Are you excited to be planning the best trip of your life?! Utah is home to 5 beautiful National parks and so much incredible scenery. I can’t wait for you to be blown away time and time again on this 14 day Utah National Parks road trip itinerary!!
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, so the southwest USA is my backyard. I have visited these national parks multiple times and crafted the best things to do in each park. In this incredibly detailed itinerary, you will be seeing all 5 of Utah’s Big Five national parks, tons of state parks, driving tips, restaurant recommendations, expert photography inspiration, and even a free map to download for later.
After explaining Campervans v. Hotels in each spot, I am jumping straight into the Utah road trip itinerary. At the bottom of the guide, you can see some commons questions and answers to help you plan every detail of your trip!
I can’t wait, I am so excited for you!
1,000+ miles!
18+ hours total driving!
6 National Parks!
Countless State Parks, National Monuments, and Navajo Lands!
All 5 of Utah’s Mighty 5!
Planning a trip to the Southwest? Here are some guides I think you would love!
- One Day in Bryce Canyon
- Hiking the Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon
- One Day in Arches National Park
- Things to do in Page, Arizona!
- Kayaking Antelope Canyon from Lake Powel
- One Day in Zion National Park
- Fun & Unique Things to do in Kanab, Utah!
- Jam-Packed Sedona Itinerary
- ALL LAS VEGAS ITINERARIES!
There’s a chance this free guide contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of these links, I might make a small commission (at no extra cost to you) that goes towards little Rosie’s dog treats!
Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Fly into Las Vegas & Explore Some of Vegas’s best sites!
- Day 2: Drive to Zion National Park, stopping at my FAVORITE State park on the way!
- Day 3: Full Day Exploring Zion National Park – two best hikes in the park!
- Day 4: Short Drive to Bryce Canyon, Explore Bryce Canyon!
- Day 5: Sunrise over Bryce Canyon & Drive to Capitol Reef National Park!
- Day 6: Capitol Reef Scenic Drive & Slot Canyon Hike!
- Day 7: Drive to Moab with an incredible Hidden Gem on the way!
- Day 8: Full Day Exploring Arches National Park – Seeing all the best arches!
- Day 9: Canyonlands National Park – Best Sunrise & Sunset Locations!
- Day 10: Drive to Monument Valley + Famous Tribal Park Loop!
- Day 11: Drive to Page to see Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powel!
- Day 12: Kayak Lake Powel to a hidden slot canyon along the lake!
- Day 13: Stop in Kanab for Pink Sand Dunes, Hidden Caves, Slot Canyons, and an adorable western town!
- Day 14: Drive back to Las Vegas!
Campervans v. Hotel
Campervans are easily drivable with any regular license, the size of a mini van, user friendly, and have a great set up for one or two people! If you are starting and ending your Utah National Parks road trip in Las Vegas, then there are many Campervan companies to choose from:
Camping and campervans are obviously very popular around National Parks, so there are always a bunch of camp sites to choose from. If you are on the road and are looking for camp sites, my favorite apps are Allstays & Campendium! When in doubt, you can always try to hunt down a Walmart parking lot to camp in!
If money is not a concern and you would rather do this Utah road trip comfortably, then there are tons of hotel options in each location.
I solely use Booking.com for searching for hotels. If you create a log in, you can rack up points and use the points for discounts on your future stays. Plus, they show the best photos, real customer reviews, and a really easy-to-use map feature! 🙂
Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: One Day in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the perfect hub as an adventure lover, because you are driving distance to endless sites, national parks, state parks, lakes, and natural wonders. I was born and raised in Las Vegas, so even though I’m a bit biased, I think it’s the best city in the world! 🙂
Not only is Las Vegas a perfect hub for seeing Utah National Parks, but it’s a bustling city with tons to do and a big international airport!
I would recommend spending your time in Las Vegas preparing for your road trip, hitting some good food spots (the good food spots will get sparse on this trip), and enjoying a bustling city life before heading out into the “peacefulness” of the outdoors!
Being a local, I have TONS of guides on visiting Las Vegas! Feel free to check them out for some inspiration:
- Things to do in Vegas for Couples!
- Vegas Packing List – For Ladies!
- BEST Instagram Spots in Las Vegas
- Best Things to do in Vegas Besides Gambling!
