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Utah Road Trip: A 2-Week Utah National Parks Itinerary

Last Updated on March 7, 2024

Dreaming of the perfect Utah road trip? Check out this epic 2-week Utah itinerary from national parks expert, James Ian from Parks Collecting . 

Welcome to the most rugged state in USA! From red-rock mesas to skinny slot canyons, powder-bound slopes and slick rock trails, Utah’s diverse terrain will stun you. Utah is best known for the “Big Five”:  five spectacular national parks including  Arches, Canyonland and the famous Zion National Park .  Throw in the legendary  Monument Valley , the iconic Antelope Canyon and the adventure capital of America, Moab — a road trip to Utah promises plenty of adventure and outdoor adrenaline.

As a national parks expert, I’ve compiled a perfect Utah road trip itinerary that packs in all of my favorite national parks. Join me as I show you the best hangouts in Salt Lake City, awesome hiking trails in Moab, awesome viewpoints in monument Valley, and scenic drives in Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef .

Table of Contents

•  How to Get to Utah

How to Get Around Utah

Best time to go on an utah road trip, wander around temple square, visit the capitol hill, where to stay in salt lake city, visit dead horse state park, try an adventure activity.

• Where to Stay in Moab

Stop at Park Avenue

Hike the windows section, do the fiery furnace hike, explore the devil’s garden, catch sunset at the delicate arch, visit the island in the sky, hike the needles, drive the valley of the gods road, monument valley instagram moment, see a panoramic view of the monument valley, hike the monument valley wildcat trail, where to stay in monument valley, do the monument valley scenic drive, visit the navajo national monument, where to stay in page, see the horseshoe bend at sunset, hike the narrows, where to stay in springdale, hike angel’s landing, observation point , do the bryce canyon scenic drive, hike the rim trail, walk the queen’s garden loop trail, where to stay at bryce canyon national park, fruita scenic drive, where to stay in capitol reef national park, visit the temples of the sun and moon, utah itinerary day 14: salt lake city, enjoy your utah road trip, utah road trip guide.

  How to Get to Utah

This Utah road trip itinerary starts and ends in Salt Lake City, the biggest city in Utah. Most major airlines fly to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC), including American Airlines and United. You can find cheap flights from New York to Salt Lake City for just $110 each way, and from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City for only $59 each way.

For those flying to Utah from Europe, you can get pretty good deals from London to Salt Lake City for around $650 return with a stopover in San Francisco.

Search for Flights to Salt Lake City

Utah is a road tripper’s dream. In order to drive on some of the dirt roads on this itinerary, it’s best to get a high clearance vehicle, preferably a 4WD.

A 2-week car rental in Utah costs around US$420 which equates to $30/day (with pick-up and drop-off at the Salt Lake City Airport). I always book my car rental on Discover Cars as they’ve consistently given me the best rates and customer service.

Nevada and Arizona are so close to Utah that you can easily extend your road trip as long as you have a car. Check out our recommended Nevada road trip itinerary .

The best time to travel Utah is during the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) . Late spring offers moderate temperatures in Utah with gorgeous weather for traveling in the rest of the state. It’s also a great time as you avoid the summer crowds.

Utah has pretty warm temperatures in summer. The average summer temperature in Salt Lake City is around 68 to 89°F (20 to 32°C). Winters can be snowy and cold. The average winter temperature is around 26 to 39°F (-3 to 4°C).

Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Utah itinerary days 1-2: explore salt lake city.

This Utah road trip will start in Salt Lake City. Take the first two days to relax and explore the city at a leisurely pace before heading out into the backcountry. Many people often underestimate the amount of things to do in Salt Lake City. It’s got plenty of history, great restaurants, entertainment & the arts, and scenic drives.

One of the most iconic landmark in Salt Lake City is to visit beautiful Temple Square, home to one of the oldest temples in church history. There are free tours of temple square  daily, or, if you aren’t interested in an organized tour it’s an absolutely beautiful place to walk around and enjoy the grounds year round.

Take a tour of the Utah State Capitol Building, the beautiful house of government for the state of Utah. Built between 1912 and 1916, this Corinthian style building sits atop one of my favorite neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Capitol Hill. You can walk the capitol grounds or better yet schedule a free tour, Monday thru Friday.

Nearby is the Pioneer Memorial Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of artifacts on one subject. Admission is free of charge and the museum is opened Monday through Saturday.

Budget: Comfort Inn Downtown Salt Lake City

This Comfort Inn has a great downtown location, comfortable rooms and indoor hot tub. Affordable prices and updated amenities. Check rates here.

Mid Range: The Little America Hotel Salt Lake City

A short five-minute drive to Temple Square, this mid range hotel has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and onsite shops, spa and restaurant. Check rates here.

Luxury: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City

A great accommodation choice in Salt Lake City is this chic, five-star hotel (pictured) just a ten-minute walk from Temple Square. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 3: Drive to Moab

This is the longest driving day you will have. The drive to Moab covers around 285-mile (450km) and takes around 5 hours.

If you leave Salt Lake City early in the morning, you should get to Moab around lunch time.  Check into your hotel — I recommend staying here for the next couple of days and do day trips to the nearby national parks. The town of Moab is a small desert city, but it’s a gateway to spectacular red rock formations.

If your main focus is to see the incredible nature in Utah, head to Dead Horse State Park . The view from Dead Horse Point is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world. Towering 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, the overlook provides a breathtaking panorama of Canyonlands’ sculpted pinnacles and buttes.

The park is a 45-minute drive from Moab. It costs $20 per vehicle to enter. From the park’s Visitor Center, you can drive or hike to Dead Horse Point Overlook.

Moab is the self-titled adventure capital of the world. Some of the most famous and thrilling mountain bike trails in the country are around Moab, including the truly epic Slick Rock Trail .  If you prefer four wheels to two, there are also plenty of mind-blowing trails for off-roading. Book this 4×4 adventure at Hell’s Revenge !

If you seek a more vertical thrill, try your hand at rock climbing or rappelling/ canyoneering.  Expert climbers and canyoners travel from all over America to conquer the hills and canyons around Moab – but there are also rock climbing experiences for beginners too!

Where to Stay in   Moab

Budget: The Hotel Moab Downtown 

With a great location in the heart of Moab, this budget hotel offers good value for money with spacious rooms, an outdoor seasonal pool and cable TV. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Moab Springs Ranch 

For a few more $ per night, stay at this ranch with charming rustic cabins, a lovely garden with barbecue facilities and its own restaurant. Check rates here.

Luxury: Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection By Hilton 

With an outdoor swimming pool, bar, restaurant and king-sized beds, this luxury hotel (pictured) not only has the best amenities in town, but it’s also got a location that’s hard to beat. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 4: Day Trip to Arches National Park

Next day, do a day trip to the first of Utah’s Big Five national parks. Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 natural arches and hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations, refresh you with its trails, and inspire you with its sunsets.

The entrance to Arches National Park is just 5 miles (8km) from downtown Moab.  There is only one road in and out of the park, so get an early start and beat the crowds.

The first stop along Arches Scenic Drive is a small canyon called Park Avenue . From the first parking lot, there is a scenic overlook. If you are up for a short hike, you can hike down into the canyon and walk along a trail with the towering walls on both sides.  You will soon realize why the area was named after the skyscrapers of New York’s Park Avenue.

In the Windows Section of the national park, there are two easy hikes with huge payoffs.  In one direction, a short 1.2-mile loop trail takes you to North and South Windows, and the nearby Turret Arch.  Climb up to the bottom of North Window for views through the arch.

In the other direction, a 0.5-mile roundtrip trail takes you to the spectacular Double Arch.  Not one, but two, huge arches interlock in an amazing natural display.  Be sure to look up and through the arches.

The Fiery Furnace area of Arches National Park can only be visited with a special backcountry permit or on an organized ranger-led tour, which is not scheduled for 2021. You will need to squeeze through narrow cracks, leap over deep crevices and shimmy your way over large rocks.  Along the way, you will see Skull Arch and narrow passageways and fins that few visitors to the park get to see.

This section of the park is at the far end of the road.  If you visit all of the other areas in the park, you will probably only have time for the first section of this trail, the easy paved path to Landscape Arch . This is the largest single span arch in North America!

The full Devil’s Garden Trail takes about six hours.  If you are up for a longer and truly amazing hike, head straight here and skip some of the other parts of the park. You will see eight arches, including the breathtaking Double O Arch.

The most famous arch in the national park adorns the state’s license plate.  The beautiful 52-foot-tall free-standing arch is reached at the end of a three-mile round trip hike.  Time your trip for sunset, when the arch glows golden in the last rays of sunshine. Bring a headlamp or flashlight for each hiker to return in the dark. (Cellphone light is not enough.)

Utah Itinerary Day 5: Day Trip to Canyonlands National Park

Day 5 brings you on another day trip to second national park on your Utah road trip.  Canyonlands National Park has three distinct sections, which are not interconnected.  Two of them are close to Moab, so you can choose which section you’d like to visit.

The Island in the Sky region of Canyonlands National Park is the easiest to visit.  It’s just a 40-minute drive north of Moab. The main feature is the Island in the Sky mesa.  You can see the main highlights along the paved drive around the top of the mesa.  There are plenty of places to pull over and enjoy scenic views of the surrounding canyons.

This part of Canyonlands National Park is named after the thin natural rock spires that look like needles.  There are several canyons in this section that you can either hike or drive through.

A ten-mile hike takes you to Confluence Overlook , where there are views of the Colorado River and Green River as they join together.  As an alternative, an eleven-mile hike takes you to the Chesler Park Viewpoint , with amazing views of the needles.

If you have a 4WD drive vehicle, this is a great place for off-road adventures.  Elephant Hill and Horse Canyon are more advanced trails that require some off-roading experience. For an easier road, try the Colorado Overlook Road.  You can hike the last 1.5 miles to the overlook.

Utah Itinerary Day 6: Drive to Monument Valley

Check out of your hotel in Moab and prepare for the highlight of this Utah road trip. The 162-mile drive to Monument Valley takes about 3 hours, but you will break your trip with a scenic drive through the Valley of the Gods.

This 17-mile scenic drive near Mexican Hat is much less visited than Monument Valley, but totally worth it.  The dirt road loops through a wide valley with sandstone spires, buttes and mesas.  Allow at least a couple of hours to drive the Valley of the Gods road , as you will stop frequently for photos.

If there is one photo you need to take of Monument Valley, it is the classic shot of a long straight road stretching to famous shapes of Monument Valley in the background.  Approaching from the north as you do on this road trip, you will see this view very clearly.

There will probably be several other vehicles pulled up on the side of the road as people take photos.  The best photos are near the top of the hill , as you get more of the road in your shot that way.  If you want to pose in the middle of the road, watch out for oncoming traffic!

Monument Valley straddles the border between Utah and Arizona.  The valley is part of the Navajo nation and is officially called Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle or $10 per person (children under 10 are free).

Stop and enjoy the panoramic view of Monument Valley at The View , a complex with a hotel, restaurants, visitor center, cabins and campground. This is a good spot to freshen up and have lunch.

The only hiking trail in Monument Valley that you can do without a Navajo guide is the Wildcat Trail .  The trail starts near The View campground.  The 3.6-mile trail loops around the West Mitten butte.  Best done in the late afternoon, when the entire valley glows with the last rays of sun.

Budget: Wetherill Inn

The best budget option is the Wetherill Inn in Kayenta, just a 40-minute drive from Monument Valley. It has an indoor heated swimming pool and includes continental breakfast. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Goulding’s Lodge

Goulding’s is a comfortable 3-star lodge just outside the Tribal Park, with views of Monument Valley in the distance.  It’s a short drive to Monument Valley. Check rates here.

Luxury: The View

The best place to stay in Monument Valley is The View (pictured), since it is perched on the edge of the valley with breathtaking views from some of the rooms. I’ve stayed here several times and loved it! Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 7: Head to Page

This day of the Utah road trip dips into northern Arizona – but is a worthwhile addition to your Utah trip. Stay two nights in Page and do a daytrip from there the next day. If you have some extra time, I recommend extending your trip with this Arizona itinerary.

The main part of Monument Valley can be visited on self-guided scenic drive.  The 17-mile dirt road loops around the most famous buttes, including Merrick Butte, the Three Sisters, Elephant Butte, Totem Pole, and Artist’s Point.

A popular highlight is John Wayne’s Point.  Here, you can pose on a horse while gazing out from a cliff top, with Monument Valley spread out behind you.  The cliff is not tall and the horse doesn’t move, but no one will know that when they see your photos!

After lunch, hop back in your car and hit the road again. An hour’s drive from Monument Valley is Navajo National Monument .  The easy paved 1.3-mile Sandal Trail takes you to an overlook where you can see the Betatakin Cliff Dwelling.

The Ancestral Puebloan people build their villages in alcoves in the side of cliffs hundreds of years ago.  It is amazing to see them, and Betatakin is very well-preserved.  You can see the cliff dwelling clearly across the canyon. From there, it is a 1.5-hour drive to Page.

Budget: Knights Inn Page

With a great location, seasonal outdoor pool and free WiFi, the Knights Inn Page is a solid budget choice.  Check rates here.

Mid Range: Desert Canyon Inn

This is my go-to place to stay in Page. This inn has clean rooms, with WiFi, private bathrooms and flatscreen TVs. Its location in downtown Page means you can walk to restaurants. Check rates here.

Luxury: The Lake Powell Resort

This upscale resort has its own marina and you can dine in their restaurant with a lake view or on a dinner cruise.  There is a seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center and they even have powerboats you can rent. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 8:  Day Trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

In the morning, drive out to Antelope Canyon from Page.  This is quite possibly the most stunning slot canyon in the world.  A narrow winding canyon has been carved out of the layered sandstone by flash flooding over hundreds of years.

The canyon is a photographer’s dream.  The colors are mind-blowing oranges, reds, blues and purples.  The walls of the canyon swirl and swoop and form fantastical shapes.

From there, it’s a short hop to the picturesque Horseshoe Bend in the Colorado River, an icon of the region. Get here early if you want a good spot for sunset photography. It’s only about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the overlook itself. There are no railings, so be careful on the edges.

Utah Itinerary Day 9: Drive to Zion National Park

From Page, it is a 2-hour and 15-minute drive to Springdale, the gateway town to Zion National Park.  This route enters Zion National Park at the East Entrance.  The first section is along Checkboard Mesa, where natural rock formations create amazing straight checkerboard lines.

Do the Mount Carmel Scenic Drive

The 26-mile road is a stunning way to enter the park.  You’ll pass through the historic 1920’s Mt. Carmel Tunnel, which is an engineering marvel at over 5,000 feet (1524m) above sea level.

Soon after the tunnel, jaw-dropping views of the canyon spread out below you.  Take your time – there is a pullover where you can safely stop for photos.  There is also a short one-mile Canyon Overlook Trail hike that provides wonderful views.

The Narrows is a unique hike that involves wading through a narrow slot canyon in a river.  It’s not uncommon to hike beside a river, but much rarer to hike the length of a river in the actual water.  The sheer canyon walls rise right up next to the river on both sides.

First take the shuttle to the end of Zion Canyon and walk along Riverside Walk to the start of the Narrows slot canyon.  You then enter the water and spend the day crossing back and forth as you head upstream, constantly seeking the best route. The canyon gets narrower and narrower as you go.

In the narrowest section, called Wall Street , the canyon walls are hundreds of feet tall and just a few yards wide across.  This is where most people turn back and return to the start of the trail. Wear waterproof clothing and take a hiking stick to steady yourself in the flowing water.

Budget: The Holiday Inn Express Springdale

Springdale is a lovely town with great restaurants and plenty of accommodation options. This Holiday Inn has a seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub and lovely terrace with a view. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Cable Mountain Lodge

This is a top mid-range option, with an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub with canyon views and a location right next to the park’s Visitor Center. Check rates here.

Luxury: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Zion National Park

This 5-star hotel (pictured) has a stunning restaurant/ lounge with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall looking on to Zion’s red cliffs.  There is also an outdoor pool and hot tub. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 10: Hike in Zion 

For your second day in Zion, there are a couple of different hikes you can choose from. If you’re up for a challenging hike with steep drop offs, then opt for Angel’s Landing.  If that seems too intimidating, then hike to Observation Point.

Angels’ Landing is the most famous hike in the park.  If you have a fear of heights, this may not be for you.  The last section of the 4.8-mile roundtrip hike goes along a narrow ridge with steep drop offs.  You need to hold on to a chain as you inch along this narrow section.  The reward?  Absolutely stunning views of Zion Canyon.

A much easier trail but with even better views is the easy hike to Observation Point.  You need to drive out of the East Gate to the East Mesa trailhead.  From there, it is a flat easy 6.4-mile roundtrip hike to the rim of Zion Canyon.

This has arguably the best view in the entire park.  A 230-degree view along the entire length of Zion Canyon more than 2,100 feet below.  You will actually look down on to Angel’s Landing 700 feet below you.

There are some great restaurants in St George to visit after your hikes.

Utah Itinerary Day 11: Explore Bryce Canyon National Park

Today you’ll leave Zion and drive 86 miles (about 2 hours) to Bryce Canyon.  This leaves you most of the day to enjoy Bryce Canyon National Park . Definitely one of the best national parks in USA , Bryce Canyon is famous for the orange hoodoos (sandstone spires) that form a unique, alien-like landscape you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Start your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park with the 38-mile (61km) roundtrip scenic drive along the length of the canyon.  There are 13 viewpoints along the way, so allow about 3 hours for the whole drive.

Now it’s time to get out and hit the trails.  The most spectacular section of the park is the Bryce Amphitheater.  You can walk along the rim, taking in several stunning views along the way.

The entire trail is 5.5 miles (8.8 km), but you can just hike part of it, so that you have time to also head down among the hoodoos.  Highlights are Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point.

Don’t miss the chance to hike down into the canyon, with the amazing hoodoos all around you and towering above you.  The best hike is the loop down to Queen’s Garden returning via the Navajo Trail .

The hike to Queen’s Garden takes you past several famous hoodoos including Thor’s Hammer. At the bottom, you can see a hoodoo that looks like a statue of Queen Victoria (hence the name).  The return trail goes up a series of steep switchbacks in a narrow section called Wall Street.

Budget: Red Ledges Inn

The cheapest option near to Bryce Canyon National Park is this refurbished motel that has a cool wild wild west exterior and renovated rooms. Check the rates here.

Mid Range: Bryce Valley Lodging

About a 15-minute drive from the park, this budget motel has air-conditioned rooms that feature comfortable beds and a small kitchenette. Check the rates here.

Luxury: The Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel

Nestled among the red rock cliffs of  Bryce Canyon National Park , this hotel (pictured) offers exceptional amenities, including a free hot breakfast , a restaurant, fitness center and swimming pool. Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 12: Visit Capitol Reef National Park

The day starts back on the road as you drive from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. The drive to the Fruita area of the park takes about 2.5 hours.  On arrival, check in at the park’s Visitor Center to check the state of the roads, river level, and flash flood warnings.

The Fruita valley is the heart of Capitol Reef National Park.  There are plenty of easy hikes to do, a short scenic drive and several historic buildings.  Be sure to visit the historic Gifford Homestea d and Fruita Schoolhouse.

This 8-mile drive on a paved road takes you past the main Capitol Reef escarpment.  The name of the national park comes from the rock formations along this escarpment that look like a series of domed capitol buildings forming a long ‘reef’.

There are two unpaved side roads you should take as part of this scenic drive. Grand Wash is a narrow canyon with steep walls.  Park at the end and hike into the narrowest part of the canyon.  Capitol Gorge is another short side road that takes you to some of the domed rock formations that inspired the park’s name.

Budget: The Rim Rock Inn

The Rim Rock is a comfortable motel just ten minutes from the Visitor Center.  It has nice views and an onsite restaurant, and reasonable prices. Check rates here.

Mid Range: The Red Sands Hotel

Just 3 miles from the national park, this mid range hotel has an indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub with awesome views. Check rates here.

Luxury: Capitol Reef Resort

Located at the entrance to Capitol Reef National Park , this luxury resort has unique accommodations such as teepees and Conestoga wagons. It’s also got an outdoor pool and hot tub. Best location! Check rates here.

Utah Itinerary Day 13: Drive the Cathedral Valley Loop

Within Capitol Reef National Park, Cathedral Valley is a large valley just north of Fruita with incredible red rock formations with white tops.  The best way to see this stunning part of Capitol Reef National Park is to drive the 58-mile scenic loop. You will need a high clearance vehicle, and a 4WD is strongly recommended, as the dirt road can be rough in parts.

It takes about 5 hours to drive the loop, but with stops and short side trips, it will take a full day. The drive starts from Highway 24 at Hartnet Road (mile marker 91), about 12 miles east of the Visitor Center. If you drive in a clockwise direction, you ford the Fremont River at the start of the drive.

There are many scenic viewpoints and places of interest along the way. Lower and Upper South Desert Overlooks are both reached by very short 0.25-mile walks and give great views for opposite sides of the valley.  Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook has perhaps the best panoramic views over the valley and its amazing red sandstone cliffs and church-like monoliths.

The Temples of the Sun and Moon, are enormous sandstone monoliths rising straight up out of the valley floor.  They are reached down a short side road. Other highlights include Gypsum Sinkhole and the historic Morrell Cabin.

The last leg of your Utah road trip itinerary is a 3.5-hour drive north back to Salt Lake City. I suggest driving back early to avoid the traffic and to catch your flight home. There are quite a few airport hotels at Salt Lake City in case you need one for an early morning flight.

Hilton Garden Inn – Salt Lake City Airport is the best hotel by the airport — rooms are on the top end and amenities are impressive. Holiday Inn Express Airport East is the nearest hotel to the airport. For budget traveler, Motel 6 Salt City UT West Airport is the cheapest option near the airport.

