utah and wyoming road trip

WYOMING + UTAH ROAD TRIP ITINERARY :: 10 DAYS

The road trip of my dreams — Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Arches, Canyonlands. Hitting 4 national parks and multiple state parks. Exploring Wyoming + Utah the best we can in 10 days. Here is our WYOMING + UTAH ROAD TRIP ITINERARY.

The positive in all of this pandemic chaos is the fact that it slowed international travel and forced my lens back on my home country. Sometimes I forget just how huge the USA is and how driving state to state everything from the scenery to the culture changes. Now I have a goal of visiting every one of the 50 states.

This specific route is heavy on driving, so if you rather only drive shorter legs, you’ll need more days! We started in Denver, Colorado since Hannah lives there but you can save some driving by flying in closer to the Grand Tetons.

DENVER,CO >>> DUBOIS, WY .

6 hours 38 minutes — 7.5 hours with stops.

The majority of campsites in//around National Parks are first come, first serve so we knew we wouldn’t make it to Grand Tetons or Yellowstone and find a spot so we stay 1 night in Dubois, Wyoming at the KOA campsite .

Make sure to stop at a Walmart before getting too deep into the mountains to stock up on reasonably prices food + gear. This is where we got our air mattresses for the tents, all groceries, and extra hiking gear. This was perfect because we packed up at 6am and caught sunrise on the way into Grand Tetons National Park…

DUBOIS, WY >>> MORAN, WY .

1 hour 14 minutes.

… AND scored the best camping spot we’d camp in this entire trip :: spot 38 @ Signal Mountain . We spent two nights at this campsite and explored Yellowstone and hiked Delta Lake over those two days. Day 1:: We drove through Yellowstone, saw Old Faithful — and to be honest it felt like Disney. It was a one & done type of attraction. Checked off the Bucketlist. BUT the next day, we headed to Delta Lake via Lupine Meadows access. One of the highlights of this trip.

Hiking up to Delta Lake is the #1 thing to do in the Grand Tetons, imo. ProTip:: buy bear spray before getting into the National Parks because it was sold over e v e r y w h e r e and we ended up with none until at the top of Delta Lake a really nice older lady gave us one of her three canisters after overhearing us saying we have none.

TETON COUNTY, WY >>> JACKSON HOLE, WY >>> SALT LAKE CITY, UT

1 hour >>> 4 hours 37 minutes. 6 hours 15 min with stops.

We left early to go grab breakfast at Cowboy Coffee Co. in Jackson Hole. First, one of the best breakfasts we had the trip ((tied with Garage Moab)). Second, I wish we had at least a full day in Jackson Hole. It is the most charming town nestled in between the Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges. If you have more time than we did on this leg of the trip, definitely spend a full day or two there. There is so much to explore.

We ended up driving right through Salt Lake City to head to the Bonneville Salt Flats for sunset. Worth it. But was another hour and a half of driving! So get your road trip playlist ready.

+ 1 hour 31 minutes.

After watching one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Bonneville Salt Flats we took a break from our tent and stayed in a hotel in Salt Lake. Met up with soem friends for breakfast the next day before heading to Zion.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT >>> ZION NATIONAL PARK , UT

4 hours 24 minutes. 5 hours with stops.

Under Canvas Zion was my first experience gaming and I am in love . Don’t get me wrong, I love true camping ((with our air mattresses)) and being in nature. But Under Canvas was dreamy. Tucked away in a secluded red rock valley in Virgin, Utah — this was the best stargazing of the entire trip. ALSO, the food was incredible and there were even complementary s’mores at night. We all know good food + sugar wins me over.

We were here for two nights and would wake up before sunrise to get into Zion National Park early. Some musts:: hike the Narrows . Rent canyoneering boots + neoprene socks + trekking poles. It made all the difference. They also have a shuttle that gets you into the park earlier than the regular park shuttle so you can enjoy the Narrows before droves of people are trekking with you. It will be crowded either way, but our way back was significantly more crowded than our way up the canyon.

&& YES there is a cyanobacteria boom in the Virgin River — but we did it, and lived. Ceara and I even got some of that toxic water in our eyeballs. HOT TAKE:: Angles Landing is the most overrated hike. Pretty. But Overrated. Granted, we were there when the chain portion was closed so that may be why we felt this way.

We all know I’m a crazy foodie so… in Zion there are a few places you must eat. First, Oscar’s Cafe in Sprindale right outside of Zion Nat. Park. INSANELY good + large portions of Mexican//American. Possibly the best burrito I’ve ever had. Could’ve been shared. Easily. Next up, River Rock Roasting Company . Great views, free wi-fi and THE best cinnamon roll you’ll ever have in your life. And an honorable mention to FeelLove Coffee right near the entrance of the park. They have imaginative lattes that are worth then money.

ZION, UT >>> MOAB, UT

5 hours. 5 hours and 30 minutes with stops.

We hiked the Narrows this morning super early, grabbed lunch then drove to Moab, Utah. We stayed at another KOA campground, but there are so many accommodations in Moab so you’ll have options. Moab is situated in the middle of the triangle of beautiful parks:: Arches, Canyonlands, Mount Waas. Arches National Park was spectacular, but then again each day of this trip just got better and better so it’s really hard to play favorites. Arches is a park you drive through to explore and we didn’t even get to see all of it during our two days there.

We hiked up to Delicate Arche which is a must . A hike that is 100% worth the hype. You feel as if you’re hiking around Mars. Our start time was 5am since we ended up having the worst nights sleep due to wind and our tent overheating… Still one of the best days. Hiking up in the pitch black and having the sunrise reveal the new scenery made if one of the best hikes I’ve ever done.

Make sure to catch sunset at Dead Horse State Park which is a 40 minute drive from our campsite. Also, make sure to grab coffee + food at Moab Garage Co. I miss it already. Pasta Jay’s was also a great spot for dinner in Moab if you’re looking to carb load for your hikes. Hannah wanted to stop at the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage and I am so grateful she wanted to because that is the only reason we ended up at Red Cliffs Lodge . Right on a bend of the Colorado River, this lodge also has their own horse stable. My only regret is not horseback riding while there. But I will be back!

MOAB, UT >>> DENVER, CO

5 hours and 27 minutes. 6 hours with stops.

Our road trip was a full circle but you can save some driving by scheduling your flight home out of Moab! Let me know if you use this itinerary!! It was truly one of the best trips I’ve been on and made me realize I need to explore more of our own beautiful country before hopping back in to International trav e l .

If you use our itinerary please let me know and tag me on instagram because I would love to see/hear your thoughts on it. I loved this trip so damn much and it was so nice to take a break from being surrounded by so many people all the time and be out in nature. Shoutout to Ceara because she truly put together this entire WYOMING + UTAH ROAD TRIP ITINERARY. I also vlogged daily on this trip do if you want even more detail on one of my favorite road trips, check out my youtube channel! youtube.com/laynefable

CLICK HERE FOR MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD WYOMING + UTAH ROAD TRIP ITINERARY. ((we did not follow this to a T))

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Out west road trip film ….

You have great writing skills(the way you write it is very engaging and exciting). Great photos by the way I can’t wait to see Delta Lake on your vlog and those out of this world rock formation(you guys rocking the view with those edgy poses). Mama Tyra Banks will sure approve it. 👍👍👍

Thank you so much Bern!! : )

Wow layne you girls did so much in 10 days😃after reading it icant wait to see vlog..thats so sweet of that lady helping u on delta lake😊delta lake looks so amazing in photos. Salt lake and zion national park looks so amazing too i love all photo isaw here and delicate arc truly mars feel🤩📸

One of my favorite trips to date! : )

Wow layne you girls did so much in 10 days😃after reading it icant wait to see vlog..thats so sweet of that lady helping u on delta lake😊. Salt lake & zion national park looks amazing too every view you capture is soo beautiful 😊 delicate arc is truely a beautifull Mars feel😃📸

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10 Best Utah Road Trips: Unique Itineraries + Maps

By: Author Mark and Kristen Morgan

Posted on Published: July 16, 2020  - Last updated: December 19, 2023

Categories North America Travel Blog

Utah has many unique road trip options, including national parks, state parks and off-road adventures. Spectacular landscapes, bucket list hikes and beautiful photo spots make Utah one of the very best road trip destinations in the world.

In this guide, we’re going to show you 10 original and personally tested Utah road trips based entirely on our own experiences.

Our Utah Road Trip Experience

Why trust us with helping you to plan your Utah road trip?

Because we’ve explored far and wide throughout two separate Utah road trips, first in the fall of 2019 and again in the winter of 2021. We love the region and consider southern Utah to have some of the best road trips in the US .

During both our extended visits to Utah, we’ve hiked the iconic trails, explored the major parks and photographed the unmissable sunrise and sunset spots. Every Utah road trip itinerary in this guide is created from first hand knowledge . Read more about us .

With so many amazing US road trips available for your next adventure, why would you choose to road trip through Utah ?

Here’s what makes Utah such a popular place to visit:

• Five remarkable national parks
• Countless other special natural landscapes
• Year round accessibility
• Several of the best hikes in the US are in Utah
• Diverse and adventurous attractions
• Excellent weather for most of the year
• Easy logistics with Las Vegas and Salt Lake City airports

Other popular road trip routes in the US have the ocean, big cities, rainforests or rugged mountains. Utah offers dramatic canyons , extraordinary sandstone formations and bucket list hikes .

Choosing Where To Visit

Utah is home to a diverse range of topography including canyons, sand dunes, mountains and salt flats. The Mighty 5 national parks are the most heavily visited places in Utah, but there are so many other fun and underrated places to see.

So where should you visit on your Utah road trip?

Well, the answer depends on factors like your travel style, how much time you have and how many times you have visited Utah in the past.

• Are you a hiker? You should prioritize hikes in Zion National Park above all else.
• Are you a photographer? You should prioritize Arches, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon.
• First time in Utah or short on time? You should start with Zion and Bryce Canyon.
• Already seen the national parks? You should head to the adventure town of Kanab.

We think Utah is a state you can return to time and time again because there’s just so much to do. Even after 2 extensive trips to Utah, our bucket list is still only half full!

Further Reading: The 20 best places to visit in Utah

About Our Itineraries

Next, we’re going to show you our 10 favorite Utah road trip routes. You’ll find route statistics , a description and a map for each itinerary.

You can click into the interactive maps associated with each itinerary listed below. Simply touch or click the map to activate, then you can move around or zoom in and out.

We’ve tried to be as inclusive as possible in order to accommodate every traveler who wants to see the very best of Utah. Please feel free to leave us a comment at the end of the guide if we haven’t quite covered exactly what you are looking for.

Let’s get into the first itinerary!

1. Utah Mighty 5 National Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 389 miles
• Time : 7 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-8 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef , Canyonlands, Arches

The Mighty 5 national parks road trip is the ultimate Utah experience . This famous route consists of many of the best US national parks with stops at Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands.

After driving the Mighty 5 we can confidently say that it’s the all-in-one scenic Utah ticket featuring the best hikes, photo spots and landmarks. If you’ve never been to Utah and you want to see all the major highlights , this is the road trip for you.

Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Map

The Mighty 5 is most commonly driven as an out-and-back loop route from Las Vegas (here are the best things to do in Las Vegas ). Use the map above to see how the route begins in Zion, moves to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef before stopping near Moab for both Arches and Canyonlands.

Returning to Las Vegas from Moab, you have several amazing options for places to stop including Monument Valley, Page AZ, Grand Canyon North Rim and the adventure attractions around Kanab.

Road Trip Tip : Drive UT-12 from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. The route through Escalante is slightly longer but it’s incredibly scenic and shouldn’t be missed.

2. Utah State Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 476 miles
• Time : 9 hours 40 minutes
• Days : 3-5 days
• Attractions : Gunlock, Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, Coral Pink Sand Dunes , Kodachrome Basin, Escalante Petrified Forest, Goblin Valley, Dead Horse Point

We’ve created this original Utah road trip itinerary for return visitors to Utah or those who prefer to avoid heavy crowds . It follows the same route as the Mighty 5 but only stops at state parks and avoids national parks altogether.

We think Utah is overflowing with incredible state parks that are completely overshadowed by the national parks. There’s so much more to see, hike and photograph in Utah outside of the national parks. And the best part is that they’re always quiet .

Utah State Parks Road Trip Map

Our Utah state parks road trip is best driven in a loop from Las Vegas . Similarly to the Mighty 5 route, you can easily throw in plenty of extras stops along the way, which could even include one or two national parks if you don’t want to miss out.

Road Trip Tip : If state parks are your thing, do not miss the amazing Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada either on the way in or out of Utah from Las Vegas, which we have included in the route map above.

3. Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip

• Distance : 86 miles
• Time : 1 hour 55 minutes
• Days : 2-4 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon

Zion to Bryce Canyon is our top Utah road trips pick for visitors with just 2 or 3 days available. It’s a hugely popular and well established route which works perfectly with the nearby Las Vegas airport as a transport hub.

Both Zion and Bryce Canyon are amazing places, but they’re surprisingly different considering how close they are to one another. We love both parks and think this double header offers the perfect balance between ticking off some of the best Utah hikes and photo spots in a short trip.

Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Map

The Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip route is easy to plan . You simply fly into Las Vegas, drive to Zion, then drive to Bryce Canyon and eventually return to Las Vegas the same way. Here are 5 very different ways you can spend one day in Zion National Park .

Road Trip Tip : Serious hikers should spend more time in Zion, whereas photographers and sightseers should spend more time in Bryce Canyon.

4. Arches And Canyonlands Road Trip

• Distance : 78 miles
• Time : 2 hours 5 minutes
• Days : 1-2 days
• Attractions : Canyonlands, Arches

Arches and Canyonlands is one of the best bang for your buck road trips in Utah. We loved the photo spots in these two parks and can’t wait to go back for more landscape shoots. It’s possible to see the highlights of both parks in one day by starting in Canyonlands and ending in Arches.

However, 2 full days would allow you to relax and visit more natural attractions by spending a day in each park. You can tick off the best hikes in Arches and end with sunset from Delicate Arch on the first day, before spending the next day in Canyonlands which begins with an incredible sunrise at Mesa Arch .

Arches To Canyonlands Road Trip Map

Many visitors to Moab only have time to do Arches and Canyonlands in one day . Our route map above shows you exactly how to see both parks in a day from sunrise to sunset .

With more time you can do one day in each of Arches and Canyonlands. Start the second day in Canyonlands Island in the Sky district before visiting the further away districts called The Needles, The Maze and The Rivers.

Road Trip Tip : Start with Mesa Arch at sunrise and end with Delicate Arch at sunset for one of the most amazing days in Utah.

5. Kanab HQ Road Trip

• Distance : 320 miles
• Time : 6 hours 55 minutes
• Days : 3-4 days
• Attractions : Belly of the Dragon , Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Buckskin Gulch, The Wave, Toadstool Hoodoos , Grand Canyon North Rim

Our Kanab headquarters road trip is unique because you will use one tiny town as a base and the driving aspect is essentially fanning out in all directions around Kanab to visit attractions. Don’t be put off by what sounds like a boring road trip, trust us, it really isn’t!

We spent a few days ticking off hikes , landscapes , caves and sand dunes around Kanab during our second road trip through Utah and we were blown away by the area so much that we included it in our list of the 50 best US vacation spots .

Kanab is one of the most underrated places we’ve visited in America. Not only are there countless awesome things to do in Kanab , but the town also has affordable hotels, excellent restaurants and a chilled vibe.

Kanab HQ Road Trip Map

The route map above shows driving routes from Kanab to each of the most prominent attractions and hikes nearby. Visiting Grand Canyon North Rim is totally optional but it does make for a fantastic experience.

By using Kanab as a base, you can see the likes of Coral Pink Sand Dunes , Belly of the Dragon , Toadstool Hoodoos , Buckskin Gulch and The Wave . It’s also close to slot canyons and a bunch of fun adventure tours going out into the harder to reach areas of Utah like Peek-a-boo canyon.

Road Trip Tip : For the ultimate Kanab experience you should apply for the online lottery to win a permit for The Wave .

6. Kanab To Moab Road Trip

• Distance : 423 miles
• Time : 8 hours 45 minutes
• Days : 4-6 days
• Attractions : Kanab, The Wave or Grand Canyon North Rim, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands

Moving into custom Utah road trips territory , we think our Kanab to Moab road trip itinerary could be among the very best in this list . It’s perfect if you want to get off the beaten path and do something a bit different.

You’ll start with the best of Kanab , which could include hiking The Wave if you win a permit, before moving to Page AZ for Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon ( book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance). Next is Monument Valley and eventually you reach Moab for Arches and Canyonlands.

Kanab To Moab Road Trip Map

This route can be driven from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City or Denver with plenty of stops available on the back end after leaving Moab. It works perfectly for anyone who plans to spend time in Colorado either before or after Utah. Remember, Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t too far from Moab.

Do you want to visit Grand Canyon South Rim during your Utah road trip? You could leave Kanab and arrive into Page, then drive down to South Rim before re-joining the itinerary to Moab.

Road Trip Tip : You can see most of Monument Valley without actually going into the paid area.

7. Utah Hiking Road Trip

• Distance : 932 miles
• Time : 18 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-10 days
• Attractions : Fire Wave, The Subway , Angels Landing , The Narrows , Queen’s Garden , Hickman Bridge, Mesa Arch, Devil’s Garden, Delicate Arch, Buckskin Gulch , The Wave

We’ve created this custom road trip through Utah specifically for hikers and we think it’s pretty awesome! Utah’s unique landscapes are a paradise for hikers but the iconic trails are time consuming, so this is the longest itinerary in our list.

The route effectively follows the Mighty 5 path but it only consists of the best hikes . There are no photography stops, sunrises, sunsets or stops at other attractions. It’s a case of getting your permits in advance , driving from hike to hike and enjoying the trails.

Utah Hiking Road Trip Map

The map for our hikers Utah road trip route is created as though you have acquired permits for every necessary trail. Adapt the route if you are unable to obtain any permit, otherwise sit back and soak up what is going to be an incredible hiking trip !

Are you considering the Grand Canyon? Here’s our popular guide on the best hikes in Grand Canyon South Rim .

Road Trip Tip : In Utah you need permits to hike The Subway, Angels Landing, Buckskin Gulch and The Wave.

8. Utah Photography Road Trip

• Distance : 1,019 miles
• Time : 20 hours 15 minutes
• Attractions : Fire Wave , Zion Canyon Overlook , Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon Amphitheater , Fruita Barn, Mesa Arch , Delicate Arch , Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend , Grand Canyon

Our next custom Utah road trip itinerary is designed for photographers . Utah is not just for hikers, it’s also a prime location for landscape photography. Some of our favorite photo spots are in Utah. Think Mesa Arch, Delicate Arch and the Bryce Canyon amphitheater and you’ll get the idea!

The major issue with a photography itinerary is that you often need to be out for sunrise or sunset , so we’ve crafted this Utah road trip mainly around the most prominent locations at the best times of day. It’s a longer itinerary to accommodate for being in the right place at the right time .

Utah Photography Road Trip Map

Our photography route is one of our favorite Utah road trips because it leads to nothing but stunning landscapes . Use our itinerary as a starting point but be sure to include any other photo spots you know along the way (there are so many more!)

Follow the map above to see how you can drive around southern Utah and place yourself at the best photo spots every day . There are several ways you could plan this trip based on how much time you have and how important each stop is to you.

Road Trip Tip : The more time you allow for this road trip, the more sunrises and sunsets you can include. Dawn and dusk really are the most amazing times of day in Utah.

9. 4×4 Adventure Utah Road Trip

• Distance : 745 miles
• Time : 17 hours 30 minutes
• Attractions : Sand Mountain, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Red Canyon Slot, Willis Creek Slot, Kodachrome Basin, Zebra Slot, Natural Bridges, Valley of the Gods, White Pocket

Our custom 4×4 Utah road trip would be an entirely different experience to the typical routes. You can either hire a Jeep and drive yourself or take tours into the scorched wilderness. This adventure filled itinerary leads into countless slot canyons, washes and totally off the beaten path spots.

A lot of this itinerary is based around Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument but you could also include Glen Canyon National Recreation Area . These are the places nobody else goes in Utah so you really get that lost world feel.

Utah 4×4 Road Trip Map

The map above shows a basic 4×4 off-road adventure itinerary that we would follow if we were to take on this awesome road trip through Utah. Adapt, remove and include as you see fit based on any other spots you have pegged to visit.

This is the only itinerary in this list that deserves a cautionary warning up front . It’s vital that you are experienced with these types of terrains and situations, as well as being proficient in vehicle fixes and knowing what to do in emergency situations.

Road Trip Tip : With more time you can take your Jeep way off the beaten path. Study the roads in Grand Staircase Escalante in particular to plan the perfect off-road adventure.

10. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip

• Distance : 832 miles
• Time : 16 hours 10 minutes
• Days : 7-10 days
• Attractions : SLC, Bonneville Salt Flats, Antelope Island, Park City, Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, Bear Lake, Jackson, Grand Teton National Park , Yellowstone National Park

Our last Utah road trip is an extension of our extremely popular 7 days Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary . You can create a fantastic 10 day itinerary with Yellowstone and Grand Teton simply by including 3 days ticking off the top attractions around Salt Lake City.

Uinta Wasatch Cache is home to some seriously amazing hikes, Bonneville Salt Flats and Antelope Island are perfect for photographers, Park City is a famous skiing destination and downtown SLC is lovely to walk around.

SLC To Yellowstone Route Map

The map above shows an extended version of our classic 7 day SLC to Yellowstone road trip route with several spur trips near Salt Lake City creating a 10 day itinerary.

After leaving the Salt Lake City area, the route continues through Jackson to Grand Teton and Yellowstone before ending in Gardiner, MT. You can either fly home from Bozeman or return to SLC airport.

Road Trip Tip : Allow at least one full day in Grand Teton and two full days in Yellowstone at a minimum. In an ideal world you will have six full days to see both parks. Here’s our 4 days Yellowstone itinerary .

Planning Tools

So you know the routes and you’re excited to get started with planning. But what about logistics and the important things you need to know?

Here are the tools we use and the key information you should be aware of:

When searching for flights to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, we recommend checking prices on both Skyscanner and Google Flights as the two best flight search engines.

Tips to save on flights to Las Vegas or SLC:

• Shop around and compare prices on several days of the week
• Use incognito or private browser and clear your cache
• Use several devices such as your laptop and smartphone
• Read our guide on how to book cheap flights

You should have no issues booking accommodation for any of the Utah road trips covered in this guide with the exception of Zion National Park hotels during the peak season.

We always use and recommend using Booking.com to book hotels in the US. You might want to compare prices with Hotels.com to see if you can find a better deal.

Tips for booking hotels:

• Book your hotels in advance
• Sign up for a free membership account with Booking or Expedia
• Arrive at Zion during the week to avoid expensive weekend prices
• Read our popular guide on how to book cheap hotels

Resource : Our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere can help you find the best hotels in Las Vegas, Moab, Kanab, Page, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Grand Canyon South Rim.

3. Hire Car

If you’re not driving your own car to Utah, you’ll need to hire a car when you land at Salt Lake City or Las Vegas airport.

Our top recommendation is to find prices with Rental Cars and compare costs against Discover Cars . Input Salt Lake City airport or Las Vegas airport and your travel dates to see your options.

They’re our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point.

Tips for hiring a car:

• Book in advance for a better selection of cars
• Small cars are better for parking in tight spots at the national parks
• You’ll need a 4WD high clearance vehicle to go off road in Utah

4. National Parks

It’s important to stay up to date with live conditions such as roads, weather, hiking trails and lodging when you visit any of the national parks in Utah.

One of the unsung positives to visiting Utah is that natural disasters, wildfires, flooding and other problematic conditions are rare. Just look at Yellowstone and Yosemite in 2022 and 2023.

With that said, we still recommend keeping on top of the following current status reports:

• Arches – Live conditions
• Bryce Canyon – Live conditions
• Canyonlands – Live conditions
• Capitol Reef – Live conditions
• Zion – Live conditions

What To Pack For Utah Road Trips

Packing for a road trip in Utah will depend on what you plan to do and what time of year you decide to visit.

Our two trips to Utah have been in the months of October and December. Both times we packed for cold mornings and cold evenings but warmer days, especially when hiking.

If you plan your Utah road trip for summer you can expect hot days so your packing list will look very different. Take plenty of shorts, t-shirts and socks in case you need to wear more than one per day.

Are you planning to visit the Mighty 5? The number one thing you should buy and pack is an America the Beautiful Pass to save money on national park entry costs.

Here is a basic road trip packing list to get you started:

• America the Beautiful Pass – REI
• Car emergency kit – First Secure
• In case of snow – Snow Brush
• Hiking shoes – Men | Women
• Day hiking backpack – Best day bags
• Down Jacket – Men | Women

Further Reading: The essential road trip packing list

Where To Stay On Your Utah Road Trip

Let’s take a summarized look at the top rated hotels in the most popular Utah road trip destinations to help get you organized. Don’t forget you can click the links below to read complete hotel guides on our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere .

Each hotel listed below is a hotel we have either stayed at or would stay at because they have excellent ratings.

Springdale (Zion)

• Cable Mountain Lodge
• Red Rock Inn
• Watchman Villas

Further Reading: The best hotels in Springdale UT

Bryce Canyon City and Tropic (Bryce Canyon)

• Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
• Bryce Canyon Log Cabins
• Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn Bryce Canyon

Further Reading: Where to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park

Torrey (Capitol Reef)

• Capitol Reef Resort
• Broken Spur Inn
• Red Sands Hotel

Further Reading: Best places to stay near Capitol Reef National Park

Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)

• Aarchway Inn Moab Utah
• My Place Hotel Moab Utah
• Hoodoo Moab Utah

Further Reading: Where to stay in Moab Utah

• La Quinta Kanab Utah
• Kanab Suites In Kanab Utah
• Canyons Boutique Hotel Kanab Utah

Further Reading: Best places to stay in Kanab UT

Camping Special

Are you planning to camp during your Utah road trip?

We’ve teamed up with The Dyrt to offer our readers an exclusive no strings attached 30 day free trial with The Dyrt PRO .

This is our favorite camping app because it helps you find the best campgrounds along your specific driving route with benefits including no booking fees and free camping spots.

You can also use a fantastic new feature called Dyrt Alerts to receive notifications when sold out campgrounds have cancellations so you can snag near-impossible spots.

In Conclusion

Utah is home to some of the most scenic and exciting road trip routes in the US. Unique rock formations, dramatic canyons and adventurous hiking trails make Utah the perfect road trip destination for hikers, photographers and lovers of nature. It’s great for solo travelers, couples, groups and families alike.

After exploring most of the US, we can confidently say that Utah is one of our favorite states to visit. Hiking and landscape photography are our two favorite things to do when we travel, and Utah has both in abundance!

More Road Trips

• Las Vegas to Death Valley day trip
• Kancamagus Highway fall road trip
• Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip
• New England fall road trip
• San Francisco to San Diego road trip
• Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip
• South Dakota road trip
• Best road trips in the USA
• Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip

Want more Utah content?  Head over to our Utah Travel Guides to explore the Mighty Five national parks and beyond.

We hope this Utah road trips guide helps with planning your visit to the Beehive State!

Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the routes in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

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Sunday 12th of February 2023

Dear Mark and Kristen, my boyfriend and I are thinking of having a 3-week vacation (we are coming all the way from Europe so less doesn't really make sense for us) doing the classic national parks road trip in Utah and Arizona at the end of May. We are planning 2 days in each park (1 in Capitol Reef), and around 4 days in Kanab and Page each, trying to see and do as much as possible as most likely we will never come back to that part of the world again. We love hiking and active holidays, but we are not extreme hikers and we are not going to do the most challenging (even if they are the most famous) trails such as Angels Landing, the Narrows, or the Wave. I extensively used your website picking out the best trails and things to do and trying to estimate how much time is needed for each :) The rough plan is this:

Day 1 - travel from Europe, arrive in Las Vegas the evening Day 2 - Valley of Fire, evening drive to Springdale Day 3 - Zion main canyon (Emerald pools & Kayenta trails, Watchman trail, Riverside walk, Zion Canyon overlook) Day 4 - Zion Colob canyons, evening drive to Kanab Day 5-7 - Kanab guided day tours to 1) Grand Canyon North Rim Toroweap Viewpoint, 2) White Pocket, 3) Peekaboo Slot Canyon, The White Wave, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, 4) Grand Staircase Escalante Day 8 - Kanab guided day tour (see above), evening drive to Bryce Canyon city Day 9 - Bryce canyon (Scenic drive viewpoints, Fairyland loop trail, Queen’s garden & Navajo loop trails) Day 10 - Bryce canyon (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Torrey Day 11 - Capitol reef, afternoon/evening drive to Moab Day 12-14 - Arches (Delicate Arch trail, Devil’s garden trail, Balanced Rock, Park Avenue trails, The Windows trail & Double arch) and Canyonlands (Island in the sky, Mesa Arch, Grand View point, Green river overlook, Needles/Chesler Park loop trail) Day 15 - Arches/Canyonlands (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Mexican hat/Monument valley Day 16 - Monument and Mystery valley full day Navajo guided tour OR Monument valley half-day guided tour and Natural Bridges national monument, evening drive to Page Day 17-19 - Page (Upper & Lower Antelope canyons guided tours, Secret Antelope Canyon guided tour & Horseshoe bend outlook, Antelope Canyon X guided tour, Navajo canyon boat tour, Horseshoe bend rafting tour, Paria Rimrocks Toadstool Hoodoos) Day 20 - Page (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Grand Canyon village Day 21-22 - Grand Canyon South Rim (all viewpoints, beginning of Bright Angel trail, South Rim trail, Shoshone point trail) Day 23 - morning drive to Las Vegas Day 24 - Las Vegas Day 25 - morning travel back to Europe

As you can see, the ideal plan is a bit longer than 3 weeks and we will have only 22 days (including traveling to/from Europe, which uses up 2 whole days). So we will have to cut 3 days our of our plan, and we are not sure what to sacrifice. I'm thinking the following: - 1 day in Valley of Fire → instead combine as day trip from Las Vegas on day 24 - 1 day in Kanab → which of the 4 tours do you think is the least interesting? - 1 day in Page → scrap Navajo canyon boat tour and Horseshoe bend rafting tour? Is there anything else you would suggest?

In addition, I wanted to ask if it's worth visiting Natural Bridges national monument compared to all the other sites, and if a full day Navajo guided tour of Monument and Mystery valleys is worth it?

We will appreciate any advice that you can give us!

Monday 13th of February 2023

Thank you so much for the feedback, we will definitely consider your advice! I find it very difficult to estimate how much time is needed for each park, probably they could be done in shorter time as you said, but we also need downtime between intense days as you said :)

Mark and Kristen Morgan

Hi Petia, thanks for getting in touch and we are more than happy to help. This sounds like an amazing travel plan but let's trim it a bit so you can make it work.

To answer you final questions first:

1. Valley of Fire - If you don't mind losing that last day in Vegas, then you can definitely do Valley of Fire as a day trip on your last day. But if you want the day in Vegas, you should still include Valley of Fire early in your itinerary because it is unique. We recommend trying to arrive at Fire Wave Trail as early as possible because sunrise here is the park's top highlight. 2. Kanab - They all sound great, but we would skip Grand Staircase because the others have the best balance. Kanab is a nice little town. 3. Page - It sounds like you are more interested in the canyons, so yes skip the rafting and boat tour. It doesn't take long to see Horseshoe Bend from the overlook. You will end up with a lot of spare time in Page because the canyon tours don't take long. Maybe look around Lake Powell or hike a portion of Buckskin Gulch. 4. We haven't been to Natural Bridges yet. It looks great but you can get a similar theme at all the national parks in Utah, so we would skip it. We have been to Monument Valley and we drove the self guided tour, which was cool but again we would skip this if we were doing your trip. You can see Monument Valley from the main road you will drive anyway. Tip - Monument Valley is best seen early in the day if driving from Moab to Page which you are.

That is 3 full days saved already (or 4 if you decide to combine VoF into your last day in Vegas). Here are our other tips:

1. By skipping the 4th tour in Kanab, you can travel to Bryce Canyon on the morning of Day 8, spend the day hiking and driving the scenic roads, watch sunset, stay over and then watch sunrise in the morning. There's not much else to do and Bryce is small so you can leave early on Day 9, spend 6-8 hours in Capitol Reef and drive to Moab. It would be a long day but it would also save another full day on your itinerary. 2. You have loads of time for Arches and Canyonlands. If you wanted to, you could probably save a day at Arches by doing Devils Garden Trail, Windows, Park Avenue and Delicate Arch in one day. That's Arches done. Canyonlands isn't as easy because it is split into regions but unless you plan to go hiking long distances, you won't need much time there either, you can do Mesa Arch, Green River and Grand View in a few hours. So overall for Moab you could save a day. Probably skip Dead Horse State Park because it is another $20 and is similar to Canyonlands. 3. Two days is more than enough time for Grand Canyon South Rim if you don't intend on hiking down into the canyon. You can see the viewpoints on both Desert View Drive as you enter Grand Canyon and Hermit Road in one day. So again, you could save time here if necessary.

If you haven't already got one, definitely buy an America the Beautiful Pass for $80 which will get you into all National Parks on your trip.

There are plenty of places you can cut or save, but it will depend on exactly what you both want to do. You will also need some downtime because this is a full on adventure! The driving and hiking gets tiring after a few weeks, so you might end up needing a half day to relax and take it easy.

Hope this helps but if you have any more questions send us an email which you can find on our Contact Page. Have a great trip!

Thursday 13th of January 2022

Hello. If you had to choose between taking a Utah road trip in the spring months of April or May vs the end of October, which would you choose? We would like to see Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and go on into Arizona for the Grand Canyon. Thanks for your help!

Hi Jane, both Spring and Fall are the best times to visit the Utah/Arizona parks so either time will be great. We personally prefer traveling the US southwest in Autumn, through September and October. However, if you are only able to do the very end of October, you may run a risk of temperatures cooling significantly in the morning and at night as you approach November (sunrise / sunset photography, long day hikes). If you are able to go in April or early - mid May, you are more likely to see more comfortable conditions for hiking (late May onward can be challenging for hiking with heat). Late October would also mean you may just about miss Utah's considerable fall colors. With that said, hotels in Springdale, Moab and Grand Canyon will likely be more affordable in late Oct than in May. Finally, it's impossible to avoid crowds in these parks, but late October will likely be slightly less busy than April / May. The balance between crowds, cost and weather is similar at either time. If you can make it slightly earlier in Oct, we'd say go for that, otherwise the beginning of May. April can have extreme weather in the US Southwest, which is something else to consider. Have a fantastic time whichever season you choose!

Tuesday 29th of June 2021

We’re planning a trip round trip Vegas through southwest Utah national parks to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We’ve got two weeks. How would you split the time and what are the best roads to take. We’d like to see Bryce, Hoseshoe Bend, Arches, Canyonlands, up through Salt Lake City to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. We don’t hike as we’re seniors but love photography. Any assistance would be appreciated. It’s feels so overwhelming! Btw….your website is fabulous!

Wednesday 30th of June 2021

Hi Marie - sounds like a fantastic trip and we know how overwhelming it can be with so many amazing places to see in just two weeks. You're right to avoid Zion, it is a wonderful place but is more of an adventure hiking park. When visiting Horseshoe Bend in Page, you might want to try nearby Antelope Canyon if you can book a slot for a photography tour. If you're planning sunrise photography - Bryce Canyon amphitheater, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and Mormon Row / Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton are our top 3 recommendations for your trip. Grand Teton is extremely photogenic and we're sure your cameras will get a serious workout here! You'll have an action packed driving itinerary here but this is roughly how we would do it:

D1 - Bryce, D2 - Bryce sunrise, drive to Page and HS Bend, D3 - Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and arrive in Moab, D4 - Arches, D5 - Canyonlands, D6 - Drive to Salt Lake City, D7 - Morning in SLC and Drive to Jackson, D8 and D9 - Grand Teton, D10, 11, 12 - Yellowstone, D13 and D14 - Long drive back to Vegas, maybe break it up in SLC.

Roads - 89, 163 Monument Valley, 191, 6, 89 through Afton, 191 again through Yellowstone, then 20 and I-15 back to Vegas.

Hope this helps but let us know if you need any more info and have the best trip!

Thursday 1st of April 2021

Hi! Could you please share your itinirerary from google maps? It isn't loading anymore! Thanks!

Hi Agnes, thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear you can't load the map. Just checked and I can load all maps on both mobile and desktop on my end. I'll shoot you an email to see if we can get the map working for you!

Graham Bedford

Wednesday 22nd of July 2020

Omg Utah is now definatley on my bucket list to visit now.

Mark & Kristen Morgan

That's what we like to hear! Utah is an awesome US road trip destination Graham!

USA Road Trip Itinerary for Nature Lovers (Colorado + Utah + Wyoming)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 10, 2023

Looking for ideas on how to plan an American road trip that covers some amazing nature destinations, but don’t know where to start? This article might be just what you’re looking for. It covers the most beautiful National Parks in Colorado, Utah, and also in Wyoming . Take a look!

We had just two and a half weeks for our family summer road trip in the United States , and it was a big challenge to create a good itinerary. We had a big list of places we wanted to see and we also wanted to have some time to explore, not just tick the boxes and say that we’d been there.

On the other hand, when we travel far , we tend to just visit the landmarks and see the main highlights. Exploring in depth is not always easy to combine with three young kids, limited time, and expensive flight tickets…

The main highlights of this American road trip for us were Yellowstone and Arches National Parks. Therefore we chose to spend a bit more time in these two parks and built the rest of our U.S. road trip itinerary around it.

We ended up covering a pretty big part of Western United States in just 17 days, and it was an amazing trip. Our trip started in Denver, we traveled through Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, and ended our road trip in Salt Lake City. We visited the Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells in Aspen, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP, and a couple of other incredible places.

In this post, I am sharing our American family road trip itinerary for nature and outdoor enthusiasts.

Our American road trip itinerary including Rocky Mountain NP, Arches NP, Yellowstone NP & more

• Day 1: Denver
• Day 2: Denver – Estes Park – Grand Lake (Rocky Mountain NP)

Day 3: Grand Lake – Independence Pass – Aspen

• Day 4: Aspen and Maroon Bells
• Day 5: Aspen – Moab (Arches NP)

Day 6: Arches National Park

• Day 7: Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
• Day 8: Moab – Vernal
• Day 9: Vernal – Jackson Hole
• Day 10: Jackson – Yellowstone NP

Days 11-13: Yellowstone National Park

Day 14: yellowstone np – grand teton np, day 15: grand teton national park.

• Day 16: Grand Teton NP – Salt Lake City
• Day 17: Salt Lake City
• Practical Information for planning American road trip

TIP: Use this U.S. road trip itinerary as an example, as it gives you a good idea of the highlights you can see in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming in just 17 days.

There are many other incredible landmarks and beautiful National Parks near these places. So depending on your interests and time, you could easily combine a part of our American road trip itinerary with, for example, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks , Monument Valley , the Grand Canyon , Sedona , Mesa Verde National Park , Mount Rushmore , Custer State Park , Glacier NP , etc.

PRO TIP: If you are planning to visit several American National Parks during the same trip, make sure to get an annual America the Beautiful Pass.  It costs just 80 USD for the whole family traveling in the same vehicle. And it’s valid in all National Parks and 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States for one year from the month of purchase. If you visit more than two parks, it costs less than buying individual tickets.

Day 1: Arrival in Denver

It was a long day flying from Europe to Denver, Colorado . We arrived late in the afternoon, picked up the rental car, and headed straight to our hotel outside the city.

I had been to Denver in the past; it is a nice city. However, we don’t often stay in big cities when traveling with kids, so we skipped Denver altogether on this trip. But if you have more time, it’s definitely a place where you could spend an extra day.

• Accommodation: We stayed in Golden , outside of the city center of Denver . It’s conveniently located in the direction of the Rocky Mountain NP.

Day 2: Denver – Estes Park – Rocky Mountain NP – Grand Lake

We started our drive from Denver to Rocky Mountain NP with a very scenic ride following the  Peak to Peak Highway . Recommended stop:  Brainard Lake area , where you can make several walks.

Afterwards we continued in the direction of Estes Park . Recommended stops: Lily Lake and Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock . We also stopped at the rocky area just next to the road, where we made a beautiful short walk. Many people were practicing rock climbing here.

We had lunch in Estes Park and headed to the Rocky Mountain National Park . This beautiful park is worth a trip on its own, and in my college years, I spent the whole summer in Estes Park combining a summer job with endless hiking. But on this trip, we didn’t stay here long and headed straight for the main highlight of our day – Trail Ridge Road.

Trail Ridge Road , reaching as high as 12,183 feet (3,700m+), is the highest paved road in any national park in the U.S. It’s a beautiful road, so don’t miss it if you ever find yourself in the area. Trail Ridge Road is only open in summer. Count 2-3 hours for this road, a bit more if you also plan to do some hiking at the viewpoints.

• Driving distance: 130 miles (210 km).
• Accommodation:   We stayed for 1 night in  Grand Lake . It’s a peaceful little town with a real vacation feel, and not as busy as Estes Park. But if you have a day extra, then add 1 night in Estes Park before coming to Grand Lake and do some hiking. Here you can find our suggestions for Estes Park lodging .

