Intermountain West · Red Rock Plateau · Statehood 1896
Utah
State
Field Guide
Utah has five national parks, known as the Mighty 5, and most are within a day's drive of each other. Thousands of natural stone arches, a canyon full of hoodoos, and a long wrinkle in the earth. These are three classics and one quiet park.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
Moab · Arches National Park
Walk toDelicate Archat Sunset
Arches National Park near Moab holds more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, the densest collection in the world. Delicate Arch is the best known, reached by a 3-mile round-trip trail that climbs across slickrock to a bowl with the freestanding arch on its rim. Timed-entry reservations have been required in busy seasons, so check the National Park Service. Go at sunrise or sunset for color and smaller crowds.
02.
Southern Utah · Bryce Canyon National Park
Hike Among theBryce Canyon Hoodoos
Bryce Canyon is a series of natural amphitheaters filled with thousands of orange, pink and cream hoodoos, rock spires shaped by frost and rain. The rim sits above 8,000 feet, so mornings can be cold even in summer. The Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trails drop below the rim among the spires, and the rim viewpoints are good at sunrise. The park is also known for dark night skies and stargazing programs.
03.
Moab · Canyonlands National Park
Look Out fromIsland in the SkyMesa
Canyonlands National Park is divided by the Green and Colorado rivers into three districts, and the most accessible is Island in the Sky, a mesa about 1,000 feet above the White Rim and miles of canyon below. A paved road runs to overlooks like Mesa Arch, a short walk at sunrise, and Grand View Point. The Needles and the Maze are more remote and need more time and a good vehicle. Island in the Sky is about 30 miles from Moab.
Little-Known Gem
Capitol Reef: theWrinkle in the Earth
Capitol Reef National Park · South Central Utah · Torrey
Most visitors to Utah's national parks skip Capitol Reef, which sits between Bryce and Arches. The park protects the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile wrinkle in the earth's crust with colorful cliffs, domes and canyons. The historic Fruita district has orchards where visitors can pick fruit in season, and the Scenic Drive and Capitol Gorge offer easy ways to see the formations. It is far quieter than the other Utah parks.
Utah Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Utah outside Salt Lake City?
Three classics are Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. A lesser-known stop is Capitol Reef National Park. Arches and Canyonlands share a base in Moab, while Bryce and Capitol Reef are farther west and each need a full day.
Do I need a reservation to visit Arches?
Timed-entry reservations have been required during busy months in recent years. Rules change, so check the National Park Service website before you plan your visit.
What is the best time of year to visit Utah's parks?
Spring and fall have the most comfortable temperatures. Summer is hot in the desert parks, though Bryce stays cooler at high elevation, and winter brings snow and fewer visitors.