Whether you’re planning a vacation with friends or a big ol’ family road trip, you’ll find the best National Parks in Utah make a perfect destination for those who love the outdoors and are looking for a bit of adventure! We’re going to let you in on all our best tips and advice – from avoiding the crowds to getting that perfect photograph. We’ll even share what to pack!
Did you know that Utah has five different national parks?
Yep! That’s right… that small, square state in the middle of the western US is so packed full of geographical diversity that they’ve created five separate and very different National Parks here. These parks have earned the title of the “Mighty Five” because they pack such a punch, every single one is worth a visit.
This guide to the best national parks in Utah will walk you through what to expect in all of 5 parks and get you all set for a trip of a lifetime!
What is the best time of year to visit Utah?
Each season offers visitors something unique. Spring and fall have the most comfortable temperatures for hiking and mountain biking. Winter boasts the least amount of tourists and the opportunity to see some of the iconic landscapes dusted in snow.
And summer, generally tends to be an easy time for people to make travel plans. We visited in the month of June, and while we had very hot temperatures during the day (especially in Moab), we were still able to do everything we wanted to.
How long should I plan to spend in Utah?
We’d recommend at least a week if you want to visit all of the Mighty 5 National Parks. We think 10 – 12 days would be ideal for a trip like this, and would allow you to see some sights outside of the parks as well!
Insider Tip: Save money on park entrance fees America the Beautiful Park Pass: Is it Worthwhile?
What to pack for Utah’s National Parks
Packing can be one of the most daunting parts of planning a trip, but lucky for you, we’ve got you covered with a complete packing list so you are totally prepared during your visit to Utah. And don’t forget to pack some eco-friendly travel gear to help leave no trace.
- Hiking clothes
- Summer: Tank tops and also light layers to shield your skin from the sun.
- Spring and fall: Pack layers because it can get cool at night!
- Winter: Lots of warm layers for cold nights. Don’t forget a hat and gloves!
- Packing cubes – These babies help us keep our clothes organized and compact.
- Shoes for hiking – We wore our Chacos everywhere in Utah! We also wore hiking boots a few times.
- Camera
- Tripod
- We love our Joby tripod because you can’t always trust other tourists to take a nice picture of you (sorry, but it’s true!). This tripod is super lightweight and helps us get great shots on all our travels!
- GoPro and selfie stick – Great for capturing your adventure in video form!
- Anker Battery Charger
- If you’re camping in the National Parks, chances are you’ll go a few days without having access to an outlet. We love our Anker charger because we can get 7 phone charges out of it! We did a lot of research on external chargers before making the purchase, and this is one of the best ones you can get!
- Cooler for picnic lunches – With the exception of Zion, you won’t be able to find food inside the national parks. You’ll want to be prepared with plenty of food for picnics and snacking.
- Sunscreen
- Hat for shade
- Sunglasses – We love our bamboo Tree Tribe shades. They are high-quality, lightweight and float in water! And the best part is that 10 trees are planted for every purchase!
- Water bottle or Camelback
- Chapstick and lotion – the dry desert heat can wreak havoc on your lips and skin.
- Microfiber towel -These towels dry super quickly and pack down tight.
- Collapsible backpack – This guy folds up super small and is great for day hikes!
Want to try out vanlife while visiting Utah?
It’s no secret we’re obsessed with #vanlife. If you don’t have the time (or interest!) in building your own conversion but you still want to give van life a test drive, we’ve got some ideas for you.
In fact, we have an entire guide about the best campervan rentals in Salt Lake City. It’s loaded with useful info and helpful advice so you can have an incredible Utah campervan trip.
One company we’d recommend looking into is Escape Campervans. They have 12 different locations across North America and come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip. Plus, their rates are fair and affordable.
BONUS: We’ve partnered with them to give you a 10% off discount when you use our link!
A note about camping in Utah:
If you’re traveling in a campervan or simply hoping to save money on your visit to Utah’s National Parks by camping along the way, we have a deal for you!
The Dyrt is our favorite campsite locating app with the largest database of campgrounds (44,000+ campsites and counting!) and over 1 million user-submitted reviews. Plus, it’s super user-friendly, and has some pretty cool features, like a outdoor gear contests and forums to connect and seek advice from fellow campers, that you won’t find on any other camping app.
Try their Pro Membership for FREE for 90 days and gain access to the offline version of the the app, utilize their trip planning feature AND get exclusive discounts on campsites and gear!
Descriptions of Utah’s “Mighty 5” National Parks
What parks make up Utah’s famous “Mighty 5”, you ask?
