Utah · United States · Itineraries
Utah's Mighty 5 national parks: a 7-day road trip
Utah's five national parks, the Mighty 5, fit into one road trip of about seven days and roughly 630 km of driving. Start at Zion in the south-west, continue to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef along Scenic Byway 12, and finish in Moab, the base for Canyonlands and Arches. Spring and autumn are the best seasons.
Day by day
- 1
Zion
Zion became Utah's first national park in 1919. Its red and cream sandstone walls rise high above the Virgin River, and the main canyon is reached by a park shuttle for much of the year, when private cars are not allowed on the scenic drive. Angels Landing, the famous ridge hike, needs a permit from a lottery run by the park. The Narrows, where you walk up the river between the canyon walls, depends on water levels. Spend two nights in Springdale, at the park entrance.
- 2
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon has the largest collection of hoodoos on Earth: thin spires of orange, red and white rock filling a series of amphitheatres below the rim. It is not a river canyon at all. The rim road has viewpoints such as Sunrise Point and Sunset Point, and the Navajo Loop trail drops down among the spires. The park sits above 2,400 metres, so nights are cold even in summer. One night is enough to catch a sunrise and walk one trail.
- 3
Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef protects the Waterpocket Fold, a wrinkle in the Earth's crust nearly 160 km long. Scenic Byway 12 from Bryce to the park is one of the great drives in the United States, crossing high plateaus and narrow ridges. In the old settlement of Fruita, historic orchards are open for fruit picking in season. The park's scenic drive and short hikes to arches and canyons fill a day. It is the quietest of the five parks.
- 4
Canyonlands
Canyonlands is split by the Colorado and Green rivers into separate districts. Island in the Sky, the easiest to reach from Moab, is a high mesa with views into the canyons far below. Mesa Arch, a short walk from the road, frames those canyons and is famous at sunrise, when the underside of the arch glows red. Arrive before dawn for a spot. Grand View Point at the end of the road is another short walk with a huge view.
- 5
Arches
Arches National Park, just outside Moab, has more than 2,000 natural stone arches. The trail to Delicate Arch, Utah's best-known landmark, is about 5 km there and back with a steady climb; go in the late afternoon for the warm light, and carry water. Double Arch and the Windows are short walks from the road. Check the park website before you go, because Arches may need a timed-entry reservation in busy months. Stay three nights in Moab for both parks.
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Plan it
- Best time
- Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October). Summer is very hot in Zion and Moab, and winter brings snow to Bryce.
- How long
- Seven days: two nights near Zion, one at Bryce, one at Capitol Reef and three in Moab.
- Getting around
- You need a car. Fly into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City; Zion is about a 2.5-hour drive from Las Vegas.
Good to know
- Enter the Angels Landing permit lottery well before your trip.
- An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry to all five parks.
- Fill the tank before long stretches: services are far apart between Bryce, Capitol Reef and Moab.
Frequently asked
What are Utah's Mighty 5? +
The five national parks in Utah: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches. All five can be linked in one road trip of about a week.
How many days do you need for Utah's national parks? +
Seven days covers all five at a steady pace. With ten days you can add longer hikes such as the Narrows in Zion or a second day in Canyonlands.
Do you need a reservation for Arches National Park? +
Arches has used timed-entry reservations in its busiest months. Rules change from year to year, so check the official park website for your dates before you go.
What is the best time to visit Utah's national parks? +
Spring and autumn. Summer brings strong heat to Zion, Arches and Canyonlands, while Bryce Canyon, above 2,400 metres, can have snow from late autumn to spring.
