Utah’s Mighty 5—Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands—offer some of the most stunning landscapes in the country. Towering red rock formations, deep canyons, and panoramic vistas create a road trip experience like no other.
Packing all five parks into three days requires early mornings, long drives, and a commitment to non-stop adventure, but the rewards make every mile worth it.
Every stop on this journey brings something unique. Zion’s massive cliffs, Bryce Canyon’s eerie hoodoos, Capitol Reef’s rugged rock formations, Arches’ famous stone bridges, and Canyonlands’ dramatic overlooks create an unforgettable mix of sights and experiences. L
odging, food options, and expert tips will help maximize time and energy, ensuring the best possible adventure.
Get ready for a high-speed, no-nonsense road trip through Utah’s Mighty 5. Every minute counts, so let’s get straight to the plan.
Day 1: Zion & Bryce Canyon – From Towering Cliffs to a Hoodoo Wonderland
The desert air is crisp, carrying whispers of adventure as the first light of dawn washes over the sandstone giants of Zion. You step out of the car, stretch your legs, and feel the hum of the earth beneath your boots. A deep inhale brings the scent of pine, dust, and the unmistakable thrill of the unknown.
Today is no ordinary day. Today, you chase sheer cliffs, winding trails, and landscapes so surreal they belong in another world. From the adrenaline rush of Angel’s Landing to the alien hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, you’re about to witness the raw, untamed beauty of Utah’s wild heart.
Morning: Zion National Park – Where Giants Touch the Sky
🚗 Arrival Tip: Gates open at 6:00 AM, but Zion waits for no one. Get there before sunrise if you want prime parking at the Visitor Center.
💰 Entry Fee: $35 per vehicle (or grab the America the Beautiful Pass for unlimited park access!)
🅿️ Best Parking: Zion Visitor Center (you’ll need to take the shuttle to most trailheads!)
Choose Your Zion Adventure
For the Thrill-Seekers
Angel’s Landing (5.4 miles round trip – permit required, dangerous, epic!)
- Grip those chains along a knife-edge ridge with 1,000-ft drop-offs.
- Feel your heart pound as the world falls away beneath you.
- Reach the summit and bask in 360° views of Zion’s red rock kingdom.
- 🛑 Warning: If you fear heights, this trail does NOT forgive mistakes.
For a Scenic & Peaceful Hike
Emerald Pools Trail (3 miles round trip – moderate)
- Wander through lush greenery (yes, in the desert!) to find cascading waterfalls.
- A cool, shady oasis with beautiful pools reflecting the sky.
- Perfect for families or those who want a relaxed hike.
📸 For That Epic Photo Without the Crowds
🌄 Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile round trip – easy, underrated!)
- Quick, breathtaking sunrise hike with panoramic views.
- No shuttle needed—drive to the trailhead yourself.
- Low effort, high reward!
Midday: The Scenic Drive to Bryce Canyon
🏜️ Route: Highway 89 – expect mind-blowing landscapes at every turn.
🚗 Drive Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (but trust me, you’ll be stopping for photos!)
🎥 Hidden Gem Stop: Red Canyon – Imagine Bryce Canyon, but without the crowds! Towering hoodoos and bright red rock tunnels make this a must-see.
🥪 Where to Refuel Before Bryce
✅ Valhalla Pizza – Affordable, wood-fired heaven.
✅ Stone Hearth Grille – A sit-down meal with canyon views.
Afternoon: Bryce Canyon – Hoodoo Wonderland Awaits
You roll into Bryce, and suddenly, the world shifts. The landscape explodes into towering hoodoos—strange, spindly rock formations glowing in shades of fiery orange and dusty pink.
🔍 Did You Know? Hoodoos are formed by thousands of years of wind, rain, and ice slowly sculpting the rock into otherworldly spires.
Top Things to Do in Bryce Canyon
✅ Bryce Amphitheater & Sunrise Point (drive-up viewpoints, no hiking required!)
- Stand at the edge of a world unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
- Perfect for golden-hour photography.
✅ Navajo Loop Trail (1.3 miles round trip – moderate, MUST-DO!)
- Descend deep into the hoodoos and walk between towering rock walls.
- Trek through Wall Street, a slot canyon hidden inside Bryce.
