Utah National Parks Road Trip: Explore the Mighty Five

Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway – this 26-mile scenic drive starts in Springdale, UT, and passes through Zion National Park. The 5,000-feet, narrow, historic Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel remains an engineering feat today. Larger trucks and RVs can arrange a special passage through the tunnel where traffic is stopped both ways to allow egress. There are dozens of scenic overlooks, views, and hikes along this road through Zion. Just past the tunnel is a parking lot for the Canyon Overlook Trail – an easy one-mile hike to one of the best and most photographed views of the valley.

Zion Human History Museum – this informative museum looks at how water has impacted the area – from erosion to allowing human settlers to survive for thousands of years. The museum covers science, survival, geology, plants, animals, and community.

The Narrows – this famous area of Zion is a gorge flanked by thousand-foot walls with the narrow Virgin River running through it (and which provided the erosion to create the gorge). This section of Zion is one of the most popular. Expect to get wet because you will be in shallow water for some portion of it (depending on when you visit). The Temple of Sinawava hike (via the Riverside Walk) is ADA accessible and easy. The more strenuous Narrows-Big Spring hike is for the more seasoned hikers.

Lower Emerald Pools Trail & Weeping Rock Trail – these trails are both easy and popular walks.

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive – the most dramatic parts of the park are on display on this 54-mile drive. This drive includes a view up to Angels Landing and ends at The Narrows. There is a park shuttle bus that will drop you at spots along the way for hiking or exploring. Hearty adventurers can also bike this road.

Queens Garden/Navajo Loop Trail – this popular 2.9-mile hike leads you to rock formations reminiscent of Queen Victoria and her gardens.

Sunset Point Overlook – considered by many the most beautiful overlook in Bryce, this red and purple vista showcases tightly packed hoodoos.

Bryce Point overlook – this overlook is considered one of the most spectacular places to view sunrises. There is the 5.5-mile (and steep!) Peek-a-Boo Loop trail past the Wall of Windows and Three Wisemen rock formations – well worth it for the fit and adventurous. Expect to encounter horse and mule riders along the way.

Rim Trail – this 5-mile popular hike is relatively flat and affords views of the Main Amphitheater below.

Inspiration Point – with a vista of the Frozen City, you will see hundreds of seemingly frozen spires resembling an urban skyline at Inspiration Point. It truly does inspire!

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive – this 8-mile paved road (with a few nice dirt spurs) takes about 90 minutes and is a great starting point for seeing Capitol Reef. There is a $20 fee for accessing this road. It starts in Capitol Gorge and ends in Fruita.

Scenic Highway 24 – this no-fee road runs 16 miles through the park, along the Fremont River, and includes popular Sunset and Panorama Points. Sunset Point is accessed by an easy 0.8 mile walk to this stunning overlook. There are also ancient petroglyphs along Highway 24 that are worth a stop.

Cathedral Valley District and Temples of the Sun and Moon – consider seeing this scenic backcountry area with some of the most dramatic vistas. The 60-mile loop road in the rugged but beautiful northern section of the park requires a high-clearance vehicle.

Popular hikes – consider hiking Cassidy Arch, Hickman Bridge, Chimney Rock, Cathedral and Cohab Canyon.

Fruita Historic District – at the end of Highway 24, is the heart of the park with its visitor center, trailheads, and historic buildings. See the Fruita Schoolhouse and learn about the native and pioneer people through the ages. Stop at the Freemont petroglyphs and Gifford Homestead, an historic Mormon homestead used to exemplify the lives of Mormon settlers in the 1900s. Local artisans sell their wares here. In Fall and Spring, visitors can pick fruit from the orchards.

Pioneer Register – historic graffiti of Mormon settlers in the late 18th Century adorn these canyon walls. This canyon also has ancient Native American petroglyphs. Access this on the Capitol Gorge trail.

Arches Scenic Drive – take this 19-mile scenic drive and try to count the number of times you stop to take a photo! The park sells a self-guided tour app which is informative about the many stops. You can spend a half day on this road with stops, photos, and viewpoints.

Petrified Dunes Viewpoint – showing the rocks' strata, this viewpoint is located between Courthouse Towers and the Windows Area.

Fiery Furnace, Skyline Arch, Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch – these popular hikes in Arches are worth the effort. Rangers and trail maps can help you find other great hikes to suit your timing and level.

Popular Sites – some of the most popular sites and arches to see include: Balanced Rock, Windows and Turret Arch, Double Arch, and the Garden of Eden.

Scenic Overlooks – some of the best scenic overlooks are Grand View Point, Upheaval Dome, Wooden Shoe Arch, Pothole Point, Schafer Canyon Overlook, Buck Point, and Green River.

Scenic Drive – take the White Rim Road which takes you past the Island in the Sky mesa and the canyons formed by the Green and Colorado Rivers. It is 100 miles but well worth it for the spectacular views.

The Needles – this gorgeous and rugged area is for exploring and hiking, with its skinny, pointy spires.

The Maze – check out this remote area for exploring in a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Stargazing – check out the stars in this dark sky park.