Utah, and its Stunning Five National Parks, is the perfect destination for a family road trip. The drive, through this iconic landscape, is completely breathtaking. The unique landscape found in each national park is mind-blowing. The sunrises/ sunsets across this red rock wonderland are simply magical. And the hiking trails are absolutely spectacular. This rugged, desert landscape is simply begging to be explored. And the possibilities seem endless of all that you can do.
You can watch the sunrise across a wonderland of bizarre hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park. Climb up to Scout Lookout for a gorgeous panoramic view at Zion National Park. Explore an incredible 100 mile long Water Pocket Fold at Capitol Reef National Park. Gaze out over a magnificent canyon at Canyonlands National Park. And you can watch the sunset, light up gorgeous red sandstone arches at Arches National Park.
With so many choices, and usually limited time, it can be hard to figure out how to best see this magnificent state on a road trip. This is where I’d like to help.
In this post, find out how you can see all five of these amazing national parks in Utah, plus an incredible state park, in one action packed 7-day road trip. With more time, you could explore even more of these parks or even add on a few extra bucket list destinations like Monument Valley, Dinosaur National Monument, or the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
Utah National Parks Road Trip Guide
7-Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary
Additional Sites With A Little More Time
Zion National Park is a completely breath-taking national park that is filled with majestic views and incredible hikes. It’s one of the top national parks in the entire country and a must see destination when visiting Utah. Due to its high popularity, cars are not allowed on the main road into this park for most of the year, but a free shuttle will get you to wherever you need to go.
Don’t miss the insane beauty of driving UT-9 between the East Entrance of Zion and the 1 mile long Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel (this section is not closed to cars during the year.) It’s absolutely spectacular! (See below)
Zion National Park
(Information & How to Visit)
Cost: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
- Use the America the Beautiful Pass (Ideal for a Utah National Parks Road Trip.)
- Or if you have a 4th Grader – it’s Free!
Read More: Discover the Free 4th Grade National Park Pass (+7 More Ways to Save)
Zion Canyon Shuttle: To get into the heart of the park (and most of the top hikes) you’ll need to ride the free Zion Canyon Shuttle. This picks up at the Visitor Center which is located on the north side of Springdale. Lines for the shuttle can be extremely long in the morning so try and beat the crowds by catching the first one of the day if you can.
Top Hikes in Zion that Require the Shuttle:
- Angels Landing (but for families – go to Scout Lookout. This is the same trail as the popular Angels Landing, but without the scary, chain holding climb at the end of the Angels Landing hike.)
- Emerald Pools + Kayenta Trail Loop
- The Narrows (special water shoes & hiking stick may be needed for this incredible cold water, slot canyon hike.) Riverside Walk is the trail to The Narrows trailhead. This is a flat and easy trail along the river, but we found it incredibly crowded.
- Observation Point, Hidden Canyon and Weeping Rock are also top hikes, but these have been closed for a while due to a major rockfall.
Top Zion Hikes that Don’t Require the Shuttle:
- Canyon Overlook Trail – This trailhead is located near the east entrance of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel on UT-9. Parking is extremely limited, but the trail is short and has an incredible view.
- Watchman Trail – This trailhead starts at the Visitor Center which is located on the northside of Springdale.
Zion in One Day:
- If you are planning to hike up to Scout Lookout (or onto Angels Landing) OR you would like to hike The Narrows, do this first thing in the morning. These trails become very crowded later in the day, and if it’s in the summer you’ll want to hike early to beat the heat.
- In the afternoon, choose a shorter trail like the Emerald Pools, Watchman Trail or Canyon Overlook. (You can even add one of these hikes to the afternoon when you first arrive, if you arrive early enough.)
- By late afternoon you’ll be ready to drive, and rest your legs during this hotter portion of the day, to your next destination. (This is a great time for kids to rest in the car too.)
- Planning Note:
- Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon is a 2 hour drive
If You Have More Than One Day:
- You could easily spread out the big hikes and do one each morning.
