La Sal Mountains. 

Day 2: Moab, Monument Valley, and Goosenecks State Park

After some crisp morning mountain biking the next day we press on toward Utah, finding ourselves driving through Castle Valley and Moab. Other vanlifers wave as we pass. Officially in the club, we wind along the swollen chocolate milk-hued banks of the Colorado River, churning its way through the red rocks surrounding Moab. The town and area surrounding Moab is best known as a mountain biking mecca, featuring famed trails such as Slickrock and The Whole Enchilada. Located in eastern Utah, it also serves as the gateway to Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and Canyonlands National Park. Each of these special places is worth its own trip, offering otherworldly desert vistas and landscapes.

Soon, we’re ensconced in iconic Monument Valley Navajo Park , forever immortalized in Forrest Gump and numerous old Westerns. This majestic landscape is on the Arizona and Utah border and is literally right out of a John Wayne classic ( The Searchers ). The red sand desert’s flat valley gives way to a geological masterpiece as sandstone buttes and towers reaching 1,000 feet jet out of the dirt. The drive through this landscape is about 17 miles and may take an hour with all the photo opportunities along the way. 

Pulling into Goosenecks State Park just before sunset, we enjoy a night in this convenient state park tucked away in Mexican Hat, UT, with desert scenery that foreshadows what’s to come. A campsite here will set you back just $10 and comes with a fire pit and solid park amenities. Some sites offer sun shades with relief from the harsh Utah rays, as there are no trees to be seen here. The main attraction at Goosenecks is the view. While there’s no access to the river below, you can take a great walk along the cliffside filled with panoramic views below and dark, starry-strewn skies above.

We park near a span of cliff overlooking the San Juan River as it snakes its way through the canyon. The massive vista reveals rock that has eroded for an estimated 300 million years, according to geologists. Every bit as magnificent as the canyon below are the countless constellations flickering above the chasm. We sit by the crackling fire sipping Smokewagon Small Batch Bourbon while watching rafters navigate the river by headlamps to their camp far below. 

Days 3 to 5: Entering and Exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

By day three of the trip, we’ve reached our final destination. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is so massive that we’ll be driving around and through it for the next four days. Located in Southern Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante is ideal for desert hiking, biking, canyoneering, off-roading, and camping.

Three distinct areas make up the monument: Escalante Canyons, Grand Staircase, and the 1,600-square-mile Kaiparowits Plateau situated between the two. In all, the region covers 1.7 million acres of slot canyons, arches, slick rock, hoodoos (eroded red and white columns of rock that branch into the sky), and even massive waterfalls. The otherworldly landscape spans sedimentary rock and fossil records covering 30 million years.

Traversing the area clockwise in the Adventure Wagon, we inch as close to the massive rock monoliths as the road will allow. The monument is so big we even dip into Arizona at one point, traveling through Page —home to Coyote Buttes and The Wave , Horseshoe Bend , and Antelope Canyon . Looping past the Pink Sand Dunes , we head north toward Bryce Canyon National Park , celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The remote area is home to the largest concentration of hoodoos on the planet, offering breathtaking views of the 8,000-foot Paunsagunt Plateau.

Related: Lesser-Known National Parks, Forests, and Wilderness Areas

Soon, we’ll be deep in these clefts, hiking through canyons filled with vivid red and yellow cactus flowers to Lower Calf Creek Falls . We’ll swim in the frigid cold water as a massive waterfall spills over the slick rock above us. A relatively easy six-mile, out-and-back hike will offer more spectacular views of surrounding canyons and jagged cliffs. We’ll also venture out to Zebra Slot Canyon , filled with water from recent spring rains. The unique cream-colored striations on the sandstone impart a zebra-like quality to the spectacular canyon, while the rocks reflect a stunning mirror image in the water.

After living out of a van for the better part of a week, we’re more than ready for a shower and a bigger bed. The nearby towns of Bryce, Escalante, and Boulder can accommodate travelers in the area. We opt for a unique desert retreat that just opened called Yonder Escalante , tucked within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on the grounds of an old drive-in movie theater.

Days 6 & 7: Discovering Yonder Escalante—a Slice of Modern Luxury in the Western Desert

A former RV campsite, Yonder Escalante launched three years ago with the spirit of the American road trip at its core as a stylish lodging and camp spot. Yonder offers food, drinks, bathhouses, pool, hot tub, laundry and is pet friendly. Visitors can relax by the fire with majestic views of Southern Utah in every direction.

Yonder Escalante can be uniquely summed up as an adventure campsite melded with a luxury hotel in one of the most dramatic outbacks of the American Southwest. The juxtaposition of luxury and wilderness is so seamlessly meshed together here, it appears like a mirage as we pull through the gates. Paying close attention to detail and intimate connection to nature, the property lets visitors choose between tent or van/RV campsites, custom-designed cabins, and newly-renovated vintage Airstreams.

We settle into a deluxe cabin furnished with an outdoor shower, soft bed, and about as much window as wood—making it feel like there’s nothing but air between us and the Utah desert. It’s the perfect base camp for exploring slot canyons and expansive vistas in Escalante—and also for some welcome respite after trekking and biking our way across a good chunk of Southern Utah.

An array of amenities at Yonder includes an inviting pool and hot tub, a general store stocked with meal kits and cocktail coolers, an open-air lounge with fire pits, luxury bathhouses, an onsite food truck, and a drive-in movie theater equipped with nine stationary restored classic cars.

After a soak in the hot tub, we dine that evening on tasty cheeseburgers and ice cream from the food truck. Then a beer or two by the fire before slipping into a vintage blue truck with some popcorn to enjoy tonight’s movie, Willy Wonka .

All too soon, it’s time to pile back into the Sprinter van and head home. Our journey east passes through Capitol Reef National Park, where massive rock formations inspire more marveling—and consensus that this stellar road trip will definitely be getting a sequel. 

Colorado Utah Road Trip: Perfect 2-Week Itinerary

So you’re planning a Colorado-Utah road trip? Epic choice! A Utah and Colorado itinerary offers the perfect blend of desert and mountain landscapes, charming towns, and, of course, Denver’s sprawling city scene. This route includes big-ticket destinations like Moab (with its popular national and state parks) and Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as lesser-known places like Little Wild Horse Canyon and Pagosa Springs.

All the essentials are covered, from maps and distances to activities, tours, lodging, and everything in between. Grab a coffee and buckle up – you’re in for a wild ride!

Colorado to Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Table of Contents

• Interactive Road Trip Map

Colorado Utah Itinerary Options

• How to Use This Guide
• Best Time for a Colorado-Utah Trip

Arches National Park, UT

Canyonlands national park, ut, dead horse point state park, ut, goblin valley state park, ut, little wild horse canyon, ut, capitol reef national park, ut, mesa verde national park, co, pagosa springs, co.

