san jose to utah road trip

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9 things you need to see on a road trip from california to utah itinerary.

August 24, 2020 · In: Las Vegas , Nevada , Road Trips , USA , Utah , WANDERLUST

I’ve crowned 2020 the year of road trips (and avoiding air travel). Visiting Utah has been on my list of to-visit spots for years after hearing about the beautiful landscapes. The below itinerary is gives you a sample of all the things to see in Southern Utah. Keep reading for our road trip from California to Utah itinerary.

Things you need to known before you leave on your road trip (FAQs)

I had quite a few questions on Instagram and Tiktok that I think will be helpful for your planning!

How long do you need? Our trip took 9 days, departing from San Diego and ending at the Arches National Park (the farthest point of the itinerary). Our trip was a bit aggressive, so looking back 10-12 days would be more ideal.

Are things open due to the pandemic? We visited early July and I would recommend contacting/ researching all locations before visiting. Many places had updated hours and limited service. However, most spots were still operating!

Any tips for traveling during the pandemic? A full blog post is coming on this soon, however, a few quick tips:

• Contact hotels in advance to ask about their COVID safety precautions. Not everyone has the same precautions and you want to make sure you’re safe!
• Bring lots of cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, and masks. This is important for disinfecting your hotel room, shoes (after visiting public bathrooms), etc.

Stop 1: Seven Magic Mountains

Our first stop from San Diego (our starting point) was the Seven Magic Mountains art installation, located outside of Las Vegas. Designed by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, the installation is about 35 ft high. You’ll only need about 20 – 30 minutes at this stop.

• Location: ~10 miles outside of Las Vegas
• Admission: Free

Tips for visiting Seven Magic Mountains:

• Try to get there early to avoid the crowds! (The earlier the better).
• Don’t be afraid to play with angles for your photos. Walk around, get low, get high, try different things. ⁣
• Keep your outfit neutral to not conflict with the colors!

Stop 2: Las Vegas, Nevada

Does the party capitol of the world really need an introduction? Las Vegas realistically requires two days if you want to see the sites and dine at their Michelin-star restaurants. Our goal was to focus on Utah, so this was a quick lunch stop.

Planning to spend a few days? Check out our article for how to spend 3 days in Las Vegas.

Stop 3: Valley of Fire State Park

The Valley of Fire is known as the largest and oldest Nevada state park. Created 150 million years ago during the Jurassic Era, Valley of Fire is named after the red sandstone formations. Visitors like to check out the 40,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone, and most importantly the petroglyphs that are over 2,000 years old.

The Logistics you need to know before you visit:

• Location:  1 hour from downtown Las Vegas, 5 hours from Los Angeles
• Amenities:  There are a number of different campsites with tables, and BBQs. Camping is on a first come, first serve basis.
• Entrance fee:  $10 per vehicle
• Visitor Center Hours:  Daily 9 AM – 4:30 PM. ( park closes at sunset)

Read the full article below on things to do in the Valley of Fire here .

Stop 4: Mystic Hot Springs

I originally stumbled across Mystic Hot Springs on Instagram while searching for unique activities to do on our Southern Utah road trip. I was especially drawn to the vintage vibes and ability to social distance. Visiting really does feel like stepping into an older and different world. If you’ve visited Salvation Mountain in California and loved it, this is along those lines.

• Location: About 4 hours from Las Vegas, and 2.5 hours from Zion.
• Soaking Pass: $25 for a 2 hour pass

For more information on our experience at the Mystic Hot Springs, read the article here .

Stop 5: Arches National Park

Arches National Park, located in Moab deserves 2 days at least. Named after the over 2,000 arches in the park, this 73,000+ acre natural wonder is a must-visit on a trip through Utah.

With the soaring temperatures in the summer, the viable times to be in the park if you’re hiking are early morning and late afternoon. We spent a total of day in Arches and will definitely need to come back.

• Admission: $30 per vehicle (included in the National Parks Pass)

How to spend one day in Arches:

• Start with a drive through the park up to Devil’s Garden. It’s so scenic & a great way to get a feel for the park! ⁣
• ⁣Hike to Delicate Arch (opt to do this early in the morning or late in the day) ⁣
• ⁣Stop to check out the Three Gossips rock formation & the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint. ⁣
• ⁣Hike to the Windows District & Double Arch. ⁣
• ⁣Stop by Balanced Rock for a quick photo op! ⁣

Stop 6: Escalante

We decided to stay at the Escalante Yurts in between Arches and Bryce Canyon as a co-worker highly recommended it. We absolutely loved our experience in the elevated and unique yurt. Our only regret is not having spent more time in Escalante. The area is a hidden gem that easily deserves 2-3 days of your time.

A few must-see’s in the area (based on other travelers’ recommendations:

• Willis Creek
• Devil’s Garden
• Golden Cathedral

Don’t miss dining at the Escalante Outfitters down the road. Their food was our favorite meal of the entire trip!

Stop 7: Bryce Canyon

Located in Southern Utah, Bryce Canyon is most well-known for its bright colored red hoodoos. Hoodoos are according to  National Geographic  are “a spire of rock that has an easily eroded column and a more resistant cap.” Seeing these in person, it’s hard to believe that they were created by nature! It looks like an artist took a chisel and carefully carved each rock.

• Entrance Fee:  $35 per vehicle (included in the national parks pass)
• Location:  ~1.5 hours from Zion National Park & ~1.5 hours from the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

We combined our trip to the Bryce Canyon with a trip to the coral pink sand dunes on our way to Zion National Park. If you have time however, you can easily spend a day here.

For more information on things to do in Bryce Canyon, read the article here.

Stop 8: Coral Sands Sand Dunes

The Coral Pink Sand Dunes are named after its unique hued sand. Located near the town of Kanab, the state park is somewhere you can spend a few minutes to a few hours in.

• Location: 12500 Sand Dune Rd, Kanab, UT 84741
• Admission: $10 per vehicle

A few notes on visiting the sand dunes:

• Plan to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon as the sand is scorching in the middle of the day.
• You can rent ATVs or sand sleds if you arrive early enough (they get booked pretty quickly). Learn more here .
• If you don’t have a lot of time, walk around a bit to enjoy the colors before heading to your next stop!

Stop 9: Zion National Park

By the time we reached Zion National Park on our whirlwind California to Utah road trip, we were  tired . Not to mention that due to the pandemic things were operating a little differently in Zion. (We’ll get to that in a bit) That left us researching things to do in the area. That’s where horseback riding in Zion comes in. It’s unique and a great way to visit the park!

A note on Zion during the pandemic: We visited Zion over the fourth of July weekend, shortly after they re-opened. Shuttles required buying passes the day before, and the scenic drive was only open to bikers, walkers, and the shuttles. This highly impacted our itinerary. For the latest news on Zion visit  their website .

A few other tips on Zion:

• For breakfast or lunch, Deep Creek Coffee Co. is a must. They had great coffee and healthy meal options.
• Stay at the Majestic View Lodge and ask for a room with a view of the mountains. It’s a short drive from downtown, but quiet enough to be relaxing.

To learn more about what we did in the park, learn here .

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The Best 8-Day Utah Road Trip Adventure Itinerary

One of the most iconic road-trips in America is the drive through Utah’s desert! With bright red rocks, orange sand, massive canyons and mountains we learned that Utah really has it all. This road-trip takes you through epic desert landscapes in the USA, to the best National Parks in America and on incredible desert trails. This is the most popular road-trip routes in the USA for a reason!

We drove all the way from Vancouver, BC, Canada to see explore Utah and will never forget this trip of a lifetime. Our itinerary included 4/5 of Utah’s National Parks as well as some exclusive permit-only hikes and hidden gems off the regular path! We had the most epic road-trip through Utah and I’m here to share our 8-day adventure itinerary with you!

Table of Contents

What you need to know before your Utah road-trip

Before you start your trip, plan ahead! Utah has 5 incredibly famous National Parks and most people try to see them all in one road-trip. Know that you will need to have an America The Great Parks Pass before entering the parks or purchase at park gates. Also, make sure to map out your route and download offline maps! Some of the places we visited were remote and did not have cell service. Make note of any off-roading and make sure your vehicle is prepared.

The best time of the year to visit Utah would be in early Spring. It gets very hot in Utah during the summer and most people try to avoid the months of June, July and August for extreme temperatures. We planned our visit for April and it was perfect! Try to plan for March, April or May, but know that early Spring could have cold temperatures and even snow. Utah has some incredible hikes with permit systems in place ( The Wave , Angels Landing, The Narrow) so try to plan permits and campgrounds ahead of time!

Where to start your Utah road-trip

We drove all the way from Vancouver, BC so our travel route might look a little bit different from yours. Whether you flew in and are renting a vehicle to road trip, or road-tripping from home, there are a few different ways to approach this trip. If you’re looking to fly in, I would recommend flying into either Salt Lake City, Utah or Vegas, Nevada to start your trip. If you add Vegas to your trip you can stop at The Valley of Fire on your way.

We decided to start our trip by driving to Twin Falls, Idaho and then to Salt Lake City and begin our Utah adventures in Zion National Park. Starting in Zion National Park meant we were going to be travelling in a loop from the Southwest across Southern Utah stopping in Kanab, through Arizona to Monument Valley, up to Moab and looping back through Hanksville and back to Salt Lake. You can do our route in reverse by starting in Hanksville and ending in Zion.

Some of our plans changed last minute (when we won permits to The Wave) and we visited 4/5 of Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks. We also travelled with our dog so that meant most of the hikes we wanted to do were not accessible in the National Parks with a dog. We drive a capable 4×4 vehicle, however, Utah’s off-roading is completely different and some off-roading spots weren’t possible for us! There is so much more for us to see in Utah!

Our Actual 8-day Utah road-trip Itinerary

I’m sharing the itinerary we used for an 8-day trip around Utah all the way from Vancouver, BC! It took us an entire day of driving to get to Twin Falls, Idaho and the next morning we started at Meadow Hot Springs near Meadow, Utah. On our way home we stopped in Salt Lake City and the Salt Flats before sleeping in Twin Falls and driving all the way back to Vancouver, BC. This was an 18 hour drive and we didn’t make any other notable stops along the way! Our actual trip including travel was 10-days.

You might also notice that our itinerary doesn’t visit all of the National Parks in Utah (we missed Bryce Canyon National Park and didn’t get to hike in Zion) this is because we were travelling with our dog! Dogs are not allowed in National Parks in the USA and we had to get creative with hotel stays in order to see 4/5 of Utah’s National Parks. Our itinerary includes hidden gems, stops that most people don’t visit, and a special hike that requires you to win permits. If you have a 4X4 vehicle you can reach even more epic spots in Utah, but start here for our ultimate adventure itinerary!

Day One: Hot springs & Zion National Park

We started our day at a free campsite near Meadow, Utah. This was at Meadow Hot Springs , a beautiful property with 3 natural hot spring pools. The person who owns the land permits public use and asks that you clean up after yourselves and no dogs/pets in the pools. This is a free camping spot if your vehicle can make it down the bumpy road. We enjoyed a sunrise dip in the third hot spring and had coffee and breakfast before driving to Zion National Park!

We drove into Zion National Park to spend the rest of our day. This was definitely our favourite park and its beauty is something you need to see in person once in your life. Zion National Park is home to some of the most exclusive hikes in the USA (Angels Landing, The Narrows) but since we had our dog with us we only had one option to hike. The Pa’rus Trail is found at Zion Canyon Visitors Centre and is a 5KM out and back trail. We stopped at Feel Love Cafe for iced coffees!

During our visit in April, most of the road through Zion was closed so we opted to drive the Mt Camel Scenic Drive on Scenic Byway-9. We explored this incredibly beautiful drive of Zion by our car and stopped many times for photos alongside the highway. We found free camping for the night and slept right outside of Zion National Park.

Day Two: Kanab, Utah

We woke up and drove through Zion National Park again for sunrise, this time heading all the way out to Kanab, Utah! This charming town is full of activities and we spent the entire day outside. The first stop was to hike Buckskin Gulch , one of the only slot canyon hikes that you can bring a dog with you. This slot canyon is the longest in the world, so although the trail is 15KM long you do not have to hike the entire trail to see the epic slot canyons. It’s an easy hike and one of the coolest things to be surrounded by the orange rock walls towering above you.

Our next stop in Kanab was to hike the Sand Caves . These sand caves are found right off the highway and involve a quick, uphill hike to see them. Once you’re at the top, there are about 3-5 different cave areas and plenty of space to take photos. The unique sand cave openings were really cool to see and require little effort!

Our final stop of the day was a quick drive off of Highway 89 to Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness area for sunset, dinner and a free camping spot. We had a tiny bit of cell service and found out that we won permits to The Wave this night. We watched the sun go down over the Rainbow Mountains and couldn’t sleep because we were so excited.

Day Three: Monument Valley & Valley of the Gods

Day Three was a long day of driving but ended up being one of our favourite parts of the trip. We had to come back to Kanab to hike The Wave the next day, so we decided to do a 4 hour drive to Monument Valley. This was a total of 8 hours of driving and was a last minute decision that was so worth it! The beautiful drive brought us past the iconic Utah sign when we drove into Arizona, past Glen Canyon Dam, through Page, past Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell and through Navajo Valley.

Driving through Monument Valley was incredible and nothing like I’ve ever seen before. That’s why I HIGHLY recommend adding this scenic route to your Utah road trip. The large, sandstone structures are truly iconic and the landscape was truly like a different planet. We drove to the famous “Forrest Gump Road” on Highway 163 and took a photo in the exact same spot as the movie!

From there, we continued to the Valley of the Gods to have dinner until sunset. This off-road trail doesn’t require 4X4 and the free camping spots are the best I’ve seen in the USA. You don’t have to drive very far on this road for epic sandstone views, but the further you get the taller the stones get!

Day Four: The Wave, Arizona

We didn’t originally plan to hike to the famous Wave on our trip to Utah, but while we were in Kanab we applied for the daily lottery. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read our blog on “The Wave, Arizona: Everything you need to know before hiking” . There was a 2-5% chance of winning and somehow we won on our first try! This meant that we had a once in a lifetime opportunity to hike The Wave, and we spent our entire day doing so. We camped at the trailhead so that we could be the first ones on the trail.

We hit the trail before sunrise, and we spent under an hour hiking to The Wave. Make sure to check out our full trail report for a detailed review and photos! This was truly one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done in my life and the sandblasted stone shaped like waves in the sand was truly a sight to see. The morning light made the rocks a bright red colour and we spent the entire morning exploring and taking photos by ourselves. We hiked further beyond The Wave to Melody Arch and The Alcove, which made the trip even more incredible. We hiked back to the vehicle around 2PM and spent the rest of the night driving 5 hours to Moab, Utah.

Day Five: Canyonlands National Park & Moab, Utah

Canyonlands National Park was such a crazy underrated park in Utah. I know that Utah is full of incredible national parks but I really loved the vastness of Canyonlands! We started our day with an attempt at a sunrise hike down a 4X4 road that got too crazy for us to pass with our vehicle, so we found a spot alongside the highway near Schafer Point to pullover and watch the sunrise.

At this point we decided to book a hotel and explore Moab, Utah. We stayed at Quality Suites Moab to take advantage of their cheap price, free breakfast and dog-friendly rooms. For the rest of the afternoon we explored Moab and checked out a few second-hand hiking gear shops. We had dinner at Pasta Jay’s and decided that Moab is one of our favourite cities in the USA.

For sunset, we decided to leave our dog at home and go back to Canyonlands to watch the sun go down at Green River Overlook . There is a viewing platform right beside the parking lot, but we hiked off the path to the right for this incredible view!

