Utah Mighty 5 - 10-Day Road Trip
The ultimate Utah national parks road trip visiting all five parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. This itinerary provides a perfect balance of driving, hiking, and sightseeing with realistic pacing for all five parks plus travel days. This route starts and ends in Las Vegas, making it convenient for most travelers. The loop covers approximately 1,000 miles of driving spread over 10 days, with dedicated full days at each park and reasonable drive times between them. Each park day references a detailed single-park itinerary that you can expand and customize based on your interests and fitness level.
Unscheduled
Valley of Fire State Park
Optional scenic stop. Stunning red sandstone formations. Quick 1-hour detour off I-15.
Optional stop - adds 1 hour to drive time. Worth it if you have time.
Goblin Valley State Park
Optional detour. Unique mushroom-shaped rock formations. Fun to explore and climb on.
Optional stop - adds 1.5 hours. Great for kids and photographers.
St. George, UT - Lunch
Lunch stop in St. George. Many restaurant options.
Zion Canyon - Afternoon Exploration
Take shuttle into Zion Canyon. Easy afternoon hikes: Riverside Walk, Lower Emerald Pools, or Pa'rus Trail.
Park shuttle required April-October. Free but can have waits. Save strenuous hikes for tomorrow.
Sunset Point - Evening Preview
Quick sunset viewing at Bryce after arrival. Save full park exploration for tomorrow.
Sunset or sunrise at Bryce is magical. Highly recommended.