10-Day Utah Mighty 5 Itinerary

Pick up your rental car and drive to Springdale

Collect a car at Las Vegas airport and take I-15 north through St. George to Springdale, about 160 miles. Stock up on water and snacks in St. George; Salt Lake City arrivals can reverse this route.

Check in at a Springdale hotel or lodge

Springdale sits right at Zion's south entrance, so you can leave the car at your hotel and ride the free town shuttle to the park.

Pa'rus Trail and Riverside Walk

Ride the park shuttle into Zion Canyon and stroll the flat Riverside Walk to the mouth of The Narrows, or bike the paved Pa'rus Trail along the Virgin River.

Sunset at the Watchman and dinner in Springdale

Catch the evening light on the Watchman from the Canyon Junction bridge, then have dinner on Springdale's main street, where patios face the canyon walls.

Early shuttle to your main hike

Board one of the first shuttles and hike Angels Landing if you won a permit, or Scout Lookout without one. In summer, wade upstream into The Narrows instead.

Weeping Rock and Big Bend viewpoints

Hop off at shorter stops such as Big Bend and Weeping Rock for the canyon's best roadside views while the trails get busier.

Emerald Pools trail in the heat of the day

The Lower and Middle Emerald Pools trails offer shade, waterfalls in spring and an easy 2-3 mile walk, a good choice for tired legs.

Relaxed dinner and stargazing in Springdale

Eat in town, then step away from the lights for stars over the canyon. Zion has very dark skies on moonless nights.

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and the tunnel

Drive east on Route 9 through the 1.1-mile tunnel and slickrock country, stopping at Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile round trip) if parking allows. Large RVs need a tunnel escort permit.

Continue via US-89 and Scenic Byway 12 to Bryce

Head north on US-89 and turn onto Scenic Byway 12 through Red Canyon's red-rock tunnels to Bryce Canyon City, roughly 85 miles from Springdale.

Bryce Canyon rim drive and viewpoints

Check in near the park, then drive or ride the seasonal shuttle to Inspiration, Bryce and Sunset points for your first look at the amphitheater.

Sunset over the hoodoos and dinner

Watch the hoodoos glow from Sunset Point or Paria View, then have dinner in Bryce Canyon City or Tropic. Bring a jacket; it cools fast at 8,000 feet.

Sunrise at Sunrise Point, then Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden

Watch first light at Sunrise Point, then hike the combined Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trail, about 3 miles with a steady climb back to the rim.

Breakfast in Tropic or Bryce Canyon City

Refuel at a diner or cafe near the park and fill the tank, since services are sparse until Boulder and Torrey.

Scenic Byway 12 through Escalante and the Hogsback

Drive about 2.5 hours to Torrey on Scenic Byway 12, past Escalante and along the knife-edge Hogsback ridge. Stop at Head of the Rocks overlook and Lower Calf Creek if time allows.

Check in to Torrey and watch the cliffs glow

Torrey is a small, friendly base with motels and cabins. Watch the sunset light Capitol Reef's cliffs and enjoy dinner in town.

Fruita, petroglyphs and the Gifford Homestead

Stop at the Fremont petroglyph panel on Highway 24, walk among the Fruita orchards and buy a fresh pie at the Gifford Homestead before they sell out.

Scenic Drive or Hickman Bridge hike

Drive the Scenic Drive to Capitol Gorge, or hike the 1.8-mile round trip to Hickman Bridge for a closer look at the Waterpocket Fold.

Drive to Moab via Hanksville and I-70

Continue east on Route 24 through Hanksville, then take I-70 and US-191 to Moab, about 2.5 hours. Fill up in Hanksville; there is little in between.

Settle into Moab for three nights

Moab has the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and brewpubs on the route. Book ahead in spring and fall, when it fills completely.

Early entry and Devils Garden

Enter at your timed-entry slot (or before it starts) and drive to Devils Garden to see Landscape Arch on an easy 1.6-mile round-trip walk before the heat builds.

Balanced Rock and the Windows section

Stop at Balanced Rock, then walk the short loops to North and South Window and Turret Arch, plus Double Arch nearby.

Midday break in Moab

Head back to town for lunch, air conditioning and a pool during the hottest hours. Your reservation lets you re-enter the same day.

Sunset hike to Delicate Arch

Hike the 3-mile round-trip trail to Delicate Arch for sunset, carry a headlamp for the walk down and plenty of water.

Mesa Arch sunrise

Leave Moab before dawn for the 40-minute drive to Island in the Sky and watch the sun light up the underside of Mesa Arch.

Grand View Point and Green River Overlook

Walk the Grand View Point rim trail and stop at the Green River Overlook for views of canyons stretching to the horizon.

Lunch and downtime in Moab

Rest in town, browse the outfitters on Main Street or book a short afternoon rafting trip on the Colorado River.

Sunset at Dead Horse Point

Drive back up to Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset over the gooseneck bend of the Colorado River, then stay for the stars.

Drive to Goblin Valley State Park

Drive about 1.5-2 hours from Moab via I-70 and Route 24 to Goblin Valley State Park. The state park charges its own entry fee.

Wander among the goblins

There are few set trails in the main valley, so you can roam freely among thousands of hoodoos, a hit with kids.

Little Wild Horse Canyon slot hike

Hike into nearby Little Wild Horse Canyon, a narrow slot canyon. Skip it if any rain is forecast, because flash floods are a real risk.

Return to Moab for dinner

Drive back to Moab for dinner and an easy evening, or overnight in Green River to break up the drive.

Drive south on US-191 and US-163

Head south through Monticello and Bluff, stopping at the Forrest Gump Point pullout on US-163 for the classic road shot. Pull fully off the road.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Pay the Navajo Nation entry fee and drive the unpaved 17-mile Valley Drive, or join a Navajo-guided tour to reach areas closed to private cars.

Guided tour or Wildcat Trail

Take a guided jeep tour with a Navajo guide, or walk the Wildcat Trail around West Mitten Butte, about 3.2 miles.

Sunset over the Mittens

Stay at a lodge in the valley or in nearby Kayenta or Mexican Hat. Note that the Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time.

Begin the drive back

Leave early for Las Vegas via Kayenta, Page and Kanab (about 6-7 hours), or head back north to Salt Lake City (about 6 hours).

Break the drive at Horseshoe Bend or Lake Powell

On the Las Vegas route, stretch your legs at Horseshoe Bend near Page or along Lake Powell, both short detours from the highway.

Continue via Kanab and St. George

Drive through Kanab and St. George to Las Vegas. Remember Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so clocks may change en route.

Return the car and fly home

Return your rental car at the airport and check in for your flight, ideally an evening departure to allow for the long drive.