THE IDEAL TRAVEL GUIDE TO VISITING UTAH'S FIVE EXTRAORDINARY NATIONAL PARKS
- Feb 13
- 14 min read
Utah, USA
There are few places on Earth with such extraordinary and diverse landscape as Utah. Having traveled to 45 out of the 50 states, I can credibly say that Utah is one of the most breathtaking places for nature enthusiasts. Home to 5 U.S. National Parks, it is entirely possible to visit all of these parks in one incredible week. Total driving time between the parks is around seven hours making it one of the most easily traveled areas in all of the United States. And I can assure you- each Park is incredible in its own right and worth seeing. I've made three trips to Utah and each time I am awe-struck by its beauty and shocked that there is still so much more to explore.
1 WEEK ITINERARY
To hit all the Utah National Park's in a week, I recommend the following itinerary. Begin or end at Zion National Park or Arches National Park
Zion National Park - 2 days
Bryce Canyon National Park - 1-2 days
Capital Reef National Park -1-2 days
Canyonlands National Park - 1/2 - 1 day
Arches National Park - 1/2 - 1 day
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT
HIGH SEASON: (June - August): Summer is the best time to visit these National Parks, simply because it is the only time of the year that all areas of the Parks are accessible. Due to some of the high elevations, roads and entire park areas can be inaccessible by vehicle during the winter months, and surprisingly until very late spring. It isn't unheard of to have a late snow and limited access all the way until June.
SHOULDER SEASON: (April- May, and September - October): Cooler temperatures and less crowds make the shoulder seasons an excellent time of year to visit. The only drawback is park services can close or have limited hours for the season (including visitor centers, dining, and restroom facilities), and due to early or late snowfall, certain roads or areas of the parks may restrict vehicle access.
LOW SEASON: (November- March): Although the National Park's remain open year round, winter conditions during these months can make some areas of the parks inaccessible, due to restricted vehicle access for the season. Park services (including visitor centers, dining and restroom facilities) might be closed or have limited hours. Conditions can be treacherous and caution is advised.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT U.S. NATIONAL PARKS
Almost all U.S. National Parks are open 24/7, 365 days a year, minus some extreme situations like a natural disaster or government shutdown. Even if the Park is open, park services may be limited seasonally or during these situations.
Each park has an admission fee, which varies, but all are covered by one fee if you purchase the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual or Lifetime Pass. There are also other applicable passes for military, seniors, government employees, and people who are permanently disabled. Fees differ for U.S. citizens and residents vs. non-residents. Fees differ for U.S. residents versus non-residents.
Some Parks or individual trails or areas might be restricted by permits. Check each park's entry requirements in advance since permits are limited, and might be obtained by application, lottery, or on site.
Check driving distances and allow for extra travel time entering and exiting the Parks since some entry points can have long lines, particularly at the more popular Parks. And entry points might be a long drive from the main area and/or other parking lots. Also make sure to fill up on gas!
ZION NATIONAL PARK
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
PARK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Cost: Entry to Zion National Park (2026) requires a 7-day vehicle ($35), motorcycle ($30), or per-person ($20) pass, which can be bought at the gate or online via Recreation.gov.
Reservations: No general entrance reservation is required; however, a permit is needed to hike Angels Landing and for all backcountry camping or canyoneering. A permit is only required to hike The Narrows in Zion National Park if you are doing a "top-down" hike (from Chamberlain’s Ranch) or an overnight backpacking trip. The popular "bottom-up" day hike from the Temple of Sinawava does not require a permit, only a park entrance fee and shuttle ticket.
WHERE TO STAY: There is only one hotel within Zion, otherwise the best place to stay is in Springdale where you can leave your car and take the Shuttle in and out of the Park.
Zion Lodge: the only hotel in the park
Springdale: the closest location to the Park, and there is a Shuttle Service to / from the Park
Grafton, Rockton, Shunesburg: the next closest locations
HOW TO GET AROUND: There are parking lots throughout the Park and a free Shuttle System: the Zion Canyon Shuttle. If you are driving into the Park instead of taking the shuttle from Springdale, plan to arrive before 8:00am to get a parking spot, as the lots fill up quickly. Plan to leave your car and use the park shuttles to get around during the day instead of moving your car around and risk trying to find another spot to park. The Park shuttles are reliable and well-organized, allowing visitors to reach all key areas of the Park. Each stop is well-marked with a sign, shuttle stop number, and route guide.
