10+ Of The Best Utah Road Trips: Amazing National Parks and More

(Last Updated On: January 11, 2023)

Utah contains many hidden gems scattered throughout the state and the “Mighty 5” National Parks. Most of the population lives in Salt Lake City and another large amount in St. George. Although one of the smaller states, there are quite a few cool sites to see around Utah. Some of the best Utah road trips connect these awesome sites to see.

The Best Utah Road Trips from Las Vegas

Las Vegas to Zion via Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon

A view of the Hoodads of Bryce Canyon. #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By James from Parks Collecting

One of the best Utah road trips is a loop starting and ending in Las Vegas.  Although the entire trip is not in Utah, most of the highlights are. The trip is 510 miles plus an extra 193 if you do the side trip to Grand Canyon’s north rim. I recommend at least a week for the whole trip.

From Las Vegas, head north to the Valley of Fire, named for the fiery color of the rocks.  You can do a 16-mile one-way loop through the park, but it is also worth taking the 6-mile each way White Domes Road.  There are some easy hikes you can do and make a full day of it. 

Then continue on to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is famous for the hoodoos (sandstone pillars) that crowd the area, especially the Bryce Amphitheater.  They create an otherworldly landscape that has to be seen to be believed.  There is a scenic drive with several lookouts, and an easy rim walk around the main area.  It is also worth hiking down into the canyon, where you will be surrounded by incredible hoodoos.  Spend a couple of days there at least.

Then hop back in your car.  Two hours away is Mt Carmel Junction. From there, you can take a side tour for another two hours to the Grand Canyon’s north rim.  This is much less visited than the south rim and makes a great stop on this road trip though.  Spend the day enjoying the views before heading back to Mt Carmel Junction. From there, it is just 45 minutes through a major section of Zion National Park to Springdale, the main gateway town to the park.

You can easily spend 3-4 days on Zion.  There are plenty of amazing hikes to do in Zion, including the legendary Angels Landing and The Narrows.  You can also go tubing, and canyoneering nearby. Then it is just a short 2.5-hour drive back to Vegas and the end of this compact, but epic Utah road trip featuring some of the best scenery in the US.

The Best Utah Road Trips from Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City to Las Vegas, Nevada

A view of Zion National Park. #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Nichole from Nichole the Nomad

One of the best Utah road trips travels through Utah’s Mighty 5! The road trip begins by flying into Salt Lake City, traveling through all five of Utah’s national parks, and flying out of Las Vegas, totaling over 900 miles. I recommend planning for 7-10 days for your Utah road trip to give you plenty of time to visit every national park and all they have to offer. The Mighty 5 road trip is one of the best Utah road trips to see its diverse and beautiful landscape! 

This ultimate Utah road trip heads south to Moab to explore Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. It then heads west to the most underrated national park in Utah, Capitol Reef National Park. The road trip continues southwest to Utah’s most visited national parks, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. I recommend allocating at least 1-2 days in each national park, so you can explore everything they have to offer. Some of the most beautiful hikes in Utah are in its national parks, so you should add an extra day to the parks you will be hiking. Here are the must-see sights in each national park:

Arches National Park

  • Park Avenue Trail
  • Delicate Arch
  • Devils Garden Loop
  • The Windows and Double Arch

Canyonlands National Park

  • Shafer Canyon Overlook
  • Mesa Arch
  • Green River Overlook
  • Grand View Point Overlook

Capitol Reef National Park

  • Hickman Natural Bridge
  • Cassidy Arch
  • Capitol Gorge
  • Goosenecks Overlook and Sunset Point

Bryce Canyon National Park

  • Fairyland Loop
  • Navajo Loop
  • Bryce Point
  • Yovimpa Point and Rainbow Point

Zion National Park

  • Canyon Overlook
  • The Narrows
  • Angels Landing
  • Observation Point

If you are looking to explore the diverse and incredible landscape of Southern Utah, the Mighty 5 road trip is the best Utah road trip for you!

