The Utah Mighty Five national parks make a perfect destination for those who love the outdoors and are looking for a bit of adventure! We’re going to let you in on all our best tips and advice – from avoiding the crowds to getting that perfect photograph.
Did you know that Utah has five different national parks?
Yep! That’s right… that small, square state in the middle of the western US is so packed full of geographical diversity that they’ve created five separate and very different national parks here.
These parks have earned the title of “the Mighty 5” because they pack such a punch, every single one is worth a visit.
This guide to Utah’s Mighty Five national parks will walk you through what to expect in all of five parks and get you all set for a trip of a lifetime!
Utah Mighty Five Guide
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Zion National Park
We’ve also included some tips and advice for planning your trip to the Utah Mighty Five, jump to the following sections (or just keep scrolling to see it all!).
- Best time to visit Utah national parks
- How long to see all the Mighty 5
- Entrance fees and permits
- Tips for visiting the Mighty 5
- What to pack
- Vanlife in Utah
- More places to visit in Utah
Best time of year to visit the Utah Mighty Five
Each season offers a unique experience in Utah’s national parks.
Spring and fall have the most comfortable temperatures for hiking and mountain biking.
Winter boasts thinner crowds and the opportunity to see some of the iconic landscapes dusted in snow. And summer generally tends to be an easy time for people to make travel plans, so you’ll see a lot more people, especially at Zion National Park.
We visited the Utah Mighty Five in the month of June, and while we had very hot temperatures during the day (especially in Moab), we were still able to do everything we wanted to.
We’ve also visited a few of Utah’s National Parks in October and December. In October, the national parks near Moab (Arches and Canyonlands) had great weather, and in December those same parks had very few crowds. In fact, we had Delicate Arch all to ourselves on a beautiful December day!
How long should I plan to spend in Utah?
We’d recommend at least a week if you want to visit all of the Utah Mighty 5 national parks. We think 10 – 12 days would be ideal for a trip like this, and would allow you to see some sights outside of the parks as well!
Entrance fees and permits
Typical entry fees for the Utah Mighty Five national parks are as follows: (Keep in mind rates vary slightly depending on the park.)
- Private vehicle: $30 – $35
- Motorcycle: $25 – $30
- Per person: $15 – $20
In addition, there are two national parks in Utah that require additional permits (see below).
*All entrance tickets for Utah’s national parks are valid for 7 days.
Money-saving tip
If you’re planning to visit more than one of the Utah Mighty Five, we’d highly encourage you to look into getting an annual park pass. At $30+ per vehicle for each park, the fees can get expensive.
For just $80 per year, you can purchase the America the Beautiful park pass. This pass grants you free access to all of the national parks. Plus it also covers your entrance to over 2,000 natural, historical, and recreational sites across the United States.
If you still need convincing, check out our article: America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass: Is it Worthwhile?
Tip: Use this National Parks checklist and guide to keep track of which national parks you’ve visited throughout the US!
Timed-entry permits for Arches National Park
From April 3rd to October 3rd, anyone entering Arches will need a $2 timed entry ticket in addition to a photo ID and park entrance fee (or park pass). Do not wait to buy these because entry tickets are competitive!
You can get the timed entry tickets from the National Park Service online at recreation.gov. They open tickets in monthly blocks, three months in advance. With your ticket, you’ll be granted entrance to the park from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a one hour grace period.
Good to know: Due to record visitors, Arches has closed the entrance to the park by late afternoon some days, even if you have a timed entry ticket. Aim to get into the park early so you aren’t denied entry and you won’t have to wait in line to get in.
If you planned your trip last minute, a handful of next-day entry tickets drop online on recreation.gov at 6 p.m. for entry the following day.
Permit for Angel’s Landing in Zion
In order to hike the famous Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, you’ll need a special permit. For $6, you can enter a daily or seasonal lottery. The season lottery is live only four months out of the year: January, April, July, and October.
You can apply for a lottery permit here and also view important dates for seasonal lottery releases. The daily lottery goes live starting March 31, and is open from 12:01 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. MST.
Alternatively, at 4:00 p.m. daily, permits are issued for hikes the following day. This is a great option if you didn’t win the seasonal lottery since it gives you an extra last minute chance to score a permit.