- 10 BIG Mistakes to Avoid in Las Vegas!
- Best Bars in Downtown Las Vegas
- 15 Best Day Trips from Las Vegas
- 40 FREE Things to do in Las Vegas
- Girls Guide to Las Vegas
- How to spend your 21st Birthday in Las Vegas
Instagram: @MyPerfectItinerary
Day 2: Drive From Las Vegas to Zion, Stopping in Valley Of Fire
It’s time to head to Zion National Park, one of the closest National Parks to Las Vegas! The drive from Las Vegas to Zion is roughly 2.5 hours, but I would recommend making a really awesome pit stop on the way..
Valley of Fire State park is only 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas and has incredible hiking and scenery! Even if you just do the scenic drive, I think it is worth the stop. This state park got it’s name for being incredibly hot in the summertime and having bright red rock formations, more red than any of the parks you will see on this road trip!
Some notable, short hikes that are worth checking out:
Once you arrive at Zion National Park, I would recommend catching a short hike and sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge!
Starting at the Zion Visitor’s center, you can take the beautiful stroll along the Pa’rus Trail to see the sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge! From the Visitor center to the bridge, it is a 2 mile walk each way. You might be exhausted after seeing Valley of Fire State park and driving, but this is a spot you won’t want to miss! It is by far the best (and most popular) sunset location in the park.
If you want to enjoy the sunset at this spot, plan to begin your hike about an hour before sunset! 🙂
TIP: If you don’t feel like walking all that way, there is a VERY small parking lot at the Canyon Junction Bridge that fills up very quickly around sunset. GOOD LUCK 😉
Pa’rus Trail Walk Specs
2 miles each way (~1 hour round trip)
Rated Easy
Flat and scenic trail that takes you to a beautiful viewing platform!
Day 3: Zion Exploring
Zion is an incredible National Park with so much to see! If you are only stopping by for a day or two, I would recommend seeing some of the highlights.
I have an extremely detailed One Day Zion Itinerary if you want to check that out, but here is a quick overview of what I would recommend..
Canyon Overlook Trail
MORNING:
Wake up early and drive to Canyon Overlook Trail! Keep in mind that this trail is in the east side of Zion National Park, meaning the shuttle does not go here. You are able to drive right to the trailhead and park instead of having to deal with the shuttle system.
The parking lot is extremely small and fills up very fast, which is the main reason I recommended this hike for early morning. If you pull up and the parking lot is full, just circle around a few times until you see someone come hiking back!
Canyon Overlook Hike Specs
1 mile out and back (30min – 1hr)
187 ft Elevation Gain
Rated Moderate
Can’t be afraid of heights😉
Canyon Overlook Summit
After your legs are warmed up and you’re ready for the big event of the day, head to the visitor’s center (or Springdale) to load onto the shuttles. Shuttles are REQUIRED in the high season to get around the main portion of the park. The shuttle system is quite confusing, but I explain it in loads of detail on my One Day in Zion itinerary!
The shuttle will take you to the most famous hike in the park, the Zion Narrows, where you will hike through a river in between a slot canyon. It is such a unique hike that is on everyone’s hiking bucket list!
TIP: Order a “Narrows Package” from the visitor center so you don’t have to worry about wet socks, hiking sticks, or hiking boots! I would also highly recommend buying a dry bag off Amazon to store your belongings during the hike.
Zion Narrows
Zion Narrows
I would plan to just relax after the narrows because you never know how long you are going to spend on this hike. There is not really an “end point,” so you just hike until you are ready to turn around. Plus, it’s an exhausting hike, so plan to relax afterwards!
I would grab some food and drinks at a restaurant near your hotel or campsite and catch a beautiful desert sunset! I stayed at the Zion Wildflower Glamping Resort near the park, and it was perfect!!
Zion Wildflower Resort
Day 4: Drive to Bryce Canyon
The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon is less than 1.5 hours, so if you leave fairly early you can have a full day in Bryce Canyon!
Bryce Canyon also has a shuttle system that is free for its visitors, but it is not required like the Zion shuttle is. If you have your own car, I would save yourself some time to drive to the viewpoints yourself!
Recommended Read: One Perfect Day in Bryce Canyon National Park!
