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Red Rocks and Painted Canyons
A loop through the iconic red rock landscapes of Utah, starting and ending in the neon glow of Las Vegas.
Route: Las Vegas → Zion → Bryce Canyon → Torrey → Moab → Las Vegas
✅ Current month (May) is in this region's prime season. Grand Canyon / Zion / Antelope: Mar-May & Oct best. Jun-Aug 40°C+ heat is dangerous on trails.
I've mapped out the ultimate loop through Utah's "Mighty 5" national parks, starting and ending in the neon glow of Vegas. Since you want to keep the driving under 5 hours a day and stick to the scenic routes, we're going to favor Highway 12 (one of the most beautiful roads in the world) and skip the interstate whenever possible.
7days
20stops
5005drive km
Money Savers
- Buy the "America the Beautiful" National Parks Pass ($80) at the first gate in Zion; it covers all five parks and pays for itself by day three.
Heads Up
1
Into the Virgin River Narrows
4 stops · 6h 3m · 509km
2
The Checkerboard Mesa & Hoodoos
3 stops · 2h 4m · 144km
3
Cruising the All-American Road
3 stops · 12h · 1500km
4
The Waterpocket Fold & Cathedral Valley
3 stops · 50m · 61km
5
The Red Desert to Moab
3 stops · 4h 21m · 340km
6
Arches & Canyonlands
2 stops · 1h 54m · 138km
7
The Long Road Back to the Neon
2 stops · 12h · 1126km