5 gorgeous National Parks in Utah: tips for the "Mighty Five"

The five national parks in Utah are completely different, but each one is incredibly beautiful! Check out this article for tips and a great itinerary.

Table of contents hide

1 The national parks in Utah

2 Canyonlands National Park

3 National Parks in Utah itinerary

4 More Utah National Parks tips

The national parks in Utah

Utah, in the southwest of the United States of America, is known for its beautiful and rugged desert landscapes. These natural areas are combined in five national parks, each with its own unique character. This makes Utah a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers.

For me, Utah is one of the most beautiful states in America and I have visited the state several times. In this article, I’ll tell you more about the gorgeous national parks in Utah and together we’ll discover why they are known as the ‘Mighty Five’.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is located all the way in the southeast corner of Utah. It’s the first National Park in Utah (since 1919) and compared to the other National Parks it is quite small. Zion is definitely a must-see when you’re planning a Southern Utah road trip.

In the park, you’ll find Zion Canyon and the Virgin River. The park is very popular among hikers, there are so many trails! From easy to strenuous, there’s a trail for everyone. The most popular trails are The Narrows, Observation Point, and Angels Landing.

Zion is one of the more popular parks in Utah, and it can be very crowded because it’s so small. During peak season, some parts of the park are only accessible by shuttle buses and you might have to wait for a while to get on a bus. I would advise going into the park as early as possible to avoid crowds.

You’ll find the latest information about Zion on the official website.
The best place to stay when you’re visiting Zion National Park is the town of Springdale. My favorite hotel is Flanigan`s Resort and Spa (3⭐). This is a nice hotel that consists of several buildings, so it feels like a small-scale accommodation. There is a swimming pool and a jacuzzi in the beautifully landscaped garden. To get to Zion you don’t even have to take the shuttle bus, you can just walk to the entrance.
Check out my Zion tips:

Bryce Canyon National Park

From Zion, it’s only a 1.5-hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park and you’ll find yourselves in a completely different world. This park for sure is a must-see when you’re on a Utah National Parks road trip.

Bryce Canyon is knowf for its bright red hoodoos, arches, and other rock formations. There’s one long and winding road in Bryce Canyon from which you can visit all of the viewpoints. The best thing to do is to drive the road all the way to the end and stop at the viewpoints on your way back. The viewpoints are all located on the right side of the road, so it makes it easier for you to stop.

Do you want to go for a hike? I can highly recommend doing a combination of the Queens Garden and Navajo trail. When you hike this trail, you will go down into the canyon and walk in between the hoodoos, which is fascinating to see.

You can find the most accurate information about Bryce Canyon National Park on the official website.
Hotel tip: Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel (3⭐) – This is one of the highest rated hotels in Bryce. It is only a 9-minute drive to Sunrise Point. The hotel is nicely decorated and has an outdoor pool.
There are barely any accommodations in the park. For more options, it’s smart to check for a place to stay in the towns of Tropic and Cannonville. Check Booking.com for options and prices.
Check out my Bryce Canyon tips:
- Bryce Canyon tips: the best viewpoints & fun hikes
- Queens Garden Navajo Loop Trail | The best hike in Bryce Canyon

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is very centrally located in Utah. It’s sort of a hidden gem because it’s not as crowded as all the other parks. In the center of the park, you’ll find Fruita Valley, a place where a group of Mormons used to live.

You can still see some of the old buildings and you can also see the orchards they planted. You can pick fruit from the trees in the orchards for free (check which one is open during your stay). In Fruita Valley, you’ll also find one of the most beautiful campgrounds in Southwest USA.

The valley is surrounded by steep rock walls made of different colors. You’ll get one of the best scenic views if you hike the Fremont river trail.

You can find the most accurate information about Capitol Reef National Park on the official website.
The village of Torrey is a good base for a visit to Capitol Reef. Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel is the place to stay if you want to sleep in a beautiful American motel that would be a perfect fit for a Western movie.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is the place for you to feel like you’re in the Wild Wild West. The park has four different districts and most people visit the part that’s called Islands in the sky.

5 gorgeous National Parks in Utah: tips for the "Mighty Five"

In this district, you can see a huge crater, have a scenic view of the canyon and the Colorado River at Grand Viewpoint, and see the famous Mesa Arch.