MORNING / AFTERNOON:
Start your day in Bryce Canyon with the scenic drive seeing some of the famous points in the park! Something I was very shocked about with Bryce Canyon is that is surrounded by forest. Such an incredible desert landscape I would think would be surrounded by more desert, but it is surrounded by so much greenery!
Here are the stops that I stopped at and would recommend. Working your way from the back of the park, back to the visitors center:
- Natural Bridge – Farthest viewpoint from the entrance, roughly 20 minutes to get there!
- Bryce Point
- Inspiration Point
AFTERNOON / EVENING:
The Navajo Loop trail is easily the most popular hike in Bryce Canyon. I would assume at high times of the day, this trail would be absolutely packed. Even though it’s a busier trail, I definitely think it’s worth it because this hike is gorgeous and SO unique!
Only 1.3 miles in length, you start at Sunset Point and hike down into the canyon and then back up. After you pass sunset point, you will be greeted with a fork in the road making you decide which way you would rather take up or down.
I did this hike about 1.5 hours before sunset (took be 1 hour to complete with many photo stops and taking breaks on the way up). Around this time, the number of people on the hike were minimal and when I completed the hike, it was time to enjoy sunset at sunset point (the end point of the hike)!
BONUS: If you are interested in hiking the best hike in Bryce Canyon, don’t miss my full guide on the Navajo Loop Trail!
Navajo Loop Specs
1.5 miles (1hr – 1.5hrs)
515 ft Elevation Gain **a bit steep!
Rated Moderate
Day 5: Bryce in the morning, drive to Capitol Reef in the Afternoon
If you want to see a bit more of Bryce Canyon, here are some quick activities to do in the morning:
- Watch the sunrise at Sunrise Point
- Horseback Riding Tour through Bryce Canyon
- Learn the history and get some souvenirs at the Visitor Center
The drive from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef is a little over 2 hours. Many people skip over Capitol Reef because it is one of the less popular “Utah’s Mighty 5,” but I believe this park will surprise you!
Capitol Reef National Park is broken into three “districts.” Fruita (the heart of the park, most popular, easily accessible), Cathedral Valley (most scenic, need high clearance 4×4 vehicles), and Waterpocket Fold (least scenic, farthest, and least touristy). For this short itinerary, you will be exploring the Fruita district!
Once you arrive, head to Hickman’s bridge for a short and moderate hike. This is the perfect hike to do on a driving day because it is right by the entrance of the park. There is nothing worse than driving hours to arrive to a destination and then have to drive even more to get to your hike!
Hickman’s Bridge
1.7 mile out and back (1hr – 1.5hr)
416 ft Elevation Gain
Rated Moderate
After you complete your scenic hike, you can stop by to check out the petroglyphs that are only a one minute drive from Hickman’s Bridge trailhead before heading to your sunset spot of the day!
I always find it funny that every national park has a designated sunset location that they all uniquely name it, “Sunset Point.”
Creative, right?
Well.. guess where you are heading for sunset in Capitol Reef National Park.. Sunset Point!
Day 6: Capitol Reef
On your day where you don’t have to drive to another destination, you will be spending it… driving! 😉
They call it a Utah National Parks Road Trip, don’t they?!
One of the best things to do in the Fruita district is the Capitol Reef scenic drive! This 7.9 mile stretch has some of the most beautiful scenery and tons of pullout spots to explore. Here is a quick overview of what you will be doing:
- Grand Wash Trail – Located at the end point of the scenic drive. This 5 mile out and back trail is completely flat, where you hike through a wide slot canyon. Think Zion narrows without the river! I would budget around 2 hours to complete this.
- **Optional Hike at Cassidy Arch – This hike is very steep and rated moderate/difficult. To be honest, I would save your energy on this one, especially because your next stop on this Utah Road Trip Itinerary is Arches National Park!
- Lunch & Pie at Gifford House – This historic house has been turned into a bakery serving yummy pastries and famous pie for travelers! Stop in to learn about the history of the area and seen the beautiful farmhouse scenery!
Day 7: Drive to Moab
Time to explore the best area of the road trip! Arches, Canyonlands and Monument Valley are my favorite areas of Utah. And once you visit, you will quickly see why!
This area has incredible desert landscapes with slot canyons, the largest natural arches in the world, miles and miles of insane desert scenery, and so many sites in such a small area.
On your drive to Moab, you can make an optional stop to a hidden gem that looks like you landed on Mars! I haven’t made it out to this area yet (keyword here is yet), but a lot of my friends have and said it was incredible!
Located just outside of Hanksville, there is a Mars Research Station that has many hiking trails connected to it. You can not go in the Mars research station itself, but the area surrounding it is something out of this world (pun intended!).
Click here to check out images on Google – they are insane!!
The drive from Capitol Reef National Park to Moab is a little over two hours. Spend some time exploring this surprisingly cute town, doing some souvenir shopping, and grab some food!
Moab was town that completely surprised me. Usually small towns near national parks lack cute boutiques, food options, and hotel stays, but Moab lacked none of those things. It was a bustling little town that had nightlife, great restaurants, an adorable downtown area, and even an airport!
While you are out exploring, make sure to stop at a convenient store or camping store to pick up some camping chairs! There are a lot of amazing viewpoints in this area that don’t require much hiking, so why not be comfortable at the viewpoint?!
For sunset, you will be breaking in those camping chairs at Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park. This viewpoint is located at the beginning of the park, only a 15 minute drive from downtown Moab. There is no hiking required to look at the viewpoint, but an optional hike if you are feeling up to it!
Park Avenue Trail
Day 8: Arches National Park
Time for your full day exploring Arches National Park. If you want a super detailed itinerary on this amazing National Park, be sure to read my One Day in Arches National Park Itinerary!
This park gets CROWDED, let me tell ya! I would highly recommend starting your day as early as possible to beat the crowds. I entered the park at around 10am one of the days I visited and it took over an hour just to get past the check in point.
MORNING:
Start your day bright and early with a beautiful sunrise at North Window Arch and Double Arch. These two arches are in the same parking area, so you can easily see both of them in a short period of time.
I would recommend starting with North Window Arch, since this is the best arch for actual sunrise / just after sunrise! There will be a small crowd of photographers waiting to get “the shot,” but the arch is plenty big for everyone!
After you watch the sky light up with a beautiful desert sunrise, walk over to Double Arch… and get ready to be WOWED!
Double Arch was my favorite arch in all of Arches National Park! It was massive, picturesque, and not as crowded as some of the other arches. I got there right after sunrise on a Saturday and had the arch all to myself for almost an hour.
Both of these arches are not really “hikes,” but more a short walk to from the parking lot.
Follow Along On Instagram: @MyPerfectItinerary!
Follow Along On Instagram: @MyPerfectItinerary!
AFTERNOON:
After your legs are warmed up by your super easy sunrise “hike,” it’s time to head over to Landscape Arch with a really fun stop on the way! 🙂
The drive from Double Arch to Landscape Arch is roughly 20 minutes of beautiful scenery! You’ll be so thankful you started your day early because this park gets crazy crowded and crazy hot! I always recommend starting early, taking a nice long lunch break and then hitting a last hike around sunset.. a far more enjoyable day!
Your pit stop on the way to Landscape arch is going to be a seriously underrated arch that was actually one of my favorites… Sand Dune Arch! I went to this arch in the middle of the day on a weekend during peak season and had the arch all to myself! I think so many visitors skip the smaller and lesser known arches, but I think this one is 100% worth the visit.
If you are doing this Utah National Park Road Trip with kids, this arch is a must-do!
Sand Dune Arch Specs
0.3 Miles Round Trip (~15 Minutes round trip)
Rated Easy
Flat and scenic trail that takes you through a small slot canyon, soft sand dunes, and an impressive arch!
After you spend a little time exploring Sand Dune Arch, it’s time to head to Devil’s Garden Trailhead to begin your hike to Landscape Arch.
I think that Landscape arch should be a must-see on everyone’s Arches National Park itinerary because this arch will likely not be around much longer! The long and narrow look to the arch shows signs that it is at the end of it’s lifecycle. If you want to see the largest natural arch in the world while it is still there, you need to go sooner rather than later!!
Landscape Arch Specs
1.9 Miles Round Trip (~45 Minutes round trip)
Rated Easy / Flat
Starting at Devil’s Garden Trailhead, you can take the trail that shows you 3 arches, including Landscape Arch!