- With more time you could also possibly explore the Kolob Canyons on the northern side of the park.
Where We Stayed:
We stayed at La Quinta by Wyndham at Zion Park/ Springdale. This is an incredible hotel for families! We stayed in a family suite that had a king sized bed in one room and a bunk bed in a separate room. This hotel also has free breakfast (and they will make a To-Go breakfast for you if you’re heading out to the park really early.) And, this hotel is only 1 mile from the Visitor Center, which makes catching the first Shuttle of the day so convenient. We really enjoyed our stay here so if you’re looking for a place to stay while visiting Zion, make sure you check this hotel out.
Bryce Canyon National Park is an absolutely breath-taking destination where gorgeous hoodoo filled amphitheaters completely dominate the landscape. These incredible columns of rock (called hoodoos) can be easily viewed from above at numerous panoramic vistas (as shown above) or by taking a phenomenal hike down into the canyon to walk among them (as shown below.) This is the largest concentration of hoodoos in the entire world and to me, Bryce Canyon is one of the most gorgeous places on Earth!
Bryce Canyon National Park
(Information & How to Visit)
Cost:$35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
- Use the America the Beautiful Pass (Ideal for a Utah National Parks Road Trip)
- Or if you have a 4th Grader – it’s Free!
Read More: Discover the Free 4th Grade National Park Pass (+7 More Ways to Save)
Top Viewpoints by Car or Shuttle:
- Sunrise Point
- Sunset Point
- Inspiration Point
- Bryce Point
- Yovimpa Point
- Rainbow Point
- Fairyland Point (just outside the park)
Top Hikes in Bryce Canyon:
- Sunset Point to Sunrise Point along Rim Trail (easy & flat)
- From Sunrise Point, hike Queens Garden Trail/ Navajo Loop & up through Wall Street for a 3.2 mile hike.
- For a longer 6.3 mile hike, add Peekaboo Loop to make a Figure 8 from the Queens Garden Trail.
- These hikes take you past the best scenery in the park.
- Fairyland Loop is just outside the park and takes you on a strenuous, but rewarding 8 mile hike. This trail is sure to get you away from the crowds.
Bryce Canyon in One Day:
- Begin your morning early with watching the sunrise from Sunset Point. Yes, Sunset Point. And then watch it as you walk to Sunrise Point. (Bryce Canyon is spectacular at sunrise.) There is a big parking lot at Sunset Point with restrooms.
- Walk from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point along Rim Trail. Continue from here and hike the Queens Garden Trail. Depending on how long you want to hike, either continue on the Peekaboo Figure 8 addition or finish the loop on the Navajo Trail and up through Wall Street.
- Our family hiked the entire Figure 8 with the Peekaboo addition in 4 hours and 45 minutes, so this addition does take up the entire morning.
- After hiking, Drive to Inspiration Point and Bryce Point for some gorgeous panorama views.
- From here you can continue to each view point along the drive. (Bryce Point to Rainbow Point, at the end of the road, is a 30 minute one way drive. This does not include any stops at the viewpoints. So make sure you grab lunch first if it’s near lunch time.) If you are looking for a picnic lunch spot, Fairyland Point, just outside the park, near town, has picnic tables and gorgeous views.
- So if you begin at sunrise, you should be able to see & do everything mentioned above in an action packed day and be done before 3pm. This would give you plenty of time to drive to the next destination, during the heat of the afternoon, and arrive by dinnertime.
- Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park is 2 hours 45minutes if you take the Top Scenic Drive UT-12. (GPS will likely take you on a different, quicker road, so if you are wanting this scenic road, make sure you adjust your route.)
If You Have More than One Day:
- Add the Fairyland Loop Trail
Where We Stayed:
We stayed at the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon. This hotel has free breakfast (and they will make up To-Go bags if you’re trying to catch an early sunrise), a laundry facility and it is only 3 miles from the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. We enjoyed our stay here.
