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National park loop

Utah Mighty 5

Utah's five national parks in one grand loop.

Duration10 to 12 days
Distance1,085 mi (1,750 km)
Stages7
Best time to visitspring and autumn

Utah's five national parks, affectionately dubbed the Mighty 5 by the tourism board, lie surprisingly close together and can be combined into one of the most beautiful road trips in the USA. From the sheer walls of Zion over the hoodoos of Bryce and the quiet red rocks of Capitol Reef to the arches and canyons around Moab. Every park is different, together they are a feast.

Starting from Las Vegas

Vegas is the most practical starting point, with a cheap airport and rental cars. If you fly flexibly, consider a variation via Salt Lake City, which shortens the long drive back from the east.

The pace

Plan generously. The drive alone is an experience, especially Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce and Capitol Reef. Two nights in Moab are worth it, to see Arches and Canyonlands at your leisure.

When to go

Spring and autumn are ideal. In high summer the desert is very hot and Zion and Arches are crowded, so an early start helps.

The route

The stages in order, along the real roads.

Loading the map transfers data (including your IP address) to OpenStreetMap.

Driving time only: around 23 hours over 6 stages.

Open route in Google Maps ↗

Stage by stage

The stops of the loop, in the recommended order.

  1. 1

    Las Vegas 1 night

    Arrive, pick up the rental car, see the Strip once. A practical opening.

    Stay On the Strip, right in the thick of it

    See the destination ›
    Las Vegas
  2. 2

    Zion National Park 2 nights

    Drive here: 160 mi (256 km) · approx. 3.2 hrs

    Sheer walls and the river in the valley. Hike Angels Landing or through the Narrows.

    Stay Zion Lodge, in the park

    See the destination ›
    Zion National Park
  3. 3

    Bryce Canyon 1 night

    Drive here: 110 mi (178 km) · approx. 3 hrs

    The glowing amphitheater of hoodoos, a complete contrast to Zion.

    Stay Bryce Canyon Lodge, in the park

    See the destination ›
    Bryce Canyon
  4. 4

    Capitol Reef 1 night

    Drive here: 125 mi (200 km) · approx. 3.1 hrs

    The quiet star, reached via the dreamlike Scenic Byway 12. Red walls, green orchards.

    Stay Torrey, at the west entrance

    See the destination ›
    Capitol Reef
  5. 5

    Canyonlands (base Moab) 1 night in Moab

    Drive here: 165 mi (268 km) · approx. 3.6 hrs

    Endless canyons on Island in the Sky, the Mesa Arch at sunrise.

    Stay Moab, 40 minutes away

    See the destination ›
    Canyonlands (base Moab)
  6. 6

    Arches (base Moab) 1 night in Moab

    Drive here: 55 mi (87 km) · approx. 1.6 hrs

    Over two thousand stone arches, the Delicate Arch at sunset. Same base as Canyonlands.

    Stay Moab, 10 minutes away

    See the destination ›
    Arches (base Moab)
  7. 7

    Back to Las Vegas Departure

    Drive here: 470 mi (760 km) · approx. 8.1 hrs

    A long but scenic drive home. If you prefer, fly out of Salt Lake City instead.

    Stay On the Strip, right in the thick of it

    See the destination ›
    Back to Las Vegas

Want more: side trips

With time to spare, add one of these stops.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Right next to Canyonlands, with one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Utah over a river bend.

Goblin Valley State Park

A valley full of quirky rock mushrooms between Capitol Reef and Moab, ideal for clambering around.

Scenic Byway 12

The dream road between Bryce and Capitol Reef is a destination in itself, with views and small stops.

Tips for this route

The essentials for planning, short and honest.

What does the trip cost?

A rough guide for two people, flights per person.

Itemrough cost
Flights, round tripdepends on your origin
Rental car (2 weeks, incl. insurance)700 to 1,000 USD
Fuel (about 1,100 miles)150 to 200 USD
Accommodation (10 nights, double room)1,100 to 2,200 USD
National park pass (non-residents)from 250 USD plus surcharges
Food and activitiesindividual

Just a rough guide. Prices change, especially flights and park fees. Check current costs before booking.

From the forum

Real voices from USA-TALK.DE about this loop.

The road from Bryce to Capitol Reef via Scenic Byway 12 was one of the most beautiful of the whole trip.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

Two nights in Moab were worth it, that way we had Arches and Canyonlands at our leisure.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

Capitol Reef was our secret favorite, no crowds and still truly grand landscape.

from the forum USA-TALK.DE

Download and print

The route for your sat-nav, the park maps as PDF, or print the whole plan.

GPXRoute as GPXsat-nav, Komoot, Google Earth PDFPark mapZion PDFPark mapBryce Canyon PDFPark mapCapitol Reef PDFPark mapCanyonlands PDFPark mapArches

Frequently asked questions

How long should I plan?

Ten to twelve days is comfortable. A week works too, but then it's a quick run-through.

Which direction should I drive?

Usually from Zion in the west to Moab in the east. The drive back to Las Vegas is long, so many fly out of Salt Lake City.

Do I need the national park pass?

Absolutely. With five parks the annual pass clearly pays off. At Zion and Bryce, non-residents have paid a surcharge per person since 2026.

Is a normal car enough?

Yes, all the main roads are paved. Tracks like the Shafer Trail need four-wheel drive, but they're optional.

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