Travel Guides
Travel Guides
Explore Utah's Mighty Five National Parks
Embark on an epic RV trip throughout Utah's Mighty Five National Parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion.
Overview
The western United States is brimming with opportunities for RVing and outdoor recreation. This region is home to countless national parks and natural wonders, including Utah's renowned 'Mighty Five'.
The Mighty Five is comprised of five popular national parks— Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. The appeal of these iconic destinations is in their unique and diverse geological wonders, the numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, and the region’s breathtaking natural beauty.
Experience the wonders of the Mighty Five using the itinerary provided below:
Day 1
Zion National Park
Zion National Park. Photo credit to the National Park Service.
Explore Zion National Park
Kick off an RV exploration of the Mighty Five at Zion National Park, where you and your companions can hike The Narrows—the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. Note that a journey through this steep gorge involves hiking in the Virgin River. You can also view The Narrows by hiking along the paved, wheelchair accessible Riverside Walk for one mile from the Temple of Sinawava.
Visit Fort Zion
Fort Zion is a fun stop for visitors to explore before they head into Zion National Park. Built to resemble one of Utah's old Western frontier towns, Fort Zion includes a petting zoo, a gift shop selling cowboy trinkets and Native American crafts, an ice cream parlor, and a restaurant that offers buffalo, elk, and even rattlesnake burgers.
Enjoy Local Coffee
Foodie RVers can stop by FeelLove Coffee, a local coffee shop with locations in Utah and Colorado. FeelLove Coffee specializes in artisan espresso, coffee, and premium loose-leaf teas. Additionally, this eatery offers a variety of diet-friendly options, including gluten-free, vegan, and keto dishes.
Campground Recommendation:
Watchman Campground is located next to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and ¼ mile away from the South Entrance in Springdale, UT. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a picnic table, and access to a fire ring. Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance.
Contact Information:
Phone Number: (435) 772-3256
Day 2
Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park. Photo credit to the National Park Service.
Hike Through Zion National Park
Start your second day in Zion National Park with a sunrise hike to Canyon Overlook, a moderate, 1-mile trail on the East Side of Zion. Follow that up with a drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which provides direct access for travel between Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks.
Hike the Pa’rus Trail
For those eager to explore even more of Zion National Park, visit the Pa’rus Trail. This paved trail connects the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Canyon Junction. It is accessible for wheelchairs, pets on leashes, and bicycles.
Trailside exhibits highlight a variety of subjects, including local plant and animal life, geology, and human history. Additionally, the Pa'rus makes a good location for watching the sunset, stargazing, and astrophotography.
Campground Recommendation:
Stop off at Ruby’s Inn Campground in Bryce Canyon (just under two hours’ drive time). This location has parking available for RVs. All of the 250 shady and open campsites have electricity and water, as well as large pull-through areas for the driver’s ease and comfort.
Amenities at Ruby’s Inn Campground include hot showers, a camper store, free Wi-Fi, pool, hot tub, laundromat, and more. Campsite visitors can enjoy ATV rides, live country music, horse rides, rodeos, and more.
Contact Information:
Address: 300 South Main Street Box 640022, Bryce, UT 84764
Phone Number: 435-834-5301
Day 3
Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park's Hickman Bridge. Photo credit to the National Park Service.
Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Start your day in Bryce Canyon by hitting the highlights— including a hike through the Queens Garden. This is the least difficult of the trails descending from the rim into the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. This out-and-back trail leads to the Queen Victoria hoodoo (a grand column of weathered rock), located at the end of a short spur trail.
This trail is commonly combined with the Navajo Loop Trail to create a 2.9-mile round-trip trail where you can descend at Sunrise Point and ascend at Sunset Point. The Navajo Loop has two sides: Two Bridges and Wall Street. The Two Bridges side is open year-round, while Wall Street side is closed during the winter months.
Visit Capitol Reef National Park
But wait, there’s more! Capitol Reef National Park is a couple of hours’ drive from Bryce Canyon National Park. A popular route is Utah’s iconic Highway 12, known for its beautiful scenery. Like the other Mighty Five national parks, Capitol Reef is full of cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges. It is also home to the renowned Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (wrinkle in the earth) that extends nearly 100 miles.
Stop by the Gifford House
After all this travel, take a break and reward yourself with a fruit pie at the nearby Gifford House. This historical landmark, which demonstrates the early Mormon settlement of the Fruita valley, is located just one mile south of the Capital Reef Visitor’s Center, and is open seasonally from March 14 (Pi Day) through the end of November each year.
The Gifford House depicts the typical spartan nature of rural Utah farm homes of the early 1900s. In addition to the farmhouse, the Gifford homestead includes a barn, smokehouse, garden, pasture, and rock walls.