- Pair with Queen’s Garden Trail (total 2.9-mile loop) for a more immersive experience.
✅ Inspiration Point at Sunset
- Hoodoos glow under the last light of day, turning a deep red-orange.
- Bring a jacket—Bryce’s elevation makes it cold at night!
Evening: Rest, Refuel, Recharge
The sun dips below the hoodoos, shadows stretching across the canyon floor. The air is crisp, and a quiet settles over the landscape. You’re tired, but it’s the best kind of exhaustion—the kind that comes from seeing things most people only dream about.
Where to Sleep Near Bryce Canyon
🏨 Best Hotel: Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel (Comfort & convenience)
⛺ Best Camping: Ruby’s Inn Campground (Great for RV & tent camping!)
Where to Eat Near Bryce Canyon
🍕 Casual & Quick: Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant – Classic American comfort food.
Day 2: Capitol Reef & Canyonlands – Hidden Gems & Endless Canyons
The sun rises over Bryce Canyon, painting the hoodoos in a fiery glow one last time before you hit the road again. Your muscles are sore, your shoes are dust-covered, and you’ve already seen more jaw-dropping landscapes in one day than most people see in a lifetime.
But today? Today, you’re diving deeper into Utah’s hidden treasures.
Capitol Reef is a place most people skip—which is exactly why you should go. It’s a rugged, forgotten wonderland of ancient petroglyphs, towering cliffs, and secret slot canyons.
Then, there’s Canyonlands—a park so vast, so untamed, it feels like stepping onto another planet. Forget the crowds of Zion and Bryce—today is all about wide-open spaces and pure, wild adventure.
Morning: Capitol Reef – Utah’s Best-Kept Secret
The road stretches out before you, cutting through layers of red rock and endless desert plains. Capitol Reef is the kind of place that sneaks up on you—one moment, it’s just another stretch of highway, and the next, it’s a land of deep canyons, towering cliffs, and the silent echoes of an ancient world.
🚗 Drive Time from Bryce Canyon: ~2 hours 15 minutes (125 miles)
💰 Entry Fee: $20 per vehicle (or use the America the Beautiful Pass!)
🔍 Did You Know? Capitol Reef is named after its white sandstone domes, which early settlers thought looked like the U.S. Capitol building!
Top Things to Do in Capitol Reef
✅ Scenic Drive Through the Waterpocket Fold (Easy, must-do!)
- A stunning 8-mile drive through a geological wonderland.
- Stops include Chimney Rock, Panorama Point, and Goosenecks Overlook.
✅ Hickman Bridge Hike (2 miles round trip, moderate)
- A natural stone bridge hidden deep in the canyon.
- Short but incredibly rewarding—great for stretching your legs!
✅ Petroglyph Panel (No hiking required!)
- Stand in awe at ancient rock carvings left by the Fremont people over 1,000 years ago.
- Stop by this historic farmhouse and grab a fresh, homemade pie—flavors like apple, cherry, and peach!
- Pro tip: These sell out FAST. Get there early!
Also – Make sure to check out the caves hidden all around Zion.
Midday: Drive to Canyonlands – The Land of Endless Horizons
You leave Capitol Reef behind, the road pulling you deeper into Utah’s wild backcountry. The scenery changes every few miles, shifting from towering red cliffs to rolling desert hills, deep canyons, and ghostly rock formations.
🚗 Drive Time to Canyonlands: ~2.5 hours (155 miles)
🍽️ Lunch Stop in Moab (Gateway to Canyonlands & Arches!)
- The Spoke on Center – Best burgers & craft beer in town.
- Moab Diner – Classic American comfort food with a side of nostalgia.
- 98 Center Moab – Healthy & delicious (perfect if you want a break from heavy road trip food!).
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Afternoon: Canyonlands – A Landscape Carved by Time
You roll into Canyonlands, and suddenly, the world feels massive. Towering cliffs drop into bottomless canyons, stretching as far as the eye can see. The land is rugged, untamed, and completely untouched. This isn’t just a national park—it’s a wilderness so vast, it makes you feel like the last person on Earth. Welcome to Canyonlands.
💰 Entry Fee: $30 per vehicle (or covered by the America the Beautiful Pass!)
🔍 Did You Know? Canyonlands is bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island!
