The Best Utah National Parks Road Trip (Mighty 5 itinerary, best hikes, and logistics)

You may have heard people rave about the Utah Mighty 5, but you can’t fully comprehend the awe of Utah’s magical parks until you see them for yourself!

I’ve road-tripped Utah several times to see the Utah Big 5 (and more) so if you’re looking to plan an epic Utah road trip, use this expert guide to experience all of the amazing Utah national parks!

In this guide, you’ll learn all the details on how to see five of the best US national parks in one trip. If you’re trying to rush through and cram it all into a weekend though, please know this isn’t for you. This guide is truly realistic and based on my experiences visiting the parks at different paces.

No matter if you’re an expert backcountry hiker, an outdoor enthusiast, or just want to explore lower-impact trails, anyone can enjoy the Utah Mighty 5! All you need is to make time and find what works for you.

“The Mighty 5” is a nickname for the 5 national parks found in southern Utah. It is also sometimes called “The Big 5”.

These parks are some of the United States’ most popular national parks, and are all between 30 minutes to 2 hours from each other — making it the perfect opportunity for an epic Utah national park road trip!

If you have extra time to spare you’ll find that, besides the national parks, there are also several state parks scattered around.

My favorites are Goblin Valley and Dead Horse Point — both near this Utah Mighty 5 road trip route! It’s an outdoorsy paradise with plenty of amenities for campers, hikers, and nature lovers of all kinds.

With sufficient planning ahead, it is totally possible to see all of the 5 national parks in the state of Utah in one vacation (and have it be the best part of your Utah road trip).

Below, we’ll go over each park you’ll be visiting, so you can get the details but first (since this is a very unique terrain and climate) let’s nail down the timing of your road trip.

• Note: for the best experience whenever you go, plan on getting to the parks very early each day.

the Mighty 5 during High Season

Peak season at the Mighty 5 is May through September. This is when the parks get extremely crowded because most people have vacation time. But it also gets very hot during the core of summer — that’s why I prefer to visit as close to spring and fall as possible!

Mighty 5 Shoulder season

For milder weather and fewer crowds, I recommend visiting the parks March-May or October-November. It may be a little cooler temp but the environment is worth it (and the afternoons still warm up nicely)!

• Is it possible to visit Utah National Parks during winter low season? Yes, I’ve done it! But you might want to skip going on your Utah national parks road trip during the peak of winter. Winters are harsh with freezing temperatures and snow, severely limiting park access so you can’t see and do everything.

Mighty 5 Monsoon Season

If you want to skip monsoon season, note it’s mid-July to mid-September. While flash flooding in slot canyons can occur any time of year, this is when it’s most common.

Always check the weather channel’s flash flood forecast before you head out. The best way to stay safe is to be prepared!

Entry: How much will it cost to visit all 5 national parks in Utah?

As you plan for your 5 national parks road trip in Utah, you should know straight out the gate that all of Utah’s national parks have an entrance fee.

If you’re driving, it will total $145 per vehicle at a minimum for entry on regular park days. Save time and money by purchasing the $80 Annual Park Pass at the first park on your route. This will give you access to all US national parks for 1 year.

• Expert tip: on the plus side, if you are coming in a vehicle, you don’t pay per head just per car.

Lodging: Where should I stay for the Mighty 5 in Utah?

You can stay in hotels or campgrounds when visiting Utah’s Mighty Five, but note reservations are highly sought after with limited availability so plan ahead. In the route guide below, I provide suggested accommodations to find the best places to stay along the route.

If proximity matters, I recommend staying in a different place for each of the 5 parks. But if you’d rather check into fewer places and get comfy, I’d recommend you book a place between Zion and Bryce for nights 1-3, then nights 4-5 at Capitol Reef, and nights 6-9 at a midway point between Canyonlands and Arches. These estimates consider reasonable driving time, meals, and rest.

