As I stood, with misty eyes at dawn shortly after the sun brightened the hoodoos, I reflected on the common sentiment that hiking through all five of Utah’s Mighty National Parks in one trip is not easily accomplished. Most visitors, constrained by time, often find themselves with just ten days to explore. Nevertheless, I stood there, captivated by the interplay of orange, white, and pink hues enveloping the hoodoos as the sun emerged above the cliffs; it felt nothing short of magical.
Surprisingly, it is not as challenging as many suggest. Below is a comprehensive guide tailored to help you maximize your experience during a road trip through Utah’s national parks.
The Mighty 5 National Parks in Southern Utah
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Arches National Park
Optimal Time to Visit
In my view, the prime time for visiting national parks coincides with the shoulder seasons, characterized by milder weather and smaller crowds. However, the summer months represent peak season for many, including Utah’s parks. During this period, the heat can be intense, prompting the National Park Service to often discourage summer visits. Nevertheless, families typically have more flexibility during school breaks.
For those without children, greater flexibility exists, making the shoulder season a preferable option. Winter visits are also possible, although some roads may close, and snow may blanket higher elevations. This season offers a unique perspective on the parks.
Starting from Either Coast
Theoretically, you could commence your journey from either the western or eastern side of the state, initiating your adventure at either Zion or Arches. This would involve flying into either Las Vegas or Salt Lake City from the west, or Grand Junction, Colorado from the east. Driving from Las Vegas to Zion takes approximately two and a half hours, while Salt Lake City is a four and a half hour journey. If flying into Grand Junction, you can reach Arches National Park in about an hour and a half. Personally, I found starting from west to east to be the most rewarding, experiencing the parks along a scenic drive, commencing with Zion as the first destination.
When adopting this itinerary, preparing for an early start each day is crucial to cover the remaining distances to subsequent parks.
Choosing the Right Airport
The first essential decision is identifying the most strategic airport for your entry and exit. Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are the most popular options. I favored Las Vegas due to lower flight prices, especially if you opt for basic economy (be aware that this means limited luggage space). This airport also offers affordable car rental options and numerous direct flight choices, making it an exciting location to conclude the trip.
Car Rental Considerations
Before finalizing your rental, verify whether your credit card affords you insurance coverage; this can help avoid unnecessary additional charges from rental companies. Additionally, ensure you have unlimited mileage. Rental prices in Vegas are often very reasonable; for example, we secured our vehicle for just $6 per day.
Strategizing Your Park Visits
Prior to my departure for Utah, I requested information on the Mighty 5 from the Utah tourism board, which included a helpful map detailing the population sizes of various towns along the route. With this information and resourceful hotel booking platforms, locating affordable accommodations becomes manageable.
While I appreciate traditional maps and see their value alongside technology, combining your GPS, hotel applications, and paper maps yields an effective planning toolkit.
It is also advisable to purchase the America The Beautiful Pass . This annual pass costs $80 and provides access to all national parks across the country, significantly reducing entrance fees—a worthwhile investment even for a single trip.
With these considerations in mind, plan which parks you intend to visit and determine the specific areas within each park you wish to explore. Should you begin with the iconic Arches or save the well-trodden paths of Bryce and Zion for last? Alternatively, a dramatic start coupled with a memorable conclusion at Canyonlands and Arches could be rewarding.
We began our journey at Zion National Park after flying into Las Vegas and concluded with Arches, then drove the primary highway (I-70) back to Vegas, with a nighttime stop in Cedar City to replenish our energies.
When planning your park explorations, especially for Canyonlands, which is expansive and not feasible to fully appreciate in a single day, consider focusing your visit on the Islands in the Sky region. The guidebooks generally recommend this area. Other sectors of Canyonlands include the Needles District and the Maze, but depending on your time and preferences, you may want to select specific hikes in advance to accommodate changes. For a challenging hike like the Syncline Loop in Canyonlands’ Islands of the Sky, consider pairing it with a more accessible trek such as Mesa Arch. Each path presents unique experiences, enabling you to savor the best each park has to offer.
Accommodation Insights
Is pre-booking accommodations essential? In some cases, yes—especially in Moab, where outdoor enthusiasts flock for activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and four-wheeling, resulting in high demand and inflated prices. For example, we ended up paying a premium for our very basic Motel 6 stay in Moab.
Your hotel choices will largely depend on your itinerary and the duration of your stay. We managed to visit one park each day, which allowed us to drive partway to the next park each evening after day-long hikes. Accommodations in populous areas between the parks are crucial; otherwise, you may struggle to find suitable lodging, particularly in smaller towns that lack even basic amenities.
A variety of budget-friendly hotels are available, albeit simple. Expect to pay around $60 for a place to rest your head after an exhausting hiking day—it may not be luxurious, but it offers the comfort needed after a full day outdoors.