TIP: If you have a few days to spare, I recommend you explore Rocky Mountain National Park more in-depth.

READ MORE: Rocky Mountain NP Itinerary from One to Five Days

A long but very scenic ride today. There are several ways to get from Grand Lake to Aspen. We chose to drive via Hwy 82 over Independence Pass . This road is well worth it!

Note: Independence Pass is only open in summer and vehicles over 35 feet (11 m) length are not allowed on this road.

Suggested stops: Leadville town, Twin Lakes and Grottos – Ice Caves picnic area where you can also make a short walk.

In the afternoon you have plenty of time to explore Aspen downtown and/or take the Aspen Gondola to the top of the mountain.

• Driving distance: 170miles (270 km)
• Accommodation: 2 nights in Aspen. Make sure you book your Aspen accommodation well in advance. Aspen is very popular all year round and affordable quality accommodation options are limited.

Day 4: Aspen, Maroon Bells & Ashcroft Ghost Town

A visit to Maroon Bells , the most photographed mountains in the U.S., is without any doubt one of the highlights of this American road trip. For the very best views and no crowds go early in the morning. Make sure you arrive well before 8 AM as parking is limited. Also, the road is closed for private vehicles during the day (8 AM-5 PM), and you have to take a shuttle bus instead.

You don’t need to walk far in order to see the lake. If you have just an hour, walk the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail. But if you have at least 3 hours to spare, you should really hike the Crater Lake Trail . Spectacular views are absolutely worth the 3.6 miles (+-6km) round trip. This hike is not very easy but can be done with kids.

READ MORE: Maroon Bells and Hiking the Crater Lake Trail

Ashcroft Ghost Town is another nice place that is nice to visit in this area. Located just 13 miles (21 km) South of Aspen.

Other recommendations in Aspen: The John Denver Sanctuary , ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies), also the Silver Queen Gondola if you haven’t done it the day before.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Aspen

Day 5: Aspen to Moab (Arches NP) via Scenic Hwy 128

Another long day driving today. But then again – the roads are really scenic, so take your time and enjoy the ride. Suggested road to Arches National Park: scenic Hwy 128, Utah (take I70, then exit at Cisco).

This road is probably one of the best-kept secrets in the area, and you will not meet many other tourists here. Which is hard to believe as it’s one of the most scenic roads we have ever driven. I find that it’s almost as spectacular as the Monument Valley Scenic Drive . Don’t miss it!

Temperatures in the Moab area are often over 100°F (38°C) in the summer months. Coming from the mountains in Aspen, the shock could not have been bigger. We reached Moab at around 2 PM and spent the hottest hours of the afternoon in the swimming pool of our hotel.

In the evening the temperatures were a bit more bearable and we made our first hike in Arches National Park . If you do just one hike in Arches, make it the Delicate Arch Trail .

• Driving distance: 230 miles (370km)
• Accommodation: 3 nights in Moab. Moab is the perfect base for exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Our hotel – Aarchway Inn – has huge family rooms and is very conveniently located close to the entrance of Arches NP. Here you can find more suggestions for the best Moab hotels .

READ MORE: Best Things to Do in Moab & Moab Itinerary Suggestions

Full day exploring Arches National Park . In spring or in autumn you could probably see the whole park and do at least 3-4 hikes in just one day. But visiting Arches NP in summer is a whole other story! Furthermore, we visited Arches with kids !

We started our day early and hiked till 11 AM. By then it was impossible to even get out of the car and we spent some time driving around Arches Scenic Drive and making short stops at the viewpoints.

In the afternoon we went back to the swimming pool in our hotel. We returned to the park towards the evening to do some more hiking.

READ MORE: Best Things to Do in Arches National Park

Day 7: Rafting on Colorado River (Moab) and Canyonlands NP

With temperatures of 106°F (41°C) and higher we couldn’t imagine dragging the kids for yet another day hiking, so we booked a half-day rafting trip on the Colorado River instead. Great experience and we could jump into the river to cool off once in a while. Kids loved it!

READ MORE: Moab Rafting Tour

We spent the hottest hours of the day by the pool again and in the late afternoon, we drove to Canyonlands National Park .

Canyonlands is divided into several sections; the easiest to visit –  Island in the Sky – is just 45 minutes drive from Moab. We drove the whole scenic drive of Island in the Sky and stopped at all the viewpoints. If you want to do one hike here, Mesa Arch  is really worth it. It’s a short, but very scenic walk. Highly recommended!

In the evening we drove to the nearby Dead Horse State Park for sunset.

• Driving distance: 100 miles (160km)

READ MORE: Canyonlands and Arches One Day Itinerary & Best Things to Do in Canyonlands NP

Day 8: Moab – Dinosaur National Monument – Vernal

There are several roads you can choose to get from Moab to Vernal. We drove via I-70, CO-139, CO-64, and US-40.

Suggested stop: Dinosaur National Monument . The visitor center with a very impressive dinosaur quarry is well worth a visit, but make sure to also explore the area by car. The scenery is just beautiful and you can find some ancient rock art as well. You can get a small map at the visitor center.

• Driving distance: 220 miles (355 km)
• Accommodation: 1 night in Vernal . Vernal is not a very exciting place to stay, but there are many hotels and restaurants in town and it makes it a convenient stop on the long stretch between Arches National Park and Yellowstone.

Day 9: Vernal – Flaming Gorge – Jackson Hole

A long drive again today, but with another incredible hidden gem along the way. Don’t miss the Red Canyon and Flaming Gorge Recreational Area ! Incredible views, scenic roads, and practically no people at all.

An absolute must is a view from the Red Canyon Visitors Centre . From there you have to choose which way to continue North, as there are two roads around the Flaming Gorge.

The road US-191 on the East side of the gorge passes the Flaming Gorge Dam . The road WY-530 on the west side gives you an opportunity to drive the scenic Sheep Creek Loop and visit the Dowd Mountain Overlook .

We asked for advice at the visitor center. They gave us a map of the area and told us to go West. It was definitely a good choice and we truly enjoyed the scenic Sheep Creek Loop. But if you cannot choose and have another hour or two to spare, drive to the Flaming Gorge Dam first, then return the same way you came, and continue in the direction of Manila.

In the late afternoon, we reached Jackson Hole . Jackson is a very charming town with many hotels, restaurants, and shops. It’s a good place to stay for exploring the area, but don’t use it as a base for visiting Yellowstone.

The road from Jackson to Yellowstone goes through Grand Teton National Park and is very busy in summer. Jackson is really too far for day trips to Yellowstone.

• Driving distance: 300 miles (480 km)
• Accommodation : Jackson has many accommodation options. However, just as Aspen, Jackson is extremely popular and not a budget-friendly place to stay, so book in advance. You can find the best deals for Jackson accommodation here .

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Jackson Hole

Day 10: Jackson to Yellowstone National Park

The drive from Jackson to Yellowstone goes through the beautiful Grand Teton National Park. We would be staying here at the end of the trip, so we didn’t stop at Grand Teton on the way to Yellowstone.

We entered Yellowstone National Park at the South Entrance. It was quite busy here and the signs were warning travelers that all Yellowstone accommodation and camping facilities were fully booked. So make sure to book well in advance!

On our first day in Yellowstone, we explored the area around Yellowstone Lake , did some hiking, then got stuck in a major bison jam in the Hayden Valley . We were glad to reach our hotel at the Canyon Village in time for dinner.

• Driving distance: 115 miles (185 km)
• Accommodation:   The best alternative to expensive and extremely popular Yellowstone accommodation is the town of West Yellowstone , just outside the park.

TIP: Planning a trip to Yellowstone? Read this guide about the best places to stay in and near Yellowstone National Park .

We spent the following three days in Yellowstone National Park and visited all the main highlights and a few less-known areas.

Don’t miss the Old Faithful and the whole Upper Geyser Basin ! Grand Prismatic Spring is also a must, just like the Yellowstone Canyon .

Here you can read about the best things to do in Yellowstone . Make sure you don’t miss the Boiling River – a hidden gem in the park!

Here you can also find our detailed day-to-day itinerary and  Yellowstone itinerary suggestions for 1 to 5 days .

READ MORE: How to Plan Your Yellowstone Trip

We did some more sightseeing in Yellowstone and in the afternoon we headed to Grand Teton National Park . We made several short stops, including a really nice area at Grand Lake , and a scenic drive to Signal Mount Summit (not really worth it in my opinion).

• Accommodation: 2 nights in the Moran area (Grand Teton National Park). Grand Teton is also extremely popular in summer, so book your hotel well in advance. The best places to stay location/quality – wise are Jackson Lake Lodge and Jenny Lake Lodge .
• Driving distance: 70 miles (110 km)

The highlights of our visit to Grand Teton were a boat ride on Jenny Lake and the hike to Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon .

READ MORE: What to See and Do in Grand Teton National Park in One Day

TIP: If you have more time, in addition to visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton , you may want to add Glacier NP or Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills to your itinerary. In that case, I’d suggest visiting Grand Teton NP before you go to Yellowstone and then continue to either Glacier NP or Mount Rushmore area.

Here you can find some suggestions for the best things to do in Glacier NP and here you can find a very detailed Glacier National Park itinerary .

We also have a very comprehensive guide to visiting Mount Rushmore and suggested 1-3 day itineraries for the Black Hills.

Day 16: Grand Teton National Park to Salt Lake City

We left Grand Teton in the morning after a short stop at the scenic String Lake . We chose the more scenic road to Salt Lake City, the US-89 past Bear Lake.

In the afternoon we visited the Salt Lake City Temple Square , the headquarters of the LDS church, the Mormon religion. Wow! What an impressive place, definitely a must if you find yourself in Salt Lake City. All the people we met there were incredibly friendly and eager to show us around and tell more about each building we visited. I don’t think I have ever visited such a warm place, they made us feel truly welcome.

• Accommodation : 1 night in Salt Lake City

Day 17: Salt Lake City and departure

Salt Lake City was our last stop during this beautiful American road trip that brought us to some of the most scenic nature destinations in the U.S.

Practical information for planning a summer road trip in the U.S.

• Prepare your trip well and check if the roads you want to drive are open in the period when you travel. This is a summer-only trip itinerary, as some of the roads are not accessible in winter. We traveled end of July – beginning of August.
• If you are coming from far, book your flights in advance. Transatlantic flight tickets in summer are extremely expensive.
• Book your rental car in advance. Consider alternative pick-up and drop-off locations for the best car rental deals . If you are traveling with kids, consider renting a van. If there is one country where you should rent a big car, it’s the U.S. It doesn’t cost that much more than a regular car and your family road trip will be so much more comfortable.
• Book your hotels for Yellowstone, Jackson, Aspen, Arches, Estes Park, Salt Lake City, and other popular destinations as soon as you can. We booked our Yellowstone accommodation more than a year in advance before we even had our flight tickets. We used Booking.com to book our accommodation for this trip.

So, this is our itinerary that you could use to plan your Colorado – Utah road trip, Utah – Wyoming trip, Colorado – Wyoming trip, or Colorado, Utah and Wyoming road trip, just as we did.

The options are endless, but this gives you a good idea of how we planned our time and what’s possible. Good luck with the planning!

More tips and places to see in the USA:

• Where to go: Most Visited National Parks
• Arizona: Best Places to See in Arizona & Grand Canyon in One Day & Sedona Day Trip
• California: San Diego Itinerary
• Colorado: Rocky Mountain NP Itinerary
• Illinois: Best of Chicago in 2 Days
• South Dakota : Mt Rushmore & Custer State Park
• Utah: Arches NP & Canyonlands NP & Moab
• Wyoming: Best Things to Do in Yellowstone , a suggested Yellowstone Itinerary , Yellowstone with Kids & Grand Teton 1 Day Itinerary
• Packing: What to Pack for a Family Road Trip
• Fall travel: Best National Parks in September

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Tuesday 6th of July 2021

You really covered some of the best! I live in Boulder, Colorado and these are some of our best sites to visit. Can't wait to explore more of your site to plan more European trips!

Wednesday 21st of July 2021

Thank you, Beth. When we travel so far, we always try to focus on the 'best' places first, so our itineraries are usually quite thoroughly researched and thought-off. I wish we'd have more time to explore deeper and visit even more amazing places that I'm sure we passed along the way, but it's all about making the best of the time we have... Anyway, hope you find some inspiration for your future trips on our website. If there's just one tip I can give you for visiting Europe, don't try to see 'everything' in one trip. Pick one or two countries and spend more time there rather than rushing from one major city to another. Europe is so much more than London, Paris, or Amsterdam! Happy travels!

Wednesday 7th of April 2021

Hi Jurga, I am going to use your American Road Trip for Nature Lovers and I would like to print your itinerary from my computer, but I’m having trouble doing so. Is this option disabled? Thanks for your help. Gail

Thursday 8th of April 2021

Hi Gail, if you are using Google Chrome, you should be able to ‘print to pdf’ and then just save it on your computer. Press Ctrl+P and then change the destination printer to “save as pdf. Hit the “print” button and it will download as a PDF document. You can then print out the pages you need. Good luck with the planning and have a great trip!

Sunday 22nd of September 2019

Hi Jurga, hope you're well - love your blog post!

Inspired by your experiences of a nature lover's roadtrip, my boyfriend and I are booking a visit out from UK in mid-October .... we'll have approx. 10 days to travel around Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho. We'd like to follow your trip and definitely want to see Yellowstone & Grand Teton.

We'd like to end up in Salt Lake City so we can get a domestic flight via San Francisco on our way home. Similar to you, we're up for lots of hiking and exploring, as want to see as much as possible. I'd also love to fit in a dude ranch stay somewhere en route too, any recommendations welcome!

Aside from some visitor centres in the NPs being shut as it is fall, are there any other seasonal closures we should be aware of? Any other "must sees" for this time of year?

Look forward to any tips or gems you can share to help with planning our roadtrip.

Thanks and safe travels, Lauren & Chris

Monday 23rd of September 2019

Hi Lauren, it sounds like an amazing trip, but I really have no time to help you with the planning. We have lots of articles describing parts of this trip on the blog - check USA section under Destinations. Also, you should know that October is already winter in Yellowstone and some roads start to close already. You can find more info in the official site of Yellowstone. I think that hiking in many other places around there might be limited that time of the year. I suppose it depends on how early the winter will come this year... So you need to do more research and come up with a plan suitable for this time of the year. Good luck and enjoy the trip!

Monday 4th of March 2019

Thank you so much for this wonderful thought out itinerary. I think we will follow the first part of your journey, but save Yellowstone and Grand Tetons for another vacation. I think we plan to travel from Moab back East to Colorado Springs and end up back in Denver. We truly appreciate your posting! It will be so helpful.

Sunday 10th of March 2019

Glad to hear this, Frank. Enjoy your tip and if you have some time extra, I really recommend to spend a few days in the Rocky Mountain NP. Here you can find some Rocky Mountain NP itinerary suggestions and here is our guide on where to stay for visiting RMNP. And also in Moab I think we could have easily spent a day or two longer... More info here: best things to do in Moab and also Moab hotels. Enjoy your trip!

Wednesday 22nd of August 2018

This article saved my life. I have been looking for weeks to find the right itinerary and your article was spot on for our 2019 trip. Thank you so much!

Friday 24th of August 2018

Glad you found this helpful, Chris. It's indeed a bit out of the ordinary routes, as most people either visit Utah and the West Coast, or Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, or the Rocky Mountains... I was also struggling to make an itinerary that covers all these places in one trip, but it was such a beautiful trip and we truly enjoyed it. If you have more time, you can always add Bryce Canyon or Zion to it, also Mesa Verde NP is a nice place to see; you could also easily spend a few days in the Rockies and do more hiking... It's always about the choices and how much time you have and how much driving you want to do. What I liked about this trip that it left us plenty of time to see the Arches and Yellowstone, which were the main focus points for us. Enjoy it and if you are going to Yellowstone, make sure to book your accommodation asap! Here you can find more information about Yellowstone accommodation.

National Parks, Hot Springs, and the Great American Frontier: The Ultimate Wyoming Road Trip

A journey through this vast wilderness offers iconic parks, ancient forests, wildlife, and a history tour of the wild west. one of the best ways to visit wyoming is to hit the open road..

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There is so much beauty and adventure packed into the the least populous state in the contiguous U.S.

Photo by Shutterstock

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first national park in the United States and one of the most famous in the National Park System— Yellowstone . The nearly 3,500-square-mile wilderness is situated mostly in Wyoming with parts of the park extending into Montana and Idaho. It is known for its mountains, meadows, and forest landscapes, its otherworldly natural hot springs, geysers, and lava formations, and its wildlife. But this year has also been a very challenging one for Yellowstone, which earlier this summer had its roads washed out due to the worst flooding to ever hit the national park .

As the park works to rebuild and as experts try to make sense of the long-term environmental and geological impact of the massive June rainfall, there is still much to celebrate both in Yellowstone and beyond. The park has since reopened and is welcoming visitors back to most areas (with the exception of the north and northeast entrances, as well as some sections of roads in those areas).

Beyond Yellowstone, the state offers an endless natural playground for paddling, fishing, hiking, spotting wild mustangs, studying ancient fossils, and soaking in hot springs. The best way to see and do it all—including many of Wyoming’s lesser-known treasures—is to road-trip across the state. From the railroad capital of Cheyenne to Shoshone National Forest, over to rock climbers’ paradise Vedauwoo, and on toward the Tetons , consider this adventure-packed route through the least populous state in the contiguous United States.

Stock up on rodeo-worthy gear at the historic Wrangler in Cheyenne.

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Day 1: Ropes and railroads in Cheyenne

After touching down at the Cheyenne Regional Airport, head to the Wrangler and pony up for some authentic cowboy boots, a Stetson hat, belt buckle, spurs, chaps—whatever suits you. Now that you’re rodeo ready, if you plan to be in town during the month of July, swing on over to Cheyenne Frontier Days to watch bareback, bull riding, and saddle bronco events in the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western tournament. The nearby Laramie County Fair is fun in August, with animal shows, a demolition derby, and a kids rodeo. Visitors can also check out semipro kite fliers and BYOK (kite) at the End of the Trail Kite Festival in late September or hop a trolley on the Street Railway Ghost Tours in October. During the summer months, there is also a free concert series downtown. This is also a good opportunity to visit the Cheyenne Depot Museum , housed in the original Union Pacific Depot built in 1886 and now restored as a National Historic Landmark. Indulge in hand-crafted beverages at the dog-friendly beer garden Blue Raven Brewery , situated inside a historic home. Fill up on a hand-cut steak from a family run kitchen since 1942 at nearby Albany Restaurant , or opt for contemporary casual at the Metropolitan Downtown , with innovative twists on classics and creative cocktails.

In the evening, check into the Historic Plains Hotel , built in 1911 in the heart of Cheyenne. This landmark property, once frequented by cattle barons and movie stars, will take you back to the western frontier with its cowhide and antler decor accented by original artwork by Wyomingites.

Take in the views during a scenic hike along the Snowy Range Mountains.

Day 2: Medicine Bow National Forest

Cheyenne is the gateway to the 2.9 million–acre Medicine Bow National Forest , so rise and shine and double knot your hiking boots. Start off with breakfast at local favorite Luxury Diner , which operated as a trolley car on the streets of Cheyenne until 1912. Then, head west toward Medicine Bow’s Snowy Range (a collection of 140 mountains within the national forest) for rock climbing or a light hike among the 70 million–year-old igneous rock formations of Vedauwoo . For lunch, you can fuel up in nearby Laramie—try an artichoke burger at the vegetarian Sweet Melissa Café or a beef burger along with wings or nachos at Born in a Barn before continuing onto alpine lakes for fishing, paddleboarding, or kayaking. Additional hiking options include a moderate three-mile (two-hour) trek along the Medicine Bow Peak Trail and, for a challenge, tack on the Lakes Trail Loop. Afterwards, visit the 4,700-acre family owned Deerwood Ranch Wild Horse EcoSanctuary , the country’s first private land parcel for wild mustang horses that happens to be free to the public. Finish the day an hour away at the luxurious dude ranch Brush Creek Ranch .

Day 3: Hot springs in Saratoga

If you’re ready to relax a little, you’ll find plenty of wellness offerings at Brush Creek, or you can head into the picturesque resort town of Saratoga, home to some of Wyoming’s famed mineral hot springs. Native Americans consider these waters that flow over magma and hot rock to be sacred and to have medicinal healing powers. Just 20 minutes from Bush Creek Ranch is Hobo Hot Springs , where the Lobster Pot and Hobo Pool stay at a balmy 120 degrees from the heat deep from within the Earth’s crust. They’re free, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are near more natural hot pools that line the banks of the North Platte River. For dinner, consider an opulent meal at the Brush Creek Trailhead Lodge or a more casual creek-side spread outdoors, which is offered by the ranch. Then end the night at the property’s boisterous saloon. Alternatively, you can also head into Saratoga for a homey Italian meal at Bella’s Bistro .

