Ultimate Utah National Parks Road Trip: Explore Utah’s Mighty 5
Utah is gifted with a diverse landscape and teeming natural beauty. If you visit the state, make sure you don’t miss Utah’s Mighty 5. Whether you’re a nature lover or not, you will be in awe of the natural marvel that awaits you in the ultimate Utah national parks road trip featuring 5 of the must-visit parks.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is one of the most well-known national parks in Utah. Located in Moab, it is popular not just in Utah, but throughout the country. This is one of the most unique parks from the Mighty 5 because of the famous arches where it got its name from.
The good thing is that Arches National Park is easily accessible. It is only a 15-minute drive from Moab, Utah. The cost of entry into the park is only $30 per private vehicle. Since there are no shuttles that operate here, you must bring your own car to get here. It’s worth the drive, though, because you will be passing through an 18-mile long scenic road.
The sandstone arches are the primary attraction in this park. In fact, there are over 2,000 of them that are naturally formed over millions of years. Aside from the natural stone arches, you can also find other natural features like cliffs, pinnacles, and balanced rocks. They have a bright orange-red hue to them that makes them very photogenic.
If you are visiting Arches National Park for a day tour, make sure to traverse the scenic road and stop along some famous viewpoints. Some of the notable hikes in the park are the Double Arch, Park Avenue, and the Balanced Rock. Since there are many options out there, you can find the best hikes in Arches National Park that are suited to your skill level and hiking experience.
Bryce Canyon National Park
The next must-see national park in the ultimate Utah road trip is Bryce Canyon National Park. Located in southwestern Utah, this national park is rather small (in comparison to the other parks in the Mighty 5 list). It officially became known as a national park in 1924 and was named after the Mormon Pioneer Ebenezer Bryce.
This national park is famous for its unique geology that is composed of natural horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters. Most of these formations are formed at the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. There are many viewpoints in Bryce Canyon National Park that you can go to marvel at the stunning formations.
If you are taking a private vehicle, you have to pay $35 to gain entry into the park. You can self-drive through the park and make stops along the famous viewpoints such as Inspiration Point and Sunset Point. The eroded sandstone towers (famously referred to as hoodoos) are the largest collection of its kind in the world.
Bryce Canyon National Park is at an elevation of 8,000 to 9,000 feet. Hence, this is a great spot for some winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Canyonlands National Park
Another national park to check near Moab in southwestern Utah is Canyonlands National Park. This national park is unique and is divided into three sections: Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. It has a couple of visitor centers that you can check out if you want to learn more about the geologic and natural history of the park.
Like Arches National Park, the cost of entry to this park is $30 per private vehicle. The best way to explore this park is by driving yourself through some of the highlights of the park and notable viewpoints. It’s also a convenient way to get from one section of the park to another since there is approximately a 60-mile distance between them.
Canyonlands is, obviously, known for its canyons and buttes. It also has other natural features such as rivers, arches, and spires. As mentioned above, the park is divided into three sections. Each section has distinct natural formations, so it is a good idea to visit all three sections.
If you are looking for the best hikes in Canyonlands National Park, head to the White Rim Road in the Sky section. This trail is 100-mile long and also a popular destination for mountain biking.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is located in Torrey, Utah. It is another addition to the state’s massive collection of impressive national parks and monuments. It is not as well-known as other national parks, but that does not make it any less impressive. It’s safe to say, if this national park were located in any other state, it would definitely be more popular! The saturated amount of national parks that are all equally impressive can be attributed to why this park is often overlooked.
One incentive to visit Capitol Reef National Park is that it has the cheapest entry rate of $20. It is at the heart of the red rock country in Utah; thus, you can find cliffs and canyons made with red rocks.
The main feature in this national park is the Waterpocket Fold. It is a 100-mile long wrinkle known as monocline. This natural geological formation starts in the Thousand Lakes Mountain and goes all the way to the Colorado River (Lake Powell). This park was established in order to protect and preserve this particular geologic feature, along with the rich history and culture of the area.
Zion National Park
Along with Arches National Park, Zion National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Utah. It is located in Springdale, Utah and is home to a petrified forest, waterfalls, springs, wildflowers, desert swamp, and hanging gardens. It is a wilderness that is beautifully preserved; it is also where you will find Kolob Arch – the world’s largest arch at 310 feet.
It first became a national park in 1919 and quickly gained popularity because of the impressive natural and geologic features such as the Emerald Pools, Narrows, Canyon Overlook, and more. The cost of entry to the park is $35 for private vehicles or $20 for those taking the shuttle.
The red canyons and towering mountains of Zion National Park were formed over many centuries by the Virgin River. It is also a well-known destination for avid hikers, particularly the infamous Angel’s Landing. This park is easily accessible from the town of Springdale as it is only a 5-minute drive away.
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