I’ve designed this Utah itinerary to include the best places this state has to offer: from outstanding national parks to Navajo land and cute charming towns. I hope this will help you plan your Utah road trip and allows you to see the best sights in the state!

If you’re interested in exploring more of the US, check out other articles I’ve written:

• Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary
• Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
• California Road Trip Itinerary
• Nevada Road Trip Itinerary
• Florida Road Trip Itinerary
• Weekend in Seattle
• Weekend in Los Angeles
• Weekend in San Francisco
• Weekend in Miami

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links i.e. I make a small commission when you purchase something through my links, at NO extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

About the Author: James Ian

James Ian has been to 82 countries and more than 30 states in the US.  He is a national parks expert and helps people have incredible vacations to US parks through his website  Parks Collecting .

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Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. As an accomplished travel writer, she has written for BBC Travel, CNN and Rough Guides . She is also the author of five travel books, including the latest Lonely Planet's Mexico guidebook. Read more about her here and follow her on Facebook and Instagram .

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ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE

The ultimate utah road trip itinerary.

So you want to take a road trip ? I highly recommend road tripping through Utah’s National Parks! This 9-day  Utah Road Trip Itinerary  included all these places: Albuquerque, Horseshoe Bend, Zion National Park, Scenic Byway 12, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Dixie National Forest, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Monument Valley.

I’ve had lots of people asking our exact itinerary, so I thought I’d share it with you all! Below is the quick overview with links to all related blog posts, then below that is the more detailed itinerary!

Ps – wondering how to prep for a road trip? Check out this post:  How to get your car ready + what to pack with a free customizable checklist !

Ultimate Utah National Park Road Trip Itinerary

This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting onechelofanadventure.com!

Utah Road Trip Overview

Day 1:  Austin, TX > Albuquerque, NM

Hotel: ABQ Casitas Airbnb (unfortunately this listing is no longer available, see equally cute alternatives here )

Day 2:  Albuquerque, NM > Horseshoe Bend, Arizona > Zion National Park, Utah

See More:  Horseshoe Bend

Hotel:  Zion Mountain Ranch

Day 3:  Zion Mountain Ranch + Horseback Trail Ride

See More:  Horseback Canyon Trail Ride

Day 4:  Zion National Park, Utah

See More:  Canyon Overlook Trail

Emerald Pools Trail

See More:  Exploring Zion National Park

Day 5:  The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah

See More:  Hiking The Narrows

Day 6:  Zion National Park, Utah > Scenic Byway 12 > Moab, Utah

See More:  Scenic Byway 12

See More: Sunset in  Arches National Park

Hotel: Expedition Lodge

Day 7:  Full Day 4X4 Off-Road Tour of Canyonlands and Arches National Park

See More:  4X4 Off-Road Tour of Canyonlands and Arches National Park

Day 8:  Moab, UT > Monument Valley, UT > Albuquerque, NM

See More:  Monument Valley, UT

Hotel:  Los Poblanos Historic Inn

Day 9:  Albuquerque, NM > Austin, TX

Day 1: Austin to Albuquerque

We started our trip in Austin and chose to make Albuquerque a halfway point. Honestly, the drive from Austin to Albuquerque and then on to Zion was pretty miserable. There is not much to see in between and most of New Mexico has a speed limit of 65. I don’t think I would do that drive again, next time I would fly into Las Vegas or somewhere closer and then start the road trip. 

We stayed in a super cute Airbnb, but unfortunately, it is no longer available. However, I made a  list of equally-cute Albuquerque Airbnbs  that are worth checking out!

Day 2: Albuquerque to Zion National Park

On day 2, we headed out from Albuquerque towards Zion National Park , an 8-hour drive. We made a detour to check out Horseshoe Bend which was definitely worth it!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chelsea Bancroft | ATX (@onechelofanadventure)

We finally made it to  Zion Mountain Ranch  right before sunset!

Day 3: Zion National Park

We took the day to explore  Zion Mountain Ranch , the awesome hotel we stayed at right outside Zion National Park .

Learn More: Zion Mountain Ranch

That evening, we did a horseback trail ride on the property! It was beautiful and such a cool way to see the canyon! 

Read more about it  here .

Day 4: Zion National Park, Canyon Overlook + Emerald Pools Trail

We woke up bright and early to hike the  Canyon Overlook Trail  — an easy 1-mile roundtrip hike.

Read More:  Hiking Canyon Overlook Trail

After that, we headed to the Zion National Park visitor center to catch the shuttle bus. Fair warning, in the summer, lines for the shuttle bus are insane and we had to wait for nearly an hour. Get there early to avoid the crowds.

To hike the Upper and Lower Emerald Pool trail , get off at the Zion Lodge stop. It was a fairly easy hike, and definitely very beautiful!

That evening, we watched the sunset from Canyon Junction Bridge – I highly recommend it.

We also picked up our rental gear for hiking The Narrows. We rented from  Zion Outfitters  and they let you pick up your gear the night before which is really convenient!

Day 5: Hiking The Narrows, Zion National Park

We woke up bright and early and headed into the park to hike the infamous Narrows! I’ll share a couple of photos, but you should definitely check out my whole post on it: What to Expect When Hiking The Narrows .

Learn More:  What to Expect Hiking The Narrows

Day 6: Zion National Park to Moab, Utah via The Scenic Byway 12

On day 6 we said goodbye to Zion and made our way toward Moab! We took  Scenic Byway 12  passing through Bryce Canyon first. I recommend taking 2 hours or so to explore and drive through Bryce Canyon National Park .

After Bryce, we traveled along the scenic byway, passing through Grand Staircase-Escalante, The Hogback, and Boulder Mountain.

Learn More:  What to Expect Driving Scenic Byway 12 in Utah

One of my favorite parts of this drive was going through Capitol Reef National Park !

Nearly 8 hours later, we finally arrived in Moab! We were lucky to make it in time to see an amazing sunset in  Arches National Park .

Learn More:  21 Gorgeous Photos From Visit Arches National Park

In Moab, we stayed at the Expedition Lodge . It wasn’t my favorite, I felt it was overpriced for what was offered, but from their website, it looks like they have done updates since we stayed. 

Day 7: Full Day 4X4 Off-Road Tour of Canyonlands and Arches National Park

If you only have a limited amount of time to see these two parks, I would suggest  going with a guided tour . Plus, the best parts of the parks require off-roading, and if you don’t  really  know what you’re doing, that won’t end well.  Navtec Expeditions  took us through  Canyonlands National Park  first.

See More:   13 Photos That Prove You Need to Visit Canyonlands

After exploring Canyonlands for a few hours, we headed into Arches National Park  and had lunch before setting off to off-road through the park!

I cannot recommend the tour we did enough, it is the best way to go off-road and see the best sites of both parks! Read more about it here .

After our full-day tour, we grabbed dinner in Moab, and then headed back to Arches National Park for another amazing sunset!

Above photo by Shelly Borga . See more photos in this post . 

Day 8: Moab, UT > Monument Valley, UT > Albuquerque, NM

We woke up bright and early to make the 7.5-hour drive to Albuquerque, with a stop at Monument Valley . It adds an extra hour and a half, but I think it’s worth it!

Plus if you go early, there is less of a crowd and you can get much better photos!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Roger Beasley Imports (@rogerbeasleyimports)

After our pit stop at Monument Valley, we headed to Albuquerque and made it to  Los Poblanos Historic Inn  in the late afternoon. We were given a full tour of the properties and it is just beautiful! This was probably my favorite place that we stayed over the entire trip.

The property has huge lavender fields that are absolutely gorgeous! 

They also have Alpacas and Peacocks that live on the grounds.

Learn More:   Staying at Los Poblanos Historic Inn

Day 9: Albuquerque to Austin, TX

Before heading out, Shelly and I enjoyed  Los Poblanos Inn’s  delicious breakfast and checked out the Farm Shop.

And then we began the longgggg drive back home to Austin — we didn’t end up making it back until almost midnight.

Utah Road Trip Recap

Overall, I absolutely loved this road trip and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to see Utah’s National Parks (which everyone should)! The one thing I did not enjoy and would probably change next time is driving all the way from Austin. There really is NOTHING in between Austin and Arizona. Albuquerque was a good middle point, but I would have rather spent two more days in Utah instead.

Related Posts:

Utah Travel Hashtags and Accounts to Tag on Instagram

Arches National Park: 21 Photos That Will Convince You To Visit

13 Photos That Prove You Need to Visit Canyonlands National Park in Utah

Canyonlands and Arches National Park Off-Road Tour

Driving Scenic Byway 12 in Utah: What to Expect

This is a pretty general overview of our trip, so be sure to check out my other Utah posts for more info on each destination! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or DM me on Instagram and I’d be happy to help!

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Utah Road Trip: A 5-Day Budget Itinerary & Guide

Utah is like visiting another planet. Taking a road trip through the state allows you to see it in all its beauty. Utah is packed full of scenic drives, alien-themed gas stations, western-themed towns, hot springs, hikes, and unique roadside stops. This guide breaks down all of the costs and is packed full of hikes, attractions, and hidden gems. Plus I provide details on where to stay and what to pack!

Keep reading to plan your next Utah Road Trip!

Tips Before You Go

• Make sure to gas up your car
• Take out cash from an ATM for roadside stands
• Create a bomb road trip playlist ( Utah Road Trip Playlist )
• Wear SPF – yes, even in the car (here’s my favorite tinted SPF )
• Pack a cooler with lots of water and high-protein snacks
• Don’t forget your sunglasses/hat/visor
• Bring motion sickness medication like Dramamine if you get carsick

Things to Know

Climate: Utah is a desert with a mainly dry climate. Summers are extremely hot while winters are freezing cold.

Best time to go: September-November is low-season in Utah, so low prices, fewer crowds, and less chance of extreme weather. April and May is also a really good time to visit to enjoy moderate temperatures.

Language:  English is the predominant language.

Money:  US Dollar ($USD). Most businesses accept cash and all major credit cards.

National Park Pass: Buy an America the Beautiful Pass in advance online to save time. You can purchase at the entrance of all national parks, but it’ll take more time.

Where to Stay

The Panguitch Wild Horse Tipi is an incredibly unique experience that I without a doubt 1,000% recommend! Sit on the patio and watch the sunrise with stunning views of the Red Rock Canyons or lay on the patio and stargaze at night with little to no light pollution. It’s the perfect place to disconnect from the world with no electricity to WiFi. The Tipi comes with surprisingly comfortable cots, blankets, sleeping bags, flashlights, a first-aid kit, and the outhouse is one of the cleanest I’ve seen. It’s perfect for a night or 2 as you’re in between parks as it’s located 30 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park and an hour from Zion National Park. Book your stay here!

The Hideaway Glamping Tents aren’t as remote or unique as they’re located in an RV Park about 20 minutes from Zion National Park. However, they come with electricity, clean showers and bathrooms, a super comfy bed, a mini fridge, and a covered patio. Book your glampsite here!

Utah really leans into creating a whole vibe around your experience , so while these are the places we chose to stay there are plenty of other unique experiences for you! Here’s a list of other places to stay that we considered:

Book a farm stay at the private Alpacas Country Casita here .

Stay in a Summer Tiny Home Cottage here .

Splurge and relax at the Bluff Dwelling Resort & Spa here .

Take an unexpected journey in a Hobbit Cottage here .

This is an itinerary for a 5-day road trip . Want to spend more time in Utah? If you’re looking for additional recommendations , shoot me an email or drop a comment below.

Bonneville Salt Flats

The Bonneville Salt Flats is a unique natural feature in Utah. Honestly, the whole state is kinda like another planet! For this reason, I was SHOCKED that there was no signage to direct us to the entrance. It was a bit confusing and Google Maps didn’t help. It’s best to follow signs to the Bonneville Speedway (which is an event at the Salt Flats) and drive in until you see the main sign. BUT there is a second entrance that we didn’t see until we were leaving and on our way to Salt Lake City, so there’s that.

It’s an incredible sight to see if you are in driving in from Washington , Oregon, or Idaho. It’s located in the northwest of Utah and is about a 90-minute drive from Salt Lake City. But there is nothing else in the area, so if it’s not on your way, I wouldn’t say it’s a must-see go-out-of-the-way sight.

Arches National Park

Annual America the Beautiful National Park Pass $80 Southeast Utah Park Passes (Includes Arches, Canyonlands, and Natural Bridges) $55 Private Vehicle Weekly Pass $30 Per Person (no car) Weekly Pass $15

I’m going to preface this with Arches National Park was my favorite National Park in Utah! Mostly because it’s not as touristy. I love that it’s accessible to everyone, no hiking required, by taking the 36-mile round trip scenic route on Park Avenue. This drive will provide spectacular views without ever having to leave your car – but trust me, you’ll want to! There are plenty of pull-offs and overlooks to snap photos.

But if you’re here for a hike, which I’m sure you are, then keep reading!

Delicate Arch Trail

If you’ve ever seen photos of the arches in Moab then it’s likely been of this beauty, Delicate Arch. The trail to get to the Delicate Arch is a moderate 3-mile trail with a few steeper sections but is generally quite family-friendly. The last quarter of a mile of the trail is a narrow section with a ledge on the left side, so if you’re scared of heights – be mindful of this and stay to the right. When you reach the top there is a strip of rock that you can sit on with your back up against the rock, this is where most people were stationed that were clearly scared of heights.

If you’re brave, walk out underneath the famous Arch for a photo! Luckily, when I was there, it started drizzling right when we got to the last section. This caused most of the crowds of people at the top to disperse leaving us a lot of room to sit, eat a snack, and enjoy the views to ourselves.

Devil’s Garden Trail

This trail is quite spread out and in the desert heat, I suggest doing the first section which is about 3 miles round trip then driving up to the second section for the next 1.5 miles. The land between the locations has zero shade and I promise you’re not going to miss anything.

Devil’s Garden has 7 unique arches; each with its own beauty. Some can only be viewed from afar while others you’ll hike through. Another wonderful thing about this trail is that there are very easy flat trails at the beginning making it accessible to everyone and the more difficult trails are further on.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Annual America the Beautiful National Park Pass $80 Annual Bryce Canyon National Park Pass $70 Private Vehical Weekly Pass $35 Per Person (no car) Weekly Pass $ 20

Navajo Loop Trail

It’s one of the most famous trails in Bryce Canyon National Park for a reason. This 1.5-mile moderate loop trail takes you down switchbacks into the narrow walls of the colorful orange hoodoos. It’s recommended to start down Two Bridges, pass the famous Thor’s Hammer Hoodoo, and loop up through Wall Street. When you get to the bottom before looping, you’ll come to a spot where you can continue down to connect to Peekaboo Loop Trail or Queens Garden Trail. I highly recommend extending and combining one of these trails.

Peekaboo Loop Trail

After hiking down Two Bridges, continue on to Peekaboo Loop Trail and you’ll see a significant decrease in tourists/hikers. This hike and the views were some of the best in Utah, it’s a must-do must-see.

You’ll hike down into the canyon floor, pass through arches, and see hoodoos for miles and miles at every vantage point before the final uphill trek out. There’s not much shade, so pack a lot of water, Liquid IV’s , and sunscreen!

Because it is also used as a horse trail, there is a lot of horse poop on the trail that gets a little stinky in the sun but it’s quite easy to navigate around it.

Mossy Cave Turret Arch & Little Windows Trail

A very easy 1-mile round trip hike, Mossy Cave Turret Arch, is a must-see simply for the waterfall. When you approach the second bridge, you’ll want to cut down to the tiny trail that leads down by the water. Make your way on the right side to the waterfall. I recommend water shoes or hiking poles if the water is higher and be mindful of flashflood warnings.

Zion National Park

Annual America the Beautiful National Park Pass $80 Annual Zion National Park Pass $70 Private Vehicle Weekly Pass $35 Per Person (no car) Weekly Pass $ 20

If you’ve followed my itinerary from northeast to southwest, then you’ll gradually start to notice the increased amount of tourists. For this, you’ll need a bit of patience as driving through Zion National Park is not as peaceful and easy as Arches National Park.

Angels Landing

Starting in 2022, Angels Landing requires a permit. Apply for a lottery pass in April. There is also the opportunity to apply for a lottery pass the day prior between 12-3pm Mountain Time. Unfortunately, we did not win either lottery.

The Narrows with swimming holes 

The Narrows, given its name for being the narrowest part of Zion Canyon, is also one of the most popular hikes. Hiking through water that goes from ankle-deep to above waist-level as you look up to the blue skies at the stunning thousand-foot walls of sandstone rising up on both sides.

The bottom-up hike starts from the Temple of Sinawava through the Virgin River. It starts with a 1-mile walk along a paved riverside path that is accessible to all. Then you’ll get to the Virgin River and this is where the fun starts. From here you’ll have to get your feet wet to continue as there is essentially no trail. The further up you go, the fewer people you’ll see. You can hike upstream for about 9 miles before you’ll need to turn back. No permit is required for this section.

While it’s a very unique hike, it comes with additional safety tips because you’ll be wading through sections that at times, you can not see the bottom. Proper water shoes with traction for slippery rocks, hiking poles , waterproof clothing, and a dry bag is strongly encouraged!

There is also an overnight hike from the top and a one-day 16-mile hike from the top. Both require permits.

Flash floods are common in Zion, so check in with park rangers at the visitors center. Also, check weather forecasts, conditions, and flash flood ratings. Flash floods are often caused by storms miles away, the water rises quickly -within minutes, and can rush down a canyon in a wall of water 12 feet high or more.

Pa’rus Trail

I saw a video on TikTok of this “hidden gem trail with a waterfall” and quickly added it to our itinerary for Zion. My first indication that this was false should’ve been that the trailhead is directly across from the visitor center and gift shop. After 1.7 miles on a paved path with absolutely zero shade but beautiful views of Zion’s sandstone red rocks, you’ll start to see signs for “river access”. Make your way down to the river but I’ll tell you now – there is no waterfall down there by my PNW standards. It’s a pretty shallow swimming hole area that is a nice reprieve from the sweaty hot walk you just did, though! We had the place to ourselves.

Wanna get your booty in the water without the sweaty walk? Jump on the shuttle, the stop is right above where you get in the water. 🤣 Definitely not a hidden gem!

Belly of the Dragon

Let me start by saying that this is not a hike. However, Belly of the Dragon is located on a scenic route 20 minutes from Zion National Park and is a great unique roadside stop attraction. The trail starts with a sign reminding you NOT to deface the rock walls. (Sadly, I saw a mom teaching her daughter that the rules don’t apply to them. Please don’t be this person. 🎵THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS🎵).

A short walk leads to a 5-foot drop down to the entrance of the tunnel…or the Belly of the Dragon! As you make your way through you’ll likely need a headlamp or flashlight as it gets super dark at the center. After you walk through the tunnel (.5 miles), the trail continues (1.8 roundtrips) but honestly, it’s not really worth it.

Mystic Hot Springs

Adult Soaking Passes $25 Children Soaking Passes $12.50

Soaking in a natural hot spring with healing mineral water is the perfect way to end your hiking trip! Mystic Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located 2.5 hours north of Zion National Park in Monroe, Utah. Reserve a soaking pass in advance here . Time slots are available in 2-hour increments from 9am to 10pm. With 6 tubs and 2 large pools, you’ll have plenty of space to relax away from others.

There is NO shade and can get very hot in the daytime, so don’t forget to bring plenty of water.

Are you looking to add on to your Utah road trip and travel more in the Southwest USA? Check out my Arizona Guides here .

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Planning a Trip to Utah? Use This Detailed Guide

If you’re planning a trip to Utah, you’re starting off on the right foot already. This state is an adventurer’s paradise, with some of the most impressive national parks across the United States.

The landscapes here are incredibly diverse. You can be in the desert among red rock canyons one day and in ankle-deep snow the next.

That’s the elevation, baby!

We’ve been on four different trips now with a long-term stay in Salt Lake City and there’s always more to explore. I want you to fall in love with this place just as we have, so let’s get into the only Utah trip planner you’ll need for an incredible vacation.

Quick Tips for Your Utah Visit

Your Flight:  Use  Skyscanner to watch flights to the state’s biggest transportation hub in Salt Lake City. Las Vegas might be another option if you’re headed to Zion National Park. Love deals? Subscribe to  Going .

Your Accommodations:  Browse Booking.com  or Hotels.com  for your options throughout Utah. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.

Your Ride:  You’ll need a car to explore Utah efficiently. Book a rental car  ahead of time.

Top Spots: Explore the best of Salt Lake City, hit up at least one of Utah’s national parks, and enjoy the resort charms of Park City.

Disclosure: Travel on the Reg uses affiliate links to keep things running around here . At no additional cost to you, I earn a lil’ commission if you make a purchase. Any income earned supports the upkeep of this site . I appreciate you!

How to Plan a Trip to Utah

When planning a trip to Utah, start by deciding on travel dates and budget. Research the stops you’d like to make while you’re here.

If possible, book flights and accommodations well in advance, especially if you’re looking at summer travel or during holidays. That will give you a better chance at deals, especially if you’re looking for proximity to the state’s top attractions.

Here are a few more things you should know before visiting Utah:

• Utah’s weather can vary greatly depending on the region and time of year. Check forecasts before you pack and plan your route, especially if you’re visiting any high-elevation areas of the state.
• Speaking of elevations, altitudes in Utah can exceed 9,000 feet. Be prepared for thinner air and possible altitude sickness if you’re hiking in the mountains or doing the winter sports thing. Drink plenty of water and take time to acclimate.
• Utah’s wilderness is beautiful but can be remote and rugged. Watch out for wildlife and be mindful of flash floods in canyon areas after heavy rains. Research trail conditions and safety guidelines for outdoor activities before you hike.
• The state’s alcohol regulations are quirky. Many restaurants have restrictions on when and how alcohol can be served. If you’re planning on drinking, familiarize yourself with these rules ahead of time.
• For the most efficient trip, you’ll need a car. Utah was made for road trips with its vast open spaces and incredible national parks.
• If you’re planning on that Utah national parks road trip itinerary, buy an America the Beautiful pass before you go to save some money on park fees. It pays for itself after just three parks as is good for the year.