If you do these recommended hikes fairly early in the morning, you can have some time for a mid-day nap (a must after a sunrise hike), a big lunch, and some souvenir shopping!
There are so many great lunch spots in Moab, here are some of my recommendations:
EVENING:
After you got some grub and relaxed a bit, it’s time to head back into the park to do the most famous hike in the Arches National Park!
NOTE: Your park pass is good for 7 days from purchase, so you can enter and re-enter as often as you would like!
Delicate Arch is probably the most photographed and famous arch in the park. It is a 52ft, freestanding arch that is the recognized symbol of the state of Utah!
I felt this hike was pretty steep, but definitely doable if you are in moderate shape. There were times in the hike were my friends and I kept calling ourselves “Billy goats” because we felt we were scaling the rocks, haha!
Once you reach the summit, there is a large viewing area to sit and enjoy the view. We brought our camping chairs here and sat and enjoyed the view for about an hour! The line the get your picture under the arch wasn’t too bad, especially for a Saturday night at sunset.
Delicate Arch Specs
3.2 Miles Round Trip (2 Hours Round Trip)
629 Ft Elevation Gain
Rated Moderate – Difficult
Day 9: Canyon Lands National Park
Start your day off with an early morning with sunrise at the most famous spot in the area, Mesa Arch. Even at sunrise this place will be crowded and filled with photographers! If photos are not a huge priority for you, I think you would be fine skipping this spot or going later in the morning (supposedly right after sunrise the crowds get very sparse!).
Mesa Arch Specs
0.7 Miles Round Trip (15 – 30 Minutes)
88 Ft Elevation Gain
Rated Easy
Canyonlands National Park is split into 5 different districts, similar to Capitol Reef National Park. Because you only have one day in Canyonlands, you will be going to the most accessible district: Island in the Sky!
After your sunrise or early morning stop at Mesa Arch, head south down Grand View Point Road to check out some amazing viewpoints! Here are a few that I would recommend that are along this road:
- Buck Canyon Overlook – Just a viewpoint!
- White Rim Overlook Walking Trail – Very short and flat walking trail.
- Green River Overlook – This is a must-see viewpoint with a gorgeous view of Canyonlands!
TIP: Canyonlands is a bit far from Moab, so I would avoid driving back into town for lunch, especially because you have an amazing spot for sunset you will not want to miss! Try to stop by a store and pack up some waters and sandwiches. You can eat them at one of the viewpoints listed above!
After you’ve had some lunch and relaxed a bit, you will want to head to the best sunset spot in the park: Dead Horse Point State Park! I would plan to get here about an hour or two before sunset to sit and watch the sun go down over the enormous canyon.
TIP: My friends and I got camping chairs at a general store during our time in Moab and brought them to all the viewpoints. I can truly say this is my #1 travel tip for our time in Moab, haha!! Don’t forget some drinks and snacks too!
Day 10: Drive to Monument Valley + Tribal Park Loop
The drive from Moab to Monument Valley is roughly 2.5-3 hours of wide open roads! Be sure to stop in Moab to get any drinks or snacks for the road, because there is pretty much nothing until you get to Monument Valley (and honestly.. not much after you get there either).
Once you arrive in Monument Valley, grab some lunch and then head out to explore the Navajo Tribal Park!
Tribal Park Loop (stems right from the visitor center) is the main thing to do in the park and something you can do without a tour guide. It is just a 17 mile scenic drive that takes you through all the famous buttes and viewpoints.
TIP: DO NOT GO IF IT’S RAINING OR JUST RAINED! This road is a dirt road that will get muddy and you can get stuck. This is not a 4×4 road on a dry and sunny day, but will be if the roads are wet.
On your loop, make a point to get out at the most famous viewpoint in the area: John Ford’s Point! This is an iconic viewpoint with monument valley in the background. If you want to take your picture with a horse, there is a guy who parks his horse there all day and charges $5 for a photo, haha! 🙂
For your sunset location, you will be going to the most photographed spot in Monument Valley, which I am sure you have seen all over Instagram! Forrest Gump Point is located just 20 minutes from visitor’s center. While this is not a viewpoint, trail, or hike, it is a famous road that is featured in the Forrest Gump Movie!
