Visit Utah’s Arches, Canyonlands, and Zion National Parks in one trip

Revel in nature’s most breathtaking playground. With its red rock mesas, sorbet-colored slopes, and skinny-slot canyons, the terrain of Utah offers unforgettable landscapes. You can’t take a wrong turn in the Beehive state.

If you’re looking for adventure, three of the state's national parks, Canyonlands, Arches, and Zion, offer stunning red rock scenery, amazing geological formations, and plenty of options for hiking, biking, camping, and more. Map out your Utah national parks itinerary in advance to make sure you hit all the best sites and make the most of this one-of-a-kind road trip.

Canyonlands national park

Start your journey in the Canyonlands National Park to visit Utah's version of the Grand Canyon. Located four hours south of Salt Lake City, the park offers 337,598 acres of colorful mesas, canyons, buttes, arches, and spires in the middle of Utah's high desert.

What to see

The Canyonlands National Park is divided into four sections - Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers. Traveling between them can take anywhere from two to six hours and the roads can be challenging. The easiest section to access on a road trip is Island in the Sky, the northernmost district. This area features a variety of hiking trails and scenic overlooks. You can even go four-wheeling on White Rim Road.

If you're an early riser, hike the Mesa Arch trail to witness an unforgettable sunrise. You could also stretch your legs on the two-mile hike to Grand View Point, or get your blood pumping with a climb up Aztec Butte.

Where to eat

You can’t dine inside the Canyonlands National Park unless you bring your own food. If you don't want to pack a picnic, it's a short drive (about 35 minutes) to the town of Moab, northeast of Islands in the Sky. You’ll find a range of restaurants here, including a diner, a steakhouse, and a pizzeria.

Top picks:

• Moab Grill Restaurant, UT 84532 – With patio dining and a rustic interior, the Moab Grill serves classic American cuisine.
•  Moab Diner, UT 84532 - A classic roadside diner serving up local favorites.
  
• Sunset Grill, UT 84532 - Set in the mountains, the Sunset Grill is known for its steak.

Where to sleep

Camping is available at Island in the Sky's Willow Flat Campground, but space is limited to 12 sites, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s no water at the campground, but drinking water is available outside the Visitor's Center from the spring through to the fall. If the campsite is full or you simply prefer alternative lodging, Moab also offers a variety of hotel options.

Arches National Park

The nine-minute drive from Arches National Park to the Canyonlands makes it possible to enjoy both parks in just a couple of days. True to its name, Arches is home to more than 2,000 sandstone arches. The park’s red rock, natural stone formations, canyons, and dunes are so beautiful that they seem to defy the laws of nature.

What to see

From scenic drives to tough hikes, the activities on offer in the Arches are more than enough to impress any visitor. You can take in some of the best views from inside your car by traveling along the 18-mile paved drive from the Visitor's Center to Devil's Garden. Pull over at the scenic overlooks along the route to fully absorb nature’s beauty. For a longer drive, take the side roads to some of the area’s largest attractions, including Delicate Arch and the Windows Section, which has some of the park's largest arches.

If you're up for a hike, the trek along the three-mile loop around Delicate Arch is worth every step. This arch is also the image that appears on the state's license plates. Other popular hikes include the strenuous four-mile Double O Arch hike and the Fiery Furnace, which requires advance tickets and guidance from a park ranger due to the winding, maze-like trail.

Where to eat

Like the Canyonlands, the Arches doesn't have places to eat, but Moab is located just five miles outside of the park’s entrance. If you need a quick snack inside the park, the bookstore in the Visitor's Center sometimes has options for sale. The park also offers four picnic areas, some with fire grates for cooking.

 Top picks

• The Broken Oar Restaurant, UT 84532-2355 – A casual lodge-style setting that serves Italian and American cuisine with vegan options.
• Thai Bella Moab, UT 84532 – Enjoy flavorful curries, spicy noodles, and other oriental favorites in a relaxed setting.
• Canyon Steak & Waffle House, UT 84532 - Relaxed and homely, Canyon serves traditional comfort food, from waffles and pancakes to steaks.

Where to sleep

There are plenty of hotel and lodging options in Moab, but if you prefer the full outdoor experience, reserve one of the 51 sites available at Devil's Garden Campground. You can reserve campsites up to six months in advance, and facilities include grills, picnic tables, drinking water, and both flush and pit-style toilets.

Zion National Park

After a day exploring the Arches, hop in the car to take a five-hour drive southwest to Zion National Park. Known as Utah's first National Park, Zion features huge cliff walls, steep canyons, and lush valleys. The outdoor adventures on offer are equally magnificent, ranging from horseback riding to stargazing.

What to see

Zion's spacious landscape provides plenty to see without even leaving the car. Take a drive along the Zion Park Scenic Byway, a 54-mile route that climbs all the way from the canyon floor to the high plateaus. Alternatively, try the Kolob Fingers Scenic Byway, a five-mile route through desert landscapes, winding canyons, earth-colored cliffs, and forest trails. Finally, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive follows the Virgin River and boasts some of the park's most impressive outlooks. 

Where to eat

Unlike the other two parks, Zion has several restaurant options within the park, including the Zion Lodge Dining Room, Red Rock Grill, and Zion Mt. Carmel Restaurant. There are also three picnic areas.

Top picks:

• Porter's, UT 84767 - Feast on all-American classics in this roadhouse diner.
• Zion Pizza & Noodle Co, UT 84767 – This church-turned-eatery serves hand-stretched, stone-grilled pizza.
• Whiptail Grill, UT 84767 – A homely and unassuming converted gas station offering hot wings and quesadillas.

Where to sleep

If you prefer comfortable accommodations, book a room at the Zion Lodge. Located along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the lodge offers hotel rooms, cabins, and suites. Alternatively, camping is available at one of Zion's three campgrounds: South Campground, Lava Point Campground, and Watchman Campground. Several private campgrounds are also located a short drive from the park.

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