Day Six: Arches National Park & Capitol Reef National Park

Since we were staying at a hotel in Moab, we planned a sunrise hike to the famous Arches National Park. We’ve always wanted to see the incredible Delicate Arch , and we knew that the crowds would be smaller if we hiked in the dark and made it there for sunrise.

We started our hike early and made it just before the sun came up and got to watch the first light hit the Delicate Arch. This arch was huge and it was crazy to stand underneath it! Our next hike had to be a quick one, so we opted to see Sand Dune Arch before heading back to our hotel.

We were sad to leave Moab, but our next stop was 3.5 hours away to Capitol Reef National Park. We wanted to see the Temple of the Sun and Moon which are found in a remote part of the park where you can only access by driving down a really fun, bumpy dirt road.

4×4 isn’t required but highly recommend some clearance and AWD. We got here just in time for sunset and took some incredible shots. From here, we drove a little over an hour to our next incredible camp spot…

Day Seven: Hanksville & Capitol Reef National Park

We drove here in the dark, and woke up on the moon. Moonscape Overlook is one of the craziest free camp spots I’ve ever stayed in. The badlands of Utah have some of the most deep, vast and textured canyons I’ve seen in my life.

Getting here will require a bit of off-roading but we saw plenty of camper vans who made it. There is a famous lookout where you can stand on the scariest ridge I’ve ever stood on! Watching the sun come up over the badlands canyons was a crazy view.

We spent the rest of our day driving through Capitol Reef National Park and exploring stops along the highway. The best recommendation I have is to stop at Gifford Homestead on your drive through Capitol Reef National Park for the best pie of your life! Gifford Homestead is found in Fruita Valley, a beautiful drive, and they sell out of their famous pies every day. Make sure to get here early!

Day Eight: Salt Lake City & Bonneville Salt Flats

Our final day in Utah before driving home was spent in Salt Lake City. We decided to stop in Salt Lake City for the first time and prepare for a long drive home. This meant trying the famous Utah soda shops like Thirst and trying Raising Cane’s chicken because we don’t have fast-food options like this in Canada! I wish we could have spent more time in Salt Lake City but we will definitely stay here someday.

On our way home, we made one final stop at the Bonneville Salt Flats. This unique landform is a huge area covered in literal table salt and we were lucky enough to see them flooded. Since it was a windy day, we didn’t get to see any epic mountain reflections in the floods but the Salt Flats that weren’t flooded were still beautiful. This scenery at sunset can’t be beat, and was the perfect final stop on our Utah road trip.

Best Places to Camp/Stay on your Utah road trip

One of the best things about our Utah road trip was the free camping. We saved so much money by sleeping in our tent at free over-landing spots across Utah. You cannot camp for free in any National Parks, however, you can usually find campgrounds within the parks for a fee or find spots outside of the parks for free camping. I’m going to share some of our free spots and best campground recommendations since we only paid for one hotel on our trip!

• Our first free campground was at Meadow Hot Springs, we stayed in our tent with plenty of other vehicles.
• Zion National Park was the most difficult to find somewhere to stay, Watchman Campground was the most beautiful but busy. If you use iOverlander, look for spots just outside of Zion for free camping.
• Just outside of Kanab, you’ll find free camping at Rainbow Mountain off Highway 89.
• Our next free camping spot was in the Valley of the Gods outside of Monument Valley.
• In Moab, we stayed for 2-nights at a hotel called Quality Suites Moab.
• Outside of the Temple of the Sun you’ll find iOverlanding spots that are not in Capitol Reef NP.
• The most incredible free camp spot was Moonscape Overlook outside of Hanksville.

Final Thoughts on our Utah road-trip Itinerary

Our 8-day road trip was one of the greatest of all time and there’s still so much more for us to see in Utah! This road trip brought us to the best National Parks in America and I can’t wait to be back here someday soon for more epic hikes. This is definitely one of the most unique and crazy road trips we’ve ever done and it’s easy to see why it’s the best in the USA.

I hope we’ve inspired you to take this adventure yourself and explore Utah! Check us out on Instagram @yakeandmarie or TikTok @yakeandmarie for all of our story highlights and Reels from Utah. If you’re looking for more info on the most exclusive permit-system hikes in Utah check out our other blog on The Wave, Arizona: Everything you need to know !

Comments (5)

December 26, 2023 at 8:37 pm

Wow! What an amazing itinerary! So fun to read and great photos!

February 7, 2024 at 8:42 pm

Hi! Can you share the itinerary starting from Vancouver? Like where did you stop before you got to Zion/how many days did it take etc?

Jake & Marie

June 4, 2024 at 6:24 pm

Hey! Yes, from Vancouver we drove 12 hours to Twin Falls, Idaho and camped for a night. You can get a hotel here too. The next morning we drove 7 hours to Zion! Same on the way back, we watched sunset at the Salt Flats and drove 4 hours to Twin Falls for the night 🙂

Dion Carmichael

April 18, 2024 at 2:40 pm

How much did you spend overall?

June 4, 2024 at 6:25 pm

Probably around $1500-$2000 CAD

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10 Amazing Utah Road Trips: Unique Itineraries + Maps

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: July 16, 2020

UPDATED: June 22, 2024

Utah is one of our favorite places to road trip in the US. The Beehive State has so many unique route options through national parks, state parks and even off-road adventures. We’ve spent a lot of time driving around Utah, and we can’t get enough of its spectacular red rock landscapes, adventurous hikes and beautiful photo spots.

In this guide we show you 10 original and personally tested Utah road trips based entirely on our own experiences.

Our Experience

We’ve driven two incredible Utah road trips; first in the fall of 2019 and again in the winter of 2021. As hikers and travel photographers, we’re huge admirers of the southern Utah region, which we consider to be one of the very best road trips in the US .

Throughout our time in Utah, we’ve hiked the most iconic trails, explored the major parks and photographed the unmissable sunrise and sunset spots. So you can rest assured that every Utah road trip itinerary in this guide has been created from our first hand knowledge and experiences. Read more about us .

With so many amazing US road trips available for your next adventure, why would you choose to road trip through Utah?

Here’s what makes Utah such a popular place to visit:

• Five remarkable national parks
• Countless other special natural landscapes
• Year round accessibility
• Several of the best hikes in the US are in Utah
• Diverse and adventurous attractions
• Excellent weather for most of the year
• Easy logistics with Las Vegas and Salt Lake City airports

Other popular road trip routes in the US have the ocean, big cities, rainforests or rugged mountains. Utah offers dramatic canyons, extraordinary sandstone formations and bucket list hikes.

Choosing Where To Visit

Utah is home to a diverse range of topography including canyons, sand dunes, mountains and salt flats. The Mighty 5 national parks are the most heavily visited places in Utah, but there are so many other fun and underrated places to see.

So where should you visit on your Utah road trip?

Well, the answer depends on factors like your travel style, how much time you have and how many times you have visited Utah in the past.

• Are you a hiker? You should prioritize hikes in Zion National Park above all else.
• Are you a photographer? You should prioritize Arches, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon.
• First time in Utah or short on time? You should start with Zion and Bryce Canyon.
• Already seen the national parks? You should head to the adventure town of Kanab.

We think Utah is a state you can return to time and time again because there’s just so much to do. Even after 2 extensive trips to Utah, our bucket list is still only half full!

Further Reading: The 20 best places to visit in Utah

About Our Itineraries

Next, we’re going to show you our 10 favorite Utah road trip routes. You’ll find route statistics, a description and a map for each itinerary.

You can click into the interactive maps associated with each itinerary listed below. Simply touch or click the map to activate, then you can move around or zoom in and out.

We’ve tried to be as inclusive as possible in order to accommodate every traveler who wants to see the very best of Utah. Please feel free to leave us a comment at the end of the guide if we haven’t quite covered exactly what you are looking for.

Let’s get into the first itinerary!

1. Utah Mighty 5 National Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 389 miles
• Time : 7 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-8 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef , Canyonlands, Arches

The Mighty 5 national parks road trip is the ultimate Utah experience. This famous route consists of many of the best US national parks with stops at Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands.

After driving the Mighty 5 we can confidently say that it’s the all-in-one scenic Utah ticket featuring the best hikes, photo spots and landmarks. If you’ve never been to Utah and you want to see all the major highlights, this is the road trip for you.

Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Map

The Mighty 5 is most commonly driven as an out-and-back loop route from Las Vegas (here are the best things to do in Las Vegas ). Use the map above to see how the route begins in Zion, moves to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef before stopping near Moab for both Arches and Canyonlands.

Returning to Las Vegas from Moab, you have several amazing options for places to stop including Monument Valley, Page AZ, Grand Canyon North Rim and the adventure attractions around Kanab.

Road Trip Tip : Drive UT-12 from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. The route through Escalante is slightly longer but it’s incredibly scenic and shouldn’t be missed.

2. Utah State Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 476 miles
• Time : 9 hours 40 minutes
• Days : 3-5 days
• Attractions : Gunlock, Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, Coral Pink Sand Dunes , Kodachrome Basin, Escalante Petrified Forest, Goblin Valley, Dead Horse Point

We’ve created this original Utah road trip itinerary for return visitors to Utah or those who prefer to avoid heavy crowds. It follows the same route as the Mighty 5 but only stops at state parks and avoids national parks altogether.

We think Utah is overflowing with incredible state parks that are completely overshadowed by the national parks. There’s so much more to see, hike and photograph in Utah outside of the national parks. And the best part is that they’re always quiet.

Utah State Parks Road Trip Map

Our Utah state parks road trip is best driven in a loop from Las Vegas. Similarly to the Mighty 5 route, you can easily throw in plenty of extras stops along the way, which could even include one or two national parks if you don’t want to miss out.

Road Trip Tip : If state parks are your thing, do not miss the amazing Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada either on the way in or out of Utah from Las Vegas, which we have included in the route map above.

3. Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip

• Distance : 86 miles
• Time : 1 hour 55 minutes
• Days : 2-4 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon

Zion to Bryce Canyon is our top Utah road trips pick for visitors with just 2 or 3 days available. It’s a hugely popular and well established route which works perfectly with the nearby Las Vegas airport as a transport hub.

Both Zion and Bryce Canyon are amazing places, but they’re surprisingly different considering how close they are to one another. We love both parks and think this double header offers the perfect balance between ticking off some of the best Utah hikes and photo spots in a short trip.

Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Map

The Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip route is easy to plan. You simply fly into Las Vegas, drive to Zion, then drive to Bryce Canyon and eventually return to Las Vegas the same way. Here are 5 very different ways you can spend one day in Zion National Park .

Road Trip Tip : Serious hikers should spend more time in Zion, whereas photographers and sightseers should spend more time in Bryce Canyon.

4. Arches And Canyonlands Road Trip

• Distance : 78 miles
• Time : 2 hours 5 minutes
• Days : 1-2 days
• Attractions : Canyonlands, Arches

Arches and Canyonlands is one of the best bang for your buck road trips in Utah. We loved the photo spots in these two parks and can’t wait to go back for more landscape shoots. It’s possible to see the highlights of both parks in one day by starting in Canyonlands and ending in Arches.

However, 2 full days would allow you to relax and visit more natural attractions by spending a day in each park. You can tick off the best hikes in Arches and end with sunset from Delicate Arch on the first day, before spending the next day in Canyonlands which begins with an incredible sunrise at Mesa Arch.

Arches To Canyonlands Road Trip Map

Many visitors to Moab only have time to do Arches and Canyonlands in one day . Our route map above shows you exactly how to see both parks in a day from sunrise to sunset.

With more time you can do one day in each of Arches and Canyonlands. Start the second day in Canyonlands Island in the Sky district before visiting the further away districts called The Needles, The Maze and The Rivers.

Road Trip Tip : Start with Mesa Arch at sunrise and end with Delicate Arch at sunset for one of the most amazing days in Utah.

5. Kanab HQ Road Trip

• Distance : 320 miles
• Time : 6 hours 55 minutes
• Days : 3-4 days
• Attractions : Belly of the Dragon , Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Buckskin Gulch, The Wave, Toadstool Hoodoos , Grand Canyon North Rim

Our Kanab headquarters road trip is unique because you will use one tiny town as a base and the driving aspect is essentially fanning out in all directions around Kanab to visit attractions. Don’t be put off by what sounds like a boring road trip, trust us, it really isn’t!

We spent a few days ticking off hikes, landscapes, caves and sand dunes around Kanab during our second road trip through Utah and we were blown away by the area so much that we included it in our list of the 50 best US vacation spots .

Kanab is one of the most underrated places we’ve visited in America. Not only are there countless awesome things to do in Kanab , but the town also has affordable hotels, excellent restaurants and a chilled vibe.

Kanab HQ Road Trip Map

The route map above shows driving routes from Kanab to each of the most prominent attractions and hikes nearby. Visiting Grand Canyon North Rim is totally optional but it does make for a fantastic experience.

By using Kanab as a base, you can see the likes of Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Belly of the Dragon, Toadstool Hoodoos, Buckskin Gulch and The Wave. It’s also close to slot canyons and a bunch of fun adventure tours going out into the harder to reach areas of Utah like Peek-a-boo canyon.

Road Trip Tip : For the ultimate Kanab experience you should apply for the online lottery to win a permit for The Wave .

6. Kanab To Moab Road Trip

• Distance : 423 miles
• Time : 8 hours 45 minutes
• Days : 4-6 days
• Attractions : Kanab, The Wave or Grand Canyon North Rim, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands

Moving into custom Utah road trips territory, we think our Kanab to Moab road trip itinerary could be among the very best in this list. It’s perfect if you want to get off the beaten path and do something a bit different.

You’ll start with the best of Kanab, which could include hiking The Wave if you win a permit, before moving to Page AZ for Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon ( book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance). Next is Monument Valley and eventually you reach Moab for Arches and Canyonlands.

Kanab To Moab Road Trip Map

This route can be driven from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City or Denver with plenty of stops available on the back end after leaving Moab. It works perfectly for anyone who plans to spend time in Colorado either before or after Utah. Remember, Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t too far from Moab.

Do you want to visit Grand Canyon South Rim during your Utah road trip? You could leave Kanab and arrive into Page, then drive down to South Rim before re-joining the itinerary to Moab.

Road Trip Tip : You can see most of Monument Valley without actually going into the paid area.

7. Utah Hiking Road Trip

• Distance : 932 miles
• Time : 18 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-10 days
• Attractions : Fire Wave, The Subway , Angels Landing , The Narrows , Queen’s Garden , Hickman Bridge, Mesa Arch, Devil’s Garden, Delicate Arch, Buckskin Gulch , The Wave

We’ve created this custom road trip through Utah specifically for hikers and we think it’s pretty awesome! Utah’s unique landscapes are a paradise for hikers but the iconic trails are time consuming, so this is the longest itinerary in our list.

The route effectively follows the Mighty 5 path but it only consists of the best hikes. There are no photography stops, sunrises, sunsets or stops at other attractions. It’s a case of getting your permits in advance, driving from hike to hike and enjoying the trails.

Utah Hiking Road Trip Map

The map for our hikers Utah road trip route is created as though you have acquired permits for every necessary trail. Adapt the route if you are unable to obtain any permit, otherwise sit back and soak up what is going to be an incredible hiking trip!

Are you considering the Grand Canyon? Here’s our popular guide on the best hikes in Grand Canyon South Rim .

Road Trip Tip : In Utah you need permits to hike The Subway, Angels Landing, Buckskin Gulch and The Wave.

8. Utah Photography Road Trip

• Distance : 1,019 miles
• Time : 20 hours 15 minutes
• Attractions : Fire Wave , Zion Canyon Overlook , Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon Amphitheater , Fruita Barn, Mesa Arch , Delicate Arch , Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend , Grand Canyon

Our next custom Utah road trip itinerary is designed for photographers. Utah is not just for hikers, it’s also a prime location for landscape photography. Some of our favorite photo spots are in Utah. Think Mesa Arch, Delicate Arch and the Bryce Canyon amphitheater and you’ll get the idea!