How many days do you need to see Utah?

If you’re visiting Salt Lake City on a city break, you only need a few days to see Utah. If you really want to dive in and see what makes this state so special, though, a week will give you a decent amount of time to see some of Utah’s best national parks.

How long does it take to see all five national parks in Utah?

You need a solid week to see the Mighty 5, Utah’s incredible national parks.

That’s how much time we were able to give them on our first visit through the state, although we’ve revisited our favorites since. I have a detailed guide to a full week on the road if the parks are your focus.

If you’re able to spend more than a day in each park, you’ll be rewarded with longer hikes and opportunities to escape the crowds.

Note: Pick up a national park pass if you’re visiting multiple Utah parks. It’ll pay for itself after just three of them, and it’s good for a full year from your first use.

If you have less time, you may just want to focus on one of the parks on your Utah visit. Choose from the following, and no, you can’t go wrong:

• Arches National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

• Canyonlands National Park
• Capitol Reef National Park

Zion National Park

What is the best time to travel to utah.

The best time to go to Utah depends on your plans. Generally, Utah experiences all four seasons.

The best months to visit Utah overall fall in the shoulder months. April-May and September-October are excellent times to see the state if you want smaller crowds, but each stretch comes with the chance for inclement weather.

Let’s get into some specifics on what to expect throughout the year as far as Utah weather:

• Summer: Summers in Utah are generally hot and dry, but this doesn’t stop visitors to the state’s national parks. The parks are generally quite crowded, making early mornings essential to both escape the heat and the humans.
• Fall: Expect warm days and cool evenings in the autumn. The earlier you visit in September, though, the more potential you have for heavy rain. It’s the tail-end of monsoon season in Utah.
• Winter: Park City is in full swing welcoming skiers and snowboarders. Even if you’re not into winter sports, Utah does have quite a bit of charm in the winter months. I’d advise against national parks due to road closures.
• Spring: You may still get snow in March, but that only means you’ll get some beautiful vistas of snow-capped hoodoos at Bryce Canyon. Our first visit to Utah was during spring break in March and we had an excellent time.

How to Get to Utah

If you’re flying to Utah from outside of the state for a multi-day road trip, you’ll likely enter through Salt Lake City, home to the state’s only international airport.

Flying into Las Vegas is another option, especially if you’re looking to visit Kanab and Zion National Park.

Deals to both of those transportation hubs are fairly easy to come by, especially if you’re flying into Las Vegas.

How to Get Around Utah

Utah was made for national park road trips. We were able to hit all five parks in the state’s Mighty 5 in a little over a week of road-tripping on our first trip to the state.

That means you’ll need a car if you’re heading out into the vast desert wilderness that makes Utah so spectacular.

Otherwise, there isn’t really a system of trains and buses that will get you to everywhere you’re likely wanting to go while in Utah. The Amtrak will get to the major cities, like Salt Lake City and Provo, but you’ll likely still need a car once you get there.

Greyhound is really your only long-distance bus option.

Note: If Salt Lake City is your primary destination, you could get away with using the city’s system of public buses and light rail. If you want to get out of the city to take advantage of the many day-trip possibilities , you’ll do so most efficiently with a car.

Top Places to Visit in Utah

The prettiest part of Utah is Bryce Canyon National Park. Maybe it’s Moab, actually, since you’re within a short drive of Arches while you’re there.

Ah, but Monument Valley is pretty spectacular, too.

Utah has this way of making you feel quite small, with impressive attractions at every turn. Picking just a few top places to visit in the state was a pretty tall order.

Still, there are a few places you shouldn’t miss, especially if you’re planning a trip to Utah national parks.

Bryce Canyon National Park is named after Ebenezer Bryce, who famously said this about the park: it’s “a hell of a place to lose a cow.” Indeed, sir.

No matter when you visit, Bryce Canyon is breathtaking. Come after a fresh snow and you’ll see its tall pinnacles, known as hoodoos in this part of the world, covered in crisp, white sheets.

Visit in the summer months and the red hues are even more pronounced. Braving the altitudes is worth it when it means access to some of the most beautiful viewpoints in Utah.

Hiking down into the canyon will give you that epic Bryce Canyon experience. I love the Queens Garden Trail for the archways you get to pass through at the very bottom.

READ MORE: Use my guide to help you plan the perfect day in Bryce Canyon.

If you prefer something guided while visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, I’ve got you there, too:

The Southeast city of Moab should be considered the base camp for Utah adventures. From here, you’re 10 minutes away from Arches National Park, home of the quintessential Utah attraction, the Delicate Arch.

You’re also just over half an hour away from Canyonlands National Park, with its expansive panoramas like Grand View Point and the aptly named Island in the Sky. Dead Horse Point State Park is just under 40 minutes from Moab.

This is outdoor recreation at its best.

If you’re here for the parks, check out my guide to Arches and then mosey over to the best of Canyonlands . I’ve got you covered.

This former mining town is now well-known for its winter sports offerings. This is a playground for skiers and snowboarders. If you’re looking for more adventure, head over to Utah Olympic Park, the site of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Today, it functions as both a training facility and a place for you to try out your Olympic mettle with bobsled runs, extreme tubing, and other fun activities.

We visited in the summertime, which meant we couldn’t ignore some of the best hiking in the state while we were there.

Head to nearby Brighton and visit some of my favorite lakes: Mary, Catherine, and Martha. Expect some remnants of snow up here, even if you visit in the summer.

Park City is easy to enjoy on a self-guided tour. If you’re seeking guided experiences in and around Park City, though, check out a few options below:

Salt Lake City

Despite the alcohol laws that prevent too much of a good time in Utah, Salt Lake City has become a hub for craft beer, pouring award-winning brews.

The state capital is also delicious, with numerous options for inventive fare, whether you’re looking for casual eats or fine dining.

Yes, it’s basically Vatican City for those of the Mormon faith, but it’s also a big city that feels like a small town. If you do have more time, it’s an excellent base for Utah day trips.

The Great Salt Lake and its salt flats and Park City are both within a short drive of Salt Lake City.

Fun fact: In some parts, the Great Salt Lake is 10 times saltier than ocean water. If you visit, you may find that the water’s pink. That’s all of the little microbes swimming around in there. Cute, right?

READ MORE: We hung around Salt Lake City for a full month. Learn about what we found!

If you’re looking for hikes with an adrenaline rush, look no further than Zion National Park.

Hike Angels Landing, which is known as one of the scariest hikes in the United States thanks to the series of chains required to get to its spectacular views. Traipse through knee-deep water in the Virgin River on the Narrows and see the park from below.

Fun fact: The Virgin River has been carving its way through Zion Canyon for 18 million years. Just think about all that when you’re slipping and sliding on those rocks along your Narrows adventure.

Find your own personal slice of the park away from the crowds at Kolob Canyons, a supremely underrated region of Zion that’s just as impressive as Zion Canyon.

Zion is an other-worldly rush.

I have a full guide to our favorite Zion hikes and stops in the park if you’re sold.

More Places to Visit in Utah

We’ve seen a lot of Utah, so I wanted to offer you a few more suggestions if you’re on a longer trip through the state.

Here are a few more Utah destinations we’ve been to that I’d highly recommend in your trip planning:

• Antelope Island State Park: This place was a little stinky when we visited in the summertime, but it’s hard not to be impressed by the Great Salt Lake. Hike the Buffalo Point Trail for the best views.
• Capitol Reef National Park: I didn’t include this one in my top five despite the fact that it’s part of the “Mighty 5” because I wanted to give you more than parks. It’s not personal, especially once you hike the Grand Wash .
• Midway: This small town in the Heber Valley may not seem like much, but it quickly became one of my favorite stops thanks to Heber Valley Artisan Cheese. Once you’re done with that, see if you can still float at the Homestead Crater.
• Monument Valley: These iconic red rock formations on the Utah-Arizona border are famous for being featured in many Western films. They’re an easy addition if you’re already driving through the state to check out the national parks.
• Provo: Do the cursory stroll around Brigham Young University, one of the most conservative campuses in the country, but focus your energy on Bridal Veil Falls. The falls seem to flow right out of the rock, which seems like a miracle indeed.

Utah Travel Itineraries

One week in Utah will leave you wanting more, but that’s OK. You’ll be back.

Here are a few ideas for a full week’s worth of activities for Utah road trips:

Option 1: Utah National Parks

• Day 1: Arrive in Salt Lake City.
• Day 2: Arrive in Moab.
• Day 3: Explore Arches National Park from Moab.
• Day 4: Explore Canyonlands National Park, then drive to Torrey.
• Day 5: Explore Capitol Reef National Park from Torrey.
• Day 6: Explore Bryce Canyon National Park, then drive to Springdale.
• Day 7: Explore Zion National Park and depart from Las Vegas.

Option 2: Salt Lake City & Beyond

• Day 2: Explore Salt Lake City.
• Day 3: Take a day trip to Antelope Island State Park.
• Day 4: Drive to Park City.
• Day 5: Explore Park City before returning to Salt Lake City.
• Day 6: Explore Salt Lake City.
• Day 7: Depart via Salt Lake City.

Option 3: National Parks Deep Dive

• Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas.
• Day 2: Explore Zion National Park.
• Day 3: Explore Zion National Park.
• Day 4: Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park.
• Day 5: Explore Bryce Canyon National Park.
• Day 6: Explore Grand Staircase-Escalante or Cedar Breaks national monuments.
• Day 7: Depart via Las Vegas.

What are five amazing facts about Utah?

Utah is otherworldly and unlike anywhere else you’ll visit in the United States. That makes it primed for fun facts. Check out a few of my favorites:

• Utah has been calling its snow “The Greatest Snow on Earth” since 1985 when the slogan started appearing on the state’s license plates. Apparently, it has superior fluff to any other powder in the country.
• Utah is no stranger to strange laws still on the books. It is illegal to fish on horseback in Utah. You also can’t walk the streets with a violin in a paper bag. A violin in a plastic bag would be environmentally irresponsible, but not illegal.
• The Dutch oven is not only a state symbol in Utah but a state cooking tool. Cast-iron pots were essential during pioneer times way back when.
• If you love tossing a Frisbee around, you have Utah native Walter Fredrick Morrison to thank for it. If you don’t, you have Utah native Walter Fredrick Morrison to thank for it.
• The first Kentucky Fried Chicken opened in Salt Lake City in 1952. Sorry, Kentucky.

What to Pack to Utah

What you pack to California will depend on the kind of experience you’re after. Your packing list will look different if you’re taking a beach vacation vs. a hiking trip vs. a ski break.

Check out some ideas below on more general things you may need on your next trip to Utah :

• Hiking backpack: I hope you’re planning on visiting one of Utah’s beautiful national parks. If so, head out prepared with a good hiking backpack. We like Osprey packs these days.
• Hiking shoes: If you’re hitting up Utah’s Mighty 5, you’ll need a solid pair of hiking shoes or boots if you want more ankle support. Choose something that’s weather-proof, too, in case you run into those heavy rains possible in the summertime.
• Layered shell: If you’re traveling throughout the state at varied elevations, you may want to bring along a shell that offers warmth and a weather-proof layer. These usually come with a fleece liner that keeps you toasty when the wind is wild.
• Moisture-wicking clothing: There’s something magical about clothing that’s moisture-wicking . It’s lightweight and breathable when you’re out there in the summer heat, and when you do sweat, it won’t leave you clammy.
• Winter boots: Are you planning a ski trip to Utah? Pack some fuzzy booties for all of that snow you’ll encounter on your Utah trip, even if your ski trip involves fireside chats rather than hitting the slopes.

What foods are famous in Utah?

Utah is famous for the following foods:

• Bear Lake raspberries
• Dutch oven dinners
• Green jello
• Green River melons
• Ice cream milkshakes
• Pastrami burgers
• Utah scones

Special Dates & Events in Utah

If you’re planning a trip to Utah during a specific time of year, consider whether there are any festivals or holidays occurring. You may want to attend special events or avoid them, as holidays often mean business closures.

Here are a few notable Utah events:

• Sundance Film Festival: This annual event organized by the Sundance Institute and founded by actor Robert Redford is a celebration of independent filmmaking. The Park City festival sets the stage for buzz around new films.
• Utah Blues Festival: This event in Salt Lake City showcases both local blues artists and national headliners in support of the Utah Blues Society. The event is billed as family-friendly and continues to grow each year.
• Utah Arts Festival: The Salt Lake City Utah Arts Festival is held every Friday in June each year, and features live musical acts, visual artists, poets, and culinary artists. I need to learn more about that last part.
• Deer Valley Music Festival: This event in Park City is a series of outdoor performances by the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera each summer. Enjoy views of the mountains as you take in your classical tunes.
• Soldier Hollow Sheepdog Classic: This just sounds adorable, so I had to include it. It’s a gathering of sheepdogs who have been wowing spectators with all of their herding skills since 2003.

Utah Visit FAQs

How do you plan a ski trip to utah.

To plan a Utah ski trip, you’ll need to choose a resort based on your preferences and budget. (Park City and Snowbird are popular options.) From there, book your flights, likely to Salt Lake City, and your transportation. Purchase ski passes early.

Skiing is big in Utah, and you won’t be rewarded with last-minute deals if you wait to book everything.

What is the best way to travel in Utah?

The best way to travel in Utah is on a road trip. You’ll need a car to make that happen, but the state’s highways are some of the most scenic in the United States.

Which is more beautiful, Colorado or Utah?

Both Colorado and Utah are incredibly beautiful, offering some of the best hiking and scenery in the United States. I give Colorado the edge for its plentiful alpine lakes, but Utah isn’t far behind.

Where to Stay in Utah

Choosing efficiency and short driving times may mean you need to sacrifice some of that budget when deciding where to stay in Utah.

While Salt Lake City will offer plenty of options for you at a variety of price points, it gets more expensive the closer you get to Utah’s natural wonders.

The best advice I can give here is to book your accommodations as soon as you know when your trip is happening, especially if you’re traveling at peak times.

Browse Booking.com  or Hotels.com  for your options based on your itinerary. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative if you want something with more amenities.

Is Utah worth visiting?

Utah is worth visiting for its parks alone, but spend a little more time here and you’ll get to know the quirks of Salt Lake City and Kanab and its Western vibes. You’ll be astounded by the imposing Monument Valley and holler on sleds in Park City.

I love the state and know I’m not done with it yet.

Love national parks? Check out these guides:

• Best Stops to Make on Death Valley Trips
• Check Out Oregon’s Magical Crater Lake
• A Trip Itinerary for the Best of Yellowstone
• Where to Stay on Trips Out to Yellowstone
• Things to Do on a Grand Teton Itinerary

Planning travel into Colorado? Read these next:

• How to Plan Your Next Colorado Trip
• Should You Make the Trek to Sky Pond?
• A Detailed Guide to Quirky Fairplay
• Fort Collins Should Be on Your Colorado List
• Breckenridge Is Great in All the Seasons!

Want to see more?

Subscribe to my biweekly newsletter for hot travel tips I come across, weird stories you won’t see elsewhere and perhaps lifelong friendship.

Too much, or just enough?

Agnes Groonwald

Cost of a Trip to Salt Lake City, UT, US & the Cheapest Time to Visit Salt Lake City

The average price of a 7-day trip to Salt Lake City is $1,466 for a solo traveler, $2,633 for a couple, and $4,936 for a family of 4 . Salt Lake City hotels range from $55 to $239 per night with an average of $97, while most vacation rentals will cost $120 to $440 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Salt Lake City International Airport ( SLC ) are between $694 and $1,097 per person for economy flights and $2,178 to $3,442 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $45 to $82 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Salt Lake City, UT, US

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to SLC and stay in a Salt Lake City hotel:

• January 15th to March 4th (except the week of February 12th)
• April 16th to May 6th
• August 6th to December 9th (except the week of November 26th)

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Salt Lake City is usually mid to late September .

Average Salt Lake City Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Salt Lake City for a week is $1,157-$2,110 ($165-$301 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $45 to $82 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $410 to $900 for economy

Lodging : $72 to $106 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $75 to $91 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Salt Lake City for a week is $2,450-$3,978 ($350-$568 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $90 to $164 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $820 to $1,800 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Salt Lake City for a week is $3,530-$7,168 ($504-$1,024 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $180 to $328 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,640 to $3,600 for economy

Lodging : $144 to $212 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $105 to $146 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Salt Lake City

How cheap can you make a vacation to Salt Lake City? The cheapest trip to Salt Lake City is about $117 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $80 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $44.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Salt Lake City for a week is $821-$1,907 ($117-$272 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $21 to $41 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $44 to $55 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $80 to $120 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Salt Lake City for a week is $1,378-$3,094 ($197-$442 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $42 to $82 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Salt Lake City for a week is $2,756-$5,828 ($394-$833 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $84 to $164 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $88 to $110 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $112 to $180 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is possible but not easy to travel to Salt Lake City cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Salt Lake City Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Salt Lake City.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Salt Lake City for a week is $2,502-$8,802 ($357-$1,257 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $90 to $156 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,218 to $2,430 for first class

Lodging : $109 to $239 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $440 to $880 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Salt Lake City for a week is $4,350-$12,324 ($621-$1,761 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $180 to $312 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $2,436 to $4,860 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Salt Lake City for a week is $8,700-$22,008 ($1,243-$3,144 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $360 to $624 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $4,872 to $9,720 for first class

Lodging : $218 to $478 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $616 to $1,320 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Salt Lake City Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Salt Lake City is about average than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Salt Lake City due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Salt Lake City Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Salt Lake City hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Salt Lake City.

Flight Costs to Salt Lake City

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,097 average in late July to a low of $694 in mid to late September. Median flight price is $711. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Salt Lake City our data includes 807 originating airports, and 138 airlines. The area has more variance in price compared with other locations. Flying to Salt Lake City from an airport like Saarbruecken ( SCN ) in Saarbrucken (Germany) for an average $6,597 trip fare will obviously cost a lot more than from an airport like Cedar City Regional ( CDC ) in Cedar City, UT (the United States) at an average of just $125.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Salt Lake City, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $403, so you can easily save about 58% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Salt Lake City can easily cost $310 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $21 per person. Private tours can cost $619 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other Salt Lake City Guides

Travel costs nearby.

• Downtown Salt Lake City, UT, US
• North Salt Lake, UT, US
• Bountiful, UT, US
• Murray, UT, US
• Taylorsville, UT, US
• Woods Cross, UT, US
• West Valley City, UT, US
• Midvale, UT, US
• Sandy, UT, US
• West Jordan, UT, US

Travel Costs in Popular Places

• Sunny Beach, Bulgaria
• Rimini, Italy
• William F Hayden Green Mountain Park, the United States

Visit Utah on a Budget: Affordable Adventures Await

You’re in luck if you’re considering exploring Utah’s majestic landscapes and vibrant culture without spending a fortune. You can greatly reduce costs by planning your visit during off-peak seasons and focusing on free outdoor activities like hiking in Zion National Park or exploring the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Affordable accommodations aren’t hard to find, with options like cozy cabins and budget-friendly hotels that offer comfort without the hefty price tag. But how do you ensure you get the best deal, and what are some insider tips to save even more? Let’s uncover some strategies that might surprise you.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Opt for budget accommodations like Cowboy Homestead Cabins or Alpacas Country Casita to save on lodging costs.
• Dine at local eateries like Monument Valley food stands or Eddie McStiffs in Moab for affordable, authentic meals.
• Utilize free outdoor activities such as hiking in Bryce Canyon or participating in ranger-led programs in national parks.
• Travel during off-peak months and on weekdays to benefit from lower accommodation and activity rates.
• To minimize travel expenses, use budget transportation options, such as renting a car or public transit in urban areas.

Planning Your Budget

To kick off your budget-friendly adventure in Utah, examine your finances to set clear spending limits for your trip. Determining a precise budget upfront will help you prioritize your spending on activities and accommodations without stretching your wallet too thin.

It’s all about knowing what you can afford before you delve into the details. Once you’ve determined your budget, it’s time to plan your itinerary. Look for cost-effective activities that pack a punch without the hefty price tag.

Utah is brimming with natural beauty and offers an array of free or low-cost outdoor activities, like hiking in Zion National Park or visiting the stunning Bryce Canyon .

Don’t miss out on local events, either. Many towns and cities in Utah host festivals and markets that are either free or charge a minimal entry fee. These events aren’t only wallet-friendly but also offer a thorough exploration of local culture and community.

Affordable Accommodation Options

Now that you’ve planned your budget and activities, let’s explore some affordable accommodation options that will make your stay in Utah comfortable and cost-effective.

Immerse yourself in the heart of the West with a stay at Cowboy Homestead Cabins in Torrey. Lodging starts at just $49 per night. Imagine cozy cabins set against stunning landscapes, offering a retreat that doesn’t break the bank.

For a twist on traditional accommodation, consider the Hideaway Glamping Tents . These unique shelters provide all the joys of camping without hassle and at prices that keep your wallet happy. It’s an ideal mix of comfort and adventure under the vast Utah skies.

If you’re looking for something even more adventurous, Panguitch Wild Horse Tipi is your go-to for a budget-friendly and culturally rich experience. Sleep under the stars in a traditionally styled tipi that offers charm and a dash of excitement.

