Plan a 7-Day Road Trip
A comprehensive loop through Utah's five iconic national parks starting and ending in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas → Zion → Bryce Canyon → Capitol Reef → Moab (Canyonlands/Arches) → Las Vegas
Into the Zion Canyons
Grab a coffee and hit the road early to beat the desert heat. The drive from Vegas to Springdale is an easy cruise through the Virgin River Gorge.
Depart
Grab a coffee and hit the road early to beat the desert heat. The drive from Vegas to Springdale is an easy cruise through the Virgin River Gorge.
Zion National Park
Park at the visitor center and hop on the park shuttle. If you're feeling brave and have a permit, tackle the Angels Landing hike for those iconic "top of the world" views. Otherwise, the Riverside Walk is a beautiful, flat stroll leading to the start of the Narrows.
Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
As you leave, drive through the famous 1.1-mile tunnel. Stop at the Canyon Overlook Trailhead right after the tunnel for a quick 1-hour round-trip hike that gives you a massive vista of the canyon without the shuttle crowds.
Hoodoos and Amphitheaters
A short, scenic climb in elevation. You'll notice the temperature drop as you get higher into the pines.
Depart
A short, scenic climb in elevation. You'll notice the temperature drop as you get higher into the pines.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Head straight to Sunset Point. The "hoodoos" (those weird skinny rock spires) look like a frozen silent army. I highly recommend hiking the Navajo Loop combined with Queen’s Garden Trail; it gets you down into the heart of the rock formations.
Rainbow Point
Drive to the very end of the park road. It’s the highest point in the park, and on a clear day, you can see all the way into Arizona.
The Most Scenic Drive in America
Today is all about Highway 12. It’s often called the most beautiful road in the US. Take it slow over "The Hogback," a ridge where the road drops off steeply on both sides.
Depart
Today is all about Highway 12. It’s often called the most beautiful road in the US. Take it slow over "The Hogback," a ridge where the road drops off steeply on both sides.
Kiva Coffeehouse
A great spot for a mid-morning break with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Grand Staircase-Escalante wilderness.
Capitol Reef National Park
This park is a hidden gem. Visit the Fruita District to see the historic orchards. If you're here in season, you can actually pick fruit. Don't miss the Gifford House for their famous fresh-baked fruit pies—they usually sell out by noon, so grab one early if you can!
Petroglyphs and Canyons
Before leaving Capitol Reef, drive the Scenic Drive through the heart of the Waterpocket Fold.
Depart
Before leaving Capitol Reef, drive the Scenic Drive through the heart of the Waterpocket Fold.
Hickman Bridge Trail
A moderate 2-mile hike to a massive natural bridge. It's a great way to stretch your legs before the longer stretch of driving toward Moab.
Goblin Valley State Park
It's a slight detour but totally worth it. The rock formations look like little mushrooms or goblins. It’s a giant natural playground where you can wander wherever you want.
The Island in the Sky
Today we tackle the first of Moab’s two big parks.
Depart
Today we tackle the first of Moab’s two big parks.
Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky)
This district sits on a massive mesa 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Visit Mesa Arch—it’s the one you see on every Utah calendar. The walk is easy, and the view through the arch is breathtaking.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Right next to Canyonlands, this park offers a dramatic gooseneck overlook of the Colorado River that rivals the Grand Canyon.
Grand View Point Overlook
End the day at the very tip of the Island in the Sky mesa for a panoramic view of the "Maze" and "Needles" districts below.
Arches and Sunsets
Arches is incredibly popular and often has a timed-entry reservation system. Check online months in advance!
Depart
Arches is incredibly popular and often has a timed-entry reservation system. Check online months in advance!
Arches National Park
Start with the Windows Section and Double Arch. These are massive, easy-to-reach structures that make you feel tiny.
Devil's Garden
Head to the back of the park to see Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural spans in the world. It looks impossibly thin.
Delicate Arch
Save the best for last. The hike up the slickrock is steady but worth it to see the world's most famous arch at sunset. Bring a headlamp for the hike back down in the twilight.
The Long Road Back
It’s a long haul back to Vegas today, mostly via I-15.
Depart
It’s a long haul back to Vegas today, mostly via I-15.
Cove Fort
A good halfway point to stop, stretch, and learn a bit about the pioneer history of the region. There are clean restrooms and picnic areas here.
Kolob Canyons
This is a separate, northern section of Zion that most people miss. It’s right off the freeway and offers a stunning 5-mile scenic drive to a massive red rock amphitheater. It’s a perfect "final goodbye" to the Utah rocks before the final push to the city.
Las Vegas
Arrive back in the city to return your car and grab a celebratory dinner.
- Day 7: 6.5h drive driving — plan rest stops