9-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary Through the Mighty 5

Southern Utah’s National Parks are what first drew me to Utah and are ultimately the reason I ended up moving to Salt Lake City. There’s literally nowhere else on the planet like Bryce Canyon or Zion!

Otherwise known as the Mighty 5, these public lands offer stunning red rock scenery, twisting slot canyons, and incredible hiking. They can also be connected to create an epic Utah National Parks road trip, which is an unforgettable trip for any outdoor adventurer.

Because there’s so much to see and do in Utah’s National Parks, I recommend having at least two weeks available if you plan on visiting all five. Alternatively, you can focus on 2-3 parks if you only have a week.

In this 9-day Utah National Parks road trip itinerary, I share my favorite hikes, the best spots to stop along the route, and travel tips for maximizing your time in Southern Utah.

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What are the Mighty 5?

The Mighty 5 are the five National Parks in southern Utah. They include:

The Best Times to Visit Utah’s National Parks

Utah’s National Parks are open year-round and each park’s diverse landscapes and offerings can change based on the weather and season you are visiting. Below is a quick summary of seasons in southern Utan. For more information check out posts on the best time to visit Utah’s National Parks and the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park.

Spring and Fall

The most popular (and busiest) times to visit are Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October). During these milder seasons, the daytime temperatures can range from 60-80 degrees with lows averaging 40-60 degrees. It’s the most comfortable time of year for a Utah National Parks road trip, but with that, you need to be prepared to deal with large crowds.

Summer

If you choose to visit any of these Utah National Parks in the summer months, expect daytime temperatures to reach over 100 degrees. Personally, I don’t recommend planning a Mighty 5 road trip during the summer. The parks are still quite busy and you’ll need to do all of your hiking very early or very late in the day to avoid the mid-day heat and scorching summer sun.

If you do decide to do this trip in the summer, be sure to check out our guide on sun protection for hikers and make sure you have a day pack that can carry at least 3L of water.

Winter

Similarly, if you plan to road trip during the winter months, you need to be prepared for temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees during the day and then dropping to well below freezing overnight.

That being said, winter is a beautiful time to visit the parks because you’ll get to enjoy these stunning desert landscapes, perhaps dusted with snow, while avoiding the National Park crowds.

Just be prepared with winter clothing and check conditions before heading out. You’ll likely want to book rooms in hotels as opposed to camping if you visit in winter.

Where to Start and End your Mighty 5 Road Trip

Utah’s National Parks are spread across the southern half of the state. If you’re flying into Utah to start your trip, the best airports to fly into are:

If you only have one week, I recommend focusing on the east or west side of the state rather than trying to visit all of the parks. I can’t stress enough that visiting all five parks in one week would be A LOT.

Utah National Parks Road Trip at a Glance

Ready to start planning? I’ve listed my Might 5 road trip itinerary traveling from West to East starting in Zion and ending in Arches. But, you could quickly reverse the itinerary to move East to West.

Day 1: Drive to Zion National Park & Hike Angel’s Landing

Zion was Utah’s first National Park, and you’ll see why. The park features high plateaus, a maze of sandstone canyons, and incredible trails with easy access. If you have time, I recommend checking out the Visitor Center and Human History Museum to learn more about the park.

Hike Angel’s Landing

Arriving post-lunch or early afternoon, head straight through the south entrance parking area and hop on a shuttle to Angel’s Landing (the shuttle is free and stops right at the trailhead).

Climbing Angel’s Landing (5 miles round trip) is a bucket list item for most Zion visitors but it is not for the faint of heart. It’s a strenuous trail with almost 2,000 feet of elevation gain. But your hard work is paid off with spectacular 360 views of the entire canyon from high above. However, it’s important to note that there is extreme exposure on Angel’s Landing that some people might find too scary.

Be sure to bring your daypack filled with plenty of water and your hiking essentials.

Day 2 – Explore the Narrows & Drive to Bryce Canyon

Spend your second day in Zion exploring The Narrows, one of the top highlights of Zion National Park, especially if you visit in the warmer months. The Narrows is a slot canyon that was formed over centuries from the Virgin River and is still continuously changing today.

