Utah’s Mighty Five Ultimate Road Trip

If I asked you to describe a classic American vacation, there’s a good chance you might mention a road trip. If you had to choose the most iconic road trip, what would be at the top of your list? If you’re thinking the Mighty Five national parks in Utah, then you are in the right place! The Mighty Five road trip is a bucket list trip, but can sometimes be a mighty task to plan. So, if you’re not sure where to begin or how many days to plan for your epic adventure, I’m here to help you get started.

What actually is the Mighty Five road trip I keep mentioning? Well, the Mighty Five is referring to Utah’s five national parks, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion. Geographically, all of these parks are relatively close and can all be visited in one trip. So if this epic adventure sounds like a good fit for you, then keep reading!

Let me start out by saying, there is no right {or wrong} way to experience this trip. There are a variety of ways, and opinions for planning this ultimate road trip. Everyone has different interests and visions when it comes to vacation. Think about what sort of things are important to you when traveling and start there.

I put together a general itinerary that will help you experience the Mighty Five road trip in just 10 days. And no, you won’t feel like you missed out on anything. Of course, we could always spend more time exploring but in ten days, you still can see what each park has to offer.

Keep in mind, the ten days do not include road tripping to Utah as this varies depending on where you are starting your journey. If you are flying, this definitely still fits into the ten days. The itinerary does include the travel time between parks as it is only about 300 miles between all five parks. It still blows my mind how much beauty is squeezed into such a short distance!

Okay, here’s the breakdown:

Arches & Canyonlands National Parks- 3 days

Capitol Reef National Park- 1 day

Bryce Canyon National Park- 2 days

Zion National Park- 3 days

So, if you do the math that is only 9 days. However, I would count half a day (maybe more) on each end of your trip for travel. You can also complete this trip using the same amount of days just backwards starting with Zion.

_{Before you set out on this once in a lifetime adventure, be sure you have a park pass. Most park’s entrance fees for one car is $30-$35, but I recommend buying an annual park pass for $80 to help keep some cash in your pocket. You can purchase your pass HERE and also see the various pass options, including a free pass for 4th graders!}

Arches

Arches National Park is near the town Moab, Utah. If the name didn’t give you a hint, this park is full of incredible arches and stunning rock structures that just make you in awe of nature. Although this park is relatively small, it has so many great things to offer for everyone.

Just be sure to arrive to the park early, especially if you are visiting during peak seasons. They close the entrance periodically to relieve some of the traffic in the park, so be sure to have a backup plan just in case.

When visiting Arches, you definitely want to hit the iconic spots like Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch and the Double Arch. But I also recommend finding trails that are less popular as you are bound to find so many pixel perfect shots no matter where you go in the park. Be sure to stop at Park Avenue on your drive in even if you don’t hike the trail, it is stunning.

There are definitely enough hiking trails and different areas to see to keep you occupied for two days of the road trip.

Must Do Experience: Stay in the park until after dark and do some epic star gazing! Delicate Arch is a great place to hike to at sunset, take your photos under the arch, eat a PB&J sandwich and just wait for the magic. If you are into night photography, then this is a must do to get some fantastic pixel perfect photos.

Note: Arches is open 24 hours, so if you are staying late be prepared and download any maps before entering the park as there is no cell service in most areas.

Top Hiking Trails:

• Delicate Arch (moderate)
• Devils Garden (hard); can just hike Landscape Arch trail if you only want to see the Landscape Arch
• Park Avenue (easy)
• Windows Loop & Turret Arch (easy)
• Double Arch (easy)

Where to Stay: Moab, Utah- There are various hotels and campsites available for all types of budgets. Check out Booking.com to find great stays on a budget.

Getting to the Next Park- Canyonlands: Canyonlands is only 26 miles away from Arches if you are visiting the Island in the Sky District. It is further if you are exploring a different area of the park.

_{Looking for more great hikes? Check out AllTrails and download the app for hiking trails, ratings and maps. All of the ratings on the hiking trails listed on this post, come from AllTrails.}

Canyonlands

Canyonlands National Park is also near the town of Moab, Utah. Since Arches and Canyonlands are only a couple of miles from each other, I recommend staying in the same location while visiting both of these parks.

With a name like Canyonlands, it is no secret what to expect. But even when you think you know what you’re in for, you still won’t believe the beauty nature created. Canyonlands is split into 4 districts or sections. If you only have one day to explore, I recommend the Island in the Sky district.