Alternatively, the Summer Tiny Home Cottage presents a cozy, cost-effective lodging option perfect for those who appreciate simplicity with a modern twist.

To wrap up, don’t overlook Alpacas Country Casita , a charming and affordable spot where you can unwind amidst nature and friendly alpacas.

Cheap Local Eateries

After exploring affordable accommodation options, immerse yourself in Utah’s culinary scene with these cheap local eateries that promise delicious meals without straining your budget.

Near the stunning backdrop of Monument Valley , don’t miss out on the local specialty, Navajo Tacos , offered at food stands in the area. These tacos, filled with hearty ingredients on traditional frybread, offer a taste of local culture at a price that’ll keep your wallet happy.

In Bluff, make your way to Twin Rocks Café . It’s known for its serene views and for serving Navajo-inspired cuisine that won’t break the bank. Try their sumptuous stews or the beloved frybread that perfectly complements any dish.

If you find yourself in Moab, Eddie McStiffs is a must-visit. Here, you can enjoy juicy burgers and sizable sandwiches that provide the fuel you need for your adventures without a hefty price tag.

For a healthier twist, the nearby Peace Tree Juice Cafe offers invigorating smoothies and wholesome meals that are kind to your body and budget.

Lastly, explore the local food trucks in Salt Lake City . Each truck offers a unique flavor, offering everything from gourmet bites to international cuisines, all at budget-friendly prices.

Free Outdoor Activities

While savoring the flavors of Utah’s budget-friendly eateries, you can explore the state’s stunning landscapes through various free outdoor activities. Utah’s national parks are a treasure trove of opportunities to immerse yourself in nature without spending a dime. Here’s how you can make the most of these offerings:

Hike Free Trails: Dive into the heart of Utah’s wilderness on free hiking trails in parks like Bryce Canyon and Zion. These trails offer rigorous exercise and unparalleled views of unique geological formations and lush landscapes. Whether looking for a leisurely walk or a challenging trek, you’ll find plenty of options to suit your pace.

Drive Scenic Routes: Drive on routes like the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. This journey offers breathtaking vistas and frequent wildlife sightings, all from the comfort of your vehicle. It’s a perfect way to appreciate the expansive beauty of Utah’s terrain.

Join Ranger-Led Programs: Enhance your visit by participating in free ranger-led programs. These educational tours deepen your understanding of the park’s natural and cultural histories. Plus, they’re a great way to gain insights you might miss otherwise.

These activities enrich your experience and keep your travel budget intact. Enjoy Utah’s natural splendor, knowing you’re making the most of every moment and every dollar.

Budget Transportation Tips

Exploring Utah doesn’t have to drain your wallet, especially considering these savvy transportation tips that keep costs low. Consider renting a car when planning to hit the famed national parks or the vibrant city scenes.

Car rental rates can be as budget-friendly as $30-$50 per day, allowing you to roam at your pace without breaking the bank.

In bustling urban areas, don’t overlook public transportation options . Cities like Salt Lake City offer buses and shuttles that aren’t only economical but quite efficient for getting around. This way, you can save those extra dollars for more adventures in Utah.

Also, watch for budget-friendly airlines that fly into Salt Lake City . Landing a good deal on your flight can make a significant difference in your overall budget. Once in Utah, consider carpooling or ride-sharing.

It’s a great way to meet fellow travelers and split the cost of transportation, making those trips to remote corners of the state more accessible and less pricey.

Discounted Attraction Tickets

You can frequently greatly reduce expenses by seeking discounted attraction tickets online or through local resources when planning your Utah adventures. Saving on admission lets you explore more of Utah’s stunning landscapes and vibrant cultural sites without stretching your budget too thin.

Here are three effective ways to snag those coveted discounts:

• Online Deals and Apps : Platforms like Groupon often feature incredible ticket offers to many of Utah’s top attractions. Don’t forget to browse through travel apps that might bundle several activities at a reduced rate, ensuring you get more bang for your buck.
• Local Visitor Centers and Hotels : Upon arrival in Utah, stop by visitor centers or check with your hotel’s front desk. These centers usually have partnerships with local attractions and can offer discounted tickets or exclusive deals you won’t find online. This is especially true for national parks and other popular sites.
• Multi-Attraction Passes : Consider purchasing passes like the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass. These passes provide discounted access to multiple attractions, helping you save significantly while maximizing your experiences across different sites.

Best Times to Visit

To make the most of your Utah visit without breaking the bank, aim to explore during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall when you’ll find lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds.

You can relish the mild weather from April to May and September to November, perfect for hiking through Utah’s majestic national parks or driving scenic byways.

The vibrant spring blooms and the spectacular fall foliage are breathtaking and provide unique photo opportunities without the summer tourist crowd.

Additionally, traveling during these off-peak months means you’re more likely to snag discounted rates on accommodations, car rentals, and various activities, maximizing your budget.

Visiting on weekdays can further reduce costs, as many hotels offer lower prices away from the busy weekends. This strategy also applies to avoiding major holidays and peak tourist periods , which typically see a spike in prices.

Packing Essentials

After selecting the best time to visit Utah, it’s important to pack smartly to manage your expenses effectively. Focusing on packing essentials can make your adventure both enjoyable and economical. Here’s how to optimize your suitcase for a trip to Utah, particularly if you plan to explore its stunning national parks.

Packing Essentials for Utah:

• Light Clothing : Utah’s desert climate calls for light, breathable clothing. Packing shorts, breathable t-shirts, and a wide-brimmed hat will keep you comfortable. This saves space and potential luggage fees and means you’re prepared for the warm days without needing to shop for appropriate attire upon arrival.
• Sun Protection : Since you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors, don’t forget your sunscreen and a durable hat. Sunscreen bought in tourist areas can be pricey, so bring it home to protect your skin and wallet.
• Hiking Shoes : A good pair of hiking shoes is essential for exploring Utah’s rugged landscapes. They prevent the need to rent or buy expensive footwear locally. Plus, sturdy shoes will ensure you’re safe and comfortable whether you’re hiking up arches or walking scenic trails.

Local Free Events

While exploring Utah, you’ll find plenty of free local events that enrich your experience without straining your budget. Summer in Utah offers an array of free concerts set against breathtaking natural backdrops.

Imagine enjoying live music with the stunning red rocks as your stage backdrop—a truly mesmerizing experience. Don’t miss the local art festivals, where you can admire the creativity of Utah artists, who are often inspired by the landscapes around them.

Moreover, many of Utah’s state parks, managed by the National Park Service , host free visitor center exhibits and guided tours .

Here, you can learn about the area’s unique rock formations and the history of the scenic drives that wind through them. These parks often have minimal entry fees and provide a full day of adventure amidst Utah’s natural beauty.

Local museums and art centers also offer free admission days . These cultural hubs provide insights into the region’s heritage and contemporary artistic pursuits.

Additionally, community events like outdoor markets and cultural festivals offer a taste of local life without costing a dime. Each event is a chance to mingle with locals and experience Utah’s vibrant community spirit firsthand.

Saving on Souvenirs

Exploring local events gives you a taste of Utah’s culture; choosing the right souvenirs can bring those memories home without breaking the bank. Whether it’s from the majestic national parks or the vibrant street markets, you’ve got meaningful and affordable options.

Here’s how you can save while shopping for those perfect mementos:

Seek Out Local Artisans: Dive into craft markets or visit artisans in small towns. These unique souvenirs support local creators and often come with stories that enhance their value far beyond their price. You’ll find handcrafted jewelry, pottery, or artwork that captures the spirit of Utah.

Opt for Small and Functional Items: Consider lightweight and functional items like postcards, magnets, or keychains. These aren’t only easy to pack and serve as charming reminders of your travels. Functional items like a hand-carved bookmark or a locally woven tote can be practical and stylish.

Choose Consumable Souvenirs: Embrace the local flavors with consumable souvenirs. From artisanal salts near the Great Salt Lake to handmade chocolates or locally roasted coffee, these delicious treats let you relive your Utah experiences even after you’ve returned home.

You’re all set to explore Utah’s wonders without spending a fortune! You’ll make unforgettable memories by sticking to your budget plan, choosing cozy yet affordable places like Cowboy Homestead Cabins, indulging in delicious, wallet-friendly meals, and embracing free outdoor adventures.

Remember to travel during off-peak times, pack wisely, and look for local free events. With these tips, your Utah journey will be as enriching as it is economical. Happy travels!

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Bibi Jordan is a seasoned travel writer and photographer with a passion for exploring the world's most captivating destinations. At 65 years old, Bibi has traversed the globe, documenting her experiences with vivid storytelling and stunning imagery. Her work celebrates diverse cultures, unique traditions, and the beauty of the natural world. With over three decades of travel writing under her belt, Bibi brings a depth of knowledge and an insightful perspective to her readers, encouraging them to embark on their own adventures. Her website, Travels with Bibi, serves as a treasure trove of travel tips, detailed guides, and inspiring narratives that resonate with seasoned explorers and new adventurers alike.

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The Perfect One Week in Utah Road Trip Itinerary (7 Day Guide)

Last Updated on 23rd January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my  privacy policy  and  disclosure  for more information.

Planning a Utah road trip itinerar y? We have the perfect week long guide for you. Utah is an incredible place to visit for people who love the outdoors.

No matter what time of year, there’s plenty of fun to be had in this state. And with 5 national parks (called the Mighty 5) , you really can’t go wrong here. These national parks include Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.

Introducing Utah

What is utah known for, when to visit utah, how to get there, is one week enough time in utah, where to stay in utah, how to get around, day 1 – salt lake city, day 2 – canyonlands , day 3 – arches , day 5 – bryce canyon, day 6 – zion , day 7 – back to slc or on to las vegas.

Hitting all the highlights in Utah can be tricky with only 7 days, but you can definitely make it work. This 7-day Utah itinerary will give you a taste of each national park, and when you decide to come back, you’ll know which places you want to linger in.

Having lived most of my life in Utah, I’m ashamed to say I haven’t done a road trip like this, but this is what I would do if I were going to (and now I have an excuse to test it).

Utah’s breathtaking natural landscapes, including five national parks – Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands – are a major draw for tourists who come to hike, camp, and explore the rugged terrain.

The state is also famous for its winter sports, with world-renowned ski resorts such as Park City and Deer Valley that attract skiing enthusiasts from around the globe.

Utah boasts numerous cultural attractions as well, such as the Sundance Film Festival, Utah Symphony Orchestra, and Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Additionally, the state is known for its close association with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Salt Lake City serving as its headquarters. Utah’s unique geography also provides a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities, including river rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing, making it an ideal destination for adventure seekers.

Like I said, there’s no wrong time to visit Utah. However, this trip would be best suited for April-October since there’s going to be a fair amount of driving, and you probably don’t want to deal with driving in the cold, snow, and ice.

Fall is my favorite time of year in Utah (and in general), so I’d recommend going in October. You’ll be able to see the fall colors and the national parks will be less crowded than they are during the summer.

Note: Most if not all of these places are prone to flash floods, so check the weather and updates from the national parks regularly.

You’ve got a couple of options flying into the area, and it kind of depends on where you want to start and where you want to finish. 

You can fly in through Salt Lake City International Airport, which is just under 4 hours driving to the next destination, Moab.

With this option, you can either book a roundtrip flight and drive back from Zion National Park when you’re done (about 4.5 hours), or you can head to Las Vegas (about 2.5 hours).

The trip can also be done in reverse, starting in Vegas and finishing in SLC. Or you can book a roundtrip flight from Vegas and drive back from Moab or Salt Lake City (both drives are 6-6.5 hours).

For the purpose of this itinerary, we’re going to start in SLC and finish in Vegas, which has the least amount of driving time, but you can adapt it however you want.

Yes, 7 days should be sufficient time to get an overview of the state and see a number of the different aspects which make it so unique; including several National Parks and a few settlements. If you have longer time to spare, then you can set aside 10-14 days to delve deeper into hidden gems and off the beaten tourist track locations.

You’ll be venturing all around the state, which means you’ll need different accommodations every night.

While you’re in Salt Lake City or Las Vegas, there are tons of hotels and Airbnbs to choose from. I was raised to always stay in Marriotts. You can find them pretty much anywhere, and they’ll always be decent quality.

In downtown Salt Lake, either the City Creek or the City Center ones are good options that will put you in the middle of the city. For something a little cheaper, there is a Fairfield Inn or a Residence Inn, both about 15 minutes outside of downtown.

While you’re driving through the state, you might consider camping in or near the national parks, or you could rent an RV to make your stay a little easier. All the national parks have hotels, inns, and lodges nearby, so there are plenty of options.

You’ll definitely need a car for this trip. If you’re flying in, you’ll need to rent one (check rental prices here) or, as mentioned, you can rent an RV which can double as your transportation and your accommodation.

Any car should do, you won’t need one for off-roading (though if you want to there are plenty of places in the areas you’re visiting to do that if you so wish to) . For more information, be sure to check out our top road trip tips . And for more inspiration, check out this guide to the best road trips in the USA .

Suggested itinerary for a 7 days in Utah road trip

Start your trip in the state capital, Salt Lake City. This city surrounded by mountains has a rich history, but if that’s not your cup of tea, there are also plenty of hiking and outdoor opportunities nearby.

While you’re here you can explore the city, visiting places like Temple Square, the heart of the city and the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Utah State Capitol, a gorgeous building with beautiful grounds and architecture. You can also go to the Hogle Zoo or the Natural History Museum of Utah.

If you want to get outside, head to Big Cottonwood Canyon (just 20 minutes outside the city) where you’ll find plenty of hiking. Or you can go to Park City, a good tourist stop in the mountains that always has tons of events and activities going on (40 minutes away).

You may also want to stop by a grocery store and pick up snacks and food, as there are limited options in some of the parks you’ll be visiting. If you’ve got an extra day to spend here, check out our 2-day Salt Lake City itinerary .

Drive south to Moab, a small town known for its proximity to two of Utah’s most famous national parks, Arches and Canyonlands, and one of Utah’s state parks, Dead Horse Point. It’ll take you just under 4 hours, so get an early start, but also enjoy the scenic drive.

You can either spend the rest of the day exploring Canyonlands or Arches National Park . Choose whichever one you don’t mind spending less time in since you won’t have to drive as much on day 3.

Canyonlands National Park covers over 337,000 acres of rugged terrain. There are three main areas in the park: Island in the Sky, the Maze, and the Needles. Island in the Sky is closest to Moab and one of the park’s most popular areas. If you have more time in Moab, check out our suggested Moab itinerary .

Be sure to visit Grand View Point, one of the coolest viewpoints in the park. Take a hike to Mesa Arch, perhaps the park’s most famous landmark. If you’ve got time head to Green River Overlook or Shafer Canyon Overlook and enjoy the incredible views of the canyons and rock formations as the sun sets.

Spend the next day exploring Arches National Park. Hike to Delicate Arch, one of the park’s most famous landmarks, and watch the sunrise over the park’s stunning red rock formations. The hike takes two to three hours, depending on your pace.

After, you can hike the Devils Garden, a 7-mile trail which can be shortened and you’ll still see some cool sights, including huge boulders, tunnels, and arches. If this seems too long, then don’t worry as you can alternatively hike just the landscape arch, which is a 1.9 mi/3.1 km roundtrip portion of the Devils Garden.

On your way out of the park, there are some great landmarks along the road where you can stop and take pictures. These include Balanced Rock, the Windows, Double Arch, and the Petrified Dunes Lookout.

You can make the 2-hour drive to Capitol Reef during the evening to save you some time on day 4.

Day 4 – Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef National Park is often overlooked among Utah’s parks, but it has some incredible sights, and it’s a bit of a hidden gem in Utah’s national park system. 

Start with a hike to the Hickman Bridge Arch, which spans 133 feet. The 1.8-mile trail will give you stunning views of this park. 

Take a hike along the Capitol Gorge Trail or the Chimney Rock Trail and explore the park’s historic orchards and pioneer-era buildings. There are lots of viewpoints along Highway 24, including Panorama and Sunset Viewpoints, and you can also see some petroglyphs.

When you’re done here, make the 2.5-hour drive to Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique geological formations called hoodoos, and it’s one of my favorite parks. 

You can take a hike along the park’s rim, giving you different perspectives on the hoodoos, or descend into the canyon and explore the trails that wind through the formations. 

One great hike is the Navajo Loop, which allows you to hike down into the hoodoos and see them from an entirely different perspective. At the start of this trail, you’ll be able to see the famous hoodoo Thor’s Hammer — which as far as I know no one has been able to lift— and along the way you’ll see things like huge trees growing in between the rock formations and towering hoodoos. 

Watch the sunset over the park’s stunning landscapes and enjoy the incredible views. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our suggested one day in Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary .

Head to Zion National Park, one of Utah’s most popular and beloved parks (1.5 hours from Bryce). Take a scenic drive through the park’s stunning landscapes, including towering rock formations, deep canyons, and rushing rivers. 

If you’re a serious hiker, you might consider a hike to the top of Angels Landing, one of the park’s most famous and most challenging trails, which you’ll need a permit to hike. 

If you’re not up for that, explore the Narrows, a stunning canyon with towering walls and a winding river. There’s a one-mile paved section, but if you want to go further in, you’ll have to hike through the river.

On your last day, either head back north to Salt Lake or head down to Las Vegas, where you can explore the city or simply board your flight back home. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our suggested itinerary for Las Vegas .

We hope you enjoy your time in Utah visiting these gorgeous national parks!

Enjoyed reading about the perfect one week in Utah road trip itinerary? Pin this article now, read it again later:

About the author: Lexi Cooper is a freelance editor and writer. Her parents taught her a love for traveling, seeing new sights, and learning about the world. Along with her passion for travel, she loves stories and dreams of spending her days reading and writing books and wandering the globe.

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Red Rock & Dark Skies: Stargazing the National Parks

This road trip through southwest Utah takes you to four of Utah’s best places to see the Milky Way — Capitol Reef National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument.

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Ski Southern Utah: High Alpine Trails + Red Rock Wonder

Southern Utah is home to two high-elevation ski areas that contain generous helpings of what we call (with authority) The Greatest Snow on Earth®. Things can be a little quieter down here this time of year. Give yourself at least five days to combine the thrills of Southern Utah skiing and boarding with exploring the wintertime wonders to be found in Utah’s red rock country.

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Things To Do on Your Road Trip

“Slow down and smell the flowers. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Whichever cliché resonates, they often hold true — it can be tough not rushing from point A to point B. There are a lot of incredible places to discover. To make the most of your time traveling through Utah, follow these tips:

• Experience the Dark Skies  - Utah is home to the highest concentration of International  Dark Sky Parks and Communities  anywhere in the world. It pays to get up early and watch a sunrise, especially over a red rock horizon in Southern Utah. Once you reach your next stop, stay up late and spend some time gazing into the star-filled skies.
• Support Local  - Many of Utah’s most famous adventure destinations are surrounded by soulful basecamp communities. Skip the drive thru and stop into a local diner for a meal you’ll never forget. It’s these  local boutiques, outfitters, restaurants and museums  that will show you the heart and soul of a region.
• Fall Into An Audiobook  - A few hours between stops is the perfect opportunity to glean insights about Utah’s fascinating heritage, geology and ecology. Prepare for your journey by downloading a few of these  favorite books from Utahn authors .
• Download These Apps Beforehand  - Similarly, there are apps available to enhance your experience in Utah’s open spaces. Identify that desert wildflower, learn what left that track in the sand or discover a new constellation with these  must-have travel apps .
• Stay Flexible  - There’s a sense of freedom and independence that accompanies the southwest road trip. Utah’s destinations are best suited to the flexible — take a detour, pop into that intriguing store, and add a day to your trip if you find somewhere that captivates you.
• Take Pit Stops  - You’re doing it wrong if you think road trip  pit stops  are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. You need to refuel, eat, answer the call of nature, and stretch your legs anyway, so why not make them into mini-adventures?

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When You Wander

Travel tips, van life, the great outdoors, utah road trip itinerary – 2 weeks in the mighty 5 national parks, april 30, 2018 liana safian.

If you’re having déjà vu, (look we already picked up some French😉) you’re not alone. This two week Utah road trip itinerary is a combination of our one week eastern and western national park itineraries. We thought it’d be helpful to have all the details in one place and timeline recommendations for each destination. Plus, we’ve added more awesome things to do in each national park and new photos.

If you have 2 weeks to travel around the stunning state of Utah, you can visit all 5 national parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands) and really get a sense of the area. This Utah road trip national park itinerary is ordered from west to east because that’s how we traveled through the state, but you can easily reverse the order. You’ll find lodging options for each area (including free camping spots), food recommendations, and of course lists of our favorite activities. We’ve written specific posts about all five of Utah’s national parks so you can get even more details there.

We hope you enjoy this ultimate Utah road trip itinerary. Happy planning!

Days 1-5 at Zion and Bryce Canyon

Where to stay in zion and bryce canyon national parks.

The first thing you’ll need to decide on your Utah road trip is whether to stay at one place between Zion and Bryce or move locations. Since there’s ample free camping outside both places we moved and this is our recommendation. You’ll avoid wasting valuable time driving. Plus, you can catch sunrise and sunset at Bryce Canyon which is an incredible experience.

The Parks: The campgrounds inside Zion and Bryce Canyon are highly competitive. We’re talking Star Wars movie release level lines waiting for the next camper to leave. If you have your heart set on camping in the parks, make a reservation or get there super early in the morning.  Zion and Bryce also have lodges with various accommodations. Free Camping: There are plenty of free camping spots within 30 minutes of  Zion and Bryce . Hotels and Commercial Campgrounds: Zion has an entire village just outside its south entrance in Springdale, UT. You can even ditch your vehicle and catch a shuttle into the park. Check-out the Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau for options. The county tourism site has lodging details for Bryce. If you really want to stay in one location, here are some possibilities . Just be sure to allow extra time for traffic near and inside the parks.

