Utah has five national parks and they’re all located near each other in the southern part of the state. You could, in theory, visit them all in one very long day. That is, if all you cared about was getting a picture in front of each sign. However, each of these “Utah Mighty 5” as they’re called are definitely worthy of a visit. Our family has been fortunate enough to cross each one of our family travel bucket list. So, here are our tips for visiting these five national parks with your family.
what are the Utah Mighty 5?
The Utah Mighty 5 are all located in the southern portion of Utah state, and are all well-known for their classic red rock formations. However, even though these five national parks have many similarities, they also have many differences. Each park has unique attributes and you might just be surprised at which one of the five becomes your favorite after you’ve seen them all.
Utah Mighty 5 parks near Cedar City and St. George
Zion National Park
Zion National Park was Utah’s first established national monument, and then later national park. This park is home to the famous “Zion Narrows” hike, where you can hike through the narrow slot canyon of the North Fork of the Virgin River. Zion is probably the most popular of the Utah Mighty 5 and can get very crowded in summer months. Get an early start and you can have a fabulous visit in this red rock wonderland anytime of year, though.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a fun one for theme park enthusiasts–it is the design inspiration behind Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! This park is the closest one to Zion, which makes it easy to visit both on the same trip. There are several levels of hikes to choose from, and you can even ride horses down into the valley of hoodoos (the iconic rock formations).
Utah Mighty 5 parks near Moab
Arches National Park
Arches is another popular national park and for good reason. This park is easily accessible to the town of Moab. It’s also easily accessible for those who prefer to sightsee from their vehicle. Though there are several long hikes you could embark on, there are also many short, family-friendly hikes, viewpoints, and scenic drives you can take. This park uses a timed entry reservation system for a good portion of the year, so plan your trip accordingly.
Canyonlands National Park
Just a short drive from Moab, Canyonlands National Park is easy to group into your Arches trip. Canyonlands has some of the same arch formation that Arches has, but has several other aspects that set it apart. This is also a park that is best explored with a off-roading vehicle. Many parts of the park are closed to regular cars. Still, there is a lot to see and several easy hikers that even the youngest explorers in your group can tackle, even in your family minivan.
off the beaten path but worth a visit
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is the hardest to get to because it’s the furthest of the beaten path. However, it was probably one of my favorite of all the Utah Mighty 5. Visit during the right time of year and you can pick fruit from Pioneer orchards and pay by the honor system. There is also a scenic drive and several family-friendly hikes to choose from. My advice–don’t pass up this park!
Have you been to any of the Utah Mighty Five?
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