There are a few great hikes at Canyonlands, some even taking you down into the canyon. A majority of visitors however, mainly come to the view points, snap their pixel perfect photos and head onto the next destination. So, whether you are looking to experience Canyonlands from the comfort of your car or if you’re wanting to explore down closer to the edge of the canyon, there are options for everyone.

Although Canyonlands is massive, I still feel as though you can catch all of the main attractions and highlights of this park in one day. If you are looking to visit more than one district, definitely plan for more than one day.

Must Do Experience: Island in the Sky Scenic Drive & Dead Horse State Park. Dead Horse State Park is along the same road as Canyonlands and is worth the stop if you have time. Your National Park Pass will not be valid here but it is only a $20 entrance fee that is good for 24 hours. Be sure to try and spot the “dead horse” in the canyon.

Top Hiking Trails:

• Gooseberry Trail (hard)
• Mesa Arch (easy)
• Druid Arch (moderate-in the Needles District)

Where to Stay: Moab, Utah- There are various hotels and campsites available for all types of budgets. Check out Booking.com to find great stays on a budget.

Getting to the Next Park- Capitol Reef: Head west on 70, then west on UT-24 towards Torrey, Utah. This drive is about 2 1/2 hours.

Pit Stop: If you have time to spare, there are two pit stops I recommend on the way to Capitol Reef. The first one is Goblin State Park, a place right out of a space movie. You know when you were a kid and made drip castles in the wet sand? Imagine those but on a much bigger scale.

The other pit stop is a little off the beaten path and can only be found if you are looking for it, it’s called Bentonite Hills. This Mars like place is one of a kind and shows it’s colors off best at dusk. Please be considerate of the delicate surface and limit your walking and stick to the marked roads.

Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef National Park is so unique and different compared to Arches and Canyonlands. The rocks are so different which is still mind boggling because you are only 152 miles from Arches.

Capitol Reef is one of the lesser visited parks but it is not one to skip. It truly feels like you are stepping onto a different planet.

A lot of Capitol Reef can be viewed from the comfort of your car by driving through the park on the 8 mile Capitol Reef scenic drive. However, since you’re on this epic road trip, you might as well make the most of it and get out and explore some of the hiking trails.

If you have extra time or prefer more of a backcountry type experience, be sure to check out the Temple of the Sun and Moon. If you choose this adventure, it is recommended you have a high clearance vehicle.

Must Do Experience: Drive the scenic road, preferably with the windows down. Also, if you have time, head to the backcountry and check out the Temple of the Sun & Moon.

Top Hiking Trails:

• Cohab Canyon Trail (moderate)
• Cassidy Arch Trail (moderate)
• Rim Overlook Trail (moderate)
• Petroglyph Trail (easy)

Where to Stay: Torrey, Utah- There are very limited amount of hotels in Torrey as it is pretty small compared to Moab. There are also a few camping options. Check out Booking.com to find an accommodation right for you.

Getting to the Next Park- Bryce Canyon: Head west on UT-12 for 114 miles. Or head west on UT-24, then west on UT-62 for 109 miles. Check traffic and routes timing before you head towards Bryce Canyon City.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon doesn’t hold back in terms of beauty. Known for a stunning landscape full of hoodoos, this national park will surely make the top of your list, at least it did for me.

If you want to experience the hoodoos down below, I recommend doing the Figure 8 trail. It will take you down the popular Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop. Most people just complete the Queens Garden part of the trail but if you are up for a few extra miles, hike the whole figure 8 as you will escape some of the crowds.

Just like with any national park, the best way to beat the crowds is to begin your day early. So catch a sunrise at any of the lookout points, then head out on your hiking trail.

Must Do Experience: Watch the sunrise from Inspiration Point. It is less crowded than the more obvious place to watch the sunrise, Sunrise Point. Be sure to arrive before the sun rises in order to find a good viewing spot and set up your camera to capture your pixel perfect photo.

Top Hiking Trails:

• Figure 8 Combination Loop; includes Queens Garden, Peekaboo and Navajo Loop (moderate)
• Tower Bridge (moderate)
• Queens Garden & Navajo Loop (moderate)
• Fairyland Loop (moderate-hard)
• Not a hiking trail, but be sure to drive all the way to Rainbow Point and stop at all the viewpoints.

Where to Stay: Bryce Canyon City, Utah- There are quite a few options in Bryce Canyon City, most being relatively touristy. There are also a few camping options. Tropic is a nearby town that is another great option. Check out Booking.com to find an accommodation right for you.

