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Utah's Mighty 5: The Complete Road Trip Planner | Travel and Time
Utah's Mighty 5 National Parks

Utah's Mighty 5:
The Complete Road Trip Planner

Interactive route calculator, hiking time estimators, and budget tools for the Southwest adventure of a lifetime

5
National Parks
600+
Miles of Trails
100%
Free Tools
24/7
Planning Access

Route & Time Calculator

Plan your drives between parks and get instant route calculations

Your Route Summary

Based on 5 selected parks

600
Total Miles
12h
Driving Time
10
Recommended Days
Park #1

Zion National Park

Towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and iconic hikes make Zion Utah's most visited national park

Quick Facts

Elevation
3,666 - 8,726 ft
Annual Visitors
4.7 million
Best Season
Spring & Fall
Recommended Days
2-3 days

Already Planning Zion?

Dive deeper with our complete Zion hiking guide featuring detailed trail descriptions, permit info, and timing calculators

View Zion Hiking Guide

Must-Do Hikes

Angels Landing

Strenuous
Permit Required
Distance
5.4 miles
Time
4-5 hours
Elevation
1,488 ft gain

The Narrows

Moderate
Distance
Up to 9.4 miles
Time
3-6 hours
Elevation
Minimal

Observation Point

Strenuous
Distance
8 miles
Time
4-6 hours
Elevation
2,148 ft gain

Emerald Pools

Easy-Moderate
Distance
1.2-3 miles
Time
1-2 hours
Elevation
69-350 ft gain

Essential Zion Tips

Shuttle system required April-October
Angels Landing permit lottery opens 3 months in advance
The Narrows best June-September when water is warm
Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to avoid crowds
Rent canyoneering gear in Springdale for The Narrows
Download offline maps - cell service is limited
Park #2

Bryce Canyon National Park

Otherworldly hoodoos, natural amphitheaters, and stunning sunrise views at 8,000+ feet elevation

Quick Facts

Elevation
8,000 - 9,100 ft
Annual Visitors
2.7 million
Best Season
May-Oct
Recommended Days
1-2 days

Sunrise Photography Tip

Bryce's hoodoos glow orange and pink at sunrise. Calculate optimal timing for your visit date

Calculate Sunrise Time

Altitude Adjustment

At 8,000-9,000 feet, you may experience altitude effects. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and factor in extra time for hikes.

View Hiking Pace Adjuster

Best Hikes Among the Hoodoos

Navajo Loop

Moderate
Distance
1.3 miles
Time
1-2 hours
Elevation
550 ft gain

Queens Garden

Easy-Moderate
Distance
1.8 miles
Time
1-2 hours
Elevation
320 ft gain

Peek-A-Boo Loop

Strenuous
Distance
5.5 miles
Time
3-4 hours
Elevation
1,555 ft gain

Fairyland Loop

Strenuous
Distance
8 miles
Time
4-5 hours
Elevation
2,309 ft gain

Scenic Viewpoints

Sunrise Point - Best for morning photography
Sunset Point - Iconic hoodoo views
Inspiration Point - Panoramic amphitheater
Bryce Point - Highest viewpoint
Rainbow Point - End of scenic drive
Park #3

Arches National Park

Over 2,000 natural stone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch, in a stunning red rock desert landscape

Quick Facts

Elevation
4,085 - 5,653 ft
Annual Visitors
1.7 million
Best Season
Spring & Fall
Recommended Days
1-2 days

Timed Entry Required

April-October, 7 AM - 4 PM: Reservations required 3 months in advance. Book early or arrive before 7 AM to avoid crowds.

Book Timed Entry

Plan Your Arch-Hopping Route

Calculate distances between arches and optimize your route to see the most in your available time

Arches Distance Calculator

Must-See Arches & Hikes

Delicate Arch

Moderate
Must See
Distance
3 miles
Time
2-3 hours
Elevation
480 ft gain

Devils Garden

Moderate-Strenuous
Distance
7.2 miles
Time
3-5 hours
Elevation
350 ft gain

Windows Section

Easy
Must See
Distance
1 mile
Time
30-60 min
Elevation
140 ft gain

Double Arch

Easy
Must See
Distance
0.5 miles
Time
15-30 min
Elevation
50 ft gain

Essential Arches Tips

Timed entry reservations required April-October (7 AM - 4 PM)
Book timed entry 3 months in advance at recreation.gov
Arrive before 7 AM or after 4 PM to avoid reservation requirement
Delicate Arch best at sunset - plan accordingly
Bring 3+ liters of water per person - no shade
Download offline maps - limited cell service in park
Park #4

Canyonlands National Park

Vast canyons carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers, dramatic mesas, and stunning overlooks in Utah's largest national park

Quick Facts

Elevation
3,700 - 7,200 ft
Annual Visitors
733,000
Best Season
Spring & Fall
Recommended Days
1 day

