The Open Road Travel

A Utah national parks road trip takes you through all five of the national parks in the Beehive state.

Utah is home to the 2nd most national parks of any state in the contiguous U.S. Over the course of a 400 mile, 7 and ½ hour Utah national parks road trip, you will see some of the most stunning landscapes, formations, and wildlife in the country.

For anyone planning to make this incredible journey for themselves, I highly recommend reading on, to ensure you know the best way possible to do so.

A Utah national parks road trip covers 400 miles and takes 7 and ½ hours to complete.

However, for most people, the best Utah national parks road trip route begins in Las Vegas (as this is the closest major airport to any of the parks), covers 565 miles, and takes 10 and ¼ hours to complete.

You begin by heading north on I-15 and following it north for 160 miles to Exit 16, near Washington, Utah. Join Utah State Route 9 where it begins and follow it for its entire 57 mile length, which takes you directly through Zion National Park .

When the road ends, begin heading north on U.S. Route 89, until you reach the turn off for Utah State Route 12 and take it east. Follow this to the “Welcome To Bryce Canyon Country Circle” and then go south on Utah State Route 63, which takes you into Bryce Canyon National Park .

When you’re done in the park, head back up Utah State Route 63 and then continue north on Johns Valley Road. This will turn into Utah State Route 22 and then conclude when it meets Utah State Route 62, which you’ll go north on.

Just after passing through the town of Koosharem, turn right onto Browns Lane, then a short while later, begin heading south on Utah State Route 24. This will take you directly through Capitol Reef National Park, and you will follow it to its conclusion.

Head east on I-70 and use Exit 182 to go south on U.S. Route 191. Turn off onto Utah State Route 313 and then use Grand View Point Road to enter Canyonlands National Park .

When you finish in the park, head back to Utah State Route 313 and continue going south, which will bring you right to Arches National Park.

The closest airport to your final destination is in Salt Lake City, some 4 hours and 240 miles away. To reach it, go north on U.S. Route 191, merge onto U.S. Route 6 when your meet it, then join I-15 to continue north and finish this amazing Utah national parks road trip.

The best time for a Utah national parks road trip is the month of June. Throughout your route, June is the month that has the least rainy days and lowest overall rainfall of any point during the year.

June also features temperatures that are pleasantly warm without getting too overbearing, generally averaging between 63 and 92.5 degrees Fahrenheit (17.2 and 33.6 degrees Celsius) each day, with a mean daily temperature of 77.8 degrees Fahrenheit (25.4 degrees Celsius).

This combination of warm, dry weather makes June the perfect time to enjoy all of the hiking and climbing trails, as well as the journey itself, without constantly worrying about trying to stay dry or a comfortable temperature.

Ideally, you will want to allow 12 days for a Utah national parks road trip, as this will ensure you have the minimum amount of time recommended to experience each park in all its glory.

12 days will allow for 3 days in Zion National Park, 2 days in Bryce Canyon National Park, 2 days in Capitol Reef National Park, 1 day in Arches National Park, and 2 days in Canyonlands National park, as well as a full day for travelling at the beginning and end of your journey.

Now you have a better idea of the timing, length, and route of a perfect Utah national parks road trip, let us take a closer look at each of the parks themselves, as well as the best hotels to stay at in or near them, so you can complete your dream travel itinerary for the trip.

With more than 5 million annual visitors, Zion National Park is the most visited national park in Utah and second most visited in the United States, behind only Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Covering 147,242 acres, it is the 28th smallest national park in the country, while being founded on the 19th of November 1919 makes it the 15th oldest.

Zion National Park centres around the eponymous Zion Canyon. Located where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet, it boasts a stunning array of landscapes, which includes coniferous forests, multicoloured deserts, riparian woodlands, and rivers.

Formations that include canyons, mesas, overlooks, and rock towers are an incredible sight to behold, while unique attractions like the water of Weeping Rock and the views of Angels Landing are unlike anything you will find elsewhere.

Meanwhile, a collection of wildlife that includes badgers, bighorn sheep, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, desert cottontails, grey foxes, jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, mule deer, ring tailed cats, rock squirrels, a range of lizards, and almost 300 species of birds make it a nature lovers dream.

Located right off of Utah State Route 9, just 3 miles from Zion National Park, La Quinta By Wyndham At Zion Park is a pet friendly hotel that is perfectly situated to provide maximum convenience and stunning views.

Among the facilities on offer at the hotel are a business centre, convenience store, fitness centre, hot tub, outdoor swimming pool, and laundry services. A free buffet breakfast is served each morning, while all guests receive free parking and site wide Wi-Fi.

Meanwhile, each of the comfortable rooms boasts stylish furniture, air conditioning, a flat screen TV with premium channels, coffee making facilities, a microwave, and a refrigerator.

Covering 35,835 acres, Bryce Canyon National Park is the smallest national park in Utah, 10th smallest in the contiguous United States, and 12th smallest in the country overall.

Its 2,104,600 annual visitors make it the 15th most visited national park in the country, while being founded on the 25th of February 1928 makes it the 17th oldest.

Bryce Canyon is famous for its naturally formed geological amphitheatre, which has been eroded away over millions of years and is filled with countess red hoodoos reaching up towards the sky. The area is also believed to have been inhabited by Native Americans for centuries.

While not as abundant in wildlife as some of Utah’s other national parks, Bryce Canyon is still home to badgers, black bears, bobcats, elk, grey fox mule deer, porcupine, prairie dogs, pronghorn, 15 species of amphibians and lizards, and around 190 different types of birds.

