Conquer Utah's Mighty 5: Our Favorite Road Trip Routes
Utah is home to some incredible state and national parks, which makes it a prime road trip destination. The state is home to some of the most famous landmarks and rock formations in the country, and you can find plenty of these in Utah's Mighty 5.
Utah's Mighty 5 refers to five of the most iconic and breathtaking national parks; namely Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. These national parks are world-famous for their stunning landscapes, towering red rock formations, and endless opportunities for adventure.
You will find great hikes for all levels of fitness and top photography opportunities featuring majestic canyons, towering red rocks, and surreal arches. Below, you can find our favorite road trip routes that will help you experience the best of Utah's Mighty 5.
Best Road Trips to Utah's Mighty 5
🚗 1,160 miles ⏱️ 24 hours
Enjoy a circular route that starts in Salt Lake City, and takes you to the beautiful national parks of Utah, as well as Monument Valley and Page.
You will visit (in order):
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
🚗 1,000 miles ⏱️ 20 hours
Start your Utah's Mighty 5 adventure in Las Vegas and take a leisurely loop drive, paying a visit to all 5 of the famous national parks of Utah.
You will visit (in order):
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
🚗 1,830 miles ⏱️ 36 hours
Set off from Denver in Colorado and follow this itinerary for a bigger loop, including a visit to the stunning Monument Valley on the way.
You will visit (in order):
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
Which route should I choose?
The order in which you can visit Utah's Mighty 5 will depend on where you are starting your trip. The customizable itineraries above will give you the flexibility to change this order depending on your personal preferences and how much time you have at hand.
With that in mind, the best big cities to plan your Utah's Mighty 5 road trip are Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Denver. You can either drive to one of these cities to drive on the loop routes or fly into one of them to start your journey.
The Salt Lake City and Las Vegas loops are quite similar; while you will be visiting the same landmarks, including Utah's Mighty 5, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon, these landmarks will appear in a different order en route depending on the direction you are driving them from.
If you have more time on your hands, the Denver route is an amazing option. It includes all the above landmarks and makes a bigger loop to visit some of the iconic sights of Colorado, such as Mesa Verge National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs.
Our favorite places to visit in Utah's Mighty 5
Each national park in Utah's Mighty 5 is home to stunning landmarks and majestic rock formations. To make your planning easier, we listed our favorites below.
Arches National Park
- Delicate Arch - Utah's most famous arch, Delicate Arch is a must-see after a moderate hike, offering breathtaking views.
- Sand Dune Arch - A short, sandy trail leads to this secluded arch, nestled between towering sandstone walls.
- Double Arch - A unique formation featuring two massive arches, easily accessible for an up-close look.
Canyonlands National Park
- Mesa Arch - Perched on a cliff edge, Mesa Arch offers a stunning sunrise view through its natural rock frame.
- Orange Cliffs Overlook - This overlook provides sweeping views of the colorful, rugged cliffs and deep canyons.
- Grand View Point Overlook - Grand View Point offers panoramic views of Canyonlands' vast canyons and mesas.
Zion National Park
- The Narrows - Hike through the Virgin River between towering canyon walls in this iconic, immersive slot canyon adventure.
- Temple of Sinawava - This scenic riverside area marks the start of the famous Narrows hike, surrounded by towering cliffs.
- Kolob Canyon - This area features towering red cliffs and stunning vistas away from the busier parts of the park.
Bryce Canyon National Park
- Sunset Point - One of the park's most popular spots, Sunset Point offers breathtaking views of the hoodoos at sunset.
- Thor's Hammer - A striking hoodoo that resembles a giant hammerhead, making it one of the most photographed features.
- Queen Victoria Rock Formation - This unique rock formation resembles a statue of Queen Victoria, standing majestically.
Capitol Reef National Park
- Capitol Dome - This striking white sandstone formation is one of the park's signature landmarks.
- Hickman Natural Bridge -This natural bridge, accessible via a short hike, offers a picturesque view of the park's landscape.
- Grand Wash Trail - This easy-to-moderate trail takes you through a dramatic, narrow canyon with towering rock walls.