Scenic Drives & Epic Hikes: Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks

A road trip through Utah’s Mighty Five is one of the best ways to experience the incredible diversity of the American Southwest. We drove from Denver to Zion National Park and based ourselves in nearby Springdale at SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park, which offered easy access to the park by walking, biking, or shuttle. Zion quickly became one of the highlights of the trip thanks to its dramatic canyon scenery and unforgettable hikes. We explored the Kolob Canyon area by hiking the Middle Fork Taylor Creek Trail to the Double Arch Alcove, a fun adventure with more than 30 creek crossings over six miles. We also biked through the canyon, hiked Emerald Pools, and tackled the iconic Angel’s Landing hike at sunrise—including the steep climb up Walter’s Wiggles—which was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. After long hiking days, Springdale offered a great place to relax, especially at The Spotted Dog, one of my favorite restaurants in the area with excellent gluten-free options and everything from fresh pasta to lamb dishes.

View of Zion from Kolob Canyon

Walter's Wiggles on Angel's Landing Trail

View from Emerald Ponds in Zion National Park

One of the most memorable days of the trip was a day trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park. The scenery here feels completely different from the rest of Utah, with endless hoodoos and vibrant red rock formations surrounding every trail. We hiked the Wall Street, Peekaboo, and Queens Garden Loop combination, covering about nine miles of some of the most unique landscapes in the Southwest. Bryce is perfect for active travelers who enjoy longer hikes but still want constant panoramic views throughout the day. Even those who prefer easier sightseeing can experience incredible viewpoints just steps from the rim.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park

Driving Scenic Byway 12 between Zion National Park and Capitol Reef National Park was an experience in itself and the most scenic drives of the entire trip. Capitol Reef is often overlooked compared to Utah’s more famous parks, but it ended up being a wonderful stop to break up the drive and experience a quieter side of Utah. We hiked to Hickman Bridge and enjoyed the peaceful scenery and smaller crowds. This park is ideal for travelers looking for a more relaxed national park experience with beautiful desert landscapes and accessible hiking opportunities.

Hickman Bridge Trail in Capitol Reef National Park

The Moab portion of the trip offered some of the most iconic scenery in Utah. Sunrise at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park is absolutely worth the early wake-up call, especially with coffee and breakfast in hand while watching the sun illuminate the canyons below. After hiking around Upheaval Dome and Crater View Trail, we spent the afternoon relaxing at SpringHill Suites Moab, which has an incredible resort-style pool perfect after long hiking days. Arches National Park is understandably one of Utah’s most popular parks, so planning ahead and starting early is key. We explored Devil’s Garden and hiked to Landscape Arch and Partition Arch before the crowds and heat picked up. I especially recommend visiting Utah in September, when temperatures are cooler, crowds are lighter, and conditions are ideal for hiking, biking, and scenic drives throughout the parks.

Sunrise in Canyonlands National Park

Devil's Garden area in Arches National Park

Plan for a minimum of one week if you do all five Utah National Parks at once. Recommend staying in Bryce Canyon if you have kids or want to break up the drive from Zion to Moab, and still want to do Scenic 12 Byway.

Scenic 12 Byway and Capitol Reef National Park were well worth the time in the car for the majestic views and experience in Capitol Reef.

Capitol Reef does not have many accommodations nor conveniences around it so plan accordingly. You can camp in the park, and it is a dark park.

Sunrises in the National Parks are worth the morning wake-up calls.

If you can, bring or rent bikes to have in Zion National Park so you can ride in at night and experience the dark park and star-filled skies.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Utah page.