utah tour ideas

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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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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Indigo Sahara

Travel Reviews, Guides, Tips & Travel Hacking

Utah Road Trip Itinerary: 7-Day Ultimate Tour Of Utah (With Map)

By: Indigo Sahara, M.A. | Published: June 15, 2022 | Updated: March 9, 2024

Utah is easily one of the most underrated travel destinations in the entire world. From massive mountains to epic national parks to otherworldly rock formations, there is something in store for everyone in this state. This ultimate 7-day Utah road trip itinerary will take you to places you never knew exists.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let’s start by covering the basics.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If a product is purchased using one of the following links, I may earn a small commission from the brand at no cost to you.

Table of Contents

Is Utah Worth Visiting?

Yes, Utah is absolutely worth visiting because of its major national parks, otherworldly landscapes, and hiking and skiing opportunities.

I have no doubt in my mind that Utah will leave you with your jaw dropped on the floor, especially if you follow this Utah road trip itinerary .

How Many Days Do You Need For Utah National Parks?

You need at least three to four days to see the Utah national parks. But, if you plan to do any longer hikes or would like to see Utah’s amazing landscapes outside the national parks, such as Monument Valley, Bonneville Salt Flats , Pink Lake or the Bentonite Hills , at least seven days would be ideal.

Also, take note that this one-week Utah road trip itinerary is jam-packed with activities. If you would prefer your Utah road trip to be more relaxed, add two or three days for more time flexibility.

Is It Difficult Driving In Utah?

It is not difficult driving in Utah in the bigger cities like Salt Lake City or Moab . Regular USA driving regulations are instated, and other people drive safely. However, there are many unpaved roads in the more rural parts of Utah that are difficult for campers and compact cars to drive on.

That being said, my husband and I car camped throughout all of the following Utah destinations in my tiny compact car without any serious issues. Many of the roads were indeed bumpy, but we (and my car) survived just fine.

For a family, a larger vehicle with four-wheel drive is advisable in Utah. For budget-friendly adventurers, I recommend researching your specific destinations and campsites to see if a 4×4 is necessary .

Now, let’s get into the itinerary , shall we?

7-Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Utah road trip itinerary map.

Utah Road Trip Itinerary Day 1

Morning: arrive in salt lake city & pink lake.

On your first morning in Utah, do everything you need to do to prepare for a week of exploring outside the main cities. Pick up your car rental , buy groceries for the week and get a full tank of gas . You’ll likely be flying into Salt Lake City , which has more than enough access to everything you’ll need.

[ Gas and groceries (at least snacks and sandwich supplies, if not all meals) are particularly important. Don’t undermine the remote nature of Utah.]

Then, start your drive to Pink Lake . Yes, Pink Lake . This is just one of the many places you’ll see this week that seems completely out of this world.

Read everything you need to know about visiting Pink Lake here .

Afternoon: Bonneville Salt Flats

After a picnic lunch at Pink Lake (or in the car), head two hours west to the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats .

The Bonneville Salt Flats are free to visit and offer an endless view of how Salt Lake City received its name. I have a complete guide to visiting Bonneville Salt Flats as well as an inside look at how the flats’ extreme weather may affect your visit .

Evening: boyd Station

Most of the evenings on this road trip itinerary are left open to relax at your hotel, set up your campsite, find a free campsite and get a full night’s sleep. This evening is no exception.

Head south toward Boyd Station (on the Pony Express Trail) to either find a free campsite or stay in a nearby hotel. This area will act as a half-way point to your first destination tomorrow.

Also, note that this drive will be extremely remote, so be sure to fill up your gas tank in Wendover, Nevada , (five minutes from Bonneville Salt Flats) before embarking. There are no other gas stations from the Bonneville Salt Flats to this region.

Utah Road Trip Itinerary Day 2

Morning: dugway geode beds.

Wake up bright and early (ideally by 6:00 a.m. at the latest) and head to one of Utah’s best hidden gems , the Dugway Geode Beds .

The Dugway Geode Beds are also free to visit. Here, you can hunt for your own natural geodes to keep as souvenirs. Although the road to this destination is completely unpaved, the rocky drive is so worth this fun family-friendly activity .

This is just one cool and cheap way to take home a memory of Utah. For more tips and tricks on how you can save $$ on souvenirs, check out my free download – How To Save On Souvenirs

You can read all about visiting the Dugway Geode Beds here .

Then, after an hour or two of remote geode hunting, continue your journey south to your first Utah national park , Capitol Reef.

Afternoon: Capitol Reef National Park

Once you arrive at Capitol Reef National Park , purchase an America The Beautiful Park Pass . This will grant you entry into all of the Utah national parks for a year and save you a ton of money on park entrance fees throughout the week.

Then, pick a few hikes and/or walks in Capitol Reef to venture. I personally highly recommend the Chimney Rock Loop Trail (3.3 miles), Hickman Bridge Trail (1.8 miles) and Cassidy Arch Trail (3.1 miles), but how you spend your time here is up to you. For more specifics, see my Capitol Reef National Park half-day itinerary .

To end your afternoon, drive to Goosenecks Overlook to watch an epic sunset over Capitol Reef.

Evening: Escalante

Ideally, on night two, find a campsite or hotel near the city of Escalante , which is located between Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Because, tomorrow, you’ll be starting your day at Bryce.

Utah Road Trip Itinerary Day 3

Morning: bryce canyon national park.

Are you excited for Bryce Canyon National Park ? Because you absolutely should be. Start your day early again (6:00 a.m. at the latest; earlier if you want to beat the crowds) because you have a big day ahead of you.

This unique U.S. wonder is known for its abstract rock formations called hoodoos . When you enter the main area of the park, you’re immediately met with endless views of these hoodoos, as well as several hiking and walking trailheads.

If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, hike the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail (3.5 miles). This trail is busy and hot during the day, so the earlier you start this hike, the better. Afterward, walk to Sunset Point where you’ll get another panoramic view of Bryce Canyon.

Afternoon: Zion National Park

When you feel like you’ve seen enough of Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos, grab lunch outside of Bryce. There are several restaurants to choose from. Then, head on over to Zion National Park .

Upon arrival, drive through the park on the Zion-Mount Carmel Scenic Drive toward the opposite park entrance. The views of this drive are comparable to none. Plus, you’ll get to pass through the iconic Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel .

Next, you have a few options. You could either hike Angels Landing , The Narrows , Watchman Trail or see Zion National Park without any hiking at all .

There is a ton to explore in this Utah national park , so don’t be afraid to spend an extra day here if your personal road trip schedule allows.

Evening: Zion National Park & Kanab

To end your day at Zion National Park , hike the Zion Overlook Trail to watch the sunset over Zion Canyon . The hike is short and doable for all levels but still gives you an authentic Zion hiking experience. If you aren’t keen on hiking Angel’s Landing, this hike is a perfect alternative.

Start your hike at least 45 minutes before sunset. And, be sure to check the sunset time for Zion National Park, not the surrounding cities, as the mountains in Zion create an earlier sunset.

After the sun sets past the mountains, head back to your car and drive to Kanab . Find a campsite or hotel here for the night.

Utah Road Trip Itinerary Day 4

Morning: coffee, belly of the dragons & moqui sand caves.

Can you believe you’re already more than half way through this Utah road trip ? Celebrate by sleeping in and indulging in coffee and baked goods from a local Kanab coffee shop!

By around 10:30 a.m., make your way to the Belly of the Dragon , a long belly-like cave that is free to visit in Kanab . Spend about 30 minutes here exploring the cave and nearby landscapes.

Next, head to the Moqui Sand Caves , a nearby roadside collection of otherworldly sand-filled caves. Don’t underestimate the walk to the caves, though. Bring gripped shoes, such as hiking boots, tennis shoes, or my favorite Teva sandals , so that you can easily hike up the steep five-minute climb to the caves.

BUY ON AMAZON

Afternoon: Toadstools or Antelope canyon

After lunch, you have a couple of options. You can either go to Toadstools Trail (1.8 miles) to walk on Mars and witness hoodoos like the ones you’ll see later in the week at Goblin Valley State Park . Or, you can drive straight to Page, Arizona , to visit Antelope Canyon .

Although Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (which we’ll discuss next) are technically in Arizona, these landmarks are still very close to Utah . Their innate beauty and bucket-list draw make the relatively short drive across the boarder very worthwhile.

Ultimately, though, the choice is up to you on whether you go to Toadstools, Antelope Canyon or just relax during this time.

Evening: Horseshoe Bend

Afterward, get ready for another epic canyon sunset; this time, over the legendary Horseshoe Bend . Plan to arrive at Horseshoe Bend at least 45 minutes before sunset , as there is about a mile walk from the parking lot to the canyon.

Also, bring bug spray ! There will likely be swarms of gnats at the canyon in the evening. Even though the gnats are basically harmless, they are really annoying.

Shortly after sunset, head back to your car and drive toward Monument Valley . Find a place to stay the night (campsite or hotel) as close to Monument Valley as possible. You’ll begin day five here bright and early.

(Note, there are not many free campsites near Monument Valley , so it may be in your best interest to find a hotel or paid campsite for the night.)

Utah Road Trip Itinerary Day 5

Morning: monument valley.

Another early morning awaits on day five, but, trust me, it’s worth it.

Drive into Monument Valley , specifically to Forest Gump Point (GPS coordinates 37°06’09.5″N 109°59’21.1″W), early and plan to arrive about 10 minutes before sunrise .

When the sun rises over this region of Monument Valley, famously known as the road from the movie Forest Gump , the massive red rock formations glow bright orange. This is what makes sunrise the best time of day to visit Monument Valley .

Plus, you’ll beat the crowds and get to take some incredible travel photos .

Afternoon: Moab Arches National Park

Because you started your day pre-sunrise, you’ll likely be able to make it Moab midmorning. Head straight to Arches National Park to begin exploring the last city of this Utah road trip itinerary .

Once you enter the park, head straight to the Delicate Arch trailhead to (hopefully) beat the midday crowds. Delicate Arch is one of the most heavily trafficked trails in Arches National Park , but, even with crowds, the views are so rewarding.

On your way to Delicate Arch, you’ll also pass Twisted Doughnut Arch toward the end of the trail, so keep a look out for it.

Then, treat yourself to a picnic lunch inside the park. Or, leave the park to grab a quick lunch in Moab city.

Afternoon: Arches National Park

One of the best parts of Arches National Park is that it is non-hiker-friendly . There are numerous insanely easy hikes in Arches National Park , so indulge yourself in them this afternoon.

First, head to Double Arch and Cove Arch . Take a brief two minute walk from the parking lot to the arches, and take 20 minutes or so to explore.

Then, drive to the Landscape Arch trailhead to begin your journey to the longest arch in the Arches National Park . This hike is longer than the walk to Double Arch and Cove Arch, but the trail is flat and mostly paved, which makes it easy.

Lastly, if time allows, head to the Instagram-worthy Sand Dune Arch . Here, you’ll find a hidden gem of an arch tucked inside, you guessed it, a sand dune.

Evening: Moab Dinosaur Tracks & Petroglyphs

Sometime in the late afternoon, leave Arches for one of the many free Moab adventures : hunting for roadside dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs .

To find Moab’s free dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs , drive down Potash Road until you get to Poison Spider BLM site and parking lot (past the rock climbers). Follow the BLM sign directions to the short hike that will take you up to both the dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs.

(Hint: the dinosaur tracks are on a massive boulder about 3/4 up the trail, and the petroglyphs are on the red rock wall near on top of the trail.)

Afterward, find a campsite or hotel in Moab . As opposed to Monument Valley, there are a ton of free campsites in Moab, so you shouldn’t have any issues finding a site.

Utah Road Trip Itinerary Day 6

Morning: canyonlands national park.

To continue exploring Moab, you’re starting off your day in Canyonlands National Park .

The best, most popular place to watch sunrise in Canyonlands National Park is at Mesa Arch , so if you have enough energy to make the short 0.7-mile hike before the sun rises, definitely take the hike.

If not, still start your day at Mesa Arch to try to beat the crowds. Afterward, drive to Shafer Canyon Overlook , Buck Canyon Overlook and Candlestick Tower Overlook . For details about each of these stops (and more), see my half day in Canyonlands National Park itinerary .

Afternoon: Rainbow Mountains

Around 11:00 a.m., depart from Canyonlands to see what is, in my opinion, the most epic part of this entire Utah road trip itinerary : Utah’s rainbow mountains .

Yes, you read that right. Rainbow mountains.

Believe it or not, there are rolling hills — also known as the Bentonite Hills — tucked in the middle of the Utah desert that boast bright red, pink, blue and purple rings.

I know this road trip stop sounds too good to be true, but, believe me, the two-hour drive is so worth it. You can read everything you need to know about where to find these otherworldly mounds in my free rainbow mountains, Utah, guide .

Evening: Moab

After journeying through metaphorical Mars, stop by Goblin Valley State Park on your way back to Moab if you have time.

You can fully experience Goblin Valley in an hour or two , which makes it a perfect stop to end the day. Then, when you’re finished exploring this unique valley of hoodoos , head back to Moab for the night.

Utah Road Trip Itinerary Day 7

Morning: corona arch, bowtie arch & arches national park.

It’s your final day on this Utah road trip , and we’re ending with a bang. For starters, head to the Corona Arch and Bowtie Arch trailhead located just outside of Arches National Park .

Corona Arch in particular is one of the best arches to see in Moab . And, it’s free to visit.

However, note that there is a moderate hike to the arch that is often very busy, so it’s best to start the hike as early as possible. We began the hike around 6:30 a.m., and we had the entire hike and arch to ourselves for at least an hour. Plus, we got to witness sunrise from a massive arch in solitude.

Afternoon & Evening: Free Time In MOAB

For your very last afternoon in Moab, I’ve left this itinerary space open for free time . Often times, road trip stops and driving times take more time than planned . And, even though I’ve purposefully overestimated drive and stop times, it is likely that something will come up and put you “behind” schedule.

That being said, use your last afternoon and evening to visit any destinations you missed or would still like to visit .

Or, if you’ve managed to stay on schedule (kudos, by the way), take this afternoon to relax and shop for souvenirs in and around Moab.

Which part of this Utah road trip itinerary are you most excited for? Let me know by leaving a reply below or sending me a message on Instagram . My DMs are always open!

More Utah Destinations

18 Moab Instagram Spots For Epic Photos (With Map) 10 Day Trips From Salt Lake City That Are Out Of This World How To See The Rainbow Mountains In Utah Pink Lake Utah: Directions, Address & What To Know

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About Indigo Sahara, M.A.

Indigo Sahara, M.A., is the founder and CEO of the Indigo Sahara travel blog. Since earning her master's degree in global leadership, she has traveled to more than 20 countries. Now, her goal is to make travel accessible to all by teaching others how to travel on a budget. She writes world travel guides and travel hacking tips weekly.

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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 Tours & Trips

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50 Utah tour packages with 134 reviews

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"We went to a series of awe-inspiring viewpoints and did some wonderful hikes in what were referred to as 'the mighty five' of Utah." SHONAGH, traveled in January 2024

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Hiking Utah's Mighty 5

"The people, the camping, the food, everything was great. I would definitely do this again." Melissa, traveled in May 2022

Utah Parks Circuit

"I was moved to see many wonderful views. I was able to spend a good time everyday."

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Zion Glamping Adventure

"The parks were absolutely beautiful and they packed a lot in for just 4 days." Tiffany, traveled in October 2021

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Mighty 5 Canyons Adventure (from Las Vegas) 5D/4N

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USA – 5 Days Chasing Slot Canyons in Utah

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5 Utah National Parks in 5 Days Camping Tour

"They both did a great job of taking care of the group and making the best decisions on the fly." Ann, traveled in September 2019

What people love about Utah Tours

Everything was great. We enjoyed the pacing of our itinerary and our guide Gogee was excellent.

Excellent tour of the Mighty 5 in Utah. Our guide Robin was knowledgeable and accommodating throughout the tour. Just enough time was allocated for hiking the trails, viewing the sites in the distance and even visiting the Visitor Centers in each park. Hotel/motel accommodations were good and chosen for access to restaurants. Lunch stops with corresponding places to eat were well planned and the food and service was good. We thoroughly enjoyed our time.

the best way to explore the vastness and glory of the Utah desert is by camping and hiking in small groups. I enjoyed this trip immensely, it was challenging enough but not too much. Our guide was a brave and resourceful powerful woman. I am planning my next trip with you already!

Top operators

"The tour was great as expected. The tourguide was very well organized, person. He knew our stops and lots of personal experiences. Great sense of humor. I would recommend this tour and our tourguide to anyone.

Southwest Adventure Tours is an expert in:

• Hiking & Trekking

"This is listed as a "Demanding" tour, but is designed for seniors and obese people. The guide was more focused on making us sit and have lunch than he was with hitting trails and parks, and we were often encouraged to hang out at the RV park pool. Also, "camping" means setting up a tent in a parking lot full of RV's, this does not include actual camping and the tents you are given are complete junk. You will spend much more time being driven in a van, or having sit-down meals 3 times a day, than you will actually exploring or hiking. Extremely disappointing for something marketed as DEMANDING. Oh and our guide went through an insane amount of food waste while not recycling, since G claims to have sustainability values which it clearly does not actually adhere to.

G Adventures is an expert in:

"Great people , Great time. First meal together in los Vegas was awful. It was slimy Thai with NO VEGETABLES. We had to walk across a four lane highway in Los Vegas! I think a great and inexpensive restaurant is Ping Pang Pong.or what ever. Horrible stay in Bluff behind a gas station. No lobby, no restaurant, and no room to move around. Put suitcases on table. Change stay to town of Bland.

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The Ultimate Utah Road Trip (National Parks + Itinerary)

Wondering “How do I plan a trip to all 5 Utah national parks?” Ayyy, don’t stress, we have you covered. Our 10 day Utah road trip will take you through some of the best things to see in Utah, along with the Mighty 5 National Parks.

Utah happens to be one of our absolute favorite states in America. Once you explore Utah for yourself, you’ll soon see why. It’s amazing, it’s diverse and it’s full of adventure. Now, let’s get you prepped, you have a Utah road trip to get to!

Don’t forget to check out our road trip essentials packing list !

10-Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Jump Ahead To:

Best Month to Visit Utah

Ok, let’s set the record straight…Utah is amazing all year round. No lie.

• Utah In The Winter: Winter is cold, but it’s perfect for skiing the slopes around Salt Lake City. Another perk is fewer crowds on the hiking trails in the State Parks and National Parks.
• Utah In The Spring: The spring months tend to be the busier months to visit Utah due to milder temps and springtime blooms. Be prepared to deal with large crowds around Spring Break time and Memorial Day weekend.
• Utah In The Summer: Depending on which part of the state you are in, Utah can be hot, hot, hot. The summer is a popular time as school is out so lots of families can be seen exploring the state. However, the sun stays out much longer so you have longer days which is really nice.
• Utah In The Fall: Considered one of the best times to visit Utah, the fall months are great. Changing of the leaves, milder temps but with great weather usually means more crowds.

For us, we visited Utah in late September / early October and it was perfect. Mild to chilly temps, bright sunshine, and nothing was too crowded. If you were to ask us, we say aim to visit Utah during September or October.

Utah Road Trip Map

The Mighty 5 in Utah is something everyone should see in their lifetime. Scattered throughout the state of Utah, the Mighty 5 (sometimes known as the Big 5) refers to the 5 National Parks that are found within the state of Utah. Yes, Utah is so awesome that it’s home to 5 amazing National Parks.

• Arches National Park (Located near Moab, Utah)
• Canyonland National Park (Located near Moab, Utah)
• Capitol Reef National Park (Located near Torrey, Utah)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (Located near Tropic, Utah)
• Zion National Park (Located near Springdale, Utah)

Our Utah road trip will take you on some of the best scenic byways in the country, through some of the best National Parks in America, and give you too many adventures to count.

Getting Around Utah – Rent an RV

One of our favorite ways to a road trip is by RV! It’s your one-stop-shop for everything you need – shelter, food, and clothes. An RV gives you the flexibility to change direction and not have to worry about canceling a hotel reservation and booking a new one. Making it a great “car” to take on your Utah road trip.

It’s a perfect road trip companion and a great vehicle to consider when exploring Utah. From large rigs to camper vans, there is something out there for everyone.

