Utah’s National Parks are simply stunning. And planning a Utah National Parks road trip is the best way to see and enjoy them.
From lush green valleys and sandstone formations in every shade of orange to deep canyons and expansive panoramas stretching as far as the eye can see, Utah’s National Parks will take your breath away, transport you to another planet, and inspire your inner sense of adventure all in one fell swoop.
You could spend an endless number of days exploring Utah’s National Parks and still leave hoping for a return visit. But if you’ve got a week (or even a bit longer), you can experience Utah’s unbelievable beauty on an unforgettable road trip.
In this in-depth Utah National Parks trip guide, find detailed and travel-tested itinerary planning advice and tips based on my own experiences from traveling throughout Utah and the American Southwest. This includes maps, important driving information, where to stay, and the best things to do in each National Park.
Plus, you’ll find several Utah National Park itinerary ideas so you can plan your ideal trip!
How to Plan a Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
This Utah National Parks road trip guide is a true labor of love. I’ve traveled throughout Utah and the southwest, as well as to National Parks in nearby states like Colorado and Arizona. There’s no part of the United States like this corner of the country!
Quite simply, the natural beauty is jaw-dropping and the landscape offers an endless number of outdoor adventures to enjoy, from hiking and ATVing to wildlife watching and scenic drives.
Of course, the Utah National Parks steal the show, but it’s important to understand there are many State Parks and National Monuments that are equally worth seeing. If you’re like me, the problem isn’t necessarily planning a Utah road trip but having enough time to visit all the places on my list!
So, in this Utah National Parks trip guide you’ll find a few different ideas for how to plan your itinerary. Just remember, these parks are vast. If you want to do several hikes in a particular park or there are a bunch of activities that you’d like to do in a certain area, go for it!
Your Utah National Park itinerary can be about seeing Utah’s Mighty 5 or it can be about dividing your time among a couple of National Parks and the nearby State Parks and Monuments. Either way, you’ll want to return for sure! So, focus on the goal of just enjoying whatever places you add to your itinerary. You can’t go wrong!
Where to Start Your Utah National Parks Road Trip
Salt Lake City and Las Vegas are the best places to start and/or end your trip to the Utah National Parks. These 2 cities have major airports with plenty of flights in and out each day. Most major U.S. airlines fly in and out of these airports but it’s good to remember that Delta has a lot of flights to and from Salt Lake City while Southwest Airlines is very active at the airport in Las Vegas.
It’s great to have both options because you can search for cheap flights with some flexibility. The same is true if you’re using miles and points to book an award flight as there may be available seats in one starting point but not the other.
I recommend flying into one of these airports and out of the other, especially if you have just 1 week for your Utah National Parks trip. Generally, airlines don’t charge more for multi-city bookings, although you should always do your homework. You likely can fly into Las Vegas and out of Salt Lake City, for example, for roughly the same price as a classic round trip.
As for rental cars and pesky one-way rental fees, they do exist. However, they’re not universal and they are applied or not according to a range of factors. So, I recommend pricing it out because you could find there is no one-way fee for your travel dates or that it’s nominal and worth saving the time driving back to your original airport.
I started my very first Utah National Parks road trip in Salt Lake City and Moab and would gladly do so again.
Renting a Car for Your Utah National Parks Road Trip
Whichever airport you fly into, you’ll need to rent a car. Both Salt Lake City and Las Vegas are major airports with plenty of car rental options.
For all my road trips, I use Kayak to search rental car costs because it compares prices on many sites all at once.
Consider the time of year of your trip. Some of the parks have steep and narrow roads. If you want to do any off-roading, definitely rent a vehicle with 4-wheel drive and preferably one with some clearance underneath. That being said, my first Utah road trip was in the spring and I rented a basic sedan-style car and had no problems.
ProTip: Unless your road trip is coming up right away and you’re renting a car last minute, never pre-pay for your rental. Instead, book a pay-at-the-counter rate and then hopefully save money with this car rental hack.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to drive to Utah from where you are, be sure your car (and everyone in it) is ready and prepared with this travel-tested road trip packing list.
How Many Days Do You Need for a Utah National Parks Trip?
Your Utah road trip should be at least 7 days. One full week gives you the chance to see all 5 Utah National Parks or a combination of National Parks and other places like Monument Valley or Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument.
If you can spare a few more days for a 10-day itinerary for the Utah National Parks, you’ll have time to see all 5 National Parks plus make a couple of more stops to more fully take advantage of the incredible natural beauty in the area.
I would be leaving something major out by not pointing out how close you are to the Grand Canyon when you’re in southern Utah. From Grand Staircase, the Grand Canyon’s south rim entrance (and the rim with the best views) is just under 3 hours by car. From Zion National Park, it’s about a 4 1/2 hour drive.
How to Save Money on Utah National Parks Admission
Buy the America the Beautiful Pass before your trip to get entry to any National Park for 1 year.
The pass is also valid at all places managed by the Forest Service, National Park Service, including National Monuments, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
After visiting just a few National Parks, the pass will pay for itself. Not to mention, many National Parks have separate lines for Pass holders and visitors needing to buy an entry pass. Needless to say, the lines to buy entry passes tend to move slower than those for pass holders no matter where you are.
The Pass admits a car-load of people which includes a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at places that charge by the vehicle. For sites that charge for each person, a total of 4 adults can enter with the pass. Kids 15 & under are free at National Parks and other related sites.
Keep in mind, the America the Beautiful Pass pays only for admission. If you need things like a campsite or an RV hookup, you’ll still need to pay the fees for these things.
Alternatively, you can find out before your trip if you qualify for another way to save money on National Park entrance fees.
1-Week Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
With a 7-day itinerary for the Utah National Parks, you’ll be moving at an energetic, but totally doable, pace. You want to be efficient and maximize your time. The Utah National Parks road trip map above shows you how to do just this by limiting, or removing altogether, any backtracking between parks and streamlining where you start and end your Utah trip.
It also means arriving in Salt Lake City and departing from Las Vegas. You’ll save nearly 2 hours of driving by NOT returning to Salt Lake City to fly home. In my opinion, these hours are worth saving.
Imagine a scenario where you depart from the airport in Las Vegas at around midday. Making the drive from Zion National Park makes it possible to stay in or near the park the night before your return home to fully enjoy that day. Whereas a longer drive could mean cutting the previous day short to position yourself for your flight. Not to mention the hassle of needing a hotel near the airport for a night.
From a more dramatic standpoint, starting with the 2 National Parks in and near Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands, is an awe-inspiring start. While ending with Zion is like the magnificent grand finale of the best fireworks display you’ve ever seen.
This itinerary does not allow time for stopping at National Monuments or State Parks. Nor does it include time in Monument Valley or the Grand Canyon. You could absolutely tailor the itinerary to include 1 or more of these places but with 7 days, you’ll have to eliminate at least 1 Utah National Park.
With all that said, here’s a day-by-day look at this Utah National Parks itinerary.
Day 1- Fly into Salt Lake City –> Drive to Moab
Once you’ve picked up your rental car at the airport, head southeast for just under 4 hours from Salt Lake City to Moab, Utah.
Your rental car should have a full tank of gas but, if it doesn’t, fill up at one within the first 2 hours of the drive. Likewise, stop for snacks or something to drink for the drive within this timeframe. After that, you won’t find many rest stops or exits with services until you get closer to Moab.
Once you’re in Moab, you’ll find everything you need from food to gas to lodging. If you’ve arrived with some daylight still in the sky, you’ll get your first unbelievable glimpse at the red rock landscape towering along the town’s fringes.
Use what’s left in the day to settle into your accommodations and get ready for a fresh start in the morning!
ProTip: You could also fly into Las Vegas and do this road trip in reverse, as mentioned above. It’s part of the beauty of this road trip route compared to others I’ve taken like this Oregon Coast road trip itinerary that must be done from north to south.
Where to Stay in Moab:
Of all the times I stayed in Moab, I enjoyed staying at the Hyatt Place Moab the best. It’s on the main road through town, close to 2 National Parks, and comes with a free breakfast. Perfect when you’re planning a day of hiking and outdoor fun!
If you’re a miles and points enthusiast like me, it’s also one of several loyalty program hotels in Moab. You can use Hyatt points to book the Hyatt Place.
Whichever Moab hotel you choose, book it for 2 nights.