• Great Sand Dunes NP, CO
• Rocky Mountain National Park, CO (Optional Add-On)

Boulder, CO (Optional Add-On)

• Colorado Springs, CO (Optional Add-On)
• Back to Denver (Or Elsewhere)

Colorado and Utah Road Trip Map

Other road trip itineraries you might like:

• Denver to Grand Canyon Road Trip
• 10-Day Utah Road Trip
• LA to Grand Canyon Road Trip
• California National Park Road Trip

10-Day, 2-Week and 3-Week Colorado to Utah Road Trip Itinerary Options

Colorado Utah 2-Week Itinerary

• Denver, CO – 1-2 nights, road trip starting point
• Arches National Park – 1 day, 10-minute drive from Moab
• Canyonlands National Park – 1 day, 30-minute drive from Moab
• Dead Horse Point State Park – 1 day, 30-minute drive from Moab
• Goblin Valley State Park, UT – 1 night, 1.5-hour drive from Moab to Goblin Valley
• Little Wild Horse Canyon, UT – Day trip en route to Canyonlands National Park
• Capitol Reef National Park, UT – 2 nights; 1-hour drive from Goblin Valley to Capitol Reef
• Mesa Verde National Park, CO – 2 nights, 4.5-hour drive from Capitol Reef to Mesa Verde
• Pagosa Springs, CO – 2-3 nights, 1.5-hour drive from Mesa Verde to Pagosa Springs
• Great Sand Dunes, CO – Day trip en route from Pagosa Springs to Denver
• Back to Denver – 4.5-hour drive from Pagosa Springs to Denver

Colorado Utah 3-Week Itinerary

• Boulder, CO – 1-2 nights, 30-minute drive from Denver to Boulder
• Rocky Mountain National Park – 2-nights, 1-hour drive from Boulder
• Colorado Springs, CO – 2.5-hour drive from Great Sand Dunes to Colorado Springs
• Back to Denver – 1-hour drive from Colorado Springs to Denver

Colorado Utah 10-Day Itinerary

• Denver, CO – 1 night, road trip starting point
• Canyonlands National Park – half-day, 30-minute drive from Moab
• Dead Horse Point State Park – half-day, 30-minute drive from Moab
• Capitol Reef National Park, UT – 2 nights; 2-hour drive from Moab to Capitol Reef
• Pagosa Springs, CO – 2 nights, 1.5-hour drive from Mesa Verde to Pagosa Springs

How To Use This Road Trip Guide

This Colorado and Utah road trip itinerary was created as a guide that can be modified to fit your budget, preferences, and timeframe. To complete the road trip in full (without any optional add-ons), we recommend two weeks. However, we’ve also included a longer three-week option that includes several destinations in Colorado and a shorter ten-day option that cuts out some of the state parks.

We did not include bucket-list places like Rocky Mountain National Park in our two-week itinerary because we assume many Coloradans completing the trip have already visited these destinations.

If you have under ten days for your trip, either do a Colorado road trip or a Utah road trip – not both. If you have more than three weeks available, adopt a slower pace and stay longer in certain places, or combine this route with a Grand Canyon road trip or a more extensive Utah road trip .

Best Time For A Colorado Utah Road Trip

The 10-day and 2-week Colorado Utah itinerary options can easily be completed year-round. Utah is beautiful in the winter—you may even see snow on the ground (something special in the high desert). Winter is also the most uncrowded time to visit most places mentioned in this guide.

Our personal favorite times for a Colorado and Utah road trip are the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall. Temperatures are moderate and crowds are manageable. In the Fall, the leaves are changing in parts of Colorado, making for incredible scenery. The true sweet spot is September and October.

Summer is the most popular time to visit Colorado and Utah. Expect crowds, lines, and reservations for some of the more popular parks. Also plan for warm weather, particularly in Utah. Beat the crowds (and the heat) by starting days early and spending afternoons lounging by the pool. A major perk of summer is that Rocky Mountain National Park is mostly free of snow and Trail Ridge Road is open.

Colorado to Utah Road Trip Stops

1-2 nights; Road Trip Starting Point

Contributed by Denver local, Amber of Amber Everywhere

Home to a host of craft breweries, stunning mountain views, and outdoorsy locals, there’s so much to love about Denver. 

Things to Do in Denver

The heart of Downtown Denver is LoDo, the neighborhood right around Union Station. There, and along the pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall , you can shop, try local restaurants, or stop for a drink on an outdoor patio. 

Caffeinate at one of Denver’s best coffee shops before you leave town. For the most local-feeling options, visit the River North Arts District (RiNo), which is decorated with street art murals.

If time permits, try to squeeze in a concert at the famous outdoor Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver. This venue is one of the most beautiful places to catch a show in the country, and it tends to attract big names like Jackson Browne, Maggie Rogers, and James Taylor.    

Denver Insider Tip

Crema Coffee House and Port Side are great spots for breakfast and delicious coffee. Try the breakfast sandwiches with homemade hot sauce at Port Side and the cinnamon rolls at Crema. 

Where to Stay in Denver

Budget-conscious travelers may want to stay near Denver in the suburbs. Prices are often lower in Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, and Littleton than downtown.

However, if you’d prefer to be in the city, consider a budget-friendly stay at the Slate Hotel Denver Downtown , set right near 16th Street Mall or 11th Avenue Hostel , where you can often snag a bed for under $50 per night! Those with a little more room in their budget won’t be disappointed by The Ramble Hotel in RiNo or The Crawford Hotel in Union Station.

Alternatively, families wanting to self-cater will love this central 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo with views of Commons Park.

1 Day; 5.5-hour drive from Denver to Moab

Experienced by Jessica Schmit of Uprooted Traveler

Arches National Park is known for having over two thousand natural sandstone arches, eroded over time, against the stunning red mesas and canyons of Moab, Utah. This popular national park has something for everyone, from scenic drives to challenging hikes.

Things to Do in Arches National Park

If you’re looking for a low-impact activity in the park, cruise along the park’s Scenic Drive , a 25-mile out-and-back drive that passes some of the most stunning formations in the park, all from the comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, try out some of the best hikes in Arches National Park . For example, the Devil’s Garden Trail is kind of a choose-your-own-adventure hike, ranging from two to eight miles long and passing up to seven arches and a towering sandstone column. Another not-to-be-missed hike is the Delicate Arch Trail , which climbs up to the foot of the most famous arch in Utah (it’s on the license plate!), towering at almost 50 feet tall.

Regardless of your fitness level, consider staying after nightfall. Arches is a certified International Dark Sky Park and offers excellent opportunities to stargaze and even see the Milky Way!

Arches Insider Tip

If you visit Arches during the busy season (April to October), you’ll need to get a timed entry reservation to enter between 7 AM and 4 PM, in addition to paying a $30 per vehicle entrance fee.

Where to Stay Near Arches

Field Station Moab is undoubtedly the coolest lodging option in the area. It offers fun amenities like outdoor equipment rentals, professional guiding services, and an on-site coffee shop. Alternatively, Moab Valley Inn is a comfortable hotel for those traveling on a budget in pricy Moab. It offers solid perks, like continental breakfast and a hot tub.

if you’d prefer a vacation rental, we have a guide covering the Best Airbnbs and Vrbos in Moab !

1 Day; 30-minute drive from Moab to Canyonlands

Experienced by Aaren Prody of What Do You Sea

Canyonlands National Park is known for its mazes of canyons and buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Beyond that, hikers flock to see sandstone pillars, world-famous views like Mesa Arch, and desolate landscapes.

Things to Do in Canyonlands

The best way to experience Canyonlands National Park is by visiting the viewpoints and endless miles of hiking trails across the park.

Although the most popular thing to do, you can’t miss a sunrise at Mesa Arch . The flat loop trail is only 0.7 miles round trip and takes you to the most famous view in the park. Aim to arrive well before sunrise to get a good spot because many photographers set up in the best spots WELL in advance.

