Utah's Mighty 5: Road Trip Guide

Utah’s Mighty 5 Road Trip Guide

Total distance: approximately 500–600 miles (800–960 km) depending on loop direction and side trips Driving time: 12–14 hours total; most travellers allow 10–14 days for full park time Best season: March–May and September–November — summer crowds peak July–August and Zion Canyon reaches 105°F (40°C); winter is viable for Bryce and Capitol Reef but Zion’s Narrows may close

Utah’s five national parks lie within a 300-mile arc across the Colorado Plateau: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass (approximately $80 as of 2026) covers entry to all five and is essential for this trip — individual park fees run approximately $35/vehicle for seven days each.

Key Stops

Las Vegas, Nevada (Gateway)

Most Mighty 5 loops begin and end in Las Vegas, which has the nearest major airport to the Utah parks cluster. It is approximately 160 miles from Las Vegas to Zion’s south entrance. Pick up the Annual Pass at the first park gate or order in advance from the USGS store.

Where to stay: Las Vegas Strip hotels from approximately $50/night on weekdays; budget casinos off-Strip from approximately $40/night (as of 2026).

Zion National Park

Entry: approximately $35/vehicle (as of 2026), or Annual Pass Zion Canyon cannot be driven by private vehicles from March through November — the free Zion Canyon Shuttle runs every 5–10 minutes from the Visitor Center to Temple of Sinawava, with stops at all major trailheads.

Key hikes:

Angels Landing — 5.4 miles round trip, 1,488-foot elevation gain, chains assist the final 500 feet on a narrow spine; permit required (approximately $6/person as of 2026, via lottery at recreation.gov — apply 3 months ahead)
The Narrows — wade up the Virgin River through a slot canyon; no permit required for the bottom-up daytime route; rental dry suits/neoprene socks from Zion Outfitter from approximately $40/day (as of 2026) in cold months
Emerald Pools — 3-mile round trip to three tiered pools; no permit required

Where to stay: Zion Lodge inside the park charges from approximately $230/night (as of 2026); book 6+ months ahead. Springdale, the gateway town, has hotels from approximately $150/night and camping at Watchman Campground (approximately $30/night as of 2026).

Bryce Canyon National Park

Entry: approximately $35/vehicle (as of 2026) At 8,000–9,100 feet elevation, Bryce is cooler than Zion and has snow even in April. The park’s hoodoos — orange limestone spires carved by frost wedging — are best photographed at sunrise from Sunrise Point or Bryce Point.

Key hikes:

Navajo Loop + Queen’s Garden — 3-mile circuit through the hoodoos; no permit required
Fairyland Loop — 8 miles with far fewer crowds; no permit required
Under-the-Rim Trail — 22.9-mile backpacking route requiring a permit (approximately $5 as of 2026)

Where to stay: The Lodge at Bryce Canyon inside the park charges from approximately $215/night (as of 2026); book months ahead. Ruby’s Inn outside the park from approximately $120/night. North Campground inside the park charges approximately $20/night.

Capitol Reef National Park

Entry: approximately $20/vehicle (as of 2026) Capitol Reef is the least visited of the five and often the most rewarding. The Waterpocket Fold — a 100-mile wrinkle in the Earth’s crust — cuts through the park’s centre. The Fruita Historic District has orchards planted by Mormon settlers; visitors can pick fruit in season (charge per pound, typically under $3/lb as of 2026).

Key hikes:

Hickman Bridge — 1.8-mile round trip to a 133-foot natural arch; no permit required
Cassidy Arch — 3.5 miles round trip with canyon views; no permit required
Halls Creek Narrows — 25-mile backpacking route through a slot canyon; permit required (free as of 2026)

Where to stay: Fruita Campground in the park charges approximately $25/night; fills by mid-morning in spring. Torrey, 11 miles west, has Capitol Reef Resort from approximately $200/night and budget motels from approximately $90/night (as of 2026).

Canyonlands National Park

Entry: approximately $35/vehicle (as of 2026) Canyonlands has four separate districts; the Island in the Sky mesa district near Moab is by far the most accessible. The White Rim Road — a 100-mile 4WD track around the island — requires advance permits and a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. Most day visitors stick to paved overlooks.

Key stops:

Mesa Arch — 0.5-mile flat walk to an arch that frames a 600-foot drop into the canyon at sunrise; no permit required; extremely crowded at sunrise
Grand View Point — the road-end overlook at 6,080 feet; best late afternoon
Upheaval Dome — a debated impact crater or salt diapir; 0.9-mile round trip to first viewpoint

Where to stay: Moab, 32 miles from Island in the Sky, is the hub for both Canyonlands and Arches. Hotels from approximately $120/night (as of 2026); campgrounds at La Sal Mountains (dispersed, free) and Cowboy Camp (approximately $20/night as of 2026).

Arches National Park

Entry: approximately $35/vehicle (as of 2026); timed entry permit required April–October (approximately $2/vehicle as of 2026, via recreation.gov — book well ahead) The park contains over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, the highest concentration on Earth.

Key hikes:

Delicate Arch — 3 miles round trip, 480-foot gain, iconic lone arch at the edge of a slickrock bowl; no additional permit; extremely popular
Landscape Arch — 1.6-mile flat walk to the longest arch in the park (306 feet); no permit
Devil’s Garden Loop — 7.9 miles with seven named arches; no permit but hike the primitive section before 9 a.m. to avoid crowds

Where to stay: Moab serves both Canyonlands and Arches. The Devil’s Garden Campground inside Arches charges approximately $25/night (as of 2026) and books out within minutes when windows open at recreation.gov.

Road Conditions and Permits

All five parks are accessible on paved roads in a standard 2WD vehicle. The exceptions are: the White Rim Road in Canyonlands (4WD required), Calf Creek Recreation Area between Capitol Reef and Escalante (paved), and portions of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument (gravel, high-clearance recommended). The Hole-in-the-Rock Road south of Escalante becomes impassable when wet — check conditions before diverting off UT-12.

Zion Angels Landing permit: apply via lottery at recreation.gov; day-before lottery opens at 6 p.m. MT
Arches timed entry: reserve at recreation.gov for peak season; released 3 months and 2 days ahead
Canyonlands White Rim: permit required via recreation.gov; $30/vehicle (as of 2026)

Fuel Cost Estimate

From Las Vegas and back, with intra-park driving, total mileage runs approximately 1,000–1,200 miles. Fuel in southern Utah towns (Springdale, Torrey, Moab) runs approximately $0.20–$0.40/gallon above Las Vegas prices as of 2026. At approximately $3.90/gallon and 28 mpg, total fuel cost runs approximately $140–$165. An SUV at 22 mpg should budget approximately $175–$210.

Category	Estimate
Accommodation (10 nights)	approximately $700–$1,500
Annual Pass (covers all 5 parks)	approximately $40 (half of $80)
Fuel (half-share)	approximately $80–$110
Food	approximately $35–$55/day
Permits (Angels Landing, Arches entry)	approximately $20–$30
Total (11 days)	approximately $1,200–$2,100

Practical Notes

Water is scarce between parks. Carry at least 4 litres per person when hiking in summer.
Moab is the best re-supply point for groceries, fuel, and gear — stock up before Capitol Reef and Canyonlands where services are minimal.
UT-12 between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef is itself a scenic byway worth slowing down for — the section over the Aquarius Plateau above 9,000 feet is one of the finest highway stretches in the country.
Cell service is effectively absent in Capitol Reef and the eastern sections of Canyonlands. Download AllTrails maps and park PDFs before leaving Moab or Torrey.

Utah's Mighty 5: Road Trip Guide