Some really important things to note:
- I would not have your heart set on getting your photo here unless you come for sunrise. The road can be quite busy (it is a highway after all), there might be tons of Instagramers or photographers there, and it might be too time consuming to try to get a good photo!
- This photo is taken from the middle of the highway. People have died trying to get their photos taken here, so don’t be dumb! Make sure you are looking out for cars and giving yourself plenty of window to run out into the street.
- Be respectful of cars driving and locals heading home, do not expect traffic to stop for you!
TIP: I would aim to stay at The View Hotel because it is one of the only restaurants in the area and they keep it exclusive for hotel guests only.
**Optional Extra Day in Monument Valley** (This would put you at 15 days total if you extend one day in Monument Valley)
This day is completely optional, and if you would prefer to move on from Monument Valley, this would be the day I would recommend cutting out.
Monument Valley has incredible desert scenery, that is still pretty untouched from tourism. There isn’t a huge town, souvenir shops everywhere, or endless tours to pick from. You still get the authentic experience of wide open, peaceful, desert scenery!
The downside to that of course is there are hardly any restaurants or hotel options to choose from.. so if that’s not for you, then I would plan to head out of Monument Valley on this day!
If you did want to use this day exploring more of Monument Valley, I would give yourself a break from the driving & the hiking and do a fun horseback riding or desert jeep tour! Monument Valley is a bit far from the other stops on this itinerary, so it’s nice to give yourself a break from driving for the day.
Here are some fun tours I would recommend:
- 2 Hour Horseback Riding Tour with a local guide
- Kayaking down the San Juan River
- Photography Tour (They offer sunrise, sunset, or night photography)
Day 11: Drive to Page & Checking off the Best Sites in Page
The drive from Monument Valley to Page is a little over 2 hours. Page, AZ is a bigger and more touristy area of the southwest, so you will find tons of restaurants, hotel options, events, tours, and golf courses!
I have actually been to this area twice since I live so close in Las Vegas, and it’s crazy how much growth happened between the first time I went in 2017 and second time in 2020. I think that by the time my readers go, it will grow even more!
And yes.. Page is not a Utah destination, but you are literally driving right through this city and it is right on the Utah boarder. I think you would be a fool to miss out on all these amazing spots if you are driving right through it! 😉
Right when you arrive in Page, you will be heading out on an Antelope Canyon Walking Tour! This is by far the most famous thing to do in the area and definitely worth the hype.
Things to note about visiting Antelope Canyon:
- You MUST sign up a for a tour to visit the most scenic area of Antelope Canyon. There are many tour companies to choose from that all different lengths and the option between Upper & Lower antelope canyon.
- If you want more scenery and the chance to see the picturesque light beams shining into the canyon, then choose lower! If you feel claustrophobic easily and have a difficult time climbing up and down stairs, then choose the upper canyon.
- The meeting place for the tours is very close to the town of page, only about a 10 minute drive!
- If you want the best chance to see the light beams, you will want to go on a sunny day, when the sun is at the highest point (that varies depending on the season).
- The time in the canyon is roughly 1 hour, make sure you use the restroom before hand!
- The middle-of-the-day time slots book up fast! If you are planning this road trip, I would book your Antelope Canyon tickets ASAP.
When I did my Antelope Canyon walking tour, I went with the #1 tour company in the area: Ken’s Tours!
Upper Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon
After you explored the #1 site in the area, it’s time to catch sunset at the #2 site in the area… Horseshoe Bend!
Horseshoe bend is located just 10 minutes outside of Page and is a very easy walk to the viewing area. I would recommend grabbing a blanket to bring with you so you can enjoy the incredible view for sunset.
Even though this spot gets BUSY, the canyon rim is extremely big and you should have no problem getting a spot to take in the amazing scenery.
Horseshoe Bend Specs
1.5 Miles Round Trip (30 Minutes)
137 Ft Elevation Gain
Rated Easy – Paved Walking Trail
Sunset at Horseshoe Bend (Instagram: @MyPerfectItinerary)
Day 12: Kayak Antelope Canyon – A Hidden Gem!
For your second day in Page, you will be seeing Antelope Canyon in a unique way!
Did you know that you can reach a part of Antelope Canyon from Lake Powel and see it without a guide?! Yes, most people don’t know that!