With its soaring peaks, Grand Teton National Park is a highlight of any Wyoming itinerary.

Photo by Toan Chu/Unsplash

Days 4–5: Jackson and Grand Teton National Park

Now it’s time to head north to “the Mountains of the Imagination”— Grand Teton National Park, nicknamed for its wild and rugged landscapes that look like artwork . If you’re an experienced backpacker with the right gear—don’t forget your bear spray—head deep into the park’s 200 miles of trails (check out showstopper views at Cascade Canyon Trail), or opt for an easy 1.8-mile hike on Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Trail, with a big view of a thundering cascade and, of course, lakes and mountains. If you make Jackson your base for exploring the Tetons, you’ll have no shortage of appealing accommodation options, including the Cloudveil, Autograph Collection , a sleek new property with thoughtful design features that opened in 2021, as well as two motor lodges turned hip hotels— Anvil Hotel and Mountain Modern Motel . Or splurge for a scenic and restorative stay at nearby Caldera House in Teton Village.

Yellowstone’s colorful Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the nation.

Photo by Denys Nevozhai/Unsplush

Days 6–8: Yellowstone National Park

Just 25 minutes north of Grand Teton National Park is the original U.S. national park—Yellowstone, a park that speaks in gurgles of geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. It also protects the world’s largest public herd of bison, sacred to the 27 tribes who have inhabited this land since the 1400s. This is one of the last and largest nearly intact natural ecosystems on the planet with the most active geothermal features anywhere, including half of the world’s active geysers. Check out the Yellowstone Guide for an online guided tour.

Visitors should take the park’s southern loop if they want to pay homage to Old Faithful , the most famous of the 500 geysers in Yellowstone—it shoots sizzling hot water up to 180 feet nearly 20 times each day. Next, get lost in the brilliant blue, green, and orange tendrils of the steamy Grand Prismatic Hot Spring . Yellowstone’s most photographed thermal feature is actually a supervolcano and the third largest hot spring in the world. Check in at the classic and popular Old Faithful Inn , complete with lodgepole pine and stone fireplaces. Built in 1903, it’s one of the country’s few remaining log hotels, an architectural marvel that influenced national park architecture we see throughout the country today.

While visiting the park, make sure to stop by the new Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center , which celebrates the region’s tribal communities. When Yellowstone was first established, tribal communities were initially pushed out by the government and are now being embraced. The center is near Old Faithful and hosts daily tribal presentations; it is a fine place to learn about the culture and heritage of the tribal nations.

Bull elk in Yellowstone National Park

Photo by Harrison Hargrave/Unsplash

Day 9: Yellowstone wildlife

While the north loop got the worst of the flooding, and some roads are still closed along with the north and northwest gates, park officials announced after a surge of funding the reopening of most of the park in early July. Check road closure updates , and if you’re in the clear, from the Old Faithful Inn drive 50 minutes to Yellowstone’s hottest and oldest thermal feature, Norris Geyser Basin , then hit up the remains of a 600,000-year-old volcanic explosion, Mammoth Hot Springs . Next, head east and be on the lookout for bison. In the park, you’re likely to stumble on these agile and burly beasts in the Tower-Roosevelt area (home to a 132-foot waterfall gushing down eroded volcanic rock), with expansive views of Mount Washburn, a petrified tree entombed in mud and rock, and other geologic formations that helped shape the area .

Visit the Lamar Valley to spot elk, moose, grizzly bears, badgers, bald eagles, pronghorn, osprey, deer, coyotes, wolves—and yes, thousands of bison. It was here and in the high plateaus above that the dwindling buffalo population recovered in the 20th century, when park managers purchased 21 bison and raised them here. (A second herd lives in the Hayden Valley .) Conservationists are still working this year to repopulate Yellowstone bison by moving some to 18 tribal communities across the country. Finish the day exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Canyon Village , and your choice of Artist Paint Pots (thermal features including hot pools, mud pots, and small geysers), the Mud Volcano (remains of a mud deposit after a late-1800s thermal explosion), or waterfalls (yes, right in Canyon Village). Eat and crash in the sprawling, modern, and ecofriendly Canyon Lodge and Cabins .

Summer view of Shoshone National Forest in the Brooks Falls area near Dubois

Day 10: Shoshone National Forest

If you exit Yellowstone at the East Entrance, you’ll stumble right into the country’s first national forest, which borders Yellowstone along the Wyoming–Montana border. The plains of Shoshone National Forest offer sagebrush, glaciers, and pristine lakes and rivers. Three craggy snowcapped mountain ranges create up to nearly 2.5 million acres for hiking . Here, you can also explore a mining ghost town called Kirwin , visited by gold prospectors Ernest Hemmingway and Amelia Earhart. Make the most of your final supper in Wyoming in nearby Cody with live music and slow-cooked meat at the Cody Cattle Company , finishing off the trip the way you came in—like a cowboy—in the Irma Hotel , built by Buffalo Bill (yes, Cody was named after him too). Now that your epic Wyoming road trip is over, tip your hat to this incredible state at the Yellowstone Regional Airport .

The Ultimate 2 Week National Park Road Trip: Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah 

So you’re looking for an epic, once-in-a-lifetime road trip? One filled with the perfect mix…

So you’re looking for an epic, once-in-a-lifetime road trip? One filled with the perfect mix of awe-inspiring mountain peaks, vast desert landscapes, and crystal clear lakes? You’ve come to the right place. This route kicks off in Denver, Colorado, VanCraft’s newest depot location, and takes you through some of the country’s most photo-worthy scenery and diverse terrain. Explore five National Parks, ranging from Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons to Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon, before closing the loop via Lake Powell and Arches National Park, and returning to the Mile High City.

The ideal length for this route would be two to three weeks to really soak up everything it has to offer (which–spoiler–is a lot).

Day 1: Denver, Colorado → Yellowstone National Park

Denver is the ideal spot to kick start this adventure. You’ll fly into Denver International Airport and take the quick 20-minute uber ride (approx. $20) to the  Denver VanCraft depot . The office opens at 9am making it easy to get a morning flight in and pick up your VanCraft van just in time for a late breakfast in Denver (check out Rosenberg’s Bagels & Delicatessen in Five Points near I-25) before hitting the wide open road due north.

With eyes on the prize, it’s time to crank out some miles to get up to Yellowstone National Park. A quick disclaimer: Doing this trip in 10 days is not for the faint of heart. We’d recommend baking in a few extra days on the front end to explore the 9-hour stretch up to the northern entrance to Yellowstone. If you are cranking out the drive though, don’t forget to slow down for a commemorative shot with the Wyoming state sign to mark the official start of the multi-state road trip. And if you’re itching to get the tires a little dusty, be sure to check out Chugwater Basin Road (41.785533, -104.811882) to quench your thirst for dirt and get you amped for what’s to come on this route.

Want to ease into vacation mode and experience the greater Denver before hitting the road?

● Book an extra day in Denver to take in the plethora of breweries, local hikes, and unparalleled bites before starting your journey North ● Looking for a thrill to kickstart the trip? Give rafting a go ● See who’s playing at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre ● Head to Coors Field for a game ● Explore Rocky Mountain National Park.  See here  for more information on Colorado’s National Parks

Day 2: Yellowstone National Park

Start your day at camp (campsite options below!), coffee in hand, overlooking the mountains of Yellowstone National Park. After whipping up a hearty breakfast on the VanCraft two-burner stove, hit the happy trails and head out for your first taste of what Yellowstone has to offer.

First up is Mammoth Hot Springs, a martian-like terrain boasting terraces of steaming travertine pools. This boardwalk trail is just the warm-up you’ll need for today’s adventure.

Once you’ve taken in every last drop of the springs, start the journey to Canyon Village, stopping to stretch your legs for the quick 100-yard walk to the Tower Fall Overlook to take in one of the most popular waterfalls in the park, cascading down 132 feet.

Next stop was a hike down to the top of Lower Falls. A few must-see vantage points to fully appreciate the scale of these falls are:

● The Brink of Lower Falls ● Red Rock Point Yellowstone ● Inspiration Point

Pro Tip:  While you’re in Canyon Village, near Lower Falls, stop by the village store and grab yourself a mix of local beers for camp later.

Round off the day with a drive through Hayden Valley, one of the most popular spots for spotting Yellowstone’s infamous Bison, Elk and Deer, and a scenic snack spot at Yellowstone Lake, before heading back to camp.

Wind down with tacos (a camp favorite), a well-deserved ice cold beer, and a shower off the back of the van before curling up for the night.

Yellowstone Campsites:

● Epic wild-camp spot just outside of Gardiner, MT. (GPS Coordinates 45.07225, 110.67154) ● Eagle Creek Campground: First come, first serve. ● Rocky Mountain RV & Campground. Great showers! (Gardiner, Montana) ● For the latest information on Campgrounds inside Yellowstone check out  this page

Pro Tip:  Want to stay inside Yellowstone National Park but don’t have a reservation? Check out Indian Creek Campground first thing in the morning to nab a first come, first serve spot if there’s any available, or pop by other reservation-only campgrounds in the early morning to see if there’s been any day-of cancellations.

Day 3: Yellowstone National Park → Grand Teton National Park

Today you’re officially starting to make your way south, winding and trekking your way through the remaining must-sees of Yellowstone, on your way to Grand Teton National Park.

As you head South, take in these noteworthy hikes and iconic Yellowstone sights:

● Norris Geyser Basin ● Artists Paintpots ● Grand Prismatic Spring ● Fairy Falls hike to see it from above ● And last, but certainly not least, Old Faithful (be sure to look into the  time predictions )

After catching the show at Old Faithful, take in the sunset next to Jackson Lake with the Grand Tetons towering in the background, before heading to camp for the night.

Grand Teton National Park Campgrounds:

● Colter Bay Campground ● Jenny Lake Campground ● Gros Ventre Campground (our team stayed here and loved it!) ● Kudar Log Cabins and RV in Jackson, Wyoming

For more camping information,  click here .

Heads Up:  Keep an eye out for bison, elk, and deer! If you’re lucky, you may even see an entire herd traveling up the road like the VanCraft team did.

Day 4: Grand Teton National Park

Wake up and take in the view of the Grand Tetons peeking through the trees of the campground. You’ve been pounding pavement and cranking out the miles on foot and deserve a relaxing morning among the trees. Today’s going to be low-key, with scenic drives and short overlook strolls at the heart of it. Here’s what’s on the to-do:

● Roadside breakfast/lunch at Glacier View Turnout ● The Moulton Barn on Mormon Row: An infamous spot for photographers ● Jenny Lake Scenic Drive: A favorite for it’s close proximity to the Tetons and expansive lake with jumping rocks for those who fancy a dip. ● Signal Mountain drive with panoramic views at the top ● National Museum of Wildlife Art on the way into Jackson Hole ● Shopping, a bite and brews in Jackson Hole ● Set alarm for sunrise in the Tetons

Interested in staying in town instead of in the park? Check out Kudar Log Cabins and RV in Jackson to be in walking distance from the shops and restaurants.

Day 5: Grand Teton National Park → Zion National Park

Sunrise in the Grand Tetons is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. If you’re not an early riser, fear not! The beautiful thing about having a van is you can quite literally roll out of bed and drive to your viewpoint of choice in your pjs, before coffee and breakfast even enter your mind.

Here’s some of the best places to watch the sunrise in the Grand Tetons:

● The Moulton Barn: If you’re into photography, you’ll probably recognize the barns of Mormon Row, known as one of the best places to take in the sunrise of the Tetons. ● Snake River Overlook ● Schwabacher’s Landing ● Turnouts along Teton Park Road

After taking in the sunrise, sipping on freshly-brewed coffee, and enjoying a home cooked breakfast in the fresh morning air, it’s time to start the journey south to Zion National Park.

Optional Detours (If you have time):

● Park City is worth a detour. Grab a bite on Main Street, spend a day on the mountain (Lake Catherine Via Brighton Lakes Trail is a great 4 mile hike and worth the drive), and stay on any of the surrounding BLM land (queue iOverlander). ● Bryce Canyon: You’ll thank us later!

When you make it into Springdale (the town at the entrance to Zion), treat yourself to a meal at King’s Landing. A classy, yet casual, spot with come-as-you-are vibes, mountain views, and outdoor seating. A perfect place to take in the sunset with Zion’s signature red peaks in the background.

● BLM land: There’s no shortage of free camp options around Zion, with miles and miles of BLM land surrounding the park. Check out iOverlander, and take your pick. A favorite of mine was at the top of the Smithsonian Butte pass. It’s one of those spots that makes you truly thankful for public land. ● Watchman Campground (in Zion) ● South Campground (in Zion)

Need a night to refresh after the drive or a place to escape the heat if it’s the heart of summer? There’s plenty of hotel options in Springdale and surrounding areas that hit every price point and taste (the Driftwood Lodge definitely lived up to the hype).

Day 6: Zion National Park

Today’s the day to see what Zion is all about! It’s time to stretch the ol’ legs and hit the happy trails again, but this time with a twist. You’ll be hiking through water. The Narrows is one of those must-do bucket-list hikes. Pack a lunch and get ready for a one-of-a-kind, out-and-back, trail!

Other hikes that are worth the effort:

● Angel’s Landing: If you’re feeling adventurous and up for the challenge ● Canyon Overlook Trail (see Day 7)

Post hike head over to Zion Canyon Brew Pub for some locally brewed craft beers and classic pub food.

Pro Tip:  In the warmer months most people arrive at the park around 8am attempting to beat the crowds and the heat…if you want to feel a little more “out there” and a little less like you’re in Disneyland, you’ll either need to be at the Zion Shuttle 30 minutes before the first shuttle heads out, or hold off on heading out until early afternoon when everyone else is calling it quits for the day.

Day 7: Zion National Park → Grand Canyon National Park

Today you’re headed to the Grand Canyon! Whip yourself up another homemade feast or start the morning with a to-go breakfast from Oscar’s in Springdale as you make your way out of town. Your morning drive will take you through Zion, giving you a whole new appreciation for the park as you climb in elevation to the trailhead of the Canyon Overlook Trail. This quick 1-mile out and back trail is the perfect way to end your time in Zion as you charge on towards Grand Canyon National Park.

Along the way consider stopping off at some of these:

● Moqui Cave. A quick 1-mile round trip hike up to the caves is a great pitstop. ● The Wave: 6.7 mile out and back trail to sandstone feature known as “The Wave” ● Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch Trail: 5.6 mile trail to Slot Canyons ● Cameron Trading Post – a Grand Canyon classic for souvenirs

You’re camping at Desert View Campground tonight, mere steps away from the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. On your drive down, stop at Walmart in Page, AZ to restock and treat yourself to something sweet for a sunset picnic. Once you’ve settled into camp and cooked up a feast, head on over to the Watch Tower parking lot with a bottle of wine and dessert. Follow the rim all the way to the left until the crowds disperse, and pick your favorite secluded spot to take in the sunset and enjoy your treat.

Enjoy a campfire back at Desert View Campground before hitting the hay for the night.

Day 8: Grand Canyon National Park → Lake Powell

Much like the Grand Tetons, a sunrise over the Grand Canyon is also a must-see at least once in your life. There’s a .25-mile trail from the campground that leads straight to the edge, close enough to bring your coffee with you for the trek. Soak it up and take it all in, before heading back to camp for an early breakfast.

If you have an extra day it’s definitely worth heading to the Grand Canyon Village to hike down into the canyon, but if you’re strapped for time pack up and head to Lake Powell. Today you’re going kayaking. This ain’t your average summer-camp paddle. This 7-mile round trip paddle will take you from Antelope Point Marina to Antelope Canyon, one of the area’s most impressive slot canyons, where you’ll be able to explore on foot before returning to the water.

For kayak rentals checkout :  https://lakepowellxperience.com/  and/or  https://lakepowellpaddleboards.com/

If you have time, check out Horseshoe bend while you’re in the area as well!

• Beehive Campsites, 6 established sites for $14/night, overlooking Lake Powell. First come, first serve. (GPS Coordinates: 36.936710, -111.497730)
• Wahweap RV & Campground
• Plenty of off-grid spots as well around the lake (see iOverlander)

Day 9: Lake Powell → Arches National Park

Day nine is all about detours and deserts. As you head north, take some time to take it all in:

● Grey Mesa: Fun network of dirt trails to break up the drive. ● Monument Valley: A must! ● Valley of the Gods: Great network of dirt trails for lunch.

In Arches National Park there’s countless must-sees, but if time is limited pick a few of these to take in:

● North Window, South Window and Turret Arch – 1.0 round trip ● Double Arch – 0.5 miles roundtrip ● Delicate Arch – 3.0 miles roundtrip ● Park Avenue Overlook – 20 yards from parking lot

More time? Check out Moab and Canyonlands while you’re in the area.

There are plenty of options around Moab and Arches, but if you’re interested in starting the journey back to Denver today, head to “A Trail Through Time” (GPS coordinates: 39.196220, -109.027600) for an awesome mountaintop campsite, with mesa and mountain views, to ring in your last night on the road.

Day 10: Arches National Park → Denver

It’s that time, but the adventure isn’t quite over. As you wind your way back to Denver, take in the mountainscapes and rushing rivers as your cruise down I-70 through Vail, Breckenridge, and Idaho Springs, before cruising into the Denver VanCraft depot.

Have a little time to kill before your flight? Check out Station 26, just around the corner from the VanCraft depot, for some local beers to cap off this trip of a lifetime!

We said it, and we’ll say it again. This route is one for the books. And there’s nothing quite like having the comforts of home and the peace of mind that a VanCraft provides, as you hit the road for this 2,500-mile, jam-packed, adventure.

Happy adventuring and don’t forget to tag #vancraft on your own epic adventure. We can’t wait to see where it’ll take you!

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How to Plan an Incredible Utah National Parks Road Trip

If you’re here, that means you’re probably in the early-ish stages of planning an Utah National Parks road trip. We have good news – you’re in the right place! In the guide below, you’ll find pretty much everything you need to plan a bucket list-worthy trip to all five of Utah’s National Parks.

We’ll begin with some important logistics, like where to start and end your Utah national parks itinerary and how many days to spend in Utah, and then get into the best stops, things to do and see, sunrise and sunset spots, hikes, places to stay, and more. 

Over the last three years, we’ve been to 18 national parks. And multiple Utah national parks make it into our top five list of America’s national parks (though we haven’t visited them all…yet).

We’ve now been twice in the past few years – fall and spring – and have updated the guide below with some of our latest discoveries. 

We absolutely love Utah, and think you will too. I, Matt, have been to Utah four or five times at this point, including two trips in the past few years. The diversity of landscapes in southern Utah – which is home to the “Mighty Five” national parks – is pretty mind boggling. 

You’ll find natural arches in, well, Arches National Park. Unique rock formations called hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. The vast and surprisingly lush canyon in Zion National Park. And there’s so much more – it would take a lifetime of exploring to see everything that Utah has to offer. 

If those incredible landscapes sound like something you want to experience, you’re in the right place. In this Utah national parks road trip itinerary, we’re going to cover – in detail – how to plan an amazing road trip through Utah. 

We love Utah, and think you will too. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How Many Days Do You Need for a Utah National Parks Road Trip?

We think that you need a full 10 days to do the complete Mighty Five circuit . Less time means a lot of driving and not a lot of time dedicated to each park. With 7 days, you’d essentially only have one day for each. Which we don’t think is enough time. 

Some parks have more to see than others and are worth spending two to three days in to have the best experience.  

We’ve written this guide for someone with 10 days , which I think is the perfect amount of time to see all five national parks in Utah, and have an extra day to spend on the other things that make Utah special.

What if You Only Have 5-7 Days in Utah?

If you have a week or less in Utah, we’d strongly urge you to focus on EITHER Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, OR Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef. 

When you include driving time, which totals around 10 hours or so over the course of the itinerary, 5-7 days BARELY gives you a day in each park if you were to do all five. 

Focusing your time on only a few of them will give you a little more time in each park, rather than spending less than one day in each. The key benefit of this approach is that you’ll be able to spend more time in the early morning and late afternoon, which is when the crowds are thinnest at these parks. 

Where to Start and End Your Utah Road Trip Itinerary

There are two options for getting to Utah – driving in from nearby, or flying in, renting a car, and driving. 

The two best starting points for this road trip are Las Vegas and Salt Lake City . Denver is a distant third. It’s still doable, but involves more driving.

If you don’t live nearby, like in Salt Lake City or Denver, you’ll need to fly to one of the gateways to Utah, rent a car, and drive to your first destination. 

The two easiest airports to fly into would be Salt Lake City and Las Vegas . 

From Salt Lake City, it’s going to take around four hours to drive to the start and end points on this road trip itinerary (Zion and Moab). 