The major issue with a photography itinerary is that you often need to be out for sunrise or sunset, so we’ve crafted this Utah road trip mainly around the most prominent locations at the best times of day. It’s a longer itinerary to accommodate for being in the right place at the right time.

Utah Photography Road Trip Map

Our photography route is one of our favorite Utah road trips because it leads to nothing but stunning landscapes. Use our itinerary as a starting point but be sure to include any other photo spots you know along the way (there are so many more!)

Follow the map above to see how you can drive around southern Utah and place yourself at the best photo spots every day. There are several ways you could plan this trip based on how much time you have and how important each stop is to you.

Road Trip Tip : The more time you allow for this road trip, the more sunrises and sunsets you can include. Dawn and dusk really are the most amazing times of day in Utah.

9. 4×4 Adventure Utah Road Trip

• Distance : 745 miles
• Time : 17 hours 30 minutes
• Attractions : Sand Mountain, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Red Canyon Slot, Willis Creek Slot, Kodachrome Basin, Zebra Slot, Natural Bridges, Valley of the Gods, White Pocket

Our custom 4×4 Utah road trip would be an entirely different experience to the typical routes. You can either hire a Jeep and drive yourself or take tours into the scorched wilderness. This adventure filled itinerary leads into countless slot canyons, washes and totally off the beaten path spots.

A lot of this itinerary is based around Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument but you could also include Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. These are the places nobody else goes in Utah so you really get that lost world feel.

Utah 4×4 Road Trip Map

The map above shows a basic 4×4 off-road adventure itinerary that we would follow if we were to take on this awesome road trip through Utah. Adapt, remove and include as you see fit based on any other spots you have pegged to visit.

This is the only itinerary in this list that deserves a cautionary warning up front. It’s vital that you are experienced with these types of terrains and situations, as well as being proficient in vehicle fixes and knowing what to do in emergency situations.

Road Trip Tip : With more time you can take your Jeep way off the beaten path. Study the roads in Grand Staircase Escalante in particular to plan the perfect off-road adventure.

10. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip

• Distance : 832 miles
• Time : 16 hours 10 minutes
• Days : 7-10 days
• Attractions : SLC, Bonneville Salt Flats, Antelope Island, Park City, Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, Bear Lake, Jackson, Grand Teton National Park , Yellowstone National Park

Our last Utah road trip is an extension of our extremely popular 7 days Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary . You can create a fantastic 10 day itinerary with Yellowstone and Grand Teton simply by including 3 days ticking off the top attractions around Salt Lake City.

Uinta Wasatch Cache is home to some seriously amazing hikes, Bonneville Salt Flats and Antelope Island are perfect for photographers, Park City is a famous skiing destination and downtown SLC is lovely to walk around.

SLC To Yellowstone Route Map

The map above shows an extended version of our classic 7 day SLC to Yellowstone road trip route with several spur trips near Salt Lake City creating a 10 day itinerary.

After leaving the Salt Lake City area, the route continues through Jackson to Grand Teton and Yellowstone before ending in Gardiner, MT. You can either fly home from Bozeman or return to SLC airport.

Road Trip Tip : Allow at least one full day in Grand Teton and two full days in Yellowstone at a minimum. In an ideal world you will have six full days to see both parks. Here’s our 4 days Yellowstone itinerary .

Planning Tools

So you know the routes and you’re excited to get started with planning. But what about logistics and the important things you need to know?

Here are the tools we use and the key information you should be aware of:

When searching for flights to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, we recommend checking prices on both Skyscanner and Google Flights as the two best flight search engines.

Tips to save on flights to Las Vegas or SLC:

• Shop around and compare prices on several days of the week
• Use incognito or private browser and clear your cache
• Use several devices such as your laptop and smartphone
• Read our guide on how to book cheap flights

You should have no issues booking accommodation for any of the Utah road trips covered in this guide with the exception of Zion National Park hotels during the peak season.

We always use and recommend using Booking.com to book hotels in the US. You might want to compare prices with Hotels.com to see if you can find a better deal.

Tips for booking hotels:

• Book your hotels in advance
• Sign up for a free membership account with Booking or Expedia
• Arrive at Zion during the week to avoid expensive weekend prices
• Read our popular guide on how to book cheap hotels

Resource : Our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere can help you find the best hotels in Las Vegas, Moab, Kanab, Page, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Grand Canyon South Rim.

3. Hire Car

If you’re not driving your own car to Utah, you’ll need to hire a car when you land at Salt Lake City or Las Vegas airport.

Our top recommendation is to find prices with Rental Cars and compare costs against Discover Cars . Input Salt Lake City airport or Las Vegas airport and your travel dates to see your options.

They’re our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point.

Tips for hiring a car:

• Book in advance for a better selection of cars
• Small cars are better for parking in tight spots at the national parks
• You’ll need a 4WD high clearance vehicle to go off road in Utah

4. National Parks

It’s important to stay up to date with live conditions such as roads, weather, hiking trails and lodging when you visit any of the national parks in Utah.

One of the unsung positives to visiting Utah is that natural disasters, wildfires, flooding and other problematic conditions are rare. Just look at Yellowstone and Yosemite in 2022 and 2023.

With that said, we still recommend keeping on top of the following current status reports:

• Arches – Live conditions
• Bryce Canyon – Live conditions
• Canyonlands – Live conditions
• Capitol Reef – Live conditions
• Zion – Live conditions

What To Pack For Utah Road Trips

Packing for a road trip in Utah will depend on what you plan to do and what time of year you decide to visit.

Our two trips to Utah have been in the months of October and December. Both times we packed for cold mornings and cold evenings but warmer days, especially when hiking.

If you plan your Utah road trip for summer you can expect hot days so your packing list will look very different. Take plenty of shorts, t-shirts and socks in case you need to wear more than one per day.

Are you planning to visit the Mighty 5? The number one thing you should buy and pack is an America the Beautiful Pass to save money on national park entry costs.

Here is a basic road trip packing list to get you started:

• America the Beautiful Pass – REI
• Car emergency kit – First Secure
• In case of snow – Snow Brush
• Hiking shoes – Men | Women
• Day hiking backpack – Best day bags
• Down Jacket – Men | Women

Further Reading: The essential road trip packing list

Where To Stay On Your Utah Road Trip

Let’s take a summarized look at the top rated hotels in the most popular Utah road trip destinations to help get you organized. Don’t forget you can click the links below to read complete hotel guides on our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere.

Each hotel listed below is a hotel we have either stayed at or would stay at because they have excellent ratings.

Springdale (Zion)

• Cable Mountain Lodge
• Red Rock Inn
• Watchman Villas

Further Reading: The best hotels in Springdale UT

Bryce Canyon City and Tropic (Bryce Canyon)

• Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
• Bryce Canyon Log Cabins
• Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn Bryce Canyon

Further Reading: Where to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park

Torrey (Capitol Reef)

• Capitol Reef Resort
• Broken Spur Inn
• Red Sands Hotel

Further Reading: Best places to stay near Capitol Reef National Park

Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)

• Aarchway Inn Moab Utah
• My Place Hotel Moab Utah
• Hoodoo Moab Utah

Further Reading: Where to stay in Moab Utah

• La Quinta Kanab Utah
• Kanab Suites In Kanab Utah
• Canyons Boutique Hotel Kanab Utah

Further Reading: Best places to stay in Kanab UT

Camping Special

Are you planning to camp during your Utah road trip?

We’ve teamed up with The Dyrt to offer our readers an exclusive no strings attached 30 day free trial with The Dyrt PRO .

This is our favorite camping app because it helps you find the best campgrounds along your specific driving route with benefits including no booking fees and free camping spots.

You can also use a fantastic new feature called Dyrt Alerts to receive notifications when sold out campgrounds have cancellations so you can snag near-impossible spots.

In Conclusion

Utah is home to some of the most scenic and exciting road trip routes in the US. Unique rock formations, dramatic canyons and adventurous hiking trails make Utah the perfect road trip destination for hikers, photographers and lovers of nature. It’s great for solo travelers, couples, groups and families alike.

After exploring most of the US, we can confidently say that Utah is one of our favorite states to visit. Hiking and landscape photography are our two favorite things to do when we travel, and Utah has both in abundance!

More Road Trips

• Las Vegas to Death Valley day trip
• Kancamagus Highway fall road trip
• Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip
• New England fall road trip
• San Francisco to San Diego road trip
• Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip
• South Dakota road trip
• Best road trips in the USA
• Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip

Want more Utah content?  Head over to our Utah Travel Guides to explore the Mighty Five national parks and beyond.

We hope our Utah road trips guide helps with planning your visit to the Beehive State!

Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the routes in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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Note : This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

13 thoughts on “10 Amazing Utah Road Trips: Unique Itineraries + Maps”

Dear Mark and Kristen, my boyfriend and I are thinking of having a 3-week vacation (we are coming all the way from Europe so less doesn’t really make sense for us) doing the classic national parks road trip in Utah and Arizona at the end of May. We are planning 2 days in each park (1 in Capitol Reef), and around 4 days in Kanab and Page each, trying to see and do as much as possible as most likely we will never come back to that part of the world again. We love hiking and active holidays, but we are not extreme hikers and we are not going to do the most challenging (even if they are the most famous) trails such as Angels Landing, the Narrows, or the Wave. I extensively used your website picking out the best trails and things to do and trying to estimate how much time is needed for each 🙂 The rough plan is this:

Day 1 – travel from Europe, arrive in Las Vegas the evening Day 2 – Valley of Fire, evening drive to Springdale Day 3 – Zion main canyon (Emerald pools & Kayenta trails, Watchman trail, Riverside walk, Zion Canyon overlook) Day 4 – Zion Colob canyons, evening drive to Kanab Day 5-7 – Kanab guided day tours to 1) Grand Canyon North Rim Toroweap Viewpoint, 2) White Pocket, 3) Peekaboo Slot Canyon, The White Wave, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, 4) Grand Staircase Escalante Day 8 – Kanab guided day tour (see above), evening drive to Bryce Canyon city Day 9 – Bryce canyon (Scenic drive viewpoints, Fairyland loop trail, Queen’s garden & Navajo loop trails) Day 10 – Bryce canyon (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Torrey Day 11 – Capitol reef, afternoon/evening drive to Moab Day 12-14 – Arches (Delicate Arch trail, Devil’s garden trail, Balanced Rock, Park Avenue trails, The Windows trail & Double arch) and Canyonlands (Island in the sky, Mesa Arch, Grand View point, Green river overlook, Needles/Chesler Park loop trail) Day 15 – Arches/Canyonlands (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Mexican hat/Monument valley Day 16 – Monument and Mystery valley full day Navajo guided tour OR Monument valley half-day guided tour and Natural Bridges national monument, evening drive to Page Day 17-19 – Page (Upper & Lower Antelope canyons guided tours, Secret Antelope Canyon guided tour & Horseshoe bend outlook, Antelope Canyon X guided tour, Navajo canyon boat tour, Horseshoe bend rafting tour, Paria Rimrocks Toadstool Hoodoos) Day 20 – Page (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Grand Canyon village Day 21-22 – Grand Canyon South Rim (all viewpoints, beginning of Bright Angel trail, South Rim trail, Shoshone point trail) Day 23 – morning drive to Las Vegas Day 24 – Las Vegas Day 25 – morning travel back to Europe

As you can see, the ideal plan is a bit longer than 3 weeks and we will have only 22 days (including traveling to/from Europe, which uses up 2 whole days). So we will have to cut 3 days our of our plan, and we are not sure what to sacrifice. I’m thinking the following: – 1 day in Valley of Fire → instead combine as day trip from Las Vegas on day 24 – 1 day in Kanab → which of the 4 tours do you think is the least interesting? – 1 day in Page → scrap Navajo canyon boat tour and Horseshoe bend rafting tour? Is there anything else you would suggest?

In addition, I wanted to ask if it’s worth visiting Natural Bridges national monument compared to all the other sites, and if a full day Navajo guided tour of Monument and Mystery valleys is worth it?

We will appreciate any advice that you can give us!

Hi Petia, thanks for getting in touch and we are more than happy to help. This sounds like an amazing travel plan but let’s trim it a bit so you can make it work.

To answer you final questions first:

1. Valley of Fire – If you don’t mind losing that last day in Vegas, then you can definitely do Valley of Fire as a day trip on your last day. But if you want the day in Vegas, you should still include Valley of Fire early in your itinerary because it is unique. We recommend trying to arrive at Fire Wave Trail as early as possible because sunrise here is the park’s top highlight. 2. Kanab – They all sound great, but we would skip Grand Staircase because the others have the best balance. Kanab is a nice little town. 3. Page – It sounds like you are more interested in the canyons, so yes skip the rafting and boat tour. It doesn’t take long to see Horseshoe Bend from the overlook. You will end up with a lot of spare time in Page because the canyon tours don’t take long. Maybe look around Lake Powell or hike a portion of Buckskin Gulch. 4. We haven’t been to Natural Bridges yet. It looks great but you can get a similar theme at all the national parks in Utah, so we would skip it. We have been to Monument Valley and we drove the self guided tour, which was cool but again we would skip this if we were doing your trip. You can see Monument Valley from the main road you will drive anyway. Tip – Monument Valley is best seen early in the day if driving from Moab to Page which you are.

That is 3 full days saved already (or 4 if you decide to combine VoF into your last day in Vegas). Here are our other tips:

1. By skipping the 4th tour in Kanab, you can travel to Bryce Canyon on the morning of Day 8, spend the day hiking and driving the scenic roads, watch sunset, stay over and then watch sunrise in the morning. There’s not much else to do and Bryce is small so you can leave early on Day 9, spend 6-8 hours in Capitol Reef and drive to Moab. It would be a long day but it would also save another full day on your itinerary. 2. You have loads of time for Arches and Canyonlands. If you wanted to, you could probably save a day at Arches by doing Devils Garden Trail, Windows, Park Avenue and Delicate Arch in one day. That’s Arches done. Canyonlands isn’t as easy because it is split into regions but unless you plan to go hiking long distances, you won’t need much time there either, you can do Mesa Arch, Green River and Grand View in a few hours. So overall for Moab you could save a day. Probably skip Dead Horse State Park because it is another $20 and is similar to Canyonlands. 3. Two days is more than enough time for Grand Canyon South Rim if you don’t intend on hiking down into the canyon. You can see the viewpoints on both Desert View Drive as you enter Grand Canyon and Hermit Road in one day. So again, you could save time here if necessary.

If you haven’t already got one, definitely buy an America the Beautiful Pass for $80 which will get you into all National Parks on your trip.

There are plenty of places you can cut or save, but it will depend on exactly what you both want to do. You will also need some downtime because this is a full on adventure! The driving and hiking gets tiring after a few weeks, so you might end up needing a half day to relax and take it easy.

Hope this helps but if you have any more questions send us an email which you can find on our Contact Page. Have a great trip!

Thank you so much for the feedback, we will definitely consider your advice! I find it very difficult to estimate how much time is needed for each park, probably they could be done in shorter time as you said, but we also need downtime between intense days as you said 🙂

Hello. If you had to choose between taking a Utah road trip in the spring months of April or May vs the end of October, which would you choose? We would like to see Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and go on into Arizona for the Grand Canyon. Thanks for your help!