Salt Lake City to Dinosaur National Monument

Three bison in a field #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Lina of Bucket List Places

Salt Lake City is best known as the jump-off city for the best snow on earth. Once you have completed the most epic skiing West Coast road trip, you will arrive in Salt Lake City ready to explore nature and history. From Salt Lake City, head out on one of the best Utah road trips. From Salt Lake City, only an hour and a half north of town, there is a hidden gem on an island out in the Great Salt Lake. Antelope Island is a beautiful state park with spanning views of the lake and the giant mountains on the horizon. But the real treat is the hundred-strong bison herd that calls this park home.

From here head east and hit route 40, you will cruise through Park City in case you want to hit the slopes one more time or explore the area in the summer. Continue on for a few more hours and you will arrive in Vernal, Utah, and a curiously named town of Dinosaur, Utah. The latter is a not so veiled clue of what all the fuss is about in the area.

They are the two areas of the Dinosaur National Monument, an amazing place where you can see petroglyphs from ancient tribes, and for an even deeper dive into history, there are 1,500 dinosaur fossils exposed in a rock wall that you can see up-close. The total trip takes 312 miles and is best done over 3 or 4 days. The trip here is as beautiful as the destinations.

Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park

A view of a mountain by a lake surrounded by trees. #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Mark and Kristen of Where are Those Morgans

Utah is filled with scenic drives, dramatic landscapes, and oceans of orange rock formations. If you look to the North, Utah is also a gateway into Wyoming, where orange rocks turn into snow-capped mountains and superheated geothermal geysers.

Salt Lake City is ideally located as the perfect starting point for an unforgettable 7 days Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks road trip. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone is one of the best Utah road trips. Salt Lake City International Airport welcomes both domestic and international travelers, where you can hire a car and hit the road or if you have time, spend a day in Salt Lake City walking around Temple Square and visiting the Tabernacle.

Make a stop at Bear Lake on the border between Utah and Idaho, before driving underneath the Afton Elkhorn Arch in Wyoming’s Star Valley. A scenic road following the Snake River will lead you to the world-famous ski resort Jackson, Wyoming. Use Jackson as your base for exploring spectacular and ultra-popular Grand Teton national park. Sunrise is the time to be active in Grand Teton, where Mormon Row and Schwabacher Landing are unmissable highlights.

Drive North from the Tetons into mighty Yellowstone national park, through West Thumb geyser basin, and onto Old Faithful. Spend four days being blown away by unique volcanic hot springs, bubbling mud pots, waterfalls, and billowing geysers. Do not miss Lamar and Hayden Valley for wildlife spotting opportunities.

This epic Utah road trip is not only overflowing with postcard-perfect natural landscapes but also itinerary options: You could drive one way and ditch the hire car at Bozeman or Billings airport after leaving Yellowstone for a total distance of around 500 miles. Alternatively, you could drive a further 350 miles back to SLC, refuel and hit the road South to get lost in Utah’s ocean of orange rock formations.

Salt Lake City to Mesa Verde National Park

The Mesa Verde ruins. #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Deb of The Visa Project

There are so many road trips you can take to explore the vast desert landscapes and national parks of Utah. This 1016-mile trip starts from Salt Lake City and takes a week at least. It takes you through three national parks, a state park, and some beautiful small towns. Salt Lake City to Mesa Verde National Park is one of the best Utah road trips.

From Salt Lake City drive to Moab. You can camp here for 2–3 days. The gorgeous desert landscape and the sandstone arches of Arches national park attract visitors from all over the world. After you have seen the Arches, do visit the Canyonlands for the beautiful vistas, hikes, and whitewater trips.

Your next stop will be the Mesa Verde, the only national park with well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Starting from the Huge Cliff Palace to the museum and the polygraphs, everything gives you a glimpse of ancient Native American culture.