White Rim Overlook is another scenic location where little work reaps high rewards. The main trail to the overlook is 1.7 miles and relatively flat, but if you want more of a challenge, the Gooseberry Trail takes you down the canyon for more remote views. It’s only around 4.2 miles roundtrip, but the elevation gain on the way back up makes this a difficult route unsuitable for beginners.

If you have more than one day in Canyonlands or are a more experienced hiker, consider spending some time in the Needles District (this 4X4 Tour comes highly rated) for more solitude and rewarding landscapes along the Chelser Park Loop and Druid Arch Trails.

At the end of your day, don’t miss the chance to catch the sunset from Green River Overlook . No hiking is required, and you’ll see golden rays illuminate a massive plateau carved by the Green River.

Canyonlands Insider Tip

Canyonlands has plenty of eye candy of its own. Still, before leaving the area, don’t miss stopping by Dead Horse Point State Park (covered in more detail below) for more incredible views. The entire area has no service, facilities, or restaurants, so come prepared with plenty of food, clean drinking water, and multiple forms of navigation for hiking and driving.

Where to Stay Near Canyonlands

Camping is the only way to stay inside Canyonlands National Park (Island In The Sky and Needles Campgrounds are open year-round). Due to its close proximity, most opt to stay in nearby Moab . In addition to Field Station Moab and Moab Valley Inn mentioned previously, the retro-style Expedition Lodge is a fun mid-range option on the north end of town.

1 Day, 30-minute drive from Moab to Dead Horse Point State Park

Experienced by Zack Litchfield of Florida Man On The Run

Dead Horse Point State Park is one of those state parks that could easily be a national park on its own. However, since it’s near popular national parks like Arches and Canyonlands, it often gets overlooked. It’s a shame because Dead Horse Point has one of the best sunrises in Utah .

Things to Do in Dead Horse Point State Park

Try to make it out for sunrise at Dead Horse . Thanks to having fewer visitors than Mesa Arch in Canyonlands or Landscape Arch in Arches, you’ll be able to enjoy a quieter morning. The main overlook is a great option, though hiking to any other overlook also provides breathtaking views.

The extensive mountain bike trail system is one of the park’s more unique features. Completed in 2014, the trails offer challenges for mountain bikers of all levels, including beginners (this 1/2 day mountain bike tour is highly rated)! You don’t even need to bring your own bike. The park has a concessionaire that rents bikes on-site, making it a fantastic choice for exploring in a way that’s different from neighboring parks.

Dead Horse Point is also an international dark sky park. This means it features some of the best night skies not just in America but in the entire world! Park rangers offer a number of nighttime events, including full-moon guided hikes . Fill your day with adventure from first light to late at night.

Dead Horse Point Insider Tip

One of the best tips for visiting Dead Horse Point State Park is to get there early . The park can be a great alternative to the larger parks. Still, as Arches and Canyonlands reach capacity, people will spill into Dead Horse, and you will want to beat them there!

Where to Stay Near Dead Horse Point

Snag a campsite or yurt to stay inside Dead Horse Point State Park. The campgrounds are smaller than their national park counterparts. However, they offer incredible night skies and a centralized location that allows you to visit many of the natural wonders in the area quickly.

Alternatively, do as most do and base yourself in nearby Moab .

1 Night, 1.5-hour drive from Moab to Goblin Valley State Park

Experienced by Lisa Manderino of Planning Away

Goblin Valley is a Utah state park located between Arches National Park and Capitol Reef National Park. It’s a perfect stop on a Colorado and Utah road trip. Goblin Valley is known for its hoodoos, a unique type of rock formation.

Things to Do in Goblin Valley

There are thousands of hoodoos at Goblin Valley. One of the best things to do at Goblin Valley is to let your imagination run wild. The Valley of the Goblins is three square miles of open-ended fun.

Kids will love running from one rock formation to the next, pretending to be kings and queens, or even finding a “pet dragon” amongst the rocks. It’s not your traditional national park experience. Still, it may be the best place to visit with kids along the entire road trip route.

There are many slot canyons throughout the Goblin Valley area. If you’re into canyoneering, you’re in the right place. For those without their own gear, this canyoneering tour is super popular.

Goblin Valley Insider Tip

Goblin Valley is in the middle of nowhere! Make sure to bring your own food and water.

Where to Stay Near Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley is an international dark sky area, so if you decide to stay the night in one of the on-site yurts , make sure to look up before bed for an unbelievable view. Green River is the closest town and also has several decent lodging options.

Day trip en route from Goblin Valley State Park to Capitol Reef National Park

Experienced by Kate Cooper of Kate Outdoors

If you’re new to exploring Southern Utah and looking for a family-friendly slot canyon, plan to stop at Little Wild Horse Canyon outside of Hanksville . Located near Goblin Valley State Park, Little Wild Horse Canyon is a non-technical slot canyon, which makes it the perfect adventure for travelers with dogs or young children.

Little Wild Horse Canyon Tips

You can hike through Little Wild Horse Canyon as an out-and-back hike (about six miles if you hike it in full, though you can turn around at any time) or loop it with Bell Canyon if you’re up for a longer adventure. Be aware that some light scrambling is required to complete the full eight-mile loop. The most scenic portions of the slot canyon are located near the beginning, so if scrambling seems a bit too extreme, the area is still worth a visit.

It’s extremely important to check the weather before hiking in Little Wild Horse Canyon due to the risk of flash floods. If there’s any rain in the forecast, or you see storm clouds brewing in the distance, do not begin your hike. Flash floods can be triggered by rain storms that are miles away and can prove deadly. If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution.

Lodging Near Little Wild Horse Canyon

Little Wildhorse Canyon can easily be completed as a day trip en route from Goblin Valley to Capitol Reef National Park. The area is fairly remote, and lodging options are limited unless you plan to camp (there’s ample BLM land in the region). The closest town is Hanksville , which is about an hour away.

2 nights; 1-hour drive from Little Wild Horse Canyon to Capitol Reef

Experienced by Taryn McKee of Chasing Trail

One of the most underrated national parks in the United States, Capitol Reef brilliantly showcases many things the American Southwest is renowned for. In this remote yet accessible Utah national park, you’ll find countless natural red rock arches and bridges, vast canyons, dark skies, ancient petroglyphs, epic off-roading opportunities, and the famed Waterpocket Fold.

Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park

While hiking and exploring are major draws in Capitol Reef, one of the first things every visitor should do is stop by the park’s historic Fruita Orchards . One of the most unique things to do in any national park, pick fruit, including apples, peaches, and cherries (depending on the season).

Hickman Bridge and Cassidy Arch are two of the park’s most accessible and popular hikes. Both end with stunning views of enormous natural rock formations and require relatively minimal effort.

Cathedral Valley is the ideal destination if you want to get off the beaten path AND you have a high-clearance, off-road vehicle. This remote, rugged, and aptly named area is home to the iconic Temples of the Sun and Moon , an otherworldly landscape full of towering sandstone monoliths. The scenic drive to get there is not for the faint of heart, as it takes a minimum of five to six hours, and you won’t have any cell service. Get a paper map and pack plenty of extra supplies before embarking on this bucket list-worthy adventure.

