Utah'S Mighty 5: The Ultimate
Get ready for the ultimate American road trip; we're hitting all five of Utah's national parks in one week, starting and ending in the neon glow of Vegas.
Las Vegas → Zion → Bryce → Capitol Reef → Moab (Arches/Canyonlands) → Monument Valley → Page → Las Vegas
Vegas to the Towers of Zion
Pick up your rental (get an SUV if you can for comfort) and head straight out of the city. The desert transition from Nevada to Utah is stunning.
Harry Reid International Airport
Pick up your rental (get an SUV if you can for comfort) and head straight out of the city. The desert transition from Nevada to Utah is stunning.
Zion National Park
Start with the Riverside Walk to see the gateway to The Narrows. If you have permits, the scout lookout for Angels Landing is the legendary move here. End your day watching the sunset glow on the Court of the Patriarchs.
Zion Canyons to Bryce Amphitheaters
Drive through the famous 1.1-mile tunnel. Stop at the Canyon Overlook Trail just after the tunnel for a massive view with minimal hiking effort.
Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
Drive through the famous 1.1-mile tunnel. Stop at the Canyon Overlook Trail just after the tunnel for a massive view with minimal hiking effort. [-112.9405, 37.2133]
Bryce Canyon National Park
It’s much higher elevation and cooler here. Head to Bryce Point for the best scale of the hoodoos, then hike the Navajo Loop down into Wall Street—it feels like an alien cathedral made of orange rock. [-112.1871, 37.5930]
The Most Scenic Drive in America
This is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Stop at Kiva Coffeehouse for a brew with a view, then white-knuckle it across "The Hogback," where the road drops off steeply on both sides.
Highway 12 (All-American Road)
This is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Stop at Kiva Coffeehouse for a brew with a view, then white-knuckle it across "The Hogback," where the road drops off steeply on both sides.
Capitol Reef National Park
The "forgotten" park. Visit the Gifford House in the Fruita district for fresh-baked fruit pies, then drive the Scenic Drive to see the Waterpocket Fold—a literal wrinkle in the earth's crust.
Arches and the Moab Vibe
It gets crowded, so we’re hitting it midday to catch the late light. Check out The Windows Section and Double Arch first—they are massive and right next to each other.
Arches National Park
It gets crowded, so we’re hitting it midday to catch the late light. Check out The Windows Section and Double Arch first—they are massive and right next to each other.
Delicate Arch
You have to do the 3-mile round trip hike for sunset. It’s the iconic Utah license plate view, and seeing it turn fire-red as the sun goes down is a core memory.
Island in the Sky
Focus on the Island in the Sky district. It sits on a mesa 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Hit Mesa Arch early, then drive to Grand View Point Overlook to see where the Green and Colorado rivers have carved the earth into a maze.
Canyonlands National Park
Focus on the Island in the Sky district. It sits on a mesa 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Hit Mesa Arch early, then drive to Grand View Point Overlook to see where the Green and Colorado rivers have carved the earth into a maze. [-109.8210, 38.4709]
Dead Horse Point State Park
Just outside the NP gates, this spot offers a gooseneck river view that rivals the Grand Canyon. It’s the perfect place for a quiet afternoon picnic. [-109.7402, 38.4824]
The Long Haul South
Leaving Moab, we head south into Navajo Nation territory. Drive the 17-mile loop among the giant sandstone buttes made famous by every classic Western movie ever filmed.
Monument Valley
Leaving Moab, we head south into Navajo Nation territory. Drive the 17-mile loop among the giant sandstone buttes made famous by every classic Western movie ever filmed.
Page, Arizona
A great midway break on the way back to Vegas. Check out Horseshoe Bend—it’s a short walk to a 1,000-foot drop looking down at the emerald Colorado River.
Valley of Fire to Vegas Strip
Before hitting the city, drive through this Nevada gem. The Fire Wave hike is short and looks like swirling peppermint candy. It’s a great final "red rock" fix.
Valley of Fire State Park
Before hitting the city, drive through this Nevada gem. The Fire Wave hike is short and looks like swirling peppermint candy. It’s a great final "red rock" fix. [-114.5141, 36.4871]
Las Vegas Strip
Return the car and toast to the trip. You’ve covered the best of the American West. [-115.1728, 36.1147]