From Mesa Verde, drive to Rifle Falls to see its triple waterfalls. Stop in the scenic mountain town of Silverton. Maybe spend a night there. 

From there, drive to the Flaming Gorge recreational area, where you can soak in the solitude of the evergreen trees of the thick Ashley National Forest overlooking the clear blue waters of the reservoir. But if you are in a mood for adventure, then go for boating, fishing, jet-skiing, and a bevy of watersports. Finally, drive for 200 miles from there to arrive in Salt Lake City.

During my time working in the USA, I lived in Salt Lake City and did countless road trips. But this one remains my favorite to this day. I love off-season travel to beat the crowds and to get a glimpse of the true essence of a place.

Salt Lake City to Zion National Park

A view of Hodoos at Bryce Canyon. #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Jessica of Uprooted Traveler

Zion is one of the most popular national parks in the state of Utah, and many travelers fly into Utah’s largest city’s airport, Salt Lake City, to make the 315-mile road trip down to the southwestern part of the state for the park. While you can easily make the trip in under five hours, there is so much to see and do along the way that it would be a waste to zip past it all. Salt Lake City to Zion National Park is one of the best Utah road trips.

Consider spreading the drive out over 4 days- kick off your trip by exploring Salt Lake City, from its growing craft beer scene (Kiitos Brewing and Proper Brewing are great places to start) or more traditional attractions, like Temple Square, the headquarters of the Church of Latter-day Saints.  

Once you’ve gotten your fill of Utah’s more urban side, make the 102-mile drive to the Little Sahara Recreation Area, a 60,000-acre park filled with towering sand dunes and mountain views. Here, you can try to either hike up the tallest dune, Sand Mountain or rent an ATV to tackle those hills! 

Camp out amongst the sand dunes and then, make your way to Mystic Hot Springs, a series of hot springs that have been turned, in part, into a hippie art exhibit in the middle of Utah’s desert landscape. Once you get a good soak in, make your way down to Bryce Canyon National Park. You should be able to catch the sunset over the canyon! 

The next day, wake up bright and early to explore Bryce Canyon’s unique hoodoos (tall, thin rock spires)- some epic hikes here are Queen’s Garden, Navajo Trail, and Fairyland Loop. In the evening, head to your final destination- Zion National Park. You could spend up to a week exploring the beautiful park grounds- from the bucket list-worthy hikes like the Narrows and Angel’s Landing to the more, off-the-beaten-path trails, like Observation Point via East Mesa Trail.

The Best Utah Road Trips to take from within Utah

Highway 12

Some rocks at Bryce Canyon in the wintertime. #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Erika of Erika’s Travels

Utah’s Highway 12 is one of the most striking road trip destinations in the American Southwest. The scenic drive connects Bryce Canyon with Capitol Reef’s Fruita District. Between the two national parks, the road cuts through southern Utah’s vast Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Route 12 begins in Utah’s Red Canyon, 10 miles west of Bryce. In total, it links two national parks, one national monument, and three state parks. It also bypasses the Calf Creek National Recreation Area and the Dixie National Forest. 

Beyond Bryce, the road continues through Grand Staircase-Escalante and acts as the springboard for adventures into the surrounding red rock desert. Short detours to Grosvenor Arch and Kodachrome Basin State Park are well worthwhile.

Though Utah’s Highway 12 is chock-full of roadside attractions, there are many instances in which the road itself is the primary draw. The Hogback is an infamous stretch of Highway 12 that traces a mountain spine for eleven miles. On each side of the road, a 1,000-foot drop affords vertigo-inducing views over the area’s cliffs and canyons.

Beyond the Hogback, the road begins a hair-raising ascent up Boulder Mountain—the highest point in Utah’s Grand Staircase. Viewpoints atop Boulder Mountain showcase the sprawling red rock wonderland of Capitol Reef.