- Canyonlands National Park
- Arches National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
You probably want a little more information than that, dontcha? Below you’ll find a brief description of each park, along with a link to a complete guide full of all the information you’ll need to plan your visit.
We’ll explain what makes each park unique, the pros and cons, where to get the best photos, camping spots nearby and even how to avoid the crowds. This guide will help you determine which are the best national parks in Utah for your travels, and maybe you’ll just decide to visit all five (like we did!).
Tip: Use this National Parks checklist and guide to keep track of which national parks you’ve visited throughout the US!
Canyonlands National Park
Known for sweeping canyon views of a dramatic red rock landscape, Canyonlands National Park is sure to make your jaw drop. Located just outside of Moab, this park is easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Drive through the park to one of the many viewpoints at sunset, or lace up your hiking boots and get up close and personal with the land.
Check out our full guide to Canyonlands National Park.
Arches National Park
Perhaps the most iconic of Utah’s National Parks, Arches is known for the unique arch formations in the desert sandstone. The most famous of all, Delicate Arch, draws visitors from around the world and is even celebrated on the Utah license plate! Just outside of Moab, this National Park is popular for good reason.
Check out our full guide to Arches National Park.
Zion National Park
Zion is the most visited National Park in Utah, and one of the most popular parks in the nation. And there’s good reason for its popularity. Pine trees dot the landscape in clusters and towering red rock cliffs rise on either side of the canyon. Carving through the center is the crystal clear Virgin River. This National park offers strenuous hikes, like the famed Angel’s Landing, as well as easy walks for the whole family!
Check out our full guide to Zion National Park.
Capitol Reef National Park
Being that Capitol Reef National Park is not near any major cities, many visitors skip over this park during their time in Utah. The landscape is out of this world, and being that it sometimes gets forgotten on Utah itineraries, it feels a bit “off the beaten path”. Pick fruit from historic orchards, drive through a narrow gorge and see ancient petroglyphs in this gem of a park. We think it’ll surprise you!
Check out our full guide to Capitol Reef National Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Known for super unique pillar-like rock formations called “hoodoos”, Bryce Canyon is a stunner. Wander past rock formations that’ll make you feel as if you’re in a fairytale and watch as the sunlight dances and casts ever-changing shadows. You’ll certainly be enchanted by this National Park.
Check out our full guide to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Extend your road trip to see more epic places on the West Coast!
If you have more time on your hands and would like to add a few more states to your road trip adventure, consider driving west and making a pitstop in Vegas! We even wrote up an article on how to visit Las Vegas on a budget so you don’t break the bank!
Next, head directly to Los Angeles to see one of the most iconic cities in the United States. But don’t stop there! Head north on route 1 from LA to San Francisco for an epic road trip! You’ll see beaches and cute towns along the way, and you’ll end up in San Fran – perhaps our favorite big city in the US!
You might also like…
- Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park
- Adventurous Things to Do in Olympic National Park
- The Best USA Road Trips
- How to Plan an Epic USA Road Trip
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We want to hear from you!
Have you been to Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks? What was your favorite part? Are you planning a trip and still have questions? Comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!
If you had to pick one park to visit, which one would you pick?!
This is super helpful! We are planning a BIG 5 Utah trip this coming spring if Covid allows so we will make sure to bookmark this. Thanks!
Utah parks is the best park we got as I travelled twice there. Plus the vacation homes in Moab are one mesmerizing one. We took a room near the park area from Esvrm.com and the view was amazing.
Thanks for sharing all the other parks will try to cover next year as I love nature.
Is it okay to drive around mighty 5 using 26 ft RV ?
The Utah parks are some of my favorites, especially Arches. This is a great post!
We’d love to go back again someday (maybe not in the heat of summer!) haha
Hey guys, will be visiting the Big 5 in October, any advice on places to stay/camp? We wil be travelling in a camper van with a 1 year old.
Logan
There are plenty of campsites around each of the different National Parks in Utah. You can book your spots in advance through the park’s websites. Sounds like a blast bringing a little one to Utah’s National Parks!
I had a great trip through the big five and the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago–definitely recommend swinging through the State parks too–in particular would recommend Goblin state park and Edge of the Cedars…………check out some off the beaten path places like Sego canyon and Sand Island Petroglyphs………..so many amazing places………so beautiful!
Thanks for the tips Cindy! State Parks are great too. We really wanted to go to Goblin State Park but just didn’t have the time. We’ll have to check those places out next time we’re traveling in Utah!