Mighty 5 National Parks Utah, USA Travel Guide
Discover stunning volcanic landscapes and red sandstone cliffs at Snow Canyon State Park near St. George, Utah. You find hiking trails for various skill levels.
Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada showcases red rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, and unique geological features, a good choice if flying into or out of Las Vegas.
Explore compelling destinations near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Dead Horse Point State Park features iconic panoramic views of a dramatic horseshoe bend in the Colorado River, set against vast canyon landscapes. Near Moab, it provides views comparable to Arizona's Horseshoe Bend, often with fewer crowds. It is excellent for sunrise or sunset photography.
A rental car is the recommended mode of transport for all day trips, allowing maximum flexibility to explore at your own pace. This permits you to stop at various viewpoints and embark on hikes.
Utah's landscapes extend far beyond the national parks, presenting diverse natural escapes.
Cedar Breaks National Monument: A high-elevation "amphitheater" similar in formation to Bryce Canyon, often less crowded. It is a smaller, often overlooked park near Bryce Canyon, offering easy hikes and geological formations.
Scenic Byway 12 (All-American Road): This highway connects Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks and consistently ranks as one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. It traverses diverse landscapes, presenting breathtaking vistas.
Fall Foliage: Late September/October brings fall colors, especially in Zion Canyon and along scenic drives in the national forests, presenting a colorful contrast to the red rock.
A vast, rugged area with numerous slot canyons (e.g., Peek-a-Boo, Spooky Gulch, Zebra Slot), remote hikes, and scenic drives.
This highway through Capitol Reef has views of the Waterpocket Fold and unique geological formations, complementing the park's scenic drive.
Explore the region's rich human history through specific cultural sites.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park: An iconic red rock landscape managed by the Navajo Nation, located south of Moab on the Utah-Arizona border. It is a significant cultural site and has breathtaking photo opportunities.
The towns of Torrey and Fruita (within Capitol Reef) showcase pioneer agricultural history.
Not directly applicable to the Mighty 5 region's main tourism focus.
For longer trips, extending your stay to explore more of the Southwest is a good idea.
Add a full day for a challenging hike like Angels Landing or a longer section of The Narrows. Explore lesser-visited state parks.
Combine the Mighty 5 with other iconic parks and sites in the region like the Grand Canyon (South Rim or North Rim), Monument Valley, or Lake Powell.
A rental car is important for multi-day extensions. Consider one-way rentals if arrival and departure points are different (e.g., Las Vegas to Denver).
Maximize your journey with multi-day extensions, visiting more state parks, or embracing backcountry exploration for experienced adventurers.
Add a full day for a challenging hike you might otherwise skip, like Angels Landing or a longer section of The Narrows in Zion.
Add a day to explore lesser-visited state parks like Goblin Valley, Dead Horse Point, or Kodachrome Basin, or return to a favorite park for a different trail.
For experienced adventurers, add days for permitted backcountry trips in Canyonlands or Capitol Reef.
This popular road trip encompasses national parks and monuments in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It has a comprehensive exploration of the American Southwest's natural and cultural wonders.
A common route might start in Las Vegas, visit Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Moab parks, then continue to Monument Valley, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon.
Extend your trip east to explore the Rocky Mountains, Denver, or other parts of Colorado, connecting distinct mountain and desert landscapes.