Day 1: Get Yourself To Utah (Salt Lake City or Denver)

To start your Utah road trip, you have to get to the state, right? Two popular jumping-off points to explore Utah tend to be flying into Salt Lake City (airport code: SLC) or Denver, Colorado (airport code: DEN).

Note: While our route takes you from North to South through the state of Utah, you can easily do our route in reverse by flying into Las Vegas and starting South, and working your way North. Totally up to you.

Flying Into Salt Lake City

Once you land in Salt Lake City, plan to pick up your car or RV rental and head south toward Moab, Utah. Moab is located about 3 hours and 40 minutes (234mi / 377km) away from Salt Lake City and where our Utah road trip itinerary begins from.

It’s worth noting that Salt Lake City airport is the closest airport to Moab, Utah.

Flying Into Denver, Colorado

The second closest airport to Moab is Denver International Airport located 5 hours and 30 minutes (355mi / 571km) away. Once at the Denver Airport, plan to pick up your rental car and/or RV rental and head west until you reach Thompson Springs where you’ll take 182 straight-ish into Moab.

Tip: If you don’t feel like driving back to either Denver or Salt Lake City, buy a one-way ticket into either of these airports for your arrival and then a one-way ticket out of Las Vegas for your departure.

Day 2 – 4: Explore Moab, Canyonlands and Arches National Park

Welcome to Moab. Home to two of the Mighty 5 National Parks, a quaint little downtown, and loads of outdoor adventure. Whether you’re looking for a 4×4 off road adventure , white water rafting down the Colorado Rive r or just some epic trails to bike or hike through, Moab is the PERFECT jumping-off point for all of it.

After a day of adventure and outdoor fun, you can mosey through the shops, downtown cafes, and bars. Grab some breakfast and coffee at Jailhouse Cafe or Moab Garage Co ., some lunch or dinner at Moab Food Truck Park or Sunset Grill , and finally, a beer at Moab Brewery .

Perfect for a few day’s stay, you’ll find becoming bored in Moab is next to impossible.

Check Out our Perfect 2-3 Day Moab Itinerary here!

Arches National Park

The first National Park on our Utah road trip is located 5 miles from Moab (about a 9-minute drive). It is here where you’ll find the entrance to Arches National Park . Some 2,000 natural stone arches along with endless, towering desert landscapes can be found here.

Check out Arches National Park in One Day to help you make the most of your time!

Costing $15/vehicle to get in, you can easily spend a day driving the 36-mile (round trip) road through Arches National Park, hiking Arches’ most popular trails like “The Devils Garden Loop” and “The Double Arch Trail” or watching the sunset from the Delicate Arch Viewpoint.

However you choose to spend your time, be it a few hours or a full day, Arches National Park will not disappoint.

TIP: If you want a truly unique experience within Arches National Park, consider booking the “ Fiery Furnace ” tour.

Canyonlands National Park

About a 35-minute drive from Moab and Arches, you’ll find the second of Mighty 5 National Parks, Canyonlands National Park . The expanse of this park is something to see. Canyonlands is the largest of the National Parks in Utah offering dramatic, staggering views of canyons below.

The park is divided into four districts:

• The Island in the Sky: The most popular district offering rim views of the expansive canyons below, pull-offs for photo ops, and trailheads. This district is home to the famous “Mesa Arch”.
• The Needles : Home to popular hiking trails (great for overnight backpacking) and desert landscapes with rock spires.
• The Maze : The most remote of the districts requires a several-day commitment and should only be visited and trekked by experienced hikers.
• The Rivers (Colorado and Green) : For those wanting to get down into the canyon, the river’s section is great for kayaking, guided boat tours, etc.

Whichever district you decide to visit the entrance fee for Canyonlands is $30/vehicle.

Get our complete guide to spending one day in Canyonlands National Park !

Dead Horse State Park

Ok, ok, so yes, not a National Park but Dead Horse State Park is spectacular and since you’re in the area, it should not be missed! Dead Horse State Park is about a 15-minute drive from Canyonlands National Park and about a 35-minute drive from Arches National Park.

A popular choice is to spend the majority of the day in Canyonlands and finish your day (a couple of hours) at Dead Horse State Park. Costing $20/vehicle, Dead Horse State Park is located atop a mesa offering incredible vista views of the land and canyons below.

Where To Stay in Moab, Utah

• The Luxury Inclined |  Hoodoo Moab
• The Budget Conscious |  Rustic Inn
• Something in Between | Moab Springs Ranch

For more places to stay in Moab, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 5. Experience Capitol Reef National Park

With Moab in your rearview mirror, your sights should be set on the next National Park, Capitol Reef National Park. Located a little over 2 hours away from Moab, Capitol Reef is the least visited of the 5 National Parks within Utah, but don’t let that statement think this park is worth skipping.

TIP: As you leave Moab, be sure to take Highway 24 to Highway 12 as Utah State Highway 12 is considered one of the most scenic drives in Utah.

Costing $15/vehicle for the park entrance fee, Capitol Reef has some amazing hikes like Hickman Natural Bridge or the Cassidy Arch. If you’re short on time or just feel like taking in the sights, we suggest driving the paved Capitol Reef Scenic Drive that winds through some of the best areas of the National Park.

If you’re looking for something more adventurous, canyoneering in Capitol Reef’s slot canyons should be added to your list. However you choose to spend your time, the sights and landscape of Capitol Reef are well worth the visit.

TIP: On your way to Capitol Reef National Park, you’ll pass by Goblin State Park. It’s definitely worth stopping to check out if you have the time. A few hours will give you a taste of what Goblin State Park has to offer.

Where To Stay Near Capitol Reef

• The Luxury Inclined |  Courage Ridge Lodge
• The Budget Conscious |  Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel
• Something in Between | Capitol Reef Resort

For more places to stay near Capitol Reef, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 6: Adventure Through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument 

From Capitol Reef, continue on Highway 12 (the scenic byway) for about 1.5 hours, until you reach the town of Escalante. If you find yourself hungry along the way, we highly suggest stopping at  Hell’s Backbone Grill .

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is nearly one million acres of public land that offers endless beauty and loads of outdoor adventures. Whether you’re exploring the Petrified Forest State Park, exploring the Peekaboo, Spooky, and Zebra slot canyons, or hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls and Devil’s Garden, your day will be well spent.

After a day of exploring, plan to grab a bite to eat at Esca-latte Restaurant , Nemo’s Drive Thru or Circle D Eatery . Oh, and if you need a coffee pick-me-up, make a pitstop at Kiva

Where To Stay in Escalante

• The Luxury Inclined |  Escalante Yurts
• The Budget Conscious |  Prospector Inn
• Something in Between | The Inn of Escalante

For more places to stay in Escalante, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 7: Explore The Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon

Your next stop is the magnificent Bryce Canyon, located about an hour east of Escalante. Known for its vast views and spire-shaped rock formations called hoodoos, Bryce Canyon is truly something to behold.

Costing $35/vehicle to enter the park, that entrance fee is well worth it once you set your sights on the views that await you. Plan to hike the Queens Garden/Navajo Trail Loop to see the hoodoos up close. Then, head up to the canyon rim and walk to a few outstanding viewpoints such as Sunrise Point, Inspiration Point, and Sunset Point.

You can also drive the 18-mile scenic drive that will allow you to get out at the numerous viewpoints that surround the rim of Bryce Canyon. If you love stars, plan to stay after sunset as Bryce is a certified Dark Sky Park, making it perfect for star gazing.

Check out our one day in Bryce Canyon Itinerary here!

Really and truly, it’s impossible to not become smitten with Bryce Canyon. It’s a true gem.

Where To Stay Near Bryce Canyon

• The Luxury Inclined |  Bryce Country Cabins
• The Budget Conscious |  Red Ledges Inn
• Something in Between | Happy Trails BnB

For more places to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 8 – 9: Stand in Awe at Zion National Park

From Bryce Canyon, you’ll head 1.5 hours southeast to what some consider to be the “mecca” of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks, Zion National Park .

Steep red cliff canyon with a flowing cool river and vivid green foliage that lays atop rugged rocks and dirt all set the stage for the awe-filled scenery that makes up the landscape that is Zion National Park.

Costing $35/vehicle to enter the park, Zion is one of the most visited parks in the United States. Once you arrive, you’ll soon see why.

Learn how to spend 2 days in Zion National Park !

The signature sites of Zion National Park are without a doubt Angels Landing and The Narrows. However, some other popular hiking outings to add to your “to-do list” are Observation Point Trail, Watchman Trail, and Overlook Trail.

If you’d like to take a break from hiking drive the scenic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway or hit the cliff side for some canyoneering and rock climbing fun.

After a day of amazing views and fresh air, head out into Springdale (the town that butts up to the entrance of Zion National Park) for some much-needed food.

Bit & Spur , Kings Landing Bistro and Oscars Cafe are great options for dinner and drinks. For breakfast, stop at Cafe Soleil or Deep Creek Coffee Company .

Where To Stay Near Zion

• The Luxury Inclined |  Cable Mountain Lodge
• The Budget Conscious |  Zion Park Motel
• Something in Between | Best Western Plus

For more places to stay near Zion National Park, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 10: Your Utah Road Trip Comes To An End

A sad day. Your Utah road trip has come to an end. As you leave Zion National Park, the closest airport to Zion National Park is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada – about 2 hours and 45 minutes (172mi / 275 kms) away.

If you have a flight to catch out of the airport you came into (Salt Lake City or Denver), you have a little bit (or should we say a lotta bit) of a drive. From Zion National Park, Salt Lake City is a 4-hour and 20-minute drive (312mi / 502km). Whereas Denver is about 10 hours (628mi / 1010km) away.

If you’re wanting to keep exploring the beautiful southwest of the United States, consider extending your stay to explore some nearby places and National Parks.

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Antelope Canyon
• Monument Valley
• Havasu Falls Hike
• Taos, New Mexico
• Great Sand Dunes National Park

Tips for Visiting Utah National Parks

• National Parks Pass : A great idea if you plan on visiting multiple National Parks throughout the year.
• Get To The Parks Early : Some of the most beautiful and quiet times at any National Park is sunrise. Plus, starting to hike before the heat of the day is always a good idea.
• Pack Your Lunch : Make your lunch and bring it with you. By not having to leave the park to find a place to eat, you get to spend more time in the park. Oh, and pack snacks in your daypack too!
• Come Prepared : If you’re going during the spring and fall months, pack accordingly. The weather can change so make sure you have a jacket . Oh, and protect that skin of yours by applying sunscreen .
• Bring a Reusable Water Bottle: It’s important to stay hydrated and not use single-use plastic water bottles. Another great option is to have a camelbak .

Camping In Utah & Its National Parks

Utah is home to some amazing campsites. You can find campsites scattered about outside and inside the National Parks. For any campsites located within the National Parks, where you are able to, reservations are highly recommended.

If the campsites are first come, first serve, we highly suggest getting to the campground as early as possible to secure a spot.

Be sure to check out our camping tips and essential gear list !

• Arches National Park Camping: Devils Garden Campground
• Canyonlands Camping: Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground, The Needles Campground
• Capital Reef Camping: Fruita Campground, Cathedral Valley Campground, Cedar Mesa Campground
• Bryce Canyon Camping : North Campground, Sunset Campground
• Zion National Park Camping: South Campground, Watchman Campground

For campsites located outside and near Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks, some require a reservation whereas others are first come first serve. We recommend the ap p Dyrt to help you pinpoint campgrounds in the area that you can call home for the night.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?!

One Day in Arches National Park

How to Spend 1 to 2 Days in Zion National Park

One Day In Bryce Canyon

How To Spend 2-3 Days in Moab

Arches National Park in One Day

Road Trip Essentials

Tips & Essential Gear for Camping

PIN IT FOR LATER!

For more travel tips, guides and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke around our site, follow us on Instagram  @wanderingstus ,  Pinterest  and on  Facebook . Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. We’re happy to answer. Or, just leave us a positive note!

Happy Travels,

– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stüs)

We're Lauren & Jesse, the creators behind Wandering Stus! We've been traveling for decades, exploring and experiencing the very best this world has to offer. Whether we're roadtripping the U.S. in our camper, hiking through National Parks, or jet-setting to different countries around the globe, we write detailed travel guides to help you plan one amazing (and unforgettable) adventure!

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Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: How to Plan a 7-Day Trip to the Mighty 5 in 2024

Planning a Utah national parks road trip? I’ve got the ultimate Utah itinerary, based on my own travels in this beautiful state. And to make your planning easier, I’ve even included a handy downloadable trip planner!

With five national parks to explore, hiking trails galore and some epic scenery, a Utah national parks road trip is something you’ll never forget.

Hitting the so-called Mighty 5 – Utah’s five national parks of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef – is possible in just a week, and you won’t believe how different and beautiful each national park is .

Here I’m sharing the Utah road trip itinerary my husband and I took. This itinerary allowed us to see the Mighty 5 in just seven days – and we even snuck in a quick side trip to Arizona .

This is one of my favourite adventures of all time in the United States, so here’s how you can follow the Utah itinerary we took.

I’ve even created a printable planner so that you can plot out your own Utah national parks road trip itinerary, so download a copy here .

This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

How to do this Utah road trip

This is a road trip, so of course you’ll need your own wheels . You have a few options here:

• Rent a car through Discover Cars and either camp or stay at hotels/Airbnbs along the way.
• Rent a campervan or RV – this is what we did and it made the trip even more fun! You’ll combine your transport and accommodation costs, saving some dollars as well. RVShare is a good option for this; it’s like the Airbnb of RVs. Escape Campervans is another great option for campervan rentals. I’ve listed campground throughout this post and you can use apps like iOverlander or US Public Lands to find free campsites .

A question I get asked: Do you need a 4×4 for this road trip? If you follow this itinerary, you won’t need a 4×4 – a regular car is perfectly fine. The roads are all sealed and well maintained. Of course, you won’t be able to get out to some of the backroad locations – but you probably wouldn’t have time to do that in this short itinerary anyway.

Utah Mighty 5 road trip routes

To do this bucket list USA Utah national parks road trip, I’d recommend at least a week . This itinerary will give you a day in each park (two days in some parks) so there isn’t a lot of room for downtime.

If you have 10 days or two weeks to road trip Utah’s national parks, that would be even better. This will allow you to really explore all the natural beauty this state has to offer.

There are several ways you can visit all five Utah national parks in a week , depending on where you’re starting from. The best places to start and end this trip is in Las Vegas or Salt Lake City .

We did option number 1, but if I was doing this trip again, I’d probably take the Las Vegas to Salt Lake City (or vice versa) route to save on a bit of backtracking.

For option #2, check that your rental company allows you to return a vehicle to another location (there may be an additional charge).

For option #3, you could even add in a side trip to the Grand Canyon if you have one or two extra days.

These three Utah road trip route options include a side trip into Arizona to Monument Valley. But if you’re short on time, you can cut this out of your Utah itinerary.

National parks road trip itinerary

As mentioned earlier, we did a loop starting and ending in Salt Lake City , so that’s what I’ll get into in this article. You can easily take the information here and adapt it to the alternative routes listed above.

This 7-day Utah road trip itinerary that loops from Salt Lake City is:

Day 1: Salt Lake City to Zion National Park

Day 2: zion national park, day 3: bryce canyon national park, day 4: monument valley.

• Day 5: Canyonlands National Park and Moab
• Day 6: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park
• Day 7: Back to Salt Lake City via Capitol Reef National Park

Map of Utah national parks

Before I get into the nitty gritty of the Utah national parks road trip itinerary, here’s a map of where you’ll be going if you follow the route we took. You can download a map of national parks in Utah on the Visit Utah website or they’ll even post one to you if you plan ahead.

Alright, it’s time to hit the road!

Driving time: 4.5 hours / 308 miles

First up on this 7 day Utah national parks itinerary: pick up your car or campervan . Pick up any supplies you may need (including plenty of road trip snacks!). I have a handy road trip checklist so you don’t forget anything important.

You could check out of a few of the best things to do in Salt Lake City , but I’d recommend jumping straight on the road and heading for Zion National Park . It’s about a 4.5-hour drive from Salt Lake City.

Zion National Park is the busiest Utah national park , with more than 5 million visitors. Despite the crowds, it’s a must-visit on a Utah parks road trip.

Springdale is the town just outside of the entrance to Zion, and it has several great options for your first dinner on the road.

Zion National Park quick reference guide

Entrances: The main entrance is the South Entrance, near the town of Springdale Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $35, valid for 7 days Website: Zion National Park Tips: Access to cars through the park is limited during high season (March to November), but Zion National Park has a fantastic free shuttle bus system to get around. The shuttle stops at all the key trailheads and loops around fairly frequently.

There’s also a shuttle bus that links to the Zion Canyon Shuttle from Springdale, which is convenient if you’re staying in town.

Where to stay in Zion National Park

Zion national park campgrounds.

Zion National Park has three campgrounds : South, Watchman and Lava Point. You can reserve South and Watchman in advance (campsites are $20 per night, $30 for powered sites at Watchman). South Campground can be reserved up to 14 days in advance, while Watchman can be reserved up to 6 months ahead of time. (Update: As of December 2023, South Campground is partially closed for rehabilitation works.)

If you can’t get a reservation in advance, you can still plan to arrive at the campgrounds at around 10 or 11am just in case a site becomes available. That’s how we got a site for the night.

Lava Point only has six basic campsites and is more remote, with no cell reception. Reservations can be made online. It’s open May to September only.

Hotels near Zion National Park

• Zion Lodge is the only hotel inside Zion National Park
• For something partway between a hotel and camping, try the luxury, safari-style tents at Under Canvas Zion
• Cliffrose Lodge is close to the entrance to Zion National Park
• Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites has comfy rooms with mini fridges and coffee makers – and great views

Vacation rentals near Zion National Park

If you can’t get a hotel room, plan ahead and look at vacation rentals instead. VRBO has several options to suit all group sizes and budgets. Check vacation rentals near Zion National Park .

Wake up early (I’m talking, like, 5am) to get a head start on the Angel’s Landing hike . This hike is very popular on most people’s Zion national park itinerary, and starting early helps to avoid both the crowds and the heat of the day. It’s a beautiful but fairly strenuous hike with some pockets of shade.

The final ascent to Angel’s Landing is a narrow ridge with steel chains as the only barrier to keep you falling hundreds of metres off the side.

I’m not shy in admitting that I just couldn’t bring myself to do this final section – it was too scary for me. I stayed below while my husband did the final section. He said that it was hairy in some parts, but the views are worth it if you don’t have a fear of heights .

Later in the afternoon, take off on your next hike along the Riverside Walk .

If you can brave the icy water, end the day by wading through the start of The Narrows hike . We only did a small portion of this, and I would love to come back and do it completely. You can hike as far as Big Spring without a permit. It’s a 10-mile round-trip, so you’ll need the whole day to tackle this.

Best hikes in Zion National Park

• Angel’s Landing (5.4 miles, strenuous)
• Observation Point (8 miles, strenuous)
• Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile, moderate; easier alternative to Angel’s Landing)
• Riverside Walk (2.2 miles, easy)
• Weeping Rock Trail (0.4 miles, easy)
• The Narrows (10 miles (to Big Spring) return trip, strenuous; high water levels and the risk of flash flooding can mean this is closed at some times during the year)

Driving time: 1.5 hours / 75 miles

Leaving Zion National Park on your way to Bryce Canyon , traverse the scenic 12-mile Zion-Mt Carmel Highway , passing through the historic tunnel. It’s a beautiful, winding road that exposes the red rocks of Zion.

It’s time to see just how different Bryce Canyon National Park, with its orange and white hoodoos , is to the deep red rocks of Zion National Park.

In my opinion, Bryce Canyon is the best national park in Utah . The landscape is out of this world and when we visited it was far quieter than Zion.

Hike the  Navajo Loop / Queen’s Garden trails which take you down into and back up the canyon and past Thor’s Hammer . Later, hike a section of the Rim Trail , and stand above the hoodoos to get an idea of what Mars surely must look like.

Sunset at Inspiration Point is a must, watching the colours of the hoodoos change as the sun goes down.

