There’s no doubt about it, Utah’s national parks are amazing. These gorgeous parks are referred to as the “Mighty 5” for a reason, and once you see them, you’re sure to understand. 

Yes, this line of parks in southern Utah is a must-see for all travelers, especially those who enjoy the great outdoors. If you haven’t been to see Utah’s national parks yet, it’s high time you planned a trip, and rather than trying to pick and choose Utah’s best national parks, you should probably just see them all and then decide which one is your personal favorite. 

Of course, you will want to do some planning before you head out on your epic road trip to see all of Utah’s national parks. This is where our article comes into play. Below, we’ve gathered all of the most important things you need to know before your Utah getaway.

Arches National Park

Arches National Park

A beautifully unique place, Arches is full of incredible rock formations, including—as you might have guessed—plenty of arches. The rocks here are a brilliant red and stand in stark contrast against the bright blue sky, and sometimes, a bit of that blue sky peeks through an arch to create a stunning sight indeed. 

Things to Know

  • Arches is the only one of Utah’s National Parks that currently requires timed entry reservations. You can make reservations at recreation.gov for $2 per time slot. 
  • Arches and Canyonlands are extremely close together, making it easy to see both in a single stay. 
  • Canyonlands has Arches Junior Ranger Badges and vice versa, so if you finish your book after leaving one park, you can turn it in at the other. 

What to Do in Arches with Kids

  • Watch the park movie in the visitor center. 
  • Earn a Junior Ranger Badge. 
  • Attend a ranger program. 
  • Explore visitor center exhibits. 
  • Walk to Double Arch and scramble up the rocks. 
  • Walk to The Windows and explore behind them.
  • Hike the Sand Dune Arch Trail. 

Where to Stay

Utah’s national parks: Canyonlands

Canyonlands National Park

Despite how close they are to one another, Canyonlands is actually quite different from Arches. While Canyonlands certainly does have some interesting rock formations, this park features more canyons than anything else. Considering its name, this really should come as no surprise.

Things to Know

  • Canyonlands and Arches are extremely close together, making it easy to see both in a single stay. 
  • Arches has Canyonlands Junior Ranger Badges and vice versa, so if you finish your book after leaving one park, you can turn it in at the other. 

What to Do in Canyonlands with Kids

  • Watch the park movie at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center. 
  • Earn a Junior Ranger Badge. 
  • Attend a ranger program. 
  • Explore Island in the Sky Visitor Center exhibits. 
  • Walk to Mesa Arch. 
  • Follow the Grand View Point Trail. 
  • Hike to Upheaval Dome via Crater View Trail. 

Where to Stay

Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef National Park

Although it isn’t talked about much, Capitol Reef is easily one of the most beautiful places in the country and is absolutely one of Utah’s best national parks (if not the best). The place features a surprising amount of greenery, which really adds to the beauty of the place when combined with the red, sharp-angled cliffs and rocks around every corner. 

Things to Know

  • This park is really remote. Be sure you fill up your gas tank and pack a lunch. If you do need something before or after visiting, the nearby town of Torrey is your best bet.
  • You absolutely must visit Gifford House to try their fresh pies and cinnamon rolls. This little shop is located inside the park and you will have to visit early to ensure you get there before the goodies are gone. 

What to Do in Capitol Reef with Kids

  • Watch the park movie in the visitor center. 
  • Earn a Junior Ranger Badge. 
  • Attend a ranger program. 
  • Explore visitor center exhibits. 
  • Enjoy pie from Gifford House. 
  • Check out the petroglyphs. 
  • Hike along the creek to Sulphur Creek Waterfall (be prepared to get wet). 
  • Hike Hickman Bridge Trail (explore the many nooks and crannies along the way). 

Where to Stay

Utah’s national park: Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon might be smaller than the other parks, but it holds its own when it comes to beauty. This strange and otherworldly canyon is filled with hoodoos, which are bizarre rock formations that seem to have sprouted straight up out of the ground. These are tons of fun to hike through and even more fun to gaze at as you take in the incredible beauty of the place. 

Things to Know

  • Like Capitol Reef, this park is really remote. Be sure you fill up your gas tank and pack a lunch. 
  • There is a free shuttle that takes visitors through the park. During busy times it can be helpful to ride the shuttle to avoid congestion. 
  • Bryce Canyon and Zion are only about 70 miles apart, making it possible to see both in one stay. 

What to Do in Bryce Canyon with Kids

  • Watch the park movie in the visitor center. 
  • Earn a Junior Ranger Badge. 
  • Attend a ranger program. 
  • Explore visitor center exhibits. 
  • Hike Sunrise Point to Sunset Point.
  • Hike the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. 
  • Drive or ride the park shuttle to various viewpoints. 

Where to Stay

Zion Canyon

Zion National Park

Zion was the first of Utah’s national parks, and once you see it, you’ll understand why. The place is nothing if not grand, offering sweeping views and some of the most popular hikes in the country. We appreciate the abundant wildlife found in the park as well, as we rarely visit without seeing some animal or another. 

Things to Know

  • During the busy season, visitors cannot access much of the park by car. Instead, you will have to ride the park shuttle. This is free, but using it might require some planning on your part. 
  • Free parking at the Zion visitor center is extremely limited. Paid parking is available in the town of Springdale and a free shuttle can be taken to the park. (In our experience, you will almost definitely have to pay for parking if you visit during the late spring, summer, or early fall unless you arrive very early or very late in the day.) 
  • Some of the most popular Zion hikes require permits. Getting a permit for Angels Landing requires you to enter a lottery. 
  • Zion and Bryce Canyon are only about 70 miles apart, making it possible to see both in one stay. 

What to Do in Zion with Kids

  • Watch the park movie in the visitor center. 
  • Earn a Junior Ranger Badge. 
  • Attend a ranger program. 
  • Explore exhibits outside of the visitor center to learn about the park. 
  • Take the Zion Narrows Riverside Walk. 
  • Hike the Emerald Pools Trail. 
  • Follow Zion Canyon Overlook Trail. 
  • Go tubing on the Virgin River. 
  • Visit the Zion Human History Museum. 

Where to Stay

When to Visit Utah’s National Parks

Now that you know a bit about each park, including what to do and where to stay, the only thing left to wonder is when to visit Utah’s national parks. This is a simple enough question, but really doesn’t have an easy answer. 

We’ll start with summer. We really don’t recommend visiting during the hot summer months. During this time, much of Utah becomes very hot, making hiking really unpleasant and making boondocking unbearable. On the other hand, winter in Utah can get extremely cold and even snowy in places. While some people like this weather for skiing and other winter sports, we can’t recommend it for hiking, sightseeing, or RVing. 

That leaves us with spring and fall. Generally, both of these are fine times to visit. April–May and September–October are periods of time that tend to boast lovely temperatures that are great for spending time outdoors. That said, the rivers running through Capitol Reef and Zion can flood during the spring from the snowmelt, so you will need to keep an eye on that. 

There you have it, everything you absolutely must know before hitting up Utah’s national parks. Now start booking campgrounds and planning your route, because the Mighty 5 are calling your name!