Another scenic drive (ever so slightly less remote) is affectionately called ‘Looping the Fold.’ This road is in the park’s southern section and loops around part of the Waterpocket Fold. There is a complete loop if you have a full day to spare, but you can also do a shorter point-to-point drive along Notom-Bullfrog Road and Burr Trail Road. This is more suited to road trippers, as it’s an easy detour. Plus, it’s the most scenic part of the drive!

Capitol Reef Insider Tip

Adding Capitol Reef onto a Bryce Canyon visit is common, but don’t overlook Grand Staircase-Escalante, just over an hour away. This massive national monument is full of geological wonders, including slot canyons and waterfalls. If you only have time for a short detour, hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls , a relatively easy trek to a gorgeous, totally unexpected waterfall.

Where to Stay at Capitol Reef

The best base camp for visiting Capitol Reef is the small town of Torrey , less than 15 minutes from the park’s visitor center. Torrey Trading Post has a variety of rustic but comfortable individual cabins. It’s right on Main Street, across from a wonderful little bakery and deli. There’s also the Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse , which has traditional hotel rooms and beautiful Conestoga wagons.

Families looking for the ease of having their own kitchen will love this stunning 3-bedroom A-frame and this modern 2-bedroom home . Couples and solo travelers looking for a vacation rental should check out this adorable tiny home or this 1-bedroom with sweeping views .

Being in a remote section of Utah, there’s a ton of camping nearby. You can find resort-style campgrounds with all the bells and whistles or boondock in free dispersed campsites on BLM land. The only campground inside the park is Fruita Campground .

2 nights, 4.5-hour drive from Capitol Reef National Park to Mesa Verde or Durang o

Experienced by Caitlin Dismore of Twin Family Travels

Not far from the town of Durango, Mesa Verde is renowned for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, which offer a unique window into the lives of Native Americans who lived there centuries ago.

Things to Do at Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde National Park is an unforgettable adventure (especially Mesa Verde with kids !). Don’t miss out on the Cliff Dwelling Tours , where expert guides bring the history of the ancient Pueblo people to life and showcase some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America.

For those who love exploring independently, the park’s numerous hiking trails offer amazing views of the dwellings and the chance to experience the area’s natural beauty.

Take a drive along the Mesa Top Loop Road for a scenic overview of the park’s landscapes and archaeological sites. Each stop provides information, creating a deeper understanding of the area.

Mesa Verde Insider Tip

An insider tip for visiting Mesa Verde is to aim for an early start. Not only will the lighting be magical for photos, but you’ll also avoid the peak tourist crowds that tend to gather by midday.

Where to Stay in Mesa Verde

Far View Lodge is open seasonally from April to October. It’s right in the heart of the park, so you can wake up to an amazing sunrise before beating the crowds to the cliff dwellings and hiking trails.

Alternatively, most opt to stay nearby in Durango , an old mining settlement turned charming college town that’s more than worth a visit in its own right (don’t miss riding the train to Silverton ).

For those who prefer to self-cater, we love this downtown riverfront townhome sleeping up to six and this historic downtown loft for two.

2-3 nights, 1-hour drive from Durango to Pagosa Springs

Experienced by Meg Attebery of Fox In The Forest

Pagosa Springs is a laid-back town along the Western Slope of Colorado. Visitors come for the hot springs and stay for the scenery.

Things to Do in Pagosa Springs

Pagosa Springs is surrounded by mountains, national forest land, and wilderness. The town is home to world-class hot springs (at three different resorts) worth a dip. You can even stay at The Springs Resort in the heart of downtown.

You can’t plan a road trip to Pagosa without driving Wolf Creek Pass . This scenic byway features incredible fall color displays from late September through mid-October (weather-depending).

Nearby Chimney Rock National Monument is another must-see. Guided tours of this historic spot take you to an Ancestral Puebloan observatory and calendar used over 1,000 years ago. You can also visit a few cliff dwellings and get a taste of the region’s unique history.

Hot air ballooning is another noteworthy activity here. Soar into the skies and catch a bird’s-eye view of the stunning mountain scenery. This activity is best in spring through early fall, when the weather is most cooperative.

Pagosa Springs Insider Tip

If visiting an established hot spring is not within your budget, the park in town offers dips for free. People build pools that are free to use right near the river walk. Just know that these pools can be exceptionally hot! The closer the pool is to the San Juan River, the cooler it gets.

Where to Stay in Pagosa Springs

The Springs Resort is an absolute classic for accommodation. Rooms are spacious and clean, and they overlook the town. There are a variety of packages to choose from, with some even including spa services. For a more affordable option, check out RiverWalk Inn or Club Wyndham Pagosa .

If you’d prefer a vacation rental, we’re obsessed with Eagle Peak and San Juan cabins just outside town. We also love Casa Hermosa in downtown.

Great Sand Dunes, CO

Day trip or 1 night, 2-hour drive from Pagosa Springs to Great Sand Dunes

Experienced by Jolayne Kline of Just Wander More

You’ll find Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in the Rocky Mountains of Southern Colorado. It’s one of the best places in Colorado for family travel in summer or winter! Did you know the dunes cover over 30 miles with a whopping five billion cubic meters of sand?

Things to Do at Great Sand Dunes

If you visit the sand dunes in early June, when Medano Creek is at its peak due to the melting snowpack, you’ll have fun splashing and cooling off. The creek usually maxes out at 4″ in depth.

Plan to master your sand sledding skills . Rather than bring your own snow sled or a piece of cardboard, you will have the best luck renting a sand board or sled designed for sand. This type of sled features a particular board and wax. You’ll want to plan ahead as the boards are rented at locations outside of the national park.

What might be a trail in the dunes today will have changed for tomorrow. As such, there are no designated trails in the dune field. Hiking in the dunes is one of the best workouts you can experience. Most people set their sites on hiking the high dune on the first ridge; if you can master the climb, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the park.

Know Before You Go

A couple of tips to remember when visiting Great Sand Dune National Park:

• There are no trees to provide shade while hiking and playing on the dunes.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• There are no restroom facilities once you leave the parking lot.
• Wear closed-toe shoes to keep from burning your feet on the sand.
• Even on the dunes, the weather can change quickly. The best time to hike to avoid the changing weather and heat of the day is in the early morning hours.

Where to Stay Near Great Sand Dunes

Great Sand Dunes can easily be visited as a day trip en route from Pagosa Springs to Denver. However, if you wish to spend the night and get an early start exploring the dunes, Ramble Campground is just a short distance from the park within the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. The campground features camping pads for solo campers or groups, outdoor kitchen facilities, and restrooms.

If you’re in the market for a Vrbo, we love this cabin with an attached geodome (though it’s a splurge) and this modern three-bedroom home less than five minutes from the park.

1 to 2-night optional add-on; 30-minute drive from Denver to Boulder

Contributed by Local, Sonia of Carey On Travels

Boulder is best known for its views of the Rocky Mountains and for being one of the healthiest and happiest cities in the United States! It has plenty of hiking, biking, and climbing opportunities, such as the 3.9-mile Mount Sanitas Loop Trail and the challenging 5-mile hike to Bear Peak .

Things to Do in Boulder

There are plenty of things to do when visiting Boulder . Most visitors spend time exploring the popular Flatirons , which are perfect for all levels of hikers. Head out on the easy-moderate 1.5-mile Chautauqua and Bluebell-Baird Loop, starting at Chautauqua Park. For those seeking more of a challenge, the 3.3-mile Chautauqua Trail to Royal Arch rewards you with stunning views.