Getting to the Next Park-Zion: Head south on US-89. Be sure the Mount Carmel tunnel is open before heading out on this route. If the tunnel is closed, you will have to drive around the park if you are staying in Springdale or any town on the south side of the park. If you are traveling in an RV or with a trailer check out the National Park Service website to see if you will need a permit to travel through the tunnel.

Pit Stop: Travel about 10 miles off of your route towards the town of Kanab, Utah. Along the highway, there is a really cool spot to explore called the Kanab Sand Cave. Search for it on the AllTrails app and you will find information on where to park and how to find the cave.

Zion

Zion can be a trip all in itself and is stunning no matter what time of year you visit. It is one of those places we see plastered all over Instagram but still takes your breath away when you see it in person. Since Zion is the third most visited national park in the U.S. you can pretty much assume you will be sharing the trails and pixel perfect views with many strangers.

Many of the hiking trails and view points in Zion are along a canyon that can only be accessed by a park shuttle. Essentially, because the park funnels all of it’s guests to one area, the crowds can sometimes feel “Disney-like”. If you want to avoid the big crowds, try and visit in the early fall months.

Even with all of the crowds, Zion is still stunning and a one of a kind experience. You can make it your own by choosing activities you love. From scenic drives and Jeep tours to hiking trails with over a thousand foot drop offs on either side (I’m looking at you Angels Landing), there is something for everyone.

Must Do Experience: Most people would say Angels Landing. However, if you are not feeling the desire to hike on a narrow ridge with steep drop offs on either WHILE also trying to pass people. I recommend Observation Point trail via East Mesa. The photo above is the view at the end of this trail which is actually higher than Angels Landing and gives the same pixel perfect view! You will head out of the park through the east entrance. Check out the trail on AllTrails to find the exact directions and parking location.

Top Hiking Trails:

• Observation Point via East Mesa (moderate)
• Angels Landing (hard)
• Scout Lookout; Same trail as Angels Landing but you will stop before the chains section (hard)
• Zion Canyon Overlook (easy)
• Emerald Pools (moderate)
• Narrows Riverside Walk (easy)
• The Watchman (moderate)

Where to Stay: Springdale, Utah- There are quite a few options in Springdale, most being relatively touristy. There are also a few camping options including inside the park. Campsites should be reserved months ahead of your trip. Virgin and La Verkin are nearby towns that are other great options. Check out Booking.com to find an accommodation right for you.

I hope this has helped you get started on planning your Mighty Five road trip. As I mentioned before, there is no wrong way to do this trip, just think about what is important for you while you’re traveling and seek out those activities or amenities.

Need some ideas for must-haves to pack for the trip? Keep reading to see my list of Mighty Five road trip essentials.

See a photo you like in this post? Be sure to check out the photography section where you can purchase and frame any prints you love from this post or other posts on our website.

Mighty Five Road Trip Must Haves

Hiking boots or trail runners– Pay attention to the time of year you are visiting and possible hiking conditions, as that might help you better determine the appropriate shoe. If you are traveling during the winter months, be sure to look into spikes or snow cleats for your shoes.

Camelbak or Nalgene– You should always be prepared and hike with plenty of water. Even if you are hiking in the cold, your body needs to be replenished. Camelbaks are a great option to keep your hands free and you are likely to drink more water.

Camera– Of course you won’t be able to capture your pixel perfect memories without a camera. Camera preference is your own, DSLR, GoPro, smart phone, etc.

Hat & Sunglasses– Since you are hiking up in elevation, you are more prone to sunburn. Be sure to protect your skin! Check out Amazon for some great deals!

Hiking Poles– I would recommend these if you have any knee issues as they are very helpful especially on the decline of many hikes. If you are unfamiliar with what hiking poles are best for you, I recommend checking out REI and seeing all of their great outdoor gear.

Jacket– No matter what time of year you take this trip, be sure to pack some sort of jacket. Even in the summer months, the desert gets cool at night. Check out The North Face or Patagonia for some great outdoor apparel.

Snacks- You can’t forget the snacks! Not just good car snacks but you will also want snacks to fuel your body so you can keep exploring. You use and burn more energy than you think hiking, so be sure to pack some high energy and salty snacks.

If you venture out onto this epic road trip or hope to one day, be sure to leave a comment about your favorite park or the one you are most excited about visiting! If you liked this post, please share with your friends and family. Also, be sure so sign up for our exclusive emails and resources.

Remember to always respect our wonderful planet, national parks and lands and leave no trace. Happy hiking!

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