Utah Parks
Guide to Visiting Utah's National Parks
Here's a road trip itinerary to experience Utah's major natural highlights in just over one week. This includes details on how to prioritize your time at Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, and Zion National Parks. It also includes stops at Dead Horse and Goosenecks State Parks, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Island along the Great Salt Lake.
To keep this trip simple I recommend arriving and departing through Salt Lake City. First head to Moab for three nights to experience countless arches and expansive views at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. From there head south to the Navajo Nation to spend a day visiting the famous Monument Valley. Afterwards take the next day to experience two highlights near Page, Arizona - Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend. You'll return to Utah to take a few days in Springdale to tour Zion followed by heading north to see Bryce before returning to Salt Lake City.
~1,000 Mile Road Trip
Day 1 - Arrival & Dead Horse Point State Park
Once in Salt Lake City hit the road for the four hour drive to Moab. Plan to see sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park. There you'll walk along the ledges towers 2,000 feet above the Colorado River providing a breathtaking panorama of Canyonlands’ sculpted pinnacles and buttes. You are also to catch a glimpse of the potash evaporation pools to the east.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Day 2 - Arches National Park
Plan to spend your first full day in Arches National Park. While it is a relatively small park, it has an awful lot to see and can be very crowded. From April 1 to Oct. 31, you’ll need a timed entry ticket (found here) to enter this popular park between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, you can get in with just your park pass.
Morning - Start at Double Arch or the Windows. Both destinations use the same parking area and often fill up later in the day. If you're ambitious enough to make it out for sunrise these are great accessable options over doing the more popular Delicate Arch where you'll have a 3 mile hike in the dark to contend with. While exploring make sure to check out Turret Arch. When done I suggest a quick tour of the Garden of Eden and if it is not too busy visit Balanced Rock while you're close.
Double Arch
Turret Arch
Balanced Rock
Afternoon - Head to the back of the park to see Devil's Garden Trail. There's an easy two mile trail to see a number of arches, including the famous Landscape Arch - the longest in the world outside of China with a span of 290 ft. Afterwards go to hike for Delicate Arch - arguably one of the most famous geological features in the world. For sunset, either stay at Delicate Arch or beat the crowds out by seeing it closer to the park's exit at the Courthouse Towers or La Sal Mountains Viewpoint.
Landscape Arch
Delicate Arch
Courthouse Towers
Day 3 - Canyonlands National Park
The last full day in Moab will be dedicated to seeing the north side of Canyonlands national park known as the Island in the Sky district due to the cliffs on all sides.
Morning - Consider doing Mesa Arch before sunrise - up to an hour beforehand is required to secure parking. Take the rest of the morning exploring the Upheavel Dome by way of the trail to first and second overlook - this is about two and a half miles round trip. Marvel at a rock formation that has geologists stumped - theories include being caused by a salt dome or from a meteorite impact site. Next stop over at the Green River Overlook.
Mesa Arch
Colorado River
Upheaval Dome
Afternoon - The roundtrip two mile hike to the Grand View Point Overvlook is not to be missed. It offers a view of Junction Butte and the convergence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. Beyond that, take the balance of your day stopping at the various other lookouts, such as, Buck Canyon and Shafer Trail Viewpoints.
Grand View Point Overlook
Canyonlands National Park Map with Recommended Attractions
Day 4 - Southeast Utah & Monument Valley
Upon departing from Moab it is a two and half hour drive to Monument Valley. As you plan your day you'll want to make sure you have a minimum two hours of daylight left to tour the area. Depending on how much time you have left you'll have options to stop at the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park and Goosenecks State Park.
Morning - The Needles are named after a series of red and white eroded sandstone pillars. Note that if you elect to visit this part of the park it will add nearly two and a half hours to your drive given the remote location. I toured the Big Spring Canyon Overlook and completed a half mile hike around Pothole Point Trail. Other highlights include seeing the needles and wooden shoe rock formations. Goosenecks Stake Park that is very close to the main route and offers view of the Colorado river as it cuts through the mountains.
Big Springs Canyon
The Needles
Goosenecks State Park
Afternoon - As you approach Monument Valley make sure to stretch your legs on the iconic highway from Forrest Gump. Monument Valley is in the Navajo Nation Reservation right on the boarder between Arizona and Utah. There are not a lot of lodging options; and while you'll pay a premium to stay there, the View Hotel is the perfect location - just make sure to book far in advance. Once you arrive plan for two hours to complete the 17 mile loop; the road is fairly rough as it weaves through the formations. it was a special place to see the majestic sandstone formations towering over the desert floor - some exceeding 1000 ft.
Run Like Forrest Gump
Monument Valley
Loop Road
Day 5 - Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon
On your fifth day you'll experience some of Arizona's must see attractions.
Morning - Drive two hours to Horseshoe bend. It is about a mile hike and you won't need much over 30 minutes for pictures. The view form the canyon's rim does not disappoint.