Tips for visiting the Utah Mighty Five
Here are some general tips for making the most of your time in all of the Utah national parks.
Start early to avoid crowds
This is our biggest tip for avoiding the crowds in the Utah national parks. The lines for the entrances and shuttles get exponentially longer after 9 a.m. (and as early as 7:30 a.m. in Zion!), and the hikes get crowded as well.
To avoid feeling like you’re in Disney World, start early in the morning, then take a break during the busy afternoon. Head out again in the early evening for that Golden Hour glow.
Download offline maps
There is generally limited cell service inside the parks, so have all your trails pre-downloaded on Alltrails+ and your maps downloaded on Google so you can easily navigate the area.
Bonus! Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you sign up using our link!
Fill up on gas and groceries before entering
Gas is limited in and around the Mighty 5, so you’ll want to start any scenic drive with a full tank of gas.
Similarly, there aren’t many options for refueling your stomachs (see what I did there) once you enter Utah’s national parks. The grocery stores near the parks can sometimes be ridiculously overpriced (as is the case for groceries in Springdale outside of Zion!).
You’ll want to stock up on groceries in a bigger city outside the parks and make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand during your exploration.
Tip: Check out our favorite hiking snacks here!
Pack layers
No matter when you’re visiting, it’s a good idea to pack layers and bring a rain jacket as weather changes quickly in the desert.
Daytime temperatures can be toasty, but the mornings and evenings are generally cooler. Layer in the morning and then you can peel those off after you get hiking or as the sun rises.
Wear sun protection
The desert sun is no joke. Even if it’s a cloudy day, be sure to wear sunscreen on all of your exposed skin, especially your face!
Plan hikes for the early morning or evening
We recommend staying past sunset or getting into the parks before sunrise since the weather is ideal during these times of day and the crowds are a lot thinner than midday.
Talk to the rangers
A quick stop at the Visitor Center can give you tons of insight for your trip. If there is anyone that knows these parks like the back of their hands, it’s the National Park rangers!
What to pack for Utah’s national parks
Packing can be one of the most daunting parts of planning a trip, but lucky for you, we’ve got you covered with some essentials for visiting the Mighty 5. And don’t forget to pack some eco-friendly travel gear to help leave no trace.
- Navigation: we recommend using Alltrails+ to download the offline trail map
- Tip: Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you sign up using our link!
- Hiking clothes
- Summer: Tank tops and also light layers to shield your skin from the sun
- Spring and fall: Pack layers because it can get cool at night!
- Winter: Lots of warm layers for cold nights. Don’t forget a hat and gloves!
- Reference our guide for what to wear hiking in every season
- Packing cubes: These babies help us keep our clothes organized and compact.
- Shoes for hiking: We wore our Chacos everywhere in Utah! We also wore hiking boots a few times.
- Camera and tripod
- We love our Joby tripod because you can’t always trust other tourists to take a nice picture of you (sorry, but it’s true!). This tripod is super lightweight and helps us get great shots on all our travels!
- GoPro and selfie stick: Great for capturing your adventure in video form!
- Anker Battery Charger
- If you’re camping in the National Parks, chances are you’ll go a few days without having access to an outlet. We love our Anker charger because we can get 7 phone charges out of it! We did a lot of research on external chargers before making the purchase, and this is one of the best ones you can get!
- Cooler for picnic lunches: With the exception of Zion, you won’t be able to find food inside the national parks. You’ll want to be prepared with plenty of food for picnics and snacking.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunnies, hat
- Insulated water bottle or Camelback
- Way to purify your water (we love our Grayl water bottles, and before them we always brought along our Steripen)
- Chapstick and lotion: the dry desert heat can wreak havoc on your lips and skin.
- Microfiber towel: These towels dry super quickly and pack down tight.
- Collapsible backpack: This guy folds up super small and is great for day hikes!
Want to try out vanlife while visiting Utah?
It’s no secret we’re obsessed with #vanlife. If you don’t have the time (or interest!) in building your own conversion but you still want to give van life a test drive, we’ve got some ideas for you.
In fact, we have an entire guide about the best campervan rentals in Salt Lake City. It’s loaded with useful info and helpful advice so you can have an incredible Utah campervan trip.
