Road Trip Through Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks

Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Bryce and Zion National Park. The “Mighty 5” of Utah is a once in a lifetime road trip and should be at the top of your bucket list! Here is a travel guide including everything you need to know to car camp, and hike in these incredible parks. You will find links to all reservations you may need, road trip map, trail specs, packing lists, and dispersed camping spots down to the gps coordinates. Go out and explore this state that looks like another planet!

Disclaimer: This blog post may feature some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the ways I can keep producing free guides and resources for my readers.

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Bryce Canyon National Park

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Travel

• Fly into Salt Lake City Airport to begin your road trip

Transportation

• Rent a campervan or a truck with a tent on top (whatever your comfort level is)

  • Campervan rentals

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Arches National Park

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Passes and Permits

• America the Beautiful Pass (Annual National Park Pass that gives you access to all the national parks)

  • Highly recommend getting this for this trip alone as you will be entering 5 different national parks.

• Arches National Park

  • Park pass (don’t need this if you have America the Beautiful pass)

  • Timed entry ticket

• Canyonlands National Park

  • Park pass (don’t need this if you have America the Beautiful pass)

• Capital Reef National Park

  • Park pass (don’t need this is you have America the Beautiful pass)

• Bryce National Park

  • Park pass (don’t need this is you have America the Beautiful pass)

• Zion National Park

  • Park pass (don’t need this is you have America the Beautiful pass)

  • Angels Landing Permit

Arches National Park

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Packing List

This is a specific packing list to day hike and car camp around Utah, if you are looking for an all inclusive day hiking/camping gear guide click here!

• Car Camping

  • Sleeping Bag

  • Pillow

  • Stove/dishware and fuel

  • Lighter

  • Eating Utensil

  • Lantern

  • Headlamp

  • Camping Chair

  • Camping Table

  • Sleepwear

  • Toiletries

  • Camp Sandals

  • Water Bottle

  • Portable Shower

  • Quick Dry Towel

  • Portable Charger

• Hiking

  • Day Pack

  • Water Reservoir

  • Satellite Phone

  • Hiking Shorts

  • Hiking Tank

  • Sun Shirt

  • Hiking Boots

  • Hiking Socks

  • Trekking Poles (optional)

  • Sun Hat

  • Sunscreen

  • Bugspray

  • Snacks

  • First Aid Kit

Resources

Kendall’s Utah Road Trip Google Map

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Canyonlands National Park

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Sample Itinerary

Each night will have a camping or a hotel option for you to choose from!

Day 1 (Travel Day)

• Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport

• Stay the night in Salt Lake City

  • Hotel options

Day 2

• Pick up rental campervan and hit the road!

• Drive to Arches National Park (3 1/2 hour drive)

• Enter the park during your reserved timed entry slot

• Hiking trails

  • All Trails List

  • Best Sunset Hike: Delicate Arch

• Drive to campsite for the night

  • Seven Mile Campground

    • Has electric hookup

• Hotel Options

Day 3

• Drive to Canyonlands National Park (30 min drive)

• Hiking trails

  • All Trails List

• Drive to campsite for the night

  • Seven Mile Campground

• Hotel Options

Day 4

• Drive to Capital Reef National Park (2 hour drive)

• Hiking trails

  • All Trails List

• Drive to campsite for the night

  • Dispersed Campsite Coordinates: 38.19320584740868, -111.12742982038196

• Hotel Options

Day 5

• Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park (2 hour drive)

• Hiking trails

  • All Trails List

• Drive to campsite for the night

  • Dispersed Campsite Coordinates: 37.6443807047746, -112.2409974032976

    • Bryce Canyon does drop in temperatures at night, you may need a jacket this night!

• Hotel Options

Day 6

• Drive to Zion National Park (1 hour drive)

  • Zion does not allow you to drive through the main road of the park, they offer free shuttle services instead (you do NOT need a reservation or permit for these, but expect long lines)

• Hike Overlook Trail on your way into the park (1 mile hike)

• Hike The Narrows

  • Rent water boots and poles before getting on the shuttle

  • The Narrows is a hike you can make as long as you want as you simply turn around when you are ready to call it quits. However the trail gets significantly less crowded the further in you go and the more side trails you take. I suggest trying to at least get 4 miles in and take some side trails to get a better experience without the crowds.

• Drive to campsite for the night

  • Dispersed Campsite Coordinates: 37.19531296, -113.21835867

    • By far the best campsite of the trip!

• Hotel Options

Day 7

• Get up very early to catch the first shuttle to Angels Landing

  • Ensure you have your permit printed and with you

• Hike any other trails you would like!

  • Zion All Trails link

• Drive to campsite for the night

  • The same campsite as the night before

    • Dispersed Campsite Coordinates: 37.19531296, -113.21835867

• Hotel Options

Day 8

• Drive back to Salt Lake City (4 hour drive)

  • If you have time make the detour to see the Bonneville Salt Flats

• Either fly out of Salt Lake City that evening or stay in Salt Lake City for the night and fly out the next morning

  • Hotel Options

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