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Ultimate Utah Road Trip Itinerary and National Parks Travel Guide
There are many epic road trip itineraries to explore the United States. This ultimate road trip through Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks includes Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park with nearby State Parks, National Monuments, Tribal Lands, and scenic byways sprinkled throughout. Red rock country is gorgeous! You will find forest, desert, red canyons, deep gorges, arches, natural bridges, hoodoos, spires, mesas, petroglyphs, and Native American ruins. Adventure lovers will enjoy hiking, cycling, mountain biking, river rafting, kayaking, off-roading, and sandboarding. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this ultimate Utah road trip itinerary.
You are excited to begin your road trip through Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, must-see attractions, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do on a road trip through Utah while working full time is overwhelming and you don’t have hours to spend on the internet. This Utah travel guide for first-time visitors includes the best time to travel, must-see attractions, where to eat, where to stay, and the expected budget. Be sure to bookmark this day-by-day Utah road trip itinerary.
When is the Best Time to Visit Utah’s National Parks?
April–May, and September–October are the best times to visit Utah and its national parks. Crowds and temperatures are moderate in the spring and fall. Flowers bloom in the spring and leaves change colors in the fall. Summer brings crowded parks with long wait times to enter and extreme desert heat. Snow and freezing temperatures are common in the winter.
What is the Best Way to Travel to Utah and its National Parks?
The most convenient way to access the area is to begin and end this Utah Grand Circle road trip from either Las Vegas International Airport or Grand Junction Regional Airport. From there rent a car or camper van. Note: many places are remote and require a 4×4 vehicle. While not necessary, I do recommend spending the extra money. I did not and then it rained. As a result, I missed a few places I really wanted to explore, don’t be me!
Utah Mighty 5 Grand Circle Utah Road Trip Itinerary Highlights
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is known for its popular Angel’s Landing and Narrows hikes. This park has narrow slot canyons, sandstone cliffs, hoodoos, mesas, waterfalls, hanging gardens, weeping walls, bighorn sheep, falcons, and condors. Mormons named the area Zion, peaceful resting place. Hiking, rock climbing, canyoneering, big wall climbing, and rappelling are popular park activities.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument is a natural amphitheater of red, orange, and pink hues with hoodoos, bristlecone pines, and a green mountain backdrop. Described as the “Circle of Painted Cliffs, the area has 5 scenic overlooks and is often referred to as a mini–Bryce Canyon without the crowds.
Red Canyon
Utah’s Red Canyon is located between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in the Dixie National Forest. It is known for its bright red rocks, hoodoos, turrets, pinnacles, and spires cut into the limestone of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Red Canyon is one of the most photographed places in Utah and has been called “the little Bryce Canyon”. This is a great place to stop for a picnic breakfast followed by an hour or two exploring the areas hoodoos and arches against the green forest before continuing on to Bryce Canyon. There is no fee to visit Red Canyon.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its amphitheater of ed, orange, pink, and white hoodoos. You will also find slot canyons, fins, arches, spires, arches, bridges, a cave, and a waterfall. Mountain lions, pronghorn deer, prairie dogs, and chipmunks live in the canyon. Park activities include 60 miles of hiking trails, ranger-led horseback rides, and cycling.
Willis Creek Slot Canyon
Easy to access slot canyon with walls 100 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The 2.6-mile round trip hike does cross a creek with 1-2 inches of water, plan appropriately. The road to Willis Creek Slot Canyon is rough and may require a 4×4 vehicle.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Kodachrome Basin State Park is known for its multicolored rock dunes of red, pink, yellow, and white. The area is full of monolithic stone spires, hoodoos, chimneys, and red slick rock sandstone. Camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and stargazing are popular activities. Kodachrome Basin State Park is located in the southern Utah desert Colorado Plateau.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is known for its sand pipe formations and cliffs of pink, gray, white, vermillion, and chocolate rock. You will find everything Utah’s National Parks are known for: scenic drives, desert waterfalls, narrow slot canyons, natural bridges, arches, toadstools, slick rock canyons, badlands, green forests, and pictographs. Popular activities in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument include hiking, off-roading, swimming under waterfalls, and camping. This area is remote and huge (1.9 million acres). Do not skip Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument if you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is often called ‘The Land of the Sleeping Rainbow’. It is located in Northeast Utah’s Waterpocket Fold. You will find colorful canyons, sandstone cliffs, white domes, box canyons, slot canyons, buttes, cathedrals, monoliths, arches, bridges, waterfalls, petroglyphs, orchards, mountains lions, and bighorn sheep. Capitol Reef National Park receives 1.25 million visitors annually and is the least visited of Utah’s Big 5 National Parks.
