Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? A Utah Mighty 5 road trip takes you through five stunning national parks and several breathtaking state parks, making it one of the most epic road trips in the U.S.!
In this guide, I’ll walk you through our day-by-day itinerary, covering each park we visited, distances between locations, and essential travel tips.
💡 Looking for the best places to stay? Check out this guide on where to stay along the Utah Mighty 5.
🧳 Need a packing checklist? Don’t forget to check this essential packing list to make sure you’re fully prepared for your adventure!
✈️ Getting There: Salt Lake City to Arches National Park
📅 Arrival Date: May 20
✈️ Airport: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
🏨 Hotel: Stayed near the airport for a quick overnight rest
🚗 Drive Time to Arches: 3 hours 42 minutes
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re flying in late, staying near the airport and driving out early the next morning is a great way to start fresh for your adventure!
Day-by-Day Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Itinerary
🗓️ Day 1: Arches National Park (May 21)
🔹 Spent the full day exploring the iconic arches and red rock landscapes
🗓️ Day 2: Moab Adventures – Arches & Dead Horse Point (May 22)
☀️ Morning: Hell’s Revenge UTV Tour in Moab
🌄 Midday: More exploring in Arches National Park
🌅 Evening: Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset views
🛣️ Driving Distances:
📍 Arches to Dead Horse Point → 39 minutes
📍 Arches to Canyonlands → 36 minutes
🗓️ Day 3: Canyonlands & Goblin Valley (May 23)
☀️ Morning to Midday: Canyonlands National Park
🌄 Evening: Goblin Valley State Park for unique rock formations
🛣️ Driving Distances:
📍 Canyonlands to Goblin Valley → 1 hour 42 minutes
📍 Goblin Valley to Capitol Reef → 1 hour 3 minutes
🗓️ Day 4: Capitol Reef National Park (May 24)
🔹 Explored scenic drives, petroglyphs, and the famous pie shop at the Gifford Homestead
🛣️ Driving Distance:
📍 Capitol Reef to Escalante → 59 minutes
🗓️ Day 5: Grand Staircase-Escalante (May 25)
🌄 Adventured through slot canyons and stunning rock formations
🛣️ Driving Distance:
📍 Escalante to Bryce Canyon → 27 minutes
🗓️ Day 6: Bryce Canyon & Coral Pink Sand Dunes (May 26)
☀️ Morning to Midday: Bryce Canyon National Park (sunrise at Bryce Point)
🌅 Evening: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park for a unique desert experience
🛣️ Driving Distances:
📍 Bryce Canyon to Coral Pink Sand Dunes → 1 hour 24 minutes
📍 Coral Pink Sand Dunes to Zion → 1 hour
🗓️ Day 7: Zion National Park (May 27)
🌄 Hiked Angels Landing & explored The Narrows
🗓️ Day 8: Zion to Salt Lake City (May 28)
☀️ Morning: Last scenic hike in Zion
🚗 Drove back to Salt Lake City for an overnight stay near the airport
🛣️ Driving Distance:
📍 Zion to Salt Lake City → 4 hours 35 minutes
✈️ Flight Home: May 29
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About the Utah Mighty 5
🤔 How many days do you need to visit the Utah Mighty 5?
💡 You can successfully complete the Utah Mighty 5 in 8 days, as we did.
✔️ Short on time? If you skip Escalante and spend only one day at each park, you can complete the trip in 5 days, but expect longer drives and less time at each location.
📍 How far is the Mighty 5 from Salt Lake City?
- Starting at Arches: 230 miles (via US-6 W)
- Starting at Zion: 308 miles (via I-15 N)
🏜️ What is the largest National Park in Utah?
Canyonlands National Park is the largest of Utah’s five national parks.
🗺️ What are the “Big 5” National Parks in Utah?
The Utah Mighty 5 includes:
1️⃣ Arches National Park
2️⃣ Canyonlands National Park
3️⃣ Capitol Reef National Park
4️⃣ Bryce Canyon National Park
5️⃣ Zion National Park
📌 Final Thoughts: Is the Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Worth It?
Absolutely! If you love stunning landscapes, epic hikes, and unforgettable views, a Utah Mighty 5 road trip is a bucket-list adventure you won’t regret.
Looks like a wonderful itinerary. Keep pursuing your travel adventures and enjoy the national parks!
I commend you for the very detailed description of your trip. I wish we had something like this before we went on our Utah trip a few years ago. If I hear of someone planning a National Parks Utah trip, I will certainly tell them about your blog. Your pictures were great. I really like the introductory photo.
Thanks for the feedback, Glenn!