Utah National Park Road Trip Itinerary
Planning your trip to see some of the places to visit in Utah can be a bit overwhelming. We’ve got the perfect Utah National Park road trip itinerary that will cover all 5 parks in this amazing state!
Below you’ll find awesome things to do, what to pack and where to stay at each National Park in Utah!
It’s important to know the best times of year to visit the Utah National Parks. We share resources that detail what to expect when visiting the parks in Utah at various seasons and months of the year.
Check out these resources in addition to the specific park guides and tips below:
Also, take a look at this list of Utah State Parks you don’t want to miss! There are stunning State Parks near the National Parks that are must-stop locations!
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A Photo Tour of Utah National Parks
Take a visual tour through all five Utah National Parks to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Best Time to Visit Utah National Parks
The best time to visit Utah National Parks is really a personal preference. Weather play a big part in making that decision:
- Arches National Park weather
- Bryce Canyon National Park weather
- Canyonlands National Park weather
- Capitol Reef National Park weather
- Zion National Park weather
Here’s what you can expect during each season and month of the year at the Utah National Parks!
Spring at Utah National Parks
The busy season starts at Utah National Parks in the spring. Between March and October the roads, hiking trails and parking lots typically fill to capacity. If you can, avoid the holidays around Easter, spring break and Memorial Day. Those times are especially busy!
Spring weather is perfect for exploring the National Parks in central and southern Utah. The days are warm but early morning and evening temperatures are still cool. In early spring you might experience rain or even snow.
Due to the elevation near Bryce Canyon, temperatures are much cooler: early spring high 50, low 20 | late spring: high 77, low 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
For the other four parks you’ll find warmer temperatures: early spring high 60, low mid-30s | late spring high 80+, low 40+ degrees Fahrenheit.
Summer at Utah National Parks
To be completely honest, Utah National Parks in the summer is not our favorite time to visit. Summer weather is HOT in central/southern Utah where the national parks are located. You also have to watch for summer monsoon rain that can affect hiking in slot canyons!
Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun! Plan your outdoor activities in the morning and late afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Bryce Canyon is a “bit” cooler due to its elevation with highs near 80 and lows around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The other four parks can become unbearable with highs in the 90s to 100s and lows around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fall at Utah National Parks
Visiting Utah National Parks in the fall is one of the best times of the year to go. Fall is a very busy season because the weather is “just right” for outdoor activities. Expect warm days with nighttime temperatures cooling down as the months progress.
Bryce Canyon: September highs 69, lows 37; October high 57, lows 27 and November highs 44, lows 18 degrees Fahrenheit.
The other four parks: September highs 80, lows 50; October highs 70, lows 40; November highs 60, lows 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter at Utah National Park
The best thing about Utah National Parks in the winter is the solitude and serenity you’ll experience as you explore the parks.
When visiting Bryce Canyon in the winter you can expect it to be snowy and cold. Throughout the winter months temperatures to range from 36 degrees all the way down to 11 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter weather for the other four parks is a bit milder than Bryce Canyon with highs near 40 and lows in the mid-20s.
Be prepared for rain and snow storms. Watch weather reports so you’re prepared for the conditions. Roads can close in all parks due to snow storms. Trails can become muddy and icy and may require traction devices.
Utah National Park Road Trip Itinerary
This itinerary starts by flying into Las Vegas then driving to the Utah National Parks in this order:
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
You can also fly into Salt Lake City and visit the parks as listed above, or in reverse order.
Zion National Park
The drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park is 160 miles and takes about 2 1/2 hours. Exit Route 9 off I-15 just past St. George and follow the signs to Zion National Park.
Use our Zion National Park travel guide to plan your visit. We recommend 2-3 days to really experience this park.
The Zion National Park shuttle into Zion Canyon runs most of the year so be sure to check schedules and times to navigate this section of the park. It’s also important to note the guidelines for parking at Zion National Park.
There are amazing things to do at Zion National Park, and here are a few of our favorites:
- Zion National Park Hikes
- Zion Hikes Without the Shuttle
- Zion National Park Scenic Drives
- Zion National Park Photo Spots
NOTE! Angels Landing pilot program begins April 1, 2022. On and after April 1, 2022, hikers going to Angels Landing will need a permit. The National Park Service (NPS) will issue permits using online lotteries at Recreation.gov.