One company we’d recommend looking into is Escape Campervans. They have 12 different locations across North America (including SLC!) and come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip. Plus, their rates are fair and affordable.
BONUS: We’ve partnered with them to give you a 10% off discount when you use our link!
A note about camping in Utah
If you’re traveling in a campervan or simply hoping to save money on your visit to Utah’s National Parks by camping along the way, we have a deal for you!
The Dyrt is our favorite campsite locating app with the largest database of campgrounds (44,000+ campsites and counting!) and over 1 million user-submitted reviews. Plus, it’s super user-friendly, and has some pretty cool features, like outdoor gear contests and forums to connect and seek advice from fellow campers, that you won’t find on any other camping app.
Try their Pro Membership for FREE for 30 days and gain access to the offline version of the app, utilize their trip planning feature AND get exclusive discounts on campsites and gear!
The Utah Mighty 5 national parks
What parks make up Utah’s famous “Mighty 5”, you ask?
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Zion National Park
You probably want a little more information than that, dontcha? Below you’ll find a brief description of each park, along with a link to a complete guide full of all the information you’ll need to plan your visit.
We’ll explain what makes each park unique, the pros and cons, where to get the best photos, camping spots nearby and even how to avoid the crowds.
This guide will help you determine which are the best national parks in Utah for your travels, and maybe you’ll just decide to visit all five (like we did!).
Psst! Check out some of our other favorite national parks on the west coast & Western U.S. that make great adventure and hiking destinations.
Arches National Park
Perhaps the most iconic of Utah’s National Parks, Arches is known for the unique arch formations in the desert sandstone. The most famous of all, Delicate Arch, draws visitors from around the world and is even celebrated on the Utah license plate!
You’ll find more famous arches like Double Arch in the Windows section as you make your way around the park on Arches Scenic Drive. Don’t miss the view of the Three Gossips from Park Avenue and hike the Devils Garden Trail to Landscape Arch.
Located just outside of Moab, this Utah national park is one of the most accessible making it quite popular.
Check out our full guide to Arches National Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Known for super unique pillar-like rock formations called “hoodoos”, Bryce Canyon is a stunner. Wander past rock formations that’ll make you feel as if you’re in a fairytale on the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop trail (the best hike in the park, if you ask us!).
Watch as the sunlight dances and casts ever-changing shadows from the various viewpoints such as Sunrise Point, Rainbow Point, Inspiration Point and Sunset Point, and walk the easy Rim Trail between. You’ll certainly be enchanted by this national park.
Check out our full guide to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Canyonlands National Park
Known for sweeping canyon views of a dramatic red rock landscape, Canyonlands National Park is sure to make your jaw drop. The park is separated into five sections: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, Colorado River & Green River, and Horseshoe Canyon.
If you do only one thing, make it a hike to Mesa Arch at sunrise. Drive through the park to one of the many canyon overlook viewpoints at sunset, or lace up your hiking boots and get up close and personal with the land.
Located just outside of Moab, this park is easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
Check out our full guide to Canyonlands National Park.
Capitol Reef National Park
Being that Capitol Reef National Park is not near any major cities, many visitors skip over this park during their time in Utah. However, we think that would be a mistake!
The landscape is out of this world, and as the least visited Utah national park it feels a bit “off the beaten path”.
Pick fruit from historic orchards, drive through a narrow gorge and see ancient petroglyphs in this gem of a park. We think it’ll surprise you!
Check out our full guide to Capitol Reef National Park.
Zion National Park
Located in southern Utah, Zion is the most visited of the Utah Mighty Five, and one of the most popular national parks in the US. And there is good reason for its popularity.
Pine trees dot the landscape in clusters and towering red rock cliffs rise on either side of Zion Canyon. Carving through the center is the crystal clear Virgin River.
This National park offers strenuous hikes, like the famed Angel’s Landing, as well as easy walks the whole family can enjoy. Hike through a slot canyon on The Narrows trail or take on The Subway, one of the most unique geological features in the park.
Check out our full guide to Zion National Park.
More places to visit in Utah
Would you believe that even outside of the Utah Mighty Five there are still tons of interesting and unique landscapes to discover in Utah!?