Excluding time spent in the national parks, Highway 12 requires a minimum of one full day of sightseeing. Inclusive of the parks, four to five days would be an ideal amount of time. However, if you have a week or more, the opportunities for adventure are as endless as the red rock scenery.

Arches to Capitol Reef

Rocks next to a flower field. #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Ale of Sea, Salt, and Fog

Utah is full of beautiful scenery that makes road tripping through the state special. A stretch of Utah that does not get all the love it deserves is between Arches and Capitol Reef National Park, on Highway 24. It is one of the best Utah road trips.  

This 130-mile road trip will take you from the stunning red rocks of Arches to the deep canyons and lush scenery of Capitol Reef. However, one of the best reasons for doing this road trip is to visit Goblin Valley. This state park is made up of really cool, mushroom-shaped rock formations that’ll make you feel like you’re on another planet. The best part of the park is wandering through the valley of goblins – you create your own adventure and are free to explore as you please.  

Also, Goblin Valley also has some of the darkest night skies around, making the stargazing here top-notch. Bonus: you can stay in a yurt overnight! This area of Utah is also home to some amazing slot canyons like Little Wild Horse, which doesn’t get the same kind of traffic as more popular ones. 

After you leave Goblin Valley, the scenery on Highway 24 only gets better. The rock formations here are pretty colorful, with stripes of purples visible in some of them. Once you make it to Capitol Reef, you’ll want to follow a Capitol Reef day itinerary to ensure you don’t miss anything. Planning to spend at least one full day in each park, you’ll need to budget about 3 days for this road trip, you won’t regret it. 

The Best Utah Road Trips to take from out of State

San Jose, California to Escalante, Utah

A road into Zion National Park covered in snow. #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Jyoti of Story at Every Corner

One of the best Utah road trips is from San Jose, California to Escalante, Utah. In total it will take you 5-10 days to go the 823 miles. 

The route has many amazing places to stop along the way. You could spend one or more days in Las Vegas. More importantly, the route has some incredible parks such as Mojave National Preserve, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon Parashant, Zion National Park, Dixie National Forest, Bryce National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and many more. Each of these locations deserves a day or half a day stop along the way. 

This is a great road trip because it has so much to see and do. The highways are well maintained and have plenty of rest stops and restaurants. You have the flexibility to drive through directly to Utah in a day or take plenty of breaks or overnight stays. You can stay in any kind of accommodation of your choice. 

The most challenging part of the trip will be deciding where to stay, what to see, and what to skip. One awesome plan would be to create a home base in Escalante to enjoy adventure activities in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP, and Capitol Reef NP

Denver, Colorado to Moab, Utah

A rock arch at Arches National Park in Utah #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Julia of The Cure for Curiosity

If you are into mountains, hiking, rock arches, and stunning canyons, then a road trip from Denver to Moab is for you. It is one of the best Utah road trips. This 355-mile drive will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. While the drive can be done in just 5.5 hours, you will want to stop and explore the amazing towns and vistas along the way and spend some time in both endpoints. Because of this, plan about a week for this short but epic road trip.  

You will start your trip by weaving through the Rocky Mountains just west of Denver, through famous ski resort towns like Breckenridge and Vail, which are both worth a stop, before coming to Glenwood Springs. Glenwood Springs is famous for its hot springs, including the world’s largest hot springs pool, its natural Vapor Caves, and its strenuous but breathtaking 3-mile hike up to Hanging Lake. 

From Glenwood Springs, continue to Colorado Wine Country just east of Grand Junction. You will find 27 wineries and vineyards in this area, so if you are looking for someplace to stay overnight, this is a great option. Then you can have a couple of glasses of wine and not have to drive! Just a little further and you’ll get to the impressive views of the Colorado National Monument before entering into Utah.

From here, there are two different roads you can take into Moab: Route 128 and 191. Take Route 128 for the more scenic route as you descend into your final destination. Moab is the best base for exploring nearby Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. It is the perfect location for any outdoor enthusiast!