Where to eat in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Fort Zion Restaurant & Virgin Trading Post: This is a fun stop for more than just a hanger cure. In addition to homemade ice cream and juicy burgers (according to Tom), there’s a petting farm and a small village of humorous old west storefronts including the Virgin Jail and Miss Molly’s House of Negotiable Affection. Fruit stand outside the south entrance of Zion: We stopped at this stand daily on our way out of the park. Great for quickly grabbing fresh produce. It’s on the left side of the road heading towards Zion’s south entrance. Just make sure to bring $ as it’s a cash only operation. Other places to eat near Bryce: Confession time. We were super budget travelers and didn’t eat out at all during our time in Bryce. Well, unless you count post-sunrise viewing coffee and a donut from the park store. Personally, I think that a 5am wake-up warrants an extra coffee and a donut, but that doesn’t exactly count as a great food recommendation. So I’ll leave this one to the pro’s and share Eater’s list of best restaurants around Bryce. We’ll definitely be hitting up a few of these next time we’re in the area.

What to do in Zion National Park

We recommend spending three full days in Zion National Park. Here are some things to keep you busy during your visit to this majestic desert oasis:

• Hike right through the Virgin River in the Narrows.
• Conquer your fear of heights at Angel’s Landing. If hiking along a narrow ridge that has 1,000 foot drop-offs on both sides isn’t your thing, you can always stop at Scout’s Lookout and take in the views from there.
• Drive through the tunnels and see Checkered Mesa on the east side of the park.
• Visit the Human History Museum.
• Get away from the crowds in the serene Kolob Canyons.
• See old settlement cabins on the trail to Double Arch Alcove.
• Trek to the Emerald Pools.

Find out more about these awesome things to do in Zion National Park here.

What to do in Bryce Canyon National Park

Two days in Bryce Canyon will allow you to see much of the park. Here are some of our favorite experiences:

• Watch sunrise at Sunrise Point. This was one our favorite experiences from all our 2017 travels.
• Watch sunset at…you guessed it…Sunset Point. Don’t worry, the names in the park get more interesting from here on out.
• See the hoodoos up-close on the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Trail.
• Hike through rock tunnels on the Peekaboo Loop Trail (our favorite trail in the park).
• Ride a horse through the hoodoos.
• Drive to the end of HWY 63 and stop at the uniquely named viewpoints. Seriously, who doesn’t want to see something called Piracy Point?
• Visit Red Canyon just outside the national park.
• Take in one of the longest views in North America on the Bristlecone Loop Trail. On clear days you can see all the way to the Grand Canyon.
• Check-out a waterfall in the desert on the Mossy Cave Trail.

Get more details about the best of Bryce Canyon here.

Days 6-8 at Capitol Reef

Where to stay in capitol reef national park.

The Park: There’s one developed campground in Fruita with 71 sites. Most sites are reservation only for much of the year so as usual, book early. Free Camping: Free BLM camping can be found to the east and west of the park. There’re also boondocking spots in the National Forest south of the park. Hotels and Commercial Campgrounds: There are other lodging options including hotels, resorts, cabins, and Bed and Breakfasts in the areas surrounding Capitol Reef. Here’s a great site for finding a place to stay. Just be sure to check distances, as some of these are bit far from the park.

Where to eat in Capitol Reef National Park

Chuckwagon General Store Deli: We went here looking for coffee and found a fresh tasty deli counter. You can grab lunch to go or eat there. Mesa Farm Market: Located 24 miles east of the Capitol Reef visitor center, this market has it all. In addition to produce they offer salads, artisan breads and baked goods, cheese, yogurt, fresh juices, and more. Other places to eat near Capitol Reef: The Capitol Reef tourism dining page lists lots of other tasty establishments.

What to do in Capitol Reef National Park

• Hang out by the natural water “tanks” in Capitol Gorge.
• Gaze upon the crooked landscape and funky rock formations along the Chimney Rock Loop Trail.
• Stand on top of Cassidy Arch (named after the infamous Butch Cassidy).
• Hike to Hickman Bridge natural rock formation.
• Take a trip through time in Fruita and learn about the history of the area’s early settlers.
• See petroglyphs and pioneer registers on the rock faces.
• Take in the stunning views at Panorama Point and Goosenecks Overlook.

Find out why you don’t want to miss Capitol Reef National Park here.

Days 9-14 at Arches and Canyonlands

Where to stay in arches and canyonlands national parks.

Arches and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands are fairly close together so you can stay at one location near Moab. You will want to move locations for the Needles district of Canyonlands, but we’ve included recommendations for that as well.

The Parks: The campgrounds inside Arches and Canyonlands are small and fill quickly, so our advice is to book as early as possible if you want to stay in the parks. Free Camping:  It’s easy to find free camping on the abundant BLM land around Moab. Of course, arrive early in the day so you’re not searching for a site in the dark. Some of the BLM campgrounds have fees so check them out ahead of time. Here’s a link to the free camping site we use and the other fee-based BLM campgrounds . Our recommendation for the Needles section of Canyonlands is this surreal free camp spot aptly named Hamburger Rock. Hotels and Commercial Campgrounds: If you prefer hot showers and indoor plumbing, the Moab Tourism website is a great resource for finding all lodging types.

Where to eat in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Moab Brewery: Gelato and beer, how can you go wrong? Zax Pizza : Three words: Pizza. Lunch. Buffet. La Hacienda : Flavorful Mexican food with big portions. Moab Farmer’s Market : Re-stock your road trip snack supply at the local farmer’s market. Last summer it was held on Friday evening at the Swanny City Park.

What to do in Arches National Park

Start your time in eastern Utah with two days exploring the trails and unique sandstone formations that Arches National Park is famous for:

• Take in sunrise at the Windows and Turret Arch area.
• Make the short trek to Double Arch (also in the Windows and Turret Arch area).
• Hike to (and stand under) Delicate Arch.
• Visit Balanced Rock.
• See 7 different arches on the Primitive Trail (including the world’s largest arch).
• Go on a ranger guided tour through the Fiery Furnace.

Get the full 2-3 Day Arches National Park itinerary here.

What to do in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is a large park with different distinct regions so we recommend spending three full days here to soak up all the amazing scenery and expansive views.

Island in the Sky District

• Stop at Mesa Arch.
• See canyons for days from the Grand View Point Overlook trail.
• Visit ancient ancestral Puebloan granaries at Aztec Butte.
• Gaze into the mysterious Upheaval Dome.
• Catch another Sunrise at Dead Horse Point State Park.

Needles District

• Stop at Newspaper Rock on your way to the Needles and see hundreds of petroglyphs—some carved 2,000 years ago.
• Climb ladders on the Cave Spring Trail.
• Hike over diverse desert terrain to Chesler Park and the needles.
• See the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers.
• Look for “puddle dwellers” at Pothole Point.
• Take in four viewpoints on the Slickrock Foot trail.

Find more things to do in Canyonlands National Park here.

Have you done a Utah road trip? Did you visit any of the national parks? What was your favorite thing to do?

Related Posts:

• Utah Road Trip Itinerary – 1 Week in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks
• Utah Road Trip Itinerary – 1 Week in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
• 13 Road Trip Essentials (Make sure to have everything you need for your road trip adventure)

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CAMPING , HIKING , NORTH AMERICA , UNITED STATES · October 30, 2022 Last Updated on July 28, 2024

7 DAY MIGHTY FIVE UTAH ITINERARY

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The “Mighty Five” National Parks in Utah are made up of Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, and are best visited on a road trip.

There is so much to see in each of these national parks, and you could spend a week in each, but it is possible to see them all in 7 days. You can even hit some other popular spots and state parks along the way.

In this guide, I share our exact itinerary for a one week campervan road trip to the Mighty Five along with lots of tips for visiting the parks.

Getting Around

The best way to see the Mighty Five is to drive yourself, and my preference is to do so in a camper van.

The benefit of the camper is that you have more freedom to adjust your itinerary, there are many places to park and camp legally, and you have everything you need with you on all your days out.

Renting a campervan gives you much more flexibility to plan your itinerary as you want, plus you will save money over the course of the trip by being able to make your own meals in the van and sleep in the van each night.

Restaurants and hotels can be extremely expensive near the national parks, so having the option to make your own food and not worry about hotels makes it so much easier!

Plus, you can get an early start on the day by waking up and immediately driving to the national parks to be the first ones in. Once in the parks, you can get ready for the day in your campervan instead of having to spend time each morning getting ready before entering the parks.

Picking your Campervan Rental Company

Ahead of my road trip, I researched the different van companies to rent a van from Salt Lake City and came across Kellville Vans , a family operated business that rents luxury campers. (In full disclosure I partnered with Kellville vans for this road trip, as always, I am sharing my true experience here.) 

Kellville has a range of very high quality vans that include amenities not found in other more basic vans. We rented their Winnebago Solis 59P , a 19.5 foot van that sleeps 4 people.

In our particular van, we had a built-in 2 burner stove, a toilet, an interior and exterior shower, plus plenty of USB and electrical plugs which made keeping cameras charged a breeze.

There was also both an air conditioner and a heater, and we wound up using both during our trip because of the wide range of temperatures we experienced in Utah!

Kellville sets you up with everything you need for your trip, including extra bedding, pillows, pots, pans, utensils, and most importantly, excellent insurance included in the rental fee.

Many van companies charge a significant extra fee for insurance, but Kellville includes comprehensive insurance as part of the rental fee on all of their vans.

When you add up the insurance savings, it can even make renting from Kellville more cost-effective than some of the other budget van options, plus you get a much nicer van!

I was extremely impressed with my campervan rental from Kellville, and I highly recommend you book with them for your own Utah campervan rental.

Entrance To The National Parks

Each national park in the itinerary can cost $35 to enter, but you can save a ton of money by buying the “America the Beautiful” national parks pass for $80.

This pass includes unlimited entrance into all of the national parks in the US, and considering you will be visiting at least 5 in this itinerary alone, the pass pays for itself very quickly.

Plus, we were able to avoid the line of cars at several national parks by flashing the pass to the park ranger at the entrance, who sent us to our own line to get into the park.

You can buy the “America the Beautiful” pass at each national park entrance, but I would highly recommend buying it at REI before your trip.

Buying the pass at REI is the same price, and you know you will be good to go as soon as you arrive on your trip. By bringing your pass, you won’t have to waste time buying the pass and instead enjoy the national parks as quickly as possible!

REI also donates 10% of the proceeds from the sale of each pass to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

For an extra tip, try to buy the pass near the 1st of the month. The pass is good for a full year from the month you buy it, so if you buy it at the beginning of a month, it will be good until the end of that month the following year.

Buy your America the Beautiful pass here.

Day by Day Mighty 5 Itinerary

Day 1: salt lake city to moab.

Depending on your arrival time in Salt Lake City, you may want to check into a hotel for the night before day 1 of your road trip.

We arrived late on a Friday night, checked into the Hilton Garden Inn Airport hotel for the night, and then picked up our campervan from Kellville on Saturday morning.

Once we had collected the van and stocked up on food at a local supermarket (Target worked well to stock up on essentials), we were on our way to Moab which is around 3.5 hours from Salt Lake City.

On arrival in Moab, we checked in at Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway RV Campsite , which is about 10 minutes from the entrance to Arches National Park and 30 minutes from Canyonlands National Park .

If you arrive before sunset, I recommend heading straight to Arches National Park that evening to see the sunset at one of the popular sunset spots: Delicate Arch (3 mile roundtrip hike) or Balanced Rock (easy short walk).

We chose to see Balanced Rock for sunset because of the later time in the day that we arrived and then start the following day with Delicate Arch.

Campsites in Moab:

• Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway
• Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway
• Devil’s Garden Campground (inside Arches National Park)

Hotels in Moab:

• Under Canvas Moab
• Hoodoo Moab
• La Quinta by Wyndham Moab

Day 2: Arches National Park

Day 2 is essentially your first full day, and today you will explore Arches National Park .

There is plenty to see in the park and you cannot go wrong with the order that you see things in the park, but you should definitely plan your itinerary around where you want to watch sunrise and sunset in the park.

One must-see arch is Delicate Arch , which I recommend seeing at either sunrise or sunset.

Sunrise is less crowded but the sun comes up behind the arch which can make photographing it a little harder. Sunset is generally thought to be the best time to visit for photography, but expect it to be busy!

We started our day with Delicate Arch, then after this hike made our way to Fiery Furnace Overlook to take a break and enjoy the view. Note that you do need a permit if you want to do this hike, but you can take in the viewpoint from the nearby parking lot.

Next up is a loop hike from Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch and then on to Tapestry Arch . The total hike is around 3 miles round trip.

After this hike, make your way over to Double Arch and the Windows. These two spots are within walking distance of one another and can be done in any order.

Finally, end your day at the Courthouse Towers Viewpoint and Park Avenue which are close to the entrance/exit of the park. Both spots can be viewed from easy-to-reach lookouts or you can hike an easy trail between the two along Park Avenue which is a pleasant area to be in for sunset.

If you have more time then you can easily spend 2 days in Arches.

For the second day, hike the Devils Garden Trail which is a 7.8 mile hike that is classed as difficult and can take around 5 hours to complete.

Read more about the Devils Garden Trial hike in our Moab girls trip hiking guide.

Plus, there are lots of other arches to see, depending on how much time you spend at each spot you should be able to fit in some others during the day!

Recommended Arches National Park 1 day itinerary:

• Delicate Arch (3 mile roundtrip hike)
• Fiery Furnace Overlook (viewpoint + permit hike)
• Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch, and Tapestry Arch hike (3 mile roundtrip hike)
• Double Arch and the Windows (0.3 mile hike)
• Courthouse Towers Viewpoint and Park Avenue (viewpoint)
• Extra for day 2: Devil’s Garden Trail (7.8 mile hike)

Day 3: Canyonlands National Park and Drive To Capitol Reef

Day 3 is dedicated to Canyonlands National Park , which is about 30 minutes from central Moab.

Again, I highly recommend getting up early to enjoy the sunrise in the park (and avoid long waits at the entrance).

Check the time of sunrise depending on the time of year and aim to be at the park entrance about 30 minutes or more before sunrise.

The most popular place to watch the sunrise is at Mesa Arch , but you will need to arrive early to avoid disappointment!

The parking lot at Mesa Arch is very small, and if you are in a camper van you may struggle to find a spot. Some smaller vehicles and cars ignored no parking signs and lined the edges of the lot, but this is not possible in a larger campervan.

If you can’t find parking at Mesa Arch or want to avoid the crowds, you can continue driving into the park and stop at Buck Canyon Overlook , which was absolutely stunning glowing pink as the sun was coming up. Plus, you will very likely have Buck Canyon all to yourself!

I definitely recommend stopping at Buck Canyon Overlook for a few photos and then heading onwards to Orange Cliffs and Grand View Point .

Grand View has plenty of parking and is stunning place to watch the sunrise. There is a cliffside trail that runs 1 mile along the canyon and then back the way you came.

After watching the sunrise, you are now free to explore the park in whatever order you prefer. One of the nice things about Canyonlands is there are lots of very easily accessible viewpoints so you don’t have to walk or hike into all of them.

Some of my favourites were Green River Overlook , Candlestick Tower Overlook , and the Island in the Sky Visitor Center .

We preferred to keep our Canyonlands day a bit shorter and travel while it was light to Capitol Reef, but you could stay in Canyonlands until sunset and then drive at night to Capitol Reef.

Recommended Canyonlands 1 day itinerary:

• Mesa Arch (0.7 mile hike)
• Buck Canyon Overlook (viewpoint)
• Orange Cliffs (viewpoint)
• Grand View Point. (viewpoint or 1 mile hike)
• Green River Overlook (viewpoint)
• Candlestick Tower Overlook (viewpoint)
• Island in the Sky Visitor Center (viewpoint)

Driving from Canyonlands (or Moab) to Capitol Reef

After your day in Canyonlands, you will make your way to Capitol Reef. The total drive time is about 3.5 hours, but depending on what time you start driving, you may be able to make some stops along the way.

If you leave in the afternoon you can stop at Goblin Valley State Park , which is on the way to Capitol Reef.

The drive is absolutely beautiful between Moab and Capital Reef which unusual rock formations, towering mountains and valleys.

Our favorite part of the drive was Cathedral Valley which reminded us of the landscapes in some parts of Death Valley National Park .

End the day in Capitol Reef and head to Panorama Point and Sunset Point for sunset (0.3 mile hike).

Campsites in Capitol Reef:

• Sand Creek RV Park
• Wonderland RV Park
• Fruita Campground (inside Capitol Reef National Park)

Hotels in Capitol Reef:

• Capitol Reef Resort
• Red Sands Hotel
• The Noor Hotel

Day 4: Capitol Reef and Drive to Bryce Canyon

Start your day in Capitol Reef with sunrise at Panorama Point, Goosenecks, or Sunset Point, all of which are close to each other. Bring your coffee and breakfast, and take in the cotton candy skies as the sun rises.

While these are typically thought of as sunset spots, they were equally beautiful at sunrise (and much less crowded!).

After breakfast head to Cassidy Arch , a popular hiking trail that is 3 miles in and out, with around 1,000 ft of elevation.

I recommend Cassidy Arch as your morning hike because you will get to hike a good portion of the uphill hike in the shade before the sun comes over the mountains.

To reach Cassidy Arch, you will drive a small portion of the scenic route drive, and pass by Gifford House where you can grab a bite to eat to prepare you for the moderately difficult hike.

After Cassidy Arch, you can relax and enjoy the rest of the 8 mile scenic drive , stopping to take pictures and enjoy the views along the way.

After the scenic drive head to Hickman’s Bridge , which is a shorter 1.8 mile hike. The hike is pretty, but does feel a little underwhelming after the Cassidy Bridge hike.

If you have more time then you can see more in Capitol Reef, there are many more scenic hikes and viewpoints, but if you are following this itinerary to see the Mighty 5 in 7 days, then it’s time to drive onto Bryce Canyon!

Recommended Capitol Reef 1 day itinerary:

• Panorama Point, Goosenecks, and Sunset Point (0.4 mile hike each way) 
• Cassidy Arch (1.5 mile hike each way)
• Scenic Drive (8 mile drive)
• Hickman’s Bridge (0.9 mile hike each way)

Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon

The journey from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon is about 2.5 hours and is another beautiful drive lined with bright yellow leafed trees if you are travelling in the fall.

Once you reach Bryce Canyon, head straight to the park putting Sunset Point into your navigation.

Bryce Canyon is the smallest national park in the country meaning most of the main points of interest and hiking trails leave from the same area around Sunset Point ( Google Map location here ).

There is a reasonably sized parking lot, but as I have mentioned before, you should arrive at least one hour before sunset to ensure you can get a parking spot.

Alternatively, there is also a shuttle that leaves from a number of points near the national park that you can hop onto to avoid the parking problem.

From the sunset point parking lot, I recommend walking the rim trail past sunset point and onwards to Inspiration Point .

You can watch the sunset from anywhere along the rim, but it was nice to get away from the crowds and view the sunset at Inspiration Point, and you get the benefit of walking the rim trail and seeing the Amphitheater from lots of different angles.

Spend the night near Bryce Canyon so you can be up and early for sunrise tomorrow!

Campsites in Bryce Canyon:

• Ruby’s Inn RV Park
• Bryce Canyon Pines Campground
• North Campground (inside Bryce Canyon National Park)

Hotels in Bryce Canyon:

• Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
• Bryce View Lodge
• Bryce Canyon Pines

Day 5: Bryce Canyon

Wake up before sunrise and head straight to Bryce Canyon National Park .

Park in the parking lot at sunset point and get ready for your day!

From here, you have the option of watching sunrise from Sunrise Point , anywhere along the rim, or down in the Amphitheater.

I recommend watching inside of the Amphitheater, so head towards sunset point and then follow the signs to the Navajo Trail .

During the first part of the trail, you will have plenty of opportunities for some amazing sunrise photos.

The sunrise is stunning as it hits the hoodoos across the Amphitheatre, and you can continue your way along the Navajo Trail as the sun continues to rise.

My favorite part of the trail is as the path winds down between the rock faces.

At the bottom of this part of the Navajo trail, you will pass the double bridge and then the area will open up and you can choose to continue on the Queens Garden Trail or finish up the Navajo Trail and Wall Street (if it’s open at the time of your visit).

We continued on the Queens Garden trail which ends at Sunrise Point.

There are other hikes in Bryce Canyon you can take, or if you want to take it easy then do the scenic drive up to Rainbow Point and stop at each viewpoint along the way. One must-see viewpoint along the drive was the Natural Bridge.

Recommended Bryce Canyon 1 day itinerary:

• Sunrise Point (viewpoint)
• Navajo Trail (1.4 mile loop)
• Queens Garden Trail (1.8 mile loop)
• Inspiration Point (1 mile each way)
• Scenic drive to Rainbow Point

Bryce Canyon to Zion

From Bryce Canyon you will drive to Zion National Park which is around 1.5 hours.

As you might have guessed, this is another stunning drive where you will pass through gorgeous landscapes such as the Dixie Forest Red Canyon .

You will arrive at Zion from the east of the park meaning you will need to go through the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel if you are staying in Springdale, which is west of the park.

If you are in an oversized vehicle (over 13 feet tall) you will need to pay $15 to go through the tunnel. Our Solis P campervan was only 9.5 feet high, so you likely will not need to worry about the height requirement unless you are driving a very large RV.

What you do on arrival in Zion will depend on the time of day. Before and after the tunnel there are stops on the side of the road to get nice views of the park, or you hike some of the popular trails such as Canyon Overlook.