If you’re flying into Utah from elsewhere, you’ll likely start your journey in Salt Lake City. You’ll want to check out the salt flats of the great Salt Lake and maybe make a stop in Park City along the way.
If you’re coming to Utah from Colorado (Moab is just an hour west of Grand Junction), you’ll want to check out Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley State Park.
In southern Utah, places like Monument Valley and Lake Powell are a real draw. You might want to make a stop at Antelope Canyon while you’re there. And don’t miss Grand Staircase-Escalante and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Especially if you are coming or going through Arizona.
We have an entire article dedicated to planning your Utah road trip with lots of extra places to see.
Extend your road trip to see more epic places on the West Coast!
If you have more time on your hands and would like to add a few more states to your road trip adventure, consider driving west and making a pitstop in Las Vegas. We even wrote up an article on how to visit Las Vegas on a budget so you don’t break the bank!
Next, head directly to Los Angeles to see one of the most iconic cities in the United States. But don’t stop there!
Head north on route 1 from LA to San Francisco for an epic road trip. You’ll see beaches and cute towns along the way, and you’ll end up in San Fran – perhaps our favorite big city in the US.
Planning a trip to the Utah Mighty Five?
Check out all these Utah National Park guides on our sister site, Go Wander Wild!
- Here’s a great resource for the best hikes in Zion National Park.
- You won’t want to miss hiking The Narrows.
- Check out this list of best hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park.
- Hiking Navajo Loop and Queens Garden was our favorite hike in Bryce.
- Combine your trip with our ultimate Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary.
- Canyonlands has some pretty epic hikes.
- If you do one thing, hike to Mesa Arch at sunrise!
- This list of best hikes in Arches National Park will come in handy.
- These are the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park.
Love exploring USA National Parks?
Us too—in fact, we’re kind of obsessed with them!
We have tons of articles, guides, and itineraries for just about every national park we’ve visited. Browse our USA National Parks homepage or click on one of our national park guides below.
- Acadia National Park, ME
- Death Valley National Park, CA & NV
- Glacier National Park, MT
- Grand Teton National Park, WY
- Joshua Tree National Park, CA
- North Cascades National Park, WA
- Olympic National Park, WA
- Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
- Yellowstone National Park, WY
- Yosemite National Park, CA
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We want to hear from you!
Have you been to any of the Utah Mighty Five National Parks? What was your favorite part? Are you planning a trip and still have questions? Comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!
“The ‘Utah Mighty Five’ is truly a dream lineup for nature lovers! Each park has its own unique beauty, from the stunning arches in Arches National Park to the breathtaking views in Zion. I can’t wait to explore all the hiking trails and soak in those amazing landscapes!”
If you had to pick one park to visit, which one would you pick?!
This is super helpful! We are planning a BIG 5 Utah trip this coming spring if Covid allows so we will make sure to bookmark this. Thanks!
Utah parks is the best park we got as I travelled twice there. Plus the vacation homes in Moab are one mesmerizing one. We took a room near the park area from Esvrm.com and the view was amazing.
Thanks for sharing all the other parks will try to cover next year as I love nature.
Is it okay to drive around mighty 5 using 26 ft RV ?
YES! I’ve rented a larger RV From Sphere Rental and we had no trouble getting around!
The Utah parks are some of my favorites, especially Arches. This is a great post!
We’d love to go back again someday (maybe not in the heat of summer!) haha
Hey guys, will be visiting the Big 5 in October, any advice on places to stay/camp? We wil be travelling in a camper van with a 1 year old.
Logan
There are plenty of campsites around each of the different National Parks in Utah. You can book your spots in advance through the park’s websites. Sounds like a blast bringing a little one to Utah’s National Parks!
I had a great trip through the big five and the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago–definitely recommend swinging through the State parks too–in particular would recommend Goblin state park and Edge of the Cedars…………check out some off the beaten path places like Sego canyon and Sand Island Petroglyphs………..so many amazing places………so beautiful!
Thanks for the tips Cindy! State Parks are great too. We really wanted to go to Goblin State Park but just didn’t have the time. We’ll have to check those places out next time we’re traveling in Utah!