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park is known for its 1000s of stone gnomes. You will find toadstools, hoodoos, petroglyphs, and pictographs in the park. Hiking, camping, mountain biking, and disc golf are all popular day trip activities.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is known for its amazing natural arch formations. You will also find towers, pinnacles, monoliths, sand dunes, sandstone fins, hoodoos, balanced rocks, slot canyon mazes, and slick rock. Not to miss park highlights include Delicate Arch, Double Arch, Landscape Arch, Window Trail, and Park Avenue Trail. Park activities include hiking, camping, scrambling, canyoneering, horseback riding, rock climbing, and stargazing. Over 1.5 million people visit Arches National Park each year.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is well known for its Island in the Sky mesa. You will find mesas, buttes, slot canyons, spires, arches, petroglyphs, and rock art. Hiking, camping, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and back roading are popular activities in this park. Park highlights include Shafer Trail, Mesa Arch, Grand View Overlook, and Green River Overlook.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park is a peninsula that extends from Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky. It is known for its view of the gooseneck bend of the Colorado River 2000 feet below and is one of the most photographed vistas in the world. This park has an eight-mile trail system with several hiking spurs and 8 overlooks. Many hikes are over slick rock and marked by cairns. There is also a 16.6 mountain biking track. Dead Horse Point is a great place to watch the sunset and see the Milky Way. Across the canyon from Dead Horse Point is the set of the final scene in the 1991 film Thelma and Louise where they drove off the cliff into the Grand Canyon. It is possible to visit Thelma and Louise Point if you have a high-clearance vehicle.
Bears Ears National Monument
Bears Ears National Monument is full of cliff dwellings, the most well-known are Butler Ruins and House on Fire. Both areas are easily accessed between Blanding Utah and Natural Bridges National Monument near Highway 95. You must arrive at House on Fire between 10-11 am to see the sun reflect on the rocks as if it is fire.
Natural Bridges National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument is an off-the-beaten-path adventure lover’s dream located in White Canyon. The 8.7-mile loop trail under the monument’s 3 iconic bridges involves steel stairs, ladders, walks along a narrow ledge, slick rock, creek crossings, and boulder scrambling. If you are not up to that hike, the scenic drive provides views of each bridge and the trail to Owachomo Bridge is short and easy. You will also find white canyons, cliff dwellings, and petroglyphs.
Moki Dugway
The Moki Dugway connects Utah Highway 95 with US Highway 163. The 3-mile road is graded dirt with switchbacks carved from the cliff face of Cedar Mesa with an 11% grade. This scenic backway winds 1,200 feet from the valley floor providing views of Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley. The road is passable in passenger cars with caution, drive slowly as there are no guardrails. The road is open year-round but not passable during or after a storm.
Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods is located 15 miles west of Butte Utah. The valley has been called a mini Monument Valley without the crowds. Explore the sandstone valley of buttes, monoliths, and pinnacles on a 17-mile dirt road. There are no hiking trails in Valley of the Gods, visitors are free to explore the area on foot. Be on the lookout for rattlesnakes. The road through the valley is not well maintained. High clearance vehicles are suggested but the road can be traveled by passenger car. Drive slow, there are no services and likely no one near to help should you run into trouble. There are no fees or permits required to visit or primitive camp at Valley of the Gods.