Day 2- Arches National Park
If you arrived in Moab after dark, prepare yourself! The morning light reveals the orange and red rock formations surrounding the city. What’s more, it’s just a glimpse of the stunning red rock landscape and sandstone arches that await in the National Park.
Before heading to the park, pack water and lunch/snacks for the day. Moab has plenty of places to stock up. Arches heats up even in the spring and fall. The rocky desert landscape has no cover from the sun and only a couple of spots to drink from a water fountain. You want to enter the park prepared.
Be on time and arrive at Arches National Park for your timed entry slot. Luckily, the National Park is just 5-10 minutes from downtown Moab so it’s easy to reach from Moab’s main road.
Arches National Park Highlights
Arches National Park is appropriately named for its 2,000+ arches! Combined with balancing rocks, ridges, slopes, and towering rock faces, the park absolutely dazzles. One gorgeous vista is replaced by the next whether you’re driving along the park’s main road or hiking one of the many trails.
The park has so many things to do, it’s not possible to hike every trail in 1 day. But, with a morning start, it’s possible to see a lot and hike some of Arches’ most famous trails.
Don’t miss these top things to do in Arches National Park.
Moab Travel Tips
For a detailed Arches National Park guide, check out:
How to Plan 1 Awesome Day at Arches National Park
Day 3- Canyonlands National Park –>Head to Capitol Reef Area
This morning, you’ll check out of your hotel in Moab and drive to Canyonlands National Park. It’s less than an hour from Moab, leaving you a good amount of time to enjoy a day in the park.
Before leaving town, gas up and make sure you have anything you need for lunch, snacks, and drinks so you’re set for the day because you won’t find service at Canyonlands other than a water station at the visitor’s center.
Canyonlands National Park is divided into 3 land districts. The Island in the Sky section of the park is by far the most visited area and the one you’ll be heading to today. I’ve also spent time in this part of the park. The Maze and Needles Districts are more rugged and better suited for backcountry pursuits and those who are experienced in that type of terrain.
Just before reaching Canyonlands entrance and visitor’s center, take a detour into Dead Horse Point State Park. The lookout at Dead Horse Point Overlook is a must-see!
After this brief stop, return to the main road and on to the entrance of Canyonlands National Park.
Canyonlands National Park Highlights
Canyonlands sits in the high desert. Its canyons, arches, mesas, and rock formations were painstakingly shaped by water, gravity, and the elements over millions of years. Compared to Arches National Park, Canyonlands is much more rugged and wild.
Whereas arches like Delicate Arch or Double Arch look as if they were shaped by the hand of a skilled sculptor, the rock formations and desert landscape at Canyonlands has a harsher, rougher feel.
Canyonlands Island in the Sky District can be visited and enjoyed in 1 day. The park has some of the best off-roading anywhere and numerous challenging hikes but fortunately those of us who stay on top of the Island in the Sky mesa don’t miss out on anything.
Aside from hikes or short walks, Canyonlands has one beautiful scenic overlook after another. No need to rush. Simply enjoy your time in the park today.
Here are some of the best things to do at Canyonlands National Park.
Canyonlands also has off-roading but you need to have the right vehicle and potentially a permit as is the case with White Rim Road. But if you’re looking for a thrill and you have an SUV or a vehicle with high clearance, you could take a drive below the rim of the mesa along Shafer Canyon Road. It’ll take a couple of hours and doesn’t require a permit.
Canyonlands Travel Tips
For a guide about 1 Day at Canyonlands, check out:
How to Spend an Inspiring Day at Canyonlands National Park
Where to Stay Tonight:
By late afternoon, say goodbye to Canyonlands and begin the drive to the Capitol Reef National Park area. The drive is just under 3 hours. The park’s visitor center is in the tiny town of Torrey.
There, you’ll find hotels and places to have some dinner before calling it a (fantastic) day.
I recommend the Skyridge Inn because the rooms are cozy and a hearty breakfast is included in your stay. And sitting just 7 miles from the Capitol Reef, you’ll get to the park easily in the morning. Not to mention, the property views are gorgeous!
Torrey has accommodation options for all budgets so compare hotel prices to see which matches your budget.
Where to Stay Tonight Alternative- Monument Valley
As you plan your Utah National Parks road trip, it’s hard to decide what to see and do especially if you have just 7 days. This area of southern Utah and into northern Arizona is jam-packed with incredible sights.
I’ve followed the route above going to each of Utah’s “Mighty 5” National Parks and I’ve also gone from Canyonlands to Monument Valley. The drive is just 3 hours and 15 minutes to Monument Valley and brings you to one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the entire United States.
If you’d rather see Monument Valley, it’s an easy switch. Instead of driving from Canyonlands to Capitol Reef, head south on Route 191 to Monument Valley. (Be sure to have a full tank of gas and snacks as rest stops are far and few between.)
When you arrive in Monument Valley, you’ll have only a couple of hotel options. I highly recommend The View Hotel in the Navajo Nation or the Goulding’s Lodge just 2 minutes away. These hotels are directly in Monument Valley so it’s very convenient for exploring Monument Valley the next morning.
Plan to stay 1 night at either hotel. You can compare prices and availability here.
ProTip: On the way from Canyonlands to Monument Valley, stop to see Mexican Hat Rock and Forrest Gump Point if you have the time. They’re both along the way and don’t require a detour. If it’s already late, you see them tomorrow.
Day 4- Capitol Reef National Park –>Drive to Bryce Canyon
Capitol Reef sits along a “wrinkle” in the Earth’s crust. Officially, it’s called a monocline which is a waterpocket fold and in this case, runs for 100 miles. The National Park itself is 60 miles long but only 6 miles wide
When the fault lines in the Earth shifted millions of years ago, the sides weren’t equally lifted. In Capitol Reef’s case, the crust on the west side ended up higher than on the east side. As a result, water sits in the fold and wears away the layers of rock and things like domes, canyons, and even fossils come to light.
It’s hard to imagine how all of this geology happens. But it’s actually when you visit Capitol Reef and try to put this scientific knowledge in context as you stare at the gorgeous landscape in front of you.
For me, it was even more mind-blowing to realize that a canyon, dome, or arch was only in plain sight because of the layers that had been worn away all because of the uneven shifting in the Earth’s crust!
Capitol Reef Highlights
Capitol Reef has fantastic hikes and scenic landscapes as you drive along the part of the park along Highway 24. The rock formations together with the desert panorama create some of the most striking views among Utah’s Mighty 5. And in many areas of the park, you’ll find trails that feel light years away from the crowds at Arches National Park.
The main part of Capitol Reef also has a historic settlement called the Fruita District. It was here where the first Mormon pioneer settlers came. In 1 day or part of a day, you can see some of these natural and historic highlights.
Here are some of the best things to do at Capitol Reef.
Capitol Reef Travel Tips
Day 4 Alternative- Monument Valley –> Drive to Bryce Canyon
Tumbleweed blows across the open valley. Iconic sandstone monuments dot the landscape. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a scene from an old Western with a bunch of cowboys chasing down a group of thieves! (Or perhaps you’d like to take your perfect Forrest Gump shot.)
The most popular mesas, buttes, and spires are along a 17-mile loop within the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. You can join a guided tour or drive yourself.
I drove my small rental car with no problem. Yes, the road is rough and bumpy, but if you drive slowly and carefully, you’ll be fine. Choosing the self-driving option also allowed me to enjoy the views at my own pace.
However, the upside to a tour with a Navajo guide is you can access more of the tribal park. Some areas are closed to visitors and can only be visited with a guide. Plus, you’ll get more context of what the rock formations in Monument Valley symbolize in the Navajo culture.
Here are the best things to do in Monument Valley.
For a detailed Monument Valley Guide, check out:
Everything You Need to Know for an Epic Visit to Monument Valley
Where to Stay Tonight- Bryce Canyon
ProTip: Your hotel in Bryce Canyon should be among the first things you book for your Utah National Park road trip. There are only a few hotel options in Bryce. Once they sell out, there aren’t really any other options in the immediate surrounding area.
No matter what you choose to do for Day 4 of your Utah National Park itinerary, you’ll stay the night in Bryce Canyon to position yourself for tomorrow’s visit.
If you’re driving from Capitol Reef, the drive is straightforward. You can comfortably enjoy the day at the National Park and later in the afternoon start the drive to Bryce.