Horseshoe Bend
Afternoon - In the city of Page stop for lunch and to meet your Antelope Canyon tour operator. The upper Antelope Canyon tour should be booked months in advance (I booked here). I'd recommend a time in the mid-day - note that only between April and September will the light beams be visible in the floor of the canyon. Regardless it is an experience not to be missed. While you should expect a fairly crowded experience, the guides will move people along and share some some information about the Native American culture in the region. Note that you'll have a chance to stop to periodically take pictures on the way in, but not on the way back - so make it count! From there I'd recommend driving another two hours to Springdale
Antelope Canyon
Day 6 - Zion National Park
Plan for staying two nights in Springdale. Parking is extreamly limited in this area so you'll want a hotel that has available parking. You can walk, take the local shuttle, or pay to park your car at the park visitor center which can fill by mid-morning. Only between December and February are you able to drive through the park - you'll likely need to take the shuttle.
Your first decision should be made well in advance of your trip - will you hike Angel's Landing? Doing so requires a permit which is awarded months in advance or as part of a daily lottery (details here). Considered by many to be one of the more dangerous hikes in the national park system, this is a strenuous four hour hike acends 1500 ft and is not well suited for those with a fear of heights. For those that undertake it the views are incredible.
View from Angel's Landing
Morning - If you're not undertaking Angel's Landing consider dedicating around four hours to Emerald Pools Trail - start at the Zion Lodge and wrap up at the Angel's Landing Trailhead stop. The four hours includes the additional two hours hike to the upper falls which has a moderate difficulty rating.
Lower Emerald Pool
Afternoon - At that point take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava to do the Riverside Walk. If you have an extra day you can consider wadding the Virgin River from this point on a trek known as the Narrows. This activity can exceed eight hours and is weather dependent due to flash flooding risks - At certain points the width may be only 20 ft with walls exceeding 1000 feet. Otherwise to finish the day I suggest walking the last part back to the park entrance along the Riverside Trail. This easy pathed trail offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains while you walk along the river.
Temple of Sinawava
The Narrows
Riverside Trail (Watchman)
As a general rule I recommend stopping at attractions along the way in the park to plan to finish the day at back of the park. Shuttles fill up in the afternoon so best to get a spot at the end of the line.
Day 7 - Zion Wrap-up & Bryce Viewpoints
Morning - Plan to hike to the Pine Creek Canyon Overlook before leaving Zion. As you depart along highway 9 parking is immediately after getting through the tunnel. The trail is rated as modestly difficult and is an adventure as you follow along a path that hugs the mountainside. It also doesn't hurt that it offers a great view of the valley at the end. Plan for about an hour to do the mile round trip trail. Finally make sure to pull over to see the Checkerboard Mesa before you leave the park.
Pine Creek Canyon Overlook
Afternoon - After the two hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park plan to see as many of the vantage points along the rim as you can. Accomodations in the area are quite limited; options include a few hotels at the park enterence or a few smaller lodges in the city of Tropic for two nights. In that area I recommend Stone Canyon Inn which also features a great restaurant.
Sunset Point
Day 8 - Explore Bryce Canyon National Park
The next day is fully dedicated to Bryce National Park; start at sunrise point, then head into the canyon along Queen's Garden Trail. Wrap up along Wall Street. Hike is about 500 ft gain and 2.2 miles and will take an hour. If you are feeling more ambitous you can undertake a 3 hour loop below the rim on the fairyland loop trail; it is a 1200 ft elevation gain and features tower bridge. Peek-A-Boo Loop could be another option. Otherwise take the balance of your time touring the other overviews. Another option is to go for horseback ride the going rate is $75-$100 for 2-3 hours. If you find yourself going between Tropic and the park enterence stop over at Mossy Cave Trail, it offers a great waterfall.
Sunrise Point
Queen's Garden Trail
Mossy Cave Trail
Day 9 - Capitol Reef National Park & Antelope Island Optional Excursions
For your last day I recommend heading back to Bryce for sunrise if you haven't already. Fairyland Point is a great alternative to Sunrise point. If you have interest and time to see all of Utah's five national parks you can go an additional 90 minutes out of your way to stop at Capital Reef National Park. With about two hours you would have time to complete the Hickman Bridge trail that features a natural bridge and petroglyphs, tour the Fruita Barn where you can pick fruit if in season, and take in some great views at Sunset Point. Another fantastic option is to visit Antelope Island the city and offers a chance to experience the Great Salt Lake, which may be gone in as soon as five years. As you drive around you'll likely also see herds of bison grazing freely about. If you you can try to stay late to see the sun set over the lake. This is an incredible way to wrap up an action packed week.
Fairyland Point
Capitol Reef National Park
Antelope Island
When to Go and How Much to Budget
I recommend going between either March and May or September or November. The winters are cold and certain parks will have snow. Summers are to be avoided, the parks are quite crowded and the heat will definitely slow you down.
For two people plan to spend between $3,200 and $4,700. This includes eight nights of 3-star accommodations, rental car and fuel, and full service restaurants. One thing that you can do to save money is to eat on the road or trail. To do so stop at grocery store upon arrival to stock up.