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
You definitely want to stay in Springdale which borders the entrance to Zion.
- Places to Stay at Zion National Park
- Camping in Zion National Park
- RV Parks near Zion National Park
- Glamping Near Zion National Park
- Cabins Near zion National Park
- Holiday Inn Express – our favorite place to stay with an outdoor pool and amenities you’d find in a high end hotel
- Zion Lodge – we haven’t had a chance to stay here yet, but you can’t go wrong staying right IN the park!
- Under Canvas Zion – if you want to experience a less crowded part of Zion, this is the place! It’s in the Kolob section of the park.
- Vacation Rentals in Springdale – you’ll want to stay in Springdale so you’re close to the park entrance and can walk to shopping and restaurants.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Leave Zion National Park through the east entrance and travel 2 hours north, about 73 miles, on Highway 89 toward Bryce Canyon National Park.
Use our Bryce Canyon travel guide to plan your visit. You can quickly see this park in 1/2 to 1 day, but if you plan to do any hiking, photography, horseback riding or other activities, we recommend 2 days!
If you want to take amazing photos of the hoodoos, windows and arches here, check out our favorite Bryce Canyon photo spots with tips and best times to take pictures at each viewpoint!
Here are our favorite things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park:
- Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
- Bryce Canyon Hikes
- Navajo Loop Queen’s Garden Trail
- Bryce Canyon Activities
- Tourist Attractions in Bryce Canyon
Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon:
- Bryce Canyon Places to Stay
- Bryce Canyon Hotels
- Bryce Canyon Winter Lodging
- Bryce Canyon National Park Camping
- Bryce Canyon National Park RV Vacation
- Vacation Rentals Near Bryce Canyon
- Best Western Ruby’s Inn – easy access right outside the park
- Best Western Plus – also right outside the park
Capitol Reef National Park
From Bryce Canyon you’ll drive along Utah Scenic Byway Route 12 to Capitol Reef National Park. The 2.5 hour drive, 116 miles, is along a narrow and winding road through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
We highly recommend these best stops Along Scenic Byway 12 as you travel from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef:
- Kodachrome Basin State Park in Cannonville
- Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
- Anasazi State Park Museum in Boulder
- Lower Calf Creek Falls hiking trail
Use our Capitol Reef National Park guide to plan your visit. You can quickly see this park in 1/2 to 1 day, but if you plan to do any hiking, photography or exploring the more remote districts, we recommend 2 to 3 days!
Here are our favorite things to do in Capitol Reef National Park:
- Capitol Reef Hikes
- Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
- Capitol Reef National Park Photography
- Fruita – buy homemade treats at Gifford Homestead and pick fruit in the orchards during harvest season!
- Cathedral Valley District – 4×4 offroad loop
- Burr Trail – 4×4 offroad loop
Places to Stay Near Capitol Reef
- Places to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park Camping
- Hotels near Capitol Reef National Park
- RV Parks Near Capitol Reef National Park
- Capitol Reef Resort – this is where we stay! Make it a unique experience and stay in a teepee or covered wagon!
- Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel – basic rooms and cabins with a deli and store right on the property which is so convenient!
- Vacation Rentals Near Capitol Reef – we like finding a place with a kitchen so we can prepare our own food.
Canyonlands National Park
Before you leave Capitol Reef, make sure you have plenty of water, healthy road trip snacks and a full tank of gas as you head 2.5 hours to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.
We recommend you drive Highway 24 to I-70 and take time visiting Goblin Valley State Park. Keep in mind the park hours are 6 am to 10 pm every day. Go early so avoid the crowds, especially during spring, summer and fall.
Use our Canyonlands National Park guide to plan your visit. Remember there are really four districts in this park:
- Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky
- Needles Canyonlands
- The Maze
- Colorado River
We only focus on Island in the Sky and Needles in this guide. Here’s what you need to know about Canyonlands Island in the Sky vs Needles:
Canyonlands Island in the Sky
We recommend a full day to explore the Island in the Sky scenic drive and take a short hike or two. And you MUST take time to visit Dead Horse Point State Park, a side road right before the entrance to Island in the Sky. Add another day or two if you plan to take longer hikes or explore the 4×4 Shaeffer Trail or White Rim Road.