If you’re driving from Monument Valley, you’ll be heading west and then north to Bryce. Along the way, look out for Page, Arizona, home to the famous Horseshoe Bend.
If you can manage a quick stop, you’ll have gotten a bonus and checked off a fantastic spot that’s a must for every Arizona road trip. Plus, it comes at about the halfway point in the drive, so it’s a perfect time to stretch your legs and find bathrooms. A short hike (1.4 miles round trip on a flat, paved path) at Horseshoe Bend leads to the popular scenic overlook.
Afterward, continue to your hotel in Bryce Canyon. Depending on what time it gets dark when you visit, you may even make it to Bryce Canyon to see the hoodoos lit up at sunset.
Bryce is a tiny town right at the edge of the National Park entrance. I stayed at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn and had a comfortable stay. I’ve also looked at the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand just across the street but the availability didn’t fit what I needed.
Whichever you choose, book a room for 1 night.
Day 5- Bryce Canyon National Park –> Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is like descending into a fairytale land where sandstone hoodoos stare up at you from a natural amphitheater and show off their brilliant shades of orange, pink, and red.
If you’ve never heard of a hoodoo before, it’s the geological name for irregular columns of rock. And Bryce Canyon has more hoodoos grouped together than any other place on the planet.
No matter how many National Parks you’ve visited, once you visit Bryce you’ll understand what I mean when I say, this National Park is like no other. Bryce Canyon and its hoodoo amphitheater are beyond impressive!
Bryce Canyon Highlights
The National Park’s main road sits up on a plateau and runs for 18 miles from north to south with the Hoodoo amphitheater visible from a series of viewpoints and overlooks. Some of these pull-offs and parking areas also have trailheads. Some hiking trails wind along the rim of the canyon. Others lead down into the canyon.
The best part of this layout is that everyone can enjoy the jaw-dropping beauty of Bryce Canyon, either by hopping from overlook to overlook in a car, hiking along the park’s trails, or a combination of both.
Depending on how early you start your day and how much (if any) hiking you’re planning in Bryce Canyon, you can spend half a day here or more. Even with 1 of the hikes below, you still have plenty of time to see the amphitheater from several viewpoints and leave by early afternoon.
That being said, you can also spend the full day in Bryce Canyon National Park. There are plenty of trails and photography opportunities to enjoy.
I would also factor in whether your trip to the Utah National Parks ends on Day 7 or you can fly home on Day 8. Ultimately, you want to make sure you have enough time for magnificent Zion National Park.
Here are the best things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Bryce Canyon Travel Tips
For more Bryce Canyon Inspiration and Tips, check out this guide.
25 Photos to Make You Want to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Where to Stay Tonight- Springdale, Zion National Park
Make your way from Bryce Canyon to Springdale Utah. Be sure to use the Mount Carmel Highway and Tunnel to enter Zion and the town. It’s an engineering marvel but the views before and after the tunnel are incredible.
Springdale, Utah is the park’s gateway town. You’ll find everything you need from lodging and food to tour and gear shops. Not to mention, it’s a cute little town that has everything you’d want after a day spent in the National Park.
I highly recommend the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale. Not only was it the nicest Holiday Inn Express I’ve stayed in, it had a pool, free breakfast, and the free town shuttle bus to Zion stopped just outside.
Outside of the winter months, cars aren’t allowed to drive into Zion. Instead, visitors take the Zion’s shuttles to enter and move around the park. The town shuttle bus outside the Holiday Inn Express brings you to these Zion shuttles which is a logistical life-saver. There’s absolutely nowhere to park near Zion’s entrance so it’s smarter to keep your car parked at the hotel and make use of the shuttles.
The town shuttle makes stops along the main road through Springdale. You can compare prices at hotels along this road to find the best option for your travel dates.
Days 6 & 7- Zion National Park
Zion National Park grabs you by the senses and overwhelms you with its magnificence. You’ll understand how special Zion truly is from the moment you drive along the Mount Carmel Scenic Highway with its towering mountains on all sides.
Despite all the red rock landscapes you’ve seen up to this point on your Utah National Parks road trip, Zion will leave you in awe. The towering walls of rock with the Virgin River flowing and the greenery complementing the backdrop combine for absolute natural perfection.
Zion Canyon was shaped over millions of years. The landscape that we see today is home to all different types of plants and animals. I saw more animals in Zion than at any other Utah National Park, including lots of babies on my spring visit! So when you’re driving the Mount Carmel Scenic Highway or out on the hiking trail be mindful and respectful.
Zion National Park Highlights
Zion offers an endless number of activities for every type of adventurer across its 230 square miles of outdoor heaven. Hike, horseback ride, mountain climb, and spot wildlife to your heart’s content. There are also guided excursions into Zion’s slot canyons and The Narrows.
Zion National Park’s most famous hike is to Angels Landing. This strenuous and steep hike takes you to the lookout over Zion Canyon. As mentioned above, you must get a permit for Angels Landing as the park works to limit the number of people on the narrow and rocky climb to the top. Apply for a permit as soon as you’re able to get the date and time you want.
If you’re physically fit and not afraid of heights, I highly recommend giving Angels a try! It’s a tough climb and you absolutely have to be careful. But, the view and the accomplishment are worthwhile rewards.
To enter the park, catch the Zion National Park Shuttle from the entrance in Springdale to different points within the park. Shuttles run continuously to pick up and drop off park visitors at popular sights and trails throughout the park.
Here are the best things to do in Zion National Park.
Zion National Park Travel Tips
For a complete Zion National Park guide, check out:
What You Need to Know for a Successful Zion National Park Visit
8 Spectacular Things to Do at Zion National Park
Climbing Angels Landing Hike at Zion National Park
Day 7-8 Zion National Park –> Las Vegas Airport
If you’re like me sitting on top of Angels Landing at the end of my time in Zion, you won’t want to leave! But unfortunately, it’s time to check out of your hotel in Springdale and end your Utah road trip.
Depending on when you need to fly home, you could plan to depart on the evening of Day 7 so that you can still possibly have a couple of morning hours in Zion before heading to the airport.
If you can, head home on the morning of Day 8 so you can enjoy all of Day 7 at Zion.
Tearfully, say goodbye to Zion and make the 2.5-hour drive to Las Vegas. Plan to return your rental car at the airport. Then, head for home with unforgettable memories from your fantastic Utah National Parks road trip!
Planning a longer Utah National Parks Trip?
Lucky you! There’s so much more to see and do at each National Park than what you’ll be able to cover with just the week itinerary above. And the area around the National Parks in Utah and Arizona has so many iconic natural icons.
So while you could simply plan to spend more time in one or more of the above National Parks, you could also look to expand on your Utah itinerary. The ideas below give you an idea of how to do this.
More Ideas to Plan Your Road Trip to Utah & Beyond
Plenty of visitors add a few days to their trip to see Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. You could include these places along with Monument Valley and/or Zion National Park, and more Utah National Parks depending on how much time you have.
Antelope Canyon is a natural wonder between Monument Valley and Bryce and Zion National Parks. Why not plan extra time in the area to take a guided tour? You could also visit Horseshoe Bend!
Arizona and Utah are great road trip partners! Why not do part of an Arizona road trip along with seeing some of Utah’s National Parks? You could even head south towards Tempe and Tuscon.
Spend 1-2 days in Las Vegas. After a week of outdoor fun in Utah’s National Parks, a posh Las Vegas hotel, fine food, and some nightlife might be the perfect way to end your vacation.
Looking to do an extended road trip out west? You could easily start with a Colorado road trip and then cross the border to reach Moab to begin your Utah road trip itinerary. You could fly into Denver and out of Salt Lake City, for example, while seeing National Parks like Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Canyonlands, and Arches plus Monument Valley.
When is the Best Time to Do a Utah National Parks Road Trip?
Spring and Fall are the best times to do a Utah National Park road trip. The temperatures are more pleasant and most snow (in spring) will be melted, clearing the way for hikers and park visitors to once again use most trails.
That being said, you should try your best to plan a spring or fall Utah trip outside of school holiday weeks, long weekends, and free National Park Days. The parks have large crowds around this time. And with higher demand comes higher prices for everything from flights to hotels to rental cars.
Also, keep in mind that spring snowmelt can create elevated water levels and stronger currents and rivers and streams. So popular hikes like The Narrows in Zion National Park could be closed if the conditions are unsafe.