If you want to go on famous hikes such as The Narrows or Angels Landing, you will have to wait until the next day.

Not only because it’s better to arrive at these trails early in the day, but also because you will need to take the shuttle to reach these and the shuttle going into the park from the visitor center ends at 5pm.

So where to end the day? We got settled at our campsite Zion Canyon Campground and after several days of hiking enjoyed the sunset from the comfort of our camping chairs by our campervan!

Springdale also has some excellent restaurants if you do want to eat out. We had very good meals at the Spotted Dog, Brew Pub, and FeelLove Coffee (bonus: FeelLove coffee has extremely fast wi-fi, which is hard to find!).

Bonus tip: After 3pm on your arrival day, go to Zion Outfitter and rent water boots and a hiking pole if you are planning to hike the Narrows the next day.

The price is the same as renting the same day (approximately $35) if you rent after 3pm (you just have to return the equipment by 7pm the following day), and having the water boots and hiking pole made the Narrows hike significantly more enjoyable!

Campsites in Zion:

• Zion Canyon Campground
• Zion River Resort and RV Campground
• South Campground (inside Zion National Park)

Hotels in Zion:

• Cliffrose Springdale
• La Quinta by Wyndham La Verkin – Gateway to Zion
• Montclair Inn & Suites

Day 6: Zion

Get up before sunrise and go to the Zion visitor center to pick up the first shuttle into the park. The first shuttle time will depend on the time of year. Typically, the first shuttle is at 6:15 am in summer months and 7 am in winter months.

Check the official shuttle site here for the most accurate times.

There are two free shuttles in Springdale: The Zion Shuttle (Green line) and the Springdale Shuttle (Brown line).

You want to take the green line Zion shuttle into the park, as the brown Springdale shuttle does not run into the park. You can pick up the green line Zion shuttle from the visitor center.

There is a large car park at the Zion visitor center but it will fill up after sunrise, so you may need to walk or take the Springdale shuttle to the visitor center instead. Our campsite was just 10 minute walk to the visitor center so we walked from there.

Getting on the first shuttle will guarantee you are part of the first group that reaches The Narrows, meaning you can enjoy this stunning and unique hike in relative quiet!

The shuttle will make multiple stops throughout the park. If you are planning to do the Narrows hike, you will take the shuttle to the last stop: Stop 9 at Temple of Sinawa.

Narrows Hike

I highly recommend waking up early to be on one of the first shuttles. We took the first shuttle leaving at 7 am, arrived at Temple of Sinawa at around 7:45 am, and got started on the riverside walk which takes you to the foot of the Narrows.

The Narrows can take up to 4 hours each way, which can be longer or shorter depending how quickly you go.

The water level can also very greatly depending on the time of year, and even with lower water levels, the hike is wading through rock filled water that got up to waist deep at sections.

We went as far as Boulders which took around 2 hours (with photo stops) and on the way back (turning around at about 10:30 ish) it was so much busier.

The crowds make it much harder to navigate the rocks and river, as you wait for other people to do the same, so I highly recommend doing the hike as early as possible!

After The Narrows, you can stay in the park and shuttle to another smaller hike, but we preferred to bring out water boots back and grab lunch at the Brew Pub by the visitor center and reward ourselves with a burger and fries, and then a chilled out afternoon.

Day 7: Zion

A popular activity all over Utah is to drive UTVs, so on our last day in Zion we booked a GetYourGuide UTV and slot Canyon tour east of the park in Orderville.

This was such a fun tour and unique as we had not had the chance to see slot canyons like these so far in the trip!

If you book this same tour, then after the tour enjoy lunch at The Shop Coffee Company cafe where the tour leaves from. I recommend the pesto balsamic grilled cheese which was absolutely delicious!

At the cafe, you can pick up some things in the shop from local artists and farms.

In the afternoon, you can take the shuttle back into the park to visit the Grotto which is a short walk from the shuttle stop, and the lower, middle and upper emerald pools. The Emerald Pools are shorter hikes and, depending how tired you are at this point in the trip, you can decide to do just one or all of the pools.

Recommended Zion 2 day itinerary:

• The Narrows hike (2-10 miles)
• UTV Slot Canyon Tour
• The Grotto hike (1 mile round trip)
• Emerald Pools hikes (1.2 to 2.5 miles round trip depending on which pool)
• Angel’s Landing (5.4 miles round trip, permit required )

Other tips to know

At the end of the trip, you will drive back up to Salt Lake City to return your van, or continue on if you have your own vehicle.

If you are headed back to Salt Lake City then you can add on a bonus activity and visit Bonneville Salt Flats . The total drive time from Zion to Bonneville is about 5.5 hours and then back to Salt Lake City is 1.5 hours.

The salt flats were such a different landscape from everything else that we had seen in Utah and were a highlight of the trip!

Best Time Of Year To Visit The Mighty 5

We did our Mighty 5 roadtrip in early October which is considered the shoulder / end of the season.

The benefit of travelling at this time was cooler days and nights and less visitors. I would definitely recommend this as a great time to visit the national parks.

Estimated Costs

The costs for your trip will vary greatly depending on how long you travel for, if you rent a campervan or stay in hotels, and how long you stay at each national park.

For an idea of costs, these were my actual costs during the 7-day Mighty Five road trip for two people:

• Campsites total $400 (ranging between $50-90/night)
• “America the Beautiful” National Park Pass $80
• Disclosure: Kellville Vans gave us a complimentary van for media coverage during and after our trip.
• Flights from Nashville to Salt Lake City $500/person roundtrip (but we used Delta miles)
• Food to cook in the van for one week for two people: $300
• One lunch out at Zion Brew Pub: $25/person
• One dinner out at Spotted Dog: $35/person
• Water boot + walking stick rental at Zion Outfitters: $35/person
• ATV canyon tour: $110/person

Total cost for 2 people for 7 days: ~$3,700

Hotels and AirBnBs can be  extremely expensive near the national parks, so I highly recommend renting a campervan!

Meals out are also very expensive, so I would recommend cooking for yourself as much as possible if you are trying to keep costs down.

Campervan Tips

If you’ve never traveled in a campervan before, here are some tips I wish I knew:

• Go the speed limit! Utah has one of the highest speed limits in the USA of up to 80/mph, but people can get tickets for going above that. The speed limits can drop to 65/mph on some freeways, so make sure to always keep an eye out.
• Get gas when you can. Gas stations can be few and far in between, especially when traveling between the national parks, so make sure to fill your tank when you can.
• There are plenty large stores to choose from, including Target, Walmart, Costco, and Sam’s Club.
• Prices can get very expensive once you leave Salt Lake City and head towards the smaller towns, so it’s best to get a little more than you think you’ll need when in Salt Lake.
• The state sets the prices on alcohol at these stores, but the prices didn’t seem  too outrageous depending on what your drink of choice is.
• If you don’t book a luxury campervan with Kellville, then you will want to make sure to bring your own USB charges and cell phone mount to navigate safely while driving.
• Bring   layers. Depending on the time of year you visit Utah, the temperature can vary wildly. We had days in the low 90’s and the nights drop into the 30’s, so make sure to bring plenty of layers for all kinds of temperatures.
• Follow the quiet hours. Most campsites had quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am, and people were very respectful of these hours.

I hope this guide helps you plan the perfect Mighty 5 Utah road trip! Traveling by campervan is one of the best ways to see all the amazing national parks in the US.

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

• 12 Day Itinerary For Hiking Montana & Wyoming’s National Parks
• Perfect 1 Day Itinerary To Death Valley National Park
• Girls Hiking Getaway Guide to Moab, Utah
• The 5 Best AirBnB Rentals In Moab, Utah

We Are Travel Girls Founder Becky van Dijk of  BeckyvanDijk.com Connect with Becky  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  YouTube

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Charles Krim says

May 26, 2024 at 7:11 pm

“Great list! I’m planning a trip soon, and your guide is super helpful. Can’t wait to try out some of these spots, I also loved camping and this is my favorite camping gears: https://shop.campinggears.ph/collections/ecoflow

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10 Amazing Utah Road Trips: Unique Itineraries + Maps

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: July 16, 2020

Updated: June 22, 2024

Utah is one of our favorite places to road trip in the US. The Beehive State has so many unique route options through national parks, state parks and even off-road adventures. We’ve spent a lot of time driving around Utah, and we can’t get enough of its spectacular red rock landscapes, adventurous hikes and beautiful photo spots.

In this guide we show you 10 original and personally tested Utah road trips based entirely on our own experiences.

Our Experience

We’ve driven two incredible Utah road trips; first in the fall of 2019 and again in the winter of 2021. As hikers and travel photographers, we’re huge admirers of the southern Utah region, which we consider to be one of the very best road trips in the US .

Throughout our time in Utah, we’ve hiked the most iconic trails, explored the major parks and photographed the unmissable sunrise and sunset spots. So you can rest assured that every Utah road trip itinerary in this guide has been created from our first hand knowledge and experiences. Read more about us .

With so many amazing US road trips available for your next adventure, why would you choose to road trip through Utah?

Here’s what makes Utah such a popular place to visit:

• Five remarkable national parks
• Countless other special natural landscapes
• Year round accessibility
• Several of the best hikes in the US are in Utah
• Diverse and adventurous attractions
• Excellent weather for most of the year
• Easy logistics with Las Vegas and Salt Lake City airports

Other popular road trip routes in the US have the ocean, big cities, rainforests or rugged mountains. Utah offers dramatic canyons, extraordinary sandstone formations and bucket list hikes.

Choosing Where To Visit

Utah is home to a diverse range of topography including canyons, sand dunes, mountains and salt flats. The Mighty 5 national parks are the most heavily visited places in Utah, but there are so many other fun and underrated places to see.

So where should you visit on your Utah road trip?

Well, the answer depends on factors like your travel style, how much time you have and how many times you have visited Utah in the past.

• Are you a hiker? You should prioritize hikes in Zion National Park above all else.
• Are you a photographer? You should prioritize Arches, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon.
• First time in Utah or short on time? You should start with Zion and Bryce Canyon.
• Already seen the national parks? You should head to the adventure town of Kanab.

We think Utah is a state you can return to time and time again because there’s just so much to do. Even after 2 extensive trips to Utah, our bucket list is still only half full!

Further Reading: The 20 best places to visit in Utah

About Our Itineraries

Next, we’re going to show you our 10 favorite Utah road trip routes. You’ll find route statistics, a description and a map for each itinerary.

You can click into the interactive maps associated with each itinerary listed below. Simply touch or click the map to activate, then you can move around or zoom in and out.

We’ve tried to be as inclusive as possible in order to accommodate every traveler who wants to see the very best of Utah. Please feel free to leave us a comment at the end of the guide if we haven’t quite covered exactly what you are looking for.

Let’s get into the first itinerary!

1. Utah Mighty 5 National Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 389 miles
• Time : 7 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-8 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef , Canyonlands, Arches

The Mighty 5 national parks road trip is the ultimate Utah experience. This famous route consists of many of the best US national parks with stops at Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands.

After driving the Mighty 5 we can confidently say that it’s the all-in-one scenic Utah ticket featuring the best hikes, photo spots and landmarks. If you’ve never been to Utah and you want to see all the major highlights, this is the road trip for you.

Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Map

The Mighty 5 is most commonly driven as an out-and-back loop route from Las Vegas (here are the best things to do in Las Vegas ). Use the map above to see how the route begins in Zion, moves to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef before stopping near Moab for both Arches and Canyonlands.

Returning to Las Vegas from Moab, you have several amazing options for places to stop including Monument Valley, Page AZ, Grand Canyon North Rim and the adventure attractions around Kanab.

Road Trip Tip : Drive UT-12 from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. The route through Escalante is slightly longer but it’s incredibly scenic and shouldn’t be missed.

2. Utah State Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 476 miles
• Time : 9 hours 40 minutes
• Days : 3-5 days
• Attractions : Gunlock, Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, Coral Pink Sand Dunes , Kodachrome Basin, Escalante Petrified Forest, Goblin Valley, Dead Horse Point

We’ve created this original Utah road trip itinerary for return visitors to Utah or those who prefer to avoid heavy crowds. It follows the same route as the Mighty 5 but only stops at state parks and avoids national parks altogether.

We think Utah is overflowing with incredible state parks that are completely overshadowed by the national parks. There’s so much more to see, hike and photograph in Utah outside of the national parks. And the best part is that they’re always quiet.

Utah State Parks Road Trip Map

Our Utah state parks road trip is best driven in a loop from Las Vegas. Similarly to the Mighty 5 route, you can easily throw in plenty of extras stops along the way, which could even include one or two national parks if you don’t want to miss out.

Road Trip Tip : If state parks are your thing, do not miss the amazing Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada either on the way in or out of Utah from Las Vegas, which we have included in the route map above.

3. Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip

• Distance : 86 miles
• Time : 1 hour 55 minutes
• Days : 2-4 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon

Zion to Bryce Canyon is our top Utah road trips pick for visitors with just 2 or 3 days available. It’s a hugely popular and well established route which works perfectly with the nearby Las Vegas airport as a transport hub.

Both Zion and Bryce Canyon are amazing places, but they’re surprisingly different considering how close they are to one another. We love both parks and think this double header offers the perfect balance between ticking off some of the best Utah hikes and photo spots in a short trip.

Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Map

The Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip route is easy to plan. You simply fly into Las Vegas, drive to Zion, then drive to Bryce Canyon and eventually return to Las Vegas the same way. Here are 5 very different ways you can spend one day in Zion National Park .

Road Trip Tip : Serious hikers should spend more time in Zion, whereas photographers and sightseers should spend more time in Bryce Canyon.

4. Arches And Canyonlands Road Trip

• Distance : 78 miles
• Time : 2 hours 5 minutes
• Days : 1-2 days
• Attractions : Canyonlands, Arches

Arches and Canyonlands is one of the best bang for your buck road trips in Utah. We loved the photo spots in these two parks and can’t wait to go back for more landscape shoots. It’s possible to see the highlights of both parks in one day by starting in Canyonlands and ending in Arches.

However, 2 full days would allow you to relax and visit more natural attractions by spending a day in each park. You can tick off the best hikes in Arches and end with sunset from Delicate Arch on the first day, before spending the next day in Canyonlands which begins with an incredible sunrise at Mesa Arch.

Arches To Canyonlands Road Trip Map

Many visitors to Moab only have time to do Arches and Canyonlands in one day . Our route map above shows you exactly how to see both parks in a day from sunrise to sunset.

With more time you can do one day in each of Arches and Canyonlands. Start the second day in Canyonlands Island in the Sky district before visiting the further away districts called The Needles, The Maze and The Rivers.

Road Trip Tip : Start with Mesa Arch at sunrise and end with Delicate Arch at sunset for one of the most amazing days in Utah.

5. Kanab HQ Road Trip

• Distance : 320 miles
• Time : 6 hours 55 minutes
• Days : 3-4 days
• Attractions : Belly of the Dragon , Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Buckskin Gulch, The Wave, Toadstool Hoodoos , Grand Canyon North Rim

Our Kanab headquarters road trip is unique because you will use one tiny town as a base and the driving aspect is essentially fanning out in all directions around Kanab to visit attractions. Don’t be put off by what sounds like a boring road trip, trust us, it really isn’t!

We spent a few days ticking off hikes, landscapes, caves and sand dunes around Kanab during our second road trip through Utah and we were blown away by the area so much that we included it in our list of the 50 best US vacation spots .

Kanab is one of the most underrated places we’ve visited in America. Not only are there countless awesome things to do in Kanab , but the town also has affordable hotels, excellent restaurants and a chilled vibe.

Kanab HQ Road Trip Map

The route map above shows driving routes from Kanab to each of the most prominent attractions and hikes nearby. Visiting Grand Canyon North Rim is totally optional but it does make for a fantastic experience.

By using Kanab as a base, you can see the likes of Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Belly of the Dragon, Toadstool Hoodoos, Buckskin Gulch and The Wave. It’s also close to slot canyons and a bunch of fun adventure tours going out into the harder to reach areas of Utah like Peek-a-boo canyon.

Road Trip Tip : For the ultimate Kanab experience you should apply for the online lottery to win a permit for The Wave .

6. Kanab To Moab Road Trip

• Distance : 423 miles
• Time : 8 hours 45 minutes
• Days : 4-6 days
• Attractions : Kanab, The Wave or Grand Canyon North Rim, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands

Moving into custom Utah road trips territory, we think our Kanab to Moab road trip itinerary could be among the very best in this list. It’s perfect if you want to get off the beaten path and do something a bit different.

You’ll start with the best of Kanab, which could include hiking The Wave if you win a permit, before moving to Page AZ for Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon ( book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance). Next is Monument Valley and eventually you reach Moab for Arches and Canyonlands.

Kanab To Moab Road Trip Map

This route can be driven from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City or Denver with plenty of stops available on the back end after leaving Moab. It works perfectly for anyone who plans to spend time in Colorado either before or after Utah. Remember, Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t too far from Moab.

Do you want to visit Grand Canyon South Rim during your Utah road trip? You could leave Kanab and arrive into Page, then drive down to South Rim before re-joining the itinerary to Moab.

Road Trip Tip : You can see most of Monument Valley without actually going into the paid area.

7. Utah Hiking Road Trip

• Distance : 932 miles
• Time : 18 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-10 days
• Attractions : Fire Wave, The Subway , Angels Landing , The Narrows , Queen’s Garden , Hickman Bridge, Mesa Arch, Devil’s Garden, Delicate Arch, Buckskin Gulch , The Wave

We’ve created this custom road trip through Utah specifically for hikers and we think it’s pretty awesome! Utah’s unique landscapes are a paradise for hikers but the iconic trails are time consuming, so this is the longest itinerary in our list.

The route effectively follows the Mighty 5 path but it only consists of the best hikes. There are no photography stops, sunrises, sunsets or stops at other attractions. It’s a case of getting your permits in advance, driving from hike to hike and enjoying the trails.

Utah Hiking Road Trip Map

The map for our hikers Utah road trip route is created as though you have acquired permits for every necessary trail. Adapt the route if you are unable to obtain any permit, otherwise sit back and soak up what is going to be an incredible hiking trip!

Are you considering the Grand Canyon? Here’s our popular guide on the best hikes in Grand Canyon South Rim .

Road Trip Tip : In Utah you need permits to hike The Subway, Angels Landing, Buckskin Gulch and The Wave.

8. Utah Photography Road Trip

• Distance : 1,019 miles
• Time : 20 hours 15 minutes
• Attractions : Fire Wave , Zion Canyon Overlook , Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon Amphitheater , Fruita Barn, Mesa Arch , Delicate Arch , Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend , Grand Canyon

Our next custom Utah road trip itinerary is designed for photographers. Utah is not just for hikers, it’s also a prime location for landscape photography. Some of our favorite photo spots are in Utah. Think Mesa Arch, Delicate Arch and the Bryce Canyon amphitheater and you’ll get the idea!

The major issue with a photography itinerary is that you often need to be out for sunrise or sunset, so we’ve crafted this Utah road trip mainly around the most prominent locations at the best times of day. It’s a longer itinerary to accommodate for being in the right place at the right time.

Utah Photography Road Trip Map

Our photography route is one of our favorite Utah road trips because it leads to nothing but stunning landscapes. Use our itinerary as a starting point but be sure to include any other photo spots you know along the way (there are so many more!)

Follow the map above to see how you can drive around southern Utah and place yourself at the best photo spots every day. There are several ways you could plan this trip based on how much time you have and how important each stop is to you.

Road Trip Tip : The more time you allow for this road trip, the more sunrises and sunsets you can include. Dawn and dusk really are the most amazing times of day in Utah.

9. 4×4 Adventure Utah Road Trip

• Distance : 745 miles
• Time : 17 hours 30 minutes
• Attractions : Sand Mountain, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Red Canyon Slot, Willis Creek Slot, Kodachrome Basin, Zebra Slot, Natural Bridges, Valley of the Gods, White Pocket

Our custom 4×4 Utah road trip would be an entirely different experience to the typical routes. You can either hire a Jeep and drive yourself or take tours into the scorched wilderness. This adventure filled itinerary leads into countless slot canyons, washes and totally off the beaten path spots.

A lot of this itinerary is based around Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument but you could also include Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. These are the places nobody else goes in Utah so you really get that lost world feel.

Utah 4×4 Road Trip Map

The map above shows a basic 4×4 off-road adventure itinerary that we would follow if we were to take on this awesome road trip through Utah. Adapt, remove and include as you see fit based on any other spots you have pegged to visit.

This is the only itinerary in this list that deserves a cautionary warning up front. It’s vital that you are experienced with these types of terrains and situations, as well as being proficient in vehicle fixes and knowing what to do in emergency situations.

Road Trip Tip : With more time you can take your Jeep way off the beaten path. Study the roads in Grand Staircase Escalante in particular to plan the perfect off-road adventure.

10. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip

• Distance : 832 miles
• Time : 16 hours 10 minutes
• Days : 7-10 days
• Attractions : SLC, Bonneville Salt Flats, Antelope Island, Park City, Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, Bear Lake, Jackson, Grand Teton National Park , Yellowstone National Park

Our last Utah road trip is an extension of our extremely popular 7 days Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary . You can create a fantastic 10 day itinerary with Yellowstone and Grand Teton simply by including 3 days ticking off the top attractions around Salt Lake City.

Uinta Wasatch Cache is home to some seriously amazing hikes, Bonneville Salt Flats and Antelope Island are perfect for photographers, Park City is a famous skiing destination and downtown SLC is lovely to walk around.

SLC To Yellowstone Route Map

The map above shows an extended version of our classic 7 day SLC to Yellowstone road trip route with several spur trips near Salt Lake City creating a 10 day itinerary.

