Utah is home to some of the most popular, and spectacular, national parks in the United States. Known as the ‘Mighty Five,’ the five national parks in Utah stand out for their diverse desert landscapes, colorful rock formations, and surprisingly lush desert plant life. Today we’re sharing the perfect 7 day Utah national park road trip itinerary, which will take you to all of the mighty five parks! This itinerary includes all the best hikes and places to stay packed into one epic road trip. Along the way you’ll see spectacular arches, stunning canyons, and unique rock formations. 

This is PART 1 of the 7 day itinerary. You can access PART 2 HERE. 

The ultimate 7 day Utah national park road trip itinerary (part 1)

In our 7 day Utah national park road trip itinerary we share the PERFECT week-long road trip across the ‘Mighty Five’ national parks in Utah. Below we share everything you need to know to plan a Utah national park road trip, including how to get to Utah, what to pack, and what time of year to visit. We then share the ultimate 7 day Utah national park road trip itinerary.

Everything you need to know to plan a Utah national park road trip

How do I get to Utah to visit the national parks?

Utah’s National Parks are spread out across the southern section of the state, and all of the parks are at least several hours from the nearest airports. The largest airports near Uath’s National Parks are Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. This itinerary has visitors flying into Las Vegas, and flying out of Salt Lake City. If you’re going to fly in and out of the same airport I recommend using Salt Lake City as your airport of choice.

The best time of year to visit Utah’s national parks

The best time of year to visit Utah’s National Parks depends on your goals and travel style. In winter, visitors may encounter snow and ice. However, you also won’t encounter many crowds. Spring has arguably the best weather and biggest crowds. Starting in spring and through fall you’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the timed entry system for Arches National Park and the shuttle system for Zion. Summer can be crowded and hot, making it a challenging time to visit these parks. Similar to spring, fall can bring nice weather but is still somewhat crowded. During crowded seasons getting last minute permits for special hikes (like Angel’s Landing) is more challenging.

We visited all the parks in winter 2025, and I loved the lack of crowds and our ability to plan things last minute. I would also love to visit in fall and spring! 

What to pack for a Utah national park road trip

Hiking essentials checklist

Below are our 6 major hiking essentials, which we almost always have with us on the trail!

1. America the Beautiful Pass. An annual America the Beautiful pass covers your entrance fees at all national parks. It also covers fees at other federally managed public lands, such as forest service and BLM sites. This pass is a great investment for people who love national parks and outdoor recreation!
2. Good hiking boots. Waterproof boots with good traction are essential, and a quality pair can last for years. We highly recommend Lowa’s Renegade hiking boots.
3. Water and a water filter. We love the Katadyn BeFree 1.0 Liter Filter Bottle for water filtration, and usually use a Nalgene water bottle or a HydraPak Water Reservoir for water storage.
4. Sun protection. We recommend the Sahara Sun Hoodie (for women and men), which is a sun shirt that offers UPF 50+ sun protection. For sunscreen we like Dermatone’s sport sunscreen and Skin Protector Balm (for winter).
5. A headlamp. The Black Diamond Storm 400 Rechargeable Headlamp is lightweight, compact, waterproof, and USB rechargeable.
6. A comfortable day pack. We recommend the REI Trail 25 (unisex), the Gregory Juno daypack ​for women, or the Gregory Inertia daypack for men.

The ultimate 7 day Utah national park road trip itinerary

Day 1: Fly in to Vegas and explore Zion National Park

On day one of our 7 day Utah national park road trip you’ll fly into Las Vegas. Here you’ll grab lunch, and stock up on road trip supplies before heading to Springdale, Utah and Zion National Park! After you arrive in Zion you’ll check into your hotel and do a sunset hike to stretch your legs.

Fly into Las Vegas, Nevada

You’re going to start your Utah national park road trip in Las Vegas! You’ll just be using the city as a hub, so you want to have a lot of time to explore the city unless you add additional days to this itinerary. I know it may seem counterintuitive to fly to Nevada to explore Utah, but this the closest major airport to Zion National Park.

I recommend flying in to Harry Reid International Airport (airport code ‘LAS’), which is centrally located in the city. If you want to be ready to hit the ground running I recommend flying in the night before, or catching an early morning flight. 

Grab lunch in Las Vegas

Once you arrive, pick up a rental car and then head to lunch. I recommend Tacotarian, which is actually one of my favorite lunch spots in the country. This charming taqueria is a plant-based Mexican Eatery and, even though neither my wife nor I am vegan, we absolutely loved their fresh ingredients and vibrant food flavors. There are several locations in the city, but the 1130 S Casino Center Blvd #170 location, which is in the Las Vegas Arts District, is the most convenient for the purposes of this itinerary. It’s about 15 minutes away from the airport.

Car rental tip: We use trip.com for all of our car rentals since they consistently have the most competitive rates.