Best hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park

• Navajo Loop / Queen’s Garden (2.9 miles combined, moderate)
• Rim Trail (up to 11 miles, easy; paved from Sunset to Sunrise Points)
• Fairyland Loop (8 miles, strenuous)

Bryce Canyon National Park quick reference guide

Entrances: The only entrance to the park is via UT 12; you’ll pass through the small town of Bryce Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $35, valid for 7 days Website: Bryce Canyon National Park Tips: Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the free shuttle bus that operates through the park

Where to stay in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce canyon national park campgrounds.

There are two campgrounds in Bryce Canyon: North Campground and Sunset Campground (sites $30 per night). Both are close to the visitor centre.

Campsites at both campground can be reserved between mid-May and early October. For the rest of the year, they operate on a first-come, first-served system.

Outside of Bryce Canyon, Ruby’s Inn has an RV park and campground, which is where we stayed.

Hotels near Bryce Canyon National Park

If you’re not camping, try one of the hotels near Bryce Canyon National Park .

• Ruby’s Inn Best Western Plus is a popular option outside Bryce Canyon National Park (we stayed at the adjoined RV park and campground)
• The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is located inside the park, with 114 rooms and an on-site restaurant
• Stone Canyon Inn has several cabins onsite

Vacation rentals near Bryce Canyon National Park

• This charming country home on a large property – with fruit picking available in the fall
• This incredible chalet halfway between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Driving time: 4.5 hours / 275 miles

On day four of the Utah national parks road trip, we’re actually heading into another state: Arizona !

As I mentioned earlier, you can skip Monument Valley if you want to stay in Utah and spend more time at the Mighty 5 national parks. But it’s a great detour.

It’s a long day of driving from Bryce Canyon south into Arizona. Stop for pie at the retro Thunderbird Restaurant at Mt Carmel Junction. As an Australian, this place is exactly how I always pictured American diners to be!

Stop at Page , home to the highly Instagrammed Horseshoe Bend , and nervously watch everyone as they perch on the edge to get the perfect selfie.

It’s a hot and dusty walk to the viewpoint, so bring adequate shoes and lots of water and sunscreen . To manage the huge influx of visitors that Horseshoe Bend has recently experienced, you’ll now need to pay an entrance fee of $30 per passenger vehicle.

Another popular site in Page is Antelope Canyon . Here you can visit Upper Antelope Canyon, an incredible slot canyon. Reservations are a must. We unfortunately didn’t have time, but photos I have seen are spectacular. If you can make the time, there are tours of Lower Antelope Canyon and Upper Canyon .

If you have even more time, many people add on a trip to the Grand Canyon to their Utah national parks road trip itinerary. You’ll need at least two days, though, to see the park properly.

Continue on to Monument Valley , famous from oh-so-many movies. Drive through the valley ($8 per person, per day; Monument Valley isn’t covered under the America the Beautiful national parks annual pass ) in the late afternoon as the sun is going down for some spectacular silhouettes of the buttes . Early morning is another option for nice light.

You need two to three hours to do the 17-mile self-guided driving tour through Monument Valley (maps available at the Information Center).

There are a few hiking trails (permit required) or you can take an organised tour which will allow you access to a traditional Navajo hogan, a small house. Here’s a good option for a sunset tour , or a 2.5-hour trip with backcountry access  where you’ll learn more about Navajo culture.

Be respectful of the land at all times and stick to the trails – this is Navajo land .

Hotels near Monument Valley

There are a couple of hotels near Monument Valley :

• We parked our campervan at Goulding’s Lodge , which has both a hotel and campground. It’s also got a restaurant, gas station, laundry, trading post and a museum highlighting the history of the area, including about the films that have been shot there. The theatre shows John Wayne movies nightly
• The View Hotel is located within Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. As the name suggests, it has great views over the valley

Day 5: The Needles, Canyonlands National Park

Driving time: 5.5 hours / 238 miles

Day five will see you heading back into Utah on your way to Moab . Before you get too far, stop at mile marker 13 on highway 163 for the classic road jumping shot with Monument Valley in the background.

Before getting to Moab, take the long detour to The Needles area of Canyonlands National Park . It’s a side trip off the main road and does add extra time to this Utah road trip itinerary, but it’s worth it. If you’re short on time, then you can skip this and head straight to Moab.

Canyonlands National Park is actually split into three distinct areas by the rivers that run through the park: The Needles, Island in the Sky and the Maze. The Maze is only accessible by 4WD and is very remote. I haven’t included it in this Utah national parks itinerary because we didn’t visit it.

The Needles is far less touristy than the other national parks in Utah. To get a taste of the park, hike the Slickrock trail , which will take you over smooth, mustard-coloured rocks as you follow the cairns-marked trail.

After that, hit up another hike like the Cave Spring trail . This one winds through old cowboy hangouts and up ladders. Again, you’ll be marvelling at just how different the landscape is compared to the other national parks visited on this trip.

We only wish we’d had more time to do some of the longer, more challenging hikes. Unfortunately, there was a spectacular lightning storm starting up as we began hiking, and we didn’t want to be exposed.

Continue on to Moab and have a late lunch of burgers and peanut butter milkshakes at Milt’s Stop and Eat .

Best hikes in The Needles, Canyonlands National Park

• Chesler Park Viewpoint (6 miles, strenuous)
• Slickrock Trail (2.4 miles, short)
• Big Spring Canyon to Squaw Canyon (7.5 miles, strenuous)
• Cave Spring (0.6 miles, short)

Canyonlands National Park quick reference guide

Entrances: The entrance to Island in the Sky is about 40 minutes from Moab, while The Needles entrance is about a 90-minute drive Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $30 Website: Canyonlands National Park Tips: Moab is the best place to base yourself to see the two main sections of the park

Where to stay in Moab

Moab campgrounds.

• We stayed at the KOA campground in Moab . Staff were friendly and they have a pool and shop onsite.

Hotels in Moab

Moab is a small town, but its reputation as an action hub means that it’s full of hotels and campgrounds.

• The Gonzo Inn is a popular place to stay in Moab. There’s an outdoor pool which will be a huge relief in the heat of the afternoon – Moab gets really hot
• Red Cliffs Lodge has 115 simple rooms, some with balconies with great views over the river

Vacation rentals in Moab

There are plenty of vacation rentals in Moab , so you’ll have lots of choices. I like the look of:

• This light-filled cabin with a great patio with grill (and it’s dog friendly!)
• This property would be good for groups of up to 6 people

Day 6: Arches National Park and Island in the Sky

Arches National Park is just outside of Moab, and is famous for its variety of sandstone arches.

Tackle some of the shorter hikes to Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch in the morning.

In the afternoon, hike to Delicate Arch . This is a must-do on your visit to Arches National Park. Be aware that this hike has no shade, and the last part is around a cliff face with a sharp drop off. It’s one of the most photographed spots on any trip to Utah.

Best hikes in Arches National Park

• Delicate Arch (3 miles, strenuous)
• Double O Arch Trail (4.2 miles, strenuous)
• Park Avenue Trail (1 mile one-way, moderate)
• Devil’s Garden (7.2 miles, strenuous)
• Windows Trail (1 mile, easy)
• Fiery Furnace (reservation necessary, guided by Park Ranger)

Arches National Park quick reference guide

Entrances: The entrance is just a 10-minute drive from Moab Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $30, valid for 7 days Reservation needed: Between 1 April and 31 October, you’ll also need to book a timed entrance. Book online here Website: Arches National Park

Before sunset, drive out to the other section of Canyonlands National Park, the Island in the Sky . From the viewpoint, gaze out over the land, which looks like a giant dinosaur has left its footprint behind.

If you’re in luck, you might even have Mesa Arch all to yourselves for a few minutes. Most people recommend to visit Mesa Arch at dawn, but we found it to be just as beautiful at sunset.

Moab is one of the best places to visit in Utah for adventure lovers , so if you’ve had enough of hiking, you can try mountain bike riding , offroading , 4×4 adventuring , rappeling  or rafting on the Colorado River . There are companies throughout Moab that offer all sorts of outdoor adventures.

Best hikes in Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park

• Mesa Arch (0.5 miles, easy)
• Grand View Point Trail (2 miles, easy)
• Neck Spring (5.8 miles, moderate)
• Gooseberry Trail (5.4 miles, strenuous)

Day 7: Capitol Reef National Park and back to Salt Lake City

Driving time: 5.5 hours / 369 miles

On the last day of the road trip, return to Salt Lake City via Capitol Reef National Park .

As the smallest of the five Utah national parks , you can easily drive through it via the 9-mile scenic drive and stop off to do shorter hikes. We only spent a few hours here, the shortest visit of our trip.

The park also has an old Mormon mission and you can stop by the historic Gifford Homestead to enjoy a fruit pie in the shaded grounds. The perfect sweet way to finish your Utah national park itinerary!

Best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park

• Sunset Point Trail (0.4 miles one-way, easy)
• Hickman Bridge Trail (0.9 miles one-way, moderate)
• Chimney Rock Trail (3.6 miles, strenuous)
• Rim Overlook Trail (2.3 miles, strenuous)

Capitol Reef National Park quick reference guide

Entrance fee: Private Vehicle, $20, valid for 7 days Website: Capitol Reef National Park

Where to stay near Capitol Reef National Park

If you do decide to stay longer than a few hours or one day, here are a few options for sleeping.

Capitol Reef National Park campgrounds

There’s only one developed campground within Capitol Reef, and that’s the 71-site Fruita Campground . The fee is $25 per night, and sites are reservable only between 1 March and 31 October. The rest of the year it’s first come, first served.

Hotels near Capitol Reef National Park

• For something  truly unique, book a night in a Conestoga wagon! Peek out your wagon at Capitol Reef Resort in the morning for stunning red rock views. Or, choose from luxury teepees and cabins
• Broken Spur Inn and Steakhouse (located in Torrey) is a simple hotel only a 10-minute drive to the entrance of Capitol Reef National Park

Vacation rentals near Capitol Reef National Park

• This cute cabin is great for couples or small families
• This 2-bedroom home with a great deck in the nearby town of Teasdale

Finally, return your car or campervan in Salt Lake City – 7 days in Utah goes by quickly! This will be a trip you won’t quickly forget – and if you’re like me, you’ll be wanting to go back very soon.

Tips for planning a Utah national parks road trip itinerary

Buy a national parks pass.

If you’re planning to road trip to Utah national parks, buy the America the Beautiful annual pass , which costs $80. Each national park costs between $20 and $35 to visit, so if you visit three or more parks on this Utah mighty 5 road trip, this pass will save you money .

The pass is also valid at any national park in the entire United States so you can use it at other parks for the rest of the year.

Book accommodation in advance

Hotels, lodges and camping sites around the national parks can be booked out months – even a year – in advance, so book accommodation in advance . (I use Booking.com and Expedia to book accommodation, comparing prices across both sites before I book.)

Each campsite has different processes for booking. Some can be booked online in advance, others can only be booked in person on the day, so you’ll need to factor this in to your planning.

Research each park before you visit

Do your research on each park’s website in advance – there’s a huge amount of information available online. This will help you plan your days to get the most out of each park.

And when you arrive at each park, stop by the visitor centre to pick up a map and talk to the rangers . They know the best time to visit each location for the perfect photos and which hikes to do to maximise the time you have.

Best time to visit Utah national parks

We visited in early June and found it to be a great time to visit the Utah Mighty 5 – just before school vacation so the crowds were not quite in full force, and the weather was warm and sunny, but not yet suffocatingly hot.

Spring and autumn/fall

These are the best seasons to visit the national parks in Utah – but also the most popular. Temperatures are milder, so hikes will be more manageable, but you’ll have to battle the crowds.

It goes without saying that summer is the hottest time to visit the national parks of Utah, with temperatures often creeping toward 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). If you must visit during these months, plan your visit carefully and aim to hike either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. And always have plenty of water with you.

The winter months can bring temperatures below freezing at night – and snow . I’ve seen photos of some of the national parks during winter and it looks stunning with snow-dusted peaks and few crowds, but make sure to come with adequate winter clothing.

What to pack for a Utah national parks road trip

When you’re visiting the national parks in Utah, come prepared. Here are a few items I’d recommend packing, and I have a longer road trip packing list guide with more ideas:

• An America the Beautiful annual pass to save you tonnes of money!
• A cell phone mount is helpful for hands-free navigating. Remember to download maps as you’ll encounter areas without service.
• Bring a good backpack for all your gear, and a daypack for hiking.
• Use a water bladder to stay hydrated while tackling the hiking trails.
• Pack sturdy hiking boots . 
• Don’t forget plenty of  sunscreen ! It gets hot out here, and the sun can be brutal, even in winter.
• If you’re travelling in a campervan like we did or camping in Utah national parks, you may go several days without a shower (pee-yew!). Pack some body wipes to stay fresh.
• If you’re camping or in an RV, pack a power inverter to keep your electronics charged while you’re driving.
• Don’t forget a good first aid kit .
• Pick up a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Southwest USA  or Lonely Planet’s national parks guidebook   so that you can learn more about Utah . 

For other items you’ll need to bring on this Utah national parks itinerary 7 days, check out this packing list for camping in the national parks .

Utah national park road trip: FAQSs

How many days do you need to see the national parks in utah.

You need at least a week to see all of the national parks in Utah. With 7 days, you can visit each of the state’s five national parks. This will give you 1-2 days at each of the national parks.

Can you see all 5 national parks in Utah?

The great thing about the Mighty 5 is that you can see all of them in a week. Follow my itinerary and you’ll be able to visit all 5 national parks in Utah in just 7 days.

How many national parks are there in Utah?

Utah has 5 national parks: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park.

Did you find this article helpful? Consider buying me a coffee as a way to say thanks!

Have you visited Utah? Which is your favourite national park? Let me know in the comments below.

Related posts

Before you go… you might like these USA road trips:

• New Mexico Road Trip Itinerary: Discover the Land of Enchantment
• Plan a Deep South Road Trip Itinerary: What to See, Do and Eat
• Mississippi Road Trip: 7 Fascinating Places to Visit in the Magnolia State
• 17 Fun Things to do in West Texas: An Unmissable West Texas Road Trip

USA TRIP ESSENTIALS

• Book flights to and around the USA online with Skyscanner . I like this site because it shows me which dates are cheaper.
• Find a great hotel in the USA. Check prices on Booking.com   and Expedia online.
• Check out the huge range of day tours throughout the USA on GetYourGuide or Viator . There’s something for everyone.
• A copy of the  Lonely Planet guide to the USA will be handy.
• One thing I always purchase is  travel insurance ! Travel Insurance Master allows you to compare across multiple policy providers, while SafetyWing is great for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

7 DAY ITINERARY UTAH NATIONAL PARKS: PIN IT FOR LATER

Don’t forget to save this Utah national parks road trip itinerary to Pinterest and guide so that you can plan your own road trip!

About REBECCA

I'm a travel junkie who started dreaming about seeing the world from a very young age. I've visited more than 40 countries and have a Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management. A former expat, I've lived in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Argentina and the United States. I share travel resources, tips and stories based on my personal experiences, and my goal is to make travel planning just that bit easier.

17 thoughts on “Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: How to Plan a 7-Day Trip to the Mighty 5 in 2024”

Hi Rebecca, I am looking to do a SLC to LV of the Mighty 5 plus GC, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon in October. I have 15 days including fly days. Ideas on an itinerary? Thanks so much!

Hi Amy! You could do something like: Salt Lake City (spend a day there if you haven’t already visited), then Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Moab (for both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks), The Needles portion of Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Zion, LV. Plan to spend 2 days at least in each of Bryce, GC and Zion, plus 3 days in Moab. That should stretch you out to two weeks without feeling rushed. I’m jealous you’ll have so much time exploring this beautiful part of the world!

Hi…I love this post but I am looking to do LV to LV including a brief visit at GC, Antelope and Horseshoe and then travel on to the Utah parks. I have 10 days including flying. Any ideas on an itinerary?

Hi Joan, how fun! The most efficient route, then, would be Las Vegas – Grand Canyon – Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon – Arches NP/Canyonlands – Capitol Reef – Bryce Canyon – Zion NP – Las Vegas. You could easily do that in 10 days, with one day at each stop (or two days in places you really want to spend a bit more time in). Have fun!!

Dynamite photos, loved looking at them.

Thanks! It’s such a beautiful state, so fun to drive around.

Enjoyed reading this very much. Thanks! Since you did a fair amount of driving around where I’m planning to go, wondering if you had any info/advice to share about using an RV for this trip in the winter. Curious about accessibility with the roads, whether any of the segments between parks make driving difficult because of vehicle clearance, or whether the roads are not paved and may be difficult to traverse in a larger vehicle.

Hey Patrick! So excited that you’re heading this way – it’s a beautiful part of the world. We visited in early June and had no issues with the roads – and there were so many RVs out as well. In winter, I’d say it’d be much the same. The roads between all the parks are paved and well-maintained. Even within the parks the roads are really good so I wouldn’t think you’d have any issues. The only limitation I can see is if you want to get offroad at any time. For example, driving through Monument Valley was quite bumpy in our small campervan, and it might be tough in an RV (depending on how big it is) – check first whether they even allow RVs inside the monument. Happy travelling and let me know if you have any more questions!

Just got back from Zion, but I want to see them all!

What I loved about all the parks in Utah is just how close they were to each other – so it is possible to see several in just a few days!

Such incredible photos – Zion National Park looks like a different planet!! What an adventure – definintely one for the bucketlist!

Absolutely! Was such a great trip 🙂

Rebecca!! Seriously, I cannot thank you enough for opening my eyes to the world of camper vans! We leave in two weeks and last minute Chase wanted to camp (and we pretty much have no camp supplies, although it’s been on my list to get for this summer – to start small and camp close to home LOL, he was ready for a 3000 mile away camp trip), so it left us scrambling to figure out how to get a tent on a plane, oh and then buying a tent, and yadda! We already reserved a rental car, but believe we are returning it and going with the camper van. This post made me even more excited!

Thank you again! <3

Oh I’m so glad I saw your post and commented. It really does make life easier – you don’t have to lug a whole lot of stuff on to a plane, and buy stuff that you might not use again. It will be a bit cold while you’re there, too, so sleeping inside a van will make it a little warmer. Have so much fun – can’t wait to see your pics!!

This post reminds me of your adventure to see Mt Fitz Roy in Patagonia for you took some really great shots at both places! Weather plays an important role in making an outdoor adventure pleasant or not, and you seem to always know when to go. I have to say your photos of those national parks in Utah are some of the best I’ve ever stumbled upon! Btw, in that photo of you and other hikers wading through the icy water at the start of The Narrows, it’s not easy to spot which one your husband is. That bird of paradise reminds me of the days when you were still living in PNG. 🙂

Bama, you always leave the nicest comments!! This really brightened up my day when I first read it and I was in a slump about blogging in general. Thank you! And the fact that you noticed the bird of paradise tattoo! 🙂

Wow Rebecca this is a wonderful blog. I have really enjoyed reading it and will read the others. Elly just told me about it. Glad she did as it gives me an heads up on how you and Matt spend your rec time. Great stuff.

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Bucket-List Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

February 6, 2024 //  by  Follow Me Away //   18 Comments

Are you trying to plan the best Utah road trip possible? I am here to help!

I have done road trips in Utah both as a kid and an adult and absolutely love this state! With five epic national parks and otherworldly landscapes, Utah is a nature lover’s dream come true.

My Utah itinerary is unique since it is full of tips from someone who has spent months road-tripping the state and slow traveling through Utah’s Mighty 5.

A Utah national parks road trip includes Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. I highly suggest purchasing a National Park Pass beforehand to save money on entrance fees.

Along with the national parks, this itinerary for Utah will feature other beautiful nature spots!

For this Utah road trip itinerary, I am not going to specify an amount of time so you can make the drive as time allows for your schedule.

Don’t forget to check out my detailed road trip packing list so you don’t forget any essentials!

Now, let’s look at my top Utah road trip ideas!

Utah Road Trip Map

Some of us are more visual and that is okay! I’ve created this Utah national parks road trip map so you can see where everything is located across the state.

As you can see, once you drive away from Salt Lake City, everything is only within 30-120 minutes of each other. This means more time to enjoy everything on your Utah road trip and fewer hours in the car!

Click Here For The Utah Road Trip Map

Stop 1: Begin Your Utah Road Trip In Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is the largest city in Utah and the most accessible to fly into to begin your Utah road trip. Both affordable international and domestic flights fly into this city.