When you need a break from hiking, explore the pedestrian Pearl Street Mall , with its many shops, restaurants, and street performers. From April to November, enjoy the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays (and Wednesdays during the summer). Next to the Farmer’s Market, don’t miss Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse , a gift from Boulder’s sister city in Tajikistan. If you visit during the warmer months, many enjoy biking on the Boulder Creek Trail or tubing on Boulder Creek.

If you’d like to get out on the water, rent a paddle board at nearby Boulder Reservoir , which offers stunning views of the mountains.

Boulder Tip From A Local

Boulder is known for its craft beers and farm-to-table dining. Don’t miss the Avery Brewing Company for its craft beers and Black Cat Bistro for its delicious meals sourced from its local farm.

Where to Stay in Boulder

The best place to stay in Boulder is the Hotel Boulderado , renowned for its historic charm and excellent location just off the Pearl Street Mall. If you’re on a budget or traveling as a family, your best bet is to self-cater. Try this Mapleton Hill Townhome sleeping four or this carriage house for two .

Rocky Mountain National Park (Optional Add-On)

1-2 night optional add-on, 1.5-hour drive from Denver to Estes Park

Contributed by Gabi Robledo of Nomads With A Purpose

For many traveling from the east, Rocky Mountain National Park is the gateway to the Rockies and is full of jaw-dropping hikes for all skill levels. Though it can be crowded due to its proximity to large cities like Denver, its towering peaks, diverse wildlife, and lush alpine lakes make it incomparable and a worthwhile visit.

Highlights of Rocky Mountain National Park

First up on your Rocky Mountain adventure is the hike to Chasm Lake . This somewhat strenuous eight-mile out-and-back trek rewards with breathtaking views of the alpine lake beneath the rock amphitheater of Long’s Peak. Speaking of Long’s Peak , this iconic 14,259-foot is one of the most famous and epic hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park . Experienced hikers may want to take on the challenging ascent to the summit.

The trail to Emerald and Dream Lake (3.6 miles round-trip) is a perfect choice for those seeking something a bit more relaxed or family-friendly but equally stunning. This trail meanders through beautiful forest, leading to two crystal-clear alpine lakes.

There’s one thing all travelers can’t miss here: the scenic drive up Trail Ridge Road . This drive offers some of the most spectacular viewpoints of the Rockies from various overlooks. It’s impressive that you can reach such views by paved road without hiking. Just note that the road is open seasonally, usually from Memorial Day weekend through late October.

Rocky Mountain Insider Tip

From roughly May through October, you will need a Timed Entry Permit to hike inside the national park. There are a few exceptions to this (like if you have a campground reservation inside the park), but for the most part, you’ll need to plan ahead to acquire a permit. You can either get a permit in advance or apply for a last-minute permit the day before you want to go.

One of the best travel hacks for Rocky Mountain National Park is to enter outside the permit-required time range. All park areas outside the Bear Lake Corridor do not need a timed entry permit before 9 a.m. and after 3 p.m.

Planning to hike in the Bear Lake Corridor? Here’s what you need to know: a Timed Entry Permit is not required before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m. This specific time frame allows you to enjoy the beauty of the area without the need for a permit.

Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park

Glacier Basin Campground is undoubtedly the best place to stay in Rocky Mountain National Park. Due to popularity, this campground sells out really fast. If that’s the case, you can camp in the nearby town of Estes Park or stay at one of its many hotels and lodges. For top-tier accommodation, stay at The Estes Park Resort .

This 1-bedroom riverfront condo and this 2-bedroom original park cabin are two great options as far as vacation rentals go.

Colorado Springs, CO

1-2 night optional add-on, 1-hour drive from Denver to Colorado Springs

Contributed by Caroline Whittle Of Wandering Whittles

Colorado Springs is known for its proximity to Pikes Peak (a 14,115-foot high mountain) and the otherworldly rock formations at Garden of the Gods. There are many outdoor activities in Colorado Springs ; you can even drive all the way to the top of Pikes Peak!

Things to Do in Colorado Springs

While there are many beautiful places to visit in the Colorado Springs area, your top priorities should be Pike’s Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Cave of the Winds. These outdoor places are within 20 minutes of each other but vastly different!

You can explore the heights of Pikes Peak in a couple of different ways. You can drive to the summit via the scenic byway, ride the historical cog train, or hike the difficult 23-mile trail to the peak. Without a doubt, the best journey is by car. This scenic road has hairpin curves, incredible views, short hiking trails, and even big horn sheep.

After exploring Pikes Peak, head to the Garden of the Gods . These wild-looking red rock formations are certainly one of the most unique places in Colorado. Explore the park’s hiking trails (free to enter!) to see the best of them. For the most scenic views, check out the Palmer and Buckskin Loop.

Last but not least is Cave of the Winds . This magnificent cave system offers several activities, both above and below ground. You can take a regular guided tour or a haunted lantern tour in the caves for a more spooky experience. Above ground, you can climb through the canyon on an exhilarating Via Ferrata track!

Colorado Springs Insider Tip

If you love hiking and are up for a challenge, try the famous Manitou Incline . This “trail” is set on the remnants of an old cog railway, so it’s an incredibly steep journey with 2,000 feet of elevation gain in one mile. However, the views are worth the effort (and the bragging rights!).

Where to Stay in Colorado Springs

Instead of staying in downtown Colorado Springs, check out the nearby historic district of Manitou Springs . The Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort is located there, and it offers free bicycle rentals and a cozy lobby bar. It’s also centrally located for all outdoor activities.

As far as self-catering options go, we love this cottage for two and this 2-bedroom retreat within walking distance of Garden of the Gods.

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Jenna is the Founder and CEO of Up and Away Magazine, an online publication geared towards showcasing America's most beautiful outdoor spaces through curated lodging and road trip guides. As a SoCal native, Jenna grew up camping and backpacking in California's Eastern Sierra and has visited almost every national park west of the Rockies. Her writing has been featured on MSN, East End Taste Magazine, Wealth of Geeks, and numerous others.

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Introducing Utah's national parks

Mar 2, 2022 • 5 min read

With the "Mighty 5" national parks located in Utah, the Beehive State is a dream for outdoor adventurers © Getty Images/iStockphoto

Utah is known around the globe for its five national parks, dubbed the "Mighty 5." But some are better than others, depending on how you travel. Before booking your next adventure to Red Rock country, here’s what you need to know.

No state comes close to Utah in terms of the highest concentration of national parks. Although California and Alaska are each home to more, those parks are spread out across two massively-sized states. Utah’s five parks, however, are all located within a few hours' drive of each other.

What’s more, all five crack the top 20 most-visited national parks, according to the latest figures. They're that good. While all five parks are worth your time and can be conveniently paired with each other in one long road trip, here’s where to focus your attention. 

Arches National Park

Best national park for paved driving

You’ve probably seen this park already on a Utah license plate or in an advertisement promoting the state’s great outdoors. Which is fitting because Arches is easily the most drivable, paved park of the five. Even the drive to the top of the plateau where the famous Arches exist is a dramatic entrance. Once inside, visitors can get to nearly every top spot right from the singular scenic drive – oftentimes right from the multiple parking lots that dot the drive.