Drive to Springdale, Utah

After lunch it’s time to hit the road! From Las Vegas you will drive to Springdale, Utah, which is the community outside of Zion National Park. The drive is just under 3 hours long, and takes you along Interstate 15.

Travel tip: If you need to pick anything up for your road trip I recommend doing so in Las Vegas or St. George, which is along your route. Food, gear, and ice are all available in Springdale, but you’ll pay a steep price since the community is small and dominated by tourism.

Check in to your hotel, The Cliffrose

Located in Springdale, Utah, The Cliffrose stands out because this hotel is located about as close to the national park as you can get without staying IN the park. In fact, you can literally walk from your room to some of the park’s popular trails! The property has several pools and hot tubs with stunning views of the park’s red rocks, as well as an on-site restaurant, spa, and laundry room. 

Sunset hike along the Watchman Trail in Zion National Park

End the day with a sunset hike along the Watchman Trail! This 3.2 mile trail takes you up 368 feet and offers stunning views of the nearby mountains, lower Zion Canyon, and the Town of Springdale. It’s a great place to watch the sunset, or to enjoy a picnic! If you’re not up for a climb the Pa’rus Trail is another great option that we enjoyed (and it’s dog, wheelchair, and bike friendly!).

Have more time? Consider Hiking Angel’s Landing and Scout Overlook, which are detailed below as an option for day 2. This is a great hike to do close to sunset! 

Travel tip: This trail is just a short 1/4 mile walk from the Cliffrose!

Day 2: Zion National Park

Start your day by checking out of the Cliffrose hotel. Then, head into the park to tackle one of the park’s most iconic hikes before driving to Bryce Canyon National Park, where you’ll spend the night in a geodesic dome with stunning views of the night sky.

Hike the famous Narrows OR Angel’s Landing 

Because you have limited time in Zion I recommend spending your morning and early afternoon focused on doing one of the park’s most iconic and famous hikes: The Narrows OR Angel’s Landing. See below for details on both of these suggested hikes to see which one would be a better fit for you! 

Travel tip: visitors are required to use the park’s shuttle during certain times of the year. Learn more about the shuttle here.

Hiking the Narrows

The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in Zion! The Narrows hike takes you deep into Zion canyon, where you’ll be surrounded by towering rock walls over 1,000 feet high. In some sections the canyon is only 20-30 feet wide. Uniquely, this hike follows the path of a river. In fact, you’ll spend a large portion of the hike walking through the water, which can range from ankle height to chest height (or more!), depending on the season and section of the river!

Travel tip: You should allocate anywhere from 4-8+ hours to this hike, depending how far into the narrows you want to go. In winter, spring, and fall this requires special gear to help you stay dry and combat hypothermia. If you go during cooler weather you’ll need to allocate sufficient time for gear rentals and returns before and after your hike. The outfitter we recommend is located close to the the entrance of Zion, and near the Cliffrose hotel. 

You can find all the details on hiking The Narrows here, including ou recommendations for equipment rentals. We did the hike in winter.

Hiking Angels Landing or Scout Lookout

Angels Landing is one of the most famous hikes in a national park! This 5.4 mile round trip hike takes you 1,488 feet up above the canyon floor onto a narrow fin of rock. The hike offers stunning 360 degree views of the main canyon in Zion. 

There are two options for hiking here: one requires a permit and comfort with heights, while the other hike option (Scout Lookout) does NOT require a permit. Read below for a description of the two hike options. The full Angel’s Landing hike takes most people 4-5 hours.

Travel tip: Not up for either of these hikes? Observation Point is another ionic hike in the park that’s a great option for a half or full day hike. 

Option 1: hike Angels Landing without a permit (stop at Scout Lookout)

If you don’t like heights, or don’t get a permit, you can just hike to Scout Lookout. This means you’ll do ¾ of the Angels Landing hike, but you’ll stop before the final ascent (which requires a permit). You’ll start the hike on a fairly flat trail and the head up paved switchbacks. You’ll then walk through a canyon before hiking up the “wiggles” (more tight, winding switchbacks; pictured above left/top) to Scout Lookout. From there hikers with permits can continue to the final ascent up Angels Landing, which includes a steep ascent, big drop offs, and metal chains.

Option 2: Hike to the Top of Angels Landing (permit required)

If you want to hike all the way to the top of Angels Landing you’ll need to get a permit. The permit gives you access to the final section of the hike, which is the steepest and has chains along it. You can apply for permits in advance, or you can apply the day before. More information on the permits and permit process can be found here. If you get permits, then you’ll need to brave steep drop offs to fully complete the hike. Amiana is afraid of heights and she was able to complete the hike with some encouragement.

