Utah’s Mighty 5 is the ultimate bucket-list road trip for national park lovers, offering breathtaking landscapes, towering rock formations, and exhilarating hikes. I completed this epic journey in just four days, but if you’re not in a time crunch, I recommend stretching the trip out to a full week. Whether you’re short on time or want to soak it all in, this guide will help you plan your perfect Utah Mighty 5 adventure.
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Where to Begin
The best starting point for the Mighty 5 road trip is Las Vegas, NV, or Salt Lake City, UT. Las Vegas is closer to Zion National Park, making it an ideal choice if you want to hit the parks in a west-to-east direction. Salt Lake City is also a popular option, offering more flexibility on how to approach the loop. No matter where you start, make sure to rent a reliable vehicle, preferably something with 4WD to explore some of the backcountry roads . Stock up on road trip essentials like snacks, water, and maps, as cell service can be spotty in remote areas.
When I completed the Mighty 5, it was a part of a much larger road trip going from east-to-west. So, for the purpose of this guide, we will assume you’re starting in the east and making your way west. This means beginning your journey in Moab, home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, before heading toward Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and finally ending in Zion National Park.
Stop 1: Arches National Park
Arches National Park is famous for its stunning natural rock arches, with over 2,000 arch formations scattered across the landscape. The park offers some of the most iconic hikes, including the trail to Delicate Arch, which is featured on Utah’s license plates!
Keep in mind that timed entry tickets are required to entire Arches from 7 am to 4 pm through most of the busy season(April through October). These are usually released six months in advance, with a limited number available the day before, so be sure to book early!
How much time should you spend at Arches National Park?
At 76,679 acres, Arches is a relatively small national park, making it easy to explore in a short amount of time. The drive from the entrance to the end of the park’s main road takes about 30 minutes, and many of the arches can be seen from the road or accessed via short hikes from trailheads. However, for those looking to venture deeper into the park, longer hikes like Devil’s Garden offer a more immersive experience.
Unlike many national parks located in remote areas, Arches is nestled within the city of Moab, providing easy access to restaurants and shopping. Given its size and accessibility, I recommend allocating at least half a day to explore Arches. If you’re unsure whether that will be enough time, consider planning for a full day. That way, if you finish early, you can explore Moab or visit nearby Canyonlands National Park.
For more information on how to spend your time in Arches, read this itinerary!
Stop 2: Canyonlands National Park
Your next stop is Canyonlands National Park! With it being right across the street from Arches, you won’t have to travel far. While Arches is compact and easily accessible, Canyonlands is vast and rugged, spanning over 337,000 acres of dramatic canyons, towering mesas, and winding rivers. Whether you plan on camping, airbnbing, or opting for a hotel stay, I recommend staying put for your time in both Arches and Canyonlands, given their proximity to each other.
How much time should you spend at Canyonlands National Park?
Canyonlands is one of those parks that you could spend a few hours at or days exploring depending on how much time you have and how deep you want to dive into its landscapes. The park is divided into three main districts—Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze. If you just want a taste of Canyonlands, Island in the Sky is your best bet. For those with more time, The Needles provides incredible hiking opportunities, while The Maze is a remote, backcountry challenge for experienced adventurers.
On my Mighty 5 Road Trip, I initially planned to spend 2 full days exploring both Canyonlands and Arches. However, after finishing early in Arches and heading over to Canyonlands for the afternoon and sunset, we decided one full day was enough for both of the parks. But that also meant that we didn’t have the opportunity to explore The Needles and Maze Districts of Canyonlands. So, make sure you do your research when determining how much time you should allocate to the park!
Stop 3: Capitol Reef National Park
Next, you will drive roughly 2 hours over to Capital Reef National Park. While Capital Reef isn’t as popular as some of the other Utah parks, it truly is a must-visit destination. Offering a quiet, more secluded experience, Capital Reef is full of stunning rock formations, deep canyons, and unique geological features that set it apart from Utah’s other national parks.
How much time should you spend at Capitol Reef National Park?
I recommend spending nearly a full day in Capitol Reef National Park. Between the rich history, hiking options, and scenic drives, you’ll have plenty to explore. Make sure to check out my full-day itinerary to learn more about how to spend your time in the park!
Stop 4: Bryce Canyon National Park
After Capitol Reef, you’re off to the land of the hoodoos—Bryce Canyon National Park. Spanning over roughly 35,835 acres, it may be the smallest of the Mighty 5, but it more than makes up for its size with its breathtaking landscapes and unique geological formations. Known for its iconic hoodoos—tall, thin spires of rock that have been shaped by erosion over thousands of years—Bryce Canyon offers some of the most stunning views in Utah.
How much time should you spend at Bryce Canyon National Park?
Given its size, you really don’t need more than a full day to explore all of Bryce Canyon. But, I do recommend starting your day early to avoid crowds and filled up parking lots. With Bryce Canyon only being an hour away from Zion National park, you can plan on staying in between the two parks or for a night at each. Depending on your pace, you could spend the first half of the day in Bryce Canyon and then head directly to Zion and stay there for the evening.
While half a day is definitely enough time to complete Bryce Canyon’s scenic drive and hit some of the popular hikes, you can opt to spend more time here and explore some of the backpacking trails or bike paths. To learn more about what there is to do in Bryce Canyon National Park, check out my one-day itinerary.
Stop 5: Zion National Park
Last, but certainly not least—Zion National Park! Spanning over 146,000 acres, Zion is Utah’s oldest national park and arguably the most popular. Known for its towering sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and lush canyon floors, Zion offers a diverse range of landscapes that attracts visitors from all around the world.
How much time should you spend at Zion National Park?
While half a day to a full day is enough to enjoy much of what the park has to offer, If you’re looking to experience more of the park’s famous hikes, such as Angels Landing or The Narrows, plan for at least a day and a half to two days. Both of these iconic hikes offer challenging terrain and stunning views, so you’ll want to have enough time to fully appreciate them.
As one of the busiest national parks in the United States, Zion can get very crowded, especially during peak seasons like spring and summer. To make the most of your visit, it’s a good idea to arrive early, and come up with a game plan ahead of time. Read this itinerary to learn more about how to make the most of your time in the park.
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