AdventureGenie
"Mighty Five" is no exaggeration: Utah is the proud home to a bucket list-worthy group of amazing and different national parks – and close enough to each other that visitors with a week or two can experience them all. This is the desert, but there is nothing bland about these areas. Red, white, and golden sandstone is carved by millions of years of erosion and buckling of the earth’s crust to create one of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes anywhere in the U.S. Arches, spires, mesas, cliffs, and canyons populate each park. Hiking trails of all difficulties and stunning scenic drives are common in all five parks. Moab is a good starting place for both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Hike Arches’ Delicate Arch and tour the Islands in the Sky area of Canyonlands. Capitol Reef has red and white sandstone rock formations as well as Native American rock petroglyphs. Bryce Canyon's brightly colored red rocks come alive at sunrise and sunset. Zion, meaning “promised land,” is perhaps the most peaceful scenery with sheer sandstone and juniper dotted cliffs and waterfalls. It is hard to decide which one is more beautiful and dramatic. The Mighty 5 are the perfect RV trip!
Established in 1919, Zion National Park was the first of Utah’s “Mighty 5” and sees more than 3.5 million every year, ranking it third among all U.S. National Parks for visitors. It boasts sheer sandstone cliffs dotted with juniper and waterfalls. You will enjoy hikes, scenic overlooks, and incredible picturesque scenic drives, among the many recreational opportunities.
Zion National Park is a "bucket list" park both for its beauty and its many recreation opportunities. Here are some of the many popular things to see and do in the park:
- Cayoneering
- Rock climbing
- Photography
- Hiking
- Biking
- Stargazing
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting Trips
- ATV tours
- Golf
Zion National Park has three in-park campgrounds: Lava Point, South, and Watchman (these can fill up months in advance and may have size and amenities limits, so book reservations early and check limitations). Outside the park, amenity-rich St. George, Virgin, or Springdale offer many private RV parks. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great campground near Zion National Park.
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Red, orange, and pink cliffs and spires dominate the landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park, with views that are most brilliant at sunrise and sunset. It is dotted with giant red-orange amphitheaters. You cannot miss Bryce’s many "hoodoos" – tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid drainage basins – since Bryce has the most in the country and even the world. Located at over 8,000 feet, Bryce is a mere 35,000 acres and punches above its weight in terms of dramatic landscapes and beauty. Many will regard this as their favorite of the Mighty Five.
Bryce is a treasure trove of beauty and recreation. Here are a few of the most popular things to see and do:
- ATV Tours
- Stargazing
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Helicopter Tours
- Photography
Bryce Canyon National Park has two campgrounds – North and Sunset campgrounds – located near the Visitor Center. The North Campground is reservation-based May 27th through October 1st, and is on a first-come/first-served basis October 2nd through May 26th. Sunset Campground is first-come/first-served April 15th through October 31st, so make sure you are prepared. There are private campgrounds in surrounding communities such as Bryce Canyon City, UT. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great campground to explore Bryce Canyon National Park!
Like this GenieTrip? Create your Free Basic Account to customize this trip in our Trip Planner.
With its white domes, arches, narrow canyons, bridges and sandstone cliffs, Capitol Reef boasts rugged beauty. It is the least visited of the Mighty 5, so look forward to relatively empty hiking trails and sparse crowds. The Waterpocket Fold, a warp in the earth’s crust, is the defining geological feature of the park. It runs 100 miles north to south, and the west side is 7,000 feet higher than the east side. Erosion has further crafted the geology. The park gets its name from the white domes of Navajo sandstone which resemble the U.S. Capitol Building. The park is long and narrow – 60 miles long and only 6 miles wide.
Capitol Reef is easy to explore since it is generally less crowded than the other four. Here are a few of the most popular things to see and so:
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting
- Biking
- Stargazing
- Photography
The park offers only one developed campground, Fruita, with 71 sites, which fills up quickly (so reserve a site early). You can also stay in nearby Torrey, UT which has several RV parks. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great RV park to explore Capitol Reef.
Like this GenieTrip? Create your Free Basic Account to customize this trip in our Trip Planner.
Spanning 85,000 acres, Arches National Park is a wonderland of strange rock spires and arches. In fact, the park has more than 2,000 window arches, tower spires, hoodoos, and monoliths. This is a great park to drive, and there are many short and long hikes. The iconic Delicate Arch is the most popular attraction in the park. Like some of the other parks on this trip, off-roading is permitted in certain areas. Note that Arches may have timed entry passes which are released three months in advance.