Travel tip: Have extra time? Consider hiking Emerald Pools, which is a classic, and beautiful, hike in Zion! Along the way you’ll see a beautiful stream that collects along the mountain in a series of ‘pools’ (hence the name), which are especially pretty in spring and summer. You can hike to the lower, middle, and upper pools, which are all distinct. If you do all 3, the hike is about 2.5 miles (round trip) and 600 feet of elevation gain. In my opinion the first pool is the most beautiful. 

Do a short hike to Canyon Overlook

After spending your day tackling a bucket list, do one last short hike to Canyon Overlook. This is one of the best viewpoints in Zion National Park! This rocky trail is 1 mile (round trip) and features less than 200 feet of elevation gain. Parking is VERY limited, so arrive early and be prepared to circle around for a bit! If you’re lucky, you may see bighorn sheep along this trail. Photo by Zion Adventure Photog.

Drive to your next hotel: Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon 

After finishing your adventure in Zion National Park you’ll drive 1 hour and 45 minutes northeast to your next hotel, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon! This will be your base camp for exploring Bryce Canyon National Park. You’ll stay here for two nights.

Clear Sky Resorts is one of the most unique lodging options near Bryce Canyon. Just 15 minutes from the national park, this property consists of dozens of geodesic domes with massive windows. That means you can stargaze from your bed! It’s an incredibly unique and fun lodging experience near Bryce Canyon. Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is located in a designated Dark Sky zone, meaning that you can see thousands of stars due to the intentional lack of light pollution. Stargazing from our bed (and seeing shooting stars!) was a unique highlight of our stay. Clear Sky also has an on-site restaurant, cafe, and milkshake bar; they also offer free s’mores roasting at their nightly bonfires. 

Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park

For your day in Bryce Canyon National Park you’ll start things off by watching the sunrise at sunset point, and then hiking the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. End your day by enjoying a scenic drive to Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point before relaxing at Clear Sky Resorts. 

Watch the sunrise at sunset point 

To kick off your time in Bryce Canyon National Park early to watch the sunrise at Sunset Point. This iconic location is part of the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, which is a can’t miss destination in the park. According to the park service, this area is “ home to the greatest concentration of irregular rock spires (called “hoodoos”) found anywhere on Earth.” It’s truly a unique and impressive sight!

While the parking lot is relatively large, this is a popular sunrise spot, so plan to get there a little early to beat the crowd. This also means you can secure parking before the lot fills up completely, this is where you start your next hike from. Once you have parked you will walk about 100 yards to the Sunset Point overlook. About 15 minutes before sunrise the orange rock spires look like they are glowing! It’s beautiful! This trail is relatively flat and paved, and there are restrooms available here.

Hike the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail 

After sunrise, begin one of the most iconic hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park: the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. Depending what route you take (more details below), you’ll pass through the iconic Wall Street or Navajo Loop Trail switchbacks. Both are popular Instagram photo spots, and unique sections of trail. 

There are two ways to do this hike. The Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail will bring you into the heart of Bryce Canyon. Along this 3.0 mile trail (round trip), you’ll pass by massive hoodoos, and walk through several tunnels carved directly into the rock spires. If you have some extra energy, I’d also recommend hiking the “Figure Eight Trail.” The Figure Eight Trail is a continuation of the Navajo Loop Trail, so you’ll hike 6.3 miles (total) instead of just 3.0 miles. It adds on a loop around the Peekaboo Loop Trail. We did the longer version of the hike and didn’t see anyone else on the Peekaboo Loop portion. I recommend packing a picnic lunch, especially if you plan to do the 6 mile hike.

Travel tip: If you visit in winter I highly recommend packing Trail Crampons, as two short sections of the loop were extremely icy.

Enjoy a scenic drive to Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point

After your hike, enjoy a 30+ minute driving tour to Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point, which are the highest points in Bryce Canyon National Park!

The main road in Bryce Canyon is 18 miles long, and the last 15 miles are known as the Southern Scenic Drive. This is what you will be driving! This stunning auto tour will take you up past 9,000 feet to the highest point in the national park. Along the way you’ll pass by 9 scenic overlooks, which are all fantastic spots to stop and take in the views.

Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point can be found at the literal end of the road, and can be accessed by a very short stroll from the parking lot. There are bathrooms here, as well as a few trail options if you’re looking to hike more. A map showing the locations of both points can be found here.

Travel tip: This area is sometimes inaccessible in winter and spring due to the possibility of heavy snow at high elevation.

Relax and reset at Clear Sky Resorts

After completing the Southern Scenic Drive I recommend heading back to your hotel to rest, relax, and enjoy a leisurely dinner. You can eat at the on-site restaurant, or enjoy food in your room. At the hotel you can also enjoy complimentary s’mores, star gazing classes, and a lovely common space and deck to relax in.

In this post we shared how to enjoy a visit to two Utah national parks: Zion and Bryce. In part 2, which you can find here, we share everything you need to know to visit the remaining three Utah national parks: Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches.