Utah's Mighty 5

This route links Utah's five national parks in a single run from Moab to Zion, with side trips for Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley. Driving days are short and you can walk at each park. It suits first-time visitors to the American Southwest and anyone with a week.

The stops

1. Start

   Moab

2. Hike

   Delicate Arch trailhead, Arches NP

   The 5 km round-trip walk to the best-known arch

3. Viewpoint

   Dead Horse Point

   State park with a view over a gooseneck of the Colorado River

4. Hike

   Mesa Arch, Canyonlands NP

   Short walk to the arch, best at sunrise

5. Park

   Goblin Valley State Park

   Valley of mushroom-shaped rocks

6. Historic

   Fruita, Capitol Reef NP

   Historic orchards, pick fruit in season

7. Viewpoint

   Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon NP

   Rim viewpoint over the hoodoos

8. Park

   Zion Lodge

   Shuttle-only scenic drive in most of the year

9. Hike

   Weeping Rock

   Short trail to a dripping rock alcove

10. Finish

    Springdale

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Moab

  Moab Valley RV Resort · Ken's Lake (BLM)

• Night 2

  Moab

  Moab Valley RV Resort

• Night 3

  Torrey

  Wonderland RV Park · Fruita Campground

• Night 4

  Tropic

  Ruby's Inn RV Park · Bryce Canyon Pines

• Night 5

  Springdale

  Watchman Campground (Zion NP)

• Night 6

  Springdale

  South Campground (Zion NP)

When to go

Mar-May and Sep-Oct; summer is hot, winter is cold at altitude

On the road

Arches may use timed-entry reservations in busy months; check NPS. Fuel and food are scarce in the Capitol Reef and Escalante area, so keep the tank full.