Hi Jane, both Spring and Fall are the best times to visit the Utah/Arizona parks so either time will be great. We personally prefer traveling the US southwest in Autumn, through September and October. However, if you are only able to do the very end of October, you may run a risk of temperatures cooling significantly in the morning and at night as you approach November (sunrise / sunset photography, long day hikes). If you are able to go in April or early – mid May, you are more likely to see more comfortable conditions for hiking (late May onward can be challenging for hiking with heat). Late October would also mean you may just about miss Utah’s considerable fall colors. With that said, hotels in Springdale, Moab and Grand Canyon will likely be more affordable in late Oct than in May. Finally, it’s impossible to avoid crowds in these parks, but late October will likely be slightly less busy than April / May. The balance between crowds, cost and weather is similar at either time. If you can make it slightly earlier in Oct, we’d say go for that, otherwise the beginning of May. April can have extreme weather in the US Southwest, which is something else to consider. Have a fantastic time whichever season you choose!

We’re planning a trip round trip Vegas through southwest Utah national parks to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We’ve got two weeks. How would you split the time and what are the best roads to take. We’d like to see Bryce, Hoseshoe Bend, Arches, Canyonlands, up through Salt Lake City to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. We don’t hike as we’re seniors but love photography. Any assistance would be appreciated. It’s feels so overwhelming! Btw….your website is fabulous!

Hi Marie – sounds like a fantastic trip and we know how overwhelming it can be with so many amazing places to see in just two weeks. You’re right to avoid Zion, it is a wonderful place but is more of an adventure hiking park. When visiting Horseshoe Bend in Page, you might want to try nearby Antelope Canyon if you can book a slot for a photography tour. If you’re planning sunrise photography – Bryce Canyon amphitheater, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and Mormon Row / Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton are our top 3 recommendations for your trip. Grand Teton is extremely photogenic and we’re sure your cameras will get a serious workout here! You’ll have an action packed driving itinerary here but this is roughly how we would do it:

D1 – Bryce, D2 – Bryce sunrise, drive to Page and HS Bend, D3 – Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and arrive in Moab, D4 – Arches, D5 – Canyonlands, D6 – Drive to Salt Lake City, D7 – Morning in SLC and Drive to Jackson, D8 and D9 – Grand Teton, D10, 11, 12 – Yellowstone, D13 and D14 – Long drive back to Vegas, maybe break it up in SLC.

Roads – 89, 163 Monument Valley, 191, 6, 89 through Afton, 191 again through Yellowstone, then 20 and I-15 back to Vegas.

Hope this helps but let us know if you need any more info and have the best trip!

Hi! Could you please share your itinirerary from google maps? It isn’t loading anymore! Thanks!

Hi Agnes, thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear you can’t load the map. Just checked and I can load all maps on both mobile and desktop on my end. I’ll shoot you an email to see if we can get the map working for you!

Thank you so much! It works for me now. We are planning to do the mighty 5 and do a big counter clockwise loop, and was wondering what you think the best order/road is. We are planning to start from the Grand Canyon and to finish with Zion and drive back to LA from there.

Perfect, glad it’s working. Sure, from Grand Canyon, drive to Page, AZ and do Horseshoe Bend / Antelope Canyon, then onto Monument Valley. Head up to Moab for Arches and Canyonlands, from Moab take UT-24 down into Capitol Reef, then drive the stunning UT-12 through Escalante to Bryce Canyon (don’t miss this one). Down US-89 to Zion / Springdale and maybe end with a night in Vegas?!! Have a great trip!

Omg Utah is now definatley on my bucket list to visit now.

That’s what we like to hear! Utah is an awesome US road trip destination Graham!

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Bucket-List Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

February 6, 2024 //  by  Follow Me Away //   18 Comments

Are you trying to plan the best Utah road trip possible? I am here to help!

I have done road trips in Utah both as a kid and an adult and absolutely love this state! With five epic national parks and otherworldly landscapes, Utah is a nature lover’s dream come true.

My Utah itinerary is unique since it is full of tips from someone who has spent months road-tripping the state and slow traveling through Utah’s Mighty 5.

A Utah national parks road trip includes Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. I highly suggest purchasing a National Park Pass beforehand to save money on entrance fees.

Along with the national parks, this itinerary for Utah will feature other beautiful nature spots!

For this Utah road trip itinerary, I am not going to specify an amount of time so you can make the drive as time allows for your schedule.

Don’t forget to check out my detailed road trip packing list so you don’t forget any essentials!

Now, let’s look at my top Utah road trip ideas!

Utah Road Trip Map

Some of us are more visual and that is okay! I’ve created this Utah national parks road trip map so you can see where everything is located across the state.

As you can see, once you drive away from Salt Lake City, everything is only within 30-120 minutes of each other. This means more time to enjoy everything on your Utah road trip and fewer hours in the car!

Click Here For The Utah Road Trip Map

Stop 1: Begin Your Utah Road Trip In Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is the largest city in Utah and the most accessible to fly into to begin your Utah road trip. Both affordable international and domestic flights fly into this city.

I recommend checking out Skyscanner to find the best and most affordable flights. I use this tool to discover the best flights because you can easily compare rates.

When you fly into SLC, consider buying a one-way ticket. Depending on how you structure your Utah road trip, you may want to fly into Salt Lake City and fly out of Las Vegas.

This itinerary will end at Zion National Park so I recommend flying out of Las Vegas which is closer.

If you choose to follow this itinerary exactly, all you have to do is decide if you want to drive 2.5 hours to Las Vegas or 4.5 hours to Salt Lake City.

Compare prices on flights out of both cities so you can find a deal that is best for you!

Best Hotels In Salt Lake City:

• Affordable: Holiday Inn Express Downtown . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Hilton Garden Inn . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 2: Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks

I have so many memories surrounding Moab from growing up traveling around that area! It is a truly fantastic little city and a family favorite. It has only gotten better over the past few decades.

Moab is around a 4-hour drive from Salt Lake City. It is a bit of a drive but that is okay! This is hands down the best place to start your Utah road trip!

I recommend spending 2 to 3 days in Moab if you have the chance. Utilize Moab as a home base to explore the nearby Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.

These are two of the best national parks in all of the United States and you will NOT be disappointed. They are family-friendly with many things to do and will transport you to an otherworldly landscape.

The Moab area is one of the best stops on your Southwest USA road trip itinerary!

Best Hotels In Moab:

• Affordable: Moab Valley Inn . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Holiday Inn Moab. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Family Fun: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Moab . Check Rates: Booking.com

Visiting Arches National Park

Arches National Park is the ultimate way to begin your Utah road trip. Arches is just outside of Moab and is ideal for your first national park of the trip.

The arches are beyond incredible and visiting will not disappoint!

I would like to caution you to please be careful and NEVER carve your name into the arches or take rocks. Please think of the future and REFRAIN from harming this beautiful nature in any way!

There is one road in and out of Arches National Park and it is 18 miles long. This means you can easily see Arches in one day on your Utah Road trip.

That being said, if you can spend more than one day here, I highly recommend it. It is very close to Moab so you can always come back if you missed something! This region is one of the best places in Utah !

Best Hikes In Arches National Park

If you can only do one thing at Arches National Park, I suggest hiking to Delicate Arch . This outstanding rock formation is the icon of the park. You will see photos and imagery of it all over the place.

This Utah hike is family-friendly and is around 3 miles round trip. If you are hiking during the heat of the day, make sure to wear sun protection and take plenty of water!

Delicate Arch is something I remember from growing up and now is your chance to make family memories too!

I also highly recommend the Windows Hike . It is shorter than the Delicate Arch hike and will get you up close and personal with many arches.

This hike is short, easy, and very rewarding. It is a 1.2-mile loop trail and the most popular in the park.

Another favorite is Double Arch which is a really short and fun trail! The trail to Double Arch is an easy 0.5-mile, well-maintained loop. It is accessible from the parking lot of the Windows Hike.

Finally, you must pay a visit to  Landscape Arch as it is the longest natural arch in the entire world! It spans a whopping 306 feet long!

You can reach Landscape Arch from the Devil’s Garden Loop Trail. It is on an easy, maintained part of the trail so don’t go past Landscape Arch unless you want to embark on a harder 7-mile hike.

Visiting Canyonlands National Park

While I love the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands National Park is just so incredibly special! The canyon formations are beyond insane and will blow your mind.

Canyonlands National Park is located 36 minutes away from Moab so it is a tad bit further than Arches but the drive is worth it!

Canyonlands is divided into four distinct sections. These include the Green and Colorado Rivers, the Maze, the Needles, and the Island in the Sky districts.

Having a basic understanding of how Canyonlands National Park is laid out will help you see the “big picture” when planning your Utah road trip.

Best Canyonlands Scenic Drives

If you aren’t the hiking type, don’t worry! Canyonlands is home to some wonderful scenic drives!

Island in the Sky  offers some amazing Utah road trip sightseeing by car. The overlooks and pull-outs along this 34-mile scenic drive are not to be missed!

It is perched 1000 feet above the canyon floor and offers breathtaking, memorable views! If you want to drive this route, plan for at least an hour.

If you want to hike some short trails and picnic, plan longer! This is the perfect thing to do if you don’t want to do a lot of hiking!

Another great scenic drive in Canyonlands is  the Needles.  It begins at the Canyonlands Visitor Center and is 6.5 miles long. It concludes at the Big Spring Canyon Overlook.

As with Island in the Sky, there are multiple pullouts and picnic spots along the way. It is also the way to access several of the more popular Canyonlands hikes.

It is important to note that Island in the Sky and the Needles are about two hours apart from each other. Keep this in mind when planning how much time to spend in Moab on your Utah national parks trip.

Best Hikes In Canyonlands National Park:

If you can only do one thing during your Utah road trip in Canyonlands, make sure you hike to Mesa Arch . It is located in the Island in the Sky district.

It is an easy 0.6-mile round-trip trail and is perfect for families. If you are a photographer looking for some fantastic sunrise or sunset photos, make sure to prioritize Mesa Arch!

The arch is located on the rim of the Plateau so you will have some incredibly stunning viewpoints.

Another one of our favorite easier hikes is the Cave Spring Hike. This hike is located in the Needles district. It is an easy 0.6-mile loop and provides some incredible views.

You will see prehistoric rock art, a cowboy camp, and more. The trail is easy, but you have to climb two short, wooden ladders.

If you are looking for some of the best canyon views, the Aztec Butte Trail is the perfect trail for you. It is an easy 2-mile loop trail and provides outstanding views of the surrounding canyons once you arrive!

The hike will end at Butte Summit which is where you can see these fantastic views. This hike is located in the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands.

Stop 3: Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park is one of the lesser-known stops on this Utah road trip itinerary. It is located roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Moab.

The landscape will make you feel like you have entered another planet. The formations create small structures that look like goblins, hence the name!

Goblin Valley State Park is home to the incredibly unique valley itself as well as some easier hikes, a disc golf course, and plenty of pullouts for viewing.

This state park can be a day stop along your Utah itinerary or you can choose to spend the night. If you want to stay here, you will have to camp as the only hotel options are around 45 minutes away.

This stop can also be done as a day trip from Moab if you want to wake up early and drive. Using Moab as your home base is an easy possibility.

If you could choose one thing to do here, I recommend the easy Three Sisters Hike.  It brings you to the most iconic “goblin” formation in the entire park.

Most people view Three Sisters from the road, but if you pull off, there are small trails that go up to it.

You can also see down into the Carmel Canyon Drainage System 100 feet below from this hike too so it is two for the price of one hike!

The beauty of Goblin Valley State Park is that you can drive around and explore at will. It is a beautiful and unique stop to add to your Utah road trip itinerary and you won’t want to miss it.

Best Hotels Near Goblin Valley:

• Cute Cabin: Duke’s Slickrock Cabins . Check Rates: Hotels.com
• Mid-Range: Pet-Friendly Cabins in Hanksville Utah . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 4: Capitol Reef National Park

When my family visited Capitol Reef National Park a few times in the early 2000s it was the “weird” thing to do and a strange national park to visit.

Now, Capitol Reef is all over Instagram and social media, and for a good reason! It is pretty neat to see a remote national park surge into the limelight in the past 20 years!

Although it has become more popular lately, it is still off the main tourist trail when compared to places like Arches and Zion. I suggest checking it out if you want to complete your Utah Mighty 5 road trip.

This national park is defined by the “Waterpocket Fold” which is essentially a 100-mile warp in the Earth’s crust. This is an incredible and unique feature!

There are various things to do in Capitol Reef National Park on your road trip in Utah. You can choose to hike, explore by car, pick fruit like apples, or go on a tour. There is truly an option for everyone!

Best Hotels At Capitol Reef National Park:

• Affordable: Days Inn Capitol Reef . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Affordable: Capitol Reef Resort . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Capitol Reef Hikes

One thing I remember from childhood is the Capitol Gorge Trail . This trail is incredible and the views are breathtaking. You will have to exit the main road and then turn onto a dirt road to get here.

On this trail, you’ll walk along a dried-up river bed through a massive gorge. The rock walls tower on either side and it really makes you feel small among nature.

If you want to see yet another arch,  Hickman Bridge  is one of the more popular hikes in Capitol Reef.

It is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of 400 feet, but it is still easy for families or amateurs to complete. It is a 1.8-mile hike round trip. Once you reach Hickman Bridge, you will love the views!

If you want to walk on an arch without going hiking in Sedona , I recommend Cassidy Arch Hike. This is one of the hikes in Utah where you can walk on top of the arch itself, instead of just walking under it!

Of course, this is a very unique feature and it makes the hike worth it. It is 1.7 miles each way and there is a 700-foot elevation gain.

The gain comes from the fact that you have to climb up on top of the rocks to walk across the arch. It is totally worth it and still an easy-to-moderate hike with some incredible payoff at the end!

Stop 5: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Another awesome memory from my childhood and teen years? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!

It is only 1 hour away from Capitol Reef yet many people don’t even know about it or decide to skip it on their Utah road trip. I am here to tell you that is a huge mistake!

First off, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers an absolutely HUGE expanse of land. You could take a week just to explore this area alone.

I will narrow it down to the best things to see. For example, did you know you can see slot canyons in Utah? You don’t have to go to Arizona to see these incredible features!

Want more arches? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is at your service there too!

I really can’t recommend this national monument enough if you are looking to get off the main tourist trail during your Utah road trip. You are going to love it!

Best Hotels In Grand Staircase Escalante:

• Affordable: The Inn At Escalante . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Unique: Escalante Yurts . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hikes In Grand Staircase-Escalante 

If you want to visit slot canyons in Utah , the Zebra Canyon Hike is the place to be! It is an easy 5.3 miles round trip and takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete.

There is another slot called Tunnel Slot that you can continue on to if you want but then the hike will take around 5 to 6 hours.

Zebra Canyon is epic enough as it is! This hike is in the northern part of the national monument so it is easy to reach on your Utah road trip.

There are two more slot canyons you can visit! Peek-a-boo and Spooky Gulches are just 3.5 miles round trip, perfect if you are looking for a shorter hike.

These slot canyons are near Zebra Canyon so you can easily do them both in a day. This is one of the more surreal hikes in Grand Staircase!

If you are a serious hiker and plan to trek or camp during your Utah road trip, this next hike is for you.

Coyote Gulch Hike is around 12 miles round trip and generally takes between 8 to 12 hours depending on how fast you walk and how many times you stop. You will see some stunning and remote scenery.

It is entirely possible to hike this trail in a single day, as long as you start early and pay attention to the weather.

Stop 6: Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is still one of the most incredible landscapes I have EVER visited in my entire life. You are going to agree! Do NOT skip Bryce Canyon. It will not let you down!

Hoodoos are rock formations formed by erosion. In Bryce Canyon, they are formed by winter frost eating away at the rock.

The rocks are weathered and eroded to create the incredible formations known as hoodoos. They are tall and thin and unique to arid areas such as the desert. They are fantastic to behold!

One of the best parts about seeing Bryce on your Utah road trip is that many areas are accessible by car. You can drive throughout the whole park and see stunning views!