I recommend checking out Skyscanner to find the best and most affordable flights. I use this tool to discover the best flights because you can easily compare rates.

When you fly into SLC, consider buying a one-way ticket. Depending on how you structure your Utah road trip, you may want to fly into Salt Lake City and fly out of Las Vegas.

This itinerary will end at Zion National Park so I recommend flying out of Las Vegas which is closer.

If you choose to follow this itinerary exactly, all you have to do is decide if you want to drive 2.5 hours to Las Vegas or 4.5 hours to Salt Lake City.

Compare prices on flights out of both cities so you can find a deal that is best for you!

Best Hotels In Salt Lake City:

• Affordable: Holiday Inn Express Downtown . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Hilton Garden Inn . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 2: Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks

I have so many memories surrounding Moab from growing up traveling around that area! It is a truly fantastic little city and a family favorite. It has only gotten better over the past few decades.

Moab is around a 4-hour drive from Salt Lake City. It is a bit of a drive but that is okay! This is hands down the best place to start your Utah road trip!

I recommend spending 2 to 3 days in Moab if you have the chance. Utilize Moab as a home base to explore the nearby Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.

These are two of the best national parks in all of the United States and you will NOT be disappointed. They are family-friendly with many things to do and will transport you to an otherworldly landscape.

The Moab area is one of the best stops on your Southwest USA road trip itinerary!

Best Hotels In Moab:

• Affordable: Moab Valley Inn . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Holiday Inn Moab. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Family Fun: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Moab . Check Rates: Booking.com

Visiting Arches National Park

Arches National Park is the ultimate way to begin your Utah road trip. Arches is just outside of Moab and is ideal for your first national park of the trip.

The arches are beyond incredible and visiting will not disappoint!

I would like to caution you to please be careful and NEVER carve your name into the arches or take rocks. Please think of the future and REFRAIN from harming this beautiful nature in any way!

There is one road in and out of Arches National Park and it is 18 miles long. This means you can easily see Arches in one day on your Utah Road trip.

That being said, if you can spend more than one day here, I highly recommend it. It is very close to Moab so you can always come back if you missed something! This region is one of the best places in Utah !

Best Hikes In Arches National Park

If you can only do one thing at Arches National Park, I suggest hiking to Delicate Arch . This outstanding rock formation is the icon of the park. You will see photos and imagery of it all over the place.

This Utah hike is family-friendly and is around 3 miles round trip. If you are hiking during the heat of the day, make sure to wear sun protection and take plenty of water!

Delicate Arch is something I remember from growing up and now is your chance to make family memories too!

I also highly recommend the Windows Hike . It is shorter than the Delicate Arch hike and will get you up close and personal with many arches.

This hike is short, easy, and very rewarding. It is a 1.2-mile loop trail and the most popular in the park.

Another favorite is Double Arch which is a really short and fun trail! The trail to Double Arch is an easy 0.5-mile, well-maintained loop. It is accessible from the parking lot of the Windows Hike.

Finally, you must pay a visit to  Landscape Arch as it is the longest natural arch in the entire world! It spans a whopping 306 feet long!

You can reach Landscape Arch from the Devil’s Garden Loop Trail. It is on an easy, maintained part of the trail so don’t go past Landscape Arch unless you want to embark on a harder 7-mile hike.

Visiting Canyonlands National Park

While I love the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands National Park is just so incredibly special! The canyon formations are beyond insane and will blow your mind.

Canyonlands National Park is located 36 minutes away from Moab so it is a tad bit further than Arches but the drive is worth it!

Canyonlands is divided into four distinct sections. These include the Green and Colorado Rivers, the Maze, the Needles, and the Island in the Sky districts.

Having a basic understanding of how Canyonlands National Park is laid out will help you see the “big picture” when planning your Utah road trip.

Best Canyonlands Scenic Drives

If you aren’t the hiking type, don’t worry! Canyonlands is home to some wonderful scenic drives!

Island in the Sky  offers some amazing Utah road trip sightseeing by car. The overlooks and pull-outs along this 34-mile scenic drive are not to be missed!

It is perched 1000 feet above the canyon floor and offers breathtaking, memorable views! If you want to drive this route, plan for at least an hour.

If you want to hike some short trails and picnic, plan longer! This is the perfect thing to do if you don’t want to do a lot of hiking!

Another great scenic drive in Canyonlands is  the Needles.  It begins at the Canyonlands Visitor Center and is 6.5 miles long. It concludes at the Big Spring Canyon Overlook.

As with Island in the Sky, there are multiple pullouts and picnic spots along the way. It is also the way to access several of the more popular Canyonlands hikes.

It is important to note that Island in the Sky and the Needles are about two hours apart from each other. Keep this in mind when planning how much time to spend in Moab on your Utah national parks trip.

Best Hikes In Canyonlands National Park:

If you can only do one thing during your Utah road trip in Canyonlands, make sure you hike to Mesa Arch . It is located in the Island in the Sky district.

It is an easy 0.6-mile round-trip trail and is perfect for families. If you are a photographer looking for some fantastic sunrise or sunset photos, make sure to prioritize Mesa Arch!

The arch is located on the rim of the Plateau so you will have some incredibly stunning viewpoints.

Another one of our favorite easier hikes is the Cave Spring Hike. This hike is located in the Needles district. It is an easy 0.6-mile loop and provides some incredible views.

You will see prehistoric rock art, a cowboy camp, and more. The trail is easy, but you have to climb two short, wooden ladders.

If you are looking for some of the best canyon views, the Aztec Butte Trail is the perfect trail for you. It is an easy 2-mile loop trail and provides outstanding views of the surrounding canyons once you arrive!

The hike will end at Butte Summit which is where you can see these fantastic views. This hike is located in the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands.

Stop 3: Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park is one of the lesser-known stops on this Utah road trip itinerary. It is located roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Moab.

The landscape will make you feel like you have entered another planet. The formations create small structures that look like goblins, hence the name!

Goblin Valley State Park is home to the incredibly unique valley itself as well as some easier hikes, a disc golf course, and plenty of pullouts for viewing.

This state park can be a day stop along your Utah itinerary or you can choose to spend the night. If you want to stay here, you will have to camp as the only hotel options are around 45 minutes away.

This stop can also be done as a day trip from Moab if you want to wake up early and drive. Using Moab as your home base is an easy possibility.

If you could choose one thing to do here, I recommend the easy Three Sisters Hike.  It brings you to the most iconic “goblin” formation in the entire park.

Most people view Three Sisters from the road, but if you pull off, there are small trails that go up to it.

You can also see down into the Carmel Canyon Drainage System 100 feet below from this hike too so it is two for the price of one hike!

The beauty of Goblin Valley State Park is that you can drive around and explore at will. It is a beautiful and unique stop to add to your Utah road trip itinerary and you won’t want to miss it.

Best Hotels Near Goblin Valley:

• Cute Cabin: Duke’s Slickrock Cabins . Check Rates: Hotels.com
• Mid-Range: Pet-Friendly Cabins in Hanksville Utah . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 4: Capitol Reef National Park

When my family visited Capitol Reef National Park a few times in the early 2000s it was the “weird” thing to do and a strange national park to visit.

Now, Capitol Reef is all over Instagram and social media, and for a good reason! It is pretty neat to see a remote national park surge into the limelight in the past 20 years!

Although it has become more popular lately, it is still off the main tourist trail when compared to places like Arches and Zion. I suggest checking it out if you want to complete your Utah Mighty 5 road trip.

This national park is defined by the “Waterpocket Fold” which is essentially a 100-mile warp in the Earth’s crust. This is an incredible and unique feature!

There are various things to do in Capitol Reef National Park on your road trip in Utah. You can choose to hike, explore by car, pick fruit like apples, or go on a tour. There is truly an option for everyone!

Best Hotels At Capitol Reef National Park:

• Affordable: Days Inn Capitol Reef . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Affordable: Capitol Reef Resort . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Capitol Reef Hikes

One thing I remember from childhood is the Capitol Gorge Trail . This trail is incredible and the views are breathtaking. You will have to exit the main road and then turn onto a dirt road to get here.

On this trail, you’ll walk along a dried-up river bed through a massive gorge. The rock walls tower on either side and it really makes you feel small among nature.

If you want to see yet another arch,  Hickman Bridge  is one of the more popular hikes in Capitol Reef.

It is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of 400 feet, but it is still easy for families or amateurs to complete. It is a 1.8-mile hike round trip. Once you reach Hickman Bridge, you will love the views!

If you want to walk on an arch without going hiking in Sedona , I recommend Cassidy Arch Hike. This is one of the hikes in Utah where you can walk on top of the arch itself, instead of just walking under it!

Of course, this is a very unique feature and it makes the hike worth it. It is 1.7 miles each way and there is a 700-foot elevation gain.

The gain comes from the fact that you have to climb up on top of the rocks to walk across the arch. It is totally worth it and still an easy-to-moderate hike with some incredible payoff at the end!

Stop 5: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Another awesome memory from my childhood and teen years? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!

It is only 1 hour away from Capitol Reef yet many people don’t even know about it or decide to skip it on their Utah road trip. I am here to tell you that is a huge mistake!

First off, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers an absolutely HUGE expanse of land. You could take a week just to explore this area alone.

I will narrow it down to the best things to see. For example, did you know you can see slot canyons in Utah? You don’t have to go to Arizona to see these incredible features!

Want more arches? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is at your service there too!

I really can’t recommend this national monument enough if you are looking to get off the main tourist trail during your Utah road trip. You are going to love it!

Best Hotels In Grand Staircase Escalante:

• Affordable: The Inn At Escalante . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Unique: Escalante Yurts . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hikes In Grand Staircase-Escalante 

If you want to visit slot canyons in Utah , the Zebra Canyon Hike is the place to be! It is an easy 5.3 miles round trip and takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete.

There is another slot called Tunnel Slot that you can continue on to if you want but then the hike will take around 5 to 6 hours.

Zebra Canyon is epic enough as it is! This hike is in the northern part of the national monument so it is easy to reach on your Utah road trip.

There are two more slot canyons you can visit! Peek-a-boo and Spooky Gulches are just 3.5 miles round trip, perfect if you are looking for a shorter hike.

These slot canyons are near Zebra Canyon so you can easily do them both in a day. This is one of the more surreal hikes in Grand Staircase!

If you are a serious hiker and plan to trek or camp during your Utah road trip, this next hike is for you.

Coyote Gulch Hike is around 12 miles round trip and generally takes between 8 to 12 hours depending on how fast you walk and how many times you stop. You will see some stunning and remote scenery.

It is entirely possible to hike this trail in a single day, as long as you start early and pay attention to the weather.

Stop 6: Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is still one of the most incredible landscapes I have EVER visited in my entire life. You are going to agree! Do NOT skip Bryce Canyon. It will not let you down!

Hoodoos are rock formations formed by erosion. In Bryce Canyon, they are formed by winter frost eating away at the rock.

The rocks are weathered and eroded to create the incredible formations known as hoodoos. They are tall and thin and unique to arid areas such as the desert. They are fantastic to behold!

One of the best parts about seeing Bryce on your Utah road trip is that many areas are accessible by car. You can drive throughout the whole park and see stunning views!

If you have accessibility challenges, this is a wonderful Utah national park to visit as you can still experience a lot of what it offers because you don’t have to hike to see many things!

Bryce Canyon is one of the most popular stops on this itinerary for Utah’s national parks. You can park your car and take the shuttle if you want.

If you go during the off-season, you can find parking more easily. If you are completing this Utah road trip during the summer or high season, I recommend taking advantage of the shuttle.

Best Hotels Near Bryce Canyon:

• Affordable: Bryce Canyon Pines . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Luxury: Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hikes In Bryce Canyon 

Possibly the most famous hike in Bryce Canyon is the Navajo Loop/Queens Garden Trail . This takes you down into the canyon so you can walk among the hoodoos.

There is one switchback area of this trail called ‘Wall Street.” I highly recommend walking DOWN this section. You get a better view and the experience is just better overall.

Most people don’t know this and do the opposite. This is the premier hike in Bryce, so do it while you are here! It is a 2.5-mile heavily trafficked loop trail and it is popular for a good reason!

If the park is busy and you want to do something fun, I love the Mossy Cave Waterfall hike. You must leave the park a tiny bit, but you get to see a waterfall and a sleeping bear cave.

This is a slightly different landscape than you are used to seeing in Utah so it is something fun and different to do. It is an easy, 1-mile trail.

I also recommend Bryce’s Rim Trail. It is 0.5 miles to 5.5 miles one way and is located above Bryce Canyon. It connects all the scenic overlooks from Fairyland to Bryce Point.

If you do NOT want to hike, many of these viewpoints are accessible by car too!

If you want an accessible trail, there is a 0.5-mile section of trail between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point that is wheelchair accessible.

I love the Rim Trail because you can choose to do as much or as little hiking as you want without missing out on epic views!

Stop 7: Zion National Park

Zion National Park is easily the most famous and popular stop on this Utah Mighty 5 itinerary and for a good reason!

Often, you cannot drive in Zion unless you are staying in the campground. There is a shuttle that will take you in and out of the park. This is very important to know.

Many people do not know about the shuttle until they arrive and are in for a surprise. If you know about the shuttle, you can be prepared for your experience.

March through November, access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by free shuttle bus only. Private vehicles are allowed to access the Scenic Drive only when the shuttle system is not in operation.

If you are visiting in say, January, you will be allowed and able to drive your vehicle. This is one reason why I love doing a trip to Utah national parks in winter! Zion National Park in winter is a great time to visit.

The thing I love about Zion National Park is that it blends the red rocks with greenery! This is a sight for sore eyes after days of being in the desert.

There are very many cool things to see and do here during your trip to Utah.

While you end your road trip with Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, they are some of the highlights of the vacation.

Best Hotels Near Zion National Park:

• Affordable: Zion Park Motel . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Zion Mountain Ranch . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hikes In Zion National Park

One of the most memorable hikes from my childhood is the Narrows Hike . It is very long and involved, but you can choose to just do the beginning portion of it which is what I did as a kid.

It is about 16 miles round trip and you must walk through the river and even swim at some points!

If you aren’t doing the whole 16-mile hike, you can go to the beginning and have fun walking through the water in the canyon for as long as you want. This is what I did and it was such a wonderful experience!

If you want to do the most popular hike in Zion, that is the Angels Landing Hike . People do this with kids quite often, but it is strenuous and around 5 miles long.

This takes you to the peak of Zion National Park and the views are beyond incredible! If you do one hike during your Utah road trip, choose this one! I recommend budgeting around 3 to 5 hours.

The Canyon Overlook Trail is another great option. This is only a 1-mile trail and provides stunning views. It is easy and you can access it to see some of the best views in the park.

Since it is so short and easy, it makes a great beginner hike for all ages when visiting Southern Utah’s national parks. This is the perfect introductory hike to do when you arrive in Zion!

Stop 8: Valley Of Fire And Fly Out Of Las Vegas

Once you finish in Zion, I suggest flying out of Las Vegas, Nevada, since it is just over a two-hour drive from the park.

As I mentioned in the beginning, though, you can also fly out of Salt Lake City which is 4.5 hours away from Zion. Choose whichever fits your needs or budget best.

If you choose to go to Las Vegas, I highly recommend stopping by Valley of Fire State Park on the way. I absolutely love this park’s landscapes and photography opportunities.

The deep red rocks and gorgeous scenery make the park one of the best things to do in Nevada!

How Long To Spend On This Utah National Parks Road Trip

You should take as much time as you can for this Utah trip itinerary since there is so much to see and do. I understand, though, that not everyone has the chance to take over a week off for a vacation.

When planning a trip to Utah, I suggest a minimum of 7 to 10 days to see everything on this itinerary without rushing. With more time, you can also easily fly roundtrip from Salt Lake City.

If you have less time, you can cut out anywhere you have been before or that does not strike your fancy. I recommend focusing on the five national parks and saving the other spots for next time.

Best Time To Visit Utah National Parks

You can do a national parks road trip in Utah at any time of the year, but each season does have its pros and cons.

Personally, I love to road trip Utah in winter! This is when I did my last Utah parks road trip and it was great! It can be cold, but the white snow adds a beautiful contrast to the red rocks.

I think national parks are best during the off-season. Winter means fewer crowds and cheaper accommodations and car rentals. Camping is easier with less competition at campgrounds.

Plus, in winter you do not have to deal with the shuttle in Zion and can drive through the park on your own.

Summer in Utah is hot and the national parks are crowded with families and other tourists. Spring and fall are shoulder seasons with the best weather for hiking in Utah national parks.

No matter when you road trip through Utah, you will love the amazing landscapes and the chance to make memories with family and friends.

I hope you have a fantastic time visiting national parks in Utah!

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about planning your Utah Big 5 itinerary in the comments below!

Please let me know how you got on and if you went to any of the places I suggested in this itinerary for Utah national parks!

Next, check out more of the best Southwest road trip itineraries .

Reader Interactions

October 1, 2019 at 11:56 pm

Many thx for all ur tips

it was perfect

best regards,

October 8, 2019 at 7:19 pm

I live in SLC and have only visited Zion NP and Goblin Valley. I am going to steal your list! Except I’ll just take I-15 home at the end instead of heading to Vegas.

October 9, 2019 at 2:46 pm

Yessss have fun!!!!!! Def head back home!

April 23, 2021 at 1:07 pm

This is an amazing itinerary. Based on the road conditions do I need a special vehicle (4WD) in order to do this route? Are the roads paved or gravel? Can this be done with a standard sedan?

June 3, 2020 at 2:58 pm

We have never been to Utah. Family of 4. I’m planning our whole trip based off of this. Thank you!

November 10, 2020 at 8:38 am

My wife and I just completed a 2 week trip through Big 5 Utah National Park and it was spectacular! We followed your itinerary and continued on to The Grand Canyon after a 2 night so over in Las Vegas. We turned 2020 into a trip of a lifetime!

November 10, 2020 at 1:51 pm

Thank you for sharing!!!! I am so glad you had an amazing time despite 2020!!!

February 2, 2021 at 11:06 pm

This looks amazing, and so helpful. Do you know how this would be traveling with a dog? I have heard that taking dogs hiking in National Parks can be very restrictive. Thanks in advance!

February 7, 2021 at 4:27 pm

Depends on the park! I just got back from Utah! Arches allows and Zion doesn’t allow! So weird! You just have to look!

March 9, 2021 at 5:49 pm

Soooo I have an adventurous husband that would like to do some ATVing. We are following your itinerary. Any spot along the way you could suggest to rent some equipment and have some fun?

March 29, 2021 at 10:49 pm

I love this itinerary. Would you be so kind to let me know how many nights and in which location(s) you recommend booking if I were to follow all of your stops? Would it just be Moab and Zion area for the hotels / accommodations or would you suggest another location as well in between, etc. Thanks again.

March 29, 2021 at 11:03 pm

Oh goodness! how many nights is up to you and how much time you have off!! If you want to do capitol reef, I would stay in that area too for sure! It is a long drive! I would do 3-4 in Moab and 2-3 in Zion at minimum, depending on the length of time you have!

April 30, 2021 at 10:24 am

HI- My husband and I had been talking about such a trip- he had some 1200 mile trip planned but I want to do more than just drive. This came up on my pinterest feed and I am SOOOOOO excited (we really enjoy hiking). I think we are looking at 2 weeks. We are thinking September – would that be a good time?

April 30, 2021 at 2:17 pm

Yes!!! September will be a great time to go!!! Enjoy!!!!

March 3, 2021 at 1:15 pm

is all this doable in 7 days?

March 3, 2021 at 1:56 pm

Yes it is doable, but we recommend a bit longer! With 7 days we recommend arches and canyonlands, bryce and zion! That way you can do what you want without rushing too much!!

March 14, 2021 at 11:53 pm

This is great! We are heading out on Thursday and using your itinerary for our first 10 day family trip to Utah with our teenagers. Sooo excited!

March 15, 2021 at 2:06 pm

It is so fun!!!

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The Only 14 Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary You’ll Ever Need!

Blog , United States / November 29, 2023 by David & Cayleigh / Leave a Comment

Utah, a land of rugged landscapes, towering red rocks, and breathtaking natural beauty, is a haven for adventure lovers. If you are looking to escape the crowds and explore everything this incredible state has to offer, this blog post is for you!

