This post is a detailed itinerary of a road trip plan visiting the mighty five national parks in Utah coming from Las Vegas.
There is so much breathtaking scenery to be seen in the American Southwest. Southern Utah especially has some of the most unique rock formations and Mars-like environment all featured in this Utah National Parks road trip of the Mighty Five.
The Mighty Five (also called the Forever Mighty) is a term used to describe Utah’s national parks: Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park.
IMPORTANT NOTE!
Most National Parks now require reservations or timed entry tickets. It is crucial that these get booked early to ensure you can enter the park at the time you want.
Please remember to leave no trace on your travels and respect the environment you’re exploring!
Pin this post for later!
Some links on this page will be affiliate. This means I may earn a small commission if your purchase from that link at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I would never promote something I don’t truly believe in or support. 🙂
You’re most likely trying to find the most information you can for planning a tightly packed road trip such as this one. All the information you need to know before visiting is in this post.
Best Time to Visit
I would avoid doing this trip in the summer. Not only is the heat at its most extreme during the summer months, but the parks and roads are also packed with crowds! Not to mention hotels will be much more expensive and campground spots will be harder to get. A great time is to go during the spring or the fall.
Since this trip is already going to be a tight squeeze to fit in every park, its important we spend as little time as possible waiting in lines, stuck in traffic, etc. That way your time is spent at the best places in Utah!
National Parks Now Require Reservations
For parks that require timed entry tickets you should book a ticket at least one month in advance if not more. Not all parks require this yet and I will let you know which do in this blog post. Just be sure to double check on the park’s website in case things change since this post has been published.
Book Hotels Early
Even visiting in the off season can lead to the best accomodations selling out. Try to pick your dates early and get places booked as soon as you can to avoid unneccesary stress or last minute skyrocketed prices.
Consider Visiting Less Parks
I know, I know, I hate to be the one to recommend NOT going to a national park. But if you only have 5 days to see all these beauties, depending on your group and desires, it might be worth it to skip one or two to spend more time in the others. I understand the feeling of wanting to visit every park since you’re in the area. Just don’t let all of your trip memories be ones stuck in the car driving past some wonderful scenery you didn’t have the time to stop and see!
Buy the America the Beautiful Park Pass
The America the Beautiful Park Pass is an annual pass that grants you access to all of the national parks in the United States as well as numerous national forests, recreation sites, some state parks, etc. It is $80 for a year which absolutely is worth the price for this road trip as most parks are a $25-$30 entry fee. You can purchase the pass at any national park entrance or you can buy online at this website just be sure to order with plenty of time ahead for it to arrive to you in the mail.
What You Need
America the Beautiful Park Pass. Purchase the pass at this website.
Proper Hiking Footwear. The last thing you want to do is head out on this adventure without proper hiking shoes. This will prevent foot pain and give you good traction on rocky trails. Check out this option for men and this option for women.
Water. Be sure to always have extra water as the desert sun will dehydrate you quick, especially if you’re hiking!
Paper Maps. You can get free maps of the parks at every visitor center. Be sure to do this as service is spotty inside the parks and sometimes GPS leads us to the wrong area. Its better to rely on paper maps rather than your phone! Get a full map of Utah here.
A rental car. Search and book early to get the best deals on your rental car. Its not necessary to get a four wheel drive or high clearance option for this trip but its not a bad idea if you want to travel on some of the dirt roads available in the parks.
Day One: Zion National Park
Depending on how your trip looks you may be flying into Vegas and starting your road trip the next day. If that’s the case I would honestly recommend flying in, getting your rental car and then driving to our first stop and staying in a hotel there. It would ensure you as much time as possible in this park the next day!
Wake up early and start driving to Zion from Vegas (3 hour drive). Most of the park is accessed via a free shuttle. I recommend checking out some of the following hikes:
Angel’s Landing: This hike is for experienced hikers and rated strenuous. It is not for the faint of heart! You will see once in a lifetime views of Zion Canyon along the trail, but this route requires careful attention and footwork. Young children are not allowed. It is a 5.4 mile round trip hike that takes about 2-4 hours. Its most likely going to be your only hike of the day due to time restraints. This is a very busy trail that requires a permit.
Canyon Overlook Trail: Albeit short, this trail offers the best bang for your buck in the park. It is about one mile long and rated as easy to moderate. Its a popular spot but don’t let that deter you; its popular for a reason! This hike offers gorgeous views of Zion Canyon and the surrounding area.
Riverside Walk: For a nice sized easy hike check out Riverside Walk. This is a 2.2 mile round trip trail that is accessible and mostly paved. It takes about 1-2 hours to do this trail leaving you plenty more time for other activities. There are views of Virgin River featuring lush greens and incredible views.
Skip the Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Byway, as tomorrow when you leave for Moab you can take it on the way there.
