Exploring Utah’s Mighty Five in Five Days

The more weekend warrior trips and National Park adventures I plan, the more I realize that seeking adventure and having a desire to experience the great outdoors is a slippery slope. Actually, it’s less of a slope and more of a trigger for a full-blown itinerary avalanche.

Inevitably, what starts as a simple, singular park visit quickly morphs into a whirlwind road trip, checking off multiple parks across multiple states in a limited amount of time.

Our recent trip to Utah took this very spin. The planning process starts innocently enough: “Let’s go check out Canyonlands,” soon becomes, “Well, Arches is right there. And if we’re driving that way, Capitol Reef is practically along the way. And honestly, it seems like a crime to drive past Zion and not stop for a night...”

Before we knew it, the snowball effect had taken over completely. What began as a modest route from Las Vegas to Moab suddenly shattered under the weight of geographical temptation and the adventure-seeking deity of outdoor recreation coerced us to explore as much as possible in the time we had available. When the planning was all said and done, we had five days lined up to enjoy camping and hiking at five national parks and over 1,200 miles of highway.

With our hiking bags packed and puppy sitting secured (thanks fam!), we officially launched into a beautiful and exhilarating road trip to explore Utah's greatest hits, creating a personal challenge to take on the Mighty Five in five days.

To ease into things, a mere two and a half hour drive led us to Zion, the “Disneyland” of the National Parks. Scenic, gram-worthy seeking tourists overflowing parking lots and lower trail heads, but with a campsite reserved, and a helpful camp host tracking down the person parked at our site, our trip’s initial hiccup was easily overlooked as we enjoyed a 3-mile hike along Watchman Trail until we were rewarded with views of the iconic Watchman and lower Zion Canyon.

Transitioning from a dusty afternoon on the trail to a quiet, star-filled night at the campground, we enjoyed a night of camping and stargazing under the Watchman peak before setting out for Capitol Reef National Park bright and early the next morning.

The first new park of the trip, I don’t really know what to expect from Capitol Reef beyond red desert landscape and the promise of a legendary fruit pie and yet it became a unexpected favorite for me. From petroglyph panels, to Hickman Natural Bridge, the isolated Cohab Canyon and plenty of wildlife sightings, a single overnight visit in Capitol Reef provided time for two hikes, a scenic drive and enough scouting to want to add it as a destination on a future trip to further explore. And after multiple attempts for a famous Gifford Place pie, we were able to grab a cherry pie for the road before heading on to Arches National Park for our third day of exploring.

For me, Arches was the anticipated peak of the trip and yet despite having a list of 'must-see' hikes tucked in my pocket, I knew that our late morning arrival meant our itinerary would ultimately be decided by the mercy of the parking spot availability. With trailheads and parking lots filled to capacity, we ultimately parked in a pullout along the road and trekked to the trailhead of the Devils Garden and over the next two and a half hours we enjoyed the Landscape Arch Trail, Navajo & Partition Arch Trails and pushed our limits of comfortability in the uneasy terrain toward Dark Angel before deciding to turn back and leave with our sanity and nerves still in tact. Crowds still clogging the scenic formations and trailheads on the way out, we were able to enjoy the Delicate Arch viewpoints before taking undoubtably one of the most breathtaking National Park scenic drives as we headed to Moab for the night.

After three nights of exploring, we treated ourself to a well earned brew and burger at Moab Brewery before Turing in for the night and enjoying a much needed shower at the Moab Valley Inn.

With no major miles to cover, day four of our trip we woke with St. Patrick’s Day enthusiasm, and headed south to the Canyonlands Needles District for a full day of hiking. Not in a rush to do more than enjoy every bit of the park and the surrounding area, we took the morning slow, enjoying a brief stop at Newspaper Rock to admire the incredible petroglyphs adorning the sandstone before heading into the park and making our way to explore beyond the Elephant Hill trailhead. From Elephant Hill to the heart of Chesler Park, enjoying lunchtime views isolated along sandstone cliffs overlooking the needles and picking out future backpacking destinations and hiking turnoffs, this visit catapulted Canyonlands National Park to the top of my list for favorite desert destinations for National Parks.