If you don’t want to camp at all, you can expect hotels to range from $100-$400 per night in this popular national parks region so definitely book ahead for the best availability.

• Expert Tip: for hotels, I use booking.com or Expedia.com most of the time. If you are on a budget, try using Expedia’s Priceline express deals. I have a whole guide on how to guess the mystery listings.

park-by-park Logistics guide of the Mighty 5 national parks:

Zion National Park

Arguably the most famous of the Mighty 5, Zion National Park features an expansive canyon floor and stunning vista views. It’s home to the scenic Virgin River, colorful waterfalls, and many endangered wildlife species.

Because of its popularity, you’ll find the most restrictions here to manage the crowds. During high season you cannot explore the canyon’s scenic drive on your own, but can experience it with their free shuttle service.

Cost to enter Zion:

• Private vehicle $35/week
• Pedestrian (includes motorcycles and bicycles) $20/week
• Free with annual pass

Bryce Canyon National Park

Head to Bryce Canyon to see the world’s largest collection of distinct towering rock formations called hoodoos. They’re so cool!

The hoodoos make Bryce Canyon look like a forest made of rock! A sight to behold, Bryce also features the Pink Cliffs that showcase rock in unbelievable shades of pink, red, orange, and even white.

Cost to enter Bryce Canyon:

• Private vehicle $35/week
• Pedestrian (includes motorcycles and bicycles) $20/week 
• Free with annual pass

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is one of the most impressive national parks in the country. Here you’ll find otherworldly white sandstone domes and towering monolith structures that seem to reach for the sky. You can even explore ancient petroglyphs, enjoy scenic drives, or pick fruit in Fruita if it’s open and in season.

Cost to enter Capitol Reef:

• Private vehicle $20/week
• Motorcycle $15/week
• Pedestrian (includes cyclists) $10/week

Canyonlands National Park

The largest national park in Utah, Canyonlands is what you think of when you think of the wild west, with its iconic mesas, sharp cliffs, and winding slot canyons.

The park is split into 4 distinct regions. I recommend the Island in the Sky district. This region is home to ancient Puebloan granaries and the Upheaval Dome, a fascinating structure thought to be caused by a meteor impact!

• Tip: For the thrill seekers with 4×4 capabilities, there’s a scary but cool scenic drive into the canyon with a single two-way road made of constant switchbacks!

Cost to enter Canyonlands:

• Private vehicle $30/week
• Motorcycle $25/week
• Pedestrian (includes cyclists) $15/week

Arches National Park

Rightly named for its over 2,000 natural stone arches, it’s no wonder that Arches National Park is such a popular destination.

You’ll also find eye-popping gargoyle rock formations, hoodoos, balanced rocks, and more! It can be crowded during the peak season, but you can’t beat the sights. It’s also popular for pedestrians with more than 10 easy-access hikes and walking trails.

Cost to enter Arches:

• Private vehicle $25/week
• Motorcycle $15/week
• Pedestrian (includes cyclists) $10/week

Phew – you’re still here. Okay now that you know a little bit more about the Mighty 5 and the highlights of each park, let’s go over the best ways to experience them.

Which direction should you drive Mighty 5 Road Trip (East vs. West)

Since I have road-tripped the Big 5 national parks both eastbound and westbound, I can 100% say that neither direction is better. It just depends on where you are coming from and which is more convenient.

How many days do you need to see the Mighty 5?

Though I don’t think it’s realistic, it is possible to see all five of Utah’s national parks in 4-5 days. I do not recommend this if you can help it, because you’re not going to see as much. I recommend a minimum of 6 days, but prefer at least 10 days.

Here’s how long you need for Utah National Parks road trip:

Again, for a fulfilling Utah road trip, I recommend you plan for 10 days to truly experience the parks. Yes, you could do it faster but trust me, you might hate rushing through it. The first time I tried to rush through it, I cut the trip halfway and just stuck to two parks because it felt too chaotic. I hadn’t considered how much driving and re-settling in a new accommodation/campsite would wear us out.

