Who’s ready to go on an Utah road trip!? Buckle up friends because we’re about to go on a 10 day journey through the mesmerizing and otherworldly landscapes that the state of Utah has to offer! Embarking on a Utah road trip is one of those lifetime experiences that everyone should get to do at least once. Utah contains so much culture, history and beautiful scenery and the best way to see it all is by hopping in the car and going on a drive!
In this road trip, you’ll traverse the stunning terrain of Utah’s legendary “Mighty 5” national parks. From the epic cliffs of Zion to the surreal arches of Arches National Park, each stop will be one to remember! This itinerary involves a lot of day hikes, so be sure to check out our Day Hiking Essential’s so you don’t forget anything!
Contents
| ***Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. |
What is considered the Utah “Mighty 5”?
Utah’s Mighty 5 refers to the five iconic national parks located within the state of Utah. They are big and they are mighty, and they are all within driving distance of one another creating an EPIC Utah road trip!
Utah’s “Mighty 5” National Parks:
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Captiol Reef National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Arches National Park
The Best Time of Year to Road Trip Utah
The best time of year to go on a Utah road trip depends on your preferences and the activities you want to enjoy. Utah experiences four distinct seasons, each offering different experiences and fun things to do, so there’s no “bad” time to visit!
Spring, March-May
Spring is a popular time for a Utah road trip, especially in late April and May. The weather is mild, and the landscapes come to life with colorful wildflowers and budding trees. Many of the national parks are less crowded compared to the peak summer months. However, keep in mind that some higher elevation areas may still have snow during early spring.
Summer, June-August
Summer is the busiest and most popular time for road trips in Utah. The weather is generally hot, especially in the southern parts of the state, making it an excellent time for activities like swimming, river rafting, and exploring slot canyons. The national parks and tourist attractions can be crowded during this time, so plan ahead and expect larger crowds.
Fall, September-November
Fall is another great time to road trip Utah. The weather starts to cool down, making outdoor activities more comfortable. The fall foliage in some areas, such as the mountains and certain canyons, can be stunning, offering excellent opportunities for photography. September and October are generally less crowded, but popular national parks may still see a fair number of visitors.
Winter, December-February
Winter is a unique, but breathtaking time to make your way across Utah. Between snow covered landscapes, fewer crowds, cheaper accommodation and winter activities like snowshoeing- road tripping Utah in winter is an adventure like non other! BUT, alternatively winter also brings snow and icy roads, limited park access, and shorter daylight hours… so just be aware of that.
What Kind of Vehicle Do You Need to Road Trip Utah?
It is essential to choose a vehicle that can handle the diverse landscapes and sometimes challenging road conditions you might encounter on your Utah road trip. My personal favorite option is to rent a camper van! Camper vans’ aren’t necessarily good for off-roading nor are they fuel efficient, BUT Utah has so much dispersed camping that make travelling in a camper van a super fun (and cheap) experience!
Factors to consider when choosing your Utah Road Trip Vehicle:
- High Clearance and 4WD/AWD (Optional): While many of Utah’s main attractions can be accessed by regular passenger vehicles, having a high-clearance vehicle (e.g., SUV, crossover, or truck) can be beneficial for exploring off-the-beaten-path areas and rougher roads, especially in national park backcountry or remote regions. Four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) can be advantageous for added traction in sandy or muddy terrain or when navigating snowy roads in winter.
- Fuel Efficiency: There is a lot of driving in this itinerary so it’s important to consider your gas efficiency when choosing a vehicle.
- Good Suspension and Tires: Utah’s terrain can be rough, with unpaved roads and occasional potholes. A vehicle with a well-tuned suspension and good quality tires can provide a smoother and safer ride.
- Comfort and Space: Since you might spend a considerable amount of time driving, choose a vehicle that offers comfort, enough space for passengers, and adequate cargo capacity for your luggage and gear.
- Reliability: Reliability is crucial for any road trip. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition and has been properly serviced before hitting the road.