Goosenecks State Park
The Goosenecks Overlook has one scenic vista 1,100 feet above the San Juan River’s six-mile entrenched river meander resembling a symmetrical pattern of 3 goosenecks. The river flows 12 miles through the meander. This is a great spot for a picnic or stargazing. There are no maintained trails or access to the San Juan River at Goosenecks State Park.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley Navajo Park is one of America’s most iconic landscapes, second to the Grand Canyon. The 92,000-acre desert valley is full of sandstone buttes, colossal mesas, and panoramic vistas. Be sure to take the scenic drive to John Ford Point and eat a Navajo Taco while in the area. Monument Valley is a sacred piece of Navajo Culture and much of it is only accessible by a Navajo guide. Scenic drives and hot air balloon rides are popular activities in Monument Valley.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is an off the beaten path area full of coral sandstone dunes, dune grass, juniper trees, and pine trees against a bright blue sky. Popular park activities include sand sledding, sandboarding, and ATV use.
Snow Canyon State Park
Snow Canyon State Park is best known for its red and white sandstone cliffs, petrified sand dunes, and lava tubes. Popular activities include hiking, cycling, horseback riding, canyoneering, rock climbing, and camping.
How Long Do You Need to See Utah’s National Parks?
7-day Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip:
Begin Las Vegas Nevada. Visit Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Willis Creek Slot Canyon, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park. End in Grand Junction Colorado.
10-day Utah Grand Circle Road Trip:
This day-by-day Utah road trip Itinerary begins and ends in Las Vegas Nevada. Visit Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Willis Creek Slot Canyon, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Bears Ears National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, Mogi Dugway, Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks State Park, Mexican Hat, Monument Valley, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Snow Canyon State Park.
14-day Utah National Parks and Lake Powell Road Trip:
Follow the 10-day itinerary and add stops at Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon.
READ Travel Guide Grand Canyon, East Rim, for First-Time Visitors
21-day Utah National Parks and Grand Canyon Road Trip:
Follow the 10-day itinerary and add stops at Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, Flagstaff Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, Route 66, and Las Vegas
READ Amazing Day Trips from Flagstaff Arizona
How Expensive is a Utah Road Trip?
The average daily budget for a Utah National Park road trip is $200 for one person. This includes gas, a rental car, lodging, food, drink, and entry fees. If you choose to stay in campgrounds, be sure to bring cash. Click through on each destination for more information. My total cost for the following 10-day itinerary in October 2021 was $2818.
Breakdown is as follows:
Round trip air to Las Vegas Nevada: $174
Rental car begin/end Las Vegas Nevada: $687
Budget Hotel for 10 days: $1167
America the Beautiful Pass: $80
State Park and Attraction Fees: $186
Gas: $324
Food: $200 (per person)
What do you pack for a Utah National Park Road Trip?
The majority of this route is remote, you will not be able to stop at Walmart to pick up a jacket. The desert is chilly in the morning and evening but hot midday during the Spring and Fall. I checked the weather and only brought one pair of long pants, that was a mistake. Also, I was caught in a sleet storm on a hiking trail at Arches on October 13th. In sum, you need everything: long pants, hiking shorts, T-Shirts, a hoodie, a jacket, an umbrella, gloves, sunscreen, a soft cooler, and ice packs. It is possible to cram it all into a carry-on with packing cubes. Also, be sure to stop at a store when you arrive in Las Vegas to stock up on water, snacks, and bug spray. Double-check that your reserved lodging has a refrigerator for picnic lunch supplies and to refreeze the ice packs.
Day by Day Guide for a Utah Road Trip Itinerary for the Grand Circle
ROUTE AT A GLANCE:
MILES: 1400 miles
HOW MANY DAYS: 10
In the following Utah road trip itinerary, I have already mapped out the best route to see the most amazing sites. I always map out my points of interest in google maps. For this Utah road trip itinerary, I suggest using a paper map or printing out the google maps you create for reference. I did not have cell service more than I had it and had a few hiccups as a result.