On this 14-day road trip itinerary, we will take you to all of our favourite places in Utah. This post caters to hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and van lifers. Because of that, we are going to focus on epic activities, fantastic hikes for all skill levels, and the best driving route through the state.

For simplicity’s sake, we will start and end in Salt Lake City. However, this adventure can be easily adapted for travellers from Vegas, Phoenix, or anywhere else.

Get ready to embark on the road trip of a lifetime filled with natural hot springs, iconic national parks, and hidden gems that will blow your mind.

If you are planning to travel around in a campervan, which we would highly recommend, check out the blog post below. It goes over how to find free camping spots, the rules for wild camping on BLM land in Utah and practical tips for showers, laundry, etc.

Related Post: Van Life in Utah: Everything You Need to Know About Travelling Utah in Your Campervan!

We wild camped and cooked almost all of our meals which saved us a ton of money on our road trip through Utah. If you are looking to eat out, Trip Advisor is a great place to find restaurants. In terms of finding free camping spots, we typically use iOverlander.

The America The Beautiful Pass is an excellent option that allows unlimited access to all National Parks in the US for 1 year. It costs $80 USD and is 100% worth the money.

Now that we’ve got the housekeeping out of the way, lets get into it! Here is the only Utah road trip itinerary you will ever need.

Day 1: salt lake city + bonneville salt flats.

After arriving in Salt Lake City, stock up on groceries, water, and any supplies you will need in the coming days. While there are grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants scattered throughout Utah, Salt Lake City is by far your best option. Once you’re all set, drive 1.5 hours west to the Bonneville Salt Flats for sunset.

Located west of the Great Salt Lake near the Nevada border, the Bonneville Salt Flats are a vast deposit of white salt that stretches as far as the eye can see. There are several pull-offs and areas to stop along the highway where you can admire them.

Depending on the recent weather and rainfall, there are typically both flooded and dried salt flats in this area. We visited a flooded section at sunset and could not believe how beautifully the surface mirrored the colourful sky above. The salt can be sharp so bring water shoes or something else to cover your feet.

*When we visited, there were several stuck vehicles being towed off of the salt flats. We would not recommend attempting to drive on them. It’s just not worth the risk!*

After sunset, drive 2.5 hours east to a town called Provo and spend the night.

Day 2: Fifth Water Hot Springs + The Delicate Arch

Day 2 begins with an early morning soak in one of Utah’s most beautiful natural hot springs. Tucked away in Diamond Fork Canyon, Fifth Water Hot Springs offers a secluded and soothing escape. These tiered natural hot springs, surrounded by a turquoise blue river, provide the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind.

We would recommend going as early as possible as they get very busy. The hike is 7.2 kilometres roundtrip with 194 m of elevation gain.

Once you’ve enjoyed your time here, hike back to your vehicle and make the 3-hour drive to Arches National Park. After arriving at the Delicate Arch Trailhead, pack some snacks and hit the trail.

The Delicate Arch is the tallest and most famous free-standing arch in the park. It has become a widely recognized symbol of the state of Utah and it lights up at sunset. This hike is 5.1 kilometres and 192 m of elevation gain round trip.

There is a ton of BLM Land outside of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks where you can stay for free for the next few nights.

Day 3: Island in the Sky at Canyonlands National Park

As the largest national park in Utah, Canyonlands offers a diverse range of landscapes, trails, and activities. The Colorado and Green Rivers divide the park into three distinct districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles District, and the Maze.

The Island in the Sky is famous for its short trails and panoramic views. You can visit this area in one day and all of the viewing platforms are fairly easy to access. Some highlights include:

• Shafer Canyon Overlook
• Buck Canyon Overlook
• White Rim Overlook
• Grand View Point Overlook
• Green River Overlook

For more detailed information on all of these stops, check out the blog post below.

Related Post: Canyonlands National Park Utah: Bucket List Itinerary

Day 4: Arches + The Needles District

On day 4 of your Utah road trip, wake up early and explore the Window Arches, the Turret Arch and the Double Arch in Arches National Park. All of these rock formations can be explored within a few hours from the same parking lot.

The Window Arches and the Turret Arch are located on the same trail which is 1.9 kilometres & 49m of elevation gain. One of our favourite photos from this spot is of the Turret Arch through the North Window Arch, shown above. The Double Arch Trail, which leaves from the opposite side of the parking lot, is 1 kilometre with 29m of elevation gain.

Once you’re finished, drive 2 hours south to the Needles District of Canyonlands. Here you will embark on one of our favourite hikes in all of Utah. Druid Arch Trail is 17.4 kilometres roundtrip with 153m of elevation gain. It begins at Elephant Hill Trailhead and winds you through a landscape that looks like a different planet.

We stayed at the Druid Arch for sunset and had the place all to ourselves. If you have headlamps and are an experienced hiker, this is something we would highly recommend. If you have time, you can choose to make this a larger loop including Chesler Park.

IMPORTANT: Make sure to bring plenty of food and water on all hikes in Utah. The desert is a different kind of wilderness and it is easy to become dehydrated or disorientated.

Day 5: Valley of the Gods

There is so much fuss about Monument Valley that hardly anyone talks about Valley of the Gods. While it is known by some as a smaller and quieter version of Monument Valley, we were absolutely blown away! This area is full of towering red rock formations and the scenic drive is a photographer’s dream.

On top of that, it is less busy, free to visit, and offers a plethora of INSANE wild camping spots. We would recommend a day of taking in the drive followed by a night under the stars. Please remember to be respectful campers and leave no trace!

Day 6: A Detour into Page, Arizona

On day 6 of this Utah road trip you will actually cross the border into Arizona. Page, located 3 hours from Valley of the Gods, is home to some incredible stops you do not want to miss.

First, check out Antelope Canyon. There are a few different ways to go about it, but we would highly recommend skipping Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. These tours are filled with hundreds of people being syphoned through each area with no time to stop and enjoy the views, no photo ops, and no personal space.

For us, that was a huge no thank you.

After a little bit of research, we found 2 different ways to access the canyon that did not involve taking the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon Tours.  The first is a third tour, called “Antelope Canyon X”. The second is a free method of accessing Antelope Canyon on your own via Lake Powell.  Obviously, we tried both. For more information on each option, check out the blog post below.

Related Post: The Secret Antelope Canyon Tours That NO ONE Is Talking About…

After Antelope Canyon, grab some dinner and drive to a hidden gem called “The New Wave”. This sandstone formation is absolutely gorgeous, featuring unique wave-like patterns that make for incredible photos. It is only a 10 minute drive northwest of Page and is 100% worth a stop.

TIP FOR VAN LIFERS: As of 2023, you can stay overnight for free in the Walmart parking lot in Page. As always, please be respectful and leave no trace so that we can all continue to stay here for years to come.

Related Post: 2 Days in Page Arizona: Epic Itinerary for Adventure Lovers!

Day 7: Horseshoe Bend + White Pocket

Get up nice and early on your second day in Page and start your morning at Horseshoe Bend. At sunrise, the warm hues of the first light reflect off the canyon walls creating a picture-perfect moment.

We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to sunrise for the best experience.  The hike to get here is 2.4 kilometres + 42m of elevation gain roundtrip.  We promise, it’s a view worth waking up early for!

Next, make your way to White Pocket. This remote destination, about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Page, offers a surreal landscape of swirling, multi coloured rock formations. The journey is a bit rugged, but you will be glad you made the trip.

A 4X4 vehicle is non negotiable as you will be traversing uneven sand roads for the last 1/3 of the drive. We rented a jeep from Turo and had a great experience. Alternatively, you can hire a driver or take a tour to get here.

As you explore the wonders of White Pocket, every turn reveals a new, otherworldly sight.  The unique rock formations, including brain rocks and petrified sand dunes, will have you feeling like you’ve landed on another planet.  There is no set hiking path here and you can explore the area for as long or as short as you would like.

IMPORTANT:  Make sure to bring plenty of food and water along on this adventure.  The desert is known for its ability to dehydrate and disorientate even the most prepared hikers.

Optional: The Wave (Permits + An Extra Day Required)

The Wave is an iconic sandstone rock formation located in northern Arizona.  Situated on the slopes of Coyote Buttes in a protected part of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) wilderness, it requires a permit for access.

There are two ways you can obtain a permit, through the   advanced or daily lottery.  With only 64 spots available each day and thousands of applicants, getting permits to the wave is a game of chance.

If you do happen to luck out, you can access the trailhead on your way out of White Pocket.  This hike is 10.8 kilometres + 367m of elevation gain, so you will likely want to add an extra day here.

Day 8: The Great Chamber + The Coral Pink Sand Dunes

A trip to the Great Chamber near Kanab was at the top of our list for our Utah road trip before visiting.  Although this natural amphitheatre takes some planning to visit, it is sure to leave you awestruck. The best way to get here is by tour or to rent a 4X4 Jeep.

Because you are driving through deep sand for 17 miles, a 4WD with high clearance is a must.  We aired down our tires to 20 PSI before embarking across a river and onto the sandy roads. 

The access point is located  HERE , just off Johnston Canyon Road.  You will need an offline map to follow as nothing is labelled in this off-road area. Once you arrive, there is a short 1 kilometre hike with 89 m of elevation to enter the chamber.

Next, drive 1.5 hours to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.  This enchanting natural wonder showcases massive sand dunes that are pink in colour, providing a stark contrast against the surrounding forest.

Visitors can hike, sandboard, or even ride off-road vehicles on these ever-shifting dunes. There is a campground available if you would like to stay the night.

Day 9: Zion National Park

Zion National Park is famous for its towering sandstone cliffs, lush canyons, and world-class hiking trails. Beat the crowds by starting early and explore iconic trails like Angel’s Landing, The Subway or The Narrows. NOTE: All of these hikes require a permit which you can apply for on the National Parks website.

If you are unsuccessful in your attempt, we would recommend Timber Creek Overlook or Watchman Trail. These hike does not require a permit and offer beautiful views. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the park’s natural beauty.

*If you are able to get more than one hiking permit, you may want to add an extra day or two in Zion National Park.*

Day 10: Bryce Canyon National Park

On day 10 of your Utah road trip, drive 1 hour 45 minutes from Zion to reach Bryce Canyon National Park. Here, you can hike along the rim to witness the mesmerizing hoodoos and unique rock formations that have been shaped by erosion over the centuries.

A few of our favourite hiking trails and viewpoints here include:

• Queens Garden Trail (2.9 km + 137m) *can be combined with Navajo Loop Trail*
• Navajo Loop Trail (4.6 km + 191m)
• Peek-A-Boo Loop (8.9 km + 474m)
• Sunset Point (Drive up Access)

In the evening, drive approximately an hour to Hole in The Wall Trail. There are several free campsites along this BLM road. The desert here is incredibly sensitive and it is important that we all do our part to take care of it.

Day 11: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

The rugged wilderness of Grand Staircase-Escalante offers ample opportunities for off-the-beaten-path exploration. Most of our favourite stops are along Hole in The Wall Trail, which is a long, unmaintained gravel road heading south.

Our top recommendations in this area are Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons. These slot canyons are known for their unique geological formations. The towering sandstone walls gradually narrow and twist upwards, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

This hike can be done as a loop that includes both canyons. The total distance is 7.3 kilometres with 178m of elevation gain.  Most people begin with Spooky Slot Canyon as there is a bit of a climb to get in at the beginning.  

DO NOT attempt this hike if you are claustrophobic or have a fear of getting stuck. We would not recommend bringing small children or pets on this trail.

Below we have listed some other great hikes in the area .

• Reflection Canyon (24.5 km + 477m of elevation) *requires a full additional day*
• Jacob Hamblin Arch (22 km + 170m of elevation) *requires a full additional day*
• Lower Calf Creek Falls (9.8 km + 162m elevation)

Day 12: Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem with less crowded trails and a variety of landscapes. It is easily accessible from Grand Staircase-Escalante and leads us to our next destination. Throughout the area, you can find canyons, arches, historical orchards and mind blowing views from the road.

Here are a few of our favourite stops, viewpoints, and hikes:

• Capitol Reef Scenic Drive (12.5 km drive each way)
• Cassidy Arch Trail (5 km + 210m elevation gain)
• Sunset Point Overlook (1.3 km easy walk)
• Rim Overlook Trail (6.9 km + 325m elevation gain)
• Panorama Point (drive up access)
• Cohab Canyon Trail (4.8km +242m elevation gain)
• Goosenecks Overlook (0.6 km easy walk)
• Navajo Knobs Trail (14.6 km +642m elevation gain)

Day 13: Bentonite Hills + Factory Butte

Day 13 is one of my personal favourites of this journey as you get to visit the beautiful Bentonite Hills. These colourful hills, composed of clay-rich bentonite soil, exhibit an otherworldly palette ranging from vibrant reds to deep blues and purples. 

Getting here is a bit of a challenge, but it is absolutely worth the extra effort.  You can either take a tour or visit the Bentonite Hills on your own. 

If you choose the latter, a 4X4 vehicle is required to make it all the way.  You can gain access from the Cathedral Valley OHV Trailhead . We were traveling in our campervan which is not 4X4, so we drove as far as we could and hiked in the remaining 7 kilometres.

Once you’re finished, make your way to Factory Butte for sunset. To get here, drive east from Hanksville on Highway 24. You will turn right (north) onto Factory Butte Road and the castle like butte will be on your left about 8 kilometres in. 

As soon as you turn off Highway 24, the roads turn to dirt and cell service disappears.  A 4X4 vehicle is recommended and an offline map is essential! As the colours light up the sky, this moody mountain becomes a photographers paradise.

After sunset, turn right off of Factory Butte Road onto Coal Mine Road. You will want an offline map here as the roads are all dirt and there is no signage.

Approximately 4 kilometres further is the Moonscape Overlook parking lot. Here, you can camp for free and set yourself up for one of the most incredible sunrises of your trip.

Day 14: Moonscape Overlook + Meadow Hot Springs

Set your alarm for 30 minutes before sunrise, bundle up, and head outside. Aptly named for its resemblance to the surface of the moon, this off-the-beaten-path lookout was one of our favourite stops on this Utah road trip. 

IMPORTANT: This wild camping area has increased in popularity due to social media. It is very important that we do our part to keep it clean and leave no trace so that we can all continue to enjoy it for years to come.

Next, drive 3.5 hours west for a soak in Meadow Hot Springs. Situated in central Utah near the small town of Meadow, this hidden oasis is composed of several pools of varying sizes, each with its own temperature and mineral content.  

These hot springs are on private land but the owners kindly allow guests to visit. There is a small donation box near the entrance to help with the cost of upkeep.

After you’ve had your fill, get back in your vehicle and drive 2.5 hours north to Salt Lake City. We would recommend getting a hotel for the night if possible. This allows you to take your time on your final day, have a well deserved shower and explore the city in the evening.

We hope you enjoy your time in Utah. Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have or comment below with your favourite stop on this Utah road trip. We would love to hear from you!

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Kanab , Moab , Road Trips , Salt Lake City , Utah

The most epic utah road trip itinerary for 7-10 days.

Utah is home to 5 of the most thrilling and iconic U.S. National Parks known as The Mighty 5. People from all over the world travel here to experience a Utah road trip and explore these beautiful lands.

While the National Parks are great destinations, I’ve found that Utah is also home to some of the most underrated adventures. I’ve had the pleasure of taking several Utah road trips through the state, stopping at different locations every time and exploring its diverse landscape.

This road trip, however, was one of the most epic I’ve taken. Two other girls and I packed our bags, met up, and loaded our itinerary full of as much adventure as possible.

This was not a leisure type of travel. We hiked, kayaked, and adventured our way through Utah, leaving very little time to relax since we only had a certain time frame to fit it all in.

I’ve listed our entire road trip itinerary for you in this post with links to places we stayed, rented from, hiked, and stopped at. You don’t have to move as fast as we did or do everything that we did. Rather you can pick and choose to create your own epic road trip that fits your style.

I hope this itinerary gives you ideas and helps you plan your own epic road trip through Utah!

UTAH ROAD TRIP OVERVIEW

Length: 8 days, 7 nights (with options to make it longer!) Airports: Las Vegas and Salt Lake City

I know you are excited and probably wondering what the highlights of this Utah Road Trip are, so I’ve listed them below!

• Zion National Park
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes
• Peekaboo Slot Canyon
• Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon
• Horseshoe Bend
• Canyonlands National Park
• Arches National Park
• Monument Valley
• Salt Lake City
• Bonneville Salt Flats

THE BEST TIME FOR A UTAH ROAD TRIP

Spring is a beautiful time to visit the Southern part of Utah because the temperatures are still cool and there are less crowds of people. The National Park hike that close during winter start opening up but not all of them right away.

Parts of Utah will still have snow and be chilly , especially Salt Lake City and Bryce Canyon National Park in early spring. The water activities may not be as enjoyable in the cooler temperatures either.

The road trip can be done in spring, however you may want to skip some of the destinations/activities based on your preferences.

Southern Utah gets HOT during the summer and is also the most popular season for National Parks. If you can, I’d refrain from going during the middle of summer and choose a different season to visit.

This itinerary can be done during the summer, but I’d suggest beginning your days very early!

I think fall is the best time for this itinerary , which is when I road tripped through Utah! Middle of September to middle of October is when I visited and we had almost PERFECT weather the entire time.

The destinations weren’t too overcrowded, it was still nice out but not too hot, and it didn’t rain on us but once (and it was a sprinkle).

Salt Lake City and even parts of Southern Utah get snow. This road trip itinerary definitely is not for winter! A lot of the National Park trails close during the season leaving your hiking options scarce. Plus the water activities are more enjoyable during beautiful weather!

Quick tips for your Utah Road Trip

• You’ll be visiting multiple National Parks so I’d suggest purchasing the America The Beautiful pass beforehand to save money.
• Check each park’s website before you visit for weather alerts or closures and to check their shuttle schedules.
• Fill up the tank when it is half full and before heading into the parks because there are long stretches without services.
• Create playlists and download your music on your phone or Spotify app because you will be out of service for most of the trip!
• Stock up on snacks and beverages before hitting the road. This includes protein bars and trail mixes for your adventures.
• While you’re in the outdoors remember to leave no trace .

Read: Preparing for a road trip: 9 tips for a safer trip

EPIC UTAH ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

Utah road trip day 1: vegas to zion national park.

Morning – Late Afternoon

The first day of our Utah road trip began in Vegas! The girls flew in and I picked them up with my car to head to Zion National Park.

If you don’t have someone nearby who can drive you can do a one way car rental and drop it off in Salt Lake City at the end of your trip.

Pro Tip: Stock up on supplies in Vegas or Springdale before you reach your accommodations near Zion.

Once we settled into our cabin suite, we quickly freshened up, grabbed dinner from the resort restaurant (more on that below), and met East Zion Adventures for our Sunset Jeep Tour! They took us on a thrilling Jeep ride to a mountain bluff and we watched one of the most beautiful sunsets!

Right after the Jeep Tour we embarked on their Star Gazing Tour. We were given blankets to bring and hot chocolate which warmed our experience under the stars. We laid down and learned all about stars, satellites, and constellations- such a blast! I’ve never seen Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn in the sky before.

Accommodations

While visiting Zion National Park for 2 nights we stayed at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort in a cabin suite. Their sister company East Zion Adventures has multiple tours that embark right from the resort property so it was a two for one deal!

You can read all about my review of the resort and view photos below.

Read: Zion National Park Airbnb: Cabin Resort

UTAH ROAD TRIP DAY 2: Canyoneering and Zion National Park

Morning – afternoon.

We woke up early to meet East Zion Adventures again for our half day Canyoneering Tour! They took us to the Huntress Canyon outside of Zion. This was my second time canyoneering with them and it was just as much fun as the first time.

The adventure totaled to be about 3 miles with 4-5 repels, the highest being 70-75 feet. It it is the perfect first canyoneering experience if you haven’t done it before or if you’re weary of heights.

You can read all about my experience and what to expect below!

Read: Utah Canyoneering Tour near Zion National Park

Afternoon – Evening

After canyoneering we quickly restocked our supplies at the cabin and headed into Zion National Park. We received recommendations for two short, un-popular hikes within the park so we started with those.

The first was to a wall that had petroglyphs dated up to 7000 years old. It took us two attempts to locate these but they were so worth it!