Here are my recommended towns and accommodations during the trip:
Between Zion and Bryce
Panguitch, a quaint, quiet town, offers multiple reasonably priced hotel options. We stayed at the Bryce Way Motel—no frills, but the owner provided excellent food recommendations despite several closures at our time of arrival.
Notably, the bathroom fan had a peculiar function, producing hot air that turned it into a thoroughly humid environment—quite uncomfortable.
Between Bryce and Capitol Reef
In Escalante, we opted for a newly established hotel that had recently opened. While slightly more expensive, it featured a complimentary full breakfast, a welcome bonus. Caution is advised regarding staff food recommendations—perhaps seek alternatives!
Capital Reef and Beyond
Moab serves as an ideal base for exploring both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. If you conclude your Capitol Reef explorations in time, head toward Moab. While accommodation costs can be steep, booking in advance or considering Airbnb options might yield better prices. Haphazard last-minute arrangements could lead to expensive surprises.
Green River is another option if you prefer not to drive straight to Moab from Capitol Reef. We stayed at the Super 8 Motel, another breakfast-inclusive but basic lodge—appreciate the receptionist’s food advice here.
Cedar City marked our final stop en route back to Las Vegas, with a plethora of lodging choices across various price points. Utilizing booking platforms will streamline your search, tailoring selections to your preferences.
Camping Opportunities
Camping, including backcountry options, is a possibility in and around the national parks. However, note that reservations for campgrounds are required months in advance. If you’re hoping for spontaneity in your schedule, camping may not suit your needs. Certain sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, potentially leading to last-minute scrambling for accommodations and excessive costs. The stress of securing a place can deter enjoyment of what should be a glorious experience.
Distance Between Parks
Navigating the driving paths connecting the parks requires some strategic planning. Our modus operandi involved halting for the night partway to each upcoming park, affording more hiking time during the day and enabling an earlier start. This method proved effective. The journey between Zion and Bryce spans approximately 1.5 hours (75 miles) along US-89, which merges into the scenic Route 12 leading to Capitol Reef. Expect about 2.5 hours (125 miles) from Bryce to Capitol Reef. After exploring Capitol Reef, Moab becomes the logical base for the remainder of your stay unless you plan to delve deeper into areas of Canyonlands beyond Islands in the Sky, warranting consideration of accommodations in Monticello.
Traveling from Capitol Reef to Moab takes just over two hours (144 miles). Moreover, Moab’s proximity to both Islands in the Sky (Canyonlands National Park) and Arches National Park (just 30 minutes away) simplifies future excursions.
Culinary Options Along the Route
Hiking all day generates a significant appetite, making sighting excellent dining options a priority. Outlined below are some notable eateries along the route:
Panguitch
Cowboy’s Smokehouse Café
This country-style restaurant immerses you in a true western vibe, serving a tantalizing selection of smoked brisket and pulled pork—an indisputable delight.
A note regarding beer: If you appreciate stronger brews, Utah has specific regulations. You must order a protein alongside beer, as state law enforces a 3.2% alcohol by weight limit, leaving the potent IPAs off the menu.
Flying M Diner
A classic diner experience awaits here, complete with the delightful challenge of finding coffee with non-dairy creamer—I savored three cups! The generous breakfast offerings are attractively priced, and the kitchen also prepared hearty sandwiches for our hike.
Escalante
Unfortunately, I can’t recommend specific eateries here, as the receptionist’s suggestion fell flat. However, this may be a function of the limited dining options in town.
Green River
Tamarisk
This excellent restaurant features a soup and salad buffet alongside mouthwatering steak options. The dessert selection includes a massive sticky bun—large enough to share, but trust me, you won’t want to! Be warned, it can get quite busy, so a wait for a table may occur, though the experience is undoubtedly worthwhile. Green River may be the only dining venue available, which potentially contributes to its popularity.
Moab
Moab boasts numerous appealing dining establishments, each with superior offerings.
Love Muffin Café
A beloved breakfast spot ideal for fueling up before a day of adventure, Love Muffin features delicious food and extensive choices within a hip, outdoor-style ambiance. The town possesses a distinctly outdoorsy vibe, devoid of pretentiousness—authentic experiences abound!
The Spoke on Center
With a cycling theme, this visually appealing restaurant features delectable offerings including exceptional Brussels sprouts. Tired from hiking, we indulged ourselves with multiple appetizers and two entrees, a glorious decision. While the beer remains limited to the 3.2% range, the quirky beer names generate amusement—Polygamist Porter, anyone?
Closing Insights
Do not allow concerns about distance to deter you. The vistas throughout your journey are breathtaking, and even after rigorous hiking excursions, the drives are manageable. With minimal yet effective planning for your national parks road trip itinerary—many of my hotel accommodations were arranged only the day of or the night prior—you can immerse yourself in the wonders of these national parks, each offering distinctive and unforgettable experiences.