What to Pack for Your Utah Road Trip
The best part about road tripping is that you can pack anything and everything as long as it will fit in your car! We have road tripped across the U.S. > 10x and while we definitely switch up brands/items/supplies based off of where we’re going, we ALWAYS pack these items as they have proved to be used and abused on every trip we go on!
Must have items for your Utah road trip:
Car charger: Having a way to charge while on the road is essential!
Phone mount: We didn’t have one of these for a long time and had no idea how much we were missing out on. I used to call this a luxury but now I would categorize a phone mount as an essential.
Travel pillow: For all my fellow passenger princesses out there- you MUST get a comfy, portable travel pillow. Game changer.
Comfy blanket: For the cold souls in the car! The Rumpl is the BEST and I love the multicolors of this one!
Flashlight: You never know when you might have to pull over on the side of the road in the dark. A flashlight or headlamp is a great tool to have.
Kindle: I’m much more of a “Real book” gal myself, but a kindle is nice to use while travelling!
Reusable water bottle: We love sustainability! A reusable water bottle is one of the simplest ways to reduce your plastic use.
Portable towel: For showering, hand & face washing, or possible spills. The possibilities are endless with a travel towel.
Body wipes: For the moments you don’t have access to a shower! Trust me, your time will come, and you’ll be thankful for your wipes.
Hanging toiletry bag: Great for public bathrooms! We love a hanging toiletry bag.
Packing cubes: Organization on the road is IMPERATIVE! We absolutely love packing cubes!
Cooler: What’s a road trip without cold snacks and drinks?! REI has a great affordable soft cooler that’s perfect for your Utah road trip!
Chairs: Packable, lightweight, comfortable, & affordable… this is the only chair I’ve found that fit all four categories.
Camp stove: The tried-and-true Coleman stove! We’ve had one for years and absolutely love it!
10 Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary!
A quick visual rundown of where you’ll be for each day of your Utah road trip:
1: Valley of Fire State Park
2-3: Zion National Park
4: Bryce Canyon National Park
5-6: Capitol Reef National Park
7-8: Arches National Park
9: Canyonlands National Park
10: Drive Back to Las Vegas
Utah Road Trip Day 1: Valley of Fire State Park
If you’re flying into Vegas you HAVE to make a quick trip to Vally of Fire! It is on the way to your first of the “Mighty-Five” and it offers absolutely stunning landscapes and rock patterns. One day is plenty to see all of the highlights and it is so worth the stop on your Utah road trip!
How to Spend One Day in Valley of Fire State Park:
Start your day with sunrise at the Fire Wave! The colors ILLUMINATE during golden hour and it is unlike anything I’ve ever seen!
After sunrise, continue hiking along the Fire Wave Trail to complete the Fire Wave, White Domes and Seven Wonders Loop. It is 3.2 mi & 400 ft elevation gain and it hits a ton of the highlights of the park. It’s important to do this hike early as the desert sun gets HOT mid-day and there is limited shade on the trail.
After your hike, drive back towards the visitor center along the scenic drive, stopping at the famous “Valley of Fire Road View”. Continue to the Atatl Rock where there’s a short staircase hike that takes you up to see the ancient petroglyphs.
Finally, as you head out of the park, be sure to stop at the visitor center to learn about the natives who lived in the Valley of Fire and how the survived the harsh conditions. It is super interesting to read and helps you appreciate the land more!
Utah Road Trip Day 2: Zion National Park
GET READY FOR AN EPIC HIKE! Today you’ll be hiking up to Angel’s Landing (permit required). If you have a fear of heights, or didn’t manage to snag permits, you can try the Canyon Overlook Trail. It provides epic views without the steep drops… but I PROMISE Angel’s Landing is not nearly as scary as it looks, so you should really give it a try!
***Make sure you have sturdy hiking boots and a good day pack! We love these men’s and women’s Solomons for boots, and we both have this Ortovox day pack.
