Utah is home to some of the most popular, and spectacular, national parks in the United States, and today I’m sharing part 2 of the ultimate 7 day Utah national park road trip! This trip takes you to the ‘Mighty Five,’ aka the five national parks in Utah. The Mighty Five stand out for their diverse desert landscapes, colorful rock formations, and surprisingly lush desert plant life, and if you like geology you’ll especially love this road trip! 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.

In this post we share part two of our 7 day Utah national park road trip itinerary, which will take you to all of the mighty five parks! You can find PART 1 of our 7 day Utah national park road trip itinerary HERE. Part one includes days 1-3 of the trip (covering Zion and Bryce Canyon), as well as packing tips and where to fly in for your trip.

7 day Utah national park road trip (part 2)

Below you will find part two of our 7 day Utah national park road trip itinerary. This portion of our itinerary covers days 4 – 7, during which you’ll explore Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park.

See below for PART 2 of our 7 day Utah national park road trip itinerary. You can find PART 1 here.

Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches National Park itinerary (days 4-7)

Day 4: Capitol Reef National Park

From Bryce Canyon National Park, drive to Capitol Reef National Park and explore the geologically rich Loop the Fold self-guided driving tour. This scenic route follows Capitol Reef’s iconic Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile-long geologic feature that forms the “reef” in the park’s name. While not an oceanic reef, early explorers used the term to describe this rugged, impassable terrain that acted as a natural barrier.

I recommend following this Google map, which starts in Bryce Canyon, and takes you into the southern portion of Capitol Reef. Along the drive, I recommend checking out the spots highlighted below.

Burr Trail Switchbacks

One of the most striking features along the route, the Burr Trail Switchbacks zigzag steeply down the Waterpocket Fold, a massive geologic wrinkle in the Earth’s crust. Before driving down the switchbacks, stop at the top for panoramic views of Strike Valley, where the landscape stretches out in layered bands of red rock. The switchbacks themselves are unpaved and steep, so drive carefully and enjoy the dramatic descent.

Oyster Shell Reef

As you head north, keep an eye out for a 10–15-foot-tall sandstone formation running parallel to the road on your right. Though not an official stop, you can pull off safely and walk up to this feature. Embedded in the rock are thousands of fossilized oysters, remnants of a shallow sea that covered the area around 95 million years ago. It’s a fascinating glimpse into Capitol Reef’s ancient marine past. Please observe without disturbing the fossils.

Scenic Drive (Notom Road)

Continuing north along Notom Road, you’ll pass through a corridor of stunning geological formations. The red and white sandstone layers are especially dramatic, and off to your left, you’ll see the “reef” of the Waterpocket Fold rising sharply from the valley floor. This drive offers excellent photo opportunities and a chance to appreciate the scale and complexity of Capitol Reef’s geology.

Behunin Cabin

This historic one-room sandstone cabin was once home to Elijah Behunin, his wife, and their 13 children… yes, all 15 lived in a space just 13 by 16.5 feet! Built in the late 1800s, the cabin is the most intact settler structure in the park and offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of pioneer life. It’s a quick stop with interpretive signage that adds context to the site.

Hickman Bridge

Take a break from driving with this 1.7-mile (round trip) hike to Hickman Bridge, a natural arch carved by erosion. The trail offers views of Capitol Reef’s white sandstone dome, thought by early settlers to resemble the U.S. Capitol building, hence the park’s name. I don’t see the resemblance, but maybe you do! Pick up a free trail guide at the trailhead to learn about the geology and ecology along the way. It’s a moderate hike with rewarding views.

Petroglyph Panels

This short boardwalk trail leads to a sandstone cliff covered in petroglyphs created by the Fremont people, who lived in the region from around 300 to 1300 CE. The carvings depict animals, humans, and abstract symbols, offering a window into the lives and beliefs of these early inhabitants. Please do not touch or alter the petroglyphs; they are federally-protected cultural resources.

Get some Pie

From mid-March through November, the historic Gifford House sells fresh, homemade pies that have earned rave reviews from visitors. Although closed in winter, many claim it’s the best pie they’ve ever had. If you’re visiting during the open season, it’s a must-stop for a sweet treat and a bit of local flavor.

Stop in at the visitor center

Wrap up your day at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center, where you can explore exhibits, talk to rangers, and pick up maps or souvenirs. The views surrounding the visitor center are also spectacular!

Drive to Moab and check into the Hoodoo Moab

End your day by driving about 2 hours east to Moab, Utah! In Moab you’ll check into the Hoodoo Moab, where you’ll spend the next three nights. This property is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, which are known for their one-of-a-kind destinations and elevated properties. The rooms were quiet, the beds were comfortable, and the hotel rooms offered fantastic views of the red rocks surrounding Moab. 

The Hoodoo is centrally located in Moab, which means you can easily walk to just about everything in town. There is a fantastic outdoor pool and hot tub that make this a great spot for families. My only complaint is the lack of complimentary coffee. 

Day 5: Canyonlands National Park

For your first day in the Moab area, spend your time exploring the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. This is the most popular part of the national park, and one of four park regions you can explore! I recommend starting early with sunrise at Mesa Arch before doing a series of short hikes and overlooks. These include the Green River Overlook, hiking the Grand View Overlook and Trail or the White Rim Overlook Trail, hiking Aztec Butte Trail, and visiting the Shafer Trail Viewpoint.

Want more? Check out our full 2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park, which includes a full day in the Needles section of the park!

Sunrise at Mesa Arch

Start your day off with sunrise at Mesa Arch. This is arguably the most recognizable photography spot in all of Canyonlands, and catching the arch at sunrise is KEY to getting these iconic photos! When the sun rises it is perfectly framed by the arch, with a stunning backdrop of mountains, mesas, and deep purple canyons. The hike to the arch is 0.6 miles round trip.

A few things to know about this spot… First, the arch is SMALL, and honestly not very impressive outside of sunrise. Second, and perhaps most important, this area is POPULAR. Even on a freezing day in January there was a line of photographers who showed up hours before sunrise to set up their tripods to get the ‘perfect shot’. Show up EARLY if you want to get an iconic sunrise photo at Mesa Arch!

Take in the views at the Green River Overlook

After sunrise at Mesa Arch I recommend going to Green River Overlook to take in the views. The overlook itself is right next to the parking lot, so it doesn’t require much walking. The overlook provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains, buttes, and the Green RIver.

Hike the Grand View Overlook and Trail or the White Rim Overlook Trail

Next, choose your own adventure by hiking the Grand View Overlook and Trail OR the White Rim Overlook Trail. These two hikes are both stunning, but the views are similar enough that you probably don’t need to do both. Choose your own adventure below!

Before we dive in to the hikes of Canyonlands National Park, I’ve highlighted some hiking essentials you should make sure to pack.

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.

Grand View Overlook and Trail

Located at the southernmost end of the Island in the Sky scenic drive, Grand View point offers sweeping vistas of the national park. You’ll even be able to see The Maze and The Needles districts from here! You can just do a short stroll to the overlook, but I recommend hiking the 1.8 mile trail here. It’s flat, relatively easy, and offers some great views throughout. This parking lot can fill up quickly during the busy season, though… if it’s full, I recommend doing the White Rim Overlook instead (see below)!

White Rim Overlook Trail

The White Rim Overlook trail is a short (1.8 mile round trip) hike that offers stunning views of Monument Basin, similar to the Grand View Overlook and Trail. It’s also a better fit for people who dislike hiking close to steep drop offs.

Hike Aztec Butte Trail

This short hike (1.4 miles round trip) takes you to ancient granaries that indigenous people used to store food and medicine. Please respect these fragile archaeological sites by not touching or entering them. 

Visit the Shafer Trail Viewpoint

End your day with a quick stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Shafer Trail, which is one of the most iconic off-road drives in America. The road switchbacks precariously down the side of the mountain deep into the depths of Canyonlands National Park. The Shafer Trail viewpoint offers a great opportunity to see the iconic road, and to watch as cars descend.

Want to actually drive Shafer Trail? You need a high clearance, 4X4, and permit for certain sections of the road. However, the start of the drive can be done by just about any car! We went down the road for about 20 minutes, but ended up turning around due to ice on the road (and Amiana’s fear of heights – she didn’t enjoy the drive!).

End your night with dinner at Thai Bella

End your night with the best Thai Food in Moab: Thai Bella! This adorable restaurant is tucked away just off the main street in Moab, and is a short walk from the Hoodoo. The owner, Bella, is incredibly kind, and the service is fast! I was especially impressed by the beautiful plating, and the attention to quality and freshness. For dinner we had Khao-Soi, which is a delicious, brothy Thai street food with noodles. I think it might be my new favorite Thai dish! We also had Thai Basil, which was vegetable forward and had a delicious sweet and spicy chili basil sauce. If you only eat out once on your trip I think it should be here.

Travel tip: this spot fills up EARLY! We went to dinner at 4:30 pm on a weekday during the off season, and by the time we left the restaurant was almost full. Plan accordingly, and consider making a reservation.

Day 6: Arches National Park

Start your day in Arches National Park with two of the most amazing arch hikes in the park: Windows Loop Trail/Double Arch and Devil’s Garden. Then head to Fiery Furnace Overlook for a quick stover before watching the sun set at Delicate Arch. If you don’t have energy for all of these hikes I recommend picking between Windows Loop Trail/Double Arch and Devil’s Garden.

Travel Tip: Did you know that timed entry tickets are generally required April 1 – October 31 in Arches National Park? You can try your luck at getting tickets, or you can enter the park before 7 am or after 4 pm, and from July 7 through August 27, 2025, without a timed entry ticket. Plan your adventures accordingly, and be ready for lines at the entrance stations.