Capitol Reef National Park is a true treasure in Utah. Gorgeous cliffs, impressive canyons, magnificent arches (see above) and stunning scenic drives (see below) fill the landscape everywhere you look. Created from a 100 mile long waterpocket fold (a geologic wrinkle) in the Earth’s crust, this landscape is fantastically ancient-looking and is just begging to be explored.
Capitol Reef has incredible hikes for all skill levels, ancient petroglyphs located right off the main road, an early Mormon Settlement (located at the Fruita District) with fresh homemade pies, and stunning scenic drives on both smooth, paved roads that follow the waterpocket fold and on dirt, spur roads that lead into the heart of its incredible gorges.
And yet, Capitol Reef is not crowded like some of the other impressive national parks in Utah. But to me, this makes Capitol Reef even more appealing, and it only adds to the beauty of this incredible landscape.
Capitol Reef National Park
(Information & How to Visit)
Cost: $20 per vehicle, valid for 7 days, to drive the Scenic Drive. It is free to drive through the park on Highway 24.
- Use the America the Beautiful Pass (Ideal for a Utah National Parks Road Trip)
- Or if you have a 4th Grader – it’s Free!
Read More: Discover the Free 4th Grade National Park Pass (+7 More Ways to Save)
Top Things To Do in Capitol Reef:
- Hick Hickman Bridge Trail
- Drive the 16 mile round-trip, Scenic Drive
- Drive Capitol Gorge Road
- Hike Cassidy Arch
- Fremont Petroglyphs (a quick roadside stop)
- Stop at the Gifford House for homemade pies and cinnamon rolls. ( We thought that this was just ok, but a lot of people love this so I wanted to include it here.)
Capitol Reef in Half a Day:
- Begin your morning by hiking Hickman Bridge, a 133 foot beautiful, curved arch. (This trailhead has a small parking lot that fills up later in the morning.)
- Make a quick stop to check out the Fremont Petroglyphs.
- Stop at the Gifford House (if interested) and pick up some snacks.
- Drive the Capitol Reef 16-mile round trip Scenic Drive.
- At the end of this out and back road, turn left onto Capitol Gorge Road and drive 2.3 miles to the Capitol Gorge Trailhead.
- Here you can turn around and drive out.
If You Have a Full Day at Capitol Reef:
- After Driving Capitol Gorge Road, hike Capitol Gorge Trail.
- Drive Grand Wash. This is off of the Scenic Drive. Hike to Cassidy Arch.
If You Have More Than One Day:
- Drive the 58 mile loop through Cathedral Valley. See the Temple of the Sun & the Temple of the Moon.
Where We Stayed:
We stayed at the Capitol Reef Resort. This is about 10 minutes from Capitol Reef National Park. We really enjoyed our stay here, but I wouldn’t call this hotel a “resort.” So don’t expect something really fancy if you stay here. We enjoyed our room and our stay, but it was the patio in front of our room with the gorgeous view that makes me love this hotel. (see below)
Ok, so this is a State Park, not a National Park, but it’s right on the way to the next National Parks and so I wanted to include it briefly here.
Goblin Valley State Park is an absolutely spectacular rock wonderland that is a must-see road trip stop while traveling in Utah. This state park lies between Capitol Reef National Park and the area of Arches National Park and Canyonlands. Here, fantastic looking hoodoos dominate this valley everywhere you look. Each, being so unique and so bizarre. It’s almost overwhelming when you try and take it all in.
To me, these hoodoos almost looked like little mushroom houses, think the Smurfs. You could also think this looks like a valley of little goblins. The hoodoos here are unlike any others I’ve ever come across and just thinking about them makes me smile. Goblin Valley State Park is an amazing destination to visit, even if you only have an hour to explore. This makes it a perfect road trip stop in Utah when visiting its Stunning Five National Parks.