Arches is a relatively small and manageable park. Here are some of the most popular things to see and do:
- Stargazing
- Photography
- River Rafting
- Hiking
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Golf
- Horseback Riding
Inside Arches, Devils Garden Campground is the only formal campground – RVs are welcome but there are no hookups. Reservations are recommended six months in advance (for visits March-October) as the campground fills up quickly. Nearby Moab with its restaurants, bars, and shops, has multiple RV parks. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great RV campground near Arches and Moab.
Like this GenieTrip? Create your Free Basic Account to customize this trip in our Trip Planner.
Formed by the erosion of the Green and Colorado Rivers, this red rock park, has towering mesas, pinnacles, spires, and cliffs throughout its 330,000 acres. Canyonlands National Park is divided into five distinct districts, with the Island in the Sky District being the most popular.
Be sure to check out some of these popular things to see and do in Canyonlands:
- Stargazing
- Photography
- ATV tours
- River Rafting
- Hiking – Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Golf
- Horseback Riding
There are two tiny in-park campgrounds, none of which have hook-ups. Campsites are by reservation only from March 1 – October 31 and then on a first-come/first served basis. Nearby Moab, UT, (near the Islands in the Sky district) has many wonderful private campgrounds and amenities. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great RV park to explore Canyonlands National Park!
Like this GenieTrip? Create your Free Basic Account to customize this trip in our Trip Planner.
Zion – Bryce Canyon – Capitol Reef – Arches – Canyonlands
Length
7-14 days
Distance
450 mi
Stops
5
"Mighty Five" is no exaggeration: Utah is the proud home to a bucket list-worthy group of amazing and different national parks – and close enough to each other that visitors with a week or two can experience them all. This is the desert, but there is nothing bland about these areas. Red, white, and golden sandstone is carved by millions of years of erosion and buckling of the earth’s crust to create one of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes anywhere in the U.S. Arches, spires, mesas, cliffs, and canyons populate each park. Hiking trails of all difficulties and stunning scenic drives are common in all five parks. Moab is a good starting place for both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Hike Arches’ Delicate Arch and tour the Islands in the Sky area of Canyonlands. Capitol Reef has red and white sandstone rock formations as well as Native American rock petroglyphs. Bryce Canyon's brightly colored red rocks come alive at sunrise and sunset. Zion, meaning “promised land,” is perhaps the most peaceful scenery with sheer sandstone and juniper dotted cliffs and waterfalls. It is hard to decide which one is more beautiful and dramatic. The Mighty 5 are the perfect RV trip!
Who Will Love This Trip
Everyone – you can decide how active or relaxed you want to be. Hikes vary from beginner to expert. Scenic drives and overlooks appeal to those seeking less activity.
Stop 1: Zion National Park, UT
Zion National Park, UT
2 day stay
Description
Established in 1919, Zion National Park was the first of Utah’s “Mighty 5” and sees more than 3.5 million every year, ranking it third among all U.S. National Parks for visitors. It boasts sheer sandstone cliffs dotted with juniper and waterfalls. You will enjoy hikes, scenic overlooks, and incredible picturesque scenic drives, among the many recreational opportunities.
Top Things to Do
Zion National Park is a "bucket list" park both for its beauty and its many recreation opportunities. Here are some of the many popular things to see and do in the park:
Zion National Park, UT Activites
- Cayoneering
- Rock climbing
- Photography
- Hiking
- Biking
- Stargazing
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting Trips
- ATV tours
- Golf
RV Campgrounds Near Zion National Park, UT
Zion National Park has three in-park campgrounds: Lava Point, South, and Watchman (these can fill up months in advance and may have size and amenities limits, so book reservations early and check limitations). Outside the park, amenity-rich St. George, Virgin, or Springdale offer many private RV parks. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great campground near Zion National Park.
Like this GenieTrip? Pressing “Take This Trip” will input this into our Trip Planner so you can start planning!
Stop 2: Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
2 day stay
Description
Red, orange, and pink cliffs and spires dominate the landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park, with views that are most brilliant at sunrise and sunset. It is dotted with giant red-orange amphitheaters. You cannot miss Bryce’s many "hoodoos" – tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid drainage basins – since Bryce has the most in the country and even the world. Located at over 8,000 feet, Bryce is a mere 35,000 acres and punches above its weight in terms of dramatic landscapes and beauty. Many will regard this as their favorite of the Mighty Five.
