I first visited Southern Utah on a girls’ getaway trip in 2008, and have returned many times since then. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, and the lack of any huge cities means you can still find solitude in a few spots. Utah has five national parks, so for outdoor adventure travelers, a Utah National Parks road trip is the perfect excursion.

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Don’t miss these Utah glamping resorts near the National Parks!

Utah National Park Road Trip Logistics

Some of these spots are pretty far removed from any large cities. Most people I know start a Utah road trip in their home state and make an epic adventure of it. If you decide to fly, however, there are a few options. Salt Lake City Airport is the largest in Utah, and it is about four hours from Moab. The Las Vegas Airport may be a better option, as it’s only two hours from St. George. Grand Junction, Colorado is another option if you can find decent flights. You might also want to combine this Utah road trip with some of my favorite spots in Northern Arizona. My best recommendation is to sit down with a road atlas (I like the National Geographic Adventure Edition) and start mapping the best route for you.

Buy your National Parks pass before you go!

Arches National Park

Arches is a classic Utah National Park that you have to see to believe. In fact, Utah residents can even get a license plate with a scene from Arches National Park in Moab. It’s also no hidden gem, so you’ll contend with crowds here practically year-round at this point. It’s worth it. As of 2022, Arches is testing a timed reservation system for park entry between April 3 and October 3. It is a pilot program, so changes are likely after the season closes.

While Arches National Park is pretty crowded year-round these days, once you get a little way from a trailhead parking, you’ll lose 90% of the crowds. Arches National Park has some great hikes, from short, paved strolls, to more challenging hikes. One of my favorite hikes in Arches National Park is the ranger-led Fiery Furnace tour. Dropping into slot canyons with mazes of arches and sandstone formations is awesome. Since registration is limited, you won’t contend with too many people on this hike.

Find the best things to do in Moab Utah!

Where to Stay Near Arches National Park

Moab is the closest town to Arches National Park and has many hotels and campgrounds. If you are a camper, try to stay in Arches National Park as you’ll be there before the crowds arrive and after they go home for the day. As a tourist town, you can expect to pay higher prices for basic motels. Deadhorse Point State Park is also nearby. There is a campground (with yurts!) at the state park and it’s on the same side of town as Arches and Canyonlands.

Browse Moab hotels at Booking.com

Canyonlands National Park

When I first pulled up to the Canyonlands Visitor Center outside of Moab, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought I’d taken a wrong turn and ended up at the Grand Canyon. It’s stunning! The best parts of Canyonlands National Park are found in the backcountry. It’s a popular park for Jeepers, but some spots you can also reach on a hike or backpack trip. For those of us who don’t do 4WD roads, and prefer a more relaxing way to see the sights, I highly recommend a multi-day whitewater rafting trip through Canyonlands. Floating the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon is a thrilling experience, and the Cessna flight at the end was the icing on the cake!

Canyonlands National Park is divided into four distinct units: Islands in the Sky, Needles, the Maze, and the Rivers. If you are visiting the Islands in the Sky, Moab is the nearest town. Browse Moab hotels at Booking.com. If you are visiting the Maze or the Needles sections, Monticello has a few motels, or you can make a long day trip from Moab.

Capitol Reef National Park

Utah’s least visited National Park is a bit out of the way, but totally worth the trip! If you want to experience a Utah National Park without the crowds, this is the park for you. Capitol Reef National Park is just over two hours from Moab and three and a half hours from Salt Lake City. Capitol Reef has a little bit of everything: cultural history, backcountry travel, petroglyphs, and nature! We took a Jeep tour to see more of the park and enjoyed several scenic drives.

PhotoJeepers has a great guide to the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park!

The road from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon goes through Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument; it’s one of the best scenic drives in Utah!

Bryce Canyon National Park

I’ve now visited Bryce Canyon National Park several times, but I always make time for a detour if I’m in the area. It’s just such a visually stunning park, and there is a nice easy hike you can do in about an hour. My first visit to Bryce Canyon National Park was a quick day trip from Springdale, and we did a few short hikes below the rim. Another year, I drove two hours out of my way to see Bryce Canyon with snow. It was totally worth it, even if I only had time to stop at a few overlooks before booking it back to Arizona. I’ve seen hoodoos in other places, but none quite as majestic as those at Bryce Canyon. If you come from St. George, you’ll also drive through the Dixie National Forest, which is a beautiful scenic drive.

There are a few hotels at Bryce Canyon, and there are more hotels in Cedar City, just 90 minutes from the park.

Zion National Park

I fall in and out of love with Zion National Park every time I visit. There’s nothing as exquisite as the red rocks of Zion Canyon, yet I’ve never seen crowds as bad as I have here. Despite the crowds, you owe yourself a visit at least once. Try to go mid-week, mid-winter, or check out some areas along the rim, rather than in the canyon. That said, the two most popular trails are popular for a reason. Hiking Angel’s Landing is a thrill and if you start right when the sun comes up, you’ll avoid most of the crowds. The Narrows is also a great hike, and the further you get from the trailhead, the fewer crowds you’ll see.