Hike the Hickman Bridge
Another iconic Capital Reef location is the Hickman Bridge. The trailhead to Hickman Bridge offers hikers a beautiful and easy trek up to a large natural arch. This natural bridge sits over 300 feet above the Fremont River and Highway 24. This landmark also offers a view of Fruita, and the mouth of Cohab Canyon, another popular geographical landmark.
Campground Recommendation
Rest at the nearby Fruita Campground, which is often described as an oasis within the desert. This location has 71 campsites, each with a picnic table and firepit and/or above ground grill. Note that campers would be dry camping. Restrooms feature running water and flush toilets, but no showers. Accessible sites are located adjacent to restrooms. Additionally, reservations can be made six months in advance.
Alternatively, RVers can boondock in nearby Hanksville, UT, located in Wayne County, UT. Learn more about what this area has to offer here.Contact Information:
Address: HC 70, Box 15, Torrey, UT 84775
Phone Number: 435-425-3791
Day 4
Arches National Park
Arches National Park's Turret Arch. Photo credit to the National Park Service.
Visit Arches National Park
Make an early start to Arches National Park (two hours’ drive time from Fruita Campground) to catch the sunrise at Park Avenue Viewpoint, the first scenic stop of Arches National Park.
There’s no shortage of activities to engage in throughout the day. One highlight is The Windows (a large concentration of arches and one of the most scenic locations in the park). Landmarks in this area include the Double Arch (the tallest and second-longest arch in the park) and the Turret Arch (a stunning free-standing arch that offers incredible views).
Enjoy Lunch at Canyon Pizza Co
Looking for local lunchtime eateries? Check out Canyon Pizza Co! This locally owned and operated restaurant serves delicious pizzas made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Canyon Pizza Co. has three locations in Utah; the closest to Arches National Park is the Moab, UT, branch, just five miles away. Happy eating!
Visit the Delicate Arch
Close out the day at the Delicate Arch. This is the largest free-standing arch in the park and one of the most famous geological features in the world.
At Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, you can walk a level 100 yards to see the arch from one mile away. Nearby, the Upper Viewpoint (0.5 mi) offers a slightly less obstructed view.
The trail to see Delicate Arch up close and personal is 3 miles round-trip and climbs 480 feet. Along this steadily uphill trail, you'll also pass Wolfe Ranch cabin and a wall of Ute Native American petroglyphs.
Campground Recommendation:
Devil’s Garden Campground is the only campground at Arches National Park. Standard campsites can be reserved up to six months in advance for stays March 1-October 31. Between November 1 and February 28, sites are first-come, first-served.
The site is 18 miles from the park entrance. Campers would be dry camping at this location. Facilities include drinking water, picnic tables, grills, and both pit-style and flush toilets.
Contact Information:
Address: PO Box 907, Moab, UT 84532
Phone Number: 435 719-2299
Day 5
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park. Photo credit to the National Park Service.
Visit Canyonlands National Park
To conclude your journey through the Mighty Five, visit Canyonlands National Park, an hour’s drive time from the Devil’s Campground.
After arriving, make sure to stop at the Shafer Canyon Overlook. This entails a short, easy walk down some stairs, and offers incredible views over Canyonlands National Park. The best time to go is in the afternoon, while the sun is behind you while you’re enjoying the view. The trail begins and ends at the Shafter Trail parking lot on Grand Viewpoint Road.
Hike to the Mesa Arch
This stunning 27-foot-long arch frames views of the canyon far below and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. Mesa Arch is one of most photographed arches in southeast Utah. This location is especially popular at sunrise, and with photographers. This also offers an opportunity for a short, easy hike, with a 0.6 mi roundtrip.
View the Sunset at Green River Overlook
Catch the sunset over the Green River Outlook, which faces southwest. The Green River divides the Island in the Sky District from the Maze District.
Campground Recommendation:
An ideal accommodation for the final night is the Island in the Sky Campground. The 12 sites at this location are first-come, first-serve. The campground is open year-round. The spectacular Green River Overlook is nearby.
The nightly camping fee is $15 per site. Sites fill quickly in spring through fall. There are toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings are available. Drinking water is available outside the visitor center spring through fall.
Contact Information:
Address: 2282 Resource Blvd., Moab, UT 84532
Phone Number: 435-719-2313
Short on Time?
Only have time for a quick trip? Here are the must-sees, which can be done in 2-3 days, depending on hiking pace and campground distances:
1) Arches National Park: Delicate Arch
2) Canyonlands National Park: Mesa Arch
3) Capitol Reef National Park: Scenic Drive & Fruita Historic District
4) Bryce Canyon National Park: Bryce Amphitheater (Sunrise or Sunset Point)
5) Zion National Park: Pa'rus Trail + Fort Zion as a bonus roadside stop!
Final Thoughts
Utah's iconic Mighty Five deliver an RV adventure unlike any other. Expect awe-inspiring geological formations, boundless outdoor beauty, and breathtaking scenery, all available just beyond your door.