Bryce Canyon Pines is a traditionally styled motel on Utah State Route 12 that is right on your way and lies just a 10 minute drive from the edge of Bryce Canyon National Park.

The wood and stone décor lends an authentic feel to the property, while modern touches like Wi-Fi and air conditioning provide some luxury.

Amenities like a pool, 24 hour reception, free parking, laundry services, and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner complete the experience.

Meanwhile, each of the rooms boasts the same kind of style as the rest of the property and comes kitted out with comfortable furnishings and touches like cable TV, coffee making facilities, and an en suite bathroom. Some rooms will even feature their own fireplace and kitchen.

Founded on the 18th of December 1971, Capitol Reef National Park is the newest national park in Utah and 28th youngest in the United States.

An area of 76,679 acres makes it the 2nd largest in the state and 29th in the county. Meanwhile, its 1,405,353 annual visitors makes it the 19th most visited national park in the U.S.

Capitol Reef National Park centres around a geologic formation known as Waterpocket Fold. Stretching for 100 miles, this monocline displays millennia of different rock deposits, as well as other formations caused by the erosion, such as cliffs, domes, and monoliths.

Unlike some of Utah’s other national parks, there is also a lush side to this one, where visitors can explore orchards and sample some of their sumptuous fruits.

It is also home to a vibrant collection of animals, which includes bighorn sheep, mule deer, pronghorn, and around 230 species of birds.

The Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse is a wonderful, western themed hotel that lies right on our route, less than a 15 minute drive from Capitol Reef National Park. Among the amenities you will find a hot tub and pool, while free parking and sitewide Wi-Fi are offered to all.

The property and all its rooms have a tasteful, classic west décor, while some even let you to sleep in rooms styled like a traditional covered wagon.

Each room features an en suite bathroom, satellite TV, and tea and coffee making facilities, while some even offer private balconies and spa baths.

The attached steakhouse also provides a wonderful fresh breakfast each morning, before reopening of an evening to serve a full range of fabulous, traditional steakhouse fare.

The largest of Utah’s 5 national parks, Canyonlands National Park is the 15th largest national park in the contiguous United States and 23rd largest in the country overall, covering 337,598 acres.

Founded on the 12th of September 1964, it is 31st oldest national park in the U.S., while its 911,600 annual visitors make it the 28th most visited in the country, as well as the least visited in Utah.

Carved into three separate districts by the Colorado and Green rivers, Canyonlands is well known for its extensive networks of canyons, as well as mountains and rock formations like arches, buttes, mesas, and pinnacles.

A great example of Utah’s iconic wilderness areas and its distinct colours that change with the seasons, history buffs will also enjoy seeking out the ancient rock art displays or locations where Butch Cassidy and his gang hid during the height of their notoriety.

Meanwhile, nature lovers will enjoy a collection of wildlife that includes badgers, beavers, bats, elk, black bears, bobcats, bighorn sheep, cougars, coyotes, foxes, mule deer, pronghorn, ring tailed cats, a range of rodents and reptiles, and around 200 different species of birds.

Under Canvas Moab is a unique property, which features a range of traditionally styled tents kitted out like hotel rooms. Located along our route on U.S. Route 191, the property is less than a 30 minute drive from Canyonlands National Park.

The “Luxury” tents all include a private bathroom, complete with a shower and sink, as well as a sofa bed, lounge, and a private patio boasting sun loungers, chairs, sinks, and spa products.

While basic tents use a shared bathroom, they still include the luxury bedding and towels on offer in all units.

Fans and misting systems keep you cool as you take in the stunning views, while you can also see them from the communal BBQ area, complete with its free to use facilities. The entire property is pet friendly and all guests will receive free parking on site.

With 1,807,000 annual visitors, Arches National Park is the 16th most visited national park in the U.S. At 76,679 acres, it is the 20th smallest national park in the country, while being founded on the 12th of November 1971 makes it the 29th youngest.

Arches National Park is named after its most iconic feature, a collection of more than 2,000 natural rock arches, which is the largest such collection in the world, that have been formed out of sandstone by erosion over millions of years.

With other formations including balancing rocks, fins, and pinnacles, as well as some of the best stargazing locations on Earth, Arches National Park is a geologist’s dream.

Meanwhile, with a collection of wildlife that includes antelope squirrels, bighorn sheep, cougars, coyotes, collared lizards, kangaroo rats, mule deer, red foxes, spadefoot toads, 2 types of rattlesnakes, 190 species of birds, and various insects, it is no slouch for animal lovers either.

A beautiful hotel located just 2.3 miles from the entrance to Arches National Park, the Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott Moab is an exquisite property that combines stunning views with luxury facilities.

The property’s business and fitness centres, pool, hot tub, and laundry service ensure all of your needs are taken care of during your stay.

Meanwhile, the rooms all boast an en suite bathroom, air conditioning, a sofa, fat screen cable TV, microwave, refrigerator, hairdryer, and stylish furniture.

Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, while all guests can enjoy free parking and a complimentary breakfast each morning.

A Utah national parks road trip is a fabulous way to take in the breathtaking scenery of the heartlands of the United States. With 5 equally stunning and exciting national parks, there may not be a better state in the country to enjoy such an adventure.

This guide will hopefully have helped you to plan the perfect travel itinerary for your journey. From when to go and where to stay to how many days to spend at each park and how long to allow for the trip as a whole, you should now have all of the finer details ironed out.

All you have left to do now then is start getting everything from your accommodation to your flights and rental car booked. That way, you can start looking forward to experiencing all of the wonders of the route for yourself, as soon as possible.