A Utah National Parks Itinerary for Seven Days on the Road

A road trip through Utah is already pretty great before we even bring up the state’s Mighty 5. That’s what Utah’s national parks are called, and this Utah national parks itinerary covers all five in 7 days.

Individually, they’re magic. Collectively, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef offer some of the most incredible hikes, panoramas, and scenic drives in the United States.

But there is one thing I need to warn you about.

You’ll want to come back.

Utah Mighty 5: Quick Reference

Drive times are estimates without stops. Budget extra time. You will stop!

How many days do you need for Utah national parks?

You need at least seven days to see all five Utah national parks. You won’t be taking a deep dive into any single one, but you’ll get a sense of why they draw so many people every year. You’ll also likely come up with reasons to come back!

The good news is the parks are relatively close to each other, which is what makes a one-week road trip feasible. As you can see in the table above, the park-to-park driving totals around 400 miles.

The full journey from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas is closer to 700 miles once you factor in getting to and from the airports.

How to See the Five National Parks in Utah

To plan a successful Utah road trip itinerary for seven days, book all accommodations well ahead of your travel. These are some of the most popular parks in the country, and for good reason.

You’ll also need an America the Beautiful pass for $80 unless you’d like to pay separately for entry into each park. (It costs $150 total for all five parks if you’re traveling in a passenger vehicle. That’s math.)

Non-U.S. residents, note that the pass is $250 starting in 2026, courtesy of that administration’s America-first policies. It’s still worth it for a five-park trip, but important to factor it into your budget.

You can use that pass for a full year, too, so feel free to plan trips to more national parks around the country after you’re done with this trip.

A Utah National Parks Itinerary for Seven Days

An efficient week on the road to explore Utah’s national parks looks like this:

• Day 1: Salt Lake City
• Day 2: Moab
• Day 3: Arches National Park
• Day 4: Canyonlands National Park
• Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park
• Day 6: Bryce Canyon National Park
• Day 7: Zion National Park

As with any travel, but especially national park travel, assume some flexibility over the course of that week. Make sure you’re consulting with the park service websites to determine whether there’s anything you need to know before you get to each park.

I’m talking about road closures, weather events that close sections of the park, and dangerous levels of cyanobacteria at Zion. That’s a real thing, by the way.

READ MORE: Staying in Salt Lake City for a while? Check out my detailed guide to Salt Lake City day trips.

Day 1: Salt Lake City

A full day in Salt Lake City is an ideal way to start your trip. We were pleasantly surprised by the city on our first time around, despite high temperatures that would make anyone, but especially me, a little bit crabby.

It was enough for us to plan a full month in the city to take a deeper dive beyond the weird beer laws and Mormon vibes.

I have a massive guide to all of the best things to do in Salt Lake City, but here are some highlights:

• Treat yourself to brunch at Pig & a Jelly Jar. You’ll want fried chicken and waffles, whether you’re fueling up for some hiking or not, or a Nashville hot chicken sandwich if it’s later in the day. They don’t do reservations, so expect a wait.
• Climb Ensign Peak. Brigham Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and other pioneers strategized what the city should become from this spot.
• Check out the Utah State Capitol. Have yourself a stroll to check out one of the most iconic structures in the state. The Capitol Hill neighborhood around the complex is stunning, too. Don’t miss the Marmalade District.
• Explore Temple Square. You don’t have to know anything about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to appreciate the 10 acres of Temple Square. The highlight here is the massive Salt Lake Temple. It’s even better at night.
• Navigate the state’s beer laws at Salt Lake City breweries. If you love a good draft beer, don’t expect anything above a 5% ABV. Order a bottle or can for higher-point options. Epic Brewing Company was our favorite.

You’ll want a good night’s rest in Salt Lake City before hitting the road in the morning.

We were in a long-term rental for our lengthy stay, but stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown on our first trip. The location was great, and prices are reasonable outside of peak times.

The Little America Hotel Salt Lake City is on my list for next time around because they’re known for an award-winning Sunday brunch.

Use the map below for more options in Salt Lake City:

Day 2: Salt Lake City to Moab

You’ll be headed to Moab today, Utah’s adventure capital. The drive is about four hours, so it’s possible to fit in some time at Arches National Park once you get there.

You can also linger in Salt Lake City this morning. If you haven’t climbed Ensign Peak yet, it’s an excellent warm-up for what’s to come.

You’ll be much happier if you dedicate a full day there once you see those arches, too.

If you want to hit the road and are traveling with kids, Moab Giants Dinosaur Park is a fun stop.

