Learn more about the Mighty 5 Utah national parks, including overviews and road trip planning

There’s no denying that Utah is one of the most photogenic states. With towering mountains, hillside forests, dry deserts and rich red rocks, it’s unsurprising that Utah’s concentrated natural splendor has gained recognition and protection in the form of some of the US’ most recognizable national parks.

The state’s five parks are frequently referred to as the ‘Mighty Five’, and for good reason. Each one has made it into the top 20 most-visited national parks in the country, mainly thanks to some dazzling natural features, thriving wildlife and close proximity – it’s a few hours' by road between each of them.

So which parks are included in the ‘Mighty 5’, and what makes each of them special? Let’s find out!

Arches National Park

Barely 10 minutes from the city of Moab by car, Arches National Park has become an emblem of Utah. The 2,000+ natural arches that give the park its name are plastered all over Utah tourism brochures and even the state’s license plates.

The park’s geological conditions are what make it unique. the majority of the arches are formed thanks to a salt bed, which, along with wind and raing, erode the rock from below, creating holes and arches.

The most famous of these arches, the epic Delicate Arch, is instantly recognizable and draws the biggest crowds. It’s an essential visit, but you’ll need to dodge the crowds during peak seasons, especially on holidays and in the summer months. Other notable spots include the North Window and the physics-bending Landscape Arch, the fifth-longest in the world.

Like many of America’s national parks, Arches is very drivable, with miles of paved roads connecting almost all of the key landmarks and most important arches. However, it is easy to leave the car and hit some hiking trails, with many recommended routes available from the park’s visitor centers.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, USA — Gaston Piccinetti / Shutterstock

Despite being Utah’s smallest national park, Bryce Canyon National Park doesn’t lack at all. Originally settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s (the name Bryce comes from a homesteader who settle tha. canyon in 1874), the park was eventually designated by Congress in 1928.

Bryce Canyon is mainly famous for its seemingly endless see of hoodoos, rock spires that can be as high as a 10-story building. This jagged and weathered landscape doesn’t really look like it should be on planet earth. The fact that some of the hoodoos can take on eerie, human or even monster-like shapes make this a truly enchanting place to visit in Utah.

The other big bonus is Bryce Canyon National Park’s proximity to Zion and Capitol Reef National Parks. This means it’s entirely possible to do a single day whistle-stop tour of a couple of parks, or tie them together on a road trip with managable drive times between.

Zion National Park

Probably Utah’s most famous national parks, Zion National Park has gained global recognition for its blend of sublime views, diverse wildlife and ecosystems, gorgeous Navajo sandstone geology and some of the best hilkes on earth.

Zion Canyon is the park’s main artery, a 15 mile-long river canyon that transforms from green pine to dramatic orange and red rock, making for some of the finest views in both the state and nation. Hiking along the valley or the cliffs is almost mandatory, with the best route to be found winding 1500 feet up to Angel’s Landing. This viewpoint is one of the finest in America and is your opportunity to grab some amazing Instagram snaps. Due to the hike’s popularity, you’ll need to apply for a hiking permit, which is drawn in a lottery-style system, so good luck!

Another must-see in Zion is The Subway, a slot canyon that has been carved in the shape of a subway tunnel. Hiking along this amazing show of the force of time will give some context to the age of Zion’s landscape.

The best jumping-off point for Zion National Park is the town os Springdale, where you’ll find hotels and motels, gas and stores stocking everything from snacks to climbing hear.

Canyonlands National Park

A man looks out over a canyon — canadastock / Shutterstock

Carved into the Utah bedrock by the tributaries of the might Colorado and Green rivers, the 527 square mile Canyonlands National Park is a heady mix of mesas, cliffs, spires and canyons. Never quite as busy as Arches or Zion, this equally impressive landscape is heaven for hikers, with over 70 miles of trails ranging from relaxing to strenuous.

However, the park’s main draw is its white-water rafting and kayaking. Adventurous souls can navigate the Class V rapids in Cataract Canyon, whereas those seeking a relaxing float have plenty of options under the steep cliffs of Canyonlands.

Canyonlands is also a great spot for campers, with two campgrounds (Needles and Willot Flat) offering permit-free parking close to the essential amenities. You can grab a wilderness permit and head out with your tent too, but just remember to practice Leave No Trace and keep an eye out for coyotes and black bears in Fall.