After leaving the Salt Lake City area, the route continues through Jackson to Grand Teton and Yellowstone before ending in Gardiner, MT. You can either fly home from Bozeman or return to SLC airport.

Road Trip Tip : Allow at least one full day in Grand Teton and two full days in Yellowstone at a minimum. In an ideal world you will have six full days to see both parks. Here’s our 4 days Yellowstone itinerary .

Planning Tools

So you know the routes and you’re excited to get started with planning. But what about logistics and the important things you need to know?

Here are the tools we use and the key information you should be aware of:

When searching for flights to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, we recommend checking prices on both Skyscanner and Google Flights as the two best flight search engines.

Tips to save on flights to Las Vegas or SLC:

• Shop around and compare prices on several days of the week
• Use incognito or private browser and clear your cache
• Use several devices such as your laptop and smartphone
• Read our guide on how to book cheap flights

You should have no issues booking accommodation for any of the Utah road trips covered in this guide with the exception of Zion National Park hotels during the peak season.

We always use and recommend using Booking.com to book hotels in the US. You might want to compare prices with Hotels.com to see if you can find a better deal.

Tips for booking hotels:

• Book your hotels in advance
• Sign up for a free membership account with Booking or Expedia
• Arrive at Zion during the week to avoid expensive weekend prices
• Read our popular guide on how to book cheap hotels

Resource : Our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere can help you find the best hotels in Las Vegas, Moab, Kanab, Page, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Grand Canyon South Rim.

3. Hire Car

If you’re not driving your own car to Utah, you’ll need to hire a car when you land at Salt Lake City or Las Vegas airport.

Our top recommendation is to find prices with Rental Cars and compare costs against Discover Cars . Input Salt Lake City airport or Las Vegas airport and your travel dates to see your options.

They’re our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point.

Tips for hiring a car:

• Book in advance for a better selection of cars
• Small cars are better for parking in tight spots at the national parks
• You’ll need a 4WD high clearance vehicle to go off road in Utah

4. National Parks

It’s important to stay up to date with live conditions such as roads, weather, hiking trails and lodging when you visit any of the national parks in Utah.

One of the unsung positives to visiting Utah is that natural disasters, wildfires, flooding and other problematic conditions are rare. Just look at Yellowstone and Yosemite in 2022 and 2023.

With that said, we still recommend keeping on top of the following current status reports:

• Arches – Live conditions
• Bryce Canyon – Live conditions
• Canyonlands – Live conditions
• Capitol Reef – Live conditions
• Zion – Live conditions

What To Pack For Utah Road Trips

Packing for a road trip in Utah will depend on what you plan to do and what time of year you decide to visit.

Our two trips to Utah have been in the months of October and December. Both times we packed for cold mornings and cold evenings but warmer days, especially when hiking.

If you plan your Utah road trip for summer you can expect hot days so your packing list will look very different. Take plenty of shorts, t-shirts and socks in case you need to wear more than one per day.

Are you planning to visit the Mighty 5? The number one thing you should buy and pack is an America the Beautiful Pass to save money on national park entry costs.

Here is a basic road trip packing list to get you started:

• America the Beautiful Pass – REI
• Car emergency kit – First Secure
• In case of snow – Snow Brush
• Hiking shoes – Men | Women
• Day hiking backpack – Best day bags
• Down Jacket – Men | Women

Further Reading: The essential road trip packing list

Where To Stay On Your Utah Road Trip

Let’s take a summarized look at the top rated hotels in the most popular Utah road trip destinations to help get you organized. Don’t forget you can click the links below to read complete hotel guides on our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere.

Each hotel listed below is a hotel we have either stayed at or would stay at because they have excellent ratings.

Springdale (Zion)

• Cable Mountain Lodge
• Red Rock Inn
• Watchman Villas

Further Reading: The best hotels in Springdale UT

Bryce Canyon City and Tropic (Bryce Canyon)

• Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
• Bryce Canyon Log Cabins
• Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn Bryce Canyon

Further Reading: Where to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park

Torrey (Capitol Reef)

• Capitol Reef Resort
• Broken Spur Inn
• Red Sands Hotel

Further Reading: Best places to stay near Capitol Reef National Park

Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)

• Aarchway Inn Moab Utah
• My Place Hotel Moab Utah
• Hoodoo Moab Utah

Further Reading: Where to stay in Moab Utah

• La Quinta Kanab Utah
• Kanab Suites In Kanab Utah
• Canyons Boutique Hotel Kanab Utah

Further Reading: Best places to stay in Kanab UT

Camping Special

Are you planning to camp during your Utah road trip?

We’ve teamed up with The Dyrt to offer our readers an exclusive no strings attached 30 day free trial with The Dyrt PRO .

This is our favorite camping app because it helps you find the best campgrounds along your specific driving route with benefits including no booking fees and free camping spots.

You can also use a fantastic new feature called Dyrt Alerts to receive notifications when sold out campgrounds have cancellations so you can snag near-impossible spots.

In Conclusion

Utah is home to some of the most scenic and exciting road trip routes in the US. Unique rock formations, dramatic canyons and adventurous hiking trails make Utah the perfect road trip destination for hikers, photographers and lovers of nature. It’s great for solo travelers, couples, groups and families alike.

After exploring most of the US, we can confidently say that Utah is one of our favorite states to visit. Hiking and landscape photography are our two favorite things to do when we travel, and Utah has both in abundance!

More Road Trips

• Las Vegas to Death Valley day trip
• Kancamagus Highway fall road trip
• Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip
• New England fall road trip
• San Francisco to San Diego road trip
• Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip
• South Dakota road trip
• Best road trips in the USA
• Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip

Want more Utah content?  Head over to our Utah Travel Guides to explore the Mighty Five national parks and beyond.

We hope our Utah road trips guide helps with planning your visit to the Beehive State!

Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the routes in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

13 thoughts on “10 Amazing Utah Road Trips: Unique Itineraries + Maps”

Dear Mark and Kristen, my boyfriend and I are thinking of having a 3-week vacation (we are coming all the way from Europe so less doesn’t really make sense for us) doing the classic national parks road trip in Utah and Arizona at the end of May. We are planning 2 days in each park (1 in Capitol Reef), and around 4 days in Kanab and Page each, trying to see and do as much as possible as most likely we will never come back to that part of the world again. We love hiking and active holidays, but we are not extreme hikers and we are not going to do the most challenging (even if they are the most famous) trails such as Angels Landing, the Narrows, or the Wave. I extensively used your website picking out the best trails and things to do and trying to estimate how much time is needed for each 🙂 The rough plan is this:

Day 1 – travel from Europe, arrive in Las Vegas the evening Day 2 – Valley of Fire, evening drive to Springdale Day 3 – Zion main canyon (Emerald pools & Kayenta trails, Watchman trail, Riverside walk, Zion Canyon overlook) Day 4 – Zion Colob canyons, evening drive to Kanab Day 5-7 – Kanab guided day tours to 1) Grand Canyon North Rim Toroweap Viewpoint, 2) White Pocket, 3) Peekaboo Slot Canyon, The White Wave, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, 4) Grand Staircase Escalante Day 8 – Kanab guided day tour (see above), evening drive to Bryce Canyon city Day 9 – Bryce canyon (Scenic drive viewpoints, Fairyland loop trail, Queen’s garden & Navajo loop trails) Day 10 – Bryce canyon (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Torrey Day 11 – Capitol reef, afternoon/evening drive to Moab Day 12-14 – Arches (Delicate Arch trail, Devil’s garden trail, Balanced Rock, Park Avenue trails, The Windows trail & Double arch) and Canyonlands (Island in the sky, Mesa Arch, Grand View point, Green river overlook, Needles/Chesler Park loop trail) Day 15 – Arches/Canyonlands (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Mexican hat/Monument valley Day 16 – Monument and Mystery valley full day Navajo guided tour OR Monument valley half-day guided tour and Natural Bridges national monument, evening drive to Page Day 17-19 – Page (Upper & Lower Antelope canyons guided tours, Secret Antelope Canyon guided tour & Horseshoe bend outlook, Antelope Canyon X guided tour, Navajo canyon boat tour, Horseshoe bend rafting tour, Paria Rimrocks Toadstool Hoodoos) Day 20 – Page (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Grand Canyon village Day 21-22 – Grand Canyon South Rim (all viewpoints, beginning of Bright Angel trail, South Rim trail, Shoshone point trail) Day 23 – morning drive to Las Vegas Day 24 – Las Vegas Day 25 – morning travel back to Europe

As you can see, the ideal plan is a bit longer than 3 weeks and we will have only 22 days (including traveling to/from Europe, which uses up 2 whole days). So we will have to cut 3 days our of our plan, and we are not sure what to sacrifice. I’m thinking the following: – 1 day in Valley of Fire → instead combine as day trip from Las Vegas on day 24 – 1 day in Kanab → which of the 4 tours do you think is the least interesting? – 1 day in Page → scrap Navajo canyon boat tour and Horseshoe bend rafting tour? Is there anything else you would suggest?

In addition, I wanted to ask if it’s worth visiting Natural Bridges national monument compared to all the other sites, and if a full day Navajo guided tour of Monument and Mystery valleys is worth it?

We will appreciate any advice that you can give us!

Hi Petia, thanks for getting in touch and we are more than happy to help. This sounds like an amazing travel plan but let’s trim it a bit so you can make it work.

To answer you final questions first:

1. Valley of Fire – If you don’t mind losing that last day in Vegas, then you can definitely do Valley of Fire as a day trip on your last day. But if you want the day in Vegas, you should still include Valley of Fire early in your itinerary because it is unique. We recommend trying to arrive at Fire Wave Trail as early as possible because sunrise here is the park’s top highlight. 2. Kanab – They all sound great, but we would skip Grand Staircase because the others have the best balance. Kanab is a nice little town. 3. Page – It sounds like you are more interested in the canyons, so yes skip the rafting and boat tour. It doesn’t take long to see Horseshoe Bend from the overlook. You will end up with a lot of spare time in Page because the canyon tours don’t take long. Maybe look around Lake Powell or hike a portion of Buckskin Gulch. 4. We haven’t been to Natural Bridges yet. It looks great but you can get a similar theme at all the national parks in Utah, so we would skip it. We have been to Monument Valley and we drove the self guided tour, which was cool but again we would skip this if we were doing your trip. You can see Monument Valley from the main road you will drive anyway. Tip – Monument Valley is best seen early in the day if driving from Moab to Page which you are.

That is 3 full days saved already (or 4 if you decide to combine VoF into your last day in Vegas). Here are our other tips:

1. By skipping the 4th tour in Kanab, you can travel to Bryce Canyon on the morning of Day 8, spend the day hiking and driving the scenic roads, watch sunset, stay over and then watch sunrise in the morning. There’s not much else to do and Bryce is small so you can leave early on Day 9, spend 6-8 hours in Capitol Reef and drive to Moab. It would be a long day but it would also save another full day on your itinerary. 2. You have loads of time for Arches and Canyonlands. If you wanted to, you could probably save a day at Arches by doing Devils Garden Trail, Windows, Park Avenue and Delicate Arch in one day. That’s Arches done. Canyonlands isn’t as easy because it is split into regions but unless you plan to go hiking long distances, you won’t need much time there either, you can do Mesa Arch, Green River and Grand View in a few hours. So overall for Moab you could save a day. Probably skip Dead Horse State Park because it is another $20 and is similar to Canyonlands. 3. Two days is more than enough time for Grand Canyon South Rim if you don’t intend on hiking down into the canyon. You can see the viewpoints on both Desert View Drive as you enter Grand Canyon and Hermit Road in one day. So again, you could save time here if necessary.

If you haven’t already got one, definitely buy an America the Beautiful Pass for $80 which will get you into all National Parks on your trip.

There are plenty of places you can cut or save, but it will depend on exactly what you both want to do. You will also need some downtime because this is a full on adventure! The driving and hiking gets tiring after a few weeks, so you might end up needing a half day to relax and take it easy.

Hope this helps but if you have any more questions send us an email which you can find on our Contact Page. Have a great trip!

Thank you so much for the feedback, we will definitely consider your advice! I find it very difficult to estimate how much time is needed for each park, probably they could be done in shorter time as you said, but we also need downtime between intense days as you said 🙂

Hello. If you had to choose between taking a Utah road trip in the spring months of April or May vs the end of October, which would you choose? We would like to see Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and go on into Arizona for the Grand Canyon. Thanks for your help!

Hi Jane, both Spring and Fall are the best times to visit the Utah/Arizona parks so either time will be great. We personally prefer traveling the US southwest in Autumn, through September and October. However, if you are only able to do the very end of October, you may run a risk of temperatures cooling significantly in the morning and at night as you approach November (sunrise / sunset photography, long day hikes). If you are able to go in April or early – mid May, you are more likely to see more comfortable conditions for hiking (late May onward can be challenging for hiking with heat). Late October would also mean you may just about miss Utah’s considerable fall colors. With that said, hotels in Springdale, Moab and Grand Canyon will likely be more affordable in late Oct than in May. Finally, it’s impossible to avoid crowds in these parks, but late October will likely be slightly less busy than April / May. The balance between crowds, cost and weather is similar at either time. If you can make it slightly earlier in Oct, we’d say go for that, otherwise the beginning of May. April can have extreme weather in the US Southwest, which is something else to consider. Have a fantastic time whichever season you choose!

We’re planning a trip round trip Vegas through southwest Utah national parks to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We’ve got two weeks. How would you split the time and what are the best roads to take. We’d like to see Bryce, Hoseshoe Bend, Arches, Canyonlands, up through Salt Lake City to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. We don’t hike as we’re seniors but love photography. Any assistance would be appreciated. It’s feels so overwhelming! Btw….your website is fabulous!

Hi Marie – sounds like a fantastic trip and we know how overwhelming it can be with so many amazing places to see in just two weeks. You’re right to avoid Zion, it is a wonderful place but is more of an adventure hiking park. When visiting Horseshoe Bend in Page, you might want to try nearby Antelope Canyon if you can book a slot for a photography tour. If you’re planning sunrise photography – Bryce Canyon amphitheater, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and Mormon Row / Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton are our top 3 recommendations for your trip. Grand Teton is extremely photogenic and we’re sure your cameras will get a serious workout here! You’ll have an action packed driving itinerary here but this is roughly how we would do it:

D1 – Bryce, D2 – Bryce sunrise, drive to Page and HS Bend, D3 – Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and arrive in Moab, D4 – Arches, D5 – Canyonlands, D6 – Drive to Salt Lake City, D7 – Morning in SLC and Drive to Jackson, D8 and D9 – Grand Teton, D10, 11, 12 – Yellowstone, D13 and D14 – Long drive back to Vegas, maybe break it up in SLC.

Roads – 89, 163 Monument Valley, 191, 6, 89 through Afton, 191 again through Yellowstone, then 20 and I-15 back to Vegas.

Hope this helps but let us know if you need any more info and have the best trip!

Hi! Could you please share your itinirerary from google maps? It isn’t loading anymore! Thanks!

Hi Agnes, thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear you can’t load the map. Just checked and I can load all maps on both mobile and desktop on my end. I’ll shoot you an email to see if we can get the map working for you!

Thank you so much! It works for me now. We are planning to do the mighty 5 and do a big counter clockwise loop, and was wondering what you think the best order/road is. We are planning to start from the Grand Canyon and to finish with Zion and drive back to LA from there.

Perfect, glad it’s working. Sure, from Grand Canyon, drive to Page, AZ and do Horseshoe Bend / Antelope Canyon, then onto Monument Valley. Head up to Moab for Arches and Canyonlands, from Moab take UT-24 down into Capitol Reef, then drive the stunning UT-12 through Escalante to Bryce Canyon (don’t miss this one). Down US-89 to Zion / Springdale and maybe end with a night in Vegas?!! Have a great trip!

Omg Utah is now definatley on my bucket list to visit now.

That’s what we like to hear! Utah is an awesome US road trip destination Graham!

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The Best 5-Day Utah Road Trip from Salt Lake City

There are many places on this planet that you can see the majesty of our creator’s great creation; Utah is a state that you get to experience God’s various contrasts of His beautiful planet. One of the best ways to experience God’s magnificent creation is to embark on a Utah road trip. However, with Utah being the 13th largest state in total area, you must plan and prepare your trip in advance.

In this article, we will share with you a 5-day Utah Road trip itinerary that we feel maximizes your time, to not only enjoy Utah but to see some of the best of what Utah has to offer in a very short time. Our 5-day Utah road trip itinerary starts and ends in Salt Lake City for those wanting to fly in and out of a location that makes this itinerary the most feasible for most people.

There are many other itineraries available, however, we have found this to be a great itinerary for first time Utah visitors, or those who have limited time to visit Utah. Our latest trip to Utah included this 5-day Utah road trip itinerary, so we hope this inspires you to visit this wonderful and integrating state.

Article Contents

Pre-Planning your UTAH ROAD TRIP

Before you book your flights, rental car, and hotel, it is probably best to do some preparation and pre-planning for your Utah Road trip. The first preparation you need to do is determine when you want to spend your time in Utah based on the weather. Because of the contrast in topography, weather can range widely depending on where you visit. According to Weather-us.com , Utah has a mainly dry, semi-arid, and desert climate. Summers are long and extremely hot, while winters are short and cold.

During this 5-day Utah Road trip, you will go through many different climates, so plan accordingly. The weather, precipitation, and temperature in Salt Lake City, Park City, and Moab can be so very different, so when you go and what you pack will be different based on when you go and what you do.

The best time to visit Utah

According to Weather-us.com , the best time to visit Utah is during the spring, from March to May, and autumn from September to November. These shoulder seasons are colder than the severely hot weather of summer but warmer than the cold winter. Spring brings unexpected precipitation in some parts of the state.

The fall is a colorful period in the high mountains of Utah when the landscape attains scenic beauty. The summer heat is oppressive, and the season is prone to thunderstorms. October has pleasant weather with comfortable days and nights, but diurnal temperature variations exist throughout the year.

The worst time to visit Utah

According to Weather-us.com , the worst time to visit Utah is in the winter from December to February, with severely cold nights and extreme temperature variations. Frequent snowfall leads to substantial accumulation in the highlands, with 1 to 3 feet of snow depth being standard. Arctic air escapes through the mountain passes to bring sub-zero temperatures in the state.

High-speed winds often exacerbate the effect of the cold. The light, fluffy, and deep powdery snow makes skiing popular in Utah in the winter season. Many visitors vie for experiencing ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth’ on the mountain slopes of Utah.

What to Pack When Visiting Utah

Packing correctly for your visit to Utah takes some intentionality. During our first visit to Utah, we did not prepare for what to pack and wished we had prepared a little more. However, after taking this 5-day Utah road trip, we feel so much more informed, from personal experience, of what to pack. Or, in some cases, what to purchase during your trip.

There are some great stores in Moab . Our favorite place to “gear” up in Moab is at the Moab Gear Trader . We highly recommend that you stop there, even if you think you packed all you needed. You actually might find something you need or want!

Here is a list of items we recommend you pack or pick up during your 5-day Utah road trip:

• Warm/Cold Clothes . With varying temperatures and precipitation, plan on being hot and cold on the same day, so pack in layers. Our first morning in Moab it was 55 degrees at 7am, then by 5 pm, it was 95 degrees.
• Sturdy Hiking Boots/shoes . If you plan on hiking, which is one of the must-do things on this trip, you will be walking on uneven terrain and on rocks and soil. It is important you have hiking boots or shoes that are supportive, waterproof, and have great traction.
• Rain Jacket/Poncho . Be prepared for a quick rain shower while you are on a trail or on a hike. Packing a lightweight rain jacket or poncho is a must.
• Water Bottle/Camel Backpack . It is important to keep hydrated when you hike. Add the dry climate and heat, you can easily become dehydrated. Pack a good water bottle or use a camel backpack to keep the water flowing. When you visit the welcome centers at the National Parks, they have filling states available. Another tip is to purchase a case of bottled water at the local grocery store in Moab, that way you have water available all the time. Just make sure to throw your plastic bottles away appropriately when you are doing. There are several recycling bins available in the park.
• Sun Screen . The sun is hot and direct, so a good sunscreen is a must, especially if you burn easily. A sunburn can ruin a short getaway.
• Sun Hat/Sunglasses . Along with sunscreen, pack a good wide-brimmed sun hat that can keep the sun off of your face. Sunglasses are also a must-pack item. And, because you will be hiking and exploring, some sunglass straps would be a great idea so you don’t lose your glasses as you take them on and off to take pictures to capture the magnificent surroundings.
• Cooling Rag . Keeping cool and hydrated are two things you will be wanting as you hike and explore. A good cooling rag or neck scarf is a great packing item.

Outdoor Clothing & Gear for Hiking, Camping, Sport, and Travel

• Facemask . At the time of writing this, facemasks were required in Utah due to COVID-19. And, because crowds can be large at different places on this itinerary, you want to make sure you have a good facemask you can wear for extended periods of time. Plus, it was required to wear on the flight to and from Salt Lake City, so park accordingly. Even if not required, there is dust everywhere and a good facemask can protect your lungs from the dust.
• Bug Spray/bug bite medicine . You will encounter bugs during your 5-Day Utah road trip, so make sure you pack or purchase some bug spray before you begin exploring or hiking. We were surprised at the gnats and flies at the Great Salt Lake stop. We were not prepared for the bugs; bug stray would have been great to put on before we explored. Also, pack some medicine to treat bug bites after the fact. You will get bitten, so be prepared. We especially like After Bit , which can be purchased from CVS .
• Day Bag/Backpack/Waist Pouch . Rain jackets, sunscreen, cooling rags, bug spray, and everything on this list has to go somewhere; they do any good sitting in the rental car in the hotel room. Make sure you take a lightweight day bag, backpack, or waist pouch . We used a day bag to put most of what we might need in and then I wore a waist pouch to carry my phone, car keys, and a few snacks. It was easier to put things in and out with a waist pouch vs a daypack or backpack .