This is a great hike to keep you cool since much of the hike requires wading through a river. If you want to hike the entire Narrows from the top-down as a long single-day hike or as an overnight, you’ll need a permit. Alternatively, if you want to explore at your leisure from the bottom-up, no permit is needed. Check out our Narrows hiking guide for more information.

Updated February 2024: There is a toxic cyanobacteria bloom in the Virgin River (where The Narrows is located) so you should not submerge your head or filter drinking water here. Check current updates for Zion National Park before heading out here.

Post-hike, pack up the car and head through the 1.1-mile Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel and continue driving towards Bryce Canyon National Park which is 1.5 hours away.

If you can get to Bryce by sunset we recommend heading straight to Sunset Point!

Days 3-4: Bryce Canyon National Park

Prepare yourself for Bryce Canyon: it is like nothing you’ve ever seen before! Bryce Canyon is famous for its hoodoos – sandstone columns each uniquely shaped by erosion – and it has more hoodoos than anywhere else in the world.

Hike Fairyland Loop Trail

Whether you arrived in Bryce Canyon National Park last night for sunset at Sunset Point or you are arriving this morning we recommend you start the day by heading to the visitor’s center. The park has only one visitor’s center which features a must-see film showcasing Bryce in the winter.

Then skip the crowds and head for adventure on the Fairyland Loop Trail. This trail is an 8-mile route in the northern area of the park, away from the crowds that will guide you past incredible hoodoos and scenery similar to the more crowded Queen’s Trail. If you want to do a slightly shorter loop, the Peek-a-Boo Loop is a similarly spectacular 5-mile loop.

Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Trail

If you’re looking for a more relaxed visit, we recommend the wheelchair-accessible, paved 1-mile Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Trail. This is also the only trail in the park where leashed pets are allowed. Be prepared, though, as this paved path is often VERY crowded.

Navajo Trail

If you have the time and energy we recommend the Navajo Trail for a quick 1.3-mile walk. The trail begins at Sunset Point, goes down into the Bryce Amphitheater, and meanders alongside large Douglas Fir trees. You could also combine it with Queens Garden Trail for a 3-mile loop.

If Bryce Canyon’s Wall Street is on your list, you can climb it via the end of the Navajo Loop Trail.

Bonus Option: Escalante National Monument

If you’re completely captivated by Bryce Canyon you can always spend the day exploring more, but I recommend heading to Escalante National Monument for a visit.

While not a National Park, it is an incredible place to visit with amazing hikes and fewer crowds.

Escalante is also halfway to Capitol Reef – your next National Park – so it’s a great hiking pit stop. Make sure you drive UT-12 E vs. Johns Valley Road/UT-24 E so you pass the town of Escalante.

Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls

The 6.7-mile Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of our favorite (and easily accessible) hikes that is right off the highway. It ends at a beautiful waterfall where you can take a dip if you’re brave (the water is freezing!) or enjoy a picnic lunch.

If you have a high-clearance vehicle and an appetite for a little more adventure, head down Hole-In-The-Rock Road to Peekabo and Spooky Slot Canyon.

For other options and trail details, check out five of our favorite hikes in Escalante.

Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is known for its remote and sprawling backcountry. The park is set up nicely so you can easily drive through it while continuing on to Moab. If you have ample time to explore, there are numerous hikes in Capitol Reef that lead you through gorges and slot canyons to incredible viewpoints.

If you plan to camp in Capitol Reef be sure to pick up a free backcountry camping permit at the visitor’s center.

Drive through Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park has a paved scenic drive as well as two unpaved loops. There is a free online guide that includes information about the 11 stops along the paved drive. The scenic drives are especially nice if you are road-tripping during the hotter months or just want to drive through the park and sightsee from the car. 

If you have a high-clearance vehicle, I highly recommend the dirt road drive to the Temple of the Sun and Moon if you have time (or do an overnight bikepacking trip through this remote area!).

