If there’s one road trip every Utah family needs to take, it’s the Mighty 5. Utah is home to five incredible national parks, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches, and doing them all in one epic loop is an adventure we’ll never forget. Whether you have a week or ten days, this guide walks you through the best route, top hikes at each park, and the restaurants we loved along the way.
The Best Route: How to Drive the Mighty 5
The classic Mighty 5 loop starts and ends in Salt Lake City and can be driven clockwise or counterclockwise. We recommend this order to build up to the most dramatic scenery:
- Salt Lake City → Zion National Park (~4.5 hours south via I-15)
- Zion → Bryce Canyon National Park (~1.5 hours northeast on UT-12)
- Bryce Canyon → Capitol Reef National Park (~2.5 hours east on the stunning Scenic Byway 12)
- Capitol Reef → Canyonlands National Park (~2 hours east via UT-24 and US-191)
- Canyonlands → Arches National Park (~30 minutes north, they share the Moab area!)
- Arches/Moab → Salt Lake City (~3.5 hours north on US-191)
Pro tip: Budget at least 1–2 nights at each park. Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce and Capitol Reef is one of the most beautiful drives in America, don’t rush it!
Park 1: Zion National Park
Zion is jaw-dropping from the moment you enter the canyon. Towering red and white sandstone cliffs surround you, and the Virgin River winds through the valley floor. It’s a great first stop because it eases you into the magic of Utah’s canyon country.
Top Hikes at Zion
- Angel’s Landing – One of the most iconic hikes in the US. The chains section at the top requires a permit, but the views are absolutely worth it. Not recommended for young kids or those afraid of heights.
- The Narrows – Wade through the Virgin River between 1,000-foot canyon walls. You can go as far as you like, even a short walk in is spectacular. Water shoes or rental canyoneering boots are a must.
- Emerald Pools Trail – A family-friendly trail with waterfalls and shaded pools. The lower loop is paved and stroller-accessible.
- Canyon Overlook Trail – A short 1-mile round trip with panoramic views of Zion Canyon. Great for all ages and one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in the park.
Park 2: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is unlike anywhere else on Earth. It’s not actually a canyon, it’s a series of natural amphitheaters filled with thousands of hoodoos (those tall, spindly rock formations). At over 8,000 feet elevation, it’s also noticeably cooler than the other parks, which makes it a great summer stop.
Top Hikes at Bryce Canyon
- Navajo Loop & Queen’s Garden Trail – The ultimate Bryce combo. Drop down into the hoodoos via Navajo Loop and return via Queen’s Garden for a 2.9-mile loop that gives you the best of what Bryce has to offer.
- Rim Trail – Easy and mostly flat, this trail connects all the major viewpoints including Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point. Perfect for families.
- Fairyland Loop – A longer, less-crowded 8-mile hike through some of the most dramatic hoodoo formations in the park.
Don’t miss stargazing at Bryce, it’s one of the darkest sky parks in the country and the Milky Way views are absolutely breathtaking!
Park 3: Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef is the most underrated of the Mighty 5 and often has far fewer crowds than its neighbors. The Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile wrinkle in the Earth’s crust, creates an otherworldly landscape of domes, canyons, and cliffs. The park’s historic Fruita orchards are a bonus: you can pick fresh fruit right off the trees during harvest season!
Top Hikes at Capitol Reef
- Hickman Bridge Trail – A 2-mile round trip to a stunning 133-foot natural bridge. Moderate difficulty with great canyon views the whole way.
- Cohab Canyon Trail – A fun, winding trail through a hidden canyon. The kids loved the sense of adventure on this one!
- Cassidy Arch Trail – Named after Butch Cassidy who allegedly hid out in the area, this 3.5-mile hike leads to a gorgeous arch with sweeping views of Capitol Gorge.
Park 4: Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is Utah’s largest national park and feels like the wild frontier. The Colorado and Green Rivers carve the park into three districts, Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. For families, Island in the Sky is the easiest to access and offers some of the most staggering viewpoints you’ll ever see.
Top Things to Do at Canyonlands
- Mesa Arch – One of the most photographed spots in Utah. This short 0.5-mile hike leads to an arch perched right on the canyon rim, sunrise here is magical.
- Grand View Point Overlook – An easy 2-mile out-and-back along the canyon rim with absolutely panoramic views of the Colorado River canyons below.
- Upheaval Dome – A mysterious crater (possibly from a meteor impact!) with two overlook viewpoints reachable on short trails.
Park 5: Arches National Park
Arches is the grand finale, and it does not disappoint. With over 2,000 natural stone arches, it has the highest concentration of arches on Earth. The park is conveniently located just outside of Moab, which means great food and lodging options nearby.
Top Hikes at Arches
- Delicate Arch – The iconic symbol of Utah. This 3-mile round trip hike is moderate and ends at one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Go at sunset if you can!
- Landscape Arch – Located in Devils Garden, this is one of the longest natural arches in the world at over 290 feet wide. The trail is flat and easy.
- Double Arch – An easy 0.5-mile walk to two massive arches that share a common base. Great for younger kids and very photogenic.
- Fiery Furnace – A guided ranger hike through a labyrinth of narrow sandstone fins. Requires a permit or ranger-led tour reservation, worth booking in advance!
Where We Ate: Our Favorite Restaurants on the Mighty 5
Good food makes a great road trip even better. Here are the restaurants we genuinely loved on our Mighty 5 adventure:
Pizza at Escalante, Escalante, UT
Tucked in the tiny town of Escalante along Scenic Byway 12, Pizza at Escalante was a total surprise and highlight of the trip. After a long day of driving and hiking, there’s nothing like wood-fired pizza in the middle of canyon country. The crust was perfect, the toppings were fresh, and the vibe was completely laid-back and family-friendly. If you’re driving Byway 12, do not skip this one!
Thai Bella, Moab, UT
Moab has a surprisingly great food scene, and Thai Bella was one of our favorites. After days of hiking Arches and Canyonlands, the flavorful Thai dishes hit exactly right. The portions are generous and the staff is incredibly friendly. A must-visit when you’re in the Moab area!
Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon, UT
Located right at the entrance to Bryce Canyon, Ruby’s Inn is an institution. It’s more than just a place to eat, it’s the hub of everything Bryce Canyon. We loved the hearty, home-style meals here after cold mornings watching the sunrise over the hoodoos. The buffet-style dining is perfect for hungry families after a big day of hiking.
Family Tips for the Mighty 5
- Get an America the Beautiful Pass, At $80, this annual pass covers entrance to all five national parks and pays for itself on this trip alone.
- Book accommodations early, Especially for Zion, Bryce, and Moab/Arches, lodging fills up fast in spring and summer.
- Pack layers, Temperatures can swing dramatically between parks and between morning and afternoon.
- Bring plenty of water, Hydration is critical in the desert. Plan on at least one liter per person per hour of hiking.
- Download offline maps, Cell service is spotty in many of the parks. Download your route on Google Maps or use the NPS app before you go.
- Start hikes early, Beat the heat and the crowds by hitting the trails before 9am whenever possible.
The Mighty 5 road trip was one of the best things we’ve ever done as a family. Each park is completely unique and has its own personality, and together, they create an experience that stays with you forever. If you’re on the fence, stop overthinking it and start planning. Utah will blow your mind!