Follow my recommended itinerary below to see the day-by-day breakdown. To make sure that you have ample time to explore, I’ve allowed 2 days for each park (though, it is really 1.5 days because it accounts for driving too). You’ll get a good feel for each park this way.

Mighty 5 Road Trip Route

Copy the exact way I usually visit the Big 5 Utah parks. I laid it out from Zion to Bryce, followed by Capitol Reef, Canyonland, and finally Arches. Because the parks are relatively in line, you could truly start at any point and continue the loop, if Zion starting point doesn’t work for you.

Zion (2 days) -> Bryce (2 days) -> Capitol Reef (2 days) -> Canyonland (2 days) -> Arches (2 days)

Day 1-2: Zion

This first day you will arrive at Zion. Get in early to get in a few hikes at the park and have enough time to set up camp or check-in. The goal is to have very early mornings (like 6am) so this and the first half of day 2 are all dedicated to Zion.

Drive Time:

• Zion National Park is 3 hours from McCarran International Airport (now called Harry Reid International Airport) in Las Vegas. If you’re not already road-tripping with your own vehicle, this is where you’d get your rental car (please read my rental car tips at the end of this post for important notes).

Top Hikes in Zion (split between day 1 and day 2):

• Pa’rus Trail (3.5-miles; easy with wheelchair access)
• Emerald Pools Trail (1-mile loop is easy; 2-mile loop is moderate)
• Angels Landing (5.4-miles; difficult)
• The Watchman (2.7-miles; easy to moderate)
• Zion Canyon Overlook Trail (1-mile; moderate)
• The Narrows (up to 16 miles difficult) — though popular, this is a more extensive excursion and will require more time. If you want to just see it, hike along the paved Riverside Walk for one mile from the Temple of Sinawava.

Where to Stay near Zion:

• Camping in the Park: Watchman Campground (high demand), South Campground (summer only)
• Nearby Campground: Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort
• Nearby Hotel: Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort

Day 2-4: Zion —> Bryce Canyon

As recommended, wake up extra early on day 2 to spend a chunk of the day hiking Zion. Then drive to Bryce Canyon the night of day 2 to set up camp or check into your hotel. Here is my camping packing checklist in case you need it.

On day 3 the Bryce Canyon adventure starts; you can spend all day at the park so take your biggest hikes on this day. Return to your camp or hotel and rest.

On day 4 spend the first half of the day at Bryce Canyon before driving to the third national park.

• Tip: If you want to save time with accommodations for day 1-4 of your Utah road trip (Zion and Bryce), I recommend selecting a campground along Hwy 89 which is halfway between Zion and Bryce Canyon. This way you’re just staying at one place and don’t have to spend time packing and unpacking, allowing you to arrive on day 1 and check out on day 4.

Drive Time:

• Bryce Canyon is about 90-minutes from Zion

Top Hikes in Bryce Canyon (split between day 3 and 4):

• Mossy Cave Trail (0.8-miles; easy)
• Fairyland Loop (8-miles; moderate)
• Rim Trail (0.5-5.5-miles; easy with wheelchair access)
• Navajo Loop Trail (1.4-miles; moderate)
• Riggs Spring Loop (8.8-miles; difficult)

Where to Stay near Bryce Canyon:

• In the Park: North Campground, Sunset campground (summer)
• Nearby Campground: Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground
• Halfway campground between Bryce and Zion: Lutherwood Campground
• Nearby Hotel: The Lodge at Bryce Canyon

Day 4-6: Bryce Canyon —> Capitol Reef National Park

As recommended for day 4, spend the early day exploring Bryce Canyon before you drive two hours to Capitol Reef. This is our 3rd park, checking in on day 4.

Sleep at Capitol Reef this fourth night and spend day 5 exploring all day.