If you have accessibility challenges, this is a wonderful Utah national park to visit as you can still experience a lot of what it offers because you don’t have to hike to see many things!

Bryce Canyon is one of the most popular stops on this itinerary for Utah’s national parks. You can park your car and take the shuttle if you want.

If you go during the off-season, you can find parking more easily. If you are completing this Utah road trip during the summer or high season, I recommend taking advantage of the shuttle.

Best Hotels Near Bryce Canyon:

• Affordable: Bryce Canyon Pines . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Luxury: Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hikes In Bryce Canyon 

Possibly the most famous hike in Bryce Canyon is the Navajo Loop/Queens Garden Trail . This takes you down into the canyon so you can walk among the hoodoos.

There is one switchback area of this trail called ‘Wall Street.” I highly recommend walking DOWN this section. You get a better view and the experience is just better overall.

Most people don’t know this and do the opposite. This is the premier hike in Bryce, so do it while you are here! It is a 2.5-mile heavily trafficked loop trail and it is popular for a good reason!

If the park is busy and you want to do something fun, I love the Mossy Cave Waterfall hike. You must leave the park a tiny bit, but you get to see a waterfall and a sleeping bear cave.

This is a slightly different landscape than you are used to seeing in Utah so it is something fun and different to do. It is an easy, 1-mile trail.

I also recommend Bryce’s Rim Trail. It is 0.5 miles to 5.5 miles one way and is located above Bryce Canyon. It connects all the scenic overlooks from Fairyland to Bryce Point.

If you do NOT want to hike, many of these viewpoints are accessible by car too!

If you want an accessible trail, there is a 0.5-mile section of trail between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point that is wheelchair accessible.

I love the Rim Trail because you can choose to do as much or as little hiking as you want without missing out on epic views!

Stop 7: Zion National Park

Zion National Park is easily the most famous and popular stop on this Utah Mighty 5 itinerary and for a good reason!

Often, you cannot drive in Zion unless you are staying in the campground. There is a shuttle that will take you in and out of the park. This is very important to know.

Many people do not know about the shuttle until they arrive and are in for a surprise. If you know about the shuttle, you can be prepared for your experience.

March through November, access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by free shuttle bus only. Private vehicles are allowed to access the Scenic Drive only when the shuttle system is not in operation.

If you are visiting in say, January, you will be allowed and able to drive your vehicle. This is one reason why I love doing a trip to Utah national parks in winter! Zion National Park in winter is a great time to visit.

The thing I love about Zion National Park is that it blends the red rocks with greenery! This is a sight for sore eyes after days of being in the desert.

There are very many cool things to see and do here during your trip to Utah.

While you end your road trip with Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, they are some of the highlights of the vacation.

Best Hotels Near Zion National Park:

• Affordable: Zion Park Motel . Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Zion Mountain Ranch . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hikes In Zion National Park

One of the most memorable hikes from my childhood is the Narrows Hike . It is very long and involved, but you can choose to just do the beginning portion of it which is what I did as a kid.

It is about 16 miles round trip and you must walk through the river and even swim at some points!

If you aren’t doing the whole 16-mile hike, you can go to the beginning and have fun walking through the water in the canyon for as long as you want. This is what I did and it was such a wonderful experience!

If you want to do the most popular hike in Zion, that is the Angels Landing Hike . People do this with kids quite often, but it is strenuous and around 5 miles long.

This takes you to the peak of Zion National Park and the views are beyond incredible! If you do one hike during your Utah road trip, choose this one! I recommend budgeting around 3 to 5 hours.

The Canyon Overlook Trail is another great option. This is only a 1-mile trail and provides stunning views. It is easy and you can access it to see some of the best views in the park.

Since it is so short and easy, it makes a great beginner hike for all ages when visiting Southern Utah’s national parks. This is the perfect introductory hike to do when you arrive in Zion!

Stop 8: Valley Of Fire And Fly Out Of Las Vegas

Once you finish in Zion, I suggest flying out of Las Vegas, Nevada, since it is just over a two-hour drive from the park.

As I mentioned in the beginning, though, you can also fly out of Salt Lake City which is 4.5 hours away from Zion. Choose whichever fits your needs or budget best.

If you choose to go to Las Vegas, I highly recommend stopping by Valley of Fire State Park on the way. I absolutely love this park’s landscapes and photography opportunities.

The deep red rocks and gorgeous scenery make the park one of the best things to do in Nevada!

How Long To Spend On This Utah National Parks Road Trip

You should take as much time as you can for this Utah trip itinerary since there is so much to see and do. I understand, though, that not everyone has the chance to take over a week off for a vacation.

When planning a trip to Utah, I suggest a minimum of 7 to 10 days to see everything on this itinerary without rushing. With more time, you can also easily fly roundtrip from Salt Lake City.

If you have less time, you can cut out anywhere you have been before or that does not strike your fancy. I recommend focusing on the five national parks and saving the other spots for next time.

Best Time To Visit Utah National Parks

You can do a national parks road trip in Utah at any time of the year, but each season does have its pros and cons.

Personally, I love to road trip Utah in winter! This is when I did my last Utah parks road trip and it was great! It can be cold, but the white snow adds a beautiful contrast to the red rocks.

I think national parks are best during the off-season. Winter means fewer crowds and cheaper accommodations and car rentals. Camping is easier with less competition at campgrounds.

Plus, in winter you do not have to deal with the shuttle in Zion and can drive through the park on your own.

Summer in Utah is hot and the national parks are crowded with families and other tourists. Spring and fall are shoulder seasons with the best weather for hiking in Utah national parks.

No matter when you road trip through Utah, you will love the amazing landscapes and the chance to make memories with family and friends.

I hope you have a fantastic time visiting national parks in Utah!

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about planning your Utah Big 5 itinerary in the comments below!

Please let me know how you got on and if you went to any of the places I suggested in this itinerary for Utah national parks!

Next, check out more of the best Southwest road trip itineraries .

Reader Interactions

October 1, 2019 at 11:56 pm

Many thx for all ur tips

it was perfect

best regards,

October 8, 2019 at 7:19 pm

I live in SLC and have only visited Zion NP and Goblin Valley. I am going to steal your list! Except I’ll just take I-15 home at the end instead of heading to Vegas.

October 9, 2019 at 2:46 pm

Yessss have fun!!!!!! Def head back home!

April 23, 2021 at 1:07 pm

This is an amazing itinerary. Based on the road conditions do I need a special vehicle (4WD) in order to do this route? Are the roads paved or gravel? Can this be done with a standard sedan?

June 3, 2020 at 2:58 pm

We have never been to Utah. Family of 4. I’m planning our whole trip based off of this. Thank you!

November 10, 2020 at 8:38 am

My wife and I just completed a 2 week trip through Big 5 Utah National Park and it was spectacular! We followed your itinerary and continued on to The Grand Canyon after a 2 night so over in Las Vegas. We turned 2020 into a trip of a lifetime!

November 10, 2020 at 1:51 pm

Thank you for sharing!!!! I am so glad you had an amazing time despite 2020!!!

February 2, 2021 at 11:06 pm

This looks amazing, and so helpful. Do you know how this would be traveling with a dog? I have heard that taking dogs hiking in National Parks can be very restrictive. Thanks in advance!

February 7, 2021 at 4:27 pm

Depends on the park! I just got back from Utah! Arches allows and Zion doesn’t allow! So weird! You just have to look!

March 9, 2021 at 5:49 pm

Soooo I have an adventurous husband that would like to do some ATVing. We are following your itinerary. Any spot along the way you could suggest to rent some equipment and have some fun?

March 29, 2021 at 10:49 pm

I love this itinerary. Would you be so kind to let me know how many nights and in which location(s) you recommend booking if I were to follow all of your stops? Would it just be Moab and Zion area for the hotels / accommodations or would you suggest another location as well in between, etc. Thanks again.

March 29, 2021 at 11:03 pm

Oh goodness! how many nights is up to you and how much time you have off!! If you want to do capitol reef, I would stay in that area too for sure! It is a long drive! I would do 3-4 in Moab and 2-3 in Zion at minimum, depending on the length of time you have!

April 30, 2021 at 10:24 am

HI- My husband and I had been talking about such a trip- he had some 1200 mile trip planned but I want to do more than just drive. This came up on my pinterest feed and I am SOOOOOO excited (we really enjoy hiking). I think we are looking at 2 weeks. We are thinking September – would that be a good time?

April 30, 2021 at 2:17 pm

Yes!!! September will be a great time to go!!! Enjoy!!!!

March 3, 2021 at 1:15 pm

is all this doable in 7 days?

March 3, 2021 at 1:56 pm

Yes it is doable, but we recommend a bit longer! With 7 days we recommend arches and canyonlands, bryce and zion! That way you can do what you want without rushing too much!!

March 14, 2021 at 11:53 pm

This is great! We are heading out on Thursday and using your itinerary for our first 10 day family trip to Utah with our teenagers. Sooo excited!

March 15, 2021 at 2:06 pm

It is so fun!!!

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Red Rock & Dark Skies: Stargazing the National Parks

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The Best Southern Utah Road Trip Itinerary You Will Find

This article will prepare you for an epic southern Utah road trip, one of the most fascinating landscapes on the planet. I lived in the desert Southwest for a few years and explored this incredible region up and down. 

What makes southern Utah so special? You’ll find out in this post, but it’s really the openness of the land and beauty of the colorful rock formations that form the desert floor. Barely anyone actually lives there, a testament to the harshness of the desert. 

Sandstone rocks of all shapes and sizes dominate the landscape and there are more canyons than humans in some parts. So buckle up and hit the road for one of the best road trips the USA has to offer!

Why Should I Listen to You? 

The main sites you will hit, southern utah road trip – the basics , day 1: las vegas to bryce canyon national park, day 2: bryce canyon to capitol reef national park, day 3: capitol reef to moab, day 4: arches national park , day 5: canyonlands national park, day 6: moab to monument valley , day 7: monument valley to page, az, day 8: page to zion national park, day 9: zion national park, day 10: zion to las vegas, southern utah road trip: faqs, southern utah road trip: the end.

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something or get a quote through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. I do not represent GetYourGuide, Insubuy, Booking.com, or Rentalcars.com. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy the product mentioned in this article.

Anybody can write anything these days. Especially with travel blogs, where you can be an “expert” in something after one visit. But I lived in Las Vegas and extensively explored the desert southwest, so you can be sure you’re getting tips from a local.

While I no longer live in Vegas, my experiences during my time there led me to fall in love with southern Utah. I’ve been to all seven continents, over 60 countries, and southern Utah still remains one of my favorite places on earth. You will fall in love with it too after this road trip!

We will go through all the sites in detail in the itinerary below but let’s start with an outline of all the amazing places you’re going to see. On top of Utah’s 5 incredible national parks, you’ll be exploring some state parks and other landmarks. You’ll also dip into Arizona for a bit to see some of the most Instagrammable places in the US. 

National Parks:

• Bryce Canyon
• Capitol Reef
• Canyonlands
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

State Parks:

• Dead Horse 
• Valley of Fire (NV)

Other main attractions:

Monument Valley

• Valley of the Gods
• Antelope Canyon
• Horseshoe Bend (part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area)

This road trip assumes you will start and end in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada . Las Vegas is the gateway to the southwest and has some amazing natural wonders in its immediate vicinity. You could also start from Salt Lake City, UT or Flagstaff, AZ with a little extra driving. 

To car of campervan? That is the question! 

You will need your own vehicle for this road trip. It’s very easy to do the trip in a normal, 2-wheel-drive car. However, if you want to do some of the more difficult unpaved roads in Canyonlands or some of the other places you’ll need a 4×4. That being said, there’s really not a lot of time for off-road driving in this itinerary so a regular car is just fine. 

You can find the best deals on rental cars from Las Vegas here at rentalcars.com . 

You can also rent a campervan from one of the many providers in Las Vegas that cater to travelers like you.  Most of Utah allows freedom camping, meaning you can park really anywhere that is off the road and spend the night. So it’s a great place to drive a campervan around. The developed campsites in the national and state parks have excellent services though, so car camping is fairly easy. 

The landscape of southern Utah 

Southern Utah and Northern Arizona are classified as high desert. This means that you’re in the desert, but the elevation is actually pretty high. Most of this trip you’ll be over 4000 feet and you’ll get above 8000 in some places.

The landscape is barren and inhospitable. Red sandstone rocks are everywhere and vegetation is few and far between. The earth cracks here and there forming giant canyons every way you look, and distant snow-capped mountains form the background of many of your views.

It’s quite unlike anything else on earth. Not even Petra in Jordan or the Australian Outback can quite compare. 

Total mileage covered on the road trip

This road trip covers about 1200 miles and takes 20 hours over the course of 10 days. But that doesn’t count any side trips or any driving around the parks themselves. All in all plan on spending an average of about 2-3 hours a day in the car. 

Cost of the road trip 

How much does this southern Utah road trip cost? Well that’s entirely up to you and depends on where you want to stay and where you live. If you’re from Southern California you can avoid the flight to Vegas and the rental car by adding a few hundred miles to your road trip. If you’re from New York you’ve gotta fly and rent a car. 

This trip can also be really, really cheap if you camp instead of staying in hotels. Standard tent campsites at national and state parks in Utah will run you $20-$30 per night.

Want to stay in a hotel? Good luck finding something less than $200/night outside the national parks. And I mean like a La Quinta will cost you $200. If you want to stay somewhere nice, well, I hope you have a good job and make good money.

Airbnb has some options between these two extremes. If you’re looking for more like $100/night Airbnb can be a good option in Utah. 

Best time of year for a southern Utah road trip

You will ideally want to make this road trip in either spring or fall. Summer is possible, but southern Utah can get pretty damn hot in the summer and that can make camping uncomfortable.

Winter is also possible – and hotels will be much cheaper – but it can get pretty cold in the high desert in the middle of winter. Spring and fall offer great weather, long days (spring better than fall for that), and ideal conditions all around.  

National Park Pass

You will want the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass for this trip. This pass is more commonly known as the “national park pass” and gets you into any national park, monument, historical site, etc in the US for one year.

The pass, amazingly, still costs only $80 and seems to be inflation-proof. It’s been $80 since the 2000s (and for senior citizens it’s free!). The pass will pay for itself after visiting just three of the five national parks on this itinerary. 

The national park pass will not get you into state parks or parks on Navajo Nation land (i.e. Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley Tribal Park). Be sure to order it well over a month in advance of your trip, as it can take a while to arrive in the mail. 

Popularity and crowds

Make no mistake, the national parks in Utah are incredibly popular with Americans and international tourists alike. Zion and Arches are two of the most visited parks in the US, and you can reasonably expect to encounter massive crowds unless you go in the winter. If you plan on camping within the parks, you will have to reserve campsites months – possibly even up to a year – in advance. 

Of the parks you’ll visit, only Arches requires timed entry permits. This means you have to pre-book entry into the park and is done to control crowds and traffic. But there can still be major backups to get into the other parks. 

Capitol Reef is the anomaly, being much less visited than the other four. Outside the national parks, you probably won’t encounter too many crowds, though the other destinations on this itinerary are becoming more and more popular these days.  

Where to stay

As mentioned before, the cost of the trip varies greatly on whether you plan on camping or staying in hotels. If you do plan on camping, it’s best to download the Campendium app. It has every campsite in Utah mapped and tells you what type of campsite it is.

On top of the campsites in the national parks, there are tons of privately run campsites all over Utah as well as basic campsites in national forests. It even will tell you all the locations of dispersed camping, which is essentially just a flat area with no services that it’s free to camp. The app is vital for this road trip if you’re going to camp. 

