Huge rock formations, dramatic scenery, and climbing trails that look like they belong in a picture. Utah, one of the most beautiful states in the US, has truly fantastic beauty. If you love nature, get your engine going and take a National Parks car trip through The Beehive State! The most common way to start a journey in Utah is to hike “The Mighty Five” for a week. However, you may only have a short time to enjoy the natural beauty of the Midwest. Despite the short distance and long hours spent driving, it is possible to see some of Utah’s natural beauty on a mini-cation.
Here’s your Utah National Parks 3-Day Itinerary!
Day 1: Arches National Park
On the first day in Utah, land at Salt Lake City Airport and traveled around 4 hours to Arches National Park. It appears to be a lengthy task, but it is undoubtedly manageable! The beautiful sunset and quick 2-3 hour climb made it the ideal first-day park.
There are more than 2,000 arches in Arches National Park, but the Delicate Arch is one of the most famous natural features in the world. It’s even on the Utah license plate that everyone has to have! The opening in the building that stands alone is almost 50 feet high and 32 inches wide, and it doesn’t seem to follow gravity. There is a short but tough 3-mile walk up to the arch, but the view is well worth it. Bring two times as much water as you think you will need. Walking up the slippery rock hill is tough, and there is no shade at all. Get to the top by pushing and pacing yourself. You can do it!
After that, spend the night at a campground or hotel close to Bryce Canyon so you can wake up early and go to another fantastic park!
Day 2: Bryce Canyon National Park
On the second day, drive four hours southwest to Bryce Canyon National Park, which looks like something from another world. Did you know that Bryce Canyon isn’t really a canyon, despite what its name says? It’s a group of more than a dozen natural amphitheaters, each carved at least 1,000 feet into the limestone hill it’s on.
The strange scenery of the park is best known for its hoodoos, which are the tall rock formations you see in the picture above. Water, wind, and snow took hundreds of years to shape this natural wonderland that over 1.5 MILLION people visit every year.
The Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden connecting trail is Bryce’s most beautiful trail. It takes you down through the most beautiful parts of the park to see the best views. You can also walk from Sunset to Sunrise if you’d like. Chose to go from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point. The views are the same either way! The trail is only 2.9 miles long but goes up and down 550 feet, which is a lot. Get ready to sweat!
You could spend the night close to Bryce Canyon or drive 1.5 hours to Zion National Park and stay in Springdale to be close to the park in the morning. You should decide this before you go on your trip because places to stay near the parks can get full fast.
Day 3: Zion National Park
Zion National Park is the best place to see on the third day. Did you know that it’s the fourth most famous National Park in the US? That’s from a vast 423 parks, and for good reason. As soon as you pull into the park, you’re impressed beyond belief.
On winding roads, you can drive through, between, and under huge sandstone hills. It’s one of the most amazing places you should visit. It has turquoise lakes, lovely campsites, and a lot of history. Enjoy Zion National Park in these ways.
Hiking
Another cool thing about Zion is that there are a lot of hikes that range in length, difficulty, and height. Angel’s Landing (5–6 hours) and The Narrows are the two most popular challenging hikes if you have all day to spend in the park. We chose the short and beautiful Canyon Overlook Trail (1 Mile, Moderate) because we didn’t get to the park as early as we had thought. Still, it was lovely!
Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel
The long Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is 5,613 feet long. It was cut through the sandstone rocks at Pine Creek Canyon in the 1930s. People have called it an engineering wonder ever since, and it’s now one of the most-visited spots in the park. Take a moment during your day to drive through and be amazed by the marvelous architecture.
Small Town Charm in Springdale
The cute and small town of Springdale is right outside the opening of Zion National Park. Many souvenir shops, boutiques, art studios, and restaurants are along Zion Park Boulevard, the main street. Casa de Amigos has tacos, cocktails, and fresh guacamole that you should try if you have time.
You can see that a three-day trip to Utah is a bit short, but it’s still possible with some determination and coffee. Even though it was very tiring, the drive to see these beautiful natural sights was well worth it. Here are some things you should know before you go! Enjoy your hike, discoverers!
Tips for A Utah National Park Road Trip
1. Get a pass for the national parks
After you buy the America the Beautiful pass, you can visit all U.S. National Parks for a year. Most national parks charge $30 to enter with a car. The pass will save you money if you want to visit three or more parks.
The pass is excellent for this Utah road trip because it covers five national parks. It will make your journey easier and cheaper. If you buy the pass too early, remember that it will be hole-punched for the month you buy it.
2. Make Advance Reservations for Accommodation
If you want to take a road trip through Utah’s national parks, you should book your hotel months in advance. To ensure you get your first choice of hotels, you should book all of them as soon as you know your plans.
3. Rent A Van Or 4WD/AWD Vehicle
You don’t have to have a 4WD or AWD with high clearance for this Utah road trip, but it will make things easy. Some parks and the Moab glamping spot have rough dirt roads that you can drive on.
Ideal Time to Take a Road Trip Through Utah
Utah has real seasons, not like California. It gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Spring and fall are the best times to take a car trip in Utah. Also, these are the busiest times to drive through Utah so that parks will be fuller, especially in the spring.
In the winter, snow and bad road conditions will close many roads. If you go during the cold and snowy months, you probably won’t see as much, and driving in the snow and ice will be more challenging.
In the summer, it gets very hot, and hiking during the busiest times of the day may not be safe. Bring a lot of sunblock and twice as much water as you think you’ll need if you go in the summer.
The best time to go is in the spring when the weather is getting warmer and the snow is melting. A strange cold spell hit during our April trip, so we got some new snow.
And if you don’t go during Thanksgiving break, fall is also a great time to visit. There may be fewer people on Utah road trips at that time.
What To Bring On A Road Trip Through Utah
1. American The Beautiful Pass
2. Sun protection
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
3. Garbage bags
4. Phone holder with charging cable
5. Power bank
6. Reusable bottle of water
- For traveling or trekking
7. Wet tissues
8. Little refrigerator
9. Hiking boots
10. Insecticide
11. Organizer for travel pills
12. Sanitizer for hands
13. Binoculars
The Bottom Line
A three-day road trip through Utah’s national parks sounds like an adventure you’ll never forget. Every scene, from the stunning hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the grand arches of Arches National Park and the otherworldly scenery of Zion, shows how big nature is.
Read also: Explore Moab – Utah: A 3-Day Adventure Itinerary
Utah’s parks offer various activities, from hikes through tall rock formations to stargazing under the clear desert skies. This trip not only heals the soul but also makes memories that will last a lifetime. Visit Utah’s national parks on your next vacation to get close to some of the most fantastic nature sights in the United States.
The traditional pairing of Arches and Zion National Parks is unbeatable, and Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef make excellent third choices!
While winter gives fewer visitors and the opportunity to explore snow-capped vistas, spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer ideal temps for trekking (consider having winter gear readily available).
Indeed, entering any park requires a National Park Pass. They are available for purchase online or at the park entry.
Renting a car is the best option for seeing the parks at your own speed.
It’s the hikes that are beautiful! Even though you can drive to some beautiful overlooks, the best way to see each park is by moderate hikes of two to five miles.
