In July, we embarked on a summer road trip from Phoenix, Arizona to our new home in Fort Collins, Colorado. We chose to take the longer route through Utah in order to spend time exploring three of Utah’s “Big Five” National Parks. We spent one full week enjoying scenic views, adventurous hikes, and the open road! I hope this guide inspires you to plan your own visit to some of Utah’s National Parks, or maybe even your own Utah summer road trip!
SNAPSHOT
5+ DAYS
BEST TIME TO VISIT – April THROUGH may and september through october FOR mild temperatures and moderate crowds
WEATHER – HIGHS OF 80-100F IN THE SUMMER, 40-20F in the winter
GETTING AROUND – RENTAL CAR
NEARBY AIRPORTS – Las Vegas (LAS), Salt Lake City (SLC)
Zion National Park (2 nights)
THE MOST POPULAR PARK IN UTAH WITH STEEP, TOWERING CANYON CLIFFS
Zion National Park was our first stop on our road trip. We drove 6 hours from Phoenix, Arizona to Springdale, Utah – the small town that also serves as the gateway to Zion. This stop ended up being one of our favorites of the trip – Zion is truly breathtaking! Read more in our complete Zion National Park Guide here.
Bryce Canyon National Park (1 night)
AN UNDERRATED PARK KNOWN FOR UNIQUE ROCK FORMATIONS CALLED HOODOOS
Bryce Canyon is only a 1.5-hour drive from Zion and was our second stop of the trip. After leaving Zion, we were worried that Bryce Canyon was going to feel like a bit of a let-down. That could not have been further from the truth! Though small, Bryce Canyon has many trails and viewpoints to choose from, including one of the best short trails in the world (Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop). Read more in our complete Bryce Canyon Guide here.
Arches National Park (2 nights)
THOUSANDS OF NATURAL SANDSTONE ARCHES LOCATED NEAR THE ADVENTUROUS TOWN OF MOAB
Arches National Park was our final stop of the road trip and is located 4 hours west of Bryce Canyon. Arches National Park is quite large and there is also plenty to do in Moab and in the surrounding area. If we had more time on our trip, I would’ve added an extra day or two here to check out some additional hikes and activities in the area. Everyone who comes to Arches National Park should hike Delicate Arch, but our favorite trail was Devil’s Garden. Read more in our complete Arches National Park Guide here (coming soon!)
Tip: If you plan on doing your own Utah Summer Road Trip or visiting more than one National Park within 12 months, I highly recommend purchasing an entrance pass. This will save you time entering the park and will eventually be more cost-effective.