Must-See Highlights

Mesa Arch - Iconic sunrise photo spot
Grand View Point - Panoramic overlook
Island in the Sky - Most accessible district
White Rim Road - Epic 4WD adventure
Park #5

Capitol Reef National Park

Hidden gem featuring the Waterpocket Fold, historic orchards, and colorful rock formations in Utah's least-visited Mighty 5 park

Quick Facts

Elevation
3,900 - 8,800 ft
Annual Visitors
1.4 million
Best Season
Spring & Fall
Recommended Days
1 day

Must-See Highlights

Scenic Drive - 8-mile paved route
Hickman Bridge - Natural bridge hike
Fruita Historic District - Pick fresh fruit
Cathedral Valley - Remote 4WD adventure

Compare All Utah Parks

Use our interactive comparison matrix to decide which parks to visit based on your interests and time

Build Your Utah Road Trip

Customize your adventure and get a personalized day-by-day itinerary with driving times, lodging suggestions, and cost estimates

7 days
5-14 days

Your Custom Itinerary

1
Arrive Las Vegas, drive to Zion (2.5 hrs)
Zion
2
Zion: Angels Landing or The Narrows
Zion
3
Drive to Bryce Canyon (1.5 hrs), afternoon hikes
Bryce
4
Bryce sunrise, drive to Moab (4.5 hrs)
Moab
5
Arches: Delicate Arch, Windows Section
Arches
6
Canyonlands: Mesa Arch, Grand View Point
Canyonlands
7
Drive back to Las Vegas (5 hrs)
Travel

Trip Summary

Parks Selected3
Park Days4
Drive Days2
Total Days Needed6

Estimated Cost

$2,100
for 7 days
Lodging$840
Food$420
Gas$240
Park Fees$80
Get Detailed Cost Breakdown

When to Visit Utah's Mighty 5

Choose the perfect season for your road trip based on weather, crowds, and your priorities

Spring

March - May

Weather
Perfect
Crowds
Moderate
Prices
Medium
Pros:
Wildflowers blooming
Comfortable temperatures (60-80°F)
Cons:
Some high-elevation roads closed
Occasional rain showers

Summer

June - August

Weather
Hot
Crowds
Very High
Prices
High
Pros:
All roads and trails open
Long daylight hours
Cons:
Extreme heat (90-110°F)
Crowded parks and trails

Fall

September - November

Weather
Ideal
Crowds
Low-Moderate
Prices
Medium
Pros:
Best overall weather (65-85°F)
Fewer crowds after Labor Day
Cons:
Shorter daylight hours
Some facilities close after October

Winter

December - February

Weather
Cold
Crowds
Very Low
Prices
Low
Pros:
Minimal crowds
Lowest prices
Cons:
Cold temperatures (20-50°F)
Some roads closed

Month-by-Month Comparison

Click any month to see detailed conditions

Best Overall Times

For the ideal combination of weather, crowds, and prices, visit during:

April - MaySeptember - October

Practical Planning Tools

Essential calculators and checklists to prepare for your Utah adventure

Summer Packing List

Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
Wide-brimmed hat
Sunglasses with UV protection
Lightweight hiking clothes
Refillable water bottles (3L+ per person)
Cooling towel
Insect repellent
First aid kit
View Complete Road Trip Essentials

Winter Packing List

Warm layers (fleece, down jacket)
Waterproof jacket
Warm hat and gloves
Insulated hiking boots
Hand/toe warmers
Thermos for hot drinks
Ice scraper for car
Emergency blanket
View Complete Road Trip Essentials

National Park Pass Savings

Calculate if the America the Beautiful Annual Pass is worth it for your trip

Individual Park Fees

Zion$35
Bryce Canyon$35
Arches$30
Canyonlands$30
Capitol Reef$20
Total$150

Annual Pass

$80
America the Beautiful Pass
Save $70 on Mighty 5 Trip!
Valid for 12 months
Covers all federal recreation sites
Admits pass holder + 3 adults

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about planning your Utah Mighty 5 road trip

For a comprehensive Mighty 5 road trip, plan for 7-10 days minimum. This allows 1-2 days per park plus driving time. A rushed itinerary can be done in 5-6 days hitting only highlights, while 10-14 days provides a leisurely pace with time for multiple hikes and exploration. Zion deserves 2-3 days, Bryce Canyon 1-2 days, Arches 1-2 days, Canyonlands 1 day, and Capitol Reef 1 day.

Still Have Questions?

Use our planning tools to get personalized answers for your specific trip

Ready to Plan Your Utah Adventure?

Use our free interactive tools to calculate exact distances, times, and costs for your perfect Mighty 5 road trip

Why Use Travel and Time?

Precise Calculations

Exact times and distances, not estimates

Pre-Loaded Data

All Utah parks ready to use

Route Optimization

Maximize time and minimize costs

Budget Planning

Real prices for accurate budgets

Start Planning Your Trip Now

Access all our free planning tools and create your perfect Utah Mighty 5 road trip itinerary