What about Visiting the Utah National Parks in the Summer?
Both of these seasons have their pros and cons. But I’ll cut right to the point and say that given the choice, I’d visit in winter over summer. Here’s why.
The summer months come with extremely high temperatures like 95+ degrees. This doesn’t factor in the real feel temperature that comes from the strong sun exposure. Because of the terrain, most areas of the Utah National Parks get full sun with few areas to find shade. This can make the midday hours unbearable for hiking and other outdoor activities.
Summers are also quite busy given that families take vacations while students are off from school. As mentioned above, Arches National Park requires a timed-entry reservation to help manage the number of visitors.
What about Visiting the Utah National Parks in Winter?
On the other hand, winters come with no crowds and don’t require reservations. You’ll feel like you have the parks to yourself! Less demand also means it’s a much more affordable time to visit. You’ll find the best prices for hotels, especially, during the winter.
Of course, the truth that we can’t overlook is the temperatures that hover from the 30s-50s in December, January, and February. Snow is possible, although days tend to be sunny and dry. More likely, you’ll see a possible lighter dusting of snow in higher elevations while much of the red rock terrain and iconic arches are just as beautiful as any other time of year.
The one exception here is Zion, which tends to be wet during the winter. This could lead to snow or ice accumulating on the trails, forcing the park to close them until they are safe again.
I’d much rather layer up and hike on cooler sunny days. With the right hiking clothes and a combination of body heat, the temperatures are more ideal than those in summer.
If you decide to visit Utah’s Mighty 5 in winter, check the conditions in each park before your visit to know, too, if any roads or trails are closed because of snow or ice.
Is It Possible to Do 2 National Parks in 1 Day?
While it might be logistically possible, like with Arches and Canyonlands or Zion and Bryce, because of their proximity to each other. However, I would not recommend this at all.
Not only would you miss seeing and doing many things in each National Park, but you’d also likely feel very rushed and quite unsatisfied. At this pace, you’d never get a feel for any place you were in or truly be able to enjoy the beauty of a National Parks road trip…to be outdoors and connect with nature.
Utah National Parks Road Trip Bottom Line
Planning a Utah trip is an absolute bucket list experience! You get to see and enjoy some of the most iconic National Parks, natural places, landmarks, and monuments in the United States.
Whether you have a week, 10 days, or more, there is an endless number of Utah itineraries that you can plan. Having traveled extensively through this part of the country, I can assure you that you can’t go wrong no matter what your Utah road trip looks like! So, let’s get planning!
What are you planning to see and do on your Utah National Parks road trip itinerary?
Like this post? Please share it on social media using the share buttons below.
I don’t know when Utah will happen in my life. You have triggered my travel pangs to the place. The itinerary is well detailed but at the same time I could not choose one over the other.
Luckily, Indrani, you can see and explore these parks with just a week. Plenty of time to visit other places in the USA, too.
What a remarkable landscape. Utah National Parks is one of the prime reasons I want to visit USA for. This post makes it look very do-able…thanks for this.
Thanks for reading, Punita.The Utah National Parks would have to be up there in the top 5 or 10 USA experiences to have.
We briefly ventured in to Utah when we lived in Arizona and did visit Monument Valley, which is gorgeous. But we’d love to go back and Arches NP, Canyonlands NP and Moab are all on our Utah bucket list. Thanks for this itinerary. We’ll keep it in mind when we get around to finally planning our Utah trip.
Hope you can plan it soon, Jennifer! Arches and Canyonlands are great! 🙂
Sounds like a very busy week. There are so many amazing National Parks in Utah I am always torn between the epic road trip and a deep dive explore of one or two parks. Sounds like you put together a trip that you get to see everything and perhaps, make a choice what to come back to and explore later.
It was busy but so much fun, Jen. If I had to pick one to go back to for a deeper dive, I’d go with Zion. It’s so majestic. Truly a one of kind National Park.
This is awesome and a must save because I would love to see many if not all of these places.
You’d love a Utah road trip, Holly! Gorgeous part of the USA.
What a beautiful place! More I see photos such as this and read articles on Utah more I want to go now. I once was browsing thru a book on all the national parks of US. It is just truly amazing.
Thanks, Nisha. Yes, the U.S. has so much open space to explore in its National Parks. There are so many gorgeous spots to explore. Hope you make it soon!
Such great tips! We love Utah but have quite a few parks to check out still. We’ve only made it to Arches and Zion, but I’d love to explore them all sometime, especially Canyonlands! Your photos are great and make me want to plan another road trip out there again soon!
Thanks, Jenna. 🙂 Canyonlands, I think, is a hidden gem. You hear so much about the other parks, but then Canyonlands just quietly captivates and overwhelms you. Hope you can make out west again soon.
I love Utah’s National Parks! Fabulous itinerary, thanks for putting each of these parks into an itinerary we can do in a week 🙂 We were in Utah two years ago now though didn’t have nearlly enough time to properly explore the state. We hit up a couple of State Parks which were in our area, and then did Arches, but Bryce, Zion and Monument Valley are still on the list. Going for at least a full week next time!
Aren’t they so great, Meg?! Everyone really needs to spend some time out there and even with a week can have a great experience. Hope you make it back in the near future!
Totally just what I need! This roadtrip is on my bucketlist. I really hope I can do it this 2017. Saving this and thanks for sharing. Can you also share with me the car rental cost? I am not sure I can use my friends car for the whole week so I might rent.
You’ll love this road trip, Carla. It’s really fantastic. So my car rental cost was a bit different because we rented one in NYC and drove across country first. But, I recommend making a car rental reservation with any site (Kayak, Car Rentals, etc), then tracking your reservation with Autoslash. Autoslash is my secret weapon for saving money on car rentals. They’ll search for a better price continuously and let you know when they find one. As long as it’s not a last minute reservation, I all but guarantee they’ll find you a better price. I’ve done better every single time, as have my readers, family, and friends. Good luck!
This kind of trip has been on my bucket list forever now. You’ve given me so many great ideas! I’ve always wanted to go to Bryce, but there’s so much more!
Utah is a treasure trove, Lauren. Bryce is just the beginning! Hope you can take a road trip soon!
Thanks for the great write up. I’ll have a couple days to spare. Did you feel that any of these parks were rushed at all? Would you stay at any other than Zion for an extra day?
Thanks!
Hi Matt,
Thanks for reading and great question! I absolutely would have spent more time at Zion to do a bit more hiking. It’s such a beautiful park, though, it’s hard to leave no matter how many days you’re there. Enjoy!!! 🙂
I’m so much into going but how can I find travel mates? I am not looking for dating just people whom I can trust to travel with.
where can I find them and plan the trip together?
One woman would be just fine
THanks so much for reading. I’d look for Facebook groups with like-minded travelers looking for travel buddies and go from there. 🙂 Don’t underestimate solo travel, though. It’s such an opportunity for personal growth.
This is exactly what I needed! I am taking my mom and one of her friends (in their 70s) and my 12 yr old son on this trip in May. Your itinerary and tips are really going to help. Do you have any suggestions for hikes for seniors? They are both in good shape, but they don’t need to do anything too rocky.
Thanks for reading, Dana! How exciting to be planning a Utah National Parks trip. So, I loved this trip so much that my mom and several older relatives did this trip after me following my itinerary. They were all in their 60s-70s and were able to hike on most trails I talk about in the posts on each individual park, with the exception of the last bit of Angel’s Landing in Zion. I’d say more than trail difficulty (which is clearly marked by the National Parks Service), the key was starting early. The heat was more of a concern, with much of the parks’ landscape being dry, with few trees to take cover. Hope that helps and you have a fantastic trip! 🙂
Thank you so much!
I do have another question- I saw that you would have stayed longer in Zion if you could….you would pick an extra day in Zion over Arches? Just checking before I decide..
Hi Dana,
I’m so glad you’re finding the guides helpful. 🙂 I would absolutely spend the extra day in Zion over Arches. There’s so much about Zion to take in. The more time there the better.
Let me know if you have more questions. Happy to help.
Jackie
Am thrilled to find your blog! Your week-long tips for traveling through the Utah canyons has been so helpful.
We just booked and will explore these canyons this coming June! I am a teacher as well and won’t retire for 6 more years. My husband and I LOVE to travel, but are starting to worry about spending money on traveling rather than saving for retirement. We have never used miles and points b/c we don’t travel that often, but I’m wondering if we should start. I know nothing about it.
