- On a Utah Mighty 5 road trip, travelers can soak up breathtaking views of epic landscapes in beloved destinations like Park City and Moab while visiting the state’s magnificent national parks.
- Explore iconic natural wonders like Delicate Arch, Mesa Arch, Bryce Canyon hoodoos, and Zion’s towering cliffs, all connected by some of the most awe-inspiring highways in the American West.
- Experience Utah’s slot canyons, starry skies, red-rock vistas, and small-town charm on a perfectly planned adventure.
Utah’s dramatic landscapes are a treat for travelers. A drive through this region takes wanderers past snow-capped mountains, ancient stone arches, unique hoodoos, winding rivers, and more, all while striking red rocks loom around every bend. The state is home to five magnificent national parks, and each offers something truly special for curious explorers. These parks are often referred to as Utah’s Mighty 5, and a trip to visit these iconic natural wonders is an absolute must for many.
From hiking through narrow slot canyons by day to marveling at an endless star-filled sky by night, the journey through Utah is an adventure through geology, astronomy, and beyond. Follow this road trip guide that visits all the state’s national parks, connected by highways that cut through some of the most stunning scenery in the American West.
Travel from the Mountains to the Desert
For those arriving by plane, Salt Lake City makes the ideal launching point. After securing a car, eager travelers can settle in downtown, where Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown offers a comfortable, convenient home base for a pre-road-trip reset. Spend a night or two getting acclimated, exploring the city, and fueling up before hitting the road south toward Utah’s red-rock country.
The route toward Moab winds through vast desert plateaus and small Utah towns, arriving finally at the ruggedly surreal Arches National Park, where more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches are the main attractions. Photographers delight in snapping photos of these impressive geological features as they glow at sunrise and sunset, while hikers love making the trek out to the impressive Delicate Arch and wandering amid the spires of Devil’s Garden.
Nearby, Canyonlands National Park is home to awe-inspiring deep-cut canyons and sweeping overlooks of the Colorado River. Head to the Island in the Sky entrance, which offers access to marvels such as Mesa Arch and Grand View Point, and both are easily viewable without requiring a strenuous hike.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Moab - 1 King Bed Studio Suite with 2 Twin Bunkbed
Hampton Inn Moab - 1 King Bed
For travelers seeking value without compromise in Moab, Homewood Suites by Hilton Moab features spacious, residential-style accommodations with full kitchens and an indoor pool, while Hampton Inn Moab offers modern rooms and friendly service. Both hotels are centrally located, pet-friendly, and include a free hot breakfast—making them smart, reliable options for exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Continue Onward & Off the Beaten Path
From Moab, the scenic drive west on Route 24 leads to Utah’s least visited national park, Capitol Reef. Often considered the Mighty 5’s hidden gem, the park is a wonder of wind-polished domes, slot canyons, and historic orchards, all of which come together to form a peaceful escape with fewer crowds. Travelers can stop at Fruita to pick seasonal fruit, hike the Hickman Bridge trail, or photograph the picturesque Narrows of Sulphur Creek.
Then, the journey heads south toward Bryce Canyon, taking road trippers along a stretch of highway that’s regarded as one of the most spectacular drives in the Southwest. Driving Scenic Byway 12 leads through alpine forests, high desert slickrock, and the famed Hogsback, a narrow ridge with dramatic drop-offs. This harrowing two-mile stretch of the drive is not for the faint of heart, but those brave enough to make the journey are rewarded with unbelievable views.
Next up is the rugged beauty of Grand Staircase-Escalante, where the landscape fills with sandstone canyons and sculpted cliffs. Consider a quick detour to Escalante Petrified Forest State Park or Calf Creek Falls to connect with nature, and leave plenty of time to explore it all before arriving at the soaring hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Finish Strong with Epic Canyons & Cliffs
At Bryce Canyon, travelers can unearth a natural playground brimming with big views, bold colors, and breathtaking hiking trails. Check out the park’s famous rock formations from lookouts at Sunrise and Sunset Points, which make idyllic spots to snap selfies or just soak in the scenery. Then, stretch out tired muscles while hiking the Navajo Loop or Queens Garden Trail and get right down among these natural wonders, or continue driving to must-see overlooks like Inspiration, Bryce, and Rainbow Points.
From Bryce, it’s a relatively short drive south to Zion National Park, where soaring red cliffs tower above picture-perfect rivers and tree-lined pathways. The park is an epic grand finale for this trip, offering numerous hikes ideal for seasoned hikers. Explorers can wander the riverside trail to the mouth of The Narrows or watch the sunset from Canyon Overlook. And when darkness descends, everyone can savor some of the clearest night skies around, making this a great place to catch a brilliant star show after a day filled with discovery.
When it comes time to rest, the gateway town of Springdale is an easy choice. Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park offers a comfortable, convenient home base near Zion, with modern rooms and suites, friendly service, and a complimentary hot breakfast—ideal for fueling up before an early start in the park.
From pet-friendly hotels to spacious, residential-style suites , road trippers will discover exceptional Hilton stays that let every traveler rest, recharge, and soak in the magic of Utah’s Mighty 5.
FAQ: Embark on the Ultimate Road Trip Through Utah’s Legendary Landscapes
Salt Lake City is the ideal launching point for a Utah road trip, where travelers can settle in downtown and enjoy a comfortable, convenient home base for a pre‑road‑trip reset at Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown before heading south toward Utah’s red‑rock country.
Moab offers access to ruggedly surreal Arches National Park with more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, and Canyonlands National Park's awe‑inspiring deep‑cut canyons and sweeping overlooks. Travelers seeking value can stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton Moab with spacious, residential‑style accommodations or Hampton Inn Moab, which offers modern rooms and friendly service, with both hotels centrally located, pet‑friendly, and including a free hot breakfast.
This route includes Capitol Reef National Park, the Mighty 5’s hidden gem, with wind‑polished domes, slot canyons, and historic orchards, followed by Scenic Byway 12, one of the most spectacular drives in the Southwest, featuring alpine forests, high desert slickrock, and the famed Hogsback. Travelers then reach Bryce Canyon National Park’s soaring hoodoos, big views, and breathtaking hiking trails.
Zion National Park features soaring red cliffs, picture‑perfect rivers, and hikes ranging from Angels Landing to the riverside trail to The Narrows. In Springdale, Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park offers a comfortable, convenient home base with modern rooms and suites, friendly service, and a complimentary hot breakfast.