On day 6 you can spend the first half of the day exploring more of Capitol Reef before heading to the fourth national park.

Drive Time:

• Capitol Reef is 2 hours from Bryce Canyon

Top Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park:

• Hickman Natural Bridge Trail (0.9-miles; easy)
• Cassidy Arch Trail (1.7-miles; moderate)
• Sheets Gulch Slot Canyon Hike (6.7-miles; difficult)
• Cohab Canyon Trail (1.7-miles; easy)
• Rim Overlook Trail (2.3-miles; moderate)
• Burro Wash Slot Canyon Hike (3.4-miles; difficult)

Where to Stay near Capitol Reef:

• In the Park: Fruita Campground
• Nearby Campground: Singletree Campground 
• Nearby Hotel: Capitol Reef Resort

Day 6-8: Capitol Reef —> Canyonlands National Park

Pack up and wake up early on day 6 to enjoy your last hike at Capitol Reef. You’ll then drive to Canyonlands to spend the night of day 6.

On day 7, Canyonlands National Park is your oyster! Take on a stunning hike or some of the many picturesque viewpoints.

Day 8 is your last chance to enjoy the Canyonlands before heading to the long-awaited final mighty 5 national park!

Drive Time:

• Canyonlands is 2.5-hours from Capitol Reef

Top Hikes in Canyonland National Park:

• Grand View Point (2-miles; easy)
• Upheaval Dome Overlook (1.6-miles; moderate)
• Syncline Loop (8.3-miles; difficult)

Where to Stay near Canyonlands:

• In the Park: Squaw Flat Campground
• Nearby Campground: Kayenta Campground
• Nearby Hotel: Moab Springs Ranch

Day 8-10: Canyonlands —> Arches National Park

As recommended, spend the early half of day 8 hiking in Canyonlands before commencing your Arches adventure.

Then you can do one of two things:

• Book another accommodation for Arches and drive there at the end of day 8
• Or remain at your Canyonlands accommodation for the duration of your time exploring Arches (it’s only a 30-minute drive away!)

On day 9, you can spend the whole day exploring Arches, which you’ll need because it gets super crowded! Getting up early is your friend.

On day 10, you can use this time to take on some easy trails before setting off to return home.

Drive Time:

• Arches is a 30-minute drive from Canyonlands

Top Hikes in Arches National Park:

• Slickrock Foot Trail (2.4-miles; easy)
• Aztec Butte Hike (1.2-miles; moderate)
• Druid Arch (10.8-miles; difficult)
• Landscape Arch Trail (1.6-miles; easy)
• Delicate Arch Trail (3-miles; moderate)
• Devils Garden Primitive Loop (7.2-miles; difficult)

Where to Stay near Arches:

• In the Park: Devil’s Garden
• Nearby Campground: Goose Island Campground
• Nearby Hotel: The Gonzo Inn

Day 10: Back home!

As recommended, day 10 is your last chance to explore Arches, then you’ll start the trip home! Depending on where you’re coming from this may be an arduous journey.

For cross-country road trippers:

If you are cross-country road tripping eastbound, have a great time and consider stopping by Aspen and Maroon Bells by way of Grand Junction! f you are cross-country road tripping westbound, then you should’ve flipped this itinerary and started at Arches first, ending at Zion.

some of the airports near Arches National Park:

• Arches is 4 hours from Salt Lake City International Airport
• Arches is 6 hours from Denver International Airport
• Arches is 8 hours from Las Vegas’ International airport

Utah National Parks Map

Above is a visualization of the Utah Mighty 5 road trip map for the shared itinerary. It helps to see the route mapped out and understand the distance between parks.

I marked where the major airports are (see yellow plane icons), where the RV rentals are (see blue RV icons), and where each park is and the route I recommend from point A to E.

I mentioned it earlier, but here is my tried and true camping packing list (including food), which I highly recommend you follow closely if you’re wondering what to bring.