Capitol Reef National Park

When you visit Zion or Bryce Canyon, you’ll get a feeling that you’re in a small microcosm that’s almost designed to warp itself around you. At Capitol Reef National Park, it’s the exact opposite; grand sweeping vistas and endless rocky flats give this Utah national park an otherwordly feel.

Huge mesas and spires puncture the desolation, with the region’s signature red layered rocks plentiful. But below the surface and carved into the cliffs, you’ll find some superb canyons begging to be explored. Just remember to book your permits ahead and check the weather for flood risks.

The park’s centerpiece is Cathedral Valley, a flat plain that hosts towering mesas that feel human-made. Hiking through the valley is a top activity and dedicated trails allow you to skirt these huge pillars from some unforgettable views. You can also drive the scenic route that traverses the valley.

If getting hot and sweaty on a hike or winding through a canyon isn’t your thing, then the eight-mile Capitol Reef Scenic Drive allows visitors to see some unforgettable views while remaining comfortably air-conditioned. If your vehicle is up to it, the dirt spur roads at Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge allow for some exploration off-tarmac.

A must at Capitol Reef is a trip to Fruita, located within the park. As you’ve probably guessed, this historic town is famous for its fruit orchards. If you visit during the harvest, you can even pick your own berries and nuts from the trees.

Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Itinerary

A road cuts through an arch in Utah — Michael Lingberg / Shutterstock

With only five national parks in the state, and with each a maximum of a few hours’ driving between them, it makes a lot of sense to link all five together for an unmissable Utah road trip.

Depending on where you start, you can turn your Mighty 5 road trip into a loop, or a straight line with a couple of doglegs. If you’re flying into Las Vegas, then start with Zion and head north, following i-15 and cross-state to Arches National Park, before looping back via Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon. Do the exact opposite if you’re driving from Denver and the East or southbound from Salt Lake City.

Begin in Zion National Park, spending a few days hiking and exploring
Head north on i-15, visiting Dixie and Fishlake National Forests en route
Travel to Canyonlands National Park
Turn back on yourself to Arches National Park
Take cross-country route to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks
Return to Zion

The beauty of a Mighty Five road trip is the ability to include other Utah landmarks and must-sees along the way. Fishlake National Forest, Dixie National Forest, Grand Staircase-Escalante and the amazing Castle Valley are all worth a quick diversion or extra day or two of sightseeing.

From Zion National Park, a hop over the border to the town of Page, Arizona is a good idea too. This part of the world is home to two of America’s best natural wonders; the enigmatic Antelope Canyon and the grand Horseshoe Bend. If you have the time, you can cover both in a day, including travel time.

If driving doesn’t appeal, then you can always join a Utah Mighty Five guided tour. Usually offered via bus or minivan, this is a great opportunity to explore Utah’s national parks with an expert guide, talking you through both natural and human history as you wind your way through the state.

Utah Big Five Road Trip Driving Routes

The loop route between Utah's national parks

The loop route is ideal for visitors beginning and returning to a transit city, like Las Vegas or Salt Lake city – just join the circle at the right point and work your way around. This route is also perfect for other stop-offs in Utah, including Fishlake National Forest.

The direct route between Utah's national parks

A straight-shoot route from Zion to Canyonlands / Arches is ideal for cross-country road trips, or if you’re traveling onwards at either end of the line. This is also a good option if you have flexibility in terms of start and end points, or if you’re short on time and don’t want to effectively double the amount of time in the car.

When is the best time to visit the Mighty Five?

This really depends on what your plans are when you visit each of the parks. Hikers, kayakers and campers may wish to take advantage of the shoulder seasons of early spring and fall, when the summer crowds dissipate and the summer heat isn’t as powerful.

Winter in Utah has its benefits too, with winter sports and additional element of snow and ice for wilderness hikers. You won’t be sitting in traffic on the scenic drives during the winter months either.

Our favourite time to visit Utah is early spring, when the trees and wildlife are at their best and the winter run-offs make the waterfalls and waterways especially spectacular. Emerald Pools in Zion National Park looks incredible when the sun is shining the waterfalls are in full flow.

National Park Pass

Our best advice for a trip to the Mighty Five is to invest in a National Park Pass. Costing $80 for an adult, the pass pays for itself if you visit the Mighty Five and any of the other 2,000 recreational sites in the US in the year the pass is valid for. If you are going to include other parks and national forests in Utah on your trip, then this should cover them too – just check before you travel.