Needles Canyonlands
The Needles District is in a remote part of the park that features extensive hiking trails, amazing geology, and relatively few people, making this a fantastic area to explore.
This section of Canyonlands National Park is 40 miles south of Moab. Drive along US 191 until you reach UT 211. This is the only road into and out of this section of the park. Be sure to stop and see Newspaper Rock, one of the largest known collections of petroglyphs dating back 2,000 years!
Check out our Arches and Canyonlands Photography Guide that includes a 3-day itinerary to photograph the most amazing sunrise, sunset and night spots in both parks!
Here are our favorite things to do at Canyonlands National Park:
- Canyonlands Hikes
- Canyonlands Island in the Sky Visitor Center
- Island in the Sky Hikes
- Island in the Sky Scenic Drive
- Best Photo Spots at Canyonlands Island in the Sky
Where to Stay Near Canyonlands Island in the Sky
There are no lodging facilities in the park, but there are campgrounds.
- Island in the Sky Campgrounds
- Where to Stay in Moab – near Canyonlands
Here are 4 places we recommend:
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Moab – we enjoyed our stay and highly recommend this hotel due to its location close to Canyonlands.
- Purple Sage – our all-time favorite place to stay in Moab – walking distance to shopping, full kitchen, and only 8 units so you don’t feel lost in a large hotel.
- Red Cliffs Lodge – rooms up to 6 people – located 17 miles from Moab, this lodge is known for its beautiful location, winery and activities like horseback riding, fishing and more!
- Townhomes south of town – we really like the townhomes in Spanish Valley with kitchen, washer and dryer in the unit and a swimming pool/hot tub (just a 5 minute drive south of Moab).
- Rent an RV – have it dropped off at your vacation destination!
Where to Stay Near Canyonlands Needles
There are no lodging facilities in the park, but there is one campground.
You can visit Needles and stay in Moab, and most people do that.
The town of Monticello is a bit closer to Needles, but the lodging, food and shopping options aren’t as good. It’s a much smaller town than Moab.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a few miles north of the fun outdoor adventure town of Moab, Utah. We visit many times and never tire of photographing or hiking around the natural rock formations that include 2,000 stone archways, giant balanced rocks, and massive pinnacles.
Yes, you can drive through Arches in a day (or even 1/2 a day) if all you do is stop at the various points of interest. But you’d miss all that this amazing small park has to offer!
We recommend at least 2 full days in Arches, especially if you really want to take amazing photos and/or hike the trails. Use our Arches National Park travel guide to plan your time at this amazing park!
Here are our favorite things to do at Arches National Park:
- Arches National Park Scenic Drive
- Arches National Park Hiking Trails
- Devil’s Garden Trail
- Arches National Park Photography
PLEASE NOTE: Arches has a TIMED ENTRY pilot program April through October, 2022. Visitors can book reservations first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov. The park will release reservations three months in advance in monthly blocks.
Where to Stay Near Arches:
- Where to Stay Near Arches National Park
- Arches National Park Camping
- Hotels near Arches National Park
- RV Parks Near Arches National Park
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Moab – we enjoyed our stay and highly recommend this hotel due to its location close to Arches.
- Purple Sage – our all-time favorite place to stay in Moab – walking distance to shopping, full kitchen, and only 8 units so you don’t feel lost in a large hotel.
- Red Cliffs Lodge – rooms up to 6 people – located 17 miles from Moab, this lodge is known for its beautiful location, winery and activities like horseback riding, fishing and more!
- Vacation Rentals – we really like rentals with a kitchen, washer and dryer and amenities like a swimming pool and hot tub.
Plan a Utah National Parks Vacation
- Utah National Park Road Trip Itinerary
- Best Time to Visit Utah National Parks
- Arches National Park Travel Guide
- Bryce Canyon Travel Guide
- Canyonlands National Park Guide
- Capitol Reef National Park Guide
- Zion National Park Travel Guide