Moab is a convenient base for visits to both Arches and Canyonlands national parks, the parks you’ll be visiting over the next few days. It’d be smart, then, to look for accommodations in Moab for the next few nights.

Our pick was the Red Stone Inn. It was comfortable, the price was right, and the location was perfect.

There’s also a lovely creek nearby if that does anything for you, which it should.

Want to comparison-shop? Use the map below:

Day 3: Arches National Park

Arches National Park is a favorite for travelers seeking quick hikes with big payoffs. There’s also something almost prehistoric about walking underneath those arches.

If you’re following along, you only have one day here. While the park no longer requires timed entry, you should still start your day early.

The Delicate Arch is ideal at sunrise, so I’d suggest hitting the park in the dark. You’re well-situated to do that, too, as Moab is just outside the park.

Note: The hike to the Delicate Arch isn’t a long hike at three miles roundtrip, but there are a few sections that will cause you to work up a sweat. There’s a stretch of slick, steep rock that will make you wonder whether it’s all worth it. It is.

I have a guide to one day in Arches for you to peruse at your leisure, but here are highlights you shouldn’t miss in addition to the Delicate Arch:

• Get the biggest bang for your buck at The Windows. You can hike to four iconic arches within easy walking distance from each other from here.
• Explore Fiery Furnace. There’s nothing nefarious happening here. This collection of natural features is named for the reddish colors you see at certain times of the day.
• Hike the breezy Skyling Arch Trail. This short trail takes you to a lovely arch, often without the crowds. For a paved path, you can also check this one out from the Devils Garden Campground.
• See a set of arches at Double Arch. You can walk right underneath this impressive pair of arches, fulfilling all of those Instagram dreams.
• Marvel at Balanced Rock. This rock defies gravity day after day, just off the main scenic road in the park. This one is almost as iconic as the park’s arches. Almost.

If you’re interested in a guided experience at the park, check out the options below:

Spend another night at your accommodations in Moab for an early start in the magical Canyonlands tomorrow.

Day 4: Canyonlands National Park

You’re spending a full day exploring the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park today. This place is just as impressive as Arizona’s Grand Canyon. If you have more time for more remote sections of the park, you won’t regret it.

Use my guide to Canyonlands to prioritize hikes and sites in the park. Here are a few highlights:

• See more arches at Mesa Arch: You may think you’ve had your fill of arches until you see the Mesa Arch. This one is worthy of its own screensaver.
• Enjoy the best views of the park from above on the Grand View Point Trail. Yes, the views from this easy out-and-back trail are pretty grand.
• Look out onto the Green River at the Green River Overlook. Just don’t expect any water. This is where a river once ran through it. Inspect the waterway’s handiwork in the canyons below from 6,000 feet above.
• Check out a crater with mysterious origins at Upheaval Dome. This is a more moderate trail that’s still very much worth the effort.
• See twisty Shafer Trail Road from above at the Shafer Canyon Overlook. The vistas here are great, but I like this one for the view of the perilous road below.

For those lucky travelers with more time in their itinerary, this is a great park to spend it in. You’re also a quick drive to Dead Horse Point State Park from here. Yes, it’s a state park. Yes, it’s still spectacular.

This state is spoiled when it comes to natural wonders.

Interested in a guided tour while you’re exploring Canyonlands? Check out my top picks:

If you’re not tackling the extra day below, you’ll have some options here as far as your overnight.

You can either return to Moab for accommodations there or continue on to Torrey, the most convenient town outside of Capitol Reef National Park. That’s your next stop.

Torrey is about a three-hour drive from Canyonlands, so plan your day accordingly if that’s what you’d like to do.

Ready to hit the road? We’ve stayed at the Red Sands Hotel, a modern hotel just three miles from Capitol Reef.

They have fire pits for lounging when you’re done with all of your hiking and ready to relax, and several rooms with mountain views if you feel like calling in some favors.

If you’d like to shop around, use the map below for more options in Torrey:

Optional Extra Day: Monument Valley

If you have the time, a detour into Monument Valley on your Utah parks road trip is well worth the diversion.

The drive from Canyonlands is about two-and-a-half hours, but it’s a scenic one that begs for multiple pull-offs. This trip along the Utah-Arizona border is one of the most photographed stretches of land in the country.

Fun fact: If my descriptions haven’t turned you on to a visit here, perhaps this will. Monument Valley has been the filming location for many fan faves, including “Forrest Gump” and “Back to the Future Part III.”

If you only have time for scenic driving through the valley, the main road will take you past the highlights. That includes the West and East Mitten Buttes, or, more informally, The Mittens and Three Sisters.