Goblin Valley State Park Road Trip Stop
Cost: $20 per vehicle
Top Things to Do:
- There are no designated trails in this valley, so you can wander among the hoodoos for as long as or short as you want.
- This is a spectacular road trip stop or a great place for a picnic lunch when traveling between Capitol Reef and Arches/ Canyonlands National Parks.
- Goblin Valley is 1 hour 20 minutes east of Capitol Reef and 1 hour and 40 minutes west of Moab (which is where you’ll find both Arches National Park and Canyonlands.)
- Warning: It can be extremely hot here. We ended up eating our picnic lunch in our car instead of at their picnic tables, which was fine for us.
- We also were only able to play among the hoodoos for about 30 minutes due to the intense heat when we visited in June. It was 101 degrees. So please stay hydrated and make sure kids don’t get heat exhaustion if it is this hot out. The problem is, is that kids will be having so much fun running around these incredible hoodoos that they won’t even realize how hot they are getting. But that also tells you, just how much fun this little park is!
Read More:
Canyonlands National Park is a fantastic landscape filled with countless picturesque canyons and numerous towering buttes, that were all formed by the mighty Colorado River and its tributaries.
Three distinct sections make up Canyonlands. The Island in the Sky is the most accessible and most popular to visit (shown above). With numerous stunning panoramic overlooks and short hikes along its 34 mile roundtrip mesa top drive, Island in the Sky is the perfect place to start for first time visitors. The Needles section offers more of a back country experience. And The Maze is the most remote and rugged, requiring 4-wheel drive and considerably more time. With no roads directly linking these three districts most people choose just one of these areas to visit on a trip.
Canyonlands is the largest national park in Utah and its diverse beauty is absolutely staggering. Whether you only have a few hours to visit or you’re visiting for a few days, Canyonlands is sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Canyonlands National Park
(Information & How to Visit)
Cost: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
- Use the America the Beautiful Pass (Ideal for a Utah National Parks Road Trip)
- Or if you have a 4th Grader – it’s Free!
Read More: Discover the Free 4th Grade National Park Pass (+7 More Ways to Save)
Top Things to Do:
- Island in the Sky:
- Shafer Canyon Viewpoint
- Mesa Arch
- Buck Canyon Overlook
- White Rim Overlook
- Grand View Point Overlook
If You Have Half a Day at Canyonlands:
- Please note that it is a 20 miles, one way, from US-191 to the Canyonlands Visitor Center. Then it is an additional 12 miles to get from the Visitor Center to Grand View Point.
- From the interstate, it takes about 45 minutes to drive straight to Grand View Point Overlook, one way. Plan time for this long drive accordingly.
- At the Visitor Center, don’t miss Shafer Canyon Overlook which is located right across the street. This is one of my favorite overlooks at Canyonlands. Just make sure you walk down to the wide plateau for some incredible views.
- Hike 0.5 miles to Mesa Arch
- Stop at Buck Canyon Overlook
- If you are looking for a place to have a snack (or picnic lunch), stop at the parking area for White Rim Overlook. (The picture above shows the view near the parking area, or you can…)
- Hike 1.8 miles to White Rim Overlook
- Stop at Grand View Point Overlook
- On your way back out of the park, stop at Green River Overlook.
If You Have a Full Day at Canyonlands:
- Make sure you hike White Rim Overlook
- Add the hike to Upheaval Dome, the Grand View Point Hike & possibly the hikes to Whale Rock or Aztec Butte.
- If you are not wanting to hike, you could add Dead Horse Point State Park. The entrance to this park is right off of the road leading to Canyonlands.
If You Have More Than One Day:
- Explore Island in the Sky on one Day and the Needles Section of Canyonlands on your second day.
- Or you could spend time at Dead Horse Point State Park, which is located near Island in the Sky.