The second was to a waterfall .5 miles from the road! We hiked and boulder climbed our way to the Pine Creek Waterfall and sat to eat our snacks. The water was full of algae so we were careful not to touch it or go in, but with good quality water there is actually a rock you can jump off of into a deep pool below.

Before the sun went down we decided to hike the Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion which is 2 miles round trip. This trail was thrilling because it follows along the side of the mountain and provides epic drop off views along the way.

The views were a bit hazy at the top with the sun and wildfire smoke combined but it was still worth every step!

After hiking in Zion we drove through the remainder of the park into Springdale and had dinner at Oscar’s Cafe , a popular local Mexican restaurant. I had the Turkey and Avocado with Bacon Sandwich and sweet potato fries which was delicious!

UTAH ROAD TRIP DAY 3: Last hike in Zion, afternoon in Kanab, and drive to Lake Powell

This was one of our busiest days for we packed it as full of activities as we could! We woke up early to check out of our cabin suite and drove to the trailhead (right off of the resort property) for our last Zion National Park hike.

Totaling 7 miles, the morning hike to Observation Point was easy and enjoyable. There is a trail that begins at the bottom of Zion but we hiked an easier trail right from the resort into the park, ending at the top of the lookout!

Read: Hike to Observation Point in Zion National Park from Zion Ponderosa

After our morning hike we hopped into the car and headed to Kanab, Utah!

I HIGHLY suggest adding Kanab to any Utah road trip Itinerary. Our first stop in Kanab was the Moqui Cave. This cave is rich with history and yes, is actually a cave! The gentlemen who run the cave museum are extremely friendly and helpful.

If a museum isn’t your thing, they also have a small cafe truck outside you can order from or you can take one of their tours from Expedition Kanab. There are also some amazing sand caves a short walk up the road that are old mines from World War II! The caves are definitely worth visiting.

Be sure to ask them about nearby slot canyon tours and horseback riding! We did an UTV tour with them to the remote Peekaboo Slot Canyon and stopped to sandboard the dunes on the way back. It turned out to be one of the best things we’ve done!

After exploring canyons and playing in the sand, we backtracked just a little to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. We wanted to visit these at sunset because that is when the sand turns pink!

We didn’t actually go into the park, however. Since we were cutting it close to sunset and we had already sand boarded, we decided to stop at this small parking lot just before the park to get our fill of sand dunes and watch the sun set. This is a great option if you don’t want to pay to get into the park!

After sunset we stopped again in Kanab for dinner at Escobars Mexican Restaurant (very yummy!) then drove through the dark to Page, Arizona!

It was a late check-in to our hotel in Page, AZ. We stayed at the Best Western View of Lake Powell for 2 nights, and it did in fact have one of the best views- even for sunset!

OPTIONAL DAY 3: Visit Bryce Canyon National Park

If you have an extra day or two to spare during your Utah road trip you can fit in Bryce Canyon National Park! It didn’t fit in our itinerary, but I do highly suggest it.

From the Ponderosa Ranch Resort it is approximately a 1.5 hour drive to the park. You can easily stay another night and take a day trip to Bryce. You could also stay the night near Bryce, then backtrack towards Zion and head to Kanab.

If you’re visiting during winter check out 6 Best Bryce Canyon Winter Hikes and things to do

If Kanab and Lake Powell don’t interest you, you can stop by Bryce and continue along the US-12 Scenic Byway, stop at Lower Calf Creek Falls , and meet up with us back in Moab on day 5!

UTAH ROAD TRIP DAY 4: Kayak Lake Powell and visit Horseshoe Bend

Are you ready for an epic day out on the water? Because we couldn’t wait to kayak Lake Powell and explore Antelope Canyon from the water.

First thing first, please take a moment to read over my biggest tips for going out on the water at Lake Powell. If you are not experienced it can actually get dangerous depending on the location and weather.

Tips for Kayaking Lake Powell

• The best time to visit is late summer / early fall because the water temperature is warmer.
• Begin your day EARLY because the weather changes quick in the area and the wind makes traversing the waters more dangerous.
• Pay attention to the sky- there is always a chance of rainfall here even without it being in the daily weather report. You do not want to be in a slot canyon during a rainstorm.
• Know where you are headed and check to see if the boats create a huge wake in that area. If so, you may not want to paddle board and kayak instead.
• Most importantly, HAVE A LIFE JACKET.

Now that we have that covered, I suggest booking your kayak rental in advance because all of the rentals in the area sell out quick. Yes, even on weekdays.

We rented from WazSUP Kayaks and Bill was extremely accommodating and helpful. We were provided the kayaks, life jackets, paddles, and directions on how to get to Antelope Canyon from the water!

This adventure was one of my favorites from the whole trip. The girls and I were able to kayak to the end of Antelope Canyon, dock our kayaks, and explore the canyon for a bit on foot.

You can read more about kayaking Antelope Canyon below!

Read: How to Kayak Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell

Horseshoe Bend is not far from Page, AZ and worth visiting for sunset! If you’re more of a morning person you could always get up for sunrise and do this before Lake Powell.

This attraction now has a $10 entry fee but you get restrooms, an actual parking lot, and a paved path down to the lookout over Horseshoe Bend. They say it is a 1.5 mile hike round trip.

I’ve been here several times now and the view never gets old! It makes you feel so small.

UTAH ROAD TRIP DAY 5: Drive to Moab and hike Canyonlands National Park

Another jam packed day! The drive to Moab/Canyonlands is somewhat long, so to break it up we stopped at the famous Utah State Sign along the way to take some photos. This is almost a requirement for any Utah road trip!

After twirling endlessly there, we continued to Forest Gump Hill in Monument Valley to take some more fun shots!

The drive from Page to Moab takes you past some epic areas such as Garden of the Gods and Natural Bridge Monument. If you have time these are worth exploring, but we wanted to get to Canyonlands so we drove right through.

Canyonlands National Park is massive! The closest entrance to Moab (where we stayed) is the Island of the Sky. We were chasing daylight since it was going to get dark in a few hours so we chose our hikes carefully.

We ended up hiking the short 1 mile round trip hike to Mesa Arch. The view from the arch is impressive and it is crazy to me how the arch is set right on the cliff’s edge.

After Mesa Arch we hiked 2 miles round trip to the Grand View Point. The views from here were incredible! And the entire way you hike along the ginormous cliff’s edge. It wasn’t too scary since they have the path far enough from the edge, but you still want to be very careful.

Nearby: If you have more time than we did, you can check out Dead Horse Point State Park which is on the way to the Island of the Sky entrance from Moab!

Day 5 was an extremely long day and we were starving by the time we got back into Moab. For dinner we ate at The Blu Pig which is known for THE BEST BBQ! It is truly some of the best I’ve ever had. They are rated high on Trip Advisor and I highly recommend trying them out when you’re in town.

We stayed in Moab for 1 night at the Hyatt Place in Moab. The hotel was styled very well and super clean.

UTAH ROAD TRIP DAY 6: Hike Arches National Park

This time we woke up extremely early and checked out of the hotel so we could miss the crowds in Arches and catch the sunrise.

If you plan on visiting Arches National Park you must get there for sunrise! The girls and I were glad we chose to do this. Once the sky starts to lighten up you are surrounded by massive arches and rock formations you had no idea of (because you entered in the dark)!

We chose to hike to Turret Arch for sunrise and had it to ourselves. I’m thankful we did, because after talking to other hikers, Delicate Arch was packed (and not worth it) and same news for the North and South Windows.

At Turret Arch we got to see the silhouette of The Windows come alive as the sun was rising which we felt was more exciting. We hiked to these after the sun rose since they are on the same path- two for one!

After that we hiked Double Arch which is another short hike off of the same parking lot as The Windows and Turret Arch.

Since a lot of these hikes are short we were able to knock out a bunch. We headed to the end of the park and hiked to Landscape Arch, Double-O Arch, Tunnel Arch, and Pine Tree Arch which are all off of the same trail.

On our way out of the park we stopped and hiked Delicate Arch (3 miles round trip) which ended up being more difficult than we thought but well worth it. Delicate Arch is by far the most impressive and popular one in the park!

We felt like we had done as much as we could in Arches, so for the afternoon we decided to grab lunch at the Moab Brewery and shop around downtown before leaving Moab.

I purchased a couple cute Moab shirts and we hit the road towards Salt Lake City!

We checked in late to our Hyatt Place hotel in downtown and stayed here for the remaining 2 nights.

UTAH ROAD TRIP DAY 7: Hike in Salt Lake City and visit Bonneville Salt Flats

The last full day of adventures during our epic Utah road trip!

Our day started early, as usual, because we decided to hike Grandeur Peak which is a 6 mile round trip hike, 7 if you have to park on the road like we did. It was really nice to get a taste of the crisp fall air and colors in the mountains!

This hike was difficult and took us several hours to complete combined with the wildfire smoke from a nearby wildfire, constant elevation gain, and seeing a rattlesnake slither across the trail. Yeah, this was an eventful last adventure for sure!

Pro Tip: Use the Gaia App and their new Wildfire Map Layer to keep on eye on any nearby wildfires while hiking!

After we conquered Grandeur Peak we went back to the hotel to get dressed up and drive to the Bonneville Salt Flats for a fun photo shoot.

The Salt Flats were amazing! Walking on them made me feel like I was on another planet. We chose not to drive on them for we’ve heard mixed reviews about the salt ruining the car, etc. You may also want to be careful to not set your phone or camera directly on the salt! It could potentially ruin those as well.

To get to the Salt Flats you’ll want to drive West from Salt Lake City towards Wendover, NV. There is a rest area called Salt Flats Rest Area West Bound where you will be able to pull over, park, and explore!

Pro Tip: Get gas and snacks before leaving the city. It is a long drive (approximately 1.5 hours) with hardly any services along the way.

OPTIONAL DAY 7: Hike more around Moab

We ended up wishing we had more time to spend in the quaint city of Moab. If you have extra time I’d highly suggest staying another night to explore more of the area. A couple good hikes outside of the park are Mary Jane Falls and Corona Arch!

UTAH ROAD TRIP DAY 8: Fly out of Salt Lake City

By the end the girls and I were starting to feel the exhaustion hit from our Utah road trip. We had considered grabbing brunch before their flights but it was easily a group decision to take our time in the morning to try and get an extra hour of sleep.

I dropped them off at the airport and since I drove my car I decided to stay an extra few weeks in Salt Lake City to tour around myself.

Check out 11 of the Best Salt Lake City Hikes to see the hikes I did during my time there!

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The Best 8-Day Utah Road Trip Adventure Itinerary

One of the most iconic road-trips in America is the drive through Utah’s desert! With bright red rocks, orange sand, massive canyons and mountains we learned that Utah really has it all. This road-trip takes you through epic desert landscapes in the USA, to the best National Parks in America and on incredible desert trails. This is the most popular road-trip routes in the USA for a reason!

We drove all the way from Vancouver, BC, Canada to see explore Utah and will never forget this trip of a lifetime. Our itinerary included 4/5 of Utah’s National Parks as well as some exclusive permit-only hikes and hidden gems off the regular path! We had the most epic road-trip through Utah and I’m here to share our 8-day adventure itinerary with you!

Table of Contents

What you need to know before your Utah road-trip

Before you start your trip, plan ahead! Utah has 5 incredibly famous National Parks and most people try to see them all in one road-trip. Know that you will need to have an America The Great Parks Pass before entering the parks or purchase at park gates. Also, make sure to map out your route and download offline maps! Some of the places we visited were remote and did not have cell service. Make note of any off-roading and make sure your vehicle is prepared.

The best time of the year to visit Utah would be in early Spring. It gets very hot in Utah during the summer and most people try to avoid the months of June, July and August for extreme temperatures. We planned our visit for April and it was perfect! Try to plan for March, April or May, but know that early Spring could have cold temperatures and even snow. Utah has some incredible hikes with permit systems in place ( The Wave , Angels Landing, The Narrow) so try to plan permits and campgrounds ahead of time!

Where to start your Utah road-trip

We drove all the way from Vancouver, BC so our travel route might look a little bit different from yours. Whether you flew in and are renting a vehicle to road trip, or road-tripping from home, there are a few different ways to approach this trip. If you’re looking to fly in, I would recommend flying into either Salt Lake City, Utah or Vegas, Nevada to start your trip. If you add Vegas to your trip you can stop at The Valley of Fire on your way.

We decided to start our trip by driving to Twin Falls, Idaho and then to Salt Lake City and begin our Utah adventures in Zion National Park. Starting in Zion National Park meant we were going to be travelling in a loop from the Southwest across Southern Utah stopping in Kanab, through Arizona to Monument Valley, up to Moab and looping back through Hanksville and back to Salt Lake. You can do our route in reverse by starting in Hanksville and ending in Zion.

Some of our plans changed last minute (when we won permits to The Wave) and we visited 4/5 of Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks. We also travelled with our dog so that meant most of the hikes we wanted to do were not accessible in the National Parks with a dog. We drive a capable 4×4 vehicle, however, Utah’s off-roading is completely different and some off-roading spots weren’t possible for us! There is so much more for us to see in Utah!

Our Actual 8-day Utah road-trip Itinerary

I’m sharing the itinerary we used for an 8-day trip around Utah all the way from Vancouver, BC! It took us an entire day of driving to get to Twin Falls, Idaho and the next morning we started at Meadow Hot Springs near Meadow, Utah. On our way home we stopped in Salt Lake City and the Salt Flats before sleeping in Twin Falls and driving all the way back to Vancouver, BC. This was an 18 hour drive and we didn’t make any other notable stops along the way! Our actual trip including travel was 10-days.

You might also notice that our itinerary doesn’t visit all of the National Parks in Utah (we missed Bryce Canyon National Park and didn’t get to hike in Zion) this is because we were travelling with our dog! Dogs are not allowed in National Parks in the USA and we had to get creative with hotel stays in order to see 4/5 of Utah’s National Parks. Our itinerary includes hidden gems, stops that most people don’t visit, and a special hike that requires you to win permits. If you have a 4X4 vehicle you can reach even more epic spots in Utah, but start here for our ultimate adventure itinerary!

Day One: Hot springs & Zion National Park

We started our day at a free campsite near Meadow, Utah. This was at Meadow Hot Springs , a beautiful property with 3 natural hot spring pools. The person who owns the land permits public use and asks that you clean up after yourselves and no dogs/pets in the pools. This is a free camping spot if your vehicle can make it down the bumpy road. We enjoyed a sunrise dip in the third hot spring and had coffee and breakfast before driving to Zion National Park!

We drove into Zion National Park to spend the rest of our day. This was definitely our favourite park and its beauty is something you need to see in person once in your life. Zion National Park is home to some of the most exclusive hikes in the USA (Angels Landing, The Narrows) but since we had our dog with us we only had one option to hike. The Pa’rus Trail is found at Zion Canyon Visitors Centre and is a 5KM out and back trail. We stopped at Feel Love Cafe for iced coffees!

During our visit in April, most of the road through Zion was closed so we opted to drive the Mt Camel Scenic Drive on Scenic Byway-9. We explored this incredibly beautiful drive of Zion by our car and stopped many times for photos alongside the highway. We found free camping for the night and slept right outside of Zion National Park.

Day Two: Kanab, Utah

We woke up and drove through Zion National Park again for sunrise, this time heading all the way out to Kanab, Utah! This charming town is full of activities and we spent the entire day outside. The first stop was to hike Buckskin Gulch , one of the only slot canyon hikes that you can bring a dog with you. This slot canyon is the longest in the world, so although the trail is 15KM long you do not have to hike the entire trail to see the epic slot canyons. It’s an easy hike and one of the coolest things to be surrounded by the orange rock walls towering above you.

Our next stop in Kanab was to hike the Sand Caves . These sand caves are found right off the highway and involve a quick, uphill hike to see them. Once you’re at the top, there are about 3-5 different cave areas and plenty of space to take photos. The unique sand cave openings were really cool to see and require little effort!

Our final stop of the day was a quick drive off of Highway 89 to Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness area for sunset, dinner and a free camping spot. We had a tiny bit of cell service and found out that we won permits to The Wave this night. We watched the sun go down over the Rainbow Mountains and couldn’t sleep because we were so excited.

Day Three: Monument Valley & Valley of the Gods

Day Three was a long day of driving but ended up being one of our favourite parts of the trip. We had to come back to Kanab to hike The Wave the next day, so we decided to do a 4 hour drive to Monument Valley. This was a total of 8 hours of driving and was a last minute decision that was so worth it! The beautiful drive brought us past the iconic Utah sign when we drove into Arizona, past Glen Canyon Dam, through Page, past Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell and through Navajo Valley.

Driving through Monument Valley was incredible and nothing like I’ve ever seen before. That’s why I HIGHLY recommend adding this scenic route to your Utah road trip. The large, sandstone structures are truly iconic and the landscape was truly like a different planet. We drove to the famous “Forrest Gump Road” on Highway 163 and took a photo in the exact same spot as the movie!

From there, we continued to the Valley of the Gods to have dinner until sunset. This off-road trail doesn’t require 4X4 and the free camping spots are the best I’ve seen in the USA. You don’t have to drive very far on this road for epic sandstone views, but the further you get the taller the stones get!

Day Four: The Wave, Arizona

We didn’t originally plan to hike to the famous Wave on our trip to Utah, but while we were in Kanab we applied for the daily lottery. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read our blog on “The Wave, Arizona: Everything you need to know before hiking” . There was a 2-5% chance of winning and somehow we won on our first try! This meant that we had a once in a lifetime opportunity to hike The Wave, and we spent our entire day doing so. We camped at the trailhead so that we could be the first ones on the trail.

We hit the trail before sunrise, and we spent under an hour hiking to The Wave. Make sure to check out our full trail report for a detailed review and photos! This was truly one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done in my life and the sandblasted stone shaped like waves in the sand was truly a sight to see. The morning light made the rocks a bright red colour and we spent the entire morning exploring and taking photos by ourselves. We hiked further beyond The Wave to Melody Arch and The Alcove, which made the trip even more incredible. We hiked back to the vehicle around 2PM and spent the rest of the night driving 5 hours to Moab, Utah.

Day Five: Canyonlands National Park & Moab, Utah

Canyonlands National Park was such a crazy underrated park in Utah. I know that Utah is full of incredible national parks but I really loved the vastness of Canyonlands! We started our day with an attempt at a sunrise hike down a 4X4 road that got too crazy for us to pass with our vehicle, so we found a spot alongside the highway near Schafer Point to pullover and watch the sunrise.

At this point we decided to book a hotel and explore Moab, Utah. We stayed at Quality Suites Moab to take advantage of their cheap price, free breakfast and dog-friendly rooms. For the rest of the afternoon we explored Moab and checked out a few second-hand hiking gear shops. We had dinner at Pasta Jay’s and decided that Moab is one of our favourite cities in the USA.

For sunset, we decided to leave our dog at home and go back to Canyonlands to watch the sun go down at Green River Overlook . There is a viewing platform right beside the parking lot, but we hiked off the path to the right for this incredible view!

Day Six: Arches National Park & Capitol Reef National Park

Since we were staying at a hotel in Moab, we planned a sunrise hike to the famous Arches National Park. We’ve always wanted to see the incredible Delicate Arch , and we knew that the crowds would be smaller if we hiked in the dark and made it there for sunrise.

We started our hike early and made it just before the sun came up and got to watch the first light hit the Delicate Arch. This arch was huge and it was crazy to stand underneath it! Our next hike had to be a quick one, so we opted to see Sand Dune Arch before heading back to our hotel.

We were sad to leave Moab, but our next stop was 3.5 hours away to Capitol Reef National Park. We wanted to see the Temple of the Sun and Moon which are found in a remote part of the park where you can only access by driving down a really fun, bumpy dirt road.

4×4 isn’t required but highly recommend some clearance and AWD. We got here just in time for sunset and took some incredible shots. From here, we drove a little over an hour to our next incredible camp spot…

Day Seven: Hanksville & Capitol Reef National Park

We drove here in the dark, and woke up on the moon. Moonscape Overlook is one of the craziest free camp spots I’ve ever stayed in. The badlands of Utah have some of the most deep, vast and textured canyons I’ve seen in my life.

Getting here will require a bit of off-roading but we saw plenty of camper vans who made it. There is a famous lookout where you can stand on the scariest ridge I’ve ever stood on! Watching the sun come up over the badlands canyons was a crazy view.