From here, you’ll be about three-and-a-half hours from Capitol Reef. You can either continue on and stay in Torrey at the accommodations I shared with you above, or stay within a shorter drive of Monument Valley.

I have La Posada Pintada on my list for a return trip. Reviewers rave about the delicious breakfasts at this property in Bluff, and you can expect all kinds of whimsical hummingbirds outside your door.

Use the map below for more options near Monument Valley:

Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park

You know I love a good underrated travel spot. Capitol Reef National Park is the most underrated park on your Utah Mighty 5 road trip, which always makes it a pleasant surprise for those who make the effort to visit.

I have a guide to Capitol Reef that includes our favorite hikes, but with limited time, here are some highlights:

• Walk through the Grand Wash, Capitol Reef’s version of the Narrows. While you won’t get wet on this one, it’s still a great hike in the park.
• See Hickman Bridge, an impressive natural bridge. If you have the time, there are spur trails that start here for less-traveled sections of the park.
• Find the petroglyphs. There are several sites for petroglyph spotting in Capitol Reef. Each spot tells a story and adds cultural intrigue to the park.
• Hide out from the law at Cassidy Arch. I’m kidding. This arch was named after Butch Cassidy, who used some of the canyons here to hide out back in the day.
• Enjoy the views at Panorama Point. This vista is an excellent spot to end — or begin — your journey in the park and enjoy expansive panoramas of this underrated park.

Interested in a guided experience? Check out the highly-rated options below:

Torrey is still your best bet for accommodations after your day in Capitol Reef if you want a short drive back to rest those legs. If you’re anxious to be closer to Bryce Canyon for the next morning, you can consider making the drive on this day.

It’s a little over two hours to Bryce Canyon from Capitol Reef.

We just stayed in Torrey during our trip and hit the road early the next day. If you want to get the ride over with, use the map below for properties closer to Bryce:

Day 6: Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is striking, what with its hoodoos — those colorful spires you’ll see at most vista points in the park — and colorful canyons.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have a dusting of snow on those spires during your visit to Bryce, making things just a bit more magical.

Use my guide to Bryce Canyon to plot out the hikes and scenic stops you’d like to check out while you’re exploring Utah’s smallest park. Here are some highlights:

• Begin at Yovimpa and Rainbow Points. These two scenic points are a great way to start your visit, as you’ll get a panorama of the most colorful sections of the park.
• Walk through the forest on the Bristlecone Loop Trail. It isn’t all hoodoos at Bryce Canyon. Take a walk through the forest above the canyon rim on this easy trail.
• Hike to the Natural Bridge. This one’s actually an arch. That doesn’t make it less impressive, as is often the case with natural bridges and pretenders.
• Take in the park’s geological highlights from Inspiration Point. Spend time exploring all three levels, as each spot offers different vantage points.
• Climb into the canyons on the Queens Garden Trail. This hike is worth the effort to get up close and personal with Bryce Canyon.

You’ll want a full day in Zion National Park the next day, so hit the road after your day at Bryce Canyon.

It’s about an hour and a half to Zion from here, and it’s easy to find lodging outside the park. The nearest town, Springdale, is within walking distance of the park entrance.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale on our first trip and La Quinta by Wyndham in La Verkin on our second trip. They were both fine, comfortable stays.

Note: It is MUCH more expensive to stay in Springdale. If you don’t mind adding about a half hour of driving time to your day, you can save quite a bit of money in La Verkin.

Use the map below for more options near Zion:

Day 7: Zion National Park

We’ve been to Zion National Park on two separate visits now, and this park just doesn’t quit on the scenery front.

Note: You’ll need a permit if Angels Landing is on your list. Zion runs two lotteries, a seasonal one that opens quarterly, and a day-before lottery for last-minute planners. Apply online well before your trip.

Fun fact: We’ve yet to hike Angels Landing — we tried, but the chains broke on the day of our permits — but we don’t feel any aggressive FOMO over it.

To get around Zion Canyon, you’ll likely need to make use of the shuttle system they have in place to reduce traffic within the park. When the shuttle is running, private vehicles are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

Consult the park service website for additional information by season, especially if you’re traveling in the winter when the shuttle may not be running.

If you only have a day, you won’t want to miss these highlights, all doable in a full day:

• Stroll the Riverside Walk. If you’re not able to hike the Narrows, you can get a taste of this spectacular stretch of park on the Riverside Walk.
• See great views of Zion Canyon on the Canyon Overlook Trail. The park service calls it moderate, but the fun scrambling keeps it family-friendly.
• Feel emotional at Weeping Rock. Named for the continuous flow of water coming off the rock and its hanging gardens, Weeping Rock is a paved feature in the park.
• Hike the most-visited areas of the park on the Kayenta Trail. This trek links to both pools described below for a longer hike.
• Visit the popular Upper, Middle, and Lower Emerald Pools. You may have to work through some crowds (and strollers), but they’re a must-see in Zion.