Thank you!
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks so much for reading! I love to have fellow teachers following along. 🙂 I’m glad the Utah tips are helpful. The National Parks out in Utah are just incredible. My whole approach to miles and points is making the money you’re already spending on bills and everyday life work harder by giving a return in the form of travel rewards. If you’re interested in learning a bit more, check out my free basics course at theglobetrottingteacher.teachable.com/p/travel-hacking-basics There’s no obligation of anything and it’ll give you the basics. Whether you take 1 trip a year or many, miles and points can help you save money on travel costs. Enjoy Utah!!
I’m trying to plan a trip for my family to Utah in March and this itinerary is perfect and saves me a lot of time! It got me so excited. Thank you!! With one day at each park would you say it’s sort of rushed or is that definitely enough time to see what you’d like at each place?
Hi Leah,
Thanks so much for reading and glad the itinerary is helpful for you! It depends on how much you want to go off-the-beaten-path or not? I was definitely glad to stay in Zion for a couple days. Arches and Canyonlands were fine for the day. For Bryce Canyon, I did a day and a half. I was glad to do the drive through the park on the afternoon of my arrival for the sightseeing. The next day was for hiking and was fine for my April visit. (Keep in mind for a March visit (like mine in April), Bryce may still have snow in spots closing off some of the hiking trails.) Hope that helps and you have an amazing trip!
HI-
We are planning a trip this summer ( I too am a teacher) and I was wondering about the rental car. We have been told that it is more expensive to return it to another airport. We could fly into Vegas or SLC but we thought we had to do a loop because of the rental car. Did you run into this?
Thanks
Hi Robbi,
Thanks so much for reading. I love chatting with fellow teachers about their travel plans. 🙂 To be honest, we drove back and forth across the country as part of our adventure. However, I have rented a car and returned it to another location. It depends on the location and time of year so fees vary. I use a website called Autoslash to track my car rental reservations. Make a reservation with any website. Then enter the details at Autoslash. They’ll let you know if they find a cheaper price. I’ve always saved money with them. Hope that helps! Have a great trip!
We weren’t able to fit Moab and canyonlands into our Great Southwest Adventure instead opting for a round trip out of Vegas and doing the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon. My biggest tips would be to stay IN the parks if you can to be right in the middle of the action (but you can’t use points) and if you’re going to hike The Narrows rent the water boots and poles from the adventure shop in Springdale. Water sandals weren’t sufficient. Makes me want to go back!
Thanks for reading and for the tips, Angie! Sounds like you had a great trip. 🙂 Hope you can make it back to visit Moab someday.
Great write up, thanks for sharing. We are planning a trip this fall maybe October, coming from Vermont, and are looking forward to hit the road again. We did the Big Sur, and route 66 a couple of years ago, great time. One question, did you have to make any lodging reservations on your trip? And if not, did you have any problems finding lodging close to where you were exploring and hiking?
D
Thanks so much for reading, Don. I did make lodging reservations, but they were all fairly last minute. So for example, we were in Moab/Arches NP already when I booked the hotel for Bryce NP. So, we didn’t just show up but it was spontaneous. We also traveled during spring break time so I was more mindful that just arriving with nowhere to stay could be problematic because of the busier time of year. As for the drive across country to get to Utah, we just found places along the way. Hope that helps and happy travels! 🙂
Wow. What a great resource for planning this trip. What is a better time? Late April or Late September. Thanks for the article.
Thanks for reading, Steve. Honestly, they’d both be great times to go. Weather-wise, it should be more moderate compared to the high temps in summer. Crowd-wise, both times are during the regular school calendar. If I had to choose, maybe late September. Maybe you’ll see the leaves starting to turn a little in Zion NP and it’s probably more comfortable hiking the Narrows in Zion if that’s on your list. Have a great trip! 🙂
Thanks!
Great itinerary and sounds great even with teenage kids, which is my plan. Would this trip work for roundtrip from Salt Lake City? How far is Zion, last stop, back to SLC? I am flying in and the car isn’t my concern but roundtrip tickets from same airport tend to be cheaper.
Thanks for reading, Lizzie. It’s a great trip for teenagers! Zion to SLC is about 4 1/2 hours by car. Not bad, but still may be worth it to search multi-city itineraries flying into SLC and out of Las Vegas, for example. 🙂
Hi! Thanks for the info! I enjoyed this post.
I live in Las Vegas and we are getting ready for a 6 day Utah trip: Zion, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Monument Valley, Natural Bridges, Capitol Reef, and Bryce. We decided to skip Arches/Canyonlands on this trip so we wouldn’t be rushed.
Thanks for reading. So glad the guide was helpful. Enjoy your trip! 🙂
Hello Jackie,
Wonderful, wonderful post. Thank you so much. So glad you included Monument Valley.
We are a family of 5 (kids 16/14/12) and I am putting together my itinerary for 9 actual days + 2 flying days, flying in and out of Salt Lake City. Where would you spent the extra two days? We would like to go down to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon which looks like it is a 2.5 hour journey from either Bryce hotels or Zion Hotels. So North Rim would likely be an extra day and then if we add an extra day to Zion, and finally a day in Salt Lake City at the end to recover and see Antelope Island, then we have the three additional days. Thoughts?
1) Since we arrive late into SLC, we will stay night 1 there and drive to Moab early the next morning which would be Day 2.
2) Seems that it makes sense to either drive down to the North Rim after leaving Page AZ. Or from lodging in Springdale AZ. I think from Zion makes sense.
3) One of our friend families went on a family ‘canyoneering’ adventure at Zion for a day. Is such a thing worth it for a half or whole day?
4) How long should we plan for at the North rim?
5) I hear that Route 12 from Torrey to Bryce is one of the most scenic drives. How would you incorporate this into one of the days?
Tips you may want to add. Friends tell me there is a ‘ghost town’ /cemetary on the way out of Zion called Grafton Cemetary. Driving back to SLC, Mona Utah has a Lavender Farm that could be a nice stop.
Thank you so much for any detailed comments. I realize I have asked several questions.
Your blog is very much appreciated.
Be well!!
Further as I look at things, it may make sense to stay overnight in Page AZ when coming from Monument Valley, check out the Antelope Valley area there, then the next morning go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. After that go to Zion and spend two days. Then last go to Bryce, why because then when done at Bryce, we could drive Route 12 through Escalante toward Torrey and then back to SLC so there would be no backtracking. Thoughts?
Have a fantastic day!!
Thanks so much for reading, Mike. Glad the post is helpful. 🙂 You have so many great ideas for your trip! You asked where I would have spent more time and I can easily say Zion. The Grand Canyon was tempting for us, as well, but it just felt too big to do it any justice with just a day. But I can easily see adding it because we almost did. Since you’re flying in and out of SLC, I’d stay as much as you can in Zion (yes, canyoneering is worth it!) and route back via through Escalante. I hope you have a great family vacation!! -Jackie
Thank you Jackie. Can I ask another question on logistics and your leanings having been there?
So I am using your rough order of things–after Monument Valley and staying in Lake Powell, Day 5 will be the North Rim and drive back to stay over night in Springdale. Then I have 5 days left for the best! So how to divide…. I think
Day 1 Fly and arrive evening
Day 2 Arches (3 hr drive in morning then to park)
Day 3 Canyonlands (as you suggest drive to The View)
Day 4 Monument Valley (as suggest & stay in Lake Powell)
Day 5 North Rim (2.5 to, hike, 2.5 hour to Springdale)
Day 6 Zion — recover and hiking etc
Day 7 Zion — Canyoneering 9-4pm
Day 8 Bryce hiking and enjoy
Day 9 Bryce for another half day, then drive through to torrey then on to night in Richfield 4 hours plus stops (6 hrs)
Day 10 Drive 3 hours to Antelope Island for 4-6 hours. We would have time to stop at the Lavendar farm.
Day 11 Fly very early
The question remains, is Antelope Island worth half a day? Or should we stay a third day at Zion or two full days at Bryce?
Any comments appreciated.
I wish you a fantastic day!!!!