TRAVEL TIME FROM OTHER PARKS: To Bryce Canyon National Park: 1.5 to 2 hours (approx. 75-85 miles), driving via U.S. Route 9 East and U.S. Route 89 North.
TIME TO SPEND: 1-4 DAYS. There are numerous activities here that can occupy several days, but if you prefer a brief visit for a quick hike and some sightseeing, that's also an option.
WHAT IS THE PARK KNOWN FOR: Zion National Park is Utah's first national park, established in 1919. It's known around the world for its enormous pink and red 2000 foot sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons and Virgin River on its 124,400 acres. Some of its fame is attributed to two incredibly unique and intense hikes - the iconic Angel's Landing, a daredevil hike with 1000 foot drop-offs and The Narrows, a hike through a narrow gorge in the water of the Virgin River.
MY EXPERIENCE
Depending on if you want to save the best for last, or hit it first when you are full of energy, Zion National Park is by far my favorite of the Utah National Parks, and I'd dare say one of the best National Parks in the United States, due to its unbelievable landscape and diversity of activities for all ages and athletic abilities.
I visited in May when the nights were still cool, but daytime temperature soared. We went to the Canyon Lookout, an easily accessible short walk to a dramatic canyon vista, a day spent hiking Angels Landing, which features the striking pink sandstone rock formations, and another day hiking the more moderate Emerald Pools Trail which features a greener landscape seen at lower elevation, a waterfall and the pools. But there are loads of trails to choose from at the National Park Service website.
Climbing Angel Landing is no joke! If you have any fear of heights, this is not for you. There are areas with narrow footing and sheer drop-offs, so the danger is real, as is the elevation. I recommend bringing gloves with grips to hold on to the metal chain you will likely be clinging to for safety along the treacherous climb, and bring plenty of water. But if you can make it to the top, the view is extraordinary!
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
PARK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Cost: Entry requires a 7-day pass costing $35 per private vehicle, $30 for motorcycles, or $20 per pedestrian/bicyclist, or covered by the America the Beautiful Annual Pass.
Reservations: No advanced reservations or timed entries required for general access.
WHERE TO STAY: from April to November, The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is the only hotel located within the Park. During winter, hotel rooms are available at the Sunset Hotel, which is part of the Lodge Complex. Located just outside the Park is Bryce Canyon City, while Tropic is 15 min away.
HOW TO GET AROUND: Public transportation to the park is not available. The free Bryce Canyon Shuttle Service takes visitors to the park's most popular viewpoints, trails and facilities. Using the shuttle is encouraged but not required.
TRAVEL TIME FROM OTHER PARKS: The driving time to Zion National Park is typically 1.5 to 2 hours, covering a distance of approximately 70–85 miles via UT-12 W and US-89 S. The driving time from Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park is approximately 2.5 hours (122 miles) via the scenic Highway 12 that connects Bryce to Torrey, UT (the gateway to Capitol Reef), passing through Boulder.
TIME TO SPEND: 1-2 DAYS
WHAT IS THE PARK KNOWN FOR: Bryce Canyon is known for having the largest concentration of hoodoos (unique, towering rock spires) on Earth, and exceptional stargazing, due to its minimal light pollution and seasonal views of the Milky Way.
MY EXPERIENCE
Bryce Canyon is a smaller park than Zion, and not too far away, yet the landscape here is completely different and just as magnificent. he vibrant red and orange hued hoodoos make for scenery unlike anything you've seen before. There are a number of easy, short paths here that provide panoramic viewpoints of the main Amphitheatre, and different perspectives amongst the hoodoos. There is also a 38 mile round trip perimeter drive for those that prefer not to hike.
The vibrant red and orange hued hoodoos make for scenery unlike anything you've seen before.
I drove in from Zion and spent my first day on the Navajo Loop . My second day I did the Queen’s Garden Trail. a moderate 3.2 mile loops through the hoodoos ,and seeing all the major viewpoints Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point. Compared to the hiking at Zion, Bryce felt much more relaxed. There was a time to stop and admire the rock formations and just admire the beauty of Mother Nature. The reddish color here was so intense and it changed as the daylight changed. Most of the hiking on these trails is flat, although there is some elevation gain at certain parts, so it felt like a day spent wandering around as opposed to hiking.
I usually try to get to my hotel before dark, but I stayed to watch sunset here then drove to my hotel.
