Utah is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the American West, with five incredible national parks and numerous state parks that showcase the state's rich diversity of landscapes. From the soaring red rocks of Zion to the hoodoo stone formations of Bryce Canyon, Utah offers one breathtaking sight after another.
In this post, I'll outline an epic trip itinerary that takes you through all five Utah national parks: the Mighty Five – Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches. I've also included three equally stunning state parks along the way.
This route incorporates the magnificent Highway 12 scenic drive and can be done as a loop trip, starting and ending near Zion National Park. With careful planning, you can hit all the highlights in 7-10 days.
Beyond the national parks, this route incorporates the amazing Highway 12 Scenic Byway across the Utahn desert. It also takes you to three nearby state parks with unique scenery and story.
The state parks are suggested detours. If you're short on time, you can skip them, but I highly recommend visiting them if you can.
I've visited these parks, some more than once. This route is based on my planning and our actual experiences. This was the itinerary of our first visit to Utah, except we started in Moab and moved on to Arizona from there. Highway 12 was our route, skipping that section of the i-70.
Utah was awesome. Literally. We were struck with a sense of awe at the area's beauty.
If you've never been to these parks, I envy you. You're in for a lifetime experience like no other.
Where does this route start and end?
As you can see, this can be a loop route if you want to start and end at the exact location. The natural points for beginning and ending the circle would be Springdale or Moab.
Realistically, for most people, the beginning would be in Las Vegas, where you have a large international airport and convenient car rental options. Drive for under three hours, and you'll be in Springdale, ready to start your road trip at Zion National Park.
You could make this a one-directional road trip to Moab, where you'll return your vehicle and fly home. If you choose to do that, make sure to visit Kolob Canyon before you head out east.
If you want to return to Vegas, it would make sense to take the i-70 back and then get on the i-15 back to Sin City. In that case, Kolob Canyon makes for a great last taste of the parks before your return.
Before you continue: If you have a week, a much better alternative is to cover the entire Southwest Grand Circle, including the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. You can get the full itinerary for that trip here.
How long does the Utah road trip take?
I would suggest a minimum of 5-6 days for this road trip. This would allow you to spend a day in each national park, plus a couple of days for the state parks, Highway 12, and the drive back to Vegas.
However, more days would be much better if you enjoy hiking and can afford the longer trip. It would allow you to spend more than a full day in the bigger parks and generally allow for a more relaxed road trip.
What's more, if you can add a few more days in the region, by all means, include the Grand Canyon National Park and Monument Valley. Again, in that case, the Grand Circle itinerary is what you need.
What's the best time of year to make this road trip?
That's tricky because this road trip involves varying altitudes in challenging terrain. When we made it in one year in October, we had to drive Highway 12 in the snow. It was beautiful, but also a "white knuckles" driving experience.
At the same time, this being the desert, summertime is when some of these parks can be scorching hot during the day.
So, spring or early fall might be your best option. But if you can't visit during those seasons, summer works too. Just be prepared to limit hiking to the cooler hours of the day.
And if you're very adventurous - and have the right gear - by all means, Utah's winter wonderland is well worth exploring! Some of these parks are featured here: 15 Breathtaking Winterland National Parks in the West for a Magical Snowy Adventure
Finally, here's the itinerary
Again, you could start this loop at the other end - in Moab - or do this as part of a longer road trip, beginning in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, or Colorado. The following suggested stops will take you through the very best Southern Utah has to offer -
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is renowned for its steep red cliffs and canyon trails. Key highlights include The Narrows, a hike through a gorge with walls a thousand feet tall, and Angel's Landing, which offers panoramic views from its peak.
To navigate the park, visitors use a shuttle system. It can get very busy, so plan on arriving early to avoid crowds and secure a spot on the shuttle.
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its hoodoos and spire-shaped rock formations, which are caused by frost weathering and stream erosion.
The park offers a range of viewpoints and trails, such as the Rim Trail, and is higher in elevation than Zion, which can lead to cooler temperatures. It's a place that's more about walking the rim or descending among the hoodoos, so prepare for variable weather and bring layers.
Read more: Zion or Bryce? Comparing Utah’s Famous National Parks
Kodachrome Basin State Park
This park is named for its multicolored rock formations and sand pipes, which are chimney-like columns that rise from the desert floor. It's less crowded than the national parks and offers trails for all skill levels, including campgrounds and picnic areas.
Kodachrome Basic is an optional detour. If you don't have time and want to focus solely on the national parks, you will continue from Bryce NP towards Capitol Reef.
Utah's Highway 12 & Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument,
Utah's Highway 12 is a scenic byway that runs through some of the country's most rugged and diverse landscapes.
This beautiful road connects Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon. It goes through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, offering views of vast canyons, high plateaus, and the unique rock formations of Escalante.
To see the Escalante area in all its glory, you would need to off-road and hike. Most people drive through on Highway 12. Trust me, it's exceedingly beautiful and well worth it even like that.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park features the Waterpocket Fold, a unique geological monocline that extends almost 100 miles.
The park has orchards where visitors can pick fresh fruit, historic sites like the Fruita Schoolhouse, and trails that lead to arches, canyons, and overlook.
Most people visit Zion and Bryce on the western end of Utah or Arches and Canyonlands on the easter. Few make it to Capitol Reef, making this a fantastic yet hidden gem of the state.
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park is famous for its thousands of hoodoos and mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, referred to as "goblins." The park has a very otherworldly landscape, with opportunities for hiking and exploring the geologic wonders.
It's a fantastic stop on this itinerary. We visited when the kids were younger, and they loved it!
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park offers a breathtaking vista of the Colorado River, winding through a landscape of deep canyons. The viewpoint stands 2,000 feet above the river bend and provides a perfect spot for photography, especially during sunrise or sunset.
When you read Dead Horse Point, you are almost in Canyonlands National Park. It's a great tiny detour to take as part of your visit to the Moab parks, even if you don't go through the entire road trip.
Canyonlands National Park
The Green and Colorado Rivers divide Canyonlands National Park into four districts. With a landscape of canyons, mesas, and buttes by the rivers, visitors can explore the Island in the Sky district for easily accessible expansive views or the Needles district for backcountry hikes.
Canyonlands is a bucket list national park that's easy to access from Moab. Give yourself at least one full day to explore this park.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch. The park's terrain varies from massive fins and pinnacles to large balanced rocks, all easily accessible via a loop road and short hikes.
Arches is yet another jewel in Utah's parks. This is a must-do item you could easily incorporate into a Colorado road trip (along with the other Moab parks mentioned above).
Kolob Canyons Visitor Center
The Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park is known for its crimson canyons and soaring peaks. A five-mile scenic drive takes you to viewpoints and trailheads, such as the Taylor Creek Trail and the Kolob Arch, one of the world's largest freestanding arches.
This park is last on our list because it would work well into a loop route, starting and ending in Las Vegas. You would enter the Kolob Canyons area from the i-15, which you will join on your way back from Moab on the i-70.
If you're planning a smaller route, taking in just Zion and Bryce without venturing further east, then include Kolob Canyons as part of that tour. It's well worth it!
The road is calling!
I hope this itinerary gives you a great starting point for planning your Utah road trip adventure.
Whether you opt for the entire loop or a more targeted visit focusing only on Zion and Bryce, you won't regret immersing yourself in the magnificent beauty of Utah's national and state parks. Just allow enough time to take in everything these parks offer correctly.
I'd love to hear from you! Have you journeyed through the area? What were your favorite places? Is there anything I need to add here?
Let me know if you have any other questions as you start mapping your journey in the spectacular American Southwest!
