Utah's Mighty 5 National Parks: 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary
Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands in one week: a day-by-day loop from Las Vegas with drive times, a 2026 budget, park rules and where to sleep.
In this guide
Five national parks in one week, linked by some of the most spectacular roads in the American West. This loop starts and ends in Las Vegas, the closest major airport to Zion, and covers about 1,100 miles.
You’ll go from the narrow red canyon of Zion to the hoodoo amphitheater of Bryce, cross the Hogsback on Scenic Byway 12, slow down in the orchards of Capitol Reef, then finish among the arches and mesas around Moab.
Seven days is enough to see the highlights of every park. It isn’t enough to see everything, so this itinerary picks the stops that give the most for the time you have.
Route overview
| Day | Route | Drive | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas → Springdale (Zion) | ~2h 45m | ~165 |
| 2 | Zion National Park | Shuttle | — |
| 3 | Zion → Bryce Canyon | ~2h | ~86 |
| 4 | Bryce → Torrey via Scenic Byway 12 | ~2h 30m + stops | ~110 |
| 5 | Capitol Reef → Moab | ~2h 45m | ~155 |
| 6 | Canyonlands & Arches | ~2h 30m total | ~110 |
| 7 | Moab → Las Vegas | ~7h | ~455 |
Drive times are without stops. On days 4 and 5, plan for the whole day: you’ll want to pull over constantly.
Open the full route in Google Maps
Budget for the trip
What this trip costs
One car · prices checked October 31, 2026
Park entry
$80
with the annual pass (U.S. residents)
Paying each park separately costs $150 per car: Zion $35, Bryce $35, Arches $30, Canyonlands $30, Capitol Reef $20.
Fuel
$170–230
for ~1,100 miles
At Utah’s average of $4.57 a gallon, for a car doing 22 to 30 mpg.
Lodging
6 nights
book Springdale and Moab first
Prices vary a lot by season. These two towns fill up first in spring and fall.
Day-by-day itinerary
Stop 1: Zion National Park
2 nights hereBase yourself in Springdale, the town right at the park’s south entrance. Drive in from Las Vegas on day 1 and keep the afternoon easy.
From March 7 to November 28, 2026, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private cars: you ride the free park shuttle, which runs about every 5 to 10 minutes. Park lots fill early, so park in Springdale and take the free Springdale Line to the entrance.
- Riverside Walk: an easy, paved walk at the end of the canyon (last shuttle stop), and the start of The Narrows.
- Angels Landing: a permit is required for the chained section beyond Scout Lookout. Apply on Recreation.gov through a seasonal lottery or the day-before lottery (open 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mountain Time the day before your hike).
- Check the time of the last shuttle out of the canyon. If you miss it, it’s a long walk back.
Stop 2: Bryce Canyon National Park
1 night hereLeave Zion by the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway, through the switchbacks and the historic tunnel. It’s one of the best short drives of the trip.
At Bryce, walk the Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Points for the classic view over the amphitheater, then drop below the rim on the Queens Garden trail to walk among the hoodoos.
- Sunrise Point sits at 8,100 ft, far higher and colder than Zion. Bring a warm layer, even in summer.
- Sleep in Bryce Canyon City or Tropic and catch sunrise from the rim on day 4.
Stop 3: Scenic Byway 12 to Torrey
A full day of drivingScenic Byway 12 is an All-American Road, one of the most beautiful drives in the country. It runs for about 123 miles between US-89 near Panguitch and SR-24 near Torrey, past Bryce and through Grand Staircase-Escalante.
- The Hogsback, between Escalante and Boulder, is a narrow ridge with drop-offs on both sides. Drive it slowly and keep your eyes on the road.
- Over Boulder Mountain, the road climbs to about 9,000 ft, with a viewpoint over Capitol Reef.
- In winter, snow and ice can close sections until they are plowed.
Stop 4: Capitol Reef National Park
Half dayThe quietest of the Mighty 5. Spend the morning in the Fruita area, a historic Mormon settlement with orchards and the restored Gifford House (open mid-March to late November, with snacks and gifts).
- Drive the Scenic Drive: 7.9 paved miles, with the dirt spur roads into Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge, which are usually fine in a normal car but can close after storms: check the forecast. Allow about 90 minutes round trip.
- In the afternoon, continue to Moab (about 2h 45m and 155 miles), your base for the last two parks.
Stop 5: Canyonlands: Island in the Sky
Sunrise & morningStart day 6 early. The Island in the Sky visitor center is 32 miles from Moab.
- Mesa Arch: a 0.6-mile round-trip walk to an arch on the cliff edge. It’s the classic sunrise shot, so expect company.
- Grand View Point: 1.8 miles round trip along the rim, with a huge view over the canyons.
Stop 6: Arches National Park
Afternoon & sunsetNo timed-entry reservation is needed in 2026, but lines at the entrance and full parking lots are common on busy days. Arrive early or late.
- Delicate Arch: 3 miles round trip with 480 ft of climbing, from the Wolfe Ranch trailhead. Sunset is magical and very crowded. Bring water and a headlamp for the walk down.
- Fiery Furnace still requires a reservation, for both ranger-led and self-guided hikes.
- Arches is an International Dark Sky Park: if you have energy left, stay for the stars.
On day 7, drive back to Las Vegas (about 7 hours). If you’d rather keep the last morning in Moab, Salt Lake City is about 4 to 4½ hours away and works as a return airport.
Where to stay
| Park | Base | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| Zion | Springdale | 2 |
| Bryce Canyon | Bryce Canyon City or Tropic | 1 |
| Capitol Reef | Torrey | 1 |
| Arches & Canyonlands | Moab | 2 |
Springdale and Moab fill up early in spring and fall. Book them first.
Best time to go
April to May and September to October are the sweet spot: comfortable hiking temperatures across all five parks. Summer is very hot in Zion and around Moab, so hike at dawn. Winter is quiet and beautiful, but Bryce gets snow and some roads, like Byway 12 over Boulder Mountain, can close temporarily.
Practical tips
- Check each park’s alerts page the week before you leave. Rules, closures and shuttle dates change every year.
- Start every day early. The best light and the emptiest trails are in the first hours after sunrise.
FAQ
Is 7 days enough for Utah’s five national parks?
Yes, to see the highlights of each park. With 9 or 10 days, you can add a second day in Zion or Moab and longer hikes.
Do I need reservations for the parks in 2026?
Arches confirmed it won’t require timed-entry reservations in 2026. Entry systems can change, so check each park’s website a few weeks before you go. You do need permits for Angels Landing in Zion and for Fiery Furnace in Arches.
Can I do this loop in a regular rental car?
Yes. All the main roads and the stops in this itinerary are paved or, for Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge, usually fine in a passenger car.
Sources
Checked October 31, 2026 against the National Park Service and Visit Utah: NPS nonresident fees · Zion fees · Bryce Canyon fees · Arches fees · Canyonlands fees · Capitol Reef fees · AAA gas prices by state · Zion 2026 shuttle schedule · Angels Landing 2026 permits · Zion–Bryce distance · Capitol Reef directions · Zion large vehicle restrictions · Sunrise Point, Bryce · Scenic Byway 12 · Capitol Reef Scenic Drive · Gifford House · Island in the Sky trails · Arches 2026 entry · Delicate Arch
Road conditions, closures, fees and opening hours change. Check official park and state DOT sites before you go.