Where We Stayed:
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Moab. This hotel worked great for us. We had 2 queens & a sofa bed for our family of 5, they have free breakfast with yummy cinnamon rolls, there is a laundry facility at the hotel and it is located only 10 minutes from the turnoff to go into Canyonlands. So if you are looking for a place to stay near Canyonlands, you might want to check this hotel out.
Update – A Timed Entry Ticket will be needed to enter Arches National Park from April 3 to October 3, 2022. Tickets can be booked on Recreation.gov and they are on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning January 3rd 2022 at 8am.
Arches National Park is a spectacular destination that is simply bursting with an insane number of gorgeous sandstone arches. Over 2,000 arches dominate the landscape here, making this the greatest concentration of rock arches in the world! From the enormous Double Arch (shown above) to the picturesque Landscape Arch (shown below), this is one national park that you won’t want to miss!
Arches National Park
(Information & How to Visit)
Cost: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
- Use the America the Beautiful Pass (Ideal for a Utah National Parks Road Trip)
- Or if you have a 4th Grader – it’s Free!
Read More: Discover the Free 4th Grade National Park Pass (+7 More Ways to Save)
Top Sites & Hikes:
- Visit Double Arch and the “Windows Section” with the North and South Window Arches and Turret Arch.
- Hike to Landscape Arch in the Devils Garden and then hike up a Fin!
- Hike to Delicate Arch.
- Stop at Park Avenue Viewpoint & La Sals Mountain Viewpoint.
- See Balanced Rock & the Fiery Furnace
If You Have One Day at Arches National Park:
- You’ll want to hike early in the morning or late in the day to beat the heat.
- If you are wanting to hike the Devils Garden, hike this first thing in the morning to beat the heat & the crowds. (This trail is in the back of the park, so allow plenty of time to drive there.)
- Visit Balanced Rock, Double Arch, The North & South Window Arches and Turret Arch.
- Stop at La Sals Mountain Viewpoint and Park Avenue Viewpoint.
- Hike to Delicate Arch (or to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint) in the evening, when it is cooler.
If You Have More Than One Day:
- For a difficult hiking adventure, hike the entire Devils Garden Loop. This includes going to Double O Arch and Dark Angel. (As a side note: Our family tried to do this hike and we had to turn around because it became too difficult. See the post above for more information on this hike.)
- Take an Off-Road Tour in Moab. We took a Sunset Tour at Hell’s Revenge and it was amazing!
Where We Stayed:
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Moab. This hotel worked great for us. We had 2 queens & a sofa bed for our family of 5, they have free breakfast with yummy cinnamon rolls, there is a laundry facility at the hotel and it is located only 5 minutes from the entrance into Arches National Park. So if you are looking for a place to stay near both Arches and Canyonlands, you might want to check this hotel out.
7-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
This one week Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary is action-packed and simply bursting with amazing sites. It is a fast-paced itinerary and would work best for people that want to see the most possible in a short amount of time.
Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Drive 3 hours to Springdale, Utah by Zion
Day 2: Zion National Park
- Hike/ Visit all morning & early afternoon.
- Drive 2 hours to a hotel near Bryce Canyon.
Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park
- Sunrise hike + Drive to the top viewpoints.
- Drive 2 hours 45 minutes to a hotel near Capitol Reef.
Day 4: Capitol Reef National Park
- Hike early, Drive the Scenic Drive & visit top spots in the morning.
- Drive about 1 hour 30 minutes to Goblin Valley
- Spend time exploring
- Drive 1 hour 40 minutes to a hotel in Moab.
Day 5: Canyonlands National Park
- Drive & Hike in the Morning
- Lunch, back in Moab
- Visit the front half of Arches National Park tonight.
- Top Viewpoints, Balanced Rock, The “Windows Section,” Double Arch and possibly Delicate Arch.
Day 6: Arches National Park
- Hike the Devils Garden in the morning.
- Either drive to Salt Lake City tonight if you have an early flight the next day or
- Or take a sunset Off-Road Tour in Moab, Hell’s Revenge.