While St. George is close enough for a day trip to Zion, the town of Springdale is the closest place to stay when visiting Zion National Park. I’m partial to Flanigan’s Inn, but there are lots of hotels in Springdale.

Other Utah Destinations

While the National Parks are what draw many visitors to Utah, there are hundreds of other cool places to go in Utah. Ultimately, I moved to Utah because I knew I couldn’t see everything if I just came on vacation every once in a while. If you are visiting the Utah National Parks, there are also some really cool Utah National Monuments to explore! Here are a few of my other favorite Southern Utah destinations!

St George, Utah

If you fly into Las Vegas, the first stop on your Utah national parks road trip should be the town of St. George. I am absolutely smitten by St. George and the natural beauty surrounding it. St. George makes a great base for visiting Zion National Park, but there are also many things to do in St. George. You are surrounded by red rocks everywhere you look, and snow-capped peaks off in the distance. While St. George is not part of the “Mighty Five of Utah” I think it’s well worth a visit. Spend a day exploring the Red Cliffs Desert Preserve and Snow Canyon State Park – you won’t regret it, especially when you see how few people are here, compared to the National Parks of Utah.

Browse St. George Hotels at Booking.com

Bears Ears National Monument

I think it’s safe to say most people outside of Utah never heard of Bears Ears National Monument until boundaries were reconsidered in 2017.  Suddenly, Bears Ears was a hot topic. I hadn’t heard much about it, but I had long wanted to visit the “House on Fire” ruins that I read about in a photography book: Photographing the Southwest. As a National Monument, Bears Ears sees far fewer visitors than the National Parks of Utah. For one thing, it’s dispersed across a wide area, with multiple sections. Also, there are no major towns nearby. I didn’t see a single tour bus when I visited. And since it’s not a national park, dogs are welcome in many areas. This amazing ruin was less than two miles from the trailhead, yet I only saw one other person there.

Red Around the World has everything you need to know about the hike to House on Fire!

Browse Bluff, Utah hotels on Booking.com

Moki Dugway

Moki Dugway is a cool shortcut between Bears Ears and Monument Valley. I read about it years ago and made a note to check it out. It sounded like it could be a dicey road, but after checking with a few people who drove it in regular cars, I gave it a shot. It is several miles of dirt road, with lots of switchbacks, but the road is well maintained. I wouldn’t drive it in snow or rain, but luckily I had a gorgeous day. It’s super cool to descend from the Cedar Mesa down to the Valley of the Gods, with some stunning scenery surrounding you. Just make sure you gas up in Blanding or Bluff before setting out!

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

You might recall that I listed Monument Valley as one of my favorite spots in Northern Arizona and wonder why it’s also on this Utah road trip itinerary. Monument Valley straddles the Utah/Arizona border, so you’ll visit both states when you visit Monument Valley. Monument Valley is the stuff John Wayne films are made of. It’s also featured in a very famous Forrest Gump scene. There’s now a “Forrest Gump point” where you can get great photos. In the park, you can drive the dirt loop yourself, or join a guided tour. Remember, this is Navajo land, so please respect any rules and regulations at Monument Valley.

Best Time to Visit Utah National Parks

If you’re wondering what the best time to visit Utah National Parks is, it depends. Each season has its perks and drawbacks. Obviously, any time school is not in session, such as summer and spring break, will be crowded. If you can avoid these times, do. I hate crowds and try to avoid them, but if it’s your only chance to see these gems of Utah, go for it. It’s worth it.

• Summer in Utah: Summer is when most people visit Utah. It’s going to be pretty hot in the desert, so summer is the perfect time for water activities, such as white water rafting, or hiking the Zion Narrows. Late summer brings monsoon rains, which can be dangerous when hiking or driving. Take precautions at all times, and check at the nearest ranger station for info. People die in flash floods every year!
• Autumn in Utah: My favorite time to visit Utah, but don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll have solitude once the kids are back in school. September and October still bring busloads of tourists, particularly German and Chinese tourists.
• Winter in Utah: Winter is a great time to visit Utah National parks. You’ll have warm, sunny days and cool nights. Crowds are the lowest in winter, although holidays still might bring crowds. You can get snow in some areas, so keep some flexibility in your schedule for any snow delays. Seeing Bryce Canyon in winter was one of my favorite travel moments ever! For a Utah ski trip, head to Park City in winter!
• Spring in Utah: Spring can be tricky, but if you visit in March or early April, you can plan to ski and hike all in the same trip. Spring Break in Utah is a great time to visit!

Have you taken a Southern Utah road trip? What was your favorite stop?

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