We spent the rest of our day driving through Capitol Reef National Park and exploring stops along the highway. The best recommendation I have is to stop at Gifford Homestead on your drive through Capitol Reef National Park for the best pie of your life! Gifford Homestead is found in Fruita Valley, a beautiful drive, and they sell out of their famous pies every day. Make sure to get here early!

Day Eight: Salt Lake City & Bonneville Salt Flats

Our final day in Utah before driving home was spent in Salt Lake City. We decided to stop in Salt Lake City for the first time and prepare for a long drive home. This meant trying the famous Utah soda shops like Thirst and trying Raising Cane’s chicken because we don’t have fast-food options like this in Canada! I wish we could have spent more time in Salt Lake City but we will definitely stay here someday.

On our way home, we made one final stop at the Bonneville Salt Flats. This unique landform is a huge area covered in literal table salt and we were lucky enough to see them flooded. Since it was a windy day, we didn’t get to see any epic mountain reflections in the floods but the Salt Flats that weren’t flooded were still beautiful. This scenery at sunset can’t be beat, and was the perfect final stop on our Utah road trip.

Best Places to Camp/Stay on your Utah road trip

One of the best things about our Utah road trip was the free camping. We saved so much money by sleeping in our tent at free over-landing spots across Utah. You cannot camp for free in any National Parks, however, you can usually find campgrounds within the parks for a fee or find spots outside of the parks for free camping. I’m going to share some of our free spots and best campground recommendations since we only paid for one hotel on our trip!

• Our first free campground was at Meadow Hot Springs, we stayed in our tent with plenty of other vehicles.
• Zion National Park was the most difficult to find somewhere to stay, Watchman Campground was the most beautiful but busy. If you use iOverlander, look for spots just outside of Zion for free camping.
• Just outside of Kanab, you’ll find free camping at Rainbow Mountain off Highway 89.
• Our next free camping spot was in the Valley of the Gods outside of Monument Valley.
• In Moab, we stayed for 2-nights at a hotel called Quality Suites Moab.
• Outside of the Temple of the Sun you’ll find iOverlanding spots that are not in Capitol Reef NP.
• The most incredible free camp spot was Moonscape Overlook outside of Hanksville.

Final Thoughts on our Utah road-trip Itinerary

Our 8-day road trip was one of the greatest of all time and there’s still so much more for us to see in Utah! This road trip brought us to the best National Parks in America and I can’t wait to be back here someday soon for more epic hikes. This is definitely one of the most unique and crazy road trips we’ve ever done and it’s easy to see why it’s the best in the USA.

I hope we’ve inspired you to take this adventure yourself and explore Utah! Check us out on Instagram @yakeandmarie or TikTok @yakeandmarie for all of our story highlights and Reels from Utah. If you’re looking for more info on the most exclusive permit-system hikes in Utah check out our other blog on The Wave, Arizona: Everything you need to know !

Comments (5)

December 26, 2023 at 8:37 pm

Wow! What an amazing itinerary! So fun to read and great photos!

February 7, 2024 at 8:42 pm

Hi! Can you share the itinerary starting from Vancouver? Like where did you stop before you got to Zion/how many days did it take etc?

Jake & Marie

June 4, 2024 at 6:24 pm

Hey! Yes, from Vancouver we drove 12 hours to Twin Falls, Idaho and camped for a night. You can get a hotel here too. The next morning we drove 7 hours to Zion! Same on the way back, we watched sunset at the Salt Flats and drove 4 hours to Twin Falls for the night 🙂

Dion Carmichael

April 18, 2024 at 2:40 pm

How much did you spend overall?

June 4, 2024 at 6:25 pm

Probably around $1500-$2000 CAD

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The 8 best road trips in Utah

Jun 23, 2022 • 6 min read

With roads that encircle mountains and navigate red-rock canyons, Utah is a driver's dream © DanielGonzalezPhoto / Shutterstock

Utah is world famous for its red-rock arches and deep canyons – and as with many things in life, the journey across the Beehive State adds up to much more than any singular landmark.

Since you’ll be driving through one of America's most beautiful states, you can expect jaw-dropping views. Thankfully, many of these vistas can be accessed through paved highways, scenic drives and roadside viewpoints. While most of Utah’s best road trips are easily accessible by car, some require at least all-wheel-drive crossovers or high-clearance 4x4 vehicles.

To really get to know this state, fuel up, roll down the windows and hit the road. Here are the best road trips in Utah.

The essential Utah road trip is Scenic Byway 12

Panguitch to Torrey; 122 miles; half a day

If you take only one road trip in Utah, make it this one. Along this route, you can experience much of what the state is famous for in a single afternoon.

Highlights include two red-rock tunnels, Dixie National Forest and its nearly two million acres of pinyon pine and desert landscapes, a summit overlook from 9000ft, and nearby access to four of Utah’s greatest natural treasures: Zion , Bryce , Grand Staircase  and Capitol Reef National Parks.

With plenty of shops and stops along the way, you can easily make a day of it – or even a couple weeks of if you stop off to thoroughly explore the parks.

Get Jurassic on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy

Starting and ending in Vernal; 512 miles; 1–3 days

Millions of years ago, Utah was part of a coastal floodplain that was rich in flora and fauna. Evidence of those animals comes in the form of footprints and fossils buried in the state’s desert cliffs and rocky outcroppings, traces visitors can seek out today.

To see it all, there’s no better route than the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy . Starting and ending in the beautiful town of Vernal, this epic route travels in a diamond shape through Utah and a little of Colorado along I-70, US 6, US 40, and US 191, among others.

Highlights include the fossil quarry at Dinosaur National Monument , Flaming Gorge, Jones Hole, Fantasy Canyon, and Canyonlands and Arches National Parks in Moab.

You’ll have a Hollywood backdrop along Monument Valley Hwy 163

Mexican Hat to Monument Valley; 45 miles; half a day

Dozens of big movies, including one Academy Award winner, have been shot in Monument Valley . Arguably the greatest backdrop in cinematic history, this road trip will leave you feeling like a character in Stagecoach .

For the most impressive views, travel south from Mexican Hat, take pictures of the sombrero-shaped rock and “Forrest Gump Point” then drop into Monument Valley for even more surreal photography.

While you can easily complete the route in under two hours, you’ll want to plan extra time for side trips and connecting byways such as Hwy 276.

Head over the mountains on the Mirror Lake Scenic Hwy

Kamas to the border of Wyoming; 42 miles; half a day

Less than two hours from Salt Lake City , Mirror Lake Hwy is one of the most popular mountain driving routes in the state. Heading east from Kamas, the paved drive takes you through the High Uinta Wilderness, one of the state’s best-kept secrets .

Highlights include Upper Provo Falls, the photogenic Mirror Lake, Bald Mountain Pass, Christmas Meadows trailhead, as well as numerous overlooks, picnic areas and campsites along the way. It’s also the ideal place to experience fall foliage.

Hit the road to hit all of Utah’s “Mighty 5”

Arches National Park to Zion National Park; 1040 miles; 10 days

Nowhere else in the country – if not the world – will you find a higher concentration of national parks than in Southern Utah. And this ultimate route will get you to them all – and then some.

Starting in Moab at Arches National Park, the route works its way east through Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion. Since there’s no direct way to do all this, however, it makes more sense to stop at other parks along the way, including Monument Valley, Goblin Valley and Kodachrome Basin . Whatever way you make the trip, you can look forward to the full scope of Utah’s natural wonders.

Introducing Utah’s national parks

Expect stunning views – and white-knuckle curves – along Moki Dugway

Mexican Hat to Natural Bridges National Monument; 34 miles; half a day

This might be one of the most white-knuckle car rides in America. With hairpin turns and an elevation gain of over 1000ft, this graded dirt road is best driven north toward  Natural Bridges National Monument .

You can look forward to truly exceptional vistas . While at the top, take a detour west to see stunning Muley Point, which overlooks the deep canyons of the San Juan River. Other highlights include an overlook of Valley of the Gods and its stunning buttes and stone pinnacles. If not traveling to Natural Bridges, this is also a wonderful out and back drive by car.

Follow the switchbacks from Potash to White Rim Rd

Moab to Island in the Sky Visitor’s Center; 32 miles; half a day

If you thought Moki Dugway was treacherous, wait till you drive this one. To save the best for last, drive north from Moab on Hwy 191, then turn south on Hwy 279 to snake around the Colorado River, Corona Arch and nearby rock-climbing cliffs and petroglyphs.

From there, turn west onto Potash Rd to make your way through Dead Horse Point and into Canyonlands National Park before finally ascending the towering Shafer Trail switchbacks to the Island in the Sky Visitor’s Center.

Although some cars are capable of this dirt drive, you’ll want at least an all-wheel-drive vehicle with higher-than-normal clearance. If in doubt about your vehicle’s capability, you can always go back the way you came.

Hop in a 4x4 to take the Cathedral Valley Scenic Backway

Cathedral Road to Hartnet Road; 72 miles (with detours); half a day

To see the half of Capitol Reef National Park that few people ever visit (and it’s the better half), you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance. The reward is significant: castle-like sandstone formations, panoramic desert views and (usually) not another person in sight.

The region’s unique features were formed over millions of years of erosion, leaving behind sculpted monoliths striated with the layers of time. For the full experience, get a permit and camp out under the starry skies. Full route details can be found here .

This article was first published Jun 16, 2021 and updated Jun 23, 2022.

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25 Adventures For Your Utah Bucket List

Explore the best of the Beehive State.

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

With five national parks and millions of acres of wilderness waiting to be explored, the toughest part about exploring Utah is deciding where to begin. Should you hike the mountains near Ogden, Salt Lake City and Park City ? Or road trip south to discover some of the most rugged landscapes in America.

You can’t go wrong in Utah, so here’s a random list of 25 perfectly spectacular jumping-off points. Think of it as a slightly more focused version of randomly dropping your finger on a map.

1. Explore the Zion Narrows

2. Day Hike to Blanche Lake

3. Hike Bryce Canyon’s Riggs Spring Loop

4. Hike to White Pine Lake

5. Hike Angels Landing at Night

6. Relax in Saratoga Hot Springs

7. Hike Coyote Buttes North to the Wave

8. Backpack to Silver Lake

9. Backpack to Lake Catherine and Bag Sunset Peak

10. Explore the Subway Top Down

11. Hike to Diamond Fork (Fifth Water) Hot Springs

12. Camp at Goblin Valley

13. Backpack Reflection Canyon

14. Wildflower Hike in Albion Basin

15. Camp at Willow Lake

16. Short Hike to Double Arch

17. Summit the Pfeifferhorn

18. Hike Kanarraville Slot Canyon

19. Backpack to Red Pine Lake

20. Backpack Kings Peak

21. Hike to False Kiva

22. Camp by the Spiral Jetty

23. Hike through Wire Pass Slot Canyon

24. Ski Little Cottonwood Canyon

25. Photograph the Bonneville Salt Flats

Get more information on these adventures and others around Utah at Utah.com .

Cover photo: Scott Kranz

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24 Best Places to Visit in Utah — Including National Parks, Turquoise Lakes, and Giant Salt Flats

Red sandstone arches, turquoise lakes, and epic skiing are some of the many standout attractions in Utah.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

Utah doesn't get as much attention as some of its neighbors (ahem, Colorado), but anyone who's visited the Beehive State knows that it's in a class of its own. Its motto is "Life Elevated," after all. The landscape goes from desert marked with red sandstone arches to giant, snow-covered ski mountains and bright-white salt flats. In fact, the terrain is so stunning and varied that much of the natural landscape is designated national park, national monument, or national forest land.

It's impossible to check out every site the state has to offer in one visit, but certain places stand out. In addition to housing five phenomenal national parks, there are endless ski areas, state parks, hot springs, lakes, and mountain towns that are all worth exploring.

With that in mind, here are 24 of the best places to visit in Utah.

Zion National Park

Don Eim/Travel + Leisure

Utah has five renowned national parks, but Zion was the state's first — and there's a reason why. Hiking below the steep red cliffs surrounding Zion Canyon is truly awe-inspiring, as are the park's slot canyons, emerald-colored pools, and waterfalls with hanging gardens.

Park City is one of those places where you can have it all. It's just over 30 minutes from Salt Lake City, but has a mountain town feel that's complemented by a huge network of biking and hiking trails in the summer and two great ski areas — Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort — in the winter.

Goblin Valley State Park

In addition to camping among Goblin Valley State Park 's hoodoos, you can spend the day exploring Little Wild Horse slot canyon, which includes a stretch where the walls are so tight that you have to turn sideways to get through.

Powder Mountain

With the most skiable acreage in North America, Powder Mountain is the place to be when the snow starts flying in Utah. In addition to cruising down the resort's 154 trails, you can go off piste, exploring the mountain's untracked in-bounds terrain. (Oh, and the area receives an average of more than 500 inches of snow annually.)

Paria Canyon

This natural wonder lies on the Utah-Arizona border, but is still on the Utah side. Paria Canyon is one of the longest and deepest slot canyons in the world, found within the wildly beautiful Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

Arches National Park

The reddish-orange sandstone arches of this national park feel like they belong in another world. In addition to hiking under or walking over the arches (there are more than 2,000 of them), you'll find other geological wonders, including Balanced Rock, which towers over the desert landscape.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is unlike any other state capital in the U.S. It sits at the base of the Wasatch Range, providing a mountain backdrop to even the most urban downtown area. To see the two sides of the city, you can walk the Temple Square , headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, before grabbing lunch at the Mark of the Beastro , a vegan diner with a devil theme.

Unlike other parts of the state, the city of St. George boasts year-round warm weather and easy access to endless recreation — from the dunes and red sandstone cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park to the reservoir of Sand Hollow State Park to the iconic Zion National Park. This destination also has incredible dining and great golfing.

Canyonlands National Park

The desert landscape of Canyonlands National Park is marked with towering rock pinnacles, remote canyons, and Native American rock paintings. Meanwhile, the Colorado River cuts through the dry scenery, providing whitewater rapids sought out by rafters and kayakers.

This city in eastern Utah is a gateway to the red rock wonders of the state — many of which are found within neighboring Arches and Canyonlands national parks. In addition to the parks, Moab is home to myriad petroglyphs and real-life dinosaur tracks.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is as rugged and remote as it gets, which is why it was one of the last places in the continental U.S. to be mapped. These days, you can view rock art by the ancient Anasazi and Fremont cultures, see dinosaur fossils, and explore the monument's slot canyons, arches, and monoliths.

Dead Horse Point State Park

This state park is as dry as it is immense. With a high-desert landscape of canyons crisscrossed with trails, travelers come to look out over the dramatic Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. Note: When the sun drops, stick around — Dead Horse Point State Park also has stellar stargazing.

Bonneville Salt Flats

You don't have to travel all the way to South America to see the Uyuni Salt Flat; you just have to get to northwestern Utah, where the Bonneville Salt Flats sprawl over 46 square miles. The flats, which resemble snow, are actually a blinding-white salt crust that's five feet thick in some areas.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

The largest concentration of hoodoos (columns of rock jutting out of the ground) can be found in Bryce Canyon National Park . In addition to the red sandstone wonders, the park provides stunning sunrise and sunset views and dark skies perfect for stargazing.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Admiring the sunset on the mounds of red sand in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park should be on every travel wish list. Visitors can hike, drive, and even slide down the dunes, which are estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000 years old. (Sandboards and sleds are available to rent.)

Mystic Hot Springs

This unique take on natural hot springs funnels the mineral water into a series of reclaimed bathtubs and pools where you can soak the day away. For the full experience, stick around for some on-site live music or sleep in one of Mystic Hot Springs ' many buses (including one that followed the Grateful Dead).

Not far from Salt Lake city in the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains lies this ski area that boasts 3,240 feet of vertical terrain and around 500 inches of snow annually (it has the longest ski season in the state). In the summer, you can play on Snowbird 's alpine slide or take the tram to the top.

Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaurs once roamed much of Utah, and there's no better place to see and learn about it than at Dinosaur National Monument . The remains of these great wonders are still visibly embedded in the rocks, while petroglyphs showcase the area's first human populations.

Fifth Water Hot Springs

It doesn't get much better than hiking to hot springs. After just over two miles on the trail, you'll come upon a waterfall and the Fifth Water Hot Springs or Diamond Fork Hot Springs. Sit back and relax, but keep in mind you have to hike back to your car.

Homestead Crater

One of Utah's lesser-known natural wonders, the Homestead Crater is a geothermal hot spring set in a limestone dome. Inside, under the "natural skylight" created by the dome's opening, you can swim, scuba dive, or snorkel. (Fun fact: This is the only warm-water dive site in the continental U.S.)

Bear Lake State Park

Everything in Bear Lake State Park revolves around the park's shining jewel: Bear Lake. This freshwater spot is nicknamed the "Caribbean of the Rockies" because of its bright turquoise color, which is thanks to an abundance of calcium carbonate deposits in the water. In addition to sunbathing on the sandy shores, fishing, jet skiing, and sailing are popular activities.

Mount Timpanogos

One of Utah's most popular and recognizable mountains, Mount Timpanogos tops out at 11,752 feet above sea level. To summit the mountain — nicknamed "Timp" — it's a 14-mile hike round-trip. Along the way, hikers are treated to views of glacial lakes, waterfalls, and wildflowers.

Capitol Reef National Park

Everything in Capitol Reef National Park revolves around a literal wrinkle on the earth that consists of layered sandstone, canyons, and rock formations. Known as the Waterpocket Fold, the geologic monocline extends almost 100 miles and is surrounded by white sandstone domes, towering monoliths, and otherworldly pillars and arches.

Goosenecks State Park

Goosenecks State Park is tiny, but mighty. It's renowned for its clifftop vistas over the roaring San Juan River. And the views don't stop when night falls — you just have to look up. The park was recently even given an International Dark Sky designation .

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Best places to visit in utah.

Utah is truly an outdoor lover's dream. With natural wonders – including five national parks – and small towns with outdoor activities galore, Utah offers ample opportunities to reconnect with nature. To help you decide where to go for your next getaway, U.S. News took into account factors like attractions, value and accessibility to determine the best places to visit in Utah. Vote for your favorite destination below to help decide next year's list.

Zion National Park

Arches national park, bryce canyon national park, monument valley, canyonlands national park, dinosaur national monument, dead horse point state park, capitol reef national park, grand staircase-escalante national monument, salt lake city.

More and more people are discovering the beauty of Zion National Park. Utah's first national park features more than 90 miles of backpacking and hiking trails, including The Narrows, a one-of-a-kind slot canyon that takes travelers through the slimmest section of the park. There are also easier paths like Canyon Overlook Trail and Pa'rus Trail, as well as more strenuous ones, such as Angels Landing (permits are required) and the Watchman Trail. If hiking doesn't present enough of a challenge, visitors can also go canyoneering down or rock climbing up Zion's 2,000-foot-tall sandstone cliffs.

With an array of jaw-dropping red rock formations, including 2,000-plus natural arches (the most you'll find in any area on Earth), Arches National Park delights more than 1.5 million visitors each year. Some of the park's most popular rock formations include Landscape Arch (the longest arch in North America), the Windows Section (one of the most picturesque locations in Arches) and Fiery Furnace (a challenging natural labyrinth between sandstone walls). Adventurous visitors can go hiking, rock climbing, canyoneering and more, while less-active travelers might prefer to see the park from the comfort of a vehicle or on horseback.

Bryce Canyon National Park is often described as otherworldly, and it's easy to see why. Its sunset-colored natural amphitheaters and hoodoos (Bryce Canyon has the highest concentration of these irregular rock columns in the world) are almost too perfect to be real. Hiking and horseback riding are great ways to see these natural beauties during the warmer months. Meanwhile, cold-weather pursuits like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are available in winter. For an extra memorable experience, camp out at this International Dark Sky Park at night to enjoy a full moon hike.

Moab sits conveniently between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, making it a great home base for travelers looking to visit both parks. Vacationers will find plenty to do in and around town, too, including outdoor activities like biking, hiking, off-roading and whitewater rafting. For a bird's-eye view of Moab's stunning red rock formations, visitors can go skydiving or enjoy a thrilling flight in a plane or hot air balloon. After an active day, head to a local restaurant to satisfy your appetite and listen to some live music.