Hike Windows Loop Trail and Double Arch

Start your day in Arches by hiking the Windows Viewpoint and Trail. This spot is popular, so I recommend an early start! The trailhead is about 20 minutes away from the visitors center. This is one of the best “bang for your buck” hikes in Arches. You’ll see several beautiful arches and rock formations, all within a short 1 mile stretch of trail. The arches you’ll see include Turret Arch, North Window, and South Window. This was one of Amiana’s favorite hikes in Arches National Park. 

Afterwards, starting from the same parking lot, hike to Double Arch, which is 0.6 miles round trip. This is the tallest arch in the national park, and is truly impressive! It features two dramatic arches that create a window to the sky, and is pictured above. The trail is relatively flat and easy to follow.

Travel tip: If you plan to do the full Devil’s Garden hike (below) I recommend skipping Windows Loop Trail and Double Arch, as it may be difficult to do it all in one day. If you’re a fast hiker you might be able to pull it off!

Hike Devils Garden 

Next, drive to Devils Garden for your next hike of the day. This is one of the top destinations in the national park, and is about a 30 minute drive from the national park’s main entrance station and visitor center and 20 minutes from Windows Loop Trail and Double Arch. Parking is abundant, but fills up quickly during the busy season so you may have to wait. 

This trail offers amazing views of several fantastic arches. The highlight of Devils Garden is Landscape Arch, which is the longest arch in North America. There are also a number of other notable arches along this trail. My favorites are Pine Tree Arch and Double O Arch. 

There are several ways to do this hike, all with varying lengths and varying numbers of arches along the route. The shortest routes are about a mile round trip, with the longest being an 8 mile loop. The park service provides excellent descriptions of the options and lengths (along with a nice map) on this webpage. We did the 8 mile version of this hike, which includes 7 arches and a primitive section of trail (pictured above) that requires wayfinding skills and scrambling. If you’re up for it I highly recommend that route! Another great option is to hike to Landscape arch and add on Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch, which is a 2.4 mile round trip hike. This omits the more challenging sections of the trail.

Visit the Fiery Furnace Overlook

Next, head to Fiery Furnace Overlook, which is an 8 might drive back down the road. The overlook is a short walk from the fiery furnace parking lot, and offers views of the unique, fiery red sandstone formations of Fiery Furnace. This area is a natural labyrinth. We visited on a cloudy day, so the rocks looked a bit less ‘red’ than they did on subsequent sunny days. 

Note that hiking anywhere WITHIN the Fiery Furnace requires a $10 day use permit per person. Alternatively, you can join a ranger-led walk. Walks aren’t offered in winter, may be canceled due to staffing cuts at the parks service, and when they are offered they require a small fee. More details on walks and permits can be found here.

Watch the sunset at Delicate Arch 

End your day by watching the sunset at Delicate Arch. This is one of the most popular attractions in the national park. In fact, according to the park service, Delicate Arch is also one of the most famous geologic features in the world! This spot gets very busy for sunrise and sunset during peak park visitation seasons, so arrive early if you want parking. 

There are a few ways to see the arch. If you want to see the arch up close you’ll need to do a 3 mile (round trip) hike with nearly 500 feet of elevation gain. It’s deceptively steep and tiring!  However, the reward is worth it. The arch sits in a  beautiful rock “bowl,” with lovely views of the La Sal Mountains behind it.

Trip tip: We are avid hikers, and it took us about 40 minutes to hike from the parking lot to the arch, so make sure to also allow sufficient time for your hike if you want to arrive before sunset.

Day 7: Fly out of Salt Lake City

On the final day of your week-long Utah road trip you’ll drive to Salt Lake City, Utah in order to catch a flight home. 

It’s time to wrap up the final leg of your trip by driving from Moab to Salt Lake City to fly home. Salt Lake City is about a 4 hour drive from Moab, and you’ll need to allot extra time for driving breaks, returning your rental car, and getting food. Plan your departure time accordingly! If your flight isn’t until late in the day you may be able to squeeze in one last hike or two in Arches before you leave town. Otherwise, I recommend heading straight to SLC to give yourself plenty of time. 

Final thoughts on our 1 week Utah Mighty Five road trip itinerary

I hope you found this 7 day Utah National Park road trip itinerary helpful! Squeezing 5 national parks and lots of driving into a single week is tough, and means you can’t see everything these parks have to offer. However, it does give you a good taste of Southern Utah, and the incredible Mighty Five.

Looking for more in-depth itineraries for each of Utah’s national parks? You can find our full lineup of Mighty Five itineraries below. The individual guides range from 1-3 days in each of the five Utah national parks.

• The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary for Zion National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park 2 day itinerary
• Capitol Reef National Park 1 day itinerary
• 2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park
• Arches National Park 2 day itinerary

Want more national park travel guides across the USA? Click here!