Other hikes in Zion to consider:
- Many Pools
- Taylor Creek
- Observation Point via East Mesa
***Observation Point via East Mesa requires driving on a rough dirt road to access it. 4×4 & high clearance recommended.
Utah Road Trip Day 3: Zion National Park
Start the day by hopping on the Zion shuttle system and going straight to the Narrows (stop 9)! “The Narrows” refers to a section in Zion Canyon where the Virgin River flows between towering sandstone walls, creating a “narrow” and dramatic canyon. The best (and most popular) way to experience The Narrows is by wading straight through the river itself! You can go as far as 5 miles one without a permit, but I’d suggest going a mile or 2 one way before heading back! That will give you a perfect amount of time to explore and enjoy yourself. A good pair of trekking poles are ESSENTIAL for this hike!
After hiking the Narrows, you can explore some of the other shuttle stops on your way back to the car. You can choose to hop on/off on your own or do some of the popular hikes listed below:
- Weeping Rock (stop 7)
- Kayenta Trail (stop 6)
- Emerald Pools (stop 5)Watchman
- Zion Human History Museum (stop 2)
- Watchman Trail (stop 1)
Utah Road Trip Day 4: Bryce Canyon National Park
You’ve got a full day of adventure ahead of you for day 4! Start your day by catching sunrise at Sunset Point (yep, you read that correctly). Shortly after the sun rises, you’ll want to head down on the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Combo Loop Trail. This is a VERY popular hike in Bryce Canyon, therefore starting right after sunrise is your best bet to avoid the crowds.
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive:
After your hike, you’ll want to start the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. The drive is an out and back drive and is about 18 mi one way! The BEST way to enjoy the drive is to go ahead and drive straight to the end of the road without stopping, and then make your scenic stops as you head back towards the visitor center. This way, everything will be on the right-hand side of the road; much safer than pulling across traffic every time you want to see a viewpoint.
If you’re up for another hike you can try out the Fairyland Loop Trail! It is much more remote and less travelled than the popular Queen’s Garden. Otherwise, go ahead and get settled in for the sunset at Inspiration Point!
Utah Road Trip Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park
Alright it’s about time for another FULL day of adventure (the theme of this road trip)! You’re going to start your day by visiting the ancient Petroglyphs of Capitol Reef. They are located right before the visitor center and I PROMISE they do not disappoint. These ancient rock carvings represent different Native American cultures that inhabited the region over thousands of years.
After the Petroglyphs, make your way towards the Gifford House. The Gifford House in Capitol Reef National Park is a historic farmhouse that serves as a visitor center and a small store. Store wise, it’s not super impressive BUT… every day they serve home-made deliciously hot & fresh pies with ingredients straight from the land. They make them daily on-site and usually sell out by noon. It’s SUPER important you make this your first stop on your way into the park so you can snag one or two before it’s too late!
Capitol Reef Scenic Drive:
Alright, NOW it’s time to head out on the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive. The entire scenic drive is about 10 mi one way, so you have time to take some stops and do some hiking if that’s your jam. There are a couple of noteworthy hikes along the way. My favorite hikes are Cassidy Arch Trail and The Grand Wash Trail!
After your drive, you’ll want to hit my personal favorite trail in the park- The Navajo Knobs Trail! The full trail is long & tough being that it’s 9.5 mi & 2,700 ft elevation gain… but if you’re up for the challenge (and have the time), I say do the entire thing!! Otherwise, you should at LEAST go to the Rim Overlook via Navajo Knobs. It is about 4.5 mi round trip and 500 ft elevation gain. This is the best view in the park in my opinion. BONUS points if you get there for sunset.
Utah Road Trip Day 6: Capitol Reef National Park
It’s time to head out to the far Northeast corner of Capitol Reef National Park where a little (or shall I say, big) hidden gem resides! The Temple of the Sun and the Moon is our absolute FAVORITE spot in Capitol Reef. It lives down a 15 mi rough dirt road (high clearance and 4×4 recommended) and because it is so difficult to access, there is usually NO ONE around (or very few). In case I haven’t convinced you to make the drive… here’s a little bit about the epic formations-
Temple of the Sun:
The Temple of the Sun is a prominent sandstone formation located in the Waterpocket Fold, a major geological feature that runs through Capitol Reef National Park. The Temple of the Sun is characterized by its towering cliffs and intricate layers of sedimentary rock. It gets its name due to its size and grandeur, resembling a colossal temple rising from the earth.