Mike
Jackie one more. Wow, I have read some more in other forums and your advice to spend more time at Zion is right on. I think I will adjust to stay at Zion 3 days, and one day at Bryce. If we one day at Bryce, then do we clip the day at Bryce by driving the Torrey route at the end of that day, or dedicate the entire day, and make the next day long doing Torrey route back to SLC and optionally see Antelope Island…..Or Bryce for 2/3 of the day and then Torrey route and night in Richfield UT (free hotel night there).
So many questions but you have a great itinerary that you have shared.
Thank you!!!
Mike
Hi Mike,
3 days in Zion will be amazing. You’ll have a day for canyoneering. But, then 2 other days to hike, explore, do the park’s scenic drive, etc. (Angel’s Landing is a challenge but worth it! The Narrows is on my list when I return. It was closed when I was there.) I wouldn’t clip Bryce. The park’s scenic drive and stop-offs are already a few hours. Not to mention doing a hike down into the hoodoos! If anything, because Zion and Bryce are relatively close. You could do 3 full days in Zion but sleep that 3rd night in Bryce. The sunrise over the hoodoos the following morning is gorgeous.
-Jackie
Thank you again Jackie. Great comments.
I have all my hotels booked but having trouble with availability now in Bryce on June 12 for one night. We may need to stay in Tropic or out at Panguich but some reviews of hotels are scary.
The ones you recommended are full at this point.
Stay well.
Wish I could help there, Mike, but I don’t know anything about hotels in those towns. But Good luck! I’m sure something will work out. Have a good one!
I’d like to suggest the Muley Inn Bed and Breakfast outside of Bryce in Teasdale ?
Thanks for that tip! 🙂
Roughly how much did this trip coast you?
Hi Michelle, thanks for reading. Unfortunately, I don’t have that number. We didn’t fly. We drove and need a car rental. We booked hotels as we went and made use of some cash back rewards on a credit card to erase some of the charges. The America the Beautiful Pass got us into all the National Parks and it cost $80. Hotels and food were really the biggest expense. Sorry I couldn’t be more accurate in my estimating.
Hi Jackie,
This is an amazing post – Kudos! I am planning to do a solo trip to Utah over the July 4th week, but I am going to take your advice of flying into Vegas and doing the whole thing in a reverse order. Any tips/recommendations for a solo traveler?
Best,
Dev C
Thanks so much for reading, Dev. I would check each Park’s website for any alerts and pay careful attention to wildlife warnings and/or areas where it’s recommended you go as a few people together versus solo. And, definitely be prepared with plenty of water, food, a charged cell phone, and a basic first aid kit. While I haven’t hiked solo in Utah, I have in Patagonia and the Canadian Rockies. It can be awesome but I always take these precautions, plus let people know my plans. Have so much fun!!
Jackie – I just had the most amazing week in Utah, all thanks to your post. Bryce and Zion were truly astonishing, almost other worldly!! Thank you so much for this blog, you did an awesome job! Take care!
Aww, Dev! I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for checking in and sharing about your amazing trip. 🙂
Hey, Jackie, wanted to say I just started my search for info on southern Utah and this is fantastic. I’m going to read your post again and then all the comments for additional guidance. I’d really like to see the Grand Staircase and I’m thinking maybe doing that instead of Monument Valley. (I couldn’t figure out from Google Maps how to get in there).
Do you know anything about weather in late October/early November there? I’m in between going in September, which may be more crowded, or going later in the fall.
One more question: I’d like to do the Angel’s Landing hike at Zion but my husband is not that much of a hiker (he’s doing some of the smaller hikes). 1) is it safe for a woman to hike it alone, and 2) are there enough things to do in town so he won’t be bored?
I’m going to start reading some of your other posts about other places to go. Amazing set of details. Thank you, Jan
Thanks for reading, Jan. So glad the guide is helpful. Grand Staircase is just about a half hour from Bryce and a little longer from Zion. You could easily get there from either of those parks. I don’t have any direct knowledge of the weather in October/November other than the average highs and lows for that time shown on weather websites. Personally, I think hiking when the temps are in the 60s, even 50s, is ideal. As for Angel’s Landing, I hiked it solo and felt totally comfortable. I was there in April so not peak summer season and there were plenty of people around. Springdale is a cute town with some shops and places to eat. The main street is certainly walkable but also accessible by a free town shuttle. Even our Holiday Inn Express had a pool which was great for my hubby who was a little under the weather to relax by while I went off hiking. Hope you have a great trip!!
I appreciate your additional info in your reply to my note. We are going last week in September! I’m checking out your site for other vacation ideas.
Fantastic, Jan! Have a great trip. 🙂
Hi Jackie, this is just what I was looking for. My mother-n-law highly recommended this trip. Do you think I should plan this trip in mid July or is it to hot that time of year? Do you approach a trip like this differently that time of year? This is the only time we have open.
Thanks for reading, Mike. It most certainly will be hot. I’d say hotter in Arches and Canyonlands because there aren’t as many places to find shade. It’s wide open, rocky, desert-like terrain. Zion and Bryce will be hot but there are ways to escape constant direct sun either from the trees or the hoodoos when down among them. I don’t necessarily plan differently, but I am more cognizant of starting my days early and, if need be, taking a break for the hottest midday hours before fitting more in as the sun lowers in the sky. I hope you have a great trip!!
Hello!! So happy to stumble upon this site written by a fellow teacher! 🙂 I am a 4th grade teacher in Ohio and will be heading to Utah in a couple weeks. I have set a goal to visit all 50 states before I’m 50 and Utah will be state number 44! 🙂
We are flying into Las Vegas and would love to do Zion NP, Bryce Canyon, and Arches. We have also heard from others that the Grand Canyon is just a 2-3 hour drive from Zion and we should include this… Neither of us have been there and it, too, is on our bucket list. Advice?!?! What MUST we do? We are open to other locations as well…but knew these were great spots that all seemed able to be driven within our time frame.
We will be there from a Wednesday to Wednesday. We arrive late on the first Wednesday, however. Any and all advice from anyone is welcome!! THANK you so much from one teacher to another!! 🙂
Thanks so much for reading, Jenni. It’s always nice to meet a fellow teacher and one who has a fantastic travel goal! 🙂 That’s such a tough choice! Zion and Bryce are musts. Are you also flying out of Las Vegas? If yes, then I might actually stick to Southern Utah and make a visit to the Grand Canyon. If your intention is to drive toward Arches and then fly out of Salt Lake or continue to drive back home from there, I’d say don’t rush to squeeze in the Grand Canyon. In my opinion, the Grand Canyon is a destination all to itself, even though I know plenty of people visit for the day. Grand Escalante, Monument Valley, and even Dead Horse State Park Point (near Canyonlands and Arches and even looks a bit like the Grand Canyon) have so many things to offer in addition to the National Parks on your trip without making the drive to the Grand Canyon. But I know how tempting it is because we almost did it too with the itinerary, but in the end felt we needed more days. I hope that helps and enjoy your trip!! 🙂
Thank you so much for the advice! We are going to hold off on the Grand Canyon and do that with Flagstaff in the future. ?? Planning to head from LV to the Moab area to see Arches/Canyonlands and others. Then back down to Bryce and back to Zion for 2-2.5 days. Yes, we are flying out of LV as well, so this plan seemed to make sense to make the most of the area. Really looking forward to it!! Thanks again for posting your awesome travel experiences and tips for all of us. ??â›°
I think that’s a great choice, Jenni. Utah has so much to see and do. Thanks again for reading and enjoy your summer travels! 🙂
Any chance you can post a map that shows the trip on it, just to show an overview of where each night is spent?
Also we are wondering if there is time to stop at the Antelope canyons near Page, and if it’s worth it.
Thanks for reading, Scott. Yes, I will add a map in the coming days. I definitely think it’s worth it to see Antelope Canyon. But, I’d add a day to the overall trip. Antelope Canyon will take a half a day and you wouldn’t want to shave off time at Bryce or Zion to make it work. 🙂
My wife and I decided to make a trip to Utah in September, and your suggested itinerary sounds great for us – Thanks. Two questions: Do you know if September is a busy month there for tourists? And I love touring through the mountains in a convertible, so any reason not to ? (high temps appear to be around 90.)