Visiting Arches: Arches is best-visited from nearby Moab , just a ten-minute drive south. Here there are plenty of hotels, restaurants and tour operators to help you get the most of the area. While in the park, highlights include the scenic drive, hiking Delicate Arch , Devil’s Garden, and Fiery Furnace. Other points of interest include walking Park Avenue, seeing Double Arch, and watching climbers scale Balancing Rock.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Best national park for otherworldly views

The smallest national park in Utah is also probably it’s most visually appealing. Thanks to the thousands of rock spires (called “hoodoos”) that stretch skyward from the canyon floor, the park landscapes can almost seem alive at times, if not extraterrestrial. That’s because Bryce’s intimate and stunning good looks are often compared to something you would expect from planet Mars. Highlights include hiking down into the Navajo And Queen’s Garden Loop, the Sunset to Sunrise rim trail, and seeing the canyon up close on a full moon night.

Visiting Bryce: Unlike Arches, Bryce isn’t near a big tourist town so amenities are limited. There are, however, a few hotels and restaurants just outside the entrance or in nearby Tropic just east of the park. Given its small size, you can see and hike almost everything in a few days. Bryce is often paired with a trip to either Zion National Park or Capitol Reef National Park, which are no more than an hour or two away along the Utah 12 Scenic Byway.

Canyonlands National Park

Best national park for remote off-roading

First things first – Canyonlands is really three national parks (or “districts”) rolled into one: Island in the Sky (most popular), The Needles (two hours away), and The Maze (one of the most remote national park areas in the country – 4x4 only with no roads). Because of this, Canyonlands is also huge and easily the biggest and least-visited national park in Utah. Nevertheless, all three districts are known for their off-roading appeal; Island in the Sky is popular among mountain bikers, too.

Visiting Canyonlands: The Canyonlands Visitor Center located in the Island in the Sky district is located about an hour west from Moab. Highlights include the amazing Green River Overlook, Landscape Arch, and biking or off-roading along the insane switchbacks of the Shafer Trail, White Rim Trail, and/or Dead Horse Point. Hell’s Revenge and Elephant Hill are also popular off-roading trails and two of the most difficult in the world.

Capitol Reef National Park

Best national park for photography

While all five of Utah’s national parks are especially photogenic, if you want to go somewhere that hasn’t been photographed as much as the others, Capitol Reef is the place for you. In fact, many Utah photography professors take their students here in hopes of capturing something new over the same postcard shots found elsewhere. When coupled with its fruit farms, green valleys, and high canyon walls, this makes for a truly “hidden gem” in Utah.

Visiting Capitol Reef: At just five minutes away, the town of Torrey is the best home base when visiting Capitol Reef. Highlights include the scenic drive, canyoneering Sulphur Creek, and hiking Hickman Bridge, Cassidy Arch, and Grand Wash. If you have an off-road vehicle, Cathedral Valley is as good as anything you’ll find in Canyonlands.

Zion National Park

Best national park for iconic hiking

There’s not a bad Utah park to hike in, but if you want the best of the best hikes, Zion takes the top spot. Want proof? Several years ago, National Geographic ranked what they believed were the ten greatest day hikes in the entire world. Amazingly, two of the ten were found in this very park: the Narrows and Angel’s Landing . The first is either a single or multi-day hike through narrow canyons walls in the refreshing virgin river. The latter is a nearly 5.5-mile trek over a precipitous trail that's at times no wider than 5ft – earning its status as one of the most dangerous but awe-inspiring hikes in all of the national parks.

Visiting Zion: Springdale, Utah, is the most popular landing spot. Keep in mind: as Utah’s busiest national park (and third busiest in the nation), Zion campgrounds and hotels fill up fast. Highlights include the aforementioned Narrows and Angel’s Landing, in addition to hiking the Subway , or the Watchman Trail, Observation Point, or Zion Canyon Overlook if you can’t stomach Angel’s.

This article was first published Feb 4, 2019 and updated Mar 2, 2022.

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The Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

With its snow-capped mountains, ancient glaciers, rolling verdant hills, incredibly friendly locals, and abundant world-class wine, New Zealand is as wonderful as you’ve heard. In fact, take what you’ve heard and times it by ten. Because New Zealand will simply blow your mind when you visit.

People think because it’s a small country, you can see it all in two weeks. Unfortunately, that’s not true. There’s a lot to do here. From the north island to the south island, you need a lot of time here to see the highlights. You could literally fill months with activities and still only scratch the surface. New Zealand may be small but it punches above its weight with things to do.

But what if you don’t have months? What do you do then? What route do you take? What island should you start with? Where do you go?

Or what if you do have a month to spend? Then what? Where do you begin planning your New Zealand itinerary?

Below are my suggested itineraries that can help you plan your New Zealand road trip for maximum efficiency. Whether you have two weeks, one month, or even longer, these itineraries will ensure that you see the highlights and get off the beaten path.

New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

New Zealand Itinerary Highlights

Choosing the right vehicle.

• Two-Week North Island Route
• Two-Week South Island Route
• One Month Itinerary
• Things to Remember

Note : Two weeks is the minimum recommended time for a New Zealand road trip. There’s so much to see and do here, yet you still don’t want to be rushed or spend all your time in the car. If you only have two weeks, focus on one island.  

• Hike the Franz Josef Glacier
• See the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Visit Hobbiton
• Experience a Maori Cultural Show
• Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• Go skydiving or bungy jumping
• Explore Fiordland National Park

Want more info on these activities (and many others)? I cover them all below!  

• Travellers Autobarn
• Wicked Campers

Prices vary a lot. Your daily rate will change depending on where you pick up the vehicle, if you are dropping it off at a different place, how long you are renting it for, how far in advance you book, and when you book (in the high season, prices seem to double!).

If living out of a van for a few weeks doesn’t sound like your idea of a fun time, simply rent a normal car and book accommodation along the way. To book a car, check out Discover Cars , which searches rental agencies big and small to find the best deals.

If you plan to drive New Zealand, you can use this widget to get a free quote for your car rental:

New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary: A Two-Week North Island Route

Days 1–2: auckland.

Spend some time hanging out on the Auckland Domain, go snorkelling on Goat Island , and if you love wine like I do, take a wine tour on Waiheke Island .

For a list of more things to do in Auckland, check out my guide to the city!

Where to Stay : The Albion – This historic accommodation began as a “pub hotel” in the 19th century. Today there’s still a nice old tavern in the hotel. The rooms are comfortable and the place is quiet.

Days 3-4: Bay of Islands

While you’re here you can visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds (one of the most important historical sites in the country), explore Cape Reinga (the northernmost point of New Zealand), and see wild dolphins on a boat tour .

For a list of more things to do in Bay of Islands, check out my complete guide!

Where to Stay : Haka Lodge – Located in Paihia, Haka Lodge has a lot of common spaces, a large kitchen, and great views over the harbor. Everything is super clean and the beds are comfortable. It’s a good place to meet people.

Day 5: Hobbiton

To see Hobbiton, you’ll have to take a tour that starts with a drive through the owner’s 505-hectare (1,250-acre) sheep farm, offering epic views over the Kaimai Range. From here, you can explore Bag End, wander around the hobbit holes, and visit the Green Dragon Inn. Tours start at 89 NZD.