The Grand Canyon really is grand– in fact, it’s bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island! At 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and 1 mile deep, the canyon is over 1,900 square miles in total compared to Rhode Island’s 1,212. pic.twitter.com/zRSEQ0Y6Hy
— National Park Express (@nationalparkexp) March 20, 2022
Best Things to See in Canyonlands
✅ Mesa Arch – The Most Famous Sunrise Spot in Utah (0.5 miles round trip, easy!)
- If you’ve seen THAT iconic Utah sunrise photo, this is where it was taken.
- Short, easy hike with one of the most insane viewpoints in the park.
✅ Grand View Point Overlook (No hiking required!)
- Stand at the edge of a 1,000-ft cliff and take in the endless desert below.
- The name says it all—it’s the Grand View.
✅ Shafer Trail Viewpoint – A Road That Defies Gravity
- A terrifyingly steep dirt road that zigzags down the canyon walls.
- You don’t have to drive it—just stand at the top and watch the madness.
✅ Green River Overlook – Sunset Perfection
- The perfect last stop of the day.
- Watch the sun set over the canyons, turning the desert into a sea of fire and shadows.
Evening: Where to Stay Near Canyonlands
The sun sets, and the desert sky explodes with stars. This is the kind of place where the Milky Way is so bright, it feels like you could reach out and touch it. No city lights, no noise—just you, the vast open land, and a sky so big it makes you feel like a speck of dust in the universe.
Best Places to Stay Near Canyonlands
✅ Under Canvas Moab – Luxury glamping with insane night sky views.
✅ Red Cliffs Lodge – Best riverside hotel in Moab—classic Western vibes.
✅ Devil’s Garden Campground – If you want to camp under the stars.
Where to Eat in Moab
🍕 Zax Restaurant – Pizza & beer, perfect after a long day.
🌮 Quesadilla Mobilla – The best quesadillas in Utah!
🥩 Sunset Grill – Upscale dining with the best views in town.
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Day 3: Arches National Park – The Grand Finale of Red Rock Wonders
The last day of your Ultimate Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip is here. Your boots are covered in dust, your camera roll is bursting with unreal landscapes, and your soul? Completely recharged by the wild beauty of the desert. But before you hit the road home, there’s one last place waiting to blow your mind: Arches National Park.
With over 2,000 natural stone arches, this park feels like nature’s art gallery—a place where time, wind, and gravity have carved the land into something almost too perfect to be real.
Towering rock bridges, delicate sandstone windows, and winding trails lead to views that don’t just belong in travel guides—they belong in your wildest dreams.
Today is all about epic hikes, golden rock formations, and a final farewell to Utah’s rugged wonderland.
Morning: Sunrise at Arches National Park
The first light of day spills over the horizon, turning the red rock into liquid gold. You step into the park, the cool morning air crisp against your skin. The world is still quiet. Just you, the towering stone giants, and the hum of the wind through the canyons. Welcome to Arches.
🚗 Drive Time from Moab to Arches Entrance: ~10 minutes
💰 Entry Fee: $30 per vehicle (or covered by the America the Beautiful Pass!)
🔍 Pro Tip: If visiting March-October, you need a timed entry reservation between 6AM-5PM. Book in advance!
Must-See Highlights in Arches
✅ Delicate Arch – The Most Famous Rock Formation in the World (3 miles round trip, moderate)
- This iconic free-standing arch is THE symbol of Utah (yes, it’s on the license plates).
- The hike is steep, but when you reach the top and see that massive arch glowing in the morning light? Worth it.
- Get there EARLY to avoid crowds—this spot gets BUSY.
✅ The Windows Section – A Playground of Stone Giants (Easy, must-do!)
- A short trail that takes you to North & South Window Arches, Turret Arch, and Double Arch.
- Perfect for epic photos and a chill morning walk.
- Best Spot for Sunrise: Turret Arch—the light through the stone frames the sky perfectly.
✅ Landscape Arch – The Longest Arch in North America (1.6 miles round trip, easy!)
- A delicate, impossibly thin rock bridge stretching 290 feet.
- One of the most fragile formations in the park—it could collapse any day (so see it while you can!).
✅ Balanced Rock – Because Nature is Crazy (Drive-up stop!)
- A huge boulder somehow balanced perfectly on a narrow rock pedestal.