Hike to Hickman Bridge

To stretch your legs, hike the Hickman Bridge Trail (2-mile roundtrip) to a 133-foot natural bridge. This is a nice hike for cooling down as it runs along the Fremont River.

Day 6: Drive to Arches National Park & Hike to the Arches

Arches National Park is a beautiful and easy National Park to visit. The entrance to Arches is stunning as you’ll climb 1,000 feet and then descend into an almost “Mars-like” world. Navigation is easy also here. There is one visitor’s center right next to the only park entrance on the main park road.

Important Note: During peak season (usually April through October), visitors will need to obtain a timed entry reservation to visit Arches National Park between the hours of 7am-4pm. A limited number of next-day tickets will be available at 6pm the night before. Reservations cost $2 and you will still need a park pass or annual pass to enter.

Explore the Arches

There are some great hikes in Arches for all levels. If temperatures aren’t too hot and you have a full day, the hike to Landscape Arch & Devils Garden (7.8-mile loop) is a must.

If you arrive in the late afternoon, head straight to Delicate Arch (3 miles roundtrip) for a sunset hike you’ll never forget. Or, if this is your second visit to Arches or you’re looking for something off the beaten path, try to grab a permit to explore the Fiery Furnace.

Day 7 – Whitewater Rafting!

Today, we recommend switching it up so you really get a sense of what southern Utah has to offer. Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River, which flows between Moab, UT and Arches National Park through deep red rock canyons, is an unforgettable and unique experience. Numerous rafting outfitters in town offer half-day, full-day, and multi-day rafting trips on the river.

If hopping on the water doesn’t sound exciting, and you’ve seen all of Arches that you’d like to experience, then head for Dead Horse State Park which is on the way to Canyonlands National Park. Dead Horse State Park even has yurts if you are looking to skip tent set-up for the evening.

Day 8: Canyonlands National Park

The last on the list of our Utah National Park road trip itinerary is Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands was made famous by the movie 127 Hours, in which Aron Ralston becomes injured and survives in the backcountry for five days. It’s an extreme park, especially the remote area where Ralston was exploring, known as The Maze.

As you enter Canyonlands, you can drive around and check out the overlooks or you can pick a hike on our Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park list.

Canyonlands National Park is huge, so to help you get your bearings, here are the four main sections of the park:

Both the Island in the Sky and Needles areas have Visitor Centers where you can learn more about what to do in these areas of Canyonlands National Park.

Hike the Island of the Sky area

When you leave Moab, head to the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands. Peek in at the Visitor’s Center for your first stop and then head to the Grand View Point trailhead and hike to Grand View Point. It is an easy 2-mile walk along the canyon edge to the mesa with incredible panoramic views.

Afterward, challenge yourself on the Aztec Butte Trail, which includes a steep climb that takes you to ancestral Puebloan granaries.

Post-hike, pitch your tent and get ready for an incredible last evening of stargazing. Canyonlands National Park is an International Dark-Sky Park meaning its isolation from city lights makes conditions for viewing the night sky excellent.

This is true for all Utah National Parks, but there is no better way to spend your last Utah National Parks road trip evening than stargazing. During spring & fall, there are frequent stargazing events led by park rangers. Inquire at the visitor center for more information.

Day 9 – Mesa Arch and Return Home

Make the most of your final day! Wake up super early and make an early morning sunrise hike out to Mesa Arch (trust me, it’s worth it).

Then, it’s time to pack up and return home after (hopefully) an unforgettable Mighty 5 road trip!

What to Pack for Your Utah National Parks Road Trip

Your packing list will vary depending on whether you plan to stay in hotels, you want to car camp, or even backpack through some of the parks.

However you decide to explore the Might 5, here are some packing lists to help you gear up for your adventure:

• Car Camping Packing Checklist
• Road Trip Essentials Packing Checklist
• 3 Day Backpacking Checklist
• What To Wear Hiking in the Desert

I also recommend picking up these two resources to help you navigate on your Utah National Parks road trip:

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Have you done a Utah National Parks road trip? What are your favorite things to do and see in the Mighty 5? Share your experience in the comments below!