An Adventurous 5-Day Itinerary in Utah

• Day 1: Zion National Park
  2 hours and 30 minutes (162 miles) from Salt Lake City

  Drive down to Zion National Park and take a scenic hike to Angel's Landing for stunning views of Zion Canyon. This hike is not for the faint of heart, as it involves some exposure to heights along the way. Those looking for an easier hike can try the Emerald Pools trail.

• Day 2: Bryce Canyon National Park
  2 hours and 20 minutes (115 miles) from Zion National Park

  Marvel at the unique hoodoos (tall, thin spires of rock) in Bryce Canyon National Park. Take the Navajo Loop trail to descend into the canyon and hike among the hoodoos. For a more challenging hike, try the Fairyland Loop.

• Day 3: Arches National Park
  4 hours (240 miles) from Bryce Canyon National Park

  Hike to see some of the over 2,000 natural sandstone arches in Arches National Park. Devil's Garden offers a challenging 7.2-mile hike with incredible scenery. For a shorter hike, try the Delicate Arch trail to see Utah's most iconic natural feature.

• Day 4: Canyonlands National Park
  30 minutes (20 miles) from Arches National Park

  Explore the deep canyons of Canyonlands National Park by hiking to Mesa Arch or Upheaval Dome. For a different perspective, take a scenic drive along the White Rim Road.

• Day 5: Salt Lake City and Park City
  3 hours and 45 minutes (230 miles) from Canyonlands National Park

  Head back to Salt Lake City for a day of urban adventures. Shop and dine at the historic Trolley Square. Visit the Utah State Capitol Building and other landmarks downtown. Alternatively, for those who want to hit the slopes, take a drive to nearby Park City for skiing, snowboarding or tubing.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Zion National Park (4-6 hours, $35 per vehicle)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (4-6 hours, $35 per vehicle)
• Arches National Park (4-6 hours, $35 per vehicle)
• Canyonlands National Park (3-4 hours, $30 per vehicle)
• Trolley Square (1-2 hours, Free)
• Utah State Capitol Building (1-2 hours, Free)
• Park City Ski Resort (4-8 hours, $150-$200 for lift tickets)
• Total Estimated Costs: $455-$505

Transportation

For this itinerary, renting a car is the most convenient option to get around between national parks. Some areas within the parks are only accessible by personal vehicles. For those planning to go skiing or snowboarding, a car is necessary to reach Park City. Gas costs may range from $40-$100 depending on the vehicle and the distance traveled.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a day in Capitol Reef National Park, which is in between Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park. For those with less time, you may want to skip Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park, but we highly recommend including them if possible.

Airports

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the main airport in Utah, located about 4 miles west of Salt Lake City. The next closest major airport is Denver International Airport (DEN), which is about 520 miles east of Salt Lake City.