5-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.