If you’re staying in hotels there are quite a lot of options in Moab, Springdale, and Page, AZ but far less options between these main towns. You will want to book hotels in advance, but you don’t need to book months out like a national park campground. Each day of the itinerary below has detailed recommendations for hotels each night.

Travel insurance

Americans, you can skip this section. But if you are an international visitor it is vital that you have travel insurance for your trip to the States. The insurance must cover medical expenses.

If you don’t have medical insurance for your trip, you are putting yourself at risk of great financial consequences should you suffer an accident or have a medical emergency. We don’t have universal healthcare here in the US and an overnight hospital stay can easily cost $100,000 that you probably don’t have. 

Insubuy provides medical travel insurance for international visitors to the US. You can get a quote for travel insurance and book your coverage using the link below.

Get a great deal on travel insurance for the USA here .

The Perfect Southern Utah Desert Road Trip 

Without further ado let’s get into it! You can see a visual of the southern Utah road trip itinerary in the Google Maps view below to follow along with the text.

After an epic buffet breakfast at your Las Vegas hotel, it’s time to say goodbye to that hangover and hit the road. It’s about a four hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. Most of the 260 miles are on I-15, so you’ll be moving quickly today. Though once you exit just after Parowan, UT, you’ll wave goodbye to interstate highways. Other than a brief stint near Moab, you won’t see one again till you’re almost back to Las Vegas.

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most unique landscapes in the world. Sharp columns of red sandstone rocks – known as “hoodoos” – protrude from the earth like giant needles as the canyon descends from the cliff above.

Bryce Canyon itself is quite small, and if you arrive early in the afternoon you’ll have plenty of time for a hike down into the canyon to admire the hoodoos up close. But first, start with a short stop at the Visitor’s Center to learn a little more about the crazy geology of the area.

There are a few observation points along the canyon rim that are connected by a series of roads. Start by hitting all the viewpoints to find your favorite view of the canyon. When you’re satisfied with the incredible views, it’s time to hike into the canyon.

Park at the end of Sunrise Point Road and embark on a leisurely hike down into the canyons known as the Wall Street and Queen’s Garden Loop Trail. The hike is only a little more than 3 miles, but you’ll stop so many times to admire the hoodoos that it will take a while. 

End your day with dinner in the nearby village of Bryce to celebrate a great first day of the road trip.

Where to stay in Bryce

Camping: There are two campgrounds within the park, North Campground and Sunset Campground. North requires reservations from May 19 – Oct 7 and Sunset is always first come first served, but closed in winter. Tent sites are $20 per night per site. 

Mid Range: There are not a lot of options for hotels outside the park that are not expensive and not downright awful at the same time. Consider the Best Western PLUS Ruby’s Inn or Bryce Canyon Pines . 

High End: For the most comfortable stay, opt for a room at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon in the park. Don’t expect to find a room for under $300 though. Book well in advance. 

If you’re not too tired, wake up for sunrise over Bryce Canyon. Head back to the same sunrise viewpoint you were at yesterday and bask in the beauty. If you’re up for a morning hike, head into the canyon again to catch the morning sun on the hoodoos. 

It’s about a 2.5 hour drive on Utah’s back roads to Capitol Reef National Park with no stops, so allow about 3 hours. Plan to arrive in time for lunch at the Wild Rabbit Cafe just before the entrance to the park.  

Capitol Reef is by far the least visited of Utah’s five national parks. But while it doesn’t hold the same grandeur as the others, it’s still a beautiful region of red sandstone mountains and desolate canyons. If you’ve been to Petra in Jordan, the rock formations are pretty similar, just without the ancient Nabatean buildings carved into the cliffsides. 

There is one scenic drive in the park and it takes you about 10 miles off the main road to the south. It ends at Capital Gorge trailhead, the start of one of the most popular hikes in the park. It’s an easy walk through a gorge so plan on doing the full out and back Capitol Gorge hike in the afternoon. The rocks will help protect you from that desert sun if it’s a hot day. 

If you have time and you’re up for it you can also do the short Cassidy Arch trail on your way back to the main road. After catching the sunset, enjoy a relaxing night in one of the most underrated places in Utah. 

Where to stay at Capitol Reef

Camping: The Fruita campground in the park has 71 sites. The sites are $25/night and must be reserved in advance. 

Mid Range: The nearby town of Torrey has a few lodging options. The Broken Spur is your best bet for affordability if you want a bed to sleep in. 

High End: Cougar Ridge is where you want to stay if you’re looking for a little luxury. 

Take it easy this morning and sleep in. Take your time packing up and hit the road for Moab, Utah’s desert playground. It’s another 2.5 hours drive to Moab.

Spend the afternoon exploring the little city of Moab, which is full of shops where you can buy local arts and crafts. As much as you’re itching to get to Arches, don’t even bother in the middle of the afternoon. It will just be too crowded. 

If you want an afternoon adventure consider a river rafting tour with Moab Adventure Center . If not, take it easy and check into your hotel or campground. 

As evening sets in, the day trippers to Arches leave. This is when you’ll enter. Between April and October Arches requires timed entry passes – since it can get so ridiculously busy – but those are only required between 7 AM and 4 PM. Following this plan here, you won’t need to get a timed entry pass, as you’ll enter after 4 PM today and before 7 AM tomorrow. 

Depending on what time of year it is and when sunset is, you might want to grab dinner in the city first. Make sure to get to the park at least an hour before sunset. Golden Hour in Arches National Park is simply stunning.

The rocks appear shades of orange and red that you didn’t even know existed. Watch the sunset over this magical landscape of giant rock bridges, but don’t stay up too late, because you have an early morning tomorrow. 

Set your alarm for 2 hours before sunrise – yes that’s right 2 hours before sunrise. If you’re visiting in June that’s 4 AM. So better get to bed. 

Where to stay in Moab

Camping: There are literally dozens of independent campsites in and around Moab. There is one campground in Arches National Park and two small campgrounds in Canyonlands. All sites require reservations, however for the campsites outside the parks it’s possible to just show up and book something.  

Mid Range: There are many options in Moab for motels and mid-range hotels, like the Red Stone Inn . 

High End: At the north end of town you’ll find the Springhill Suites by Marriott and the Hyatt Place Moab . I stayed at the Hyatt Place on my most recent trip to Moab and had a lovely stay. 

You’ll awake well before the crack of dawn for one reason and that is to be the first person at Delicate Arch, the most iconic landmark in the park and one of the most iconic places in the United States. 

The Delicate Arch Trail parking lot is about a 30-minute drive from central Moab. Get to the parking lot no later than one hour before sunrise. It will be dark and you’ll need a headlamp or a flashlight for the hike. The Delicate Arch hike itself is pretty relaxed, about 1.6 miles with a mild elevation gain. It should take no more than 45 minutes but a half hour or so if you’re fit. 

You’ll arrive at Delicate Arch right as the sky starts to get light. Relax and watch the sunrise over the arch, one of the highlights of your trip! Just note that to get the famous photo under Delicate Arch, you will have to wait in line. 

Spend the rest of the day exploring Arches National Park. There are many other trails to hike and viewpoints to observe. It’s one of America’s treasures and you’ll want to soak up every last bit of it that you can. 

Spend the night in Moab again. If you like Thai food, be sure to check out Arches Thai just off the main road. 

Today is for canyons. Start the morning by driving about 45 minutes into the northern unit of Canyonlands National Park (there are three separate sections of the park), known as Island in the Sky. 

Canyonlands is mostly known for its collection of epic canyons, mesas, buttes, arches and other rock formations, as well as endless miles of hiking trails and 4×4 roads.

Depending on how much hiking you want to do, getting down to the bottom of one of the canyons can be your goal for the day. A great trail to get into the canyons is the Gooseberry Trail, which drops you about 1500 feet into the canyon before you climb your way back out. 

Be sure to drive the entire length of the paved road down to Grand View Point, stopping at all the other viewpoints on the way. Many viewpoints require short walks along the canyon rim to get to, so you’ll have plenty of time outside the car. 

There are no restaurants or shops in the park so be sure to pack your lunch with you. On your way back to Moab stop at Dead Horse State Park for some epic views – some would say even better than Canyonlands – of the Colorado river as it snakes through the canyons.

Since Dead Horse is a Utah state park you’ll have to pay $20 per vehicle for access. The park is considerably smaller than Canyonlands and there are not many trails, so you really only need less than an hour in Dead Horse to appreciate it. 

Last night in Moab. If you’re a fan of craft beer check out the Moab Brewery on the south side of town. The food is nothing to rave about, but decent pub fare for the middle of the desert.

Today is a choose your own adventure day. There is a lot of good stuff to see between Moab and Monument Valley and it depends on how ambitious you want to be. If you want to hit the Needles District of Canyonlands (the south unit), you’ll want to leave Moab before 7 AM. It’s about a 2-hour drive to the best part of the Needles District, and over an hour of that is off the highway – I.e. out of your way. 

If you do go there though, you’ll be oohed and aahed by the needle-like rock formations. They are different from the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, more pancake-like with different layers. This part of Canyonlands looks nothing like the Island in the Sky district you were at yesterday. 

Valley of the Gods and Goosenecks State Park

If going out of the way like that is a bit too much then your first stop of the day will be Valley of the Gods, about 2.5 hours south of Moab between Bluff and Mexican Hat. Valley of the Gods is a small valley between high plateaus that has some buttes and other interesting rocks. It’s kind of like a baby Monument Valley. 

There’s a dirt road that forms a loop that spits you out on a side road. The drive will take you about an hour total, including stops. A 2WD drive vehicle is adequate, so long as you don’t mind the car getting a bit dirty. The best thing about Valley of the Gods is that it is not super popular so you will have some solitude. 

Just south of Valley of the Gods you’ll stop by Goosenecks State Park. This is another Utah state park that is worth visiting just to look at the San Juan river “gooseneck” though the canyon. Visiting the park will take no more than a half hour and can literally be done in a few minutes. Admire the views from above the canyon, then continue your drive south. 

After you pass Mexican Hat, a town named after a rock that looks like a sombrero, you’re officially in Monument Valley, one of the most unique places on the planet. The region is essentially a relatively flat high desert with giant sandstone rock buttes that stick out of the desert floor. 

For fans of the movie Forrest Gump, it’s important to stop by Forrest Gump Point to take a photo of yourself running on the road like Forrest did in the movie. From there you’ll head south into Oljato-Monument Valley, what can only be described as a tiny village of a few houses and a grocery store. You’re in Navajo Nation here, a sovereign Native American land. 

The Navajo Nation owns and operates Monument Valley Tribal Park, which is just across the state border in Arizona and contains the most spectacular collection of rock formations in Monument Valley. If you’re there early enough, hit the tribal park before the day is over. If not, you can do it in the morning before heading out. 

There’s only one restaurant in Monument Valley and that’s the Stagecoach Restaurant at Goulding’s Lodge. Many accommodations will come with a kitchen for you to cook yourself though. 

WHERE TO STAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY

Camping: Monument Valley KOA has plenty of sites for your camping needs. Tent sites are not cheap though, at about $60 per night per night. Goulding’s – the only hotel in town – also operates a campsite near their hotel. 

Mid Range: There are only two hotels in town, Gouldings and The View Hotel , the latter which is run by the Navajo Nation at the entrance to Monument Valley Tribal Park. They are no frills accommodations, but they’re not exactly cheap. 

High End: There are various other cabins and Airbnbs available in the region, but nothing really “luxury.”

If you didn’t make it to Monument Valley Tribal Park yesterday, time to hit it this morning. If you did, then you can get going and head towards Page, Arizona, home to some of the most famous sites in the Southwest. You’ll actually be in Arizona all day today, so technically this road trip is not entirely in southern Utah. 

It’s a two hour drive to Page, home to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Antelope Canyon is a narrow slot canyon with beautiful red colors that has become famous in the Instagram Age. In order to visit Antelope Canyon you must book an organized tour. It is not possible to visit on your own, as the Navajo Nation forbids that.

There are numerous tour operators and you can check out various Antelope Canyon tours on getyourguide here .

After lunch in Page, head to Horseshoe Bend just outside of town. Horseshoe Bend is one of the most iconic locations on the Colorado River and is located in Glen Canyon Recreation Area, which is managed by the National Park Service.

Your national park pass covers Glen Canyon, but the city of Page charges extra for parking at Horseshoe Bend. It’s only about a 20-minute walk from the parking lot to the canyon, so you don’t need too much time there. Horseshoe Bend is an amazing place to watch the sunset though, should you wish to come here for that instead.  

With the rest of your afternoon you can check out Wahweap Bay in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, though you probably won’t have time to get out on a boat. There are also some neat views of the Glen Canyon Dam on the bridge over the river. End the day with some excellent Mexican food at Fiesta Mexicana. 

Where to stay in Page, AZ

Camping: There are numerous campsites in and around Page. Within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area the biggest campsite is Lake Powell Wahweap Marina RV Park and Campground .

Mid Range: There are plenty of mid-range hotels in Page, as the town is really catered to tourists. The Best Western View of Lake Powell is a good option, and where we stayed when we were in town.  

High End: There is a Hyatt Place and a Courtyard by Marriott in Page, but nothing that is overly luxurious. 

Today you’ll head back into Utah to visit Zion National Park, one of the most beautiful places in the United States. It’s only about a 2.5 hour drive from Page, but you also have the option today to catch a glimpse of the Grand Canyon.

If you don’t think you’ll be coming back to the American Southwest any time soon, it’s worth it to add three hours onto your day to see the Grand Canyon. 

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is far less visited than the South Rim, where just about everyone goes. This makes it less crowded, but it’s also much less developed and there is only one viewpoint. It’s also closed yearly from Dec 1 to May 15, so don’t drive all the way there just for it to be closed. 

If you choose the Grand Canyon option, you won’t get to Zion till late in the afternoon most likely. If you’re heading straight from Page, however, you can be there before lunch. With nearly two day in the park you’ll have sufficient time to explore the entire region and go on numerous hikes.

You’ll enter the park from the east entrance, which takes you on a stunning scenic drive through insane red, orange, and white rock formations. This is the only part of the park that you can drive yourself, with the exception of Kolob Canyons, which is a completely separate section of the park not connected by road to the main park. 

The main park road is limited to the Zion shuttle service. You’ll park your car at the visitors center in Springdale and hop on the shuttle from there. It’s first come, first served, and on busy summer days you can expect to have to wait to board the shuttle. 

What to do in Zion

There are endless things to do in Zion National Park and we can’t describe them all in detail here. Spend the afternoon hitting some of the main spots on the Zion Canyon Road and stopping for a few short hikes. Some short hikes to consider:

• Zion Narrows Riverside Walk 
• Emerald Pools Trail
• Lower Emerald Pools Trail
• Kayenta Trail
• Court of the Patriarchs

There are many other viewpoints you’ll see on the side of the road so it never hurts to hop off the shuttle and explore. For sunset, head to Zion Canyon Overlooks Trail on the road leading back to the east entrance. It’s only about a half mile to the viewpoint and it’s mostly flat.

Where to stay in Zion National Park

Camping: There are three designated campsites within Zion National Park. Reserve campsites well in advance. 

Mid Range: There are mid-range holes in Springdale, UT, but they don’t have mid-range prices. Hope you don’t mind paying $300/night for a Holiday Inn Express . If that sounds crazy to you, check options in nearby Hurricane, UT .  

High End: Unlike most of the other stops on this road trip, you can really live in luxury outside of Zion if you want to. Check out LaFave Luxury Rentals , the Cable Mountain Lodge , or the Cliffrose Springdale by Hilton . 

Another day in Zion National Park. If you’re an avid hiker today is your day. And if you’re not an avid hiker, today is the day you become one. There are a few famous hikes in the park. The most notable is the Angels Landing hike, with the Zion Narrows hike being a close second. Both of these hikes require planning. Angels Landing requires permits , as it got so popular in recent years that it became unsafe. 

