Utah's Mighty 5 — Trip Planning Guide

Utah's five national parks sit on a single loop of about 500 miles, from the slot canyons of Zion to the arches outside Moab. Seeing them well means planning around shuttles, heat, long drives and parking lots that fill before 9 a.m. This guide covers everything around the hikes, so you arrive with a plan.

What's inside

• When to go — every season, heat, crowds and seasonal road access
• Getting there and around — airports, drive times between the parks, and 2026 park fees and rules
• Where to stay — Springdale, Bryce Canyon City, Torrey, Moab and every park campground
• 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries built around the 10 best day hikes
• Beyond hiking — Scenic Byway 12, the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway, Island in the Sky, Fruita and dark skies
• Six safety rules for the desert
• A fillable packing list and trip planner, with day-by-day and budget pages

Pairs with the GPX Route Collection

Every hike in the itineraries is numbered to match our Utah's Mighty 5 — 10 Best Day Hikes GPX collection. Get both together in the Utah's Mighty 5 Trip Pack and save.

Instant digital download

Letter, A4 and mobile editions, delivered immediately after purchase. Information current as of September 2026.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons — full credits in the guide. Conditions change — always follow current park guidance.