Top Things to Do
Bryce is a treasure trove of beauty and recreation. Here are a few of the most popular things to see and do:
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT Activites
- ATV Tours
- Stargazing
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Helicopter Tours
- Photography
RV Campgrounds Near Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Bryce Canyon National Park has two campgrounds – North and Sunset campgrounds – located near the Visitor Center. The North Campground is reservation-based May 27th through October 1st, and is on a first-come/first-served basis October 2nd through May 26th. Sunset Campground is first-come/first-served April 15th through October 31st, so make sure you are prepared. There are private campgrounds in surrounding communities such as Bryce Canyon City, UT. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great campground to explore Bryce Canyon National Park!
Like this GenieTrip? Pressing “Take This Trip” will input this into our Trip Planner so you can start planning!
Stop 3: Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Capitol Reef National Park, UT
2 day stay
Description
With its white domes, arches, narrow canyons, bridges and sandstone cliffs, Capitol Reef boasts rugged beauty. It is the least visited of the Mighty 5, so look forward to relatively empty hiking trails and sparse crowds. The Waterpocket Fold, a warp in the earth’s crust, is the defining geological feature of the park. It runs 100 miles north to south, and the west side is 7,000 feet higher than the east side. Erosion has further crafted the geology. The park gets its name from the white domes of Navajo sandstone which resemble the U.S. Capitol Building. The park is long and narrow – 60 miles long and only 6 miles wide.
Top Things to Do
Capitol Reef is easy to explore since it is generally less crowded than the other four. Here are a few of the most popular things to see and so:
Capitol Reef National Park, UT Activites
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting
- Biking
- Stargazing
- Photography
RV Campgrounds Near Capitol Reef National Park, UT
The park offers only one developed campground, Fruita, with 71 sites, which fills up quickly (so reserve a site early). You can also stay in nearby Torrey, UT which has several RV parks. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great RV park to explore Capitol Reef.
Like this GenieTrip? Pressing “Take This Trip” will input this into our Trip Planner so you can start planning!
Stop 4: Arches National Park, UT
Arches National Park, UT
2 day stay
Description
Spanning 85,000 acres, Arches National Park is a wonderland of strange rock spires and arches. In fact, the park has more than 2,000 window arches, tower spires, hoodoos, and monoliths. This is a great park to drive, and there are many short and long hikes. The iconic Delicate Arch is the most popular attraction in the park. Like some of the other parks on this trip, off-roading is permitted in certain areas. Note that Arches may have timed entry passes which are released three months in advance.
Top Things to Do
Arches is a relatively small and manageable park. Here are some of the most popular things to see and do:
Arches National Park, UT Activites
- Stargazing
- Photography
- River Rafting
- Hiking
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Golf
- Horseback Riding
RV Campgrounds Near Arches National Park, UT
Inside Arches, Devils Garden Campground is the only formal campground – RVs are welcome but there are no hookups. Reservations are recommended six months in advance (for visits March-October) as the campground fills up quickly. Nearby Moab with its restaurants, bars, and shops, has multiple RV parks. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great RV campground near Arches and Moab.
Like this GenieTrip? Pressing “Take This Trip” will input this into our Trip Planner so you can start planning!
Stop 5: Canyonlands National Park, UT
Canyonlands National Park, UT
1-2 day stay
Description
Formed by the erosion of the Green and Colorado Rivers, this red rock park, has towering mesas, pinnacles, spires, and cliffs throughout its 330,000 acres. Canyonlands National Park is divided into five distinct districts, with the Island in the Sky District being the most popular.
Top Things to Do
Be sure to check out some of these popular things to see and do in Canyonlands:
Canyonlands National Park, UT Activites
- Stargazing
- Photography
- ATV tours
- River Rafting
- Hiking – Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Golf
- Horseback Riding
RV Campgrounds Near Canyonlands National Park, UT
There are two tiny in-park campgrounds, none of which have hook-ups. Campsites are by reservation only from March 1 – October 31 and then on a first-come/first served basis. Nearby Moab, UT, (near the Islands in the Sky district) has many wonderful private campgrounds and amenities. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great RV park to explore Canyonlands National Park!