Where to Eat
Oscar’s Cafe
A classic eatery right outside of Zion, Oscar’s offers all day affair making it a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner spot. Their outdoor patio boasts mountain views with vibrant atmosphere. A great place to fill your belly post adventure!
MeMe’s Cafe
For a unique menu check out MeMe’s Cafe. Inspired by European eateries, this restaurant continuously changes their menu to try new recipes and innovations. Sit outside for incredible views or seat inside for gorgeous atmosphere littered with antiques.
Springdale Candy Company
A lovely little old school candy shop makes for a great stop on your way out of Zion. Get an ice cream cone to cure the desert heat or get a roadside snack of some of their homemade chocolates or candies like fudge, homemade caramel, salt water taffy, retro candies, and more.
Desert Pearl is a gorgeous hotel right next to the park in Springdale. This luxury hotel boasts a pool, spa, laundry facilities, and lovely rooms with terraces featuring mountain views. There is a restaurant onsite making for easy dining. This is also a stop along the free Springdale shuttle bus route that takes you into Zion.
Gooseberry offers rustic lodges with a beautiful view close to Zion National Park. There’s a variety of lodges available to suit your needs. This is a great budget option for those looking for more of a camping type feel without having to pitch a tent (or dig a hole, there’s bathrooms!).
For a more amenity-based option check out the Wyndham. Located in Hurricane with just a short drive to the park, this budget hotel has everything you could need for your trip to Zion. There’s a pool, gym, free breakfast and laundry facilities.
Day Two: Drive to Moab
We will be taking the scenic route to Moab. Its a long drive but completely worth the excursion!
This drive runs about 7 hours so there won’t be a lot of time for stopping. Make sure to fuel up on gas before leaving. Regardless of your car’s fuel efficiency, I highly recommend not letting your car go below half a tank of gas. This is a standard rule of mine no matter where I go but I especially follow it during remote drives like this when your next gas station isn’t really predictable.
Get an early start today to have as much sightseeing time as possible. You will want to enter Zion again so you can take the Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Byway for some incredible views which then leads to Route 89.
Sightseeing options if time allows:
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a small detour in Page, Arizona that is totally worth stopping for. It is much more incredible in person and one of the most impressive natural attractions in the United States in my humble opinion. The hike is a 1.5 mile round trip and pretty easy, the most difficult part is a small hill you can see from the parking lot that looks much more daunting than it actually is. Entrance is free with your America the Beautiful Pass.
Monument Valley
On the way we will see Monument Valley. If you really want to see the formations up close you can enter the park but I wouldn’t recommend it for times sake on this trip. I honestly think you get some great views just on the drive through to Moab. There’s plenty of places to stop along the road to get pictures of this classic American Southwest road trip icon.
Where to Eat
Big John’s Texas BBQ
If you’re stopping at horseshoe bend, go to Big John’s for lunch afterwards. They have classic Texan Barbeque fare paired with cold beer and ice cream. Their menu is small but that’s quality over quantity!
Moab Diner
When you arrive in Moab, check into your hotel and then head to the Moab Diner for dinner. This is your classic American diner with nostalgic Moab decor. You’ll find friendly service here with delicious food with ice cream and malt milkshakes.
Where To Sleep
You will want to book two nights at this accommodation.
The Hoodoo Moab by Hilton is a great hotel for those looking for a more luxurious experience during their stay in Moab. There is a restaurant, room service, spa, pool with a poolside bar, gym and free wifi.
The Apache Motel is a unique motel option where western film star John Wayne stayed! This place is a great bang for your buck with amenities like complimentary bike rentals and washing station, a dog wash, bbq area with firepit, general store, pool with a hot shower, and clean rooms with specialty suite options.
Day Three: Arches and Canyonlands
Today we will be hitting both Arches and the Canyonlands.
Head to Arches National Park first. From April 1 to October 31, visitors are required to have a timed entry ticket to enter the park. You should book a ticket at least one month in advance if not more. I would recommend getting a timeslot for Arches somewhere between 7 am to 9 am to ensure plenty of time today to explore both parks. You don’t need a timed entry ticket if you enter the park before 7 am or after 4 pm.
Drive the entirety of the scenic route in Arches and stop at all the viewpoints and overlooks. Take the 3 mile trail to Delicate Arch, the most famous landmark in Utah. After check out the Windows viewpoints.
After Arches, head to Moab for some lunch or pack a picnic and eat in the park. There’s plenty of food trucks in Moab to get a quick bite to eat at.
When you’re done with lunch we will be heading into the Canyonlands. Luckily as of now (June 2024) timed entry or reservations are not required for this park.
You will want to drive the entirety of the Island in the Sky scenic drive and stop at all the overlooks. Just doing this is a great way to see the park! If you want to hike, check out the Mesa Arch trail for a short half mile trip to see stunning views of the La Sal Mountains. If you want a longer trek, take Grand View Point for a 2 mile hike featuring panoramic views.