- A quick stop, but one of the weirdest and coolest formations in the park.
Midday: Lunch in Moab – The Adventure Hub of Utah
You’ve hiked through stone cathedrals, now it’s time to celebrate with some damn good food.
Where to Eat in Moab
✅ Moab Brewery – Best burgers and beers in town.
✅ Quesadilla Mobilla – Food truck with massive, cheesy, delicious quesadillas.
✅ 98 Center Moab – Fresh, healthy bowls & Vietnamese food (because greens matter, too).
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Afternoon: One Last Adventure – The Final Road Stretch
Before heading out, take one last scenic drive through Arches. The beauty here never gets old, and there’s no better way to say goodbye to Utah’s Mighty 5 than soaking in the view one last time.
🚗 Best Scenic Stops on the Way Out
✅ Fiery Furnace Overlook – A maze of twisting rock spires that look like flames frozen in stone.
✅ Park Avenue Viewpoint – A canyon so massive it looks like a desert version of New York City.
🚗 Final Drive Back to Civilization
- If you’re heading to Salt Lake City: ~3.5 hours (230 miles).
- If you’re returning to Las Vegas: ~6.5 hours (460 miles).
- If you’re extending your adventure: Consider swinging by Monument Valley on your way out for one last taste of cinematic desert magic.
FAQs
1. What is the best time of year to do the Mighty 5 road trip for fewer crowds and good weather?
The best months for mild weather and fewer crowds are late March to early May and September to early November. These months avoid the extreme summer heat and heavy tourist season while still providing comfortable temperatures for hiking.
Winter is an option, but some roads and trails (especially in Bryce Canyon) may be closed due to snow.
2. Are there gas stations and convenience stores available between the parks?
Gas stations are widely available in Moab, Springdale, and near Bryce Canyon, but some stretches between Capitol Reef and Canyonlands can be long and remote with few services.
It’s best to fill up whenever you pass a town and carry extra water and snacks. Hanksville (near Capitol Reef) is one of the last places for gas before heading toward Canyonlands.
3. Can I do the Mighty 5 road trip in a camper van or RV?
Yes! All five national parks have RV-friendly campgrounds, but you’ll need to book in advance, especially for spots within the parks. Some key considerations:
- Zion has Watchman Campground, which is RV-friendly with electrical hookups.
- Arches and Canyonlands have Devil’s Garden and Island in the Sky Campgrounds, but no hookups.
- Capitol Reef has Fruita Campground, which is one of the best RV spots in the parks.
- Some roads (like Shafer Trail in Canyonlands) are NOT suitable for RVs or trailers.
4. Are there any safety concerns, such as wildlife or hiking dangers, I should be aware of?
Yes! Utah’s national parks are remote and rugged, so keep these safety tips in mind:
- Wildlife: You may encounter bighorn sheep, mule deer, and even mountain lions (rare). Never feed or approach wildlife.
- Flash Floods: In slot canyons and low-lying areas (like The Narrows in Zion), flash floods can occur even if it’s not raining where you are. Always check the weather forecast and park alerts before heading out.
- Extreme Heat: Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C) in most of the parks. Carry extra water (1 gallon per person, per day), wear sun protection, and avoid hiking in the midday heat.
- Altitude Sickness: Bryce Canyon sits at 8,000–9,000 feet (2,400–2,700 meters)—some people experience headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Stay hydrated and take it slow if you’re not used to high elevations.
5. Can I bring my dog on the Mighty 5 road trip?
Dogs are allowed in all five parks but with severe restrictions:
- Dogs are NOT allowed on most trails or backcountry areas in Zion, Bryce, Arches, Capitol Reef, or Canyonlands.
- The only pet-friendly trail inside Zion is the Pa’rus Trail.
- Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, parking lots, and along paved roads but must be leashed at all times.
- If traveling with a pet, Moab, Springdale, and nearby towns have dog-friendly accommodations and kennels for day-use boarding while you explore.
Last Words
Three days may feel short, but the memories, the sights, and the sheer wonder of these parks will stay with you long after the trip ends. Whether you’re chasing sunrises, conquering challenging trails, or simply soaking in the beauty of the open road, this adventure is one for the books.
So pack your bags, hit the road, and let Utah’s Mighty 5 show you why nature truly is the greatest artist.