Day 7: Drive about 4 hours to Salt Lake City from Moab (if you haven’t already) & Fly Home.
If You Have More Time in Utah, You Can…
- Add 1 day to Zion National Park
- Add 1 day to Canyonlands, if you are looking to explore the Needles Section.
- Add 1 day to visit The Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument on the way to Salt Lake City.
- Add 1 day to visit the Valley of Fire when driving from Las Vegas to Zion.
- Add 1 Day to explore the Grand Staircase- Escalante
10-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
If you like the fast paced itinerary from the above 7-Day Utah Road Trip, but you have a few extra days, you could also consider making it into a loop drive while adding Monument Valley and the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas
Day 2: Zion National Park
Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 4: Capitol Reef National Park in the Morning
- Goblin Valley State Park – on the way to Moab
Day 5: Canyonlands National Park in the morning
- Arches National Park in the evening
Day 6: Arches National Park in the morning
- Off-Road Tour in Moab, Hell’s Revenge in the evening.
Day 7: Drive 2 hours 45 minutes to Monument Valley
- Quick Road Trip Stops near here:
- Gooseneck State Park, Forrest Gump Hill & Moki Dugway
- Visit Monument Valley
- Stay in a hotel near here. We recommend Goulding’s Lodge.
Day 8: Drive 2 hours to Page, AZ to see
- See Horseshoe Bend
- Possibly reserve a tour to walk through Antelope Canyon
- Possible Road Trip Stop on the way: Navajo Bridge & the Rare California Condor
- Drive 2 hours 25 min from Page to the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
- Stay the night at Grand Canyon Lodge. (This is the only lodge in the park so reserve early.)
Day 9: North Rim of Grand Canyon in the morning.
- Drive 4 hours 30 minutes back to Las Vegas.
- If you have a later flight on the 10th day, you could break up this long drive and stop by the Valley of Fire in Nevada on the way to Las Vegas.
Day 10: Fly home from Las Vegas
14-Day Bucket List Trip Options
If you are looking for a 14-day bucket list trip that includes the above fast paced 7-day Utah road trip, check out these options below.
Option 1: Fly out of Phoenix, Arizona
- Use the fast paced 10 day itinerary above
- After Monument Valley, choose if you want to visit Page, AZ with Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.
- Choose if you want to visit the North Rim Grand Canyon (which is quieter) or the South Rim (which is more popular.) It would be a lot of driving to try and do both rims.
- Quick Road Trip Stops on the way in Arizona:
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
- Wupatki National Monument
- Great Stops that are not too far out of the way:
- Petrified Forest/ Painted Desert
- Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
- Sedona, Arizona: Allow 1-2 days for hiking
- Quick Road Trip Stop between Sedona & Phoenix:
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Spend Time in Phoenix
Read More: 25 Top Things to Do in Arizona
Option 2: Fly out of Denver – after leaving Arches National Park/ Moab
- If you are traveling in the summer (when Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is open), a great option would be to cross the Rockies and then depart out of Denver, CO.
The Ultimate 14-Day National Park Road Trip Option!
Option 4: Add 3 Days in Yellowstone National Park + 1 Day in the Tetons
- With this option you would fly out of Salt Lake City.
Now you are all set to take an Unforgettable Utah National Parks Road Trip! I hope you found this information helpful for planning your future trip, and that you even discovered several new sites you’d like to visit.
Have an Amazing Trip in Utah with Your Traveling Feet!
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Related Utah Posts:
Utah: 10 Must See Destinations in Utah
Capitol Reef: Hickman Bridge (A Fantastic Hike with Kids.)
Goblin Valley: Goblin Valley State Park (A Fantastic Road Trip Stop in Utah)
Bryce Canyon: Hiking Bryce Canyon’s Queens Garden/ Peekaboo/ Wall St Loop
Zion: Scout Lookout Hike in Zion with Kids (Plus Hidden Gems)
Arches: Best Hikes & One Day Itinerary
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