From Las Vegas, it’s going to be just two and a half hours to Zion, but six and a half hours to Moab. 

The best way to do this road trip if you want to avoid long days of driving is to fly into Salt Lake City and out of Las Vegas , which is how we’ve organized the itinerary below. 

You could absolutely do it the other way around, but doing it this direction front loads the longer drive from Salt Lake City to Moab, versus having to do that drive at the end of your trip when your enthusiasm is waning and you only have your return flight to look forward to. 

You can also fly in and out of the same airport, it’ll just involve a few hours of extra driving on one end of the trip. 

Important Note : You need to check with the rental car company to make sure that it’s okay to pick up in one spot and drop off in another. You might have to pay a one way fee, but we think it’s worth it to avoid wasting a day of your vacation driving. See below in the rental car section to see what the tradeoff is between picking up / returning to the same place, and doing a one way rental.

You could fly into Denver and out of Vegas if you wanted to add on a few days exploring Colorado. It’s going to be five and a half hours of driving between Denver and Moab, but there’s plenty of things to do and see along the way. 

Good to Know : Book the earliest flight you can into Salt Lake City, and the latest flight out of Las Vegas to give yourself as much time as possible to explore. 

Tips for Your Road Trip Through Utah

Before we get to the full itinerary, a few general tips about planning a road trip through Utah. 

National Park Entrance Fees

It costs $30 per vehicle to enter each national park (good for 7 days), and you can either pay online in advance (be aware that you must print it out and bring it with you), or at one of the park’s visitor centers. 

If you are planning on visiting three or more national parks in the next 12 months, we’d highly recommend an America the Beautiful Pass , which covers entry to all national parks, national forest trailheads, national monuments, and more for 12 months. 

It costs $80, which means it pays off with three national park visits (or some combination of national parks, forests, and monuments). 

On this trip, you’re going to be visiting several national parks, which means it’s probably worth buying an America the Beautiful Pass before your trip. 

Crowds in the Utah National Parks

If you’re visiting the Utah national parks in the summer (or a weekend in the spring or fall), you’re going to experience crowds. 

There are a couple of things we’d say about crowds and how to avoid them as much as possible. 

First, get an early start, and plan on staying out late . Peak time is from about 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, which makes the hours from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm some of the best times to be out and about in the park. Plus, the rising/setting sun means the light will be better for pictures!

If You Want to Camp, Book Your Site Well in Advance

Camping inside the national parks is super competitive . For reservable sites, people book months and months in advance, and when there are first-come-first-served sites, they are snatched up immediately in peak season. 

The good news? There are tons of camping options outside of the parks that are affordable and accessible, and you’ll find some recommendations in the where to stay section for each park.

This is a Good Route to Test Out Van Life

If you’re not into sleeping in a tent, consider an RV or Campervan rental . It’s a good way to save money on accommodations by staying at campgrounds or RV Parks instead of hotels. For what it’s worth, we did this entire trip living in a Honda Odyssey. 

Think of it as a middle ground between camping and staying in hotels and vacation rentals. 

Escape Campervans is a good choice, and they have options for the exact route (Salt Lake City to Vegas) that the itinerary below has you on.

Book Your Accommodations Well in Advance

If you’re planning on staying in hotels and lodges, book several months in advance between May and October . That’s peak season, and things fill up FAST. 

Even outside of those months, you’ll still find that some places are full a few months in advance. You’ll find some hotel recommendations in each section to help you find the best place to base yourself to make the most of your time in each park. 

The Perfect 10 Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Now, on to the itinerary itself! 

Below, you’ll find a detailed day-by-day itinerary for a 10 day Utah national parks road trip based on our personal experience over the course of multiple trips. We’ll give you our favorite stops, the best hikes, places to stay, and more. 

Grab a cup of coffee and strap in – this is a long one, but it has literally everything we could think of to help you plan an amazing adventure.

Here’s an overview of that road trip, plus a map to help you visualize the route.

Here is the 10 day Utah national parks road trip itinerary that you’ll find – in detail – below: 

• Day 1 : Arrive in Salt Lake City, Drive to Moab
• Day 2 : Arches National Park
• Day 3 : Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky)
• Day 4 : Around Moab + Drive to Capitol Reef
• Day 5 : Capitol Reef National Park + Drive to Bryce
• Day 6 : Bryce Canyon National Park
• Day 7 : Bryce Canyon National Park + Drive to Zion National Park
• Day 8 : Zion National Park
• Day 9 : Zion National Park
• Day 10 : Zion National Park + Fly Home from Vegas

If you have a full two weeks in Utah , you’ll be able to get a little bit off the beaten path, exploring places like Kolob Canyons in Zion National Park and the Needles District in Canyonlands National Park that most visitors never even realize exist.

Below the full itinerary, you’ll find our suggestions for extending the 10 day trip. 

With 7 days , rather than trying to fit in the entire Mighty Five Circuit, we’d opt for spending 7 days exploring EITHER Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef OR Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef.

Days 1 & 2: Arches National Park

On your first day, you’ll spend most of the day in transit between Salt Lake City and Moab, which is the jumping off point for this itinerary. 

We spent five full days in Moab , and loved just about every minute of it – minus the hour-long wait to get into Arches National Park to check into our campsite. A good reminder to make sure to enter the parks early (before 9:00 am at the latest!) to avoid long lines and crowds. 

We didn’t realize it before arriving, but there are an astounding number of things to do in Moab .

Between exploring the two national parks that are a stone’s throw away – Arches and Canyonlands – to hikes outside the parks, and more adventurous activities like whitewater rafting and 4WD-ing, there’s plenty to keep you busy even if you had a full week JUST in Moab.

What to Do in Arches National Park

Here are our favorite things to do in Arches National Park. 

Sunset at Delicate Arch

On your first day, you’ll be driving from the airport and you’re probably going to be arriving mid-afternoon depending on what time your flight was (try and get the earliest flight possible!). 

Check into your accommodations for the next few days and head up to Arches National Park for that sweet, sweet golden hour light and sunset at Delicate Arch . 

It’s a 3 mile hike (round trip) that was a little harder than we thought it would be, but that didn’t stop literally a hundred people – ages 5 to 65 – from doing it.

It will probably be crowded if you’re there anytime between April and the end of October, but it’s worth it. You’ll climb up a section of rock, so you’ll want to wear your hiking shoes with plenty of grip. 

There’s one short section of the trail right before you get to the arch that’s narrow with a steep drop off, so keep an eye on your kids. 

If you do that hike at sunset, make sure to bring a headlamp for the way down. It gets dark FAST, and the last thing you want is to be hiking down the slab of rock in the dark. 

The Windows and Double Arch

Start your day off your second day with an early morning at the Windows and Double Arch, which are quite possibly our favorite set of arches in the park. And they’re so close together that you can easily see all of them (there’s four arches here in total) in about an hour or so. 

The Windows are two huge rock formations that are on the southeast side of the parking lot. There’s a nice trail that connects the North and South windows, along with nearby Turret Arch.

Make sure to walk through the North Arch and look back through the window to get a nicely framed picture of Turret Arch. 

Double Arch is on the opposite side of the parking lot, and it’s the tallest arch in the park. There are two separate (huge) arches that you’ll be looking up at.

You can climb around inside the arch and marvel at the two arches sharing the same base structure. It’s about a quarter of a mile from the parking lot on a flat, sandy trail. 

Hike the Devils Garden Trail

The Devils Garden Trail is a must-do hike in Arches National Park . The best part about this hike? You can customize it based on your experience and fitness level. 

If you do the entire loop, including the fun primitive trail on the way back, it’s going to be just under seven miles, with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Along the way, you’ll see seven different arches, and you’ll do some light scrambling and trail finding on the primitive trail, which we thought was a lot of fun. 

You’ll want solid hiking shoes or hiking boots (Alysha loves her Columbia Newton Ridge boots , an excellent first hiking boot) with good traction for the scrambling sections, which have you making some steep climbs on rock that necessitate good footing. It’s nothing too crazy though if you’re an experienced hiker. 

If you’re not up for 7 miles in the desert, do the 2 mile hike to Landscape Arch or the 4 mile (ish) hike to Landscape, Navajo, and Partition Arches , which takes you a bit further than most of the hikers go. 

Whatever you choose, it’s going to be hot. Drink plenty of water, eat plenty of snacks, and wear sun protection. Sun exposure is no joke, particularly in the summer. 

Broken Arch and Skyline Arch

Stop for a quick picnic lunch near the Devils Garden trail (there’s a picnic area just south of the campground and trailhead), then do the short hikes out to Broken Arch and Skyline Arch. 

You can park in Devils Garden Campground ( here ) to start the hike out to Broken Arch . 

It’s a cool hike, which is why it’s on this list duh, and you’ll pass through a couple of cool canyons on the way back from Broken Arch. It’s about 1.8 miles round trip, and is basically flat. This is a good sunset hike too if you’re staying at Devils Garden Campground since you can leave from camp without driving anywhere. 

Skyline Arch is also worth seeing. You get there via a pull off just south of the campground, and it’s a short, easy hike out there. 

Where to Stay in Moab near Arches National Park (and Canyonlands)

You’re going to stay in Moab for the first three nights of this itinerary. You should try to stay in one place for all three nights UNLESS you’re camping, in which case we’d try to find a site in Arches for the first night. 

Pssst ! Make sure to read our guide to the best places to stay in Moab to find the perfect home base for exploring this incredible area.

Hotels in Moab

We were planning on staying in a hotel in Moab for a night to shower and take a break from the weeks of sleeping in our van, but later decided to stay at a campground for an extra night instead. 

There were exactly three places on our list of hotels that we wanted to stay in. 

• The first is Moab Springs Ranch , which has a range of rooms from bungalows to more lodge-style rooms, and has a great coffee shop onsite (Horsethief Coffee). Unfortunately, they were sold out for our dates (book early, people!), but we would have chosen to stay there given the opportunity.
• The second, which is a place we booked then later canceled, is the Expedition Lodge . It’s in a great location along the main drag in Moab, and it looks nice. It’s motel style, which was what we were looking for during the summer of 2020, and it has some nice retro touches like the mint green mini fridges in the rooms. They also have some unique room configurations, like two queen bunk beds, which are nice for a traveling family (nobody likes sleeping on the cot on a hotel room floor). Oh, and there’s a pool, which is always a bonus.
• The last option was Moab Under Canvas , which is less a hotel, more glamping, but still fits here. This is your chance to stay under the stars while still maintaining some semblance of the comforts of a hotel. It looks incredible.

Camping In and Around Moab

If you’re looking to camp, you’ve actually got a fair number of options both inside Arches and Canyonlands, and just outside the national parks. 

• Inside Arches, there’s only one campground – Devils Garden . It’s reservable in advance ( learn more here ), and it’s a really nice campground. We stayed there for three nights, and it’s a great base for exploring Arches for a couple of reasons. First, it’s at the trailhead for Devils Garden, so you can get an early start to beat the crowds and heat (staying outside the park means a 45 minute drive to the trailhead). Second, being inside the park means you’ll avoid the crazy lines at the entrance to the park. We waited an hour to get in one day because we had to leave the park to get ice for our cooler.
• Inside Canyonlands , you have only one option in the Island in the Sky District (which is the part of the park you want) – Willow Flat Campground . It’s first-come-first-served, and only has 12 sites. Unless you show up early AND get lucky, you’re probably out of luck. You could also camp at Dead Horse Point State Park , which is close to the entrance of Canyonlands, and is worth a visit in its own right, particularly for a spectacular sunset over the canyons. 

Outside the park, there are a surprising number of campgrounds on BLM land that are all first-come-first-served. There are two major areas where you’ll find them. 

• The first group are along Highway 128 northeast of Moab on the Colorado River, and they are competitive and you’ll need to show up relatively early for the first few campgrounds. They’re in an incredible location along the river and deep inside a gorgeous red rock canyon. Goose Island, Grandstaff, and Big Bend are the nicest based on our drive through the canyon.
• The other area is along Highway 279 northwest of Moab – check out Gold Bar Campground , which is near the trailhead for Corona Arch. 

Day 3: Canyonlands National Park

On your third day in Moab, head out to Canyonlands National Park , which is a very different experience than Arches. 

While Arches is about feeling small standing under the towering rock formations littered around the park, Canyonlands is about feeling miniscule while looking out over the deep fissures in the earth created over thousands (millions?) of years of tectonic plate action. 

There are three sections of Canyonlands: Island in the Sky (closest to Moab, most accessible), the Needles District, and the Maze (technically I think there’s a fourth called the Rivers, but I’m not quite sure about that one).

With just one day, you should focus on Island in the Sky , which is the most accessible part of the park coming from Moab. However, if you have more time, a trip down to the Needles District is worth your time. 

What Not to Miss in Canyonlands National Park

Here are some that we enjoyed in the Island in the Sky part of Canyonlands National Park. 

Early Morning at Mesa Arch

Start your morning at Mesa Arch just after sunrise. It’s a really short hike out to a low arch, through which you get a nice glimpse of the vastness of Canyonlands. 

Why just after sunrise, you ask? Because at sunrise, there will be hundreds – yes, hundreds – of photographers vying for the best position to take that picture-perfect shot of the natural bridge with the sunstar on the bottom. I bet you’ve seen it before – it looks like this: 

I took that around sunrise at Mesa Arch, where we’d arrived an hour before sunrise and still didn’t get a spot. Instead of jostling for position, we took a seat on a rock overlooking the arch and watched the sun rise, then I ventured down when the crowds started to thin. 

Here’s the behind the scenes view of the sea of photographers that you don’t see in the pictures on Instagram. 

The point is that going after sunrise is a much more pleasant experience. 

Hiking in Canyonlands

After experiencing Mesa Arch, head out on a hike in Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky District. 

Here are three options for various levels of hiking experience and fitness. If you’re up for it, you could totally do a couple of the shorter ones together as part of a little circuit along Canyonlands’ main thoroughfare. 

Aztec Butte (1.7 miles / 250 ft. elevation gain): This is a cool hike that has two distinct parts that form a “Y” shape. First, take the right fork to climb to a nice viewpoint over Canyonlands. Then on the way back, take the left fork and check out the ancestral Puebloan structures, which are pretty cool. DON’T TOUCH THE STRUCTURES – leave them be. 

White Rim Overlook (2 miles / 200 ft. elevation gain): A short and sweet hike to an incredible overlook that really illustrates the scale of Canyonlands. It’s a short, well-marked hike out to a little “peninsula” (for lack of a better word – there’s no water, but it’s a peninsula shaped part of the canyon rim). Follow the rock piles, known as cairns. 

The Gooseberry Trail (5 miles / 1,500 ft. elevation gain): This hike is no joke. You basically climb straight down the wall of the canyon to get to the lower plateau, which takes you to a nice overlook of the canyon forged by the mighty Colorado River. Just remember, the first part of the hike is a descent…which means what goes down must come back up. Try to get an early start so that you’re not out there in the heat of the day. 

Grand View Point Overlook

Next, head out to Grand View Point , which is another short stroll along the rim of the canyon that we DEFINITELY think you should do, no matter what. It’s mostly flat, with a little bit of up and down, but the end viewpoint is going to be well worth the small effort to get there. 

The Scenic Drive

Grand View Point is at the end of the road, which means you can make the drive back towards the visitor center a scenic drive by stopping at all the viewpoints along the way. 

The first stop, if you didn’t already tackle it, is the White Rim Overlook . We loved this short hike, and it’s worth mentioning again. 

Make sure to also stop at the Buck Canyon Overlook and, our favorite viewpoint on the drive, the Shafer Canyon Overlook , which has amazing views of the canyon, and of the steep switchbacks of Shafer Canyon Road, which descend from the rim down to the plateau via tight switchbacks that I would be too terrified to drive myself. 

It’s also worth venturing out on the road that leads to Upheaval Dome, aptly named Upheaval Dome Road . 

The turnoff is a little ways south of Shafer Canyon Overlook. Willow Flat Campground, the main campground in this part of Canyonlands, is out there, but stay on Upheaval Dome Road to get to Upheaval Dome, Whale Rock, and Aztec Butte – three great short hikes just off the road. 

Day 4: Exploring Around Moab

Spend the morning and afternoon around Moab, exploring what we think are two of the best hikes in the area – neither of which are inside a national park – and then make your way over to Capitol Reef National Park. 

Things Not to Miss Around Moab

Here are some things we really enjoyed near Moab (that aren’t within national park boundaries).

Corona Arch

We did the hike out to Corona Arch at sunrise, and sat on a rock watching the light creep down, illuminating the arch about an hour after sunrise. Because of the rock walls here, we actually think the best time to be here is just after sunrise. 

It’s only 2.5 miles long (round trip), but there are some sections of scrambling along slickrock, and a ladder that you have to climb. As long as you’re prepared with sturdy footwear, you should be fine, but you should know what you’re getting into before you leave the parking lot. 

The arch itself is enormous, and is one of the more impressive arches we saw in Moab, including the ones in Arches (Delicate Arch and Double Arch might be the only two ahead of it). 

The trailhead is along highway 279, just a twenty minute drive northwest of Moab.  

Just down the road from Corona Arch is another amazing hike that most people probably skip since it’s not inside one of the nearby national parks – and that’s Jeep Arch .

You’ll park in the small dirt parking lot along the road. We were there mid-morning after our hike to Corona Arch, and we were only the second car in the parking area. 

This hike is a bit longer at 3.6 miles (1,000 ft. of elevation gain), and it is COMPLETELY exposed. No shade to speak of, except right at the base of the arch. 

You’ll start by hiking up through the water pipe, which we didn’t realize on our way out and ended up hiking up to the railroad tracks, crossing the tracks, and then scrambling down the other side. Only to look through the other end of the pipe and say “ah, that’s the way you’re supposed to go.”

From there, you’ll follow a trail that is somewhat well marked by cairns across the rocky landscape, surrounded by the towering red rock walls of the canyon. It’s a loop, and after doing it both directions, we really don’t think it makes a huge difference which direction you go. 

We will say that the arch will sneak up on you. We were very worried that we were going the wrong way because the map showed the arch just ahead of us, and we couldn’t quite see it yet.

It’s carved into the towering canyon wall, and if you squint, it looks a little bit like a jeep, hence the name (Matt’s not convinced). 

Sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park

After a day of exploring Moab, head out to nearby Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset. Dead Horse Point is on the way back to Moab, which makes it a perfect last stop of the day before retiring to your hotel or campground for the night. 

You’ll need to pay the entrance fee, since it is a Utah State Park and is not covered by your America the Beautiful Pass. It’s $20 a vehicle as of 2021 – double check the up-to-date fees here . 

If you’re up for it and have some extra time before sunset, it’s worth doing one of the short hikes along the west rim. Our pick would be to park at the main parking lot and hike out to the Rim Overlook, and back along the rim to the parking lot, with a short detour to the Shafer Canyon and Meander overlooks along the way.

It’s about 2.5 miles there and back, and it’s flat. 

After that, pick your spot, plop down, and watch the sunset over the canyon. 

Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park

Be honest – before you started researching for this trip, had you ever heard of Capitol Reef National Park?

We hadn’t either. 

But I understand why. Sandwiched between Arches and Canyonlands to the east, and Bryce and Zion to the west, it is the runt of the litter. Not that it isn’t a great stop and well worth your time, it’s just that the rest of the national parks in Utah are spectacular. 

The most unique part of Capitol Reef in my book is the amount of green you’ll see. Coming from Moab, it’s pretty surprising to drive around a corner with red rocks towering above you and see… an orchard? Several orchards, actually.

And you can freely walk through them and eat the fruit in the late summer too! You have to pay if you want to take it to eat later though. 

What Not to Miss in Capitol Reef National Park

Here are some things not to miss in Capitol Reef National Park. 

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

Stop at the visitor center to grab a map and a hiking guide, then it’s time to tackle the 10 mile scenic drive out to Capitol Gorge . 

Take your time on the drive – it’s a gorgeous road through the red rock formations that are Capitol Reef’s specialty. 

Eventually, you’ll arrive at the end of the paved road, where there’s a small parking lot and picnic area. If you continue on the dirt road, you’ll end up at the trailhead for Capitol Gorge , which is the beginning of a short one mile stroll through the towering canyon along the original path into the Fruita Valley. 

Be careful with weather in the summer – afternoon thunderstorms and rain showers can cause flash floods, and you definitely don’t want to be stuck in the gorge during a flash flood. 

Head back the way you came, making a right onto the dirt road that will take you to the Grand Wash Trailhead. 

Cassidy Arch

Head to the Grand Wash trailhead, which includes a short drive on a well-maintained dirt road, to hike to Cassidy Arch . 

In high season, you might have to wait a few minutes to get a parking space, since the lot is small and the dirt road makes it hard if not impossible to park on the side of the road. The wait will be worth it – you’ll climb the wall of the valley to an arch that you can actually walk on! 

