Utah National Parks - The Mighty Five

Utah's Mighty Five National Parks

Discover the breathtaking landscapes, unique geological formations, and unforgettable experiences at Utah's five spectacular national parks.

Explore Utah's National Parks

Utah's national parks are special. With a rugged uniqueness at the heart of each park and a stunning array of landmarks sitting in between them, there's just nothing like the Mighty Five.

National Park

Arches National Park

Discover a landscape with over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations.

Moab, UT

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National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

The home of hoodoos stuns in all seasons. Travel through Bryce Amphitheater's forest of red-rock spires, then hike back up for a sweeping view from atop the Paunsaugunt Plateau.

Bryce Canyon, UT

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National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Carved over millennia by the Green and Colorado Rivers, Canyonlands rewards visitors with panoramic views and rugged wilderness. There are easy viewpoints and challenging adventures for all types of travelers.

Moab, UT

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National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

A 100-mile snag in the earth's crust, featuring pies! This underrated park is filled with geologic marvels, historic homesteads, and active orchards within the Waterpocket Fold.

Torrey, UT

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National Park

Zion National Park

The oldest and most visited of Utah's parks. With towering canyon walls, sweeping views, and iconic hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows, Zion is definitely worth the hype.

Springdale, UT

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Utah National Parks By The Numbers

National Parks

13.5M

Annual Visitors

$2.6B

Economic Benefit

76+

Miles of Scenic Drives

Discover Utah's National Parks

Planning Your Utah National Parks Adventure

Utah's five national parks are located in the southern half of the state, making it possible to visit all of them on one epic road trip. Many visitors follow "The Mighty 5" route, which can be done in 7-10 days.

Grand Circle Tour

The iconic road trip connects all five national parks plus nearby attractions in neighboring states.

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) offer pleasant temperatures and smaller crowds.

Leave No Trace

Follow responsible outdoor ethics to help preserve these natural wonders for future generations.

Essential Resources

Popular Hiking Trails

Discover the most scenic and rewarding hiking trails in each of Utah's national parks.

Camping Information

Find the perfect campsite in or near the parks, including reservation details and amenities.

Seasonal Guidelines

Learn what to expect during different seasons and how to prepare for your visit.

Park Passes & Fees

Information about entrance fees, annual passes, and free admission days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there bears in Utah's national parks?

Black bears can be found in Bryce Canyon and occasionally in Arches and Canyonlands. There are no grizzly bears in Utah's national parks.

In Arches and Canyonlands, black bears typically wander from the nearby mountain ranges (LaSal and Abajo) in late August and September, following river corridors and seeking fruit. Black bears are more common year-round in Bryce Canyon.

What are the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon?

Bryce Canyon's hoodoos are unusual rock spires formed by weathering and erosion. For more than half the days in a year, Bryce Canyon experiences temperatures above and below freezing in a single day. Water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands, then melts away again, causing larger rock formations to break apart into smaller hoodoos.

Multiple rock types erode at different rates, creating the unique patterns and offset layers that make Bryce Canyon's hoodoos so picturesque.

Nearby National Parks

Though we think our national parks are pretty hard to beat, three more parks in neighboring states deserve attention too.

Park Name	State	Distance from Utah	Highlights
Grand Canyon	Arizona	2-4 hours from southern Utah	Immense canyon, Colorado River, rim-to-rim hiking
Great Basin	Nevada	2 hours from western Utah	Ancient bristlecone pines, Lehman Caves, dark skies
Mesa Verde	Colorado	1-3 hours from eastern Utah	Ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings, archaeological sites

This report is brought to you by Klavis AI

This report is brought to you by Klavis AI