Durable & Innovative Luggage, Business Cases, Backpacks & Travel Accessories

• Table Cloth/Utensils . There are many great places to do a picnic, and since you are going to be in the National Parks for many hours, you will want to eat. The National Park Service has done a great job providing covered picnic tables to use throughout the park. There are great places for you to eat a snack, lunch, or dinner (and even breakfast). However, covering the table will help to protect the food and the area around you. Also, unless you bring finger food, bring some plastic or campsite utensils with you.
• Wet wipes/Clorox wipes . In addition to the table cloth/utensils, you will want to bring some wet wipes or Clorox wipes (if you have them). This will help to wipe down the picnic benches, but can also be useful for when you want to clean your hands or other body parts.
• Hand Sanitizer . The National Parks have done a great job of having hand sanitizer stations near restrooms, however, having your own is a great idea.
• Cell Phone Charger . You will want to take a lot of pictures while you are on this 5-Day Utah road itinerary; especially during the National Parks visits. If you are on long hikes, the last thing you will want is to run out of juice with your cell phone. The cell phone coverage is spotty in many places, so your battery life could be drained quickly as it searches for signals. It is hard to charge in your car since you will more than likely be stopping often for a hike or to take pictures. Don’t let your memories be lost because you didn’t bring a cell phone charger!
• Walking Stick/Trekking Poles . While not a top item to pack, for those that like a little extra stability on uneven walking terrain, a good collapsable walking stick or two is a great item to pack. We recommend a few walking sticks from Outland USA .
• Flashlight/Headlamp . If you live in the city or a suburb, you don’t realize how dark it is on the top of a mountain or in the middle of a National Park. A flashlight or headlamp is recommended if you plan on visiting after dark. Pack one and throw it in your day bag or backpack just in case. We recommend visiting the National Parks after dark. You get a different perspective, plus the stargazing is out of this world!
• Plastic Bags . Pack some plastic bags that you can use for trash, or to pack some items you can then put in your day bag or backpack. We also pack extra plastic bags or ziplock bags when we travel, there are so many uses for them.
• National Park Maps . You can either download the National Park maps before you leave or pick them up at the visitor’s center. Either way, you will want them to reference. The National Park System does a great job with their maps. They are informative and they are great to map out your stay while you are there. Normally, as I am dring, my wife, Nikki , will be looking at the map and determining the best use of our time. They also make great souvenirs to take home with you. They can also help you remember locations and formations you saw when you get home for your picture and telling your friends about it!
• Guidebooks . There are many resources you can use to help navigate this 5-day Utah road itinerary, including this article. However, a good old trusted guidebook can be a lifesaver. This will help to enhance your trip and some great reading.
• Driving Tour App . If we did anything differently, we would have purchased a driving tour app before we started. We recommend the GyPsyGuide for this area. Being our first time, and wanting to experience all we could during our 5-Day Utah road trip, a driving tour app would have only enhanced what we already saw, and it would have helped us see other things we should have seen. For a very small cost, we could have had an even better experience to share with you. We will for sure purchase this next time or anywhere this app has available.

Utah Road Trip Map OVERVIEW

Since this 5-day Utah road trip itinerary is very short and the state of Utah is very large, you want to maximize your time in Utah, and at the same time see some of the best of Utah. This 5-Day Utah road trip itinerary starts in Salt Lake City and also ends in Salt Lake City, so the itinerary will focus mostly on day drives to each location and within one day drive back to Salt Lake City, to minimize your movements.

In total, the amount of drive time is less than 15 hours, with the longest drive times driving from Moab to Salt Lake City. The drives are easy and have wonderful surroundings. When we go through the 5-day Utah road trip itinerary, we will expand the itinerary and give you our recommendations and point of view from personal experience.

Below is an overview map of our 5-day Utah road trip itinerary:

5-DAY Utah Road Trip Itinerary

This 5-Day Utah Road trip itinerary is based upon flying in and out of Salt Lake City. For most visitors, this is going to be the best gateway to visit Utah. For the purposes of our road trip itinerary, we were flying from Indianapolis, so Indianapolis will be referenced as the bookends of this trip. However, you can easily include your gateway into this itinerary.

This was our first visit to Utah, so this itinerary was based on our initial research and planning. Within each day, you will find some suggestions and our thoughts on this 5-day Utah road trip itinerary. We hope you enjoy what we experienced and hope that it encourages you to do the same 5-day Utah road trip itinerary in the very near future.

Utah Road Trip – Day 1 (Arrival/Great Salt Lake/Salt Lake City/Park City):

• Fly from Indy to Salt Lake City – Southwest or Delta have good routes to Salt Lake City
• Pick Up Rental Car
• Visit Antelope Island State Park
• Drive Downtown to visit the Capital and city overlook at Ensign Park and Peak
• Drive to Park City Utah
• Stay overnight in Park City

Your first day in Utah begins will arriving in Salt Lake City from your destination. The airport at Salt Lake City ( SLC International ) is easy and quick to navigate. At the time we visited, the old terminal was operational. However, the new terminal will be opening soon (October 2020) and could even make navigating the airport even quicker.

Picking up a rental car is easy as well. There are many car rental companies at the terminal with an easy walk from the luggage from the Southwest terminal. We decided to rent a car from Fox Rental, only because of the cost. The cost was about half of those at the airport. Because Fox Rental Cars is not located at the airport, they offered a free shuttle to their lot. The shuttle bus was easy to find and took about 15 minutes to get to. At the time of this article, the shuttle bus was parked right in front of the rental car building at the airport.

Our first stop in Utah was to the Great Salt Lake at Antelope Island State Park . The drive to Antelope State Park from the airport is about one hour. It is an easy drive from the airport with many places to stop and eat or even to stop at a grocery store to get some food or snacks. Antelope Island was one of the highlights of this 5-Day Utah road trip. Not because of the Great Salt Lake, but because of the large population of Bison. We were not expecting to see so many bison in so many spots. We could have spent more time at Antelope Park hiking and touring the farm they have but opted not to.

Our second stop was a quick tour of downtown visiting the Ensign Park and Peak and the Utah State Capital . Since it was Sunday, the capital was not open, nor the nearby buildings. On other days, various tours of the capital and downtown are available. Some of the best pictures of the downtown and capital can be taken from Ensign Park , regardless if you go all the way to the top of the peak or the small picture sites.

After our Downtown visit, we drove to Park City Utah. The drive is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. The drive is easy and fun since there are many bends on the highway and the scenery is beautiful, especially as you get closer to Park City, Utah.

Once in Park City, we checked into our hotel. We stayed at the Marriott Summit Watch, which was right on the historic main street in Park City. There are many hotels or condos available in this area. Make sure you book early, they fill up fast. We highly recommend checking out the main street in Park City. Between the various shops and places to eat, it was a good time!

Utah Road Trip – Day 2 (Olympic Park/Provo Canyon/Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway):

• Explore Park City downtown and area
• Visit Utah Olympic Park
• Drive the Scenic Provo Canyon from Park City to Provo
• Have lunch in Provo
• Drive from Provo to Moab via Utah-6 and then the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway via Utah – 28.
• Spend the night in Moab, Utah

After a good night’s sleep, you can take some time to explore the city of Park City and the adjacent area. There are some great coffee shops and places to eat breakfast in the historic main street. If not, pick up something from a local grocery store. We visited during the summer, so the crowds and traffic were not bad. However, during the winter, plan to spend some extra time getting around the area due to traffic.

After exploring, or driving around Park City, drive to the Utah Olympic Park . This is only 8 miles north of Park City. Depending on the traffic, it could take 15 minutes, or much longer. There are some alternative routes to get there, so check out your GPS.

Being summer, and during the COVID Pandemic, there was not much activity at the park, however, we were able to go into the visitor center and take some time exploring the museums they had. We especially enjoyed the second-floor museum where they had items from the Olympics. It brought back some great memories. Make sure you check out the museum in the visitor’s center.

The park does have some activities , so check them out and purchase ahead of time since they are limited to the size and time of the activities .

Once you are done at the Utah Olympic Park, it is time to make your way to Provo via the Scenic Provo Canyon . Provo Canyon connects Heber City to Provo and is the starting point for several attractions including Bridal Veil Falls , Sundance Resort, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, and Cascade Springs.

This is a beautiful drive and we were surprised at how beautiful it was. This is a wonderful drive and will take about 1 hour, depending on where you stop, and you will for sure want to stop at a few places. The scenery really starts to get wonderful after you go through Herber City . We did not take time to stop in Herber City , but if we did it over, we would, just to explore; it is a neat town. My wife, Nikki, loves waterfall, so a stop at Bridal Veil Falls is a must for waterfall lovers!

Bridal Veil Falls has a viewing area right off the highway. You can even hike a short trail to the bottom of the waterfall. For those a little more adventurous, you can hike up to different levels of the falls. Either way, it was very surprising to find this gem in the very arid climate of Utah, so soak it in!

After visiting Bridal Veil Falls , you are not far from Provo Utah. The highway takes you downtown and near the Brigham Young University. Being a college town, Provo has some great places to eat, so plan on eating lunch here. We highly recommend eating at the Black Sheep Cafe . This cafe, while small, has some great menu items and the food is delicious. Simply the best food we had on the ENTIRE 5-Day Utah road trip. Then, if you want some dessert, there are a few bakeries around the same area.

After leaving Provo, you will now head to Moab. This stretch of the drive is the longest of the entire 5-Day Utah road trip itinerary. The drive is a little shy of 4 hours. Plus, there are very few places to get gas or food, so fill up BEFORE you leave. If you have a small bladder, like me, be careful to drink too much. While there are a few rest stops, they are few and far between. Utah-6 is a great drive with many different colors and landscapes. You will be amazed and will for sure see the many contrasts of Utah.

As you approach I-70, we recommend you once again fill up and gather some snacks, drinks and take a break before you complete your trip. Instead of taking the standard Highway 191 directly to Moab, as most do, instead, continue on I-70 to the next exit, 204, and take Highway 128. At first, you will say to yourself, where is everyone and what did I do. The road is windy and barren but just wait.

Highway 128 was the gem on our trip. There is very little traffic and the views are magnificent. There is plenty of places to stop, hike, and picnic if you wanted to. Just make sure you fuel up before you do this since there are no places to stop to get gas. It will be worth your time to do this route!

By far, the best part of this 5-Day Utah Road trip itinerary was the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway . This scenic byway gets better with each mile. It has several views that you just want to stop and enjoy. There are also several trails you can hike if you have the time. Make sure you take time to stop and enjoy as much as you can. The byway ends in Moab, just in time to check into your hotel.

There are several hotels/motels to stay in Moab, with new ones being built. You can choose from national chains (Mariott, Hampton, ect.), or some local motels. Moab is not large, so the availability could be limited based on when you travel. For that reason, we recommend booking early.

We personally stayed at the Fairfield on the north end of Moab. This is the PERFECT location for this 5-day Utah road trip itinerary since it is the closest hotel to the Arches National Park and the Canyonland National Park. There is also a Springhill Suites right next door that shares the same outdoor activities area. And, if you have kids, they have a great pool area with several hot tubs and a kiddy pool.

Utah Road Trip – Day 3 (Arches National Park/Moab):

• Spend the day at Arches National Park  
• Dinner in Moab
• Star Gazing at Arches National Park

Your third day of this 5-day Utah road trip itinerary will mostly be spent at Arches National Park . Since most of the day will be spent at the park, make sure you are prepared to spend the entire day there. The park is large but not too large for you that you will need to take multiple days to see everything unless you plan to do every trail.

This is also the day you will utilize most of what we recommended in the “What to Pack” section. We recommend two things before you leave for the park if you have not done so far (you can also do this the day before if you want to get to the park early):

• First, go to the local grocery store. We recommend the City Market . This grocery store has just about everything you might need from food, water, etc. And, since it is affiliated with Kroger, most will have a loyalty card to get discounts. We used it to get deli food and purchase bottled water for our day at the park.

• Second, pick up additional hiking supplies before you leave. Or, if you think you have them all, still stop at the Moab Gear Trader . You will find what you are looking for, plus a few other items. Make sure you check out their entire store before you leave. Since the Moab Gear Trader is very close to City Market , it will not take too long to stop at both.

Arches National Park is only a few miles north of Moab so the drive is not long. There will be a fee to enter the park. Since you will be visiting more than one national park on this 5-day Utah road trip itinerary, we highly recommend purchasing the annual pass to the Southeast Utah Parks . The Southeast Utah Parks Annual Pass admits the pass holder, a passenger of one motorcycle, or up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, & Hovenweep National Monument. Also, make sure you take the map available at the entrance.

Once inside the park, there is a lot of things to do and see. We recommend stoping at the visitor’s center as your first stop. The visitor’s center will be within a mile of the entrance and easy to spot. At the visitor’s center, you can see more details about the trails and activities going on in the park. This will also be a place to get water (they have a fill-up station), any final gear (hats, sunscreen, etc.), go to the restroom, and even talk to a park ranger. It is worth the stop!

Now time to explore the Arches National Park . Use the park map as your guide or use a GPS driver’s guide. Here are a few tips we have regarding your visit to the Arches National Park :

• Take and DRINK plenty of water during your entire stay
• Drive to the back of the park (Devil’s Garden Trailhead) first to start your day. This has limited parking and will fill up fast. We did NOT do this, but recommend it after visiting the park.
• Take the hike to both the Upper and Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoints
• Make sure to stop at Panorama Point. This is a 360-degree view of the park, a must stop. There are restrooms and picnic benches at this stop.
• Have a picnic at Panorama Point.
• Take the short hike to see both the north and south window and Turett Arch. The double arch is also in this area. Parking for all 3 is in the same spot and it fills up quickly. You can park at the Double Arch and easily walk to the other arches. You get the biggest bang for your buck at this stop.
• Make sure to stop at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint. You will see the La Sal Mountains that loom over the Arches National Park .
• Take lots of pictures
• Hike to the Sand Dunes Arch, especially if it is a hot day. You will be rewarded for this short hike!

View our entire photo album of Arches National Park on SmugMug .

After a day in Arches National Park , it is time for dinner back in Moab. There are many places to each in Moab, especially Mexican dining. We recommend eating at El Charro Loco if you are in the mood for Mexican. While there are many other dining venues, we really liked the food quality and quantity here. There are not many chain restaurants in Moab, so you will experience some unique food options than in most locations.

If you are not tired after dinner, plan on going back to Arches National Park to do some stargazing. We recommend going back to Panorama Point for this activity. There are plenty of parking spots there and they have benches you can lay on to stargaze. Make sure you take your flashlight and a jacket so you don’t get cold.

Now it is time to get back and have a good night’s stay and sleep at the Fairfield Inn.

Utah Road Trip – Day 4 (Canyonlands National Park/Moab): 

• Spend the day at the Island in the Sky – Canyonlands National Park and the Dead Horse Point State Park

Day four of your 5-day Utah road trip itinerary is where you will spend time at the Canyonlands National Park. The Canyonlands National Park has various locations you can go to. Because the Island in the Sky is only 30 miles, or 40 minutes away from your hotel, it makes it a perfect stop for your trip. And, because Dead Horse Point State Park is right on the way, you can visit both parks on the same day.

Both of the Island of the Sky and Dead Horse Point State Park are much different than Arches National Park. While there are a few trails, the trails are much longer and are much more involved. Most of the parks can be driven by several places to stop and view the sites. The Park system has done a great job with its road network and viewing areas. They are clean and they are maintained well. Plus there are fewer people in this park vs. Arches.

View our entire photo album of the Island in the Sky – Canyonland National Park on SmugMug .

You will find several people with jeeps at this park because of the various off road trails that are avialble.

Because you will be driving most of this park, it will not take a full day to experience the entire park. For us, we were a little tired from the day before so just driving around ended up being really nice for us.

Here are few tips we have regarding visiting the Island in the Sky – Canyonland National Park :

• Take the small trail to see the Mesa Arch. Make sure you take the alternate path on the way back
• Have a picnic at Upheavel Dome. Parking is limited, so do an early lunch. There are plenty of picnic benches and restrooms here
• Be prepared to stop at every lookout. The views are breathtaking.

As mentioned before, you will not spend the entire day at these parks, so you can spend the rest of the day back in Moab exploring the downtown area where there are many cute shops and eating establishments. You can easily walk most of the downtown after you find a parking spot close to it. We decided to eat dinner at Zax Restaurant and enjoyed the atmosphere and food.

Because it was a great evening and still a little hot, we spend our last evening, after dinner enjoying the pool at the Fairfield Inn.

Utah Road Trip – Day 5 (Drive back to Salt Lake City):

• Drive back to Salt Lake City via Utah-6
• Return Renal car

After a good nights sleep, it is time to head back to Salt Lake City to end your trip 🙁 Grab some coffee from one of the local coffee shops, like Love Muffin Cafe , then hit the road. You are going to want to take the quickest route back to Salt Lake City from Moab. This means you will take Utah-191 to I-70 then Utah-6. This is a long trip, 238 miles, or a little under 4 hours. Make sure you stop around Price, Utah for gas, restrooms, and snacks. Some stretches of Utah-6 are long with no place to stop for gas, restrooms, or snacks.

Make sure you make time to take the rental back before you go to the airport. Security was not long and they have CLEAR available is if you want to bypass the security.

Booking Resources for your Utah road Trip

There are many tools you can use to plan and book your 5-day Utah road trip itinerary. You can always reach out to a qualified Travel Agent to help you make sure all the details are taken care of for you, or you can book several components yourself.

If you are the do-it-yourself type, here are some tried and true booking resources we recommend:

• Airport Parking
• Airport Parking Reservations
• Google Flights
• Scott’s Cheap Flights
• Priority Pass
• Fox Rental Car
• Dollar Rental
• GotRental Cars
• Airport Rentals
• RentCars.com
• Marriott Hotels
• Radisson Hotels
• Hilton Hotels
• Great Value Vacations
• Intrepid Travel
• American Tourister
• Trusted Housesitters
• Camping World

Conclusion of the best 5-Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary

With the right planning, preparation, and booking in advance, you can make your trip to Utah magnificent! The sights are magnificent, so there is no reason for you not to enjoy God’s magnificent creation!

While there are several other things to see in Utah, we feel this 5-Day Utah road trip itinerary gives you a quick view and experience of some of the best things about Utah. And, because you are mostly driving and experiencing the National Parks, this quick getaway or vacation can be economical for you.

View our ENTIRE photo album of our 5-Day Utah Road Trip from Salt Lake City trip on SmugMug .

In short, we had a great time, and we are sure we will do it again since we are sure there are things we missed. For that reason, we would like to return with our entire family next time.

Tell us if you have done a similar 5-day Utah road trip itinerary. What did you do? What would you recommend? What were your favorite thing you did and your favorite food? Comment below or, contact us and let us know and we would love to add it to this article.

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Entrance passes.

Most of the sites managed by the National Park Service are free to visit, but some require an entrance pass. You may also need a reservation at a few high-traffic sites.

Frequent visitors, seniors , military, and others may save money on entrance fees with an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, also known an America the Beautiful or interagency pass. Review all pass options below and decide which pass is best for you.

Entrance Pass Comparison

National parks that charge an entrance fee require visitors to purchase or obtain a standard pass, park-specific annual pass, or America the Beautiful pass. Visitors only need one of these.

Standard Pass

• For one national park
• For 1–7 days
• Directly funds the park

Recommended for

One trip to one park

Entrance fees and passes by park

Annual Pass

• For one national park or park group
• Not available for every park
• Multiple trips to one park
• One or more trips to one park group

America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

• Covers entrance fees and standard amenity fees (day-use fees) at Federal recreational sites, including national parks
• 1 year and lifetime options
• Seniors , military, visitors with permanent disabilities
• One or more trips to multiple parks

More about America the Beautiful Passes

Reservations and Timed Entry

When planning a visit to a national park, check if you need a reservation. Some national parks use a timed entry system to manage vehicle traffic. Other parks use tour reservations to manage access to a building or natural feature. Reservations are typically made available through recreation.gov on a rolling basis. If you need a reservation, we recommend making it well in advance.

Parks with reservations

Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

• National Park Service
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
• US Forest Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• US Army of Corps of Engineers

Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers One private vehicle fee or Four per person fees

America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen . Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass

In person (recommended).

Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Purchase and pickup locations

Order Online, Receive by Mail

To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.

Visiting soon? Pick up a pass when you arrive.

America the Beautiful Passes ordered online through the USGS Online Store may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Get your pass at one of over 1,000 purchase and pickup locations to avoid the wait.

Senior Passes

US citizens and permanent residents ages 62 and older can purchase an annual America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for $20.00, or a lifetime version for $80.00. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.

• The Senior Pass may provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services.
• The Senior Pass generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
• Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must show proof of eligibility.

Annual Senior Pass

Lifetime senior pass, golden age passports and golden access passports.

Golden Age Passports and Golden Access Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes are still honored according to the provisions of the pass.

We encourage you to exchange your Golden Age/Golden Access Passport for a current Lifetime Senior Pass for free. You can exchange in-person at sites that issue passes. Please bring your old pass and photo identification with you.

Annual Passes and Park Groups

While most annual park passes are limited to one national park, a few sites offer an annual pass valid at multiple national parks, federal recreational lands, or state parks.

Free Entrance Days

Come experience the national parks! On six days in 2024, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2024:

• January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 20: First day of National Park Week
• June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 28: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

Your Fee Dollars at Work

All the money from entrance fees remains in the National Park Service, and at least 80 percent stays in the park where it was collected. Learn more about how entrance fees are used to improve the visitor experience .