It’s a steep climb up some stairs for the first bit of the trail, but it mellows out as you wind between the cairns (those are the little rock piles that mark a lot of the trails) up to the arch.

It’s a pretty stunning hike, as you’ll get views of the surrounding valley and beyond as you make the ascent. All in all, it’s a three mile hike with 660 feet of elevation gain. 

You should know that it will be hot in the afternoon, so bring tons of water, snacks, sunscreen, and a hat for sun protection. 

Hike Hickman Bridge + Rim Overlook Trail

We really enjoyed the hike to Hickman Bridge , which is another natural bridge (which is similar to an arch, but slightly different). It’s a short one mile hike up, and it’s another spot where the trail actually takes you up and through the arch, which is pretty cool. 

From the Hickman Bridge, it’s another 2 miles to the Rim Overlook , which is an incredible hike that takes you to a high point on the canyon walls and looks over the entire valley. It was one of our favorite spots not only in Capitol Reef, but on our entire Utah road trip. Well worth the effort. 

All-in, if you go all the way up to the Rim Overlook, it’s going to be between 5 and 6 miles, with a moderate elevation gain of about 1,000 feet. 

Fruita and the Barn

Post-hike, head to Fruita and hit the Gifford House for a fresh baked fruit pie as a reward for finishing the morning hike. They don’t have gluten free options, so we ended up skipping the actual pies, but the historic Gifford House is worth a stop regardless. 

It’s a good representation of the original Mormon Settlement in Fruita Valley, though it has definitely been updated and renovated since it was built in 1908. Grab a mini pie and take it out to the picnic area outside. 

Don’t miss walking up the road towards the campsite to get a picture of the Fruita Barn with the red rocks in the background – I love the contrast between the dry red rock canyon, and the lush field (with horses, if you’re lucky) where the barn stands. Super unique. 

Sunset Point for… Sunset

A little over an hour before sunset, head out to Sunset Point / the Goosenecks for the second most breathtaking panorama in the park (don’t worry, you’ll tackle the best viewpoint tomorrow morning). 

The Goosenecks are an okay view of the river winding through the valley below, and they’re basically at the parking lot. 

But the star of the show is Sunset Point , which has a view across the Fruita Valley with all sorts of interesting terrain as far as the eye can see.

It’s spectacular about a half hour before sunset, when the golden light brings out all the different colors in the surrounding landscape, particularly the red in the canyon walls. Here are a few pictures for you from our trip, if you’re not convinced. 

Where to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park

There are really not many options near Capitol Reef – you can either camp inside the park, or stay in the nearby town of Torrey, Utah. 

Camping in Capitol Reef

The best option, by far, is Fruita Campground , which is the only place to stay inside the park that you can reserve in advance. It’s a super nice campground, set in between red rocks and orchards.

We were discussing whether it was the nicest campground we’d stayed in on our four month road trip, and it’s definitely in the top five. Check availability here .

You could also stay at Cathedral Valley Campground , which is near the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, but it’s a journey to get there and it’s super remote with no amenities.

That being said, it’s free, so there’s that. Make sure you have a 4WD, high clearance vehicle or you’re going to have a bad time.

Hotels near Capitol Reef

You’ll have to head to nearby Torrey to find a place to stay that isn’t camping. It’s only about a 15 minute drive to the park entrance, so it’s a perfect stopover before heading onwards to your next stop, Bryce Canyon National Park.

As far as hotels and resorts go, the leaders of the pack are Capitol Reef Resort – which is also the closest place to stay near the park (and their two bedroom cottages have a kitchen) – and Red Sands Hotel .

Vacation Rentals near Capitol Reef

If you want a vacation rental with more space and access to a kitchen, there are a couple of good options around Torrey . 

For couples, we like this cozy house .  

For families and groups who need a bit more space, look at this modern two bedroom flat .

Days 6 & 7: Bryce Canyon National Park

We spent two and a half days in Bryce Canyon, and I didn’t quite realize just how compact this national park is. Unlike places like Yellowstone and Yosemite, where you can literally drive for hours and still not leave the park, there’s essentially one 19 mile road that makes up the entirety of Bryce Canyon National Park. 

Bryce Canyon really isn’t that big, so we think that a day and a half is enough to see the highlights.

For that reason, if you’re time constrained and only have ten days, I’d only spend one day in Bryce Canyon National Park , plus a portion of the next morning before driving to Zion.

If you’ve got more than 10 days, this is the first place I’d add time (an extra day would be perfect). 

One thing you should know for Bryce that I didn’t know before my trip: the best light for photos is in the morning . 

In the afternoon, the sun is on the opposite side of the canyon from most of the interesting stuff, which leads to long shadows that really mess with your pictures because of the extremes of light and dark in the photo. 

In the morning, the sun lights up the hoodoos and other formations, making them that much more spectacular.

The Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park

Here are five things not to miss in Bryce Canyon National Park. 

Sunrise at … Sunrise Point

Start your time in Bryce Canyon with sunrise at Sunrise Point . This is a popular spot, so get there early. 

You’ll have views of the hoodoos to your right, which is the direction you want to be facing, and the horizon on the left, which is where the sun will come up.

Again, it bears repeating, make sure to watch the rising sun light up the hoodoos – most people will be looking at the horizon to watch the sunrise, which would be a mistake!

As the sun comes up, it brings out all the different hues of the hoodoos, making for some spectacular photos.

Sunset Point and Thor’s Hammer

Next, walk along the rim to Sunset Point , which is another good viewpoint to see the hoodoos from a slightly different angle.

Hike down a little ways to get a good view of Thor’s Hammer , a unique rock formation that looks like the Marvel hero’s signature hammer.

Hike the “Figure 8” Loop

After you’ve taken ALL the photos, you should embark on our favorite hike in Bryce Canyon – the Queen’s Garden / Navajo / Peek-a-boo Loop, which we’ll call the “Figure 8” loop because it sounds cooler and is less of a mouthful. 

It’s a six mile hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain. You’ll start at Sunset Point and end along the rim near Sunrise Point. 

Make sure you’re fueled up with coffee and breakfast before heading out. To really take in the beauty and scale of Bryce Canyon, you HAVE to get below the rim. This hike takes you through canyons, between hoodoos, and to viewpoints with sweeping views of the magnificence of this park. 

You’ll start by descending Wall Street – a set of (very photogenic) steep switchbacks that take you down, down, down into the canyon. Try to get started early, because this spot gets very, very congested. 

You’ll wander through the canyon for a bit before you reach a junction – veer right to tackle the peek-a-boo loop, ending back at the exact point you veered right. From there, you’ll climb back up to the rim of the canyon via the Queens Garden trail, which is not an easy hike, especially if it’s hot, but it’s totally doable for most people. 

After the hike, take a break from being in the sun and eat some lunch to refuel, either a picnic lunch, or at the Bryce Canyon Lodge are your best options. 

The Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

One thing you definitely shouldn’t miss in Bryce Canyon is the scenic drive along the 19-mile road that runs from one end of the park to the other. It’s a good afternoon activity, and it will only take you about an hour or so. 

Make sure to check out Natural Bridge and Bryce Point , our two favorite stops, and stop at any viewpoints along the way that catch your eye.

You’ll want to start this drive at least two hours before sunset, before the sun drops behind the canyon wall and takes all the color out of the hoodoos for the night.

Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon National Park

There’s exactly one place to stay in the park (plus two campgrounds – scroll down to read about those) – the Bryce Canyon Lodge . The location is great, but it’s going to be expensive and it’s a little dated. That being said, it’s a solid choice if you want to stay in the park and aren’t on board for camping. 

Staying Outside the Park

If you’re looking for more options, you’ll need to look outside the park to the towns of Bryce and Tropic . 

The best place to stay to be close to the park is in the town of Bryce . It’s as close as it gets to the entrance of the park, and you’ve got a few options. Unfortunately, the selection isn’t great. 

The Best Western Plus Canyon Grand is, by far, the best place to stay. I know what you’re thinking – “really Matt? Best Western? That doesn’t seem like you.” I hear you, believe me. I had the same reaction. But this is a NICE Best Western.  

Tropic, Utah is another place you could stay, and it’s about 15-20 minutes outside the park entrance, which means it’s about 30 minutes from Sunrise Point, which is where you’ll start the next morning. Generally, Tropic is going to be the cheaper option between the two, but also the less convenient option. 

Camping in and Around Bryce Canyon

There are two campgrounds inside the park. 

Sunset Campground is the bigger of the two campgrounds inside the park. You’ll need to book well in advance, or be prepared to check the availability daily for a cancellation, which is how we ended up getting a spot for a night.

The location is great, right across from Sunset Point, which will mean you can walk over and skip dealing with the parking nightmare that is that parking lot in the morning. Oh yeah, and the bathrooms are heated, which I’ve never encountered before at a campground. 

North Campground is basically right on the rim of the amphitheater, which also means that you will be able to leave the car at camp and walk to the two best hikes in the Bryce Canyon National Park (more on that in a second). There are 99 sites, and for 2023 (May through October) you’ll need to reserve in advance. 

The best option for camping (and RV sites) outside the park is Ruby’s RV Park and Campground , which is where we stayed for the rest of our time in Bryce Canyon because we couldn’t get a reservation in the park. 

Days 8 – 10: Zion National Park

Zion is the park I’ve spent the most time in on road trips growing up, and finally we made it back in the spring to marvel at both the canyon itself, and the ingenuity that went into constructing the Mt. Carmel – Zion tunnel, and the trail up to Angels Landing. 

Both were built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps , and are amazing feats of engineering, especially when you consider they were made almost a century ago. 

Zion is one of the best national parks in the country, let alone Utah, so you’re ending your trip on a high note. 

There’s tons to do and see, and two days in Zion is not nearly enough time to see all there is to see, but you can get a great taste of the park that will leave you hungry to return and spend more time exploring the canyons, rivers, and hanging gardens that make Zion a special place.

The best thing to do in Zion National Park, by far, is hiking. And there are two iconic hikes in the park that you should tackle – one on each day. 

They are the Narrows and Angels Landing – you’ll do Angels Landing on Day 1, then the equally-iconic Narrows of the Virgin River on Day 2. In between, there are some great shorter hikes to tackle. 

A note here for RVs and trailers: if your vehicle is higher than 11’ 4” or wider than 7’ 10”, you’ll have to pay a $15 “escort fee” to pass through the Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel (which you’ll have to do to get into the park from the east) which basically means that a ranger will stop traffic in the tunnel and make it one-way so that you can pass through to avoid accidents. More information can be found here .

The Best Things to Do in Zion National Park

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Zion National Park. 

Hike Angels Landing

Get an early start on your first day in Zion to make your way out to Angels Landing (shuttle stop is the Grotto ). It is, along with the Narrows, one of the best and most unique hikes in Utah if not the entire western United States.

It’s only 5.4 miles long, but it’s a steady climb of over 1,500 feet, which is going to feel like A LOT at this elevation and temperature. Seriously, the trail starts flat for about a quarter of a mile, but then it starts climbing steadily for the rest of the hike up to Angels Landing. 

You need to pack plenty of water (more than two liters per person), sunscreen, and a hat. If you’re afraid of heights, the tail end of this hike is going to test your willpower. You’ll need to do some scrambling and climbing with the help of chains, but the sweeping views at the top will make it all worth it. 

However, you should know that we stopped before the serious part of the chains started. There are essentially two sections of chains – one that traverses the side of a ridge, and another that makes the ascent to the summit. We did the first section, and turned around before the second section. 

It had rained the day before, which created a fine sand that coated every rock surface on the hike. We weren’t super comfortable with our footing as we were traversing the first set of chains, and the unbearable crowds didn’t help with the anxiety. Know that it is perfectly okay to stop and turn around if you’re not feeling comfortable. We did, and we regret absolutely nothing. 

I mean it when I say to start early. It gets hot in Zion, and the last thing you want is to be stuck at one of the sections with chains waiting for a slow group to go up or down while you, quite literally, roast in the desert sun. 

It’s going to take you most of the morning and part of the afternoon to do this hike. Afterwards, head to the Zion Lodge to eat lunch – either a pre-packed picnic, or a meal at the lodge’s cafe – and relax before tackling some other short hikes in the afternoon. 

Note : in 2023, you need an advance reservation to hike to Angels Landing. It’s meant to control crowds, which we experienced and literally said to each other on the way down “they should really permit this hike.”

Sunset at the Watchman

This was one of our favorite hikes in Zion, though we did it at sunrise, when the light wasn’t at its best thanks to the towering rock wall behind you that blocks the sun from lighting up the Watchman. 

That’s why we have it here, at sunset instead.

It leaves from the visitor center, and climbs pretty gently to a mesa that is directly across the valley from the Watchman, one of the most famous rock formations in the park. It’s a good spot to pack a picnic and a couple of beers after a long day of exploring. 

Hike The Narrows

Today, hop on the shuttle early and head up the canyon to the Temple of Sinawava stop to do the ten mile hike (roundtrip) to the Narrows. 

This hike is through a canyon and river, which means it is CRUCIAL that you check with the rangers about conditions and flash flood warnings before you start the hike . In the spring, heavy water flow from snow runoff might mean that this trail is closed. 

Seriously, flash floods in canyons are no joke. Stop by the visitors center to make sure you’re good to go. 

Don’t let that scare you – the hike through the Narrows is the #1 Zion experience that I think you should have on your trip.

The hike follows the Riverside Walk for the first bit, then continues on when that trail ends. You’ll pass through narrow canyons, deal with knee-high water, and do some bouldering en route to Big Springs, where the hike ends and you’ll turn around to head back the way you came.

It’s going to take you five to six hours, maybe more. To make it as smooth as possible, bring plenty of water, tons of snacks, proper footwear (not flip flops – either hiking sandals like Chacos , or real hiking shoes), a dry bag , and a pair of trekking poles for stability.

After that, recharge for a second and catch your breath. Maybe take a nap. It has been a whirlwind of a couple of days!

East Zion Scenic Drive

The eastern side of Zion National Park is one of the more unique landscapes in the country. Checkerboard Mesa, in particular, is pretty impressive. It’s a huge, textured cone-like formation that has checkerboard textures all over its surface.

The drive through the eastern side of the park, from the East Entrance to the tunnel, is spectacular. You should do it in the late afternoon if you can, so that you’re well-positioned to do the Canyon Overlook Trail at sunset. 

The Canyon Overlook Trail

Parking for this one is a bit of a pain due to all the people vying for a very limited number of spots. You’ll need to park along the road and walk to the trailhead. 

The hike itself is short, but a little steep, and takes you up to a spectacular view out over the canyon. Below, you’ll see the road switchbacking its way up to the tunnel, and the iconic, impressive rock formations of Zion Canyon across the valley below. 

Last light on the canyon from the setting sun is amazing, and it’s worth hanging out up here for a bit until after sunset. 

Where to Stay near Zion National Park

Unlike a place like Capitol Reef, where it’s hard to find a place to stay that’s close to the park, Zion has some great options nearby in Springdale, Utah . 

Whether you’re looking for a campground or you want a comfortable hotel, there are plenty of great places to stay near Zion.  

Inside the park, your options are splurging on a lodge room or private cabin at the iconic Zion Lodge , or snagging a campground at either Watchman Campground (we stayed here and it’s great) or South Campground .

Both are walkable to the visitor center, which is where you’ll need to catch the shuttle if you’re here between March and November. 

In Springdale , which is immediately outside the entrance to the park, you’ve got a wide range of options, from budget to bougie. Here are some picks based on what you’re looking for. 

• On a budget : I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express , and it’s nicer than most Holiday Inns, and there’s a shuttle that will take you to the park entrance right outside the front door. The Best Western is another option, and it’s slightly closer to the park  entrance.
• Mid-Range : I love the cottages at the Red Rock Inn Cottages , and that’s where we would have stayed if we weren’t camping. Flanigan’s Inn is an eco-friendly hotel with nice rooms, a beautiful property, and a great onsite restaurant. The Desert Pearl Inn is a good choice if you need a kitchen (and the rooms all have nice patios overlooking the pool).
• Best of the Best : The Cable Mountain Lodge is the best place to stay near Zion thanks to its location RIGHT OUTSIDE the park entrance. It’s a nice boutique hotel, so it’s not the cheapest, but it’s worth every penny for the location alone. In the same complex, there’s a small grocery store, a coffee shop, a brewery, and an outfitter that rents bikes and gear for the Narrows if you need it. 

You could also stay in a vacation rental in Springdale , which there are plenty of. That’ll give you more space to spread out and relax, which is particularly helpful if you’re traveling with a group. Nobody wants to cram four people in a small hotel room with two queen beds. 

For a once-in-a-lifetime glamping experience, stay at Zion Under Canvas . It’s a little further out – 45 minutes from the South Entrance – but it’ll make up for the distant location with the superb facilities.

They have a range of options – from simple “safari tents” that are basically a bed with a shared bathroom (they’re single-occupancy and nice, though) to “Stargazer” (private bathroom and deck!) and Suites. Some even come with a separate kids tent – perfect for families.

Psst ! We have a whole guide dedicated to helping you find the perfect place to stay at Zion National Park – you can read it here . 

What to Do with More Time in Utah

Here are three things to add to your Utah itinerary if you are lucky enough to have some extra time. 

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Time required : 1 full day

Before heading to Bryce, it’s well worth a stop in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument , home of some of the best slot canyons in Utah that don’t require a permit lottery to access.

The best way to do it is to tackle one or two of the hikes (if you’re ambitious) on the way to Bryce Canyon, staying overnight either in nearby Boulder, Utah, or completing the hikes and heading into Bryce at the end of the day. 

There are at least three hikes that are worth your time in this area, and which ones you choose basically depends on your ability to navigate a long dirt road with some questionable spots for passenger vehicles and your willingness to navigate tight spots in slot canyons. 

The road to get to the trailhead for Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Canyons is a 26-mile long dirt road called “Hole-in-the-Rock Road”. It’s passable in a passenger vehicle, but you’ll need to take it slow and it’s going to take you about an hour. I’d recommend a 4WD, high clearance vehicle to get to the second two hikes on the list. 

We skipped them all because Homer, our Honda Odyssey, was sick of unpaved roads after some misadventures in the Pacific Northwest. 

Here are those three hikes, with a short description of each. 

• Lower Calf Creek Falls (6 miles roundtrip): This is right along Scenic Byway 12, which means you don’t have to survive a dirt road to get to the trailhead. It’s a lovely hike through a surprisingly green canyon to a 126 foot waterfall, Lower Calf Creek Falls, which is in a grotto-like setting. Bring a swimsuit on a warm summer day to take a dip in the pool underneath the falls.
• Zebra Slot Canyon : This trail is not always accessible, since the entry point fills with water after storms. But if it hasn’t rained in a while, it’s a worthy five mile trip. I haven’t personally done it, but I’ve seen plenty of pictures on Instagram of the wave-like textures in the Zebra slot.
• Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons : This hike includes a 15 foot climb on rock walls, and a 20 foot descent with assistance from a rope, along with some very tight spots (12-18 inches wide) through a slot canyon. We didn’t make it here because the 26 mile long dirt road scared us and our minivan off, but I’ve heard from family members and friends who have done it that it’s amazing. The reward is two of the best slot canyons in Utah, which means it’s a busy trail. Be careful in slot canyons if there’s an incoming rainstorm – flash flooding is no joke.

If you’re looking for an awesome overnight backpacking trip, look no further than the 11.5 mile journey to Coyote Gulch . It has quite a bit of elevation gain, which makes it a little much for a day hike. But the destination is pretty epic. Permit information here . 

If you’re not up for the 26 mile drive on a dirt road, do the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls on the drive from Capitol Reef, then head to Bryce Canyon National Park that night. 

Add a Detour into Arizona

Time required : 3-4 days

If you’ve got two weeks and you’re looking for a great addition to your Utah road trip adventure, a mini Arizona road trip would be a great option. 

Zion is just two hours away from Page, Arizona, which is home to two amazing natural wonders – Horseshoe Bend (you’ve probably seen it on Instagram) and Antelope Canyon . 

Horseshoe Bend is a giant picture-perfect bend in the Colorado River that makes for an amazing sunset location, while Antelope Canyon is one of the most picturesque slot canyons in the Southwest, but is only accessible by guided tour (check out this company , which is Navajo-owned). 

On the way to Page, make a stop at Paria Canyon to hike to Buckskin Gulch. The Wave is also here, in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, but you’ll need to apply in advance to get a permit to hike it. More information here .

After Page, continue on to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and spend two days at the Grand Canyon in constant awe over the natural beauty and scale on display. Make sure to drive Desert View Road at sunset , hike the South Kaibab Trail , and catch sunset at Hopi Point along Hermit Road while you’re there.