If you have more time than a national park day, don’t miss my guide to Zion’s best hikes.

Want to escape the crowds of Zion Canyon? Check out these guided experiences in off-the-beaten-path areas in and around the park:

The Zion Lodge, the only overnight accommodation in the park, is a good place to rest your legs and get a bite at the end of the day.

We’re budget-savvy folks, so we would recommend staying at one of the accommodations described on the previous day on your final night.

Again, Springdale is within walking distance of the park entrance.

This all depends on your plans to get back home. If you flew to Utah, your easiest — and likely your cheapest — route home will be through Las Vegas from here. It’s less than three hours to McCarran International Airport from Zion.

If you have more time, you can have some fun in Vegas before you head out, or continue your Utah road trip itinerary into some of Arizona’s spectacular scenery. An Arizona and Utah road trip makes for a delightful combo.

READ MORE: If you’re visiting Arizona, don’t miss Saguaro National Park. Those giant cacti have to be seen to be believed.

The Best Time to Visit Utah’s Parks

The best months to visit the national parks in Utah are April, May, September, and October for good weather and thinner crowds. We visited Utah’s national parks on a road trip in the early spring at the end of March and then again in the summer.

Here’s a closer look at seasonal differences, month by month:

• January and February: The parks are quiet but beautiful, especially Bryce Canyon, dusted in snow. Bryce sits at 7,664 feet, so expect cold lows well below freezing and some trail closures. Arches and Zion are milder but still chilly. Winter is nice for solitude seekers who don’t mind layering up.
• March and April: March brings mild daytime temperatures, but nights can still drop to freezing, and rain is more likely. By April, things warm up nicely. Desert wildflowers start showing, and crowds haven’t arrived yet. Early spring is one of our favorite windows to visit.
• May: Days hit the low-to-mid 70s°F with cool nights around 45°F. It’s ideal hiking weather. Crowds are building but manageable. You should still plan to book accommodations well in advance.
• June: Temperatures are climbing fast, especially at Arches and Canyonlands, where it regularly hits the 90s. Start hikes early. June is actually the least rainy month across the parks, so at least the skies are on your side.
• July and August: July is the hottest month, with daytime highs hitting 93°F on average. Zion’s canyon floor can feel even hotter. Crowds and prices peak. If this is your only window, go early, go slow, and carry more water than you think you need.
• September and October: Temperatures ease back into a comfortable range, the summer hordes thin out, and fall colors start showing around Zion and Capitol Reef. October averages a pleasant 68°F during the day with cool nights around 39°F. It’s hard to beat.
• November and December: This is shoulder season again, with fewer crowds and lower prices. Snow is possible at elevation, particularly at Bryce. Some facilities scale back hours. It’s a good option if you’re flexible and okay with shorter days

With more time, see Utah’s best state parks.

The best state parks in Utah are Dead Horse Point State Park, Goosenecks State Park, and Goblin Valley State Park. These parks all offer panoramic vibes and feel very much like the Mighty 5.

That said, Utah has over 40 state parks for you to choose from. See the Great Salt Lake. Visit ancient logs at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Climb peaks at Wasatch Mountain State Park. This state is incredible.

FAQs About Utah’s National Parks

See the best of Utah on a national parks road trip.

Your time on a seven-day itinerary through the Utah national parks will go by very quickly. You’ll likely have a developing list over the week of things you’d like to return to on future trips.

That’s on top of the list of things you didn’t get to, like Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument or Utah’s impressive state parks.

That’s what happened to us, but it was a good problem to have. It only spurred us to get to these places when we could return on longer road trips around the country.

Love national parks? Check out these guides:

• How to Visit Vast Death Valley National Park
• A Guide to the Best of Petrified Forest
• How to Spend Two Days in Alaska’s Denali
• Why You Should Take a Denali Bus Tour
• Where to Stay on Yellowstone Vacations

Visiting Colorado while you’re here? Read these next:

• Royal Gorge Bridge & Park: Is it Worth the Trip?
• A Hiking Guide for the Garden of the Gods
• Best Things to Do in Three Days in Colorado Springs
• Things to Do in Breckenridge, Colorado
• Fairplay: A Detailed Guide After a Long Stay

Want to see more?