Zion Narrows is a hike through a narrow gorge with thousand-foot cliffs on either side. The catch here is that most of the hike is on a riverbed and you’re pretty much guaranteed to get your feet wet at some point. It takes careful planning, as after heavy rains the water level can be too high. 

If all that sounds a little daunting then you can opt for my personal favorite hike in the park: Observation Point. Unfortunately the main trail to Observation Point has been closed since 2019 due to a major rockfall.

To reach the viewpoint, you’ll have to drive about 45 minutes to the East Mesa Trailhead and hike about 9 miles round trip from there. It’s worth it, though. The view from up Observation Point is the best view in Utah. 

Your big hike will take up most of the day. Spend the rest of your day stopping at any other viewpoints you want to hit. If a big, strenuous hike doesn’t sound too appealing after a week of desert hiking, consider checking out the other region of Zion, Kolob Canyons, which is about an hour drive from Springdale. 

The final day of the road trip. You’ve seen plenty of Zion National Park and now it’s time to head back to Las Vegas. It’s only about a 2.5 hour drive back to Vegas, but you’ll be stopping in Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park along the way. 

Valley of Fire is one of the most underrated places in the desert Southwest. The park contains a collection of unique sandstone rock formations. By now you’ve seen a ton of red rocks, but Valley of Fire is special.

While it is certainly loaded with fabulous red rocks, the park contains some of the most colorful sandstone rocks you’ll ever see. Shades of pink, purple, yellow, green, and white rocks dot the landscape. It’s something that you really have to see to believe. 

Spend a solid 4-5 hours in Valley of Fire, stopping at all the viewpoints and doing a few short walks. The best hike in the park is the White Domes Fire Wave trail at the end of the park road. This hike covers about 3 miles through slot canyons and over the colorful rocks I just mentioned. The trail is a bit hard to follow so it’s useful to have AllTrails or Maps.me loaded on your phone for the hike.

Before leaving, be sure to stop at this spot along Mouse Tank Road for the most famous mountain view in Nevada. The road winding through the red rock cliffs with the mountains in the background is truly a sight to behold! From the viewpoint it’s about a 75-minute drive back to Las Vegas, where you can indulge in whatever sort of debauchery your heart desires to celebrate an amazing road trip through southern Utah!

You can read more about Valley of Fire in my guide to the natural side of Las Vegas here .

If you have more time in Vegas consider adding on a day trip to Death Valley National Park in Southern California. Death Valley is a whole different landscape than you’ll see in Utah and one of the most underrated national parks in the US . It’s a 2 hour drive from Las Vegas and east to see the highlights in one day. 

What is the best time of year to visit southern Utah?

The best time of year to visit southern Utah is either spring or fall. This allows for pleasant days while avoiding the summer heat and crowds. Winter can be nice too, but the Moab Desert is often covered in snow and higher elevation places like Bryce Canyon can be difficult to access due to heavy snowfall.

What is the prettiest area of Utah?

The prettiest area of Utah is open to interpretation and could be just about anywhere! The entire state is stunning, from the alpine mountains in the north to the Moab Desert in the south. For many people, the uniqueness of the landscapes in the national parks like Zion and Arches make those the prettiest.

What is the most beautiful park in Utah?

The most beautiful part in Utah from top to bottom is open to debate. Most consider either Zion or Bryce Canyon the most beautiful parks, with Arches and Canyonlands trailing close behind. Capitol Reef is often the afterthought, though in any other state it would be possibly the most beautiful place in the state.

Should I go on a road trip through Utah?

Yes, you absolutely should go on a road trip through Utah! From top to bottom Utah is one of the most, if not the most, beautiful states in the United States and features some of the most impressive and unique landscapes on the planet. Anyone who loves nature and the outdoors will love Utah.

How to see all 5 national parks in Utah?

The easiest way to see all 5 of Utah’s national parks is to drive between them. The closest major airports are Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. Though it’s also possible from Phoenix and a few other smaller regional airports in Utah, Colorado, and Arizona.

That was an epic trip, wasn’t it? You’ve seen the very best that the southwestern United States has to offer on this epic southern Utah road trip. The only downside of this trip is that you’re going to have such an amazing time that returning to your everyday life might be too difficult to handle! 

Chris Heckmann

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Incredible article with all the details I was seeking for planning our trip to Utah from Canada. I can’t thank you enough sharing! We’ve been wondering about driving or camping, where to start, what’s the best stops, etc. and you covered it all. Amazing!

Thanks Candice! Hope you guys enjoy Utah, it really is the best. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions.

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• National and State Parks

The Best Itinerary For A Scenic, Unforgettable Road Trip To Utah's 5 National Parks

Utah's "Mighty 5" national parks are like a close-knit family, always trying to top one another in a friendly game of sibling rivalry. Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches all have distinct personalities, made possible by their unique attributes: gorgeous canyons, otherworldly hoodoos, insightful pioneer history, captivating vistas, and imposing arches, respectively.  Ten million visitors pass through them each year, and there's something for every kind of traveler. 

Accessible viewpoints may tempt the indoorsy out of their air-conditioned cars, while outdoorsy types have their pick of several of the best National Park trails that are only for experienced hikers . The total driving distance to link them together, from Zion in the south to Arches in the north, is about 350 miles. Therefore, by the time someone in the back seat whines, "Are we there yet?" the answer will probably be "yes." The drive itself is an attraction, and each park has its own crown jewel of a scenic drive. 

To get the most out of it all, Redditors sing the praises of GuideAlong, an app that narrates the sights as you drive, keyed to your GPS location (there's a discounted bundle for The Mighty 5). Zion National Park is closest to Las Vegas and our pick for the best place to start. Prefer Salt Lake City? Just reverse the order of our eight-day itinerary. Make it a loop, and you can include a stop at Horseshoe Bend, another much-photographed mesmerizing natural wonder .

Days 1 to 3: Zion — with and without crowds

Zion National Park is within close driving distance of Las Vegas . If it's your first stop, you might wonder if it's crowded in the summer. The answer is "yes." Is it too crowded? That's subjective, and it all depends on your mindset. If you stay positive, you'll soon trade smiles with strangers as you wade through the famous Narrows, score a hard-to-get permit, and hoof it up the crazy-scary trail to Angel's Landing. Hot tip: The view from Observation Point is even better than the one from Angel's Landing, and the hike there is a little more rigorous but a lot safer.

If you're tempted by the shoulder seasons, fall can be glorious, but spring runoffs close down the famous canyon hikes, so that might not be the best time to plan a visit. Our advice? Just go when you want. The park operates two shuttle routes in peak season, one through the park itself, stopping at viewpoints and trailheads, and another to the major hotels nearby, so you can easily spend two days exploring. 

Day three takes you away from crowds to Zion's other entrance at Kolob Canyons. An hour away along the road to Bryce Canyon, Kolob is blissfully undiscovered. Book a trip with a professional outfitter, and you can try canyoneering here. Options range from gentle, introductory half-days to trips that'll have you rappelling down red rock walls in a wetsuit to plunging into pools of icy green water.

Day 4: Bryce Canyon has that hoodoo voodoo

What is a hoodoo? A spire-like geological formation formed out of soft rock walls by rainwater. Bryce Canyon National Park is home to thousands upon thousands of them, each as unique as a snowflake. Think of hiking through veritable forests made of stone. Believe us, Bryce Canyon's Amphitheater (pictured above) is every bit as stunning as that more famous Southwest hike that has become nearly impossible to do , the Wave.

The easy, must-do hike here is the Navajo Loop, which starts at Sunset Point and loops down into the Amphitheater and back, packing a lot of splendor into a short 1.4 miles. One of these is the much-photographed Wall Street, a set of switchbacks that ping back and forth between towering rock walls. It might seem like the canyon is teeming with as many pedestrians as you'd see on New York's Wall Street, but press on, as many of the selfie-stickers will turn back here. 

If you are still game, add on the Peek-a-boo Loop, thick with magical stands of hoodoos, or if you are brimming with energy and confidence, tackle the magnificent Fairyland Loop, an 8-mile, challenging hidden gem. You may only need a day in Bryce Canyon, but be sure to leave enough daylight for yourself at the end of your exploration. This will help you to enjoy the 122-mile drive along Scenic Byway 12 to Capitol Reef, which is considered the best scenic drive in the state by reviewers.

Day 5: Will Capitol Reef will be your favorite?

This park is a sleeper hit among visitors, with many who tour the Mighty 5 calling Capitol Reef National Park "the mightiest of all." One highlight is the Fruita Rural Historic District, a lush, green valley filled with fruit trees and a smattering of historic buildings surrounded by soaring sandstone cliffs. Grab a slice of pie made from locally grown apples at the Gifford Homestead. Or, pick your own fruit – cherry, apple, peach, or pear, depending on the season – and take a stroll on a boardwalk to see some 1,000-year-old petroglyphs. 

Then go pitch your tent on grass, under the shade of a tree, because the campground here is a veritable oasis. If that is, you scored a reservation — This is one of the 10 most difficult campgrounds in the country to book. Plan your visit for springtime, when the fruit trees have blossomed, and be prepared to swoon at the loveliness of this rural scene.

On your way from Capitol Reef to Canyonlands, make time for a stop at the wonderful Goblin Valley State Park, the Western state park that has you covered for wild outdoor adventures . If you didn't get a reservation at Fruitas, you can spend the night here at a superb campground. It offers some of the most dramatically sited glamping yurts we've ever seen, tucked among groves of goblin-shaped boulders.

Days 6 to 7: Canyonlands — on and off the beaten path

If your screen-tired eyes crave sweeping vistas, you'll appreciate Canyonlands National Park's Island in the Sky, a sandstone mesa overlooking dramatic geological formations and the elegantly snaking Green and Colorado Rivers. This is a great driving loop through the least-visited of the Mighty 5, with lots of turnouts where you can get out to gaze or take a short hike. "The viewpoints ... surpassed most of the rim viewpoints at Grand Canyon for me," writes one Redditor  on r/NationalParks. This is where you will find the 0.6-mile trail to Mesa Arch, where the rising sun sets the red rock arch aglow as it rises through the span's elegant curve. This is such a popular photo-op that the parking lot can fill up well before dawn.

You can see the elegant sandstone spires called the Needles from the Island in the Sky, but it's magical to wander among them, so make this day two. The ranger-recommended hike to Druid Arch involves some scrambling and even a climb up a permanently affixed ladder, but it covers a huge variety of terrain. But there is an even better way to see remote Canyonlands: bumping along dirt roads in a jaunty jeep. Book an adrenaline-fueled 4x4 adventure tour, an experience that consistently gets rave reviews. Or, if you're truly intrepid, rent a 4x4 in Moab on your own. You'll need one to get to the trailhead for the Maze, Canyonlands' dangerous yet splendid bucket-list hike .

Day 8: Arches is a geological wonderland

Arches National Park contains over 2,000 of its namesake rock formations, and we'll never get tired of trying to see them all. These sandstone arabesques are fascinating, maybe because their swoops and curves seem full of motion, yet paradoxically, they've been standing still for thousands of years. Arches and Canyonlands are only 26 miles apart, and nearby Moab makes a perfect base for the last few days. For a side trip, an  underrated state park with views like the Grand Canyon is just 30 miles away.

Arches uses a strictly timed reservation system that fills up three months in advance. But don't despair because there's a workaround: Arrive before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m., and it's perfectly legal to drive right in. You'll want to go early anyway because sunrise at Delicate Arch is not to be missed. "One of the coolest things I've ever seen," a  Redditor  writes in r/NationalParks. "Watching the scenery go from blue to purple to red to orange is incredible." 

At an area called Devils Garden, dense with arches, spires, and rock fins, you'll find the surprising Double O Arch. It's a whimsical delight that somehow makes you want to laugh out loud, and the awe-inspiring Landscape Arch is 6 feet wide and 300 feet long. You started at dawn, so end with a ranger-led hike through the slot canyons of Fiery Furnace, which gets its name from its electric crimson glow at sunset. A perfect end.

Recommended

How to Pull Off the Perfect Utah National Parks Road Trip

A s the morning’s first rays beam through windows encasing my comfy bed in an Adventure Wagon Sprinter 144 van, the feeling hits me again. Parked on the edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument —on a Utah national parks road trip—we've arrived in our personal oasis. The van’s cool air, a stark contrast to the bone dry heat already warming this rocky, desolate landscape in the heart of Southwest Utah, makes me want to hunker down in our little Sprinter sanctuary, but only for a few extra moments. Soon enough, we’re naturally drawn out into yet another spectacular scene during our week-long Utah national parks road trip. 

Related: These Lesser-Known Scenic Drives Roll You Way Beyond the Crowds

Sliding open the van’s door, I emerge into a massive amphitheater perched above sandstone cliffs dropping into a twisty brown river. Steaming French press coffee awaits on a sleek wooden Dometic table overlooking the desert vista. It’s a breakfast vista that conjures comparisons to Horseshoe Bend, which is not far from here, and even the Grand Canyon to a degree.

From Moab to Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bryce Canyon National Park , and Capitol Reef , here remains one of the more rugged and remote regions left in the old American Southwest. It’s reminiscent of classic road trip scenes described in Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitude and Kerouac’s On The Road , which described this part of the country as a “road to heaven.” Indeed, it’s a place where you can insert many a mile and acre between you and anywhere else. Southern Utah is still one of the best places on Earth to just disappear for awhile, in the best sense. Here’s how we pulled off a fantastic week-long Utah parks road trip from Denver to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in the perfect vehicle with spectacular stops along the way. 

How to Choose the Right Vehicle for a Utah National Parks Road Trip

When it comes to a road trip in these parts, the vehicle is everything. It’s more than just your mode of conveyance. It’s where you spend much of your days, and it can make or break a trip accordingly. The mix of comfort and reliability all in one vehicle is key.

Thankfully, the days of the family Griswold station wagon are long gone. Today, when it comes to cross-country trips, the van life movement has revolutionized road travel. These large vans are outfitted with everything from plush beds to kitchen sinks, making your home for the night wherever you decide to park.

Related: Complete Guide to Zion National Park: Hikes, Hotels, and Tips

For our cross-country trip, we opted for an Adventure Wagon , made by a company which specializes in modular van setups to accommodate a variety of adventures and lifestyles. More than just a barebones “home on the road,” it’s an all-purpose home base for mobile adventures.

The modularity of the Adventure Wagon's system allows users to configure seating, sleeping, and storage based on their activity in a matter of minutes. Our van setup includes a bed, a pullout tray bike rack, and a galley with sink, stove, and fridge. Add plenty of ingeniously placed storage room for gear, bags, and a pile of firewood, and you’re fully equipped and prepared for wherever the road takes you.

Day 1: Denver to Rabbit Valley, CO

We hit the highway with the Utah/Colorado border in mind for our first stop. On a holiday weekend in late spring, the majority of campgrounds and dispersed camping between the Front Range and the Western Slope of Colorado are unsurprisingly packed. Rolling onwards under a crystal clear Milky Way lighting up the cool desert evening, we park the large yet maneuverable Sprinter in Mesa County’s Rabbit Valley region—swiftly shifting from driver’s seat to bed without leaving the vehicle.

As the name implies, Rabbit Valley is a valley located in northwestern Mesa County best known for its mountain biking and OHV trails. Located within McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, there are five established campgrounds available for camping with easy access to trails in the area. I rode my bike right out of camp hitting Trails 2 and 3, which provide stellar views of the surrounding region including the Colorado River and La Sal Mountains. 