Thanks for reading, Richard. Glad the itinerary will come in handy for you and your wife. September is still likely to be busy, but not nearly as busy as the months of June, July, and August. If your visit coincides with weekdays instead of weekends even better. Convertibles are so fun! Besides the sun, I’d think about having a car with 4 wheel drive. Not that you need an SUV or anything, but depending on where you’re driving in Utah, 4 wheel drive could come in handy. Hope you have a great trip! 🙂
Traveling from SLC 5 -6 days to see parks then heading to Mesa verde, Durango , telluride to Denver for 4 days. Should we drive from SLC straight to Zion, then Bryce, Capitol Reef then onto Arches and Moab? Can we fit that all in? Any suggestions would be helpful before booking our stays. Coming in October. Thanks
Thanks for reading, Michele. If you have 6 days, you could do it. Luckily, Zion and Bryce are close to each other. And, Canyonlands and Arches can be accessed from Moab so you don’t have to move hotels. If possible, I’d arrive in SLC, do the drive to Zion (4ish hours) and then have the 6-day visit start the following day. Depending on what hikes/activities you want to do, I’d stay in Zion for 2 days, Bryce 1-1 1/2, Canyonlands 1, Arches 1, give or take + you have to factor in travel time. Looks like an amazing itinerary continuing into Colorado. I’d love for you to check back in and let us know how it goes. 🙂
This is such a helpful resource–thank you so much! I’ll definitely be returning for more travel tips.
Question: We’re planning to make this trip in mid to late March (unfortunately, our dates aren’t flexible because of spring break dates). What do you think of that time for this area? Do you think the roads will be closed, icy, or safe? As for hiking, if a few hikes are closed because of snow, that’s fine, but if all of them were closed, that would be a bummer. So any tips on that time of year would be great (or if you think this itinerary wouldn’t work for those dates, do you have another suggestion?)
Thanks!
Thanks for reading, Sam. So exciting to be planning a trip to Utah. I was there right about the same time in early April. Arches and Canyonlands were ideal with comfy temps (60s) and sunny. Bryce was the chilliest because of the elevation. Some of the hoodoos still had a dusting of snow but the majority of it had melted. One trail was partially closed due to ice. Zion was warm with afternoon temps in the 80s. The Narrows, though, was closed because of snow and ice melt making the river higher than at other times of the year. Hope that helps and feel free to come back with any other questions. 🙂
Any trouble renting a car in Utah and returning in Nevada? I’ve been socked for extra fees before.
Thanks for reading, Jane. One-way fees depend on location, time of year, and even whether or not the car rental company needs cars in a specific place. A one-way fee can be just a few bucks or several hundred. Whenever I make a car rental reservation, I always take all the reservation info and input it into Autoslash’s reservation tracker. They’ll search for a cheaper price for you up until the time of the rental. While it might not eliminate drop fees, I often save 20-25% overall with Autoslash. Hope that helps! 🙂
Hi jackie what an excellent blog here , i was hoping you can help me with some things biulding my Interniary this april 3rd week
i have my wife with me with 9 and 4 yr old , driving a rental from PHX to sacramento in 7 days
any helpful suggestion with this
day 1
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Grand Canyon National Park
day 2
Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040
lake powell
day 3
Bryce Canyon National Park
day 4
Zion National Park
day 5
Las Vegas, Nevada
day 6 and 7 going home to sacramento which is about 8 hrs drive
———-
i wanna go to monument valley but i think it is too far it will add about 2.5 hrs of driving or 3 , im confused about this ,
Thanks so much for reading, John. Monument Valley is a bit out of the way and I’d focus on what you already have in your itinerary. I’d want to wake up in the places I’d end up for the day, especially with Bryce and Zion. So that would mean seeing Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell and driving to Bryce at night so you have the full day in Bryce. You can easily drive after a day at Bryce to Zion and check in to your hotel that night so you have the whole day at Zion. Depending on what time your flight arrives into PHX, I might build in a little more time to start. Flagstaff is just 2 hours from Phoenix and 90 minutes from the Grand Canyon South Rim. There’s some really cool stuff to do in Flagstaff, but it also could be a way to get settled and ready for the next day at the Grand Canyon without feeling rushed. Have a great trip! You have so many great things awaiting on this itinerary! Enjoy!
This is a great iteniary! My husband and I took a week road trip 3 years ago that ended up lasting over 3 months and spent a good deal of time visiting all of these besides Zion (who wouldn’t allow our dog, lol)! We were in love the minute we camped in Moab and continued North. We did this in a frugal budget and more amazing scenery and landscape than I could have ever imagined. Camping, a new passion and stargazing! Take the next left while finding some off the map beauty that we loved! Ashley National Forest is a must, Sheep’s Head Pass is incredible! Fishlake National Park has the most scenic foliage of the alpine trees in fall I have seen! We moved to Utah and there are too many to list! Well done and thanks for sharing with others!
Thanks so much for reading, Chris. Appreciate all your expert tips! Utah is just gorgeous with so much to see and do. The stargazing is amazing!
Utah’s National Parks seems to be the eighth wonder! Yes; I could spot you under the massive arch. thank you for writing such a detailed article on the park.
Thanks for reading, George. I had a good laugh that you spotted me under that massive arch! 😉 The Utah NPs are a wonder, for sure. Hope you enjoy your visit.
Jackie: Love your trip. How would this trip be in March ? Would weather be a problem ?
Steve
Thanks for reading, Steve. Temperature wise I think you’ll find it comfortable for hiking and being outdoors. (Utah can get pretty hot in summer!) One thing to keep in mind is Zion and Bryce may still have snow on some trails or on the hoodoos. I was there in early April and Zion was actually really warm with no sign of snow. Although, the Narrows was closed because of snowmelt making the river current too strong. Bryce was a bit chillier because of elevation and there was 1 trail that was partially closed due to ice and snow still in a few spots. Otherwise, I had no issues. Hope that helps and you enjoy your trip! 🙂
We’re older, yet active. We walk ALOT! Hiking? Is there time for that? That being said, no climbing .Weather wise , end of May beginning of June? My husband would do all the driving, i’d Want him to enjoy the drive.
Thanks for reading, J. There’s absolutely time for hiking. We hiked Delicate Arch and a few other trails on our visit to Arches. We hiked along the canyon rim in Canyonlands. At Bryce, we did a partial rim trail and Navajo Loop trail hike, while at Zion we hiked Angel’s Landing and a few of the shorter hikes off the main stops of the park shuttle. A May trip should be warm and sunny. Hope you enjoy this gorgeous part of the U.S!
Four ‘retired’ adults planning to head to the big 5 in mid May. Starting from Vegas. Very loose itinerary. Main concern is overnight accommodations availability. Am I overthinking this?
Thanks for reading, Joe. It’s hard to say, but I think you should be ok. The one exception is in Bryce. The town is small and has few places to stay just outside the park. I did this trip in April around school break time and booked many of the hotels in a similar way as you’re planning to do and it worked out. I have to imagine my April week was busier than May because school is still in session. However, I’d definitely book ahead if any of your dates coincide with Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy Utah! It’s such a beautiful state!
I’ve planned a trip based to Utah starting this weekend, based on this blog post. I’m excited! I’ll let you know how it went!
Thanks for reading, Aseem! So excited to hear about your trip to Utah! Happy travels and hope you enjoy the itinerary. 🙂
Thank you so much for his article! I really appreciate your advice and your encouraging attitude. I am hoping to take this road trip with my 10 year old daughter soon. We live in Albuquerque.
Thank you, Noelle!
Appreciate the kind words and I hope you guys make the trip soon!
Thanks for this post as it provided us an informative start on planning- just did the trip in early August. We opted to go to Capitol Reef NP instead of Monument Valley- it was more direct and turned out to be one of my favorites. MV is a bit out of the way, with few lodging options and restrictions on what you can do there compared to Capitol Reef.. Again, thanks so much for this post as it really inspired me.
Thanks for reading, Sean. So glad you loved Capitol Reef and so glad the post inspired you! 🙂
Hi. Thanks a ton for sharing and the detailed layout of your trip. This information is great, as we plan our visit to these National parks.
We will be flying into Denver, and then driving down passing through Mesa Verde. Once we get into Utah, the plan is to follow your lead from Arches National Park on. If there is one thing we get from your post (and descriptions), it seems this road trip of ours will be an experience of a life time, for which we are super excited.
You have been a great help!
Cheers!
– Naz & Faz!