Where to Stay : Cosy Country Stay B&B – This is a cute bed-and-breakfast located in Matamata just a few miles from Hobbiton. The hosts are fantastic, there’s complimentary breakfast, and the property is quiet and tranquil, with roaming cats and goats for added atmosphere.

Days 6–7: Rotorua

The Maori were the original inhabitants of New Zealand, having arrived from Polynesia between 1320 and 1350. This is the best area to learn about Maori history and culture . Don’t miss seeing a Maori cultural show while you’re here (the Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Experience is the one I attended).

The region is also known for its geothermal activity, and the dynamic landscape makes for exciting nature walks, trips to smelly sulfuric geysers, and soaks in luxury spas with water from the hot springs.

Where to Stay : Rock Solid Backpackers – This is a centrally located hostel with an expansive array of facilities, including a cinema, a bar, a communal kitchen, and even a rock-climbing wall.

Day 8: Waitomo

You can walk, abseil, or float down an underground river to see them. A 45-minute rafting trip is the standard visit, but if you want to go abseiling (also known as rappelling) there’s a five-hour option too. Prices start at 55 NZD for a boat tour and 195 NZD for extended tours with abseiling.

For a complete list of things to do in Waitomo, check out my guide on the town.

Where to Stay : Juno Hall – Close to the glowworm caves, Juno Hall has a swimming pool and tennis court on-site. There’s a large kitchen as well as an outdoor grill for barbecuing.

Days 9-10: Taupo

It’s also one of the best places to go skydiving in New Zealand thanks to the views and clear skies (though I didn’t do this while I was there).

I loved the small-town feel of Taupo, sitting by the lake, and being able to do so many hikes. I could have stayed here for weeks.

For a list of more things to do in Taupo, check out my guide!

Where to Stay : Finlay Jack’s has a huge kitchen, a big common room, a spacious patio with BBQs, fun and welcoming staff, bike rentals, and a super friendly hostel dog. Everything in the hostel is updated, with new, modern pod-style beds so you can get a great night’s sleep. In short, everything a backpacker or budget traveler would want from a hostel.

Day 11: Tongariro Alpine Crossing

As you wind your way through Tongariro National Park, you’ll walk through volcanic terrain (including where Mordor in Lord of the Rings was filmed), past high peaks and sulfur lakes, and end the day in a dense forest. It’s easy in parts (the beginning and end) and steep in others (especially the portion after “Mount Doom”), so you’ll get a good mix of difficulty levels.

Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, toilet paper, and a sweater or jacket (the weather can change rapidly). Expect to pay around 50 NZD per person for a round-trip shuttle to and from the trail or 325 NZD for a full-day guided hike .

Where to Stay : National Park Alpine Lodge – Located in National Park Village (the best place to stay if doing the trek), this lodge features budget-friendly private rooms, a communal kitchen and common area (with a cozy fireplace for cold nights!), and a helpful staff.

Otherwise, you can stay in Taupo, which is where people usually base themselves when they do this trek.

Days 12–14: Wellington

For a list of more things to do in Wellington, check out my detailed guide to the city.

Where to Stay : The Marion – This boutique hostel is just blocks away from everything you’ll want to see. It’s cozy, with comfy beds and large bathrooms, and the staff really go out of their way to make you feel welcome. It’s a clean, social spot to relax and meet other travelers.

If you’ve only got two weeks and are ending your 14-day New Zealand itinerary in Wellington, you can fly out of the airport here to wherever you need to go next. If you have more time, you’ll take the car ferry (around 3.5 hours) to Picton on the South Island to continue your trip (in which case, follow the following two-week South Island itinerary, but in reverse).  

New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary: A Two-Week South Island Route

If you choose the South Island for your two-week road trip, start in Queenstown. Even if your international flight lands in Auckland on the North Island, you can easily get a cheap flight to Queenstown. Queenstown also has direct flights to many major cities in Australia if your trip to New Zealand is part of a larger adventure in Oceania.

Days 1-3: Queenstown

Known as “the adventure capital of New Zealand” (it’s the launching pad for every sort of adventure activity you can think of), Queenstown lives up to the hype. Even though it has become hugely popular, I cannot express my love of Queenstown enough. I love sitting by the lake, watching the sunset with a bottle of wine, and hiking the nearby trails.

Explore nearby vineyards, enjoy the waters of Lake Wakatipu, or go bungy jumping, ziplining, rafting, or skydiving . There’s a lot to do here.

For a list of more things to do in Queenstown, check out my detailed city guide.

Where to Stay : Nomads Queenstown – Most rooms have balconies, the showers have excellent water pressure, and the pillows are thick. There are activities every night and a free dinner and quiz night on Sunday. Overall, this is a great place to stay.

Days 4-6: Fiordland

Milford Sound is an amazing fjord that’s best known for the towering Mitre Peak and its surrounding rainforest. You can walk the wooded trail along the sandy shore for perfect views of the peak, or take the Chasm Walk on the Cleddau River to get close to powerful waterfalls.

The fjord itself is home to seal and penguin colonies. You can often see pods of dolphins frolicking in the waters too. Explore by boat and check out the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory to see rare black coral and other underwater life. Southern Discoveries is the only company doing cruises that include the Underwater Observatory. Cruises start from 165 NZD .

While less well-known than Milford, Doubtful Sound is the deepest and second-largest fjord in the country. You can only get to Doubtful via boat. A wilderness cruise of Doubtful Sound costs 299 NZD.

Where to Stay : Milford Sound Lodge – This is quite literally the only place to stay within about 50 kilometers (31 miles). It’s not cheap, but the views are unmatched, the complimentary breakfast is delicious, and the contemporary rooms are cozy yet modern. Otherwise, if you have a car, you can stay in the closest town, Te Anau where you’ll find cheaper accommodation.

Days 7-8: Wanaka

For a list of more things to do in Wanaka, check out my detailed city guide.

Where to Stay : Mountain View Backpackers – This hostel has a huge outdoor space with a grill, space to lie in the sun, and a big table to congregate around (there were many enjoyable nights spent drinking wine outdoors).

Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier

Hiking the glaciers here is an unforgettable experience. Sadly, because they have receded and are melting quickly due to climate change, the caves and walks have been shut down. Now, the only way to trek on the glaciers is via heli-hike ( an epic half-day or full-day helicopter/hiking experience ). These are expensive (500 NZD), but the helicopter ride, trekking, and experience as a whole are worth the price in my opinion.

Conversely, you can just hike to the glacier face and take photos from a distance. There are tons of viewing points (and you’ll see photos of just how far the glaciers have receded over the years).

Where to Stay : Chateau Backpacker & Motels – Just a ten-minute drive from the glacier, this lodging offers free homemade soup every night, free breakfast (homemade waffles and pancakes!), two communal kitchens, and a hot tub.

Days 10–11: Abel Tasman National Park

The best way to see the park is by kayak, so you can explore the little coves and beaches that really make the area special. Full-day rentals start at around 110 NZD, or you can join a guided kayaking tour starting at 190 NZD. You can also take a scenic cruise around the park for 95 NZD.

Where to Stay : Marahau Beach Camp – Offers both dormitories and small private cottages, a communal kitchen, and a seasonal restaurant. There are also tent and campervan sites if you want to save money.