Day 2: Moab, Monument Valley, and Goosenecks State Park

After some crisp morning mountain biking the next day we press on toward Utah, finding ourselves driving through Castle Valley and Moab. Other vanlifers wave as we pass. Officially in the club, we wind along the swollen chocolate milk-hued banks of the Colorado River, churning its way through the red rocks surrounding Moab. The town and area surrounding Moab is best known as a mountain biking mecca, featuring famed trails such as Slickrock and The Whole Enchilada. Located in eastern Utah, it also serves as the gateway to Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and Canyonlands National Park. Each of these special places is worth its own trip, offering otherworldly desert vistas and landscapes.

Soon, we’re ensconced in iconic Monument Valley Navajo Park , forever immortalized in Forrest Gump and numerous old Westerns. This majestic landscape is on the Arizona and Utah border and is literally right out of a John Wayne classic ( The Searchers ). The red sand desert’s flat valley gives way to a geological masterpiece as sandstone buttes and towers reaching 1,000 feet jet out of the dirt. The drive through this landscape is about 17 miles and may take an hour with all the photo opportunities along the way. 

Pulling into Goosenecks State Park just before sunset, we enjoy a night in this convenient state park tucked away in Mexican Hat, UT, with desert scenery that foreshadows what’s to come. A campsite here will set you back just $10 and comes with a fire pit and solid park amenities. Some sites offer sun shades with relief from the harsh Utah rays, as there are no trees to be seen here. The main attraction at Goosenecks is the view. While there’s no access to the river below, you can take a great walk along the cliffside filled with panoramic views below and dark, starry-strewn skies above.

We park near a span of cliff overlooking the San Juan River as it snakes its way through the canyon. The massive vista reveals rock that has eroded for an estimated 300 million years, according to geologists. Every bit as magnificent as the canyon below are the countless constellations flickering above the chasm. We sit by the crackling fire sipping Smokewagon Small Batch Bourbon while watching rafters navigate the river by headlamps to their camp far below. 

Days 3 to 5: Entering and Exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

By day three of the trip, we’ve reached our final destination. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is so massive that we’ll be driving around and through it for the next four days. Located in Southern Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante is ideal for desert hiking, biking, canyoneering, off-roading, and camping.

Three distinct areas make up the monument: Escalante Canyons, Grand Staircase, and the 1,600-square-mile Kaiparowits Plateau situated between the two. In all, the region covers 1.7 million acres of slot canyons, arches, slick rock, hoodoos (eroded red and white columns of rock that branch into the sky), and even massive waterfalls. The otherworldly landscape spans sedimentary rock and fossil records covering 30 million years.

Traversing the area clockwise in the Adventure Wagon, we inch as close to the massive rock monoliths as the road will allow. The monument is so big we even dip into Arizona at one point, traveling through Page —home to Coyote Buttes and The Wave , Horseshoe Bend , and Antelope Canyon . Looping past the Pink Sand Dunes , we head north toward Bryce Canyon National Park , celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The remote area is home to the largest concentration of hoodoos on the planet, offering breathtaking views of the 8,000-foot Paunsagunt Plateau.

Related: Lesser-Known National Parks, Forests, and Wilderness Areas

Soon, we’ll be deep in these clefts, hiking through canyons filled with vivid red and yellow cactus flowers to Lower Calf Creek Falls . We’ll swim in the frigid cold water as a massive waterfall spills over the slick rock above us. A relatively easy six-mile, out-and-back hike will offer more spectacular views of surrounding canyons and jagged cliffs. We’ll also venture out to Zebra Slot Canyon , filled with water from recent spring rains. The unique cream-colored striations on the sandstone impart a zebra-like quality to the spectacular canyon, while the rocks reflect a stunning mirror image in the water.

After living out of a van for the better part of a week, we’re more than ready for a shower and a bigger bed. The nearby towns of Bryce, Escalante, and Boulder can accommodate travelers in the area. We opt for a unique desert retreat that just opened called Yonder Escalante , tucked within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on the grounds of an old drive-in movie theater.

Days 6 & 7: Discovering Yonder Escalante—a Slice of Modern Luxury in the Western Desert

A former RV campsite, Yonder Escalante launched three years ago with the spirit of the American road trip at its core as a stylish lodging and camp spot. Yonder offers food, drinks, bathhouses, pool, hot tub, laundry and is pet friendly. Visitors can relax by the fire with majestic views of Southern Utah in every direction.

Yonder Escalante can be uniquely summed up as an adventure campsite melded with a luxury hotel in one of the most dramatic outbacks of the American Southwest. The juxtaposition of luxury and wilderness is so seamlessly meshed together here, it appears like a mirage as we pull through the gates. Paying close attention to detail and intimate connection to nature, the property lets visitors choose between tent or van/RV campsites, custom-designed cabins, and newly-renovated vintage Airstreams.

We settle into a deluxe cabin furnished with an outdoor shower, soft bed, and about as much window as wood—making it feel like there’s nothing but air between us and the Utah desert. It’s the perfect base camp for exploring slot canyons and expansive vistas in Escalante—and also for some welcome respite after trekking and biking our way across a good chunk of Southern Utah.

An array of amenities at Yonder includes an inviting pool and hot tub, a general store stocked with meal kits and cocktail coolers, an open-air lounge with fire pits, luxury bathhouses, an onsite food truck, and a drive-in movie theater equipped with nine stationary restored classic cars.

After a soak in the hot tub, we dine that evening on tasty cheeseburgers and ice cream from the food truck. Then a beer or two by the fire before slipping into a vintage blue truck with some popcorn to enjoy tonight’s movie, Willy Wonka .

All too soon, it’s time to pile back into the Sprinter van and head home. Our journey east passes through Capitol Reef National Park, where massive rock formations inspire more marveling—and consensus that this stellar road trip will definitely be getting a sequel. 

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St. George, Utah to San Jose drive

St. george, utah to san jose road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from St. George, Utah to San Jose. If you're planning a road trip to San Jose, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start at St. George, Utah drive for about 1.5 hours

11:27 am   Valley of Fire State Park stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:27 pm drive for about 3 hours

3:32 pm   Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:32 pm drive for about 2 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 6.5 hours find more stops

10:00 am  leave from Mojave drive for about 1 hour

11:03 am   Bakersfield stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:03 pm drive for about 2 hours

2:00 pm  eat at Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:00 pm drive for about 2 hours

4:47 pm   San Juan Bautista stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:47 pm drive for about 45 minutes

6:33 pm  arrive in San Jose

day 2 driving ≈ 5.5 hours find more stops

Where should I stop along the way?

Valley of Fire State Park   (17 mentions) Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Mojave   (2 answers) Bakersfield   (23 answers)     questions about Bakersfield:         Best free things to do in Bakersfield? Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant   (5 mentions) San Juan Bautista   (5 answers)     Mission San Juan Bautista   (2 mentions)     restaurants around San Juan Bautista:         Vertigo Coffee

What are some things to do in San Jose?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy:

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about San Jose. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to San Jose.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a San Jose to St. George, Utah drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from St. George, Utah to San Jose . Or get a full St. George, Utah to San Jose flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know St. George, Utah well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about St. George, Utah!

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This road trip will give you the spirit of '76

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Because there's no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than getting out to a ballgame, earlier in the week we presented a breakdown of must-catch Minor League games with Independence Day celebrations, with one entry for each farm system. But let's say you're not satisfied with one Independence

Because there's no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than getting out to a ballgame, earlier in the week we presented a breakdown of must-catch Minor League games with Independence Day celebrations, with one entry for each farm system.

But let's say you're not satisfied with one Independence Day game. Let's say you're the kind of freedom-loving American (or global citizen) who needs a full-fledged Minor League road trip with intermittent stops at key sites of George Washington's Revolutionary War campaign?

• Ballpark Guides for EVERY Minor League team »

Fear not! Find herein an itinerary presented by Wyndham that takes you to seven Minor League ballparks with options to check out (at least) six such monuments or battlefields.

While robust, this plan contains neither every Washingtonian stop one could make nor every Minor League ballpark that's near important Revolutionary War-related sites. You can take what's here and adapt it to meet your logistical needs, or use it as a jumping off point to plan your own thematically related itinerary that may be quite different.

It is, after all, a free country.

History on the Hudson

• Hudson Valley Renegades

Heritage Financial Park 1500 Rt 9D Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 845-838-0094

Start your journey a stone's throw from West Point, a post which General Washington considered paramount. A short jaunt up the river, catch the Hudson Valley Renegades, High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Their Heritage Financial Park is home to the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame. Ballpark Guide »

Next stops: If you didn't pop into the West Point Museum before the game, do so on our way to Fort Lee Historic Park , where Washington and the Continental Army began the "retreat to victory" in the autumn of 1776 and where you can check out a reconstructed encampment.

Fort Lee Historic Park is a park in Fort Lee, NJ with scenic overlooks, a reconstructed Revolutionary War encampment, and Visitor Center. The grounds are open during daylight hours + the visitor’s center is open Wednesday - Sunday from 10 AM to 4:45 PM https://t.co/hUWpBOxXeU pic.twitter.com/2iKT2Sj1V7 — Journey Through Jersey (@JourneythruNJ) August 8, 2021

From there, take the George Washington Bridge en route to the The Old Stone House and Washington Park , where you can learn all about the Battle of Brooklyn.

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Cyc'ed about independence

• Brooklyn Cyclones

Maimonides Park 1904 Surf Ave Brooklyn, NY 11224 (718) 449-8497

Coney Island, USA, is surely the kind of All-American destination Washington and his fellow founding fathers had in mind when they got behind the idea of "the pursuit of happiness." And the Mets' High-A affiliate plays at one of the most electric environments in the Minors. Ballpark Guide »

MiLB's most patriotic?

• Somerset Patriots

TD Bank Ballpark 1 Patriots Park Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, 08807 (908) 252-0700

The Yankees' Double-A affiliate gets its very name from General Washington and his cohort, as the Patriots' home of TD Bank Ballpark is a couple miles from the Washington Camp Ground , or Middlebrook Encampment, as it was known when (as some conglomeration of history and legend has it) the first American flag was unfurled in June of 1777. At the ballgame, mingle with fans who've been rooting for the Somerset team for over 25 years, dating back to when the Patriots were in an (ahem) independent league. Ballpark Guide »

Next stop: From the Patriots' park (or the Washington Camp Ground), it's a quick trip to the Monmouth Battle Monument outside of the Monmouth County Superior Court. This 90-plus-foot monument commemorates the June 28, 1778 Battle of Monmouth, in which Washington led a charge that, after a long day in triple-digit heat, resulted in the British fleeing the area under the cover of night.

Once more unto the beach

• Jersey Shore BlueClaws

ShoreTown Ballpark 2 Stadium Way Lakewood, NJ 08701 (732) 901-7000

By the time you've arrived at the Monmouth Battle Monument, you're just 40 minutes away from the BlueClaws' ShoreTown Ballpark. Enjoy baseball, beach vibes and pork roll at the home of the High-A affiliate of the Phillies. Ballpark Guide »

Next stop: Shake the sand out of your shoes and make for the Trenton Battle Monument , which marks General Washington's shocking victory over Hessian forces the day after he crossed the Delaware River on Christmas of 1776.

Taking liberties with the aPhilliates

Lehigh valley ironpigs and reading fightin phils.

Coca-Cola Park 1050 IronPigs Way Allentown, PA 18109 610-841-PIGS (7447)

If this itinerary weren't focused on Minor League parks, you'd now head for a Phillies game in the city that served as the nation's capital for the bulk of George Washington's presidency, but it is, and so we're ticketed for beautiful Coca-Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia's Triple-A affiliate). Ballpark Guide »

FirstEnergy Stadium 1900 Centre Ave. Reading, PA 19605 (610) 375-8469

Marrying a classic, smalltown ballpark feeling to the wacky, fun, exciting atmosphere that makes Minor League baseball so widely beloved today, the home of the Double-A Fightin Phils is sure to be a favorite with any fan. Ballpark Guide »

Next stops: Departing from FirstEnergy Stadium, you're only about 45 minutes from Valley Forge National Historical Park , the site where General Washington and the Continental Army spent the winter of '77-78 while the British occupied Philadelphia.

Living history demonstrations at the Muhlenberg Brigade Huts until 4 pm today! #ValleyForgePark #LivingHistory pic.twitter.com/Eo6PG4CUF8 — Valley Forge NHP (@ValleyForgeNHP) July 29, 2017

After that, it's on to Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site , where Washington's troops engaged in 11 continuous hours of combat that ended in calamity for the Americans.

Red, white and Blue Rocks

• Wilmington Blue Rocks

Frawley Stadium 801 Shipyard Drive Wilmington, DE 19801 (301) 777-5772

A fitting conclusion to this trip is a visit to an affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks get their name from the blue granite found along the Brandywine River, and the city was occupied by the British after the Battle of Brandywine. If remembering the ultimate outcome of the Revolution doesn't wash off the Brandywine defeat, cheering for the Blue Rocks will. Every time the club scores a run, an anthropomorphic vegetable named Mr. Celery appears to lead the ballyhoo. Ballpark Guide »

Josh Jackson is an editor for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter @JoshJacksonMiLB .

• Lehigh Valley IronPigs
• Reading Fightin Phils
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The cost of driving from Salt Lake City, Utah to San Jose, California is:

$137.44 one-way / $274.87 round trip.

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Route to drive from Salt Lake City, UT to San Jose, CA

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The total cost of driving from Salt Lake City, UT to San Jose, CA (one-way) is $137.44 at current gas prices.

The round trip cost would be $274.87 to go from Salt Lake City, UT to San Jose, CA and back to Salt Lake City, UT again.

Regular fuel costs are around $4.47 per gallon for your trip. This calculation assumes that your vehicle gets an average gas mileage of 25 mpg for a mix of city and highway driving.

All currency units are U.S. Dollars. If you prefer international units, the equivalent petrol pump price is 118.0 cents/litre . This assumes a typical fuel economy of 9.4 L/100 km .

You'll go through 30.8 gallons of gas during this trip. This is equal to 116.4 litres .

If you fill your tank with unleaded gasoline, the carbon emissions will be around 602 lbs CO2 . This is equivalent to 273 kg CO2e or 0.27 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. These numbers may change depending on the exact make and model of your car. If your vehicle uses diesel instead, the CO2 emissions will be around 705 lbs CO2 , which is equivalent to 320 kg CO2e or 0.32 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents.

These results are based on the actual driving distance from Salt Lake City, UT to San Jose, CA, which is 769 miles or 1 238 kilometers .

Your trip begins in Salt Lake City, Utah. The price of regular gas is currently averaging $3.65 in Utah .

Your trip ends in San Jose, California. The price of regular gas is around $5.29 in California .

Currently, we only have exact data for locations in the United States. To improve the accuracy of your fuel cost estimate, you can enter the actual price you pay for gas or petrol at the local pump in the table above.

The following chart displays the difference in total cost of driving given varying fuel grades. If your car requires higher octane gas, you can find out how much more it will cost you to drive between Salt Lake City, UT and San Jose, CA.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Related links.

• airlines serving Salt Lake City, UT
• hotels near Salt Lake City, UT
• airports near Salt Lake City, UT
• cities near Salt Lake City, UT

San Jose, California

• airlines serving San Jose, CA
• hotels near San Jose, CA
• airports near San Jose, CA
• cities near San Jose, CA

Cost of driving

Travelmath provides an online driving cost calculator to help you determine how much you'll spend on gas for your next road trip. You can enter airports, cities, states, countries, or zip codes to compute the cost of driving between locations. Driving distances are calculated using actual driving directions if they are available, or a GPS-accurate method for the straight line distance. Automatic estimates are provided for local gas prices and vehicle fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (mpg) or liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km), based on the make and model of your car, SUV, or minivan. Don't let the economy and rising oil prices stop you from taking your next trip. You can use this tool to find out if it's cheaper to fly or drive to your destination.

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