Day 0: Arrive in Las Vegas
Yep, Day 0! There is so much to see and do on this trip (and so little PTO) that Day 0 is required. Book your flight to Las Vegas in the evening. Be packed and ready to go after work. I took my airplane outfit to work with me, changed quickly before I left the office and my ride to the airport was waiting for me when I got home. Pick up the rental car and stop for water, snacks, and bug spray before checking into the hotel for the night. Get to bed early, tomorrow starts early and is a long day. If you are a night owl, consider making the 3-hour drive to Zion this day and check into a hotel in Springdale Utah.
Day 1: Zion National Park, Dixie Forest, Cedar Breaks National Monument
6:30 am Arrive at Zion National Forest for the 7am shuttle. Bring your lunch and plan to spend 7 hours in the park.
Zion National Park highlights include:
Shuttle Stop 9: Hike the Riverwalk Trail to the Narrows, 2 miles/1.5 hours.
Shuttle Stop 8: Stop for a photo of Big Bend.
Shuttle Stop 5: Hike to Lower and Middle Emerald Pool, 1.7 mile/1.5 hours.
Shuttle Stop 4: Stop for a photo of the Court of the Patriarchs.
Shuttle Stop 3: Stop for a photo of Canyon Junction photo from the bridge.
Drive Zion-Mount Carmel Highway/tunnel, hike Canyon Overlook Trail 1 mile/1 hour, and photograph the Checkerboard Mesa.
3 pm Stop by Aspen Mirror Lake and take the Burr Trail Scenic Byway through Dixie National Forest.
4 pm Drive through the Cedar Breaks National Monument stopping to take in the views from the 5 overlooks.
Overnight in Panguitch UT.
READ Zion National Park Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
Day 2: Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park
7 am Drive through the gorgeous Red Canyon on the way to Bryce. Stop to hike the .6 mile arches trail, .7 mile pink ledges, or .3 mile hoodoo trail.
9 am Arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park, plan to spend 7 hours in the park.
Hike the Navajo Loop through Wall Street and connect to the Queen’s Garden 3 miles, bring water!
Drive the scenic drive to the Natural Bridge.
Not to miss overlooks include Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Bryce Point, Paria.
5 pm Mossy Cave (waterfall) 1 mile RT/1 hr.
Overnight Tropic UT.
READ Red Canyon Utah Must See Road Trip Stop
READ Bryce Canyon National Park Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
Day 3: Willis Creek Slot Canyon, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
7 am Arrive at Willis Creek Slot Canyon, and hike the 1.8 RT trail/2 hours (4×4 vehicle suggested).
10 am Arrive at Kodachrome Basin State Park. Allow 2 hours to hike the Panorama Trail past the Indian Cave, Ballerina Spire, and Hat Shop.
Noon Have a picnic lunch and continue on to Grosvenor Arch, a 30-minute drive.
1 pm Drive Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Scenic Hwy 12 to Devils Garden.
3 pm Drive the gorgeous Burr Trail to the Long Canyon; make a quick stop at the Singing Canyon on the way.
Note: the map to the Waterpocket Fold switchbacks is deceptive. The drive is long and the road is rough, 4×4 is suggested.
4 pm Have dinner at Hell’s Backbone café before continuing the drive on Scenic Hwy 12 to Torrey Utah.
Overnight Torrey UT.
READ Kodachrome Basin State Park Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
READ Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
Day 4: Capitol Reef National Park and Goblin Valley State Park
7 am Drive Scenic Hwy 24 toward Capitol Reef National Park. Take a morning hike around Chimney Rock, 1.8 miles. Then cross the street and photograph Panorama Point and the Goosenecks Overlook.
10 am Drive the Capitol Gorge scenic road. Hike a portion of Grand Wash or Capitol Gorge to the Pioneer Register, 2 miles RT.
Noon Stop at Gifford Homestead for a picnic lunch and treat yourself to a homemade pie.
1 pm Hike 3.5 RT to Cassidy Arch. Or, return to Hwy 24 and stop at the Fruita Schoolhouse and Petroglyphs Panels on the way to the Hickman Bridge Trail. Hike the 2RT to the bridge. It is uphill, bring water!
3 pm Continue on Hwy 24 through a landscape that resembles Mars to Goblin Valley State Park and walk through the valley floor.