Located in Utah and Arizona, Monument Valley features a red landscape that is easily recognizable. Here, you'll find Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which houses sandstone towers and buttes that have appeared in movies like "Forrest Gump" and "Stagecoach." Must-do activities in the Utah section of the valley include hiking, horseback riding and stargazing. You'll want to also save time for learning more about the park's Navajo history, which you can do while admiring the scenery during a guided vehicle or horseback tour with a Navajo tour operator.

With a prime location near the Utah-Arizona border, the small desert town of Kanab is an excellent jumping-off point for outdoor explorers. Not only is Kanab surrounded by several must-see national parks, including Bryce Canyon, Zion and the Grand Canyon, but the town also provides access to lesser-known wonders like Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and the Sand Caves. What's more, Kanab is known as the gateway to The Wave, an iconic Arizona sandstone formation that is only accessible via an online lottery system. Save time for hiking Wire Pass Trail to the Buckskin Gulch, the longest and deepest slot canyon in the Southwest.

This Utah national park is divided into four districts, each of which offers a different experience. The most accessible district is Island in the Sky; it rises more than 1,000 feet above the ground and provides spectacular views of the area. In the southeast corner of the park lies The Needles, a region with colorful sandstone spires, a historic cowboy camp and prehistoric rock art. The Maze's challenging, remote roads and hiking trails are best attempted by those with experience. And in the last district – where the Colorado and Green rivers form – you can explore via canoe or kayak.

Dinosaur National Monument, a protected area on the Utah-Colorado border, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in dinosaurs. Budding paleontologists can venture to the Utah side of the monument to see its array of fossils, many of which are on display inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall. After admiring the fossils, visitors can head to the Cub Creek Area, where several hiking paths – including the Fossil Discovery Trail – and pictographs and petroglyphs left behind by the Fremont people are located. The national monument also offers opportunities to camp, fish and go whitewater rafting.

Sitting about 30 miles outside of Moab, Dead Horse Point State Park is undeniably one of Utah's most magnificent travel destinations. There are ample ways to explore this state park, from mountain biking the Intrepid Trail System to traversing the park's eight miles of family-friendly hiking trails. Just don't leave without visiting Dead Horse Point's overlook, which towers 2,000 feet over the powerful Colorado River and provides panoramic views of Canyonlands National Park. In the evening, retreat to one of the park's campgrounds to admire the stars from this International Dark Sky Park .

While Capitol Reef National Park may not be as well known as Utah's other national parks, it is just as breathtaking. The park's main attraction is the nearly 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold, a buckling of the Earth's surface. Capitol Reef is home to plenty of hiking trails and backcountry routes; just remember, backcountry routes here are not official maintained trails, so you'll need to obtain a backcountry permit and exercise caution. Other popular activities include biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and canyoneering. If you'd rather exert less energy during your visit, opt for a scenic drive.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a natural wonder that took millions of years to create. Occupying nearly 2 million acres, this protected area is divided into three units. The Escalante Canyons section is a hiker's dream, with backcountry trails that travel past waterfalls, arches and narrow canyons. The remote Grand Staircase region is where visitors will find Utah's most extensive network of slot canyons, as well as the colorful cliffs that give the monument its name. Separating the two areas is the Kaiparowits Plateau, which contains an impressive collection of fossils that are sure to delight paleontology enthusiasts.

You may immediately think of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when you think of Salt Lake City, but you would be remiss if you limited yourself to Temple Square. Utah's capital city is also home to interesting museums (the Natural History Museum of Utah is a popular option), multiple professional sports teams (attend events from rugby matches to motorsport competitions) and an exciting live music scene (catch an outdoor show at Red Butte Garden). Plus, Salt Lake City boasts proximity to a number of ski resorts and trail-filled Wasatch Mountain State Park, making it especially appealing to adventure seekers.

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Places To Go

Utah is made up of vibrant and historic cities and towns, all surrounded by natural beauty. These natural landscapes are designated as national parks, national monuments, national forests, state parks and millions of additional acres of open spaces with no official designation save for "Utah."

Mighty 5 National Parks Ski Resorts

Parks & Outdoors

Dark Sky Parks

Cities & Towns

Ski Resorts

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The Complete Capitol Reef Trip

Planning a trip to Capitol Reef National Park? Explore these local-favorite destinations in the Capitol Reef region to make the most of your trip!

Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

• Capitol Reef National Park
• Petroglyphs
• Stargazing Capitol Reef
• Explore the town of Torrey, Utah
• Fremont Indian State Park

See Itinerary

Ski City Downhill + Downtown

Big city amenities support 10 different resorts within an hour of SLC International, which means the best in downhill meets the best in downtown.

Community, Kid-Friendly, Non-ski Winter Activities, Ski and Snowboard, Urban Experiences

• Craft coffee, dining and spirits
• Alta Ski Area or Snowbird Ski Resort
• Solitude Mountain Resort or Brighton Ski Resort
• Performing arts, après-ski and live music

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.

Adventure, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Solitude, Stargazing

• Hell's Backbone Grill
• Bryce Canyon Lodge
• Ranger-led Star Programs
• Road Trip Southwest Utah

Base Camp Kanab

From the vermilion, white and pink cliffs and wide expanses of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, to the twisting sandstone bottlenecks of Buckskin Gulch, even the vertigo-inducing views of Zion National Park if you've never been, this six-day itinerary will show you why Kanab is the perfect base camp for adventure.

Cycling, Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

• Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
• Lake Powell
• North Rim Grand Canyon
• Zion National Park

Play The Hits: Exploring Salt Lake City's Iconic Sights

Utah’s capital city boasts a unique history. It is rich in frontier history for sure but its story doesn't end (or begin) there. Experience the many layers of history, prehistory and contemporary culture.

Arts, History and Heritage, Urban Experiences

• Temple Square
• Utah Museum of Contemporary Art
• Natural History Museum of Utah
• Red Butte Gardens

Alpine, Après and Arches

Timed perfectly for winter, this journey takes you to some of the finest mountain resorts in the world, then to the most spectacular vistas of the scarlet-hued desert.

Hiking, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Ski and Snowboard

• Ski Northern Utah
• Explore Southern Utah in Winter
• Alpine Mountains to Red Rock Expanses
• Ski Boots to Hiking Boots

Outdoor Beauty

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Head to one of Utah’s many Certified International Dark Sky Parks for the best celestial views on earth. You can find a dark sky experience that fits every itinerary.

Lakes & Reservoirs

Utah's reservoirs and lakes are some of the biggest in the country.

Utah is known as the home to Life Elevated®, and the abundance and proximity of incredible mountain ranges is at the heart of Utah's identity.

Utah State Parks

There are more than 40 state parks that stretch across Utah, from the rich blue waters at Bear Lake to the hot, orange and pink sands of Coral Pink Sand Dunes.

Utah's National Parks

Known as the Mighty 5, each national park can be an entire vacation all in itself. The best visits include a mix of activities inside and outside of the park, and guided experiences to bring the stories of these remarkable landscapes to the forefront.

Utah's Scenic Byways

In total, Utah’s distinct topography provides the surface for 28 scenic byways, which add up to hundreds of miles of vivid travel experiences wherein the road trip is as memorable as the destination.

Top Traveler Cities

Moab is surrounded by a sea of buckled, twisted and worn sandstone sculpted by millennia of sun, wind and rain

Park City, UT

Park City is the perfect mountain town. The winter slopes were once featured in the Olympics, and in summer the mountains and nearby state parks and reservoirs transform into a hiking, mountain biking, fishing and camping mecca.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City makes a great gateway for travelers making a trip to Utah's ski resorts or southward to Utah’s renowned red rock country.

St. George, UT

St. George is perfect for family adventures, luxury spas, extensive shopping, championship golf and nearby outdoor recreation assets.

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Utah Trip Itineraries

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We've developed itineraries to help people plan and enjoy trips to the best destinations in Utah and the surrounding area. We live in Utah and we know these areas . Our itineraries are based on our own experiences, with input from many travelers and tour operators. They will help you enjoy our scenic attractions, byways, accommodations and restaurants.

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5 Utah National Parks in 5 Days

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Tee times, groupings, TV info for 2024 John Deere Classic Thursday first round at TPC Deere Run

It’s the only game in town this week.

With the LPGA, PGA Tour Champions and LIV Golf all off, the John Deere Classic takes center stage in the golf world on its own during this July 4th holiday week.

TPC Deere Run, a par-71 that will play 7,289 yards this week for the 156 players in the field, was designed by D.A. Weibring and Chris Gay. It opened in 2000.

The top names in the field this week are Jordan Spieth and Jason Day . Spieth won the tournament in 2013 and 2015 but hasn’t been back since. Day’s last visit was 2011.

Also in the field in Silvis, Illinois: Joel Dahmen, Nick Dunlap, Harry Higgs, Sungjae Im, Denny McCarthy, Keith Mitchell and Jake Knapp.

Patrick Cantlay was originally listed in the field but he has since withdrawn. Russell Knox gets his spot.

Thursday tee times

Groupings and starting times for the first and second rounds of the John Deere Classic pic.twitter.com/i4wR09uRc8 — PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) July 2, 2024

JOHN DEERE CLASSIC : Odds, picks | Yardage book

The first groups will tee off at the 1st and 10th tee at 7:45 a.m. ET.

How to watch, stream the 2024 John Deere Classic

Thursday, july 4.

Golf Channel / Peacock : 4-7 p.m.

Sirius XM: 1-7 p.m

ESPN+ : 7:45 a.m.-7 p.m

Friday, June 28

Golf Channel/ Peacock : 4-7 p.m.

Sirius XM:  12-6 p.m

Saturday, June 29

Golf Channel/ Peacock :  1-3 p.m

CBS:  3-6 p.m.

Sirius XM: 1-6 p.m

ESPN+ : 8 a.m.-6 p.m

Sunday, June 30

Sirius XM:  1-6 p.m

Story originally appeared on GolfWeek

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European Championship

Germany’s Toni Kroos is at the top of his game at Euro 2024 – so why is he retiring?

On Friday night, Germany midfielder Toni Kroos will face Spain in the European Championship quarter-final — and it could be his final game in professional football.

The 34-year-old Kroos said in May that he would hang up his old-school white boots this summer. A few weeks later, he won a fifth Champions League trophy with Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium. Now he is starring for his country on home soil at Euro 2024.

He could hardly have planned a more fitting retirement . So why, when he is at the top of his game, is Kroos stepping aside this summer?

Could Toni Kroos' retirement be the closest to perfect in sporting history?

Kroos said well in advance that he would finish on his terms.

A stubborn and unconventional character who has always liked to do things his way, he was never going to emulate his former Madrid team-mates Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo by playing into his late thirties.

Instead, his plan was always to go out at the very top. He initially retired from international football in 2021 after experiencing a series of disappointments with Germany, allowing him to focus on a final few years with Madrid.

He might even have retired altogether in the summer of 2023, but eventually agreed to stay another season at the Santiago Bernabeu. Then he accepted a call from Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann — only two years his senior — to return for this summer’s Euros.

Speaking to the German magazine Kicker last month, Kroos said he knew that many players tried to play for as long as possible but that his view was different.

“I simply want to be remembered as the 34-year-old Toni Kroos who played his best season for Real at the end,” he said. “I’ve achieved that. I take it as a compliment that many people think the timing is too early .”

Even if there was little doubt about Kroos’ precocious natural talent as a teenager, he steered his career in unexpected and distinctive directions from the start.

After spells with local clubs Greifswalder and Hansa Rostock, he agreed a move to Germany’s biggest club Bayern Munich aged 16. He had won the Golden Ball for best player at the 2006 Under-17 European Championship and won the same award at the Under-17 World Cup a year later.

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But after being born and raised in Germany’s relatively remote north-east region, Kroos didn’t fit in at the Bavarian club at first. When he returned after a successful 18 months on loan at Bayer Leverkusen , Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes was unsure how to best use Kroos’ skills . Homegrown hero Bastian Schweinsteiger was still the main man in midfield and injury meant Kroos missed the 2013 Champions League final win against Borussia Dortmund .

There was similar uncertainty with the national team. Germany Manager Joachim Low brought a 20-year-old Kroos to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, then used him sparingly off the bench. For Euro 2012, Low preferred the more physical midfield duo of Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira, with Mesut Ozil first-choice at No 10. Kroos’ only start was in the semi-final that Germany lost to Italy .

Many German fans and pundits — including influential ex-players — felt that Kroos’ use of possession was too slow and methodical and did not help decide games. He was not an all-action, box-to-box midfielder in the mould of greats Lothar Matthaus, Stefan Effenberg or Michael Ballack. Nor was he a floating No 10 playmaker in the line of Thomas Hassler, Mehmet Scholl or Ozil.

But Kroos thrived when Pep Guardiola arrived at Bayern in the summer of 2013 and placed him in a deeper role, giving him more influence. Now Bayern built moves slowly and painstakingly — not in the traditional, direct German approach — and Kroos was happier than ever on the pitch.

At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Low was clever enough to make use of Guardiola’s influence. Fielded as a deep playmaker, Kroos played 689 of 690 minutes as Germany won the trophy. He registered two assists in the opening 4-0 win against Portugal , provided the free kick for Mats Hummel’s winning header in the quarter-final against France and then scored two and made one in the 7-1 semi-final hammering of Brazil. His control and precision were key in the 1-0 win against Argentina in the final.

Still just 24, Kroos was about to enter the peak of his career — but another surprise decision was coming.

Within weeks of helping Germany become world champions for the fourth time in their history, Kroos left the country. Annoyed that Bayern’s hierarchy had offered a bigger contract to international team-mate Mario Gotze, he forced through a cut-price €25million (£21m; $27m) move to Madrid.

Kroos was immediately more comfortable in the Spanish capital, with coaches Carlo Ancelotti and then Zinedine Zidane trusting him with the reins of the team. The superbly balanced midfield of Kroos, Casemiro and Modric steered Madrid to a record three straight Champions League titles under Zidane from 2016-2018.

Internationally, problems were looming again. Kroos played every minute of Germany’s Euro 2016 campaign in France, where they lost 2-0 to the hosts in the semi-final. The 2018 World Cup was a disaster — although Kroos scored a fine 95th-minute free-kick winner against Sweden , defeats to Mexico and South Korea meant they exited at the group stage for the first time in 80 years.

The delayed Euro 2020 tournament brought more failure, with Kroos and Co eliminated by England in the last 16. Kroos’ central role was used by some influential figures as a sign that German football had taken a wrong turn.

“Kroos’ way of playing is completely done,” the former Germany and Bayern striker Uli Hoeness said that summer. “He no longer fits with today’s football.”

Matthaus, the 1990 World Cup-winning midfielder, agreed: “I’ve nothing against Toni Kroos, but I don’t agree with how he plays. When he passes the ball, there is hardly any gain in territory and the rhythm slows.”

Why do the numbers show that Real Madrid do better without Toni Kroos?

That criticism played a big role in Kroos’ decision to retire from international football in 2021 aged 31. If he was not wanted by his country, it wasn’t a problem — he was happy to focus on his club.

But it had not been all plain sailing at Madrid either. In the 2018-19 season, Kroos’ form dipped and he was even whistled at the Bernabeu. The press rumours were that Madrid wanted to sell him, but the club ended up extending his contract instead.

In an interview with The Athletic the following year, Kroos said he would finish his career at Madrid. The idea of playing for a smaller team, or at a less competitive level, never appealed. Nor did the idea of following his former team-mates Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to play in the Saudi Pro League.

Toni Kroos: I’m blessed with the gift of not getting nervous – ever

“They talk about ambition, but it’s all about money,” Kroos told Sports Illustrated last year. “In the end, that’s a decision for money, and against football.”

Kroos has also said the match calendar places too many demands on top players and has openly criticised governing bodies UEFA and FIFA . Spending more time with his wife and three young children was more important to him than constant travel, training and games.

So he was clear that he would stop playing once he felt he could no longer contribute at the very top. He weighed up his options last season as he watched the progress of young midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni , Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga . His final decision to retire was made in April, but he did not tell club president Florentino Perez or Ancelotti, both of whom wanted him to continue for at least another season at Madrid.

That month, Kroos returned to Munich with Madrid for a Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern. The fans who had not forgiven him for taking on the club hierarchy a decade earlier whistled him throughout. He responded with one of the great all-time individual midfield displays, capped with a perfectly timed and weighted assist for Vinicius Junior ’s opening goal.

That led to another Champions League final against another German club, Dortmund. In the build-up, Kroos publicly confirmed his decision to retire this summer. Then he provided the key moment, taking the corner that Dani Carvajal headed in to put Madrid ahead with 20 minutes remaining. It ended 2-0, with Kroos picking up a fifth Champions League winners’ medal with Madrid and a sixth in all — the joint-most with Paco Gento, Carvajal, Luka Modric and Nacho .

Kroos will not be leaving the city of Madrid anytime soon. “I’ve found in Madrid a home outside Germany,” he said in May. “I’m very comfortable here, many people love me and make me happy.”

A branch of the Toni Kroos Academy recently opened in the Spanish capital’s upmarket suburbs, near the mansion where he lives with his family. He has said he will continue the podcast he records with his brother, Felix, and will develop an ‘Icon League’ indoor football project — similar to the former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique’s Kings League.

The idea to return with Germany had started with Nagelsmann, a younger coach from the Guardiola ‘school’ who also left Bayern last year after failing to fit their ideals .

“Julian reached out to me and explained his vision for the national team,” Kroos told the magazine FourFourTwo last month. “We spoke for a very long time about his ideas and philosophies. He also asked me for mine. It was clear to us that those ideas aligned.”

Not everyone in Germany was convinced. Some pundits still felt those ideas and philosophies weren’t right for the national team. Before the tournament, captain Ilkay Gundogan was asked about some fans disparagingly referring to Kroos as ‘Querpass Toni’ — Sideways Toni. Gundogan laughed it off and praised his team-mate — perhaps not surprisingly given he is another midfielder not in the typical ‘German’ mould whose game developed under Guardiola.

Kroos’ performance against Scotland in the tournament’s opening game was a prime example of how a player can control a game using brain, not brawn. He completed 100 passes of a possible 101 and dismantled Scotland with the intelligence and accuracy of his distribution as Germany ran out 5-1 winners.

His controlled and dominant performances throughout the Euros have nixed the idea of ‘Querpass Toni’.

Kroos is top for total passes completed (419) and short passes made (202) in Germany, and he’s also top for total pass distance (7,137 yards), progressive passing distance (3,006 yards) and passes into the final third (68), and is second for key passes (13).

The progressive distance metric is the most striking — how far up the pitch his passes have moved the team. Most other players leading this category are goalkeepers and defenders who clear the ball long. After Kroos’ 770.8 yards per 90 minutes, the next midfielder on the list is his club team-mate Tchouameni for France with 477.2, then Denmark’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (310.8), Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka (294.5) and England’s Declan Rice (265.1).

Kroos is getting on the ball more than anyone else at this tournament but is also using it to damage rival teams. He often drops deep to avoid pressing opponents (see graphic below), but this also allows him to find space to quickly feed team-mates in more dangerous positions. He rarely breaks into the penalty area himself — but he doesn’t have to. It is not how traditional German midfielders used to play, but it is tremendously successful in modern football.

The German public have embraced the Kroos farewell tour. At stadiums around the country, his name features on more replica jerseys than any other. Chants of “Toni, Toni, Toni!” erupt whenever he comes over to take a corner.

That acclaim should be normal for the most decorated player in German history. He has won 34 trophies for club and country over his career — the only title missing is the European Championship . Given how the last few months have played out, it would be no surprise if he guided Germany past Spain on Friday and on to win the final in Berlin on July 14.

Despite his ability and distinguished career, Kroos has only once been named German footballer of the year (in 2018). Speaking to Kicker last month, he was asked about critics who may have been jealous of him.

“They have an opinion,” he replied. “I created facts.”

Why Toni Kroos ignored progress and stuck with his old Adidas boots

Additional reporting: Seb Stafford-Bloor, Mario Cortegana

(Top photo: PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images))

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Dermot joined The Athletic in 2020 and has been our main La Liga Correspondent up until now. Irish-born, he has spent more than a decade living in Madrid and writing about Spanish football for ESPN, the UK Independent and the Irish Examiner. Follow Dermot on Twitter @ dermotmcorrigan