With a final night in Moab, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and an incredible day of hiking at Proper Brewing & Burger Co. before heading back to the hotel for dessert curtsey of a delicious Capitol Reef pie.

Our final day and a six-and-a-half-hour drive to Las Vegas ahead of us, we added the fifth and final piece to this grand adventure: Bryce Canyon National Park. Because Bryce Canyon was a day stop, and one we had previously visited on multiple occasions, this park stop served more as a way to officially check off the last of the Mighty 5 and offered a lunch stop at Valhalla Pizza and a casual walk along the Rim Trail between the Fairyland Loop Trailhead and Sunset Point, which provided vibrant contrast views thanks to some remaining snow drifts and the chance to fully appreciate the sights and experiences from the past few days.

Five day, five parks, five visitors centers, a multitude of park souvenirs and even more plans for future visits, this whirlwind trip to Utah’s Mighty Five served as a reminder that we don’t vacation, we adventure, and when the chaotic deity of outdoor recreation presents an opportunity to add more adventure to a trip, we’re happy to oblige and rise to the challenge.

The Final Logistics & Helpful Tips for Exploring Utah's Mighty Five

Day 1: Zion National Park

Hikes: Watchman Trail - 3.3 miles

Necessary Stops: Visitor Center

Lodging: Camping at Watchman Campground

Food: Camp Food and Snacks

Travel: 167 miles

Helpful Tips: Get an early start. If you don't have a reserved campsite, parking will fill up fast and lines for the shuttles will be long. Rather than buy individual park passes. Grab the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass ahead of time to cover your entrance to all five parks and speed up the entry process.

Day 2: Capitol Reef National Park

Hikes: Hickman Bridge, Cohab Canyon - 5.15 miles

Necessary Stops: Gifford House, Visitor Center, Petroglyph Boardwalk, scenic drive to Capitol Gorge

Lodging: Camping at Fruita Campground

Food: Camp Food and Snacks

Travel: 187 miles

Helpful Tips: If you're looking for pie, arrive when the Gifford house first opens or as soon as possible, as they sell out quickly. Watch out for deer on the roadways and jumping from the roadsides. If you have the time, enjoy the scenic drive toward Capitol Gorge Trailhead.

Day 3: Arches National Park

Hikes: Landscape Trail, sections of the Devil’s Garden Trail, Navajo Trail, Partition Arch Trail, Delicate Arch viewpoint - 5.87 miles

Necessary Stops: Visitor Center, Parade of Elephants, the Windows, Double Arch, Balanced Rock

Lodging: Moab Valley Inn

Food: Hiking Food, Snacks, Moab Brewery

Travel: 212 miles

Helpful Tips: Navigating longer trails can become difficult due to limited signage and necessary rock scrambling so for longer hikes, carry satellite devices or download offline maps from OnX Backcountry. Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes with excellent grip are non-negotiable for navigating slickrock. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the entirety of the scenic drive. Anticipate high traffic and crowds at trailheads and prepare for some extra walking to get to them if you have to park further away.

Day 4: Canyonlands National Park - Needles District

Hikes: Elephant Hill, Chesler Park - 8.09 miles

Necessary Stops: Newspaper Rock, Visitor Center, Confluence Overlook

Lodging: Moab Valley Inn

Food: Hiking Food, Snacks, Proper Brewing & Burger Co.

Travel: 361 miles

Helpful Tips: Prepare for the desert heat and carry plenty of water, sun protection, snacks and electrolytes such as LMNT. Backpacking and some off road trails require permits, be sure to check with a ranger when you arrive if you haven't pre-planned. The Needles District is an isolated drive, plan for 1.5 to 2 hours of driving each way from Moab with no services along the highway.

Day 5: Bryce Canyon National Park

Hikes: Rim Trail - 1.7 miles

Necessary Stops: Visitor Center

Food: Valhalla Pizza, Snacks

Travel: 529 miles

Helpful Tips: If you are hiking, start early to avoid crowds and the heat. Dining options are limited, so if you are looking for food options, plan on there being a wait or plan on heading out of the park for more options. The Rim Trail provides sweeping views of the hoodoos but the best way to see the hoodoos up close is the combined Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail, but remember, if you hike down, you have to hike up!