Roads Through Red Rock: Exploring Utah’s Mighty Five

Fly into Salt Lake City, and if you need a bite before the drive, stop at Roots Café—a great spot for something fresh and simple. It’s the perfect way to start the day before heading south. The drive to Moab takes about three and a half hours, with the landscape slowly opening up as you make your way toward red rock country.

Once you arrive, head straight to Arches National Park, where more than 2,000 natural stone arches rise from the desert floor. Spend the afternoon exploring trails like Delicate Arch, The Windows, or Sand Dune Arch, each shaped by time, light, and weather in its own way.

In the evening, wander into downtown Moab and grab dinner at the food truck park. It’s relaxed, easy, and a fun way to end your first day out West.

Start your morning at Doughbird, where strong coffee and warm doughnuts make an easy, delicious beginning to the day. Then head to Canyonlands National Park, a wide-open landscape of cliffs, mesas, and deep canyons carved by the Colorado River.

Spend your time in the Island in the Sky district, where overlooks and short trails give you sweeping views in every direction. Mesa Arch is a must-see—simple to reach and unforgettable once you’re there.

In the afternoon, switch things up with a Jeep tour through Under Canvas. It’s a fun, exciting way to see the desert from a different angle and get a little off-road adventure in before the day winds down.

Head back to Moab in the evening and enjoy the slower pace of the town as the red rock shifts into sunset colors.

After breakfast in Moab, start the easy two-hour drive toward Capitol Reef National Park. The scenery changes as you go—quiet stretches of desert, small towns, and then the cliffs rising again in soft reds and golds as you approach the park.

Check in at Capitol Reef Resort, where you can choose from cabins, teepees, or wagons. In cooler months, the cabins are the most comfortable and give you a cozy place to unwind with big views right outside your door.

Spend the afternoon exploring Capitol Reef’s trails and stopping by the petroglyphs, where carvings from the Fremont people sit etched into the canyon walls. It’s an easy, meaningful stop that helps you feel the history of the place.

In the evening, you can grill dinner on-site at the resort, or if you’re tired from the day, walk across the street for pizza or sloppy joes—simple, easy, and exactly what you need after a full day of exploring.

Today is all about slowing down and seeing the desert in a different way. Right from Capitol Reef Resort, join a day hike with llamas—a unique and surprisingly peaceful way to explore the landscape.

You’ll walk across open desert and along sandstone trails, the llamas carrying supplies as you make your way to a scenic spot for lunch. Your guides will help you cook a simple outdoor meal over a fire, giving you time to take in the views and enjoy the quiet of the canyon country.

Return to the resort in the late afternoon with the rest of the day free to relax, take a walk around the property, or just sit outside and watch the light change on the cliffs.

Before leaving Capitol Reef, stop at the Gifford Homestead for one of their well-known pies. It’s a simple, charming spot, and enjoying a slice surrounded by orchards and red rock is a perfect way to end your time in the park.

From there, it’s about a two-hour drive to Bryce Canyon, where the landscape shifts into tall, bright spires that look like enormous drip sandcastles. Plan to hike the Sunrise or Sunset Trail, both offering easy-to-reach views that feel especially striking. Depending on the time of year, the trails can be slushy, so metal treads or traction cleats are helpful.

That evening, I continued on to Under Canvas Zion, but part of me wished I had stayed in one of the cabins inside Bryce Canyon National Park, surrounded by snow in the spring.

Your final stop is Zion National Park, where the massive red and cream cliffs rise straight up from the valley floor. The scale of the place hits you immediately—towering walls, narrow canyons, and light that shifts all day long.

Book a canyoneering adventure through Under Canvas, a fun and memorable way to explore the park’s hidden corners and face any lingering fear of heights. It’s a true highlight and a great way to see a different side of Zion.

If you plan to hike The Narrows, be sure to book in advance, as permits are limited and conditions can change depending on water levels. Walking through the canyon, surrounded by sheer rock walls and flowing water, is an unforgettable experience.

Finish the day with dinner at Thai Sapa, a local favorite with warm, flavorful dishes—an easy, satisfying end to your time in Utah.