Published July 26th, 2024

Photography by Charmaine Noronha

“Hit the road, Jack,” should be Utah’s soundtrack. As a state sculpted by water, wind, and time, its landscape is the perfect canvas for a road trip like no other. From magical mesas to awe-inspiring arches, colourful canyons, spiking spires, height-defying hoodoos, and precarious pinnacles, traversing Utah’s otherworldly offerings will leave you struck in the best way.

Known for its five incredible national parks—Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion—collectively known as the Mighty Five—there’s also a wonderous world in between these parks in state parks that often border or are in close proximity to the national parks. These state parks are equally stunning and sometimes off-the-beaten track, enabling breathtaking experiences minus the crowds.

Here’s how you embark on a road trip you might never want to come back from combining a monumental mix of national and state park visits in under a week.
You can rent a car at your arrival airport, commonly Las Vegas International Airport. While there are many road trip routes to be had in Utah, going from west to east is generally the most popular option as Zion National Park is just a few hours from Las Vegas. Road conditions are generally great and fairly easy to navigate.

Day 1

Zion National Park

Start strong with Zion National Park, Utah’s most-visited national park for good reason. A southwest Utah nature preserve distinguished by steep red cliffs and forest trails along the Virgin River, its Jurassic-like terrain boasts grottos, natural springs, hoodoos, domes and towers. Once you drive into the park, hop onto a shuttle to take you to Angels Landing, which is the most dangerous hike in Zion and one of the most dangerous hikes in the US. As you traverse this trail with a series of 21 switchbacks, known as Walter’s Wiggles, gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream and soft crimson that soar into the sky. Angels Landing now requires a permit and always nerves of steel since the hike climbs roughly 1,500 vertical feet (457 metres) along a narrow fin of stone that reaches a top elevation of 5,790 feet (1,764 metres). To reach Angels Landing, a narrow stretch of trail with a chain railing adds an element of safety, but the exposed heights might be too daring for you. If that’s the case, you can hike to Scout Lookout, a summit point en route to the Angels Landing summit. This peak is the closest you can get to Angels Landing without a permit, and it offers similarly solid views without the anxiety.

Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon

If you’ve got energy left after a well-deserved lunch, head to Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon. A great alternative to Utah’s most famous canyon, The Narrows, which is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon in Zion National Park. While The Narrows is one of the premier hikes in the park, it’s a bit temperamental since you’re traversing the river through the canyon during your trek, so, if there’s been significant rainfall in the park, the trail will be off limits until the water levels dwindle down. Peek-A-Boo is a beautiful alternative. You will need an ATV/UTV to get there as sand dunes surround the region, so signing up for a UTV (utility task vehicle (UTV) is a larger type of ATV designed to haul heavier loads and perhaps allow additional passengers) tour is advisable, but then you can walk the canyon at your leisure. Wind your way on foot to explore ancient sandstone walls over 100ft high!

Peek A Boo Slot Canyon is located near Kanab and the Zion National Park and Grand Staircase Escalante area.

Day 2

Bryce National Park

Head an hour and a half from Zion to Bryce National Park, where a series of natural amphitheaters sunk into pink cliffs and filled with delicate red rock "hoodoos" will delight you. Hoodoos are tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of an arid drainage basin. While they exist around the world, they are most abundant in Bryce Canyon. Many trails are easily accessible including Fairyland Loop, Queen’s Garden, Rim, Peek-a-book, and the Navajo Loop Trail.

Trekking through this landscape feels like a pink-and-white cotton-candy-hued CGI-generated Disney movie set. It’s best to arrive before sunset to catch the sun descending behind breathtaking structures when striking shades of the park come alive with the rising and setting of the sun.

Day 3

Kodachrome Basin State Park

From Bryce, drive a half hour to Kodachrome Basin State Park. Filled with colorful sandstone spires, red rock mountains, and bright blue skies, this state park was aptly named Kodachrome, perfectly describing the multitude of vivid colors that are found here. While you could potentially spend a few days here, we spent the morning here exploring scenic hiking trails, which we had all to ourselves.

Day 4

Willis Creek Slot Canyon

Willis Creek Slot Canyon is located off Skutumpah Road in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and is a short drive from Kodachrome Basin State Park. Traversing this canyon is a beautiful experience. Unlike other Utah slot canyons like The Narrows, or Antelope Canyon, Willis feels remote and secluded as we were virtually the only ones basking in the quiet beauty of this canyon.

It’s a rather easy hike via a flat trail that flows through a series of slot canyons. It does not require any scrambling or technical gear, making it a good intro for those who have never played Utah’s slots before. Much of the hike involves creek crossings or hiking directly in the creek, but the creek is generally only an inch or two deep, an added bonus compared to treks through other slot canyons like The Narrows.

Day 5

Rest

You did it! You explored some of the state’s stunning national and state parks so your legs definitely deserve a rest day. You could spend months here exploring but if your time is limited, a short and sweet road trip will leave you wanting to come back for more so it’s a good thing these parks aren’t going anywhere but hopefully you are.

Start here to plan your visit to Utah: visitutah.com

Road Tripping Through Utah's Picturesque National & State Parks