For clothing, I rarely have a set packing list (I’m team “wear what’s clean and comfortable”) but Utah is hot, hot, hot! With very little sun coverage. So I do have recommendations there:

These are the items that saved me:

Let’s recap and more… Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about seeing all of Utah’s National Parks, in addition to logistical tips I think you should know before you go.

How long does it take to visit the Mighty 5?

I recommend the 10-day itinerary provided above, which allows for multiple hikes in each park without compromising rest. If short on time you can do it in 6 days and see the highlights.

IMPORTANT Car Rental Tips for visiting the Mighty 5

If you plan on renting a car for Utah’s Mighty 5, keep in mind that most large rental car agencies don’t allow driving on unpaved roads.

Thankfully, all the national parks in the Mighty 5 have miles of paved roads so skipping an off-roading experience won’t greatly affect your trip.

• Note: Utah DOT requires 4×4 or chains standard on cars. Some of the parks can have pretty steep roads. Consider renting an all-wheel SUV and double-check the tires for good tread before you head out.

Where to rent a car for a Utah Road Trip

If you are renting a car to see the big 5 national parks in Utah, you are likely flying in. This means that depending on your starting point you are likely either arriving at the Las Vegas airport or Salt Lake City airport.

I recommend you rent a car with drop off at a different airport location so you don’t have to loop the route (saves time!) This will be more expensive though, so consider your budget before going this route.

Rentalcars.com is a very popular source for renting affordable cars, and Priceline.com is very reputable as well. Both sites can get you great prices.

Caring for Your Vehicle in the Desert

The dust and heat of the Utah desert can be tough on a vehicle. Whether you’re renting a car or driving your own car, do yourself a favor and keep an eye on things. It’ll save you a headache later on!

Double-check fluid levels like gas, coolant, and engine oil before you start a 2-hour trek to the next park. We always get an oil check before going and buy extra coolant.

Walk around the car and check how the tires look. If your air conditioner is having a tough time, get the filters checked right away.

For vehicle exteriors, dust can build up like a film on your car, causing scratches. If you wash your car, don’t let it air dry, and apply a coat of wax afterward to add protection.

RV Rentals for Utah road trip

An RV can make it easy to travel between all 5 parks and takes away the need to seek out comfy accommodations. All you have to do is reserve a site near the park!

If you’re flying in, consider using Cruising America or RV Share for your trip. They offer a range of compact to large-sized RVs at about $150-$250 per night depending on the season. They also rent kitchen and toiletry kits so there’s less stuff for you to pack!

Be aware that Bryce doesn’t have any campgrounds with RV hookups, but the rest of the parks have at least one campground each that does.

Also note, you can’t bring RVs into parts of Zion National Park because of tunnel restrictions. However, there are several great RV parks just outside all the parks. You can stay at one and walk into Zion or take the shuttle bus!

How to visit Utah National Parks by Plane

Most people start their Utah road trip by flying into McCarran International Airport (now called Harry Reid International Airport) in Las Vegas. It’s about 3 hours from Zion National Park.

Another popular option is Salt Lake City International Airport, which leaves you 5-hours away (though you can flip the route and go from SLC to Arches instead, which is shorter).  

These larger airports might be more popular because more flights land at those larger hubs, but I also suggest checking St. George Regional Airport or Cedar City Regional Airport. Both are about an hour’s drive from the parks, and it’s worth looking into! Here is my guide on how to find cheap flights.

Now You’re Ready to See the Mighty 5 Utah National Parks!

Utah’s national parks are full of stunning natural rock formations, narrow canyons, arches, and breathtaking vistas.

With this Utha Mighty 5 itinerary, you’ll be ready to adventure in the outdoors and make amazing memories (and stunning photo/video). You’re in for an experience of a lifetime on your Utah road trip!

* * *

Hey Pinterest Fam!

Save this Utah Mighty 5 National Park Road Trip Itinerary by pinning the image below to your planning board.