Morning: Arrive at St. George Regional Airport and pick up your rental car. Drive the short 45‑minute stretch to Zion National Park and stop at the Visitor Center for a quick orientation and the park map.
Afternoon: Take the comfortable Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (shuttle‑free season) stopping at the iconic Weeping Rock overlook and the Canyon Overlook Trail viewpoint, where you can admire the canyon without any steep climbs.
Evening: Check into your Springdale hotel, enjoy a sunset dinner on the town’s main strip, and catch a ranger‑led astronomy talk at the park’s amphitheater.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Springdale early and drive the 1.5‑hour route to Bryce Canyon National Park. Begin with the Visitor Center exhibit on the park’s geology and then ride the free shuttle to the Sunrise Point overlook.
Afternoon: Continue on the shuttle to Inspiration Point and Bryce Point, where you can photograph the famous hoodoos from comfortable, level platforms. Grab a light lunch at the Bryce Canyon Lodge patio.
Evening: Return to Springdale for a relaxed evening, perhaps sampling local craft brews and reviewing the day’s photos.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive 2 hours north to Capitol Reef National Park. Stop at the Visitor Center for a short film and pick up a free map of the scenic drive.
Afternoon: Cruise the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, pulling over at the impressive Fruita Historic District and the Hickman Bridge Overlook for easy photo ops and a brief walk among the orchards.
Evening: Stay overnight in Torrey, enjoy a dinner at a local bistro, and take a short stroll along the town’s riverwalk.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Torrey and head 2.5 hours to Arches National Park. Begin at the Visitor Center and watch the short ranger video on the park’s geology.
Afternoon: Drive the Arches Scenic Loop, stopping at the Delicate Arch Viewpoint and the Landscape Arch trailhead (just a short, flat walk to the arch’s base). Enjoy a packed lunch at the Balanced Rock picnic area.
Evening: Check into your Moab hotel, unwind at a local restaurant, and consider a sunset jeep tour that stays on paved roads for comfort.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a short 30‑minute drive from Moab to the Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky district. Stop at the Visitor Center for a quick briefing on the scenic drive.
Afternoon: Follow the paved Grand View Point Road, pausing at Grand View Point and Green River Overlook for sweeping vistas of the canyons below. The short paved paths provide excellent photo opportunities without any steep climbs.
Evening: Return to Moab for a relaxed dinner and perhaps a night‑time stargazing session at a nearby open field.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive 2 hours to the Grand Staircase‑Escalante National Monument. Begin at the Escalante Visitor Center for an overview of the area’s unique geology.
Afternoon: Travel the paved Lower Calf Creek Falls Road to the Lower Calf Creek Falls overlook (short, level walk to a viewpoint). Enjoy a picnic lunch while listening to the gentle waterfall.
Evening: Head back to Moab, stop for a quick dinner in the town of Escalante if time allows, and settle in for the final night of the trip.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Moab early and begin the 4‑hour drive to Salt Lake City International Airport, with a brief stop at the Hogle Zoo or a coffee break in Provo if desired.
Afternoon: Return your rental car, check in for your flight, and reflect on the week’s stunning landscapes.
Evening: Fly home with a collection of unforgettable photos and memories of Utah’s Mighty 5.
Find HotelsIf you have an extra day, consider extending your stay in Moab to explore the Dead Horse Point State Park sunrise view or take a comfortable guided jeep tour. To shorten the itinerary, you can combine the Grand Staircase‑Escalante day trip with the drive back to Salt Lake City, skipping the longer detour and saving a few hours of travel.