From the Grand Canyon, it’s a four hour drive west to Las Vegas. You’ll pass by Hoover Dam along the way, which is worth a stop for the sheer scale of the dam. 

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Sitting just north of Zion (an hour and a half drive) is Cedar Breaks National Monument. It’s even higher than Bryce Canyon at 10,000 feet above sea level, which means the ecosystem is very different from most of the places you’ve seen so far in Utah. It’s most similar to Bryce Canyon, with its orange-tinted rocks and ponderosa pine forests. 

It’s also shaped kind of like Bryce, forming an amphitheater, but unlike Bryce you can’t hike below the rim because it’s steep and dangerous. As a result, there aren’t a whole lot of long hikes here, so a half day is probably enough time. 

Similar to Bryce, morning is the best time to be here for the light since the sun sets behind the canyon and mid-afternoon it’s shrouded in darkness. While you’re there, make sure to hike both  the South Rim Trail and the Alpine Pond Trail . Both are short and relatively easy. 

How to Plan a Shorter Utah National Parks Itinerary

If you have less time in Utah, like we mentioned above, rather than trying to fit in the entire Mighty Five Circuit, we’d opt for spending 7 days exploring EITHER Zion and Bryce OR Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef.

The first itinerary might look something like this (you’ll want to fly in and out of Las Vegas for this one).  

• Day 1 : Arrive in Las Vegas, drive to Zion
• Day 2 : Zion National Park
• Day 3 : Zion National Park
• Day 4 : Bryce Canyon National Park
• Day 5 : Bryce Canyon National Park
• Day 6 : Day trip to Grand Staircase-Escalante (Calf Creek Falls)
• Day 7 : Drive Back to Las Vegas

If you’re more interested in spending your time in and around Moab (which is where you’ll find Arches and Canyonlands), here’s what it might look like. 

• Day 1 : Arrive in Salt Lake City / Moab
• Day 3 : Arches National Park
• Day 4 : Canyonlands National Park
• Day 5 : Around Moab
• Day 6 : Capitol Reef National Park
• Day 7 : Drive Back to Salt Lake City / Moab

The Best Time to Visit the Utah National Parks

In general, we think fall and spring are the most pleasant times to be in Utah (we were there in October and April, and it was lovely). 

Visiting in the Fall and Spring (March – May / September – October)

Fall and spring in southern Utah, which is where the national parks are, are fairly similar. We’ve been in both October and April over the past year, and both were very pleasant times to be there. However, the weather is certainly more unpredictable than the summer – it was 80 degrees and sunny one day, and then snowed the next day on our trip in April. 

On our road trip to the Mighty Five in the fall (October), we found temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s during the day, and between 50 and 60 degrees at night. This varies by park – Bryce Canyon is at 8,000 feet above sea level, and is much cooler than Arches and Canyonlands, for example. 

The parks are still busy, so you’ll need to reserve things early – it’s actually still considered high season.

Visiting in the Summer (June – August)

Summer is crowded and blazing hot. In the United States, a lot of families plan summer vacations because that’s when the kids are out of school. The result? Parks are packed, camping reservations are few and far between, and good luck getting a parking spot at the most popular trailheads in the park. 

Usually, the weather is the most predictable in the summer, where it’s often warmer and drier than other times of year. There’s also going to be afternoon thunderstorms, which are a phenomenon that we’ve run into multiple times in the southwest and in Colorado. 

Summer isn’t the best time to visit Utah’s Mighty Five national parks. You’ll find unbearable temperatures in the heat of the day, often reaching over 100 degrees, which basically means you can’t do much during the middle of the day. You’ll need to plan on being out early in the morning and late in the afternoon and drink plenty of water. 

That being said, I’ve been on two separate versions of a Utah road trip in the summer growing up, and I’m still here. It’s doable, but not preferable. 

Visiting in the Winter (November – February)

In the winter , the parks are basically empty, but it’s going to be freezing cold. You might even get a little bit of snow, which is a particularly beautiful way to see the Mighty Five in Utah. Pack a warm jacket (we basically wore this jacket every night on our road trip) and some long underwear and you’ll be fine. 

It’ll be in the 30’s and 40’s during the day, and drop below freezing at night. You might even get treated to a nice dusting of snow covering the parks, which is stunning. If you’re planning on visiting in the winter, I’d avoid camping (although we’ve camped in Yellowstone when it was below 20 degrees before) and plan on staying in hotels and vacation rentals along the way. 

The best part? You won’t have to brave the crowds – you’ll have the major sights virtually all to yourself. The worst part? Some roads and hikes might be closed due to snow and ice, so you might miss out on an experience or two. 

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

This has been by far the most imformative review I have ever had the pleasure of reading on any vacation. Awesome, Thank you so much for the detailed description and personal tips. This is helping us plan for our trip next summer, I’m taking some of your advice and hope for a great trip with out teenage boys. Thanks again

Hey Paul, thanks for the kind words! Glad you found it helpful – we plan (and pay for) all of our own trips, so we do our best to include all of those important tidbits that come from personal experience on a route. You’re going to have an amazing trip next summer. Cheers!

Hello Matt and Alysha – this site is amazing and full of info. My hubby and I and another couple are thinking of visiting Utah from Wisconsin. Our plan is to drive from home so no flying. We are all retired. If we visit in April are hotel/motel reservations still necessary? My thoughts are traveling ‘on the fly’ so to speak and when we are tired we stop and get a hotel room. Possible? Thanks.

Hey Pam! April is actually high season for the Utah parks, so yes you will probably want to reserve in advance. With the huge rise in number of visitors at national parks over the past couple of years, it’s really tough to do it “on the fly” these days between hotel reservations and park entrance permits (those haven’t quite hit the Utah parks yet, but I imagine they’re coming at some point!). Enjoy!

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Your Guide to a Western United States Road Trip (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming & More!)

This summer, we took a 10-day road trip through the Western United States, hitting Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, and briefly passing through Utah and Nevada on the way back to San Francisco. This part of the country is famously beautiful, characterized by lush green alpine landscapes and snow-capped peaks, winding rivers, and countless small towns dripping with old western charm. We rode horses and ate beef, as one must, and went on some of the most scenic hikes anywhere.

Our itinerary included three out of the five most conservative states in America — Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho — and I now know what it feels like to experience culture shock in my own country. People live in isolated rural areas hours away from the nearest grocery store. Trump 2020 banners hang proudly in front of houses and wave in windy fields and farmland. At local businesses and restaurants, taxidermy animal mounts outnumber patrons. A waitress showed us a photo of herself at four months old next to a bear her father had just killed. Locals openly carry guns at family-friendly tourist destinations, and, I assume, elsewhere.

At a restaurant in small-town Idaho, we had a lengthy conversation with a man about his stockpile of 100 guns, the 300+ gophers he killed with his 5-year-old grandson on a recent hunt, and his belief that the standoff between liberals and conservatives will end in a bloody civil war. While his convictions differ significantly from mine (I’ve lived in liberal cities my entire life and have never handled a gun), it was eye-opening to hear an opposite perspective on familiar issues. It hits different when you are talking to a flesh-and-blood human rather than working yourself up over the contents of a Facebook comment.

We took our road trip at the height of summer, and I highly recommend anyone considering a visit to this region to travel during this time. In Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, sunsets are well after 9 pm each day. You’ll be able to do and see so much more compared to the rest of the year. In this guide, I divulge essential tips and tricks for a successful road trip, share a 10-day itinerary, and outline detailed guides to every destination we visited, including where to stay and places to eat. I hope you find it useful when planning your own road trip through the Western United States!

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Table of Contents

• Road Trip Tips & Tricks
• 10-Day Western US Road Trip Itinerary
• Destination Guide Stanley, Idaho Salmon, Idaho Missoula, Montana Big Sky, Montana Livingston, Montana Beartooth Highway Yellowstone National Park Grand Teton National Park Escalante, Utah Las Vegas, Nevada

Western United States Road Trip: Tips & Tricks

Consider your accommodation budget.

We mainly used Booking.com to book low-cost motels located on our route. However, because we road-tripped in the summer and stayed near well-known US national parks, these cost about $100 an average each night — not the cheapest option for accommodation. Alternatively, you can rent an RV or campervan and have your shelter conveniently on wheels. Outdoorsy has a diverse selection of road trip vehicles ranging from no-frills campervans to glamping-ready RVs that fit any budget. If we could redo our trip, I would have gone this route. If you are on a tighter budget, you can do a mix of motels and camping, or even camp the whole time. Find and book campsites wherever you are with ReserveAmerica or Campendium (roughly $30 a night) or use an app like Free Roam to locate Forest Service and BLM land where you can legally boondock.

Bring Snacks & Lots of Water!

We brought a cooler from home to use during our trip and bought groceries along the away. Doing this will spare you both money and time during long stretches of driving and help you eat a little healthier. For water, we purchased a few 1.5-liter bottles and refilled them at gas stations throughout our trip.

Aim for a Good Balance of Driving vs. Sightseeing

I’ve made the common road trip mistake of trying to pack too many stops into a short time period. This time around, we tried to keep driving at a minimum outside of a few necessary travel days. A good rule of thumb is to aim for under four hours of driving per day so you have time to enjoy your destination. It’s always better to see fewer destinations more completely than more destinations incompletely .

When planning your itinerary, keep in mind that the estimated driving time on Google Maps is often longer when you factor in bathroom and restaurant stops.

Get the AllTrails App

If you plan on hiking — a must on any Western US road trip — AllTrails is a great resource for locating the best trails in your area. The app provides route maps, difficulty levels, trail photos, user reviews, and more.

Buy a National Park Pass

If you plan to go to more than one national park, opt to buy an annual pass for $80 instead of individual day passes at $35 a pop. The pass also gets you free parking at all federal recreation areas.

Download Offline Maps & Media

The United States is an enormous country, and there are large swaths of sparsely populated land without cell service. Download offline maps on Google to ensure that you will never get lost and your favorite playlists and podcasts on Spotify to stay entertained.

Our 10-Day Western United States Road Trip Itinerary

Here is our exact day-to-day road trip itinerary from San Francisco:

Day 1: Drive from San Francisco to Stanley, Idaho (~12 hours) Day 2: Stanley, Idaho Day 3: Salmon, Idaho & Missoula, Montana Day 4: Drive from Missoula to Big Sky, Montana Day 5: Big Sky, Montana & Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Day 6 : Livingston, Montana Day 7: Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Day 8: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Day 9: Escalante, Utah Day 10: Las Vegas, Nevada Day 11: Drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco (~8 hours)

We had a rough plan in place prior to our trip but gave ourselves the leeway to make unexpected stops the way — hence why we hit Yellowstone twice! In the next section, I’ll dive deeper into what we did in each destination.

Western United States Road Trip Destination Guide

Stanley, idaho.

Stanley, population ~60, is located in Central Idaho, about 130 miles from Boise. With rustic log cabins, winding rivers, and rolling green meadows — all framed by the snow-capped the Sawtooth mountains — the town looks straight out of a fairy tale. Minus the ostentatious Trump 2020 banners hanging on some of the houses, of course.

In all seriousness, I had no idea Idaho was this beautiful. The entire state is a paradise for anyone who loves hiking, swimming, or anything outdoorsy. Here’s what we did in Stanley:

• Hike! We did the Iron Creek trail to Alpine Lake , a moderate seven miles out-and-back. You can go further to Sawtooth Lake, which adds an additional three miles. The hike is lovely, with wildflowers and sweeping views of Sawtooth’s jagged peaks along the way. The AllTrails app can guide you to even more hiking options in the Stanley area.
• Swim, raft, SUP, boat, or fish. It seems like you are never far from a river, creek, or lake in Idaho. Stanley is located on the banks of the Salmon River, and Redfish Lake is right nearby in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. There are numerous shops that offer equipment rentals and guided rafting adventures in the area—just give it a quick Google search once you arrive.
• Horseback riding. Mystic Saddle Ranch offers trail ride in the Sawtooth mountains and near Redfish Lake.

Stay: The Sawtooth Hotel is a charming and relatively budget-friendly option.

Eat: Sawtooth Luce’s serves up cold local beer and a mean Idaho Kobe beef burger, and we had a delicious breakfast at Stanley Baking Company. The oatmeal pancake is a must-try!

Salmon, Idaho

Salmon, two hours north of Stanley, is another small Idaho town of 3000+ residents.

Our main activity was a visit to the Goldbug Hot Springs in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The springs, located at the top of a mountain, are reachable via a relatively short but steep hike. Once you complete the hike, you are rewarded with six warm pools, a waterfall, and sweeping views of the scenery below.

Stay : Super 8 by Wyndham Salmon.

Eat: We ate at Last Chance Pizza & Pasta in town. The artichoke spinach dip and conversation with local patrons were to die for. Ponderosa Pies is a food truck in Salmon that I wish we tried (they were sold out when we went). Their pizza is cooked in a wood fire oven installed directly in the truck.

Missoula, Montana

After Salmon, we drove to Missoula, a funky college town of 75,000 that we loved.

We arrived in the evening, so we watched the sunset at Higgins Street Bridge, took a walk downtown, and had a few drinks at The Rhino Bar , a proper dive with yummy beers on tap (this part of the country has consistently incredible beer). Though Missoula is pretty small, the nightlife is young and lively and there were a lot of people out and about. We had many “hmmm….should we move here?” moments during our visit.

On Saturday morning, we checked out the city’s weekly farmers’ market , which we read is a must during any visit to Missoula. It was cute, and we picked up some locally grown cherries and bison pepperoni for the road.

Stay: Econo Lodge Eat : The Hob Nob on South Higgins Street has good coffee and very filling, all-American brunch fare — all at a very reasonable price.

Detour to Garnet Ghost Town On our way to Big Sky from Missoula, we stopped at Garnet Ghost Town, a former mining town active from the late 1800s to the end of World War I. The town was apparently poppin’ in its heyday and had no less than thirteen saloons. I guess when you live in the middle of nowhere you’ve got to entertain yourself somehow. Because of its recent history and remote destination in the mountains, the buildings are well-preserved and worth a quick stop if you have time.

Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky, like so much of Montana, is absolutely stunning, with wide-open skies, winding rivers, and purple-hued mountains in the distance. Here are the top things to do in the area:

• Horseback riding . We went horseback riding in Big Sky with Jake’s Horses . The horses are gentle and well-trained, and in an hour-long ride you’ll cross creeks and scale a hill for sweeping views of the valley below. At $50 per person, it is 100% worth it!
• Take in the scenery on Taylor Fork Road. Our horseback riding guide told us to visit Taylor Fork Road if we were interested in seeing bears, moose, and other wildlife. While we didn’t see any animals (much to Lenza’s dismay), the views and photography opportunities made the trip worth it. If you are looking for a free place to camp, there are many options, but be warned that Taylor Fork is a dirt road where an off-roading vehicle is ideal. Bear spray is also a must.
• Hike. Beehive Basin Trail No. 40 is a popular 7.1-mile hike with spectacular views, meadows, creeks, waterfalls, and wildflowers. Use the AllTrails app to find even more options in the area that fit your hiking level.
• Visit Yellowstone National Park. Big Sky is a scenic hour away from the West entrance of Yellowstone. We ended up driving through the park en route to Livingston and visited a few iconic attractions along the way.

Livingston, Montana

Livingston is a historical railroad and ranching town in Southwestern Montana, a short distance north from Yellowstone National Park. Downtown Livingston, pictured above, looks like an idyllic old western town, though vintage shops and cafes now line the street instead of saloons. Like everywhere we stopped in Montana, mountains frame the city in the distance.

The highlight of our Livingston visit was Pine Creek Lake , a 12-mile out-and-back trail to not one, not two, but three alpine lakes (AllTrails says this trail is nine miles, but don’t believe it). The scenery at Pine Creek Lake is stunning, but boy, do you have to work for it. The hike consists of six unforgiving miles straight uphill, covering 3653 feet of elevation.

I almost gave up and turned around halfway through but persisted with the encouragement of Lenza and a one-pound bag of Tillamook beef jerky. When we reached the first lake, I came close to tears because we had worked so hard for the beautiful views.

Be warned—this trail is not for the faint of heart, but you will be rewarded with some of the best views Montana has to offer. If you choose to take on the task, make sure to bring sunblock, plenty of water, and snacks to fuel you along the way.

Stay: Country Motor Inn is a budget motel in town. And it actually feels homey!

Eat: Tru North Cafe , owned by a recent Los Angeles transplant who came to Livingston on vacation and “accidentally bought a coffee shop,” serves a mindblowing Maple Mountain Cloud latte and blueberry jam breakfast sandwich. All around high-quality food in a rustic but modern wild west ambiance.

Detour to The Old Saloon in Emigrant, Montana 20 minutes away from Livingston is The Old Saloon , an old western restaurant and bar established in 1902. The menu is creative and modern, with local twists like elk meatballs and a bison burger. We really enjoyed our chicken fried steak and roasted pork tenderloin with rosemary and huckleberry demi-glace.

The venue is an experience in itself, with wild game taxidermy lining the walls, a sturdy wooden bar, and a vintage piano in the corner. There is a stage and ample seating outside where live shows are hosted in the summertime, and guests flock in from Bozeman, Livingston, and other nearby towns for the experience.

Beartooth Highway

From Livingston, we took a two-hour drive to Red Lodge to enter Yellowstone via the 68-mile Beartooth Highway. This excursion — essentially a big loop back to where we started — took almost the entire day, but I really wanted to see what is considered one of the most beautiful and treacherous roads in America.

If you choose to explore Beartooth, I would budget at least 3-5 hours so you can get out and explore. There are lots of unique views and hiking opportunities along the way.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

So much has been said about Yellowstone already, so I’ll just share a list of attractions we visited in the park:

• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Norris Geysers
• Grand Prismatic Springs
• Old Faithful
• Lamar Valley (to see all the bison!)

Detour to Ashton, Idaho It is impossible to find a campsite in Yellowstone in the summertime. Jackson, the closest town, is crowded and expensive. So, we made the hour and a half drive to Ashton for affordable lodging, which we found at the Eagle Peak Lodge . In the morning, we had a gluttonous, all-American breakfast at Trails Inn Restaurant in town, which was just amazing. I’d never seen so many taxidermy animals in one place, and near the counter, a sign read “gun safety rule #1: carry one.” Seriously, look at this place:

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

We walked 7.7 miles around Jenny Lake , one of the many hiking trails in Grand Teton. It was flat and easy, with gorgeous views of the lake and the Tetons. Still, I’m not sure I would choose this trail again as it was crowded and there is a large portion that runs alongside a road.

Again, a quick search on AllTrails will present you with a list of trails within the park that you can choose from based on scenery, difficulty level, and user reviews. If I return to Teton in the future, I would try the more difficult Delta Lake vis Amphitheater Lake Trail .

Escalante, Utah

After Teton, we embarked on the 8-hour drive towards Escalante, Utah, stopping at Salt Lake City to sleep overnight. In the morning, we arrived to these views:

Utah is home to Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, and other majestic but crowded national parks. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, on the other hand, is just as impressive and a true hidden gem.

Never heard of it? Me either. But fun fact: designated in 1996, Escalante was the last part of the continental U.S. to be mapped .

We spent our afternoon hiking to the Escalante Natural Bridge , which we had all to ourselves. It is an easy walk on soft sand with multiple river crossings. The trail is so gentle on the feet that we actually did it barefoot!

Eat: Circle D Eatery has yummy BBQ ribs and a buttered trout plate. Georgie’s Outdoor Mexican Cafe has a quesadilla bursting with melted cheese and generously portioned fish tacos.

Stay: We slept at our friend’s quaint and reasonably priced Airbnb, though there are also a few motel options in town.

Detour to Capitol Reef or Bryce Canyon National Park Capitol Reef National Park is an hour and a half north of Escalante, and Bryce Canyon is about an hour South.

Bryce Canyon is obviously more famous — we’ve all seen photos of the park’s breathtaking Sunrise Point — but Capitol Reef received raving reviews from our friends and is far less crowded.

Whichever you decide, they are both great stops for your Western United States road trip!

Las Vegas, Nevada

I would write about Las Vegas, but really, what hasn’t been said about it already? The strip is obnoxious and ostentatious, crowded with symbols of American capitalism, casinos, wedding chapels, and strip clubs. Visitors range from overweight midwestern American families on their annual vacation to scantily-clad young girls ready for a night at the Marquee. People have a lot to say about Vegas, but in my opinion, you just gotta enjoy it for what it is: a tacky fabulous adult Disneyland.

Eat: Vegas is a food destination that I hope to explore more in the future. We had all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ at Ginseng BBQ on the strip and authentic, mouthwatering Shanxi beef noodle soup at Shang Artisan Noodle. I had an “I love America” moment at Shang’s because only here will you see a Hispanic person hand-pulling noodles in the Northern Chinese tradition. So good! If you are a Chinese food enthusiast and find yourself in Vegas, I highly recommend this place.