Trail of the Ancients: Southeast Utah to Colorado

A view of Mesa Verde in Colorado. #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

By Megan of Red Around the World

One of the most unique and best Utah road trips is Trail of the Ancients which passes through southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado taking you to countless amazing sites featuring the native history of the area.  This is a particularly great road trip for history buffs and anyone that loves archaeology.  

There is not an official route, but 300-400 miles of driving will be about right to see the sights, not including driving to and from the airport.  If you just want to do Trail of the Ancients, I would try to fly in and out of Cortez, Colorado.  Start your trip off at Mesa Verde National Park to enjoy the Anasazi ruins.  There are so many other stops you could make, some of the main ones are Hovenweep and Canyons of the Ancients National Monuments, Monument Valley, Cedar Mesa, and Blanding, Utah.  

Some of the hikes and spots not to miss near these places include Edge of the Cedars State Park, Ute Mountain Tribal Park, River Ruin and Upper Sand Island petroglyphs in Bluff, House on Fire ruins, Butler Wash ruins, Five Kiva Pueblo in Blanding, Valley of the Gods, or Natural Bridges National Monument.  

There are so many amazing ruins you can hike to in this area and on Cedar Mesa.  Some are easier to get to than others but they’re all worth visiting.  Fall will be the best time for this trip because the weather is perfect and the crowds aren’t as bad as in the summer.   A few of the parks and areas get snow or have limited access in winter, so it’s not perfect but it will be the least busy.  Summer will be the busiest but most of these places aren’t as busy or popular as the big national parks.  Spring can be pretty windy but temperatures are perfect.  

This is a really unique road trip in a part of Utah that often gets overlooked for other parts of the state but it’s an amazing area, especially for history lovers.

Moab to Montrose, Colorado

Driving from Moab to Montrose is one of the best Utah road trips you can take. Opt to spend at least 5 days on this road trip. Start your trip in Moab, the gateway to two awesome National Parks. Spend at least three days here so you can explore Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. 

Then, head to Grand Junction, Colorado, which will take about 2 hours to drive the 113 miles to get there. In Grand Junction, you will not want to miss Colorado National Monument, which preserves some of the America West. Full of plateaus and canyons with major cliffs, you will not be sorry if you spend at least half a day exploring the park. 

Grand Junction is also home to Colorado’s wine region. I recommend stopping at Hermosa Vineyards and Restoration Vineyards. Both of them had delicious wine and tasting only cost $10. Stop for the night in Grand Junction if you want more time for wine tasting. 

Finally, drive another hour (60 miles) to get to Montrose. Montrose is the gateway to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It takes about 20 minutes to drive there from Montrose. In the park, make sure to check out the views from Gunnison Point and the Pulpit Rock Overlook. 

This Utah road trip will hit some really awesome National Parks and you cannot beat sampling some wine. If you have more time, you can always head to Telluride, popular for skiing in the wintertime.

Shaka Guide

Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the Utah Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.

You will want at least a week to go on some of these best Utah road trips. If you have extra time, check out some of the best road trips in Arizona, California, and Oregon.

Although one of the smaller states, there are quite a few cool sites to see around Utah. Some of the best Utah road trips connect these awesome sites to see. From the Mighty 5 to state parks, Utah has it all. #zion #arches #capitolreef #canyonlands #brycecanyon #goblinvalley #mesaverde #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks
Although one of the smaller states, there are quite a few cool sites to see around Utah. Some of the best Utah road trips connect these awesome sites to see. From the Mighty 5 to state parks, Utah has it all. #zion #arches #capitolreef #canyonlands #brycecanyon #goblinvalley #mesaverde #utah #utahroadtrip #utahparks

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Jackson
3 years ago

Great post. Road trips on mountains will be an amazing road trip. Thanks for sharing this great post with us. Utah looks like a wonderful place to visit, and I will definitely visit this place in 2021.

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