If you are looking for an unforgettable road trip (or planning one for West America), Utah is one of the best places to visit. With five stunning national parks to explore, Utah offers breathtaking natural beauty and adventurous opportunities that are hard to find elsewhere.
A road trip through Utah’s national parks (also known as the Mighty 5 road trip) is not only iconic, but is often considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. A road trip through Utah’s national parks takes you to the heart of America’s red rock country – which is otherworldly and nothing less than spectacular.
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What is the Mighty 5 actually?
When people talk about the “Mighty 5 Road Trip” they refer to a road trip that includes all five national parks of Utah: Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion.
Most people fly to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas. Upon arrival, you can head straight to Arches National Park or Zion National Park. If you are making a longer trip, you can also start from Los Angeles or San Francisco.
The top 5 national parks of Utah
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is the perfect place to start your road trip. The park offers breathtaking views of Utah’s canyons and gorges, and has a variety of hiking trails and activities for adventurers of all levels. We recommend starting early in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the cool morning air.
By bus into Zion
You can only visit Zion to a limited extent by car. You can drive through it, but for all popular hikes you have to take the bus. This is free, but quite busy in high season.
Best things to do in Zion
- Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail
- Explore The Narrows
Tip: rent good shoes & sticks with which you can walk through the water - Hike the Angel’s Landing Trail (the most iconic hike in the park)
Be careful: apply for a Permit in advance!
Staying near Zion
South Campground and Watchman campings are the two largest campgrounds in the park and can be reserved in advance. Prefer a hotel? Choose from Zion Best Western Plus or La Quinta by Wyndham at Zion Park/Springdale. They are all located along one long road with plenty of restaurants.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique geological formations, including hoodoos and amphitheaters carved out by wind and water. We recommend exploring the park via the Navajo Loop Trail and Queen’s Garden Trail, where you get the chance to view these stunning rock formations up close.
Best things to do in Bryce Canyon
- Drive the 30km panoramic route with all the highlights
- Hike the Navajo Loop Trail
- Watch the sunrise or sunset at Sunrise Point or Sunset Point
Staying near Bryce Canyon
One of the most popular campgrounds in the park is the North Campground. This campground is located right near the park entrance and offers spacious sites for tents and RVs. Another option is the Sunset Campground, which is a bit further from the park entrance, but offers a beautiful view over the surroundings.
Prefer a hotel? Close to the park itself you can find a number of lodges, such as the Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, Bryce Canyon Lodge or Best Western PLUS Ruby’s Inn. Prefer something cheaper? Within 20 minutes drive from the park you will find Bryce Canyon Resort.
Arches National Park
Arches is one of the most iconic national parks in Utah and is known for its impressive natural arches. The park has more than 2,000 arches and other unique rock formations, such as towers, spires and columns. The most famous arch in Arches is Delicate Arch, which is also the symbol of Utah. This hike can be busy, but the view of the arch at sunset is truly breathtaking. The park is not very large, so you can easily see the highlights here in one day.
Best things to do in Arches National Park
- Watch the sunrise at Delicate Arch (worth getting up early for, believe me!)
- Hike the Devils Garden Trail to Landscape Arch
- Visit Turret Arch
- Take a walk through Park Avenue
In addition to hiking, there are plenty of other activities in Arches, such as biking and horseback riding.
Staying near Arches
Arches offers two campgrounds, Devils Garden Campground and the smaller Willow Flat Campground. Prefer a hotel? Then you can choose Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Moab or SpringHill Suites by Marriott (great pools here).
Canyonlands
Canyonlands is a vast and diverse park with spectacular landscapes. The park is divided into three districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles and The Maze. Each district has its own unique features and landscapes. Island in the Sky offers stunning vistas over the canyons and the La Sal Mountains. The Needles is known for its colorful rock formations and hiking trails. And The Maze, the most remote district, offers an adventurous experience for those seeking a rugged and isolated setting.
Best things to do in Canyonlands
- Watch the sunrise at Mesa Arch (a super famous spot, expect crowds)
- Visit Shafer Canyon Overlook
- Visit Green River Overlook
- Drive along the Grand View Point Road
Staying near Canyonlands
There are several campgrounds in the park, including the popular Willow Flat Campground in Island in the Sky and the Needles Campground in The Needles. Prefer a hotel? Choose Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Moab or Comfort Inn Green River National Park Area.
Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef National Park offers a spectacular mix of canyons, rock formations and historical sites. A highlight of the park is the Scenic Drive, which takes you past some of Utah’s most breathtaking landscapes. We also recommend visiting the historic Fruita area, where you can enjoy homemade applesauce or apple cider at the local orchard.
Capitol Reef is the least visited national park of the Mighty 5, but it is certainly no less impressive. The most iconic attraction of Capitol Reef is The Waterpocket Fold, a massive geological wrinkle that stretches over 160 kilometers. The park also offers plenty of hiking trails, including a hike to the popular Hickman Bridge.
Best things to do in Capitol Reef
- Visit the Petroglyph Panel
- Take a hike to the Hickman Bridge
- Hike the Cassidy Arch Trail
- Visit The Wash
Staying near Capitol Reef
Two fun options are Austin’s Chuckwagon and Capitol Reef Resort.
How much time do you need to see the Mighty 5 in Utah?
If you plan to visit Utah’s National Parks, also known as the Mighty 5, you are probably wondering how much time you need to see them all. While there is no fixed time to visit all five parks, I can recommend planning at least one day per park to get the most out of your trip. Personally, I would stay at least two days in Zion & Bryce Canyon to see everything. You want to avoid traveling to the other side of the world only to not be able to do the hikes there due to lack of time.
Are you currently planning a road trip through West America? Make sure to include the Mighty 5 in your itinerary. You don’t have to visit all of them, but make sure you take the time. For example, in Zion you need at least 2 days. Hit the road and enjoy!