Overnight Green River, UT.
READ Capitol Reef National Park Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
READ Planning a Goblin Valley State Park Day Trip
Day 5: Arches National Park
7 am Drive 1 hour to Arches National Park. Follow the scenic drive to the Devil’s Garden Trailhead. Stop at the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint and Surprise Arch along the way.
11 am Hike the Devil’s Garden to Landscape Arch 1.6 RT. Return to the split in the trail and visit Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch. Enjoy a picnic lunch here under Pine Tree Arch.
4 pm Check out the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint before hiking to Delicate Arch for sunset.
Overnight Moab, UT.
Day 6: Arches National Park
6 am Arrive at Arches National Park and hike the Windows Trail for sunrise at Turret Arch, then visit the North and South Windows. Cross the parking area to visit Double Arch.
9 am Next, hike to Tapestry Arch 0.6 mile, Skyline Arch .5 mile, Sand Dune Arch .3 mile.
11 am Walk the Park Avenue Trail sandstone monoliths to Courthouse Towers before exiting the park.
1 pm Return to Moab for lunch and relax before making your way to the 5:45pm Moab Sound and Light Show with Dinner.
Overnight Moab, UT.
READ Arches National Park Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
Day 7: Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park
7 am Arrive at Canyonlands Mesa Arch for sunrise.
8 am Hike to Grand View overlook (2 miles) or White Rim (2 miles).
10 am Stop by the Buck Canyon, Candlestick, Green River Overlooks.
11 am Hike to Upheaval Dome, 2 miles (or at least to first overlook).
1 pm Check out the view from Shafer Canyon and across from the visitor center.
2 pm Leave Canyonlands and drive to Dead Horse Point State Park, take in the view from the Meander Overlook and Neck Overlook.
3:30 pm Leave Dead Horse Point State Park and drive down Hwy 191 to Blanding. Stop at Hole in the Rock and Wilson Arch before driving to Newspaper Rock. If time permits, continue from Newspaper Rock to the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park and drive the scenic road.
Overnight Blanding UT.
READ Canyonlands National Park Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
Day 8: Cedar Mesa: Bears Ears National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, Moki Dugway, Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks State Park, Mexican Hat
8:30 am Hike to House on Fire and the way to Natural Bridges National Monument.
11:30 am Arrive at Natural Bridges National Monument and drive the scenic loop. Hike to the ledge for a close view of Sipapu and check out Kachina Bridge from the viewpoint. Walk to the valley floor to view Owachomo Bridge.
1 pm Leave Natural Bridges and drive the Moki Dugway switchbacks. Stop to take in the view of the Valley of the Gods.
4:30 pm Arrive at Goosenecks State Park viewpoint, (30 min drive)
5:30 pm Stop to photograph the Mexican Hat formation and continue toward Monument Valley stopping at Forrest Gump Hill for a photo.
7 pm Have dinner at The View restaurant, try the Navajo Taco.
Overnight The View Hotel Monument Valley.
READ Cedar Mesa: Road Trip Stops Canyonlands National Park to Monument Valley Travel Guide
READ Natural Bridges National Monument Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
Day 9: Monument Valley, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Snow Canyon State Park
7 am Take the Monument Valley Scenic Drive, do not miss John Ford Point.
Choose to hike Antelope Canyon X, sandboard in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, or hike Snow Canyon State Park before returning to Las Vegas.
6 pm Arrive in Las Vegas. Have a good meal, see a Las Vegas show or attend a concert tonight.
Overnight Las Vegas
READ Monument Valley Navajo Park Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
Day 10: Las Vegas
Spend some time exploring the Las Vegas strip, hike the wave at Valley of Fire, or check out Hoover Dam before returning the rental car and catching your return flight.
READ Ultimate Guide to Las Vegas Casino Hopping on the Strip
READ Top 10 Things to Do in Las Vegas Nevada
Be sure to check Visit Utah’s Mighty 5 website for current events.
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Plan Your Utah Road Trip Itinerary for the Mighty 5 National Parks
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