Thanks for reading, Naz and Faz. You will certainly have an amazing trip! The Utah National Parks are just gorgeous. Enjoy! 🙂
Jackie,
Thank you very much for this website. I am flying into Salt Lake City in October and meeting a friend – we are going to visit a National Park in Utah. Would it be possible for me to correspond with you directly?
Thanks,
Travis Matthews
Thanks for reading, Travis. I’m happy to answer your Utah NP question. You can post it here or contact me through the blog’s contact form. 🙂
I actually have some fans on a facebook page related to this stuff. I’ll share your post with them and see what they have to say. I’m sure they’ll love it though.
Thanks for reading and sharing, Matthew.
Hi Jackie,
Thank you so much for your tips. We’ll definitely follow your itinerary during our trip in May 2020.
One thing I wonder, isn’t it better to fly to Moab when planning to go to Zion and Bryce, so we save a few hours driving?
We are flying from Minneapolis and our trip will be for a week. We’d like to use our time and see as much as possible of Utah.
Thanks again!
~Elena
Thanks for reading, Elena. Not sure I completely understand your question. There’s a small airport about 20 miles from Moab that services flights on a United/Sky West from Denver. No other commercial airlines fly in or out. Also consider, Zion and Bryce are roughly 2 1/2 hours from Las Vegas which has a much larger airport. Moab is nearly 5 hours from Zion and Salt Lake City is 4 1/2 hours. If you’re only doing Zion and Bryce, I might fly into Las Vegas instead and drive to the parks from there. Hope that helps! 🙂
Hi, Jackie
Me and my husband in Utah at the moment and tried to add Antelope Canyon driving from Monument Valley to Bryce Canyon, but unfortunately all tours were sold out.
I love colored stones, do you know any Canyon similar to Antelope Canyon?
Also have you visited Wave?
Is Wave even better than lower Antelope Canyon?
These weren’t included in your tour, so you don’t think Antelope Canyon is as good as other ones in Utah?
We think we missed out big deal not be able to go
Thanks for reading, Abby. Sorry to hear you missed the chance to see Antelope Canyon. I didn’t include it my week itinerary only because we didn’t have enough time. If you can, take a look at Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. It’s similar to Antelope Canyon but not as crowded/well-known. Good luck!!
Love this! Planning to take the train in February from Chicago and get off at Grand Junction. Shall I do the trip as you set it out and then have a long day of driving back to Grand Junction to get back on the train, heading to CA? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much.
Shelley
Thanks for reading, Shelley. You could add one last thing to your itinerary to make it more of a loop. Start in Moab and do Arches and Canyonlands area. Head south to do Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion area. Then loop back north to do Capitol Reef National Park before head back to Grand Junction. Good luck on your drive! So many great things to see in that area! 🙂
Hi Jackie,
My girlfriend and i are from Melbourne Australia and travelling to Utah in April 2020. I really like the itinerary that you have created and was wondering if you thought it would be possible to add in Capitol reef as well? I really want to drive there on highway 12 from Bryce canyon. We would only have the same number of days as your itinerary but was thinking of skipping Canyonlands to hopefully accommodate Capitol reef? What do you think?
Thanks so much for reading, Al. You could absolutely do that, swap out Canyonlands for Capitol Reef. You could also leave out Monument Valley and get in all 5 National Parks instead. Once you’re in Moab for Arches, Canyonlands is so close from there. And it sounds like you’re thinking Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef and if so, Monument Valley might be going out of your way. Just depends what are your must-see places…Hope that helps and you have a great road trip! 🙂
As I have researched for our trip at end of March 2020, this is is the most helpful article out there in my opinion! Thank you so much! One question. If you had to shorten it by one day (we only have 7 days) what would you do differently. We are travelling with our 16 yo and 21 yo boys and we are all very active hikers.
Thanks for reading and for your kind words, Kara. If you had to skip something, I’d say leave out Monument Valley. Focus on the National Parks and hiking to your hearts’ content. Hope you have a great trip!
Good Morning. Your website was so helpful when I went out with a friend to Utah in October – we saw Arches and Canyonlands and just had a blast. I am planning a trip for late April or early May as we speak. I was planning the trip with my friend Jon, but he has just pulled out (we had not yet booked hotel rooms or plane tickets). Jon is married with 2 kids and I know trips like that are not easy for him. I am single (47) and I wondered if you knew of any travel groups that might be heading out to Utah? I could go by myself, but when you are single, you spend more time alone and it is nice to take trips with people. Any suggestions?
Hi Travis,
Thanks so much for reading and so glad to hear the website was helpful for your last trip. I don’t know of any travel groups heading out to Utah. But, what I do when I travel solo is to join in a few day tours. At the very least, you can enjoy the experience with others. But sometimes, you even end up with a friend that’ll join you for dinner or even another activity at some point on the trip. I use Get Your Guide to book day tours and they have a few good ones in Utah like the chance to explore Arches by 4×4 or ATV. You might also look at the website Meetups. They have groups that meet regularly for hiking and other activities in Utah. Maybe your dates will align. Hope that helps and you decide to make the trip! 🙂
Our family is planning a Utah trip this summer, flying into SLC and out of Phoenix. I am trying to map out our days using a portion of your itinerary as well as some of the previous comment’s suggestions. We have a total of 9 days/ 8 nights. Is what I have mapped out accurate?
Day 1 – Leave SLC at lunch time and drive to Moab
Day 2 – Canyonland/Dead Horse Point
Day 3 – Arches
Day 4 – Drive to Bryce via Hwy 12 and hit Capital Reef NP along the way
Day 5- Bryce Canyon NP; drive to Springdale
Day 6 – Zion
Day 7 – Drive to Grand Canyon area with stops in Page, AZ
Day 8 – Grand Canyon
Day 9 – Drive to Phoenix and fly home
Is there a different way you would work this timeline/stops. I love these kind of trips, but mapping it all out is a nightmare for me! Our flights and rental car are booked, but I have yet to book lodging.
I appreciate any advice you may have!
Thanks so much for reading, Bekah. Your itinerary looks great! In addition to this itinerary, I’ve done the Grand Canyon and then drove to Phoenix to fly home. We loved the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale for Zion NP. When I was in the Grand Canyon, I stayed in Flagstaff, which is a great town all on its own. In Moab, we stayed in the Holiday Inn Express as well and liked it. Its location is convenient to the town but just near the entrance of Arches. Hope that helps but reach out with more questions if you have them! 🙂
Thank you for all of these tips, Jackie. My family and I are planning a road trip this summer to stay at a dude ranch in Utah that’s actually right near Bryce Canyon and I’m so excited to see the sunrise over the hoodoos. Do you have any recommendations on hikes in the area? Already considering planning another trip because all of your suggestions sound so fun.
Thanks for reading, Jamie. I can only suggest hikes within Bryce. The Navajo Loop Trail and the Queens Garden Trails are good ones!
My cousin has been thinking about going on a trip to the Zion national park to have some fun hiking with her kids. She would really like to get some help from a professional to be more effective, and have more fun. I liked what you said about how she should try to climb angels because it is a touch climb but should be really rewarding.
Thanks for reading, Adam. Angel’s Landing is tough but definitely an accomplishment…with great views. 🙂
I really like your website. Can you recommend a shuttle service from the Las Vegas Airport to Bryce Canon City?
Thanks for reading and for your kind words, Travis. I don’t know of a specific shuttle service but there are very small group tours that operate from Las Vegas to Bryce. Not sure if that will help but I’ve linked to it just in case.
Hello, thanks so much for detailing out this 1 week trip! I just booked it exactly as you suggested as a high school graduation gift/family trip for my son in August. Used all suggestions and hotels. THANK YOU!
Thanks so much for reading, Jen! That’s so awesome! I’m sure you’ll have a great time. The Utah National Parks are amazing. Enjoy. 🙂
Thank you for this wonderful resource! We just got back from our 7 day trip and followed your itinerary and suggestions pretty closely. We could not get an Arches entry for day 1 and did Canyonlands instead–and actually I was glad we did it that way. We also could only get a 12-1 entry for Arches originally but I went on the website at 7pm the night before and was able to get one of the next-day slots earlier. So that is something for readers to try.
AutoSlash was a huge $ saver!! Thank you for that recommendation and everything else!
Thanks so much for your comment, Jill! I’m so glad you had a great trip to Utah and thanks for sharing your tip. Autoslash is amazing. I’m glad it help you save money, too. 🙂