The trip
Utah has five national parks within a few hours of each other, and they don't look anything alike. Zion is a deep canyon you look up at. Bryce is a bowl of orange spires you look down into. Capitol Reef is a long wrinkle in the earth with an old pioneer orchard at the bottom. Arches is exactly what it sounds like. Canyonlands is so big it makes the Grand Canyon feel cozy.
We go in September, once the summer crowds and the worst heat are gone and before the high country gets cold. Expect warm days, cool nights and clear skies.
This is our most active road trip. Most days include a hike of two to five miles, sometimes with a climb. Every hike has a shorter version, but you'll have the best time if you're comfortable walking on uneven trails. The reward is that you see these parks properly, not just from the car park.
Highlights
- Wading up the Virgin River into the start of Zion's Narrows
- Sunrise over the Bryce Canyon amphitheater
- Scenic Byway 12 and the Hogback ridge
- The hike to Delicate Arch at golden hour
- Sunrise through Mesa Arch in Canyonlands
Day by day
Fly to Las Vegas, drive to Zion
Morning flight to Las Vegas, then a couple of hours to Springdale at the mouth of Zion. Welcome dinner with the canyon walls glowing above town.
Zion
The park shuttle up the canyon. The Riverside Walk, then wading a short way up the Narrows in rented canyon shoes. Emerald Pools in the afternoon. (If you want Angels Landing, we'll help you enter the permit lottery.)
Zion to Bryce
Through the Zion–Mount Carmel tunnel and past Checkerboard Mesa. Sunset at Bryce Canyon from Sunset Point.
Bryce & Highway 12
Sunrise, then the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden trail down among the hoodoos. After lunch, Scenic Byway 12, which runs across a narrow ridge called the Hogback with drops on both sides. Night near Capitol Reef.
Capitol Reef to Moab
The Hickman Bridge trail, petroglyphs, and the Gifford Homestead, where they sell small pies baked fresh each morning. Get there early. On to Moab, with a detour into Goblin Valley.
Arches
Using our timed-entry reservation, we explore the Windows and Double Arch in the morning. After a rest, we hike to Delicate Arch for golden hour. It's about three miles round trip, with a steady climb on slickrock.
Canyonlands
An early alarm for sunrise at Mesa Arch, then Grand View Point and Dead Horse Point State Park. A free afternoon in Moab: try a jeep tour, a river float, or the hotel pool.
Moab to Salt Lake City
A last morning in Moab, then north through the canyon country to Salt Lake City. Farewell dinner.
Home
Flights home from Salt Lake City.
What's included
✅ Included
- Flights from DFW to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City to DFW
- 8 nights in lodges and hotels, double occupancy
- Breakfast daily and 4 dinners
- Van transport with a driver-guide, and an America the Beautiful pass
- Arches timed entry, Dead Horse Point, Goblin Valley, and canyon shoe rental for the Narrows
➖ Not included
- Lunches (we stop at grocery stores and cafés) and 4 dinners
- An Angels Landing permit, which is decided by lottery
- Optional Moab jeep or rafting trips
- Tips, single supplement (from $780) and travel insurance
Good to know
These parks are high and dry. Bryce sits at about 8,000 feet. Drink much more water than you think you need, wear a hat, and use sunscreen. Bring trail shoes with real grip, a small daypack, and layers for the chilly mornings at Bryce and Canyonlands.