You can find the most accurate information about Capitol Reef National Park on the official website.
Canyonlands is best reached from the town of Moab, so it is wise to book your accommodation here.
Hotel tip: Moab Springs Ranch (3⭐). This is a very nice resort just outside the city with cute wooden houses, so you have a lot of privacy. The rooms are nicely decorated and there is an outdoor pool.
Check out my tips: 17 Fun things to do in Canyonlands National Park & practical tips

Arches National Park

Last but not least is Arches National Park. In this park, you’ll find more than 2000 (!) natural arches and bridges and many other beautiful rock formations.

The most famous arch of all is the Delicate Arch, which you can also see on the license plates of Utah. Another beautiful arch is the Landscape Arch, which you will find in a gorgeous part of the park called Devils Garden. This arch has a length of 88 meters and is the longest arch in the park.

Good to know: Arches National Park is extremely popular and it can get very busy in the park. That is why they have implemented a special system called “timed entry” since 2022. If you visit the park between April 1 and October 31, you will need a special ticket for a time slot. More information can be found on this page.

Arches is quite large and it is impossible to see all the highlights in one afternoon. So take your time and get information at the visitor center or check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Like Canyonlands National Park, Arches is also best visited from the village of Moab.
Hotel tip: Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection By Hilton (4⭐) – The Hoodoo Moab is one of the most beautiful hotels in the city. It has spacious modern rooms and is located in the center. From the rooms, you have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. It has many luxurious amenities, such as a beautiful outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a fitness room.
Check out my tips: Visiting Arches National Park: a must-see in Utah

There you have it, the “Mighty Five” of Utah! Which one would you most like to visit? If you were to ask me which one I like best, I would give a different answer every time. They each have their own character and are all worth visiting.

National Parks in Utah itinerary

The national parks in Utah are easy to connect in a fantastic USA road trip. I myself visited the parks during this 3.5 week road trip in southwest USA.

However, if you only want to visit the parks in Utah, this would be a great itinerary that starts and finishes in the city of Las Vegas.

Las Vegas – Grand Canyon National Park (fun detour via Route 66)
Grand Canyon National Park – Page (to visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend)
Page – Moab (via Monument Valley). Moab is a good place to use as a base for both Arches and Canyonlands National Park.
Moab – Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park – Bryce Canyon National Park (via Scenic Byway 12)
Bryce Canyon National Park – Zion National Park
Zion National Park – Las Vegas

You can do this road trip in 2 weeks, but if you also want to check out some hiking trails and don’t want to rush too much, 3 weeks would be better in my opinion.

You could also choose Salt Lake City as the start or end point, but that is a bit further away from the parks. This is a good destination to add if you want to combine the national parks in Utah with Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park.

Tip! Looking for a more detailed itinerary for an amazing road trip in Utah and Arizona? Check out this post: Utah Arizona road trip itinerary: The perfect route for 2 or 3 weeks.

More Utah National Parks tips

Are you interested in visiting the national parks in Utah on a road trip? Here are a few extra tips, such as the best time to travel, how much time you need per park, and where to book your trip.

Best time to visit Utah National Parks

You can visit most of the Utah National Parks all year round. But you might encounter some snow during the winter months (especially in Bryce Canyon).

I would recommend traveling in the shoulder season: March to May or September to November. You will avoid most crowds during these months. It also can get really hot in some of during parks during the summer months.

How much time do you need per park in Utah?

How many days you need per national park in Utah depends on various factors, such as your interests and the time of year. But to give you an idea, here is an overview.

Zion National Park: 2-3 days, especially if you plan to do several hiking trails. If you only want to see the viewpoints, then one day is enough.
Bryce Canyon National Park: 1-2 days. Most sights are easily accessible and you can explore the park relatively quickly.
Capitol Reef National Park: 1-2 days. This park is less well-known than the other parks, but has beautiful landscapes and there are several nice short walks to do.
Arches National Park: 2-3 days. It is a large park, so if you want to do a few hikes in addition to the highlights, it is wise to stay an extra day.
Canyonlands National Park: 1-2 days, provided you only visit the Island in the Sky part. For example, you need an extra day for The Needles district.

Book a trip to Utah

Want to book your trip to Utah? These are useful websites.

✈️ Plane tickets – For a Utah road trip you can fly to several airports, like Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. These cities all have major international airports, making them easily accessible. Check Skyscanner to find the best deals.

🚘 Rental car – The best way to discover the beautiful National Parks in Utah is with a rental car or RV. Check Discover Cars to find the best deals on rental cars.

💊Travel insurance – Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.

🧗🏼 Tours and activities – There are many fun day tours and activities to do in Utah. Check out Get Your Guide for all the options.

5 gorgeous National Parks in Utah: tips for the “Mighty Five”