CAPITAL REEF NATIONAL PARK
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
PARK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Cost: $20 Vehicle, $15 Motorcycle, or $10 per person (non-motorized) for the Scenic Drive. The America the Beautiful Pass (annual, senior, military, access) is accepted.
Reservations: Capitol Reef National Park does not require entry reservations or timed-entry tickets. Permits are required for backcountry camping, climbing, and certain activities, with many available at the visitor center.
WHERE TO STAY: There is no lodging within the Park, so your best option is Torrey, just a 6 minutes drive away, or Hanksville is a 30 min drive.
HOW TO GET AROUND: Capitol Reef National Park does not operate an internal shuttle system, so you will need to use your own vehicle. There are some private shuttle services that can be booked in advance for one-way or round-trip transportation.
TRAVEL TIME FROM OTHER PARKS: Taking Highway 12, Capitol Reef National Park is 122 miles, roughly 2.5 hours from Bryce Canyon. To Canyonlands National Park, it is 144 miles or 2 hrs 20 min, and to Arches National Park it is 312 miles or 2 hrs 6min.
TIME TO SPEND: 1-2 days
WHAT IS THE PARK KNOWN FOR: Capitol Reef National Park is known for the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile-long monocline (wrinkle in the earth's crust). This fold creates a varied and unique landscape of colorful sandstone cliffs, white domes, and canyons. Key attractions include the historic Fruita Orchard District, Cathedral Valley’s massive monoliths, and the Cassidy Arch and Hickman Bridge. There is also a 7.9 mile scenic road
MY EXPERIENCE
I didn't have an opportunity to visit this park, because I drove the other way around from Zion to Bryce, through the Grand Canyon, and back up to Canyonlands and Arches (see more on this below), but my research says it is compact and you can drive the scenic road and still have time to see most of the highlights in a day. Apparently the Cassidy Arch, one of the more popular hiking spots, is named for the outlaw Butch Cassidy who was an American outlaw- a train and bank robber who ran a gang of criminals known as the "Wild Bunch." Maybe you've heard of the 1969 famous western movie starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman titled, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"?
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
PARK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Cost: Canyonlands National Park charges an entrance fee of $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person (for pedestrians/cyclists) for a 7-day pass, or The America the Beautiful Annual Pass, or other Annual Pass is also accepted.
Reservations: There are no reservations needed for entry. Permits are required for backcountry hiking, camping, and 4WD trips.
WHERE TO STAY: There is no lodging in the Park. The closest location is Moab, nearest to Island in the Sky, and Monticello, located southeast of the Park and closest to The Needles.
HOW TO GET AROUND: There is no shuttle service in the Park. Traveling through requires your own vehicle . Yes, you can drive through parts of Canyonlands National Park, with the Island in the Sky district offering an easy, paved scenic drive for any vehicle, while other areas like The Needles and The Maze require high-clearance. There are also private river shuttles for one way hikers and paddlers.
TRAVEL TIME FROM OTHER PARKS: From Capital Reef National Park to Canyonlands National Park, it is 144 miles or 2 hrs 20 min, and to Arches it is roughly 40–45 miles (64–72 km) from the Arches entrance to the Canyonlands Island in the Sky Visitor Center.
TIME TO SPEND: 1/2 - 1 day
WHAT IS THE PARK KNOWN FOR: This is pure rugged, desert wilderness. The landscape is divided by the Colorado and Green Rivers into four roadless areas: Island in the Sky, The Needles, the Maze, and the Rivers. It is popular for 4WD and mountain biking through the red-rock canyons and mesas.
MY EXPERIENCE
Canyonlands and Arches are situated very close to one another, so if you are rushed on time, you can visit both in one day, spending the morning at one, and afternoon at the other. I recommend going to Canyonlands first, so you can end on the more dramatic high note of Arches. I spent one full day at each.