From here, pick your last stop: either drive onwards to Christchurch and end there or take the ferry over to Wellington (an adventure in and of itself!) and end there. Either way, you’ll be able to catch a cheap and quick flight back to Auckland for your international flight home.

If you’re heading to Christchurch, keep reading. If you’d like to visit Wellington, scroll back up and follow the tips in the North Island itinerary section.

Days 12-14: Christchurch

While there’s not a lot “to do” per se, the vibe here is really relaxed, and it’s worth not rushing through if you aren’t short on time. Be sure to ride the gondola , visit the Canterbury Museum, and tour Quake City (a unique and interactive museum that recounts personal stories from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes).

For a list of more things to do in Christchurch, check out my city guide.

Where to Stay : Urbanz – This is an awesome hostel located in downtown Christchurch with friendly staff and a huge kitchen. There’s also a hostel bar, a pool table, fast Wi-Fi, laundry, movies, and comfy couches, as well as a parking lot.

If you need to get back to Queenstown, it’s a 6 hour drive from here. Alternatively, you can fly to Auckland. The flight is just over an hour and tickets can be found for as low as 65 NZD if you book in advance.  

New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary: One Month

Again, these are just recommended itineraries — I encourage you to adapt as needed!  

Things to Remember When Road-Tripping New Zealand

To help you make the most of your road trip, please remember the following rules:

• Traffic flows on the left here (not the right, like in the US or Canada).
• You must always park your car in the direction that traffic is going (or risk a fine).
• There are plenty of pull-off points for taking photos — use them instead of stopping at a random spot along the side of the road, which can be quite dangerous given how tight the roads are here.
• Roads here are winding, so remember that it might take longer than you expect to cover a particular distance.
• As long as your current and valid driver’s license is in English, you don’t need an International Driver’s Permit.
• If you’re traveling by campervan, use the CamperMate app to find nearby campsites, gas stations, and dump stations.

New Zealand is an unforgettable country, loaded with epic landscapes, friendly Kiwis, and a rich culture. Due to its remote location, visiting is usually a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most travelers. Taking a road trip is the best way to make the most of your time here, tailoring your itinerary to your own preferences and New Zealand bucket list.

Book Your Trip to New Zealand: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

If you’re looking for specific places to stay, here is a complete list of my favorite hostels in New Zealand .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on New Zealand? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on New Zealand for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Man who fled after being sentenced for shooting has been rearrested

By pat reavy, ksl.com | posted - june 12, 2024 at 11:15 a.m., a man who ran away while being taken to a treatment center and his friend, who allegedly helped him avoid capture for three weeks, have both been arrested, police say. (bcfc, shutterstock).

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

ST. GEORGE — Police arrested a man who they say escaped from custody while being taken to a treatment center and had been on the run for three weeks.

A man investigators say helped his friend avoid being arrested during that time is also now in custody.

Gavin David Williams, 20, was charged with several crimes , including aggravated robbery and attempted murder, after police say he shot another man during a low-level drug deal in southern Utah on Jan. 23, 2023. On May 9, he pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and, in exchange, a charge of attempted murder was dismissed.

Williams' conviction carried a possible sentence of five years to life in prison. But an agreement was reached where he would become a resident at the Other Side Academy, a residential treatment facility in Salt Lake City.

"This program is available as an alternative to those facing long-term incarceration as well as those seeking a change from the life they've chosen in the past. Many of those who seek entrance into the academy are convicts, substance abusers or homeless," the organization's website states. "The Other Side Academy is not for those seeking a quick fix to a lifetime of poor habits. A student commits to 30 months in residence, and in many cases, this is instead of serving a prison sentence."

Williams was "on a zero tolerance" supervision plan, according to a report from Adult Probation and Parole filed in 5th District Court.

But on May 10, the day after he was sentenced, "Mr. Williams was being transported to the Other Side Academy by their staff members when he opened the door and (ran) in downtown Salt Lake City," the report states. "It would appear Mr. Williams has no intention of participating in or completing the Other Side Academy program."

A warrant was issued for his arrest and "various law enforcement entities began attempts to locate and apprehend Gavin," according to court documents. The U.S. Marshals' Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team tracked down Williams on May 31 and booked him into the Salt Lake County Jail. He is now scheduled to be back in court on Thursday.

On June 3, one of Williams' friends, Travis Alan Dickey, 30, of Hurricane, was charged in 5th District Court with obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, after allegedly helping Williams avoid capture.

According to the arrest warrant issued for Dickey, investigators received information on May 17 that Williams was headed to a residence in St. George to gather some of his belongings.

"Staff with AP&P had been positioned in the surrounding area waiting for Gavin … so we could move in and apprehend him. It had been several hours, and the time line of his arrival had come and gone," the affidavit states. "At this time I did some follow-up with our sources and discovered that Mr. Travis Dickey had learned that we knew Gavin was coming to town and told Gavin to stay away."

The Washington County Attorney's Office served a subpoena on Dickey's phone records and discovered several calls and texts between Dickey and Williams on May 17, the affidavit states.

Dickey's charges were sealed to the public until he was located and arrested the next day.

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2 Meyerland neighbors robbed at home a month apart have Chase bank trip in common

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Two Meyerland residents who were brazenly attacked at their homes, just weeks apart, have one thing in common - they had both just taken money out of the Chase Bank along the I-610 West Loop and Beechnut.

Now, the Houston Police Department is investigating whether these cases are related.

On Wednesday, Laura Borja went to the Chase Bank to get $140 for the cleaning lady. In a video recorded on her home Ring doorbell camera, Borja is seen holding a white envelope in her left hand as she opens the door with her right. The video shows a man wearing a dark hoodie and long pants rushing behind her. He grabs the envelope, turns, and runs away.

The video shows the man wearing orange underwear, running away and leaving in a black sedan. Borja screams after him.

"He kind of pushed me a little bit and turned around, and I had that face right in front of me," she said. "I started screaming like crazy because I didn't know what he was going to do. I didn't know if he had something in his hand."

Left with a scratch on her finger and out $140, Borja and her family shared the Ring doorbell video, hoping to figure out who the robber was.

She would soon learn she wasn't alone.

On May 13, almost exactly one month ago, Steve Strauss also went to the same Chase bank. He withdrew a few hundred dollars of vacation spending money and drove back to his Meyerland home.

It was 3 in the afternoon, Strauss remembers, and he pulled into his garage. The suspect took Strauss' vacation money and punched the retired lawyer several times in the face. Strauss was dazed as he walked out of his garage.

"I came home, opened the garage door. (I) realized it had been raining, so I go to turn the sprinklers off," Strauss said. "Next thing I know, the guy's in front of me."

Strauss' video shows a man jumping out of a black sedan and running toward his garage.

"A young guy with a hoodie. I kind of knew what was going to happen. He just pushed me down, swung at me a couple of times. He did not take my wallet. He only took the envelope with the cash," Strauss said.

Strauss was left with a black eye but is otherwise OK.

When comparing surveillance videos, the getaway cars in both robberies appear to be the same. Strauss said he believes it's an older black Nissan sedan. Houston police began looking into whether these two incidents are related after calls from ABC13. It's clear to the victims at least two, if not more, suspects are involved in these juggings.

Both Borja and Strauss are certain that they were followed from Chase at the West Loop. If the videos and cars look familiar, Houston police are urging you to call them.

For news updates, follow Miya Shay on Facebook , X and Instagram .

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