If you head over to Lake Powel and rent either kayaks, paddle boards, jet skis, or a small boat, you can reach a portion of Antelope Canyon. This is a complete hidden gem that SO many people do not know about!
Click here to read a detailed guide on Kayaking Antelope Canyon.
If you still have some energy after your day on Lake Powel, you can explore a few more hidden gems near Page, Arizona!
Like I said before, I live in Las Vegas so I have gotten the opportunity to explore Page a few times. If you want a complete list of the best things to do in Page, AZ… Click here!
Day 13: Drive to Kanab and Explore this Hidden Gem Town
Are you wondering what the most underrated city in Utah is?!
Kanab is one of the most scenic, non-touristy and adventure packed cities I’ve traveled to. This town has hidden caves, slot canyons, pink sand dunes, an adorable western town, and so much to discover!!
A few must-see sites in Kanab, Utah:
Recommended Read: Ultimate List of Things to do in Kanab, Utah!
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Moqui Caverns
Belly of the Dragon
Day 14: Head back to Las Vegas!
The worst part of the trip… your epic Utah National Parks Road Trip has come to an end!
To drive back to Las Vegas, it will take you roughly 3 hours from Kanab. Be very careful of speeding because the highway goes through small western towns that drop the speed to 25-35 miles per hour. I got a speeding ticket once because I didn’t realize the highway ended and the small town began 🙂
Like I mentioned before, I am a Las Vegas local who was born and raised! I have TONS of free guides on Las Vegas if you plan to stay awhile!
- Things to do in Vegas for Couples!
- Vegas Packing List – For Ladies!
- BEST Instagram Spots in Las Vegas
- Best Things to do in Vegas Besides Gambling!
- 10 BIG Mistakes to Avoid in Las Vegas!
- Best Bars in Downtown Las Vegas
- 15 Best Day Trips from Las Vegas
- 40 FREE Things to do in Las Vegas
- Girls Guide to Las Vegas
- How to spend your 21st Birthday in Las Vegas
Be Sure to Follow Along on Instagram: @MyPerfectItinerary!
Common Q&A’s
What time of year is best?
Majority of the locations on this itinerary will see a HOT summer and a pretty cold winter. You ideally will want to avoid both the height of summer and the height of winter. I think aiming for late fall and early spring would be best for weather.
Plus, National parks are known to be 10x busier during the summer months when families travel with their kids being out of school!
How many days do you need for a Utah National Parks Road Trip?
Personally, I think 14 days is needed to fully see and explore all of the best of Utah! There is a decent amount of driving between each park, so you will want to give yourself some time in each area to explore. In this 14 day Utah road trip itinerary, you see all of Utah’s Big 5, a ton of hidden gems, state parks, and even some famous Arizona sites that are right along the Utah / Arizona border.
What is the prettiest park in Utah?
It’s SO hard to say because they all offer such different landscapes. I think the weather and the crowds always play a huge roll in your experience in each park as well. After seeing all of Utah’s Big Five, I would say Arches National Park was the most unique and impressive of them all!
What is the least visited National Park in Utah?
Canyonlands, surprisingly, is the least visited. Why? I am not sure since it is so close to Arches! If you are going to Arches National Park, then you MUST make a stop to see some of Canyonlands National Park.
Are Utah National Parks Crowded?
Oh my YES! With beauty and popularity comes lots of crowds!! Since this is a longer itinerary, you will be getting to explore a lot of the national parks during weekdays.
My must-do tip for visiting national parks is to bite the bullet and wake up for sunrise! You can get a lot of sight seeing done before the park starts to get crowded, and then you can head back to your hotel for a nap at the peak of the day.
Okay, that’s a wrap! I hope this Utah National Parks Road Trip was borderline TOO informative! 😉
In all seriousness though.. this guide is long, detailed, and seriously jam-packed with information. I created a map that is organized by location & day of the itinerary to help you plan your trip even more. Just fill out your information below and I will send you a link to the map & the guide to refer back to!
Even though this is a Las Vegas to Utah road trip, you could base your trip out of one of the other major, nearby airports like Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, and more! I just always recommend Las Vegas because who doesn’t want to spend a day or two exploring that amazing city?! 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
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