In Canyonlands, as in the other Parks, I tried to see as much as possible. In the Island in the Sky District, I went to the Upheaval Dome Overlooks Trail, the First Overlook was a short 0.6 mile round-trip hike of moderate level that offers expansive views of a mysterious 2-mile wide crater. Then I continued on a short distance to the Second Overlook for another viewpoint, with a walk along a steep ridge. I stopped at the Buck Canyon Overlook which is next to the parking lot and gives a pretty impressive view at 6,240 feet (1,902 m) in elevation. I did another short 1 mile trail to Whale Rock that involved a bit of endurance and good footing to get over the large dome, and then finally, Grand View Point Overlook, a 1.8 mile very easy hike along the rim to where you can see huge panoramas, located at the southernmost tip of the Park. While the scenery here is indeed beautiful and offers stunning views, it lacks the diversity of experiences found in other parks. Having already visited the Grand Canyon, I found this one less thrilling. However, there are wide areas of the Park only accessible by 4WD so I can imagine it gets more intense if you have a vehicle to access these areas.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
PARK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Cost: $2 Reservation fee. $30 per private vehicle (valid for 7 days), $25 for motorcycles, or $15 per pedestrian/bicyclist. The America the Beautiful Pass (annual, senior, military, access) is accepted.
Reservations: During high season, from April 1 - October 31, between 7am and 4pm, a timed entry reservation is needed and can be made on the Recreation.gov website. Outside of these hours, entry is open and free.
WHERE TO STAY: Moab, Utah is the closest city, only 5 miles away, with a wide variety of accommodations.
HOW TO GET AROUND: There is no shuttle service, so traveling around the Park requires a private vehicle or other transport.
TRAVEL TIME FROM OTHER PARKS: Capital Reef National Park to Arches National Park is 312 miles or 2 hrs 6min. The travel time from the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park to Arches National Park is roughly 45 miles, and typically 45 to 60 minutes.
TIME TO SPEND: 1/2-1 DAY
WHAT IS THE PARK IS KNOWN FOR: Arches, of course! The Park has the highest concentration of natural stone arches on Earth, over 2000 of them, with gorgeous red-rock pinnacles and other shapes.
MY EXPERIENCE
This is such an easy park to explore. There is one main entrance, one visitor center and one main road, with three parking lots, so it is easy to park, explore, go back to your car, move to the next lot, then repeat. If you want to do some longer day hikes, there are trails, but the main trails are all short and accessible from each parking lot.
I visited while on a long cross-country trip so I only had a day to spend here. It was July and over 100F, but I managed to see a number of arches and some truly incredible sites. Most of the hikes are easy to moderate for difficulty level and not very long, but take some patience and endurance in the intense heat with little shade. The scenery is dramatic, to say the least! Unsurprisingly (to anyone who knows I like fancy things), my favorite area was the walk through Park Avenue Viewpoint and Trail, which carves an awe-inspiring path through some of the giant red spires. I also did the Windows Walk, that visits North and South Window Arches, as well as Turret Arch all in a short less-than-a-mile outing, and the short 15 min trail to Balanced Rock, a unique site that seems to perfect the laws of physics, and Sand Dune Arch Trail, another short trail to a hidden arch between tall sandstone walls. Walking back from the Sand Dune Arch, I encountered a rainstorm in the distance that produced a magical double rainbow! A sublime site for sure! Other areas of the park you encounter soaring vistas and a scattering of arches in between.
Be sure to bring water and wear sunscreen here. Distances can be deceiving and there is little shade from the hot sun. The Park rescues people every year from heatstroke, so make sure to come prepared.
NEARBY ADD - ON DESTINATIONS
If you have more time, just south of these National Parks, on the border of Utah and heading into Arizona and Colorado, are a number of additional incredible sites to visit. You can reach them by driving southeast from Zion National Park, or South from Canyonlands and do a giant loop. I did this and I would do it again in a heartbeat. At minimum, I would allow for four extra days, but ideally a week as the scenery is equally as impressive!
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Monument Valley, Utah
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
TRAVEL TIPS
TIP 1: Consider getting the America the beautiful National Parks Annual Pass. Each National Park charges an entry fee and you are capped at a certain number of days. If you get the US Annual National Park Pass, you have unlimited entries to all of the US National Parks for an entire year. The 2026 rates are $80 for U.S. Residents or $250 for Non-Residents for all non-commercial vehicles at the National Parks and thousands of other recreation sites throughout the country. Passes are available via Recreation.gov (digital) or the USGS Store (physical).
TIP 2: I recommend stopping by the Visitor's Center for information about trails, current conditions, access, and other Park-related information. If you're gathering U.S. National Park Passport stamps, be sure to visit the visitor center in the morning to avoid missing it if you return too late in the evening and it's closed.
TIP 3: Download offline maps. Cell service can be limited.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you're a nature enthusiast and love hiking, there are few places on earth as impressive as Utah. While it may not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a trip to or within the United States, this underrated spot should definitely be high on your list.
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