Temple of the Moon:
The Temple of the Moon is situated right beside the Temple of the Sun and shares similar geological features with it. It also showcases towering cliffs and fascinating rock layers, giving it a distinctive appearance. The name “Temple of the Moon” reflects the awe-inspiring and otherworldly quality of the formation.
You technical cannot camp at the Temple of the Sun and Moon, but the entirety of the road leading up to them has plenty of dispersed camping! There are sites as close as 0.5 mi from the formations.
Utah Road Trip Day 7: Arches National Park
Arches National Park requires a timed entry permit from 7 am-4 pm in the months of April through October. If you enter the park for sunrise, you shouldn’t need a permit… but it’s a good thing to know in the case that you’d prefer to skip sunrise (not recommended)! 🙂
Sunrise location: the BACKSIDE of Landscape Arch (shown in pic above)
After sunrise you’ll want to hike the Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop. The Landscape Arch is actually the first stop on the loop so you’ll already be on your way if you catch the sunrise here (how convenient)!
The Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop is a long trail at 8 mi long and 1000 ft elevation gain. It is the best hike in the park and the only one that gets you away from all the crowds! I would suggest downloading the alltrails map as the route isn’t super defined the entire time.
This evening you’ll want to catch sunset at the prestigious Delicate Arch! It will undoubtedly be super busy, but the viewing area is large so there’s plenty of room for everyone. Definitely worth doing at least once.
***alternative to sunset at Delicate Arch: STARS at Delicate Arch! Leave the park after your hike and get some rest. Wake up in the middle of the night and make your way to Delicate Arch Trail to shoot the Arch with the Milky Way! If you’re into astrophotography you won’t regret it!
Utah Road Trip Day 8: Arches National Park
Make sure you snag permits for your timed entry today OR head into the park for sunrise again!
After entry, be sure to drive the length of the park and stop at all the easy to see roadside attractions! I’ll list our favorites below:
- Balanced Rock
- Windows @ Turret Arches
- Double Arch
- Delicate Arch (if you haven’t seen it already)
Utah Road Trip Day 9: Canyonlands National Park
This is your ONLY day in Canyonlands, so it’s best you get an early start on the day! Canyonlands National Park is MASSIVE. You could spend an entire season exploring the park and barely scratch the surface. The park is laid out into “sections” and one day will be enough to see the highlights of just one “section”.
Assuming it’s your first time to Canyonlands National Park, you should use your one day to explore the Island in the Sky district. It’s the closest section to Moab and has incredible overlooks and hikes.
Island in the Sky District 1 day Itinerary:
Today should be another sunrise start! Since it’s your first time to Canyonlands, seeing sunrise in Mesa Arch is basically a right of passage. Yes, it will be crowded… No, it’s not the most peaceful sunrise you’ll ever experience… BUT it is incredibly unique and the main highlight of Canyonlands! ***plus, if you wait until mid-day to go see Mesa Arch the crowds will be waaaay worse.
After sunrise, continue along the Island in the Sky district road, stopping at every viewpoint and hike that you wish! For time’s sake, I’m not going to describe each overlook & hike. Rather, I will list each of the one’s we enjoy below:
Canyonlands Overlooks:
- Grand View Point
- Buck Canyon Overlook
- Green River Overlook
- Upheaval Dome
- Schafer Canyon Overlook
Canyonlands Hikes:
- Gooseberry Trail
- White Rim Overlook Trail
- Whale Rock
- Aztec Butte
I know this sounds like a lot, but I promise it can all be done in one day and with time to spare! On your way out of the park, you can make your visitor center and sign pic stops since you bypassed it for sunrise.
Utah Road Trip Day 10: Back to Las Vegas
Bittersweet, but all good things come to an end!