Head back into Moab for dinner then relax at your hotel.
Where to Eat
Grab breakfast at the hotel or the Moab Rainbowls food truck. We want something quick and filling for this morning so we can head out early to start exploring!
Trailhead Public House & Eatery
Voted best in Moab, Trailhead has a delicious menu featuring pub favorites, burgers, wings, sandwiches, salads, soups, vegan & vegetarian options as well as ice cream and cold drinks. There is also dog friendly outdoor seating with scenic views.
Where To Sleep
Stay the second night at the accommodation suggested in Day Two.
Day Four: Capitol Reef
Be sure to have your paper map with you as using phone GPS isn’t reliable once you get in the park. Moab to Capitol Reef is about 3.5 hours. Pack a lunch to eat inside the park.
Get breakfast at the hotel or in Moab, preferably something quick like a food truck so you can get started driving. Luckily Capitol Reef does not require reservations or timed tickets so it doesn’t matter much what time you arrive.
Once you get to the park, drive the scenic drive then head to Fruita. Here you will find orchards and the Gifford House. During certain times of the year you can wander through the orchards and pick your own fruit to buy. You can also get fresh baked pies here and other treats baked using the orchard’s fruits.
Where to Eat
La Cueva Restaurante Mexicano
For incredible authentic Mexican food, check out La Cueva in Torrey. Paired with fantastic service and cold drinks, this restaurant is a great spot to unwind after exploring Capitol Reef.
Capitol Reef Resort will be your luxury option for this stay. This resort boasts a pool, hot tub, restaurant, gym, free wifi, balconies, gorgeous rooms and you can even stay in a Conestoga wagon!
The Rim Rock Inn is a great option in Torrey with southwestern charm and amenities like free wifi, pet friendly accommodations, mountain views and a restaurant onsite. You can also rent cabins here.
Day Five: Bryce Canyon
Head out early and take Scenic Route 12 to Bryce Canyon. This route is about 3 hours but you want to allot some time to stop along the way. Its an incredibly gorgeous drive!
Stop at The Wild Rabbit Cafe for breakfast. Follow the route all the way to Bryce Canyon stopping at the overlooks that pique your interest. Luckily there are no reservations or time entry tickets required for this park so you don’t have to be there at a certain time.
Inside of Bryce Canyon, do the scenic drive and stop at viewpoints like Sunrise Point and Inspiration Point. Wait for sunset to check out Sunset Point. You won’t be disappointed with the incredible views you see here as the sun dips below the horizon painting the red rocks in a warm glow.
The best hike to do in the park is the Queen’s/Navajo Combination Loop. It takes about 3 hours to complete and is rated as moderate. The views you see here are unforgettable. Its one of the best hikes in the US!
Where to Eat
Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant
Close to the entrance of the park is Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this restaurant is a great stop either before you enter the park for lunch or when you leave for dinner. The fare here is classic American meals like burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, fish, and more.
The Best Western Plus in Bryce Canyon offers a pool, hot tub, gym, free breakfast, wifi and comfortable beds with suite options available. This hotel has gorgeous atmosphere and mountain charm.
Bryce View is your typical motel with a rustic charm and basic amenities. They have free breakfast, a gym, pet friendly accomodations and free wifi. This no frills motel is a great option for staying near Bryce on a budget.
Honorable Mentions
If you have extra time or an extra day that you don’t want to spend at the national parks, these are spots I would recommend checking out along your trip.
Hoover Dam / Lake Mead
The closest natural recreation land outside of Vegas is the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead area. Lake Mead was named the nation’s first national recreation area and is also the largest. Be careful visiting in the summer as temperatures reach well above 100 degrees. It is free to enter with your America the Beautiful Pass.
Valley of Fire State Park
This is a great state park option right outside of Las Vegas. Albeit small, visiting this park feels like you’re somewhere out of this world. It costs $10 to enter the park. It can get very hot here and sometimes hiking is strongly discouraged. But even just driving through the park is a fantastic experience.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Grand Staircase-Escalante is on the way between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon. You get some views of the park just by driving on Route 12 but its definitely worth the stop in if you have the extra time. Its on the honorable mentions list because of the time constraints on this trip to allot more time for Bryce Canyon National Park instead. It costs $20 to enter and does not accept the America the Beautiful pass.
Conclusion
There’s a lot of fun to be had in Utah’s National Parks! We hope you’ve enjoyed this national parks road trip itinerary for the Utah Mighty Five. Be sure to let us know how your trip goes and what your favorite spots were!
Pingback:13 Top Things to do in Utah (That Aren't National Parks) - shoreloser
Pingback:Best Places to Stay in Zion National Park 2025 - shoreloser
Pingback:Best Pools in Las Vegas: Ultimate Hotel Pools - shoreloser