Stay: We loved our stay at Luxor, the Egyptian-themed, pyramid-shaped casino hotel located right on the strip. Obviously, there are many other options at all price ranges.

Few things are more romanticized than an all-American road trip, and I’m happy to report that they do indeed live up to the hype.

If you have any questions about this Western United States road trip guide, leave a comment below. I am always happy to help!

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Dottie is a travel blogger and YouTuber, and one part of Dots on a Map. Check out her YouTube at www.youtube.com/dotsonamap, where she tells stories about travel, food, and local cultures around the world.

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Wyoming and Utah

Wyoming and Utah Pioneer Trails Auto Tours

Wyoming • utah.

Over half a million people crossed Wyoming and Utah on the Oregon, Mormon, California, Old Spanish, and Overland Trails in the second half of the 19th century. Along the way they found wide-open spaces and natural scenic beauty.

Today visitors to Wyoming and Utah can enjoy an enriching family vacation and outstanding outdoor recreation.

Wyoming and Utah Pioneer Trails make great family road trip vacations!

1) Laramie – On I-80. Laramie was an important stop on the Overland Trail. The days of Wild West outlaws are on display at Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site . Famous residents included “Butch” Cassidy. Visitors can pick up a brochure at the gift shop to take a self-guided tour of the grounds and buildings that include furnished cells, prisoners’ dining area, guards’ quarters, the warden’s office, women’s quarters, museum exhibits and a nature trail. The American Heritage Center on the University of Wyoming campus has an extensive repository of books on Wyoming history and the American West. The Center’s Toppan Rare Books Library holds more than 50,000 items from illuminated medieval manuscripts to 20th century literature. Visitors to the Laramie Plains Museum at the Historic Ivinson Mansion step back into Laramie’s Gilded Age with authentic artifacts, furnishings and furniture. The historic downtown features great boutiques, galleries, lodging, dining and nightlife. The Cavalryman Steakhouse is on the grounds of historic Fort Sanders established in 1866 to protect the Overland Trail and the construction of the railroad.

Go to:  visitlaramie.org .

2) Cheyenne – When the promise of outdoor, rustic adventures lure you to Cheyenne, Wyoming, you’ll find some surprises that will make you want to stop and stay awhile. Like historical 1800s buildings transformed into upscale restaurants serving world-class cuisine and flashy cocktail lounges with mixologists slinging artfully crafted spirits. The Wild West is celebrated at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum , the Cowgirls of the West Museum , and during the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo , the largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration in the world. Wyoming’s colorful history is on display at the Wyoming State Capitol and the Wyoming State Museum . Train Buffs will enjoy the Cheyenne Depot and Museum along with the Big Boy Steam Engine . Don’t forget to book a guided tour on the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley . See bison home on the range at the Terry Bison Ranch , and enjoy great outdoor recreation at nearby Vedauwoo, Medicine Bow National Forest and at Curt Gowdy State Park .

Go to: Cheyenne.org .

3) Torrington  – On US 26.  The  Homesteaders Museum  is one mile north of the Historic Oregon Trail in the old Union Pacific Train Depot.  The museum houses artifacts, memorabilia and historical documents that tell the story of homesteaders who settled and passed through Goshen County.

Go to: gogoshen.net .

4) Fort Laramie National Historic Site – On US 26 west of Torrington and Lingle . The “grand old post” evolved into one of the largest military posts on the Northern Plains, witnessing the entire sweeping saga of western expansion. The fort began as a fur and buffalo trading post then became the first stop in present-day Wyoming for the Oregon, Mormon and California Trails pioneers to rest and resupply before going west. Today 22 original structures of the fort still stand along with a modern visitor center. During the summer, the staff provides living history programs to help visitors understand 19th-century life. Interpretive programs and ranger led tours of the historic buildings and grounds are provided daily during the summer.

5) Guernsey – On US 26.  Visitors can see and stand in some of the best-preserved wagon wheel ruts made by the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails pioneers at the Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site south of town. Thousands of iron-shod pioneer wagon wheels cut deeply into the solid rock trail five-to-six-feet deep. A short trail leads visitors to the wagon ruts from the parking area that also includes restrooms, a picnic ground and interpretive signage. The Guernsey Visitor Center and Museum is a great place for information on the historic sites and recreational attractions in the area.  Register Cliff State Historic Site , just two miles south of Guernsey, is one of three large “registers of the desert” where the pioneers carved their names and messages into the soft sandstone. The Sand Point Stage and Pony Express Monument and the Cold Springs Rifle Pit Hill Monument are also near Guernsey.

Go to: VisitPlatte.us .

6) Guernsey State Park – on WY 317 off US 26.  The park includes a total of 245 campsites in seven campgrounds and three boat ramp areas.  The park also features the Guernsey Museum, miles of scenic hiking trails leading to the “Castle” and Brimmer Point, some of the finest the Rocky Mountain area examples of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work.

7) Wheatland – South on I-25.  Visitors can explore the area’s history at the Laramie Peak Museum . A vibrant, historic downtown features unique shops, friendly residents, beautiful parks, eye-catching murals and hiking and biking trails. The nearby Grey Rocks Reservoir makes a scenic day trip.

8) Chugwater – South of Wheatland on I-25.  Once a stage stop on the famous Deadwood to Cheyenne route, and home to million-acre Swan Land and Cattle Company, today visitors can enjoy old time shakes and malts at the Chugwater Soda Foundation , the oldest working soda fountain in Wyoming.

9) Glendo – North of Wheatland and Guernsey on I-25.  The Glendo Historical Museum features an extensive fossil collection, pioneer historic items and Native American artifacts. The community also serves as the gateway to Glendo State Park , a great place for boating, fishing, hiking and biking.  Day-use and overnight facilities include marina services, fishing equipment and motel units.

10) Douglas – Northwest and just off I-25. The Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum displays artifacts and materials from pioneer and area Western History. Eight miles outside of town is the Fort Fetterman State Historic Site with a museum and self-guided tours.

11) Casper – On I-25. The North Platte River, just east of present-day Casper, was one of the few places the Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express Trails converged. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center features lifelike displays, interactive exhibits and an acclaimed video dramatizing pioneer diaries. 2022 will be the Center’s 20th Anniversary and visitors can also climb inside the Conestoga Ride to experience a pioneer river crossing and try pulling a Mormon Handcart. The adjacent Visit Casper Welcome Center and Scenic Overlook has information on the historic sites and attractions in the area.

Historic Trails West guides visitors to Trail ruts by wagon or horseback. The Fort Caspar Museum includes the fully reconstructed fort complete with barracks, officers’ quarters, telegraph office and artifacts. The fort’s grounds include replicas of the Mormon Ferry and Guinard Bridge. Evansville Park in northeast Casper has a replica of John Richard’s Reshaw Bridge used by pioneers. Other great visitor attractions include the Tate Geological Museum , Werner Wildlife Museum , the Nicolaysen Art Museum & the Discovery Center and the Science Zone for families.

Go to VisitCasper.com .

12) Independence Rock and Martin’s Cove – Southwest of Casper and Alcova on WY 220. Independence Rock State Historic Site is west of the Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge and reservoir.  Father De Smet named the cliff “Great Register of the Desert” in 1841 because of the many Prehistoric and pioneer names and images carved into the rock. A little further south is the Mormon Handcart Historic Site at Martin’s Cove where many Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints took shelter during a deadly blizzard in 1856. Today the Mormon Handcart Visitor Center features historical exhibits, and a walking trail to the Sweetwater Monument.

13) The Sixth Crossing Visitor Center – US 287 between Lander and Jeffrey City.  The center features exhibits on the rescue of the Willie Handcart Company who were caught in the deadly blizzard of 1856.

14) Lander  – US 287. Trailhead to Wind River Country and the historic  South Pass . The  Museum of the American West  and the  Fremont County Pioneer Museum  share a unique indoor and outdoor complex with a focus on the natural and cultural history of the Wind River, Sweetwater valley and South Pass Region. Lander is also the gateway to outdoor adventure including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing and camping in the pristine Wind River Mountain Range. Eighty-five percent of Wind River Country is public land that includes beautiful Shoshone National Forest. Nearby  Sinks Canyon State Park  has unique geological formations with a famous disappearing river, scenic natural habitats and the chance to fish rainbow trout and enjoy outdoor recreation.  The Wind River Indian Reservation  is the home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes where visitors can experience a powwow, visit cultural centers and learn more about Native American culture. The gravesite of Sacajawea, famed guide for Lewis and Clark, is located at Fort Washakie.

Go to:  WindRiver.org . 

15) South Pass National Historic Landmark – Southwest of Lander on WY 28. Visitors can view the famed South Pass , the historic route followed by the Oregon and California Trails over the Rocky Mountains and Continental Divide. Today the site features a roadside exhibit with wagon ruts near the exhibit’s parking lot. The historic Meeker and Whitman markers stand near the summit of the actual pass. Further south on WY 28 is South Pass City State Historic Site where gold was discovered in 1864. This is one of the best-preserved mining towns in the West. Visitors can tour 40 historical buildings, sip a cold sarsaparilla and even try their luck panning for gold. Nearby Atlantic City is a living ghost town with historic restaurants and saloons.

16) Kemmerer – US 30. The community is located on the major pioneer route from the Lander Trail to the Sublette Cutoff to California. Today the town serves as the entertainment and activity hub for Lincoln County. Visitors can visit and shop at the JC Penny “Mother Store” founded in 1902, the first store where James Cash (“JC”) Penney founded his national retail chain. Just north of Kemmerer on US 189 is Fontenelle Reservoir and the Names Hill State Historic Site where thousands of pioneers carved their names in stone.

Go to: LCWY.org .

Fossil Basin -West of Kemmerer on US 30. Visitors can experience the real Wild West with a diversity of wildlife, scenic landscapes and marvel at one of the richest fossil sites in the U.S. Fossil Butte National Monument west of Kemmerer is one of the richest fossil sites in the U.S. The visitor center is a good place to start.

Go to: FossilBasin.org .

17) Fort Bridger State Historic Site – Southeast of Kemmerer, off I-80. The fort was a famous stop on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails, the Pony Express, and the Overland and Cherokee Trails. Today the  park offers museum exhibits, self-guided tours, living history demonstrations and archeological excavations.

18) Evanston – I-80.  The historic downtown district offers a fun variety of services and entertainment at the restored roundhouse at Depot Square.

OUR PARTNERS:

• Platte County WY Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board VisitPlatte.us
• Visit Cheyenne Cheyenne.org
• Visit Laramie VisitLaramie.org
• Visit Casper VisitCasper.com
• Wind River Visitors Council WindRiver.org

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19) Echo Canyon – Indigenous peoples walked this 24-mile historic route followed by mountain men, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and California Trail pioneers, pack trains, the Pony Express and the Overland Stage, the Union Pacific Railroad, Old Lincoln Highway and today’s I-80. For a scenic side trip, westbound visitors follow the Old Lincoln Highway to view historic sites related to the Mormon Pioneer and Pony Express Trails.

20) East Canyon State Park – At Echo, take I-84 north a short distance to Henefer and UT-65 exit. Today the park is a popular destination for hiking, boating, fishing, and camping enthusiasts. Nearby the Little Emigration Canyon Recreation Trail includes the Mormon Flat campground and the scenic Big Mountain Pass road which provided emigrants with their first glimpse of the Great Salt Lake.

21) This Is The Place Heritage Park – Immediately east of Salt Lake City on I-80 at the Foothill Drive Exit. Celebrating 175 years of Pioneers in 2022! Here, visitors can step back in time and experience the Old West and early pioneer life in Utah. This unique historical park is fun for everyone! Visitors can pan for gold, ride ponies, ride one of four trains for a tour around the park, make take-home crafts, interact with frontier shopkeepers, a blacksmith, tinsmith, and saddle maker and hear the Heritage Singers. Visitors can also see an early Native American Village featuring authentic Navajo Hogans, America’s largest teepee and Native American presentations of traditions, storytelling and much more before stopping at the Gift Shop which offers a variety of unique souvenirs. The park is also home to the National Pony Express Monument and Mormon Battalion Monument and Museum. This Is The Place Heritage Park is open from 9 AM to 5 PM daily.

Go to: thisistheplace.org .

22) Salt Lake City – The Salt Lake Valley in the Great Basin became the destination for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on the Mormon Pioneer Trail from 1847 – 1869. Today, Temple Square is one of Utah’s top tourist attractions. The nearby Tabernacle is home to the world-famous Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square . Families can trace their own ancestry at the Family History Library , while the Church History Museum features interactive exhibits that tell the story of the Mormon Pioneer Trail.

Northern Utah

The early California Trail pioneers followed two northern routes around the Great Salt Lake. The Bidwell-Bartleson Trail route marks the difficult journey of the first wagon train to California in 1841. Today, UT 30 approximates their route between Snowville and Lucin. The route was abandoned until 1869 when the Union Pacific Railroad followed the route for the first transcontinental railroad.

The Salt Lake Cutoff branched out from Salt Lake City and followed a northwestern route that ran along today’s Utah state border until the City of Rocks in south central Idaho before going south to Nevada. Today’s visitors can take I-15 north to see historic sites along this route between Ogden and Brigham City.

23) Ogden – North of Salt Lake City on I-15/84. Take a trip to Fort Buenaventura Park to see the reconstructed fort and trading post built by mountain man Miles Goodyear in 1845. The park today features a visitor center with artifact exhibits and a campground.

24) Bear Lake State Park – US 89/UT 30. Brilliant blue waters provide a haven for boating, camping, swimming, and fun. Boat rentals, cabins, fast food services and plenty of beach area are available.

Go to: StateParks.Utah.gov .

25) Golden Spike National Historic Park – 32 miles west of I-15 at Exit 365 at UT 13 to UT 83. Follow the signs to SR 83 to the Golden Spike National Historic Site. This is the site of Promontory Summit where the “Golden Spike” was pounded in to complete the Nation’s first transcontinental railroad. Today the grounds include a visitor center, two operating steam engines, a walking trail and weekly reenactment events of the Golden Spike Ceremony during the summer. The 90-mile Transcontinental Railroad Backcountry Byway begins west of the Golden Spike National Historic Site. The byway is interpreted at over 20 sites following the old railroad grade through the remnants of railroad sidings, towns, and trestles. Visitors need to carry water, have spare tires and be prepared to travel gravel roads through the remote back country.

Go to: blm.gov/utah .

The Hastings Cutoff /Salt Lake Basin

Most pioneers, or 49-ers’, traveling the California Trail took the Hastings Cutoff trail spur from Fort Bridger in present-day Wyoming to Echo Canyon, near present-day Herefer UT, down through Emigration Canyon and to present-day Salt Lake City. Historic trail sites along the Hastings Cutoff route include:

26) Great Salt Lake Viewing Area – 14 miles west of Salt Lake City on I-80 at mile marker 104. At Exit stop sign, makers are 200 feet to the left. This roadside turnout includes historic markers for a view across the lake and Stanbury Island. The historical marker commemorates mountain man and trailblazer Jedediah Smith.

27) Stansbury Park – Off I-80 on UT 138. The Ezra T. Benson Grist Mill was built by Latter-Day Saint pioneers in 1854 and is mentioned in pioneer diaries. Today the site includes the original gristmill, a sawmill, a re-created and operating gristmill, a country store, blacksmith shop, several historic cabins, barns, and picnic facilities.

28) Grantsville – on UT 138. The Donner-Reed Museum features such an extensive collection of Hastings Cutoff pioneer artifacts that it has been called “Grandmother’s attic”. The grounds include a commemorative monument, wayside exhibits, an-1853 cabin, and a unique cage-like jail built in 1863. The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum is open by appointment only.  Call (435) 884-3767 or (435) 884-4311.

The Pony Express Trail

29) Bluffdale – Southbound I-15 at Exit 288. A stone marker is at the location of   Rockwell’s Station , once a Pony Express mail station, hotel and brewery operated by Orrin Porter Rockwell, often called “The Destroying Angel.”

30) Lehi – Located off I-15 at Exit 279. John Hutchins Museum of Natural History features exhibits on the Pony Express, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints pioneers, and native peoples of the area. The Eagle Mountain Pony Express Trail Segment features pedestrian, bike, and equestrian trails, as well as wayside exhibits along the original Pony Express Trail.

31) Camp Floyd / Stage Coach Inn State Park and Museum – West of I-15 off UT 73. Established by the U.S. Army and built with the help of local citizens in 1858, the camp was the largest military installation before the army left for the Civil War in 1861. The Commissary Building includes a museum with historic exhibits and the Stagecoach Inn features furnishings of the period.

32) Faust – Turnout on the west side of UT 36. A 1939 Civilian Conservation Corps-constructed monument marks the site of Faust’s Station . This site, also called Rush Valley Station, was where Pony Express riders ate and slept after completing their relay west of Salt Lake City.

The Pony Express Trail National Back County Byway is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and follows 123-miles of unpaved roads along the original Pony Express route in western Utah. The route meets unpaved roads west of Faust. The byway crosses remote sagebrush country that looks much like it did in the 1860s. There are interpretive stops at Pony Express station sites along the way. Historical sites along the way include Boyd Station, northwest of the Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, and the Canyon Station. The roads are suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles when dry, but high clearance is advised. A tour along the byway typically takes 10 to 12 hours. The route meets pavement at Ibapah near the Utah and Nevada border.

Central Utah

33) Provo/Utah Valle y – South of Salt Lake City on I-15. Provo is home to Brigham Young University which features the Museum of Art , the Covey Center for Fine Arts and the BYU Museum of Paleontology . Utah Valley includes the Uinta-Wasatch Cache National Forest , Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort , and the scenic Bridal Veil Falls .

34) Manti-La Sal National Forest – Southeast of Provo on US 6/89. This National Forest offers hiking, biking, climbing, camping, fishing, hunting and off-road vehicles.

Go to:  fs.usda.gov/attmain/mantilasal .

Southern Utah

The Old Spanish Trail This National Historic Trail was originally a pack trail from Santa Fe to Los Angeles that was used primarily by traders from 1829-1848. It followed several variant routes through New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and California. Beginning in 1848, the Mormons converted the western part of the trail into a wagon road from Salt Lake City to southern California. The Old Spanish Trail route enters southeastern Utah near present-day Monticello.

35) Monticello – At the intersection of US 491 and 191. The Monticello Visitor Center provides information and maps for southeastern Utah National Parks and scenic sights in the area.

36) Canyonlands National Park – West of Newspaper Rock Recreation Site on UT 211. Look upon staggering waves of deep canyons, towering mesas, pinnacles, cliffs and spires encompassing 527-square miles. The Needles District , featuring red rock spires and sandstone fins, requires backcountry use permits and high clearance 4WD vehicles.

Go to:  nps.gov/cany/index.htm

37) Moab – Located off US 191, the Moab Visitor Center provides information on Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and western Manti-La Sal National Forest. The Moab Museum , an Old Spanish National Historic Trail Certified Site, features interpretive galleries with southeastern Utah’s natural and human history.

38) Arches National Park  – Located of U.S. Highway 191, is the Arches National Park’s Visitor Center and the main entrance is to the Park. South of Arches National Park South of Arches National Park South of Arches National Park is  Dead Horse Point State Park . Visitors can enjoy desert canyons, high desert woodland, and miles of trails with memorable views. The park includes wonderful campgrounds with modern amenities.

Go to:  StateParks.Utah.gov .

39) Green River  – Located off I-70 in southcentral Utah. The  John Wesly Powell River Museum  is an Old Spanish National Historic Trail Certified Site.

40) Castle Dale  – Located north of I-70 on UT 10. The  Museum of the San Rafael Swell  is an Old Spanish National Historic Trail Certified Site. The museum features dinosaur fossils, life-like wild animals in natural settings, and artifacts from early native peoples who lived in the area.

41) Richfield – The Richfield Visitor Center located off I-70 on North Main is an Old Spanish National Historic Trail Certified Site. The center can provide information on area attractions, lodging, shopping and the historic Main Street. Visitors can also enjoy access to nearby natural hot springs, scenic byways colored with aspen stands and outstanding outdoor recreation. About 20 miles east of Richfield on I-70 is Fremont Indian State Park and Museum that preserves colorful Native American rock art and historic sites. A classic hobo’s song comes to life in a beautiful setting at Big Rock Candy Mountain , about 30 miles east of Richfield. The area today features a restaurant, motel, RV park and access to great fishing, hiking, rafting and the 200-mile loop Paiute ATV Trail .

Go to: sevierutah.net .

42) Fish Lake National Forest – This National Forest flanks the east and west sides of Richfield and includes  Fish Lake, Utah’s largest natural mountain lake. The forest can offer trophy fishing and fantastic bird watching. The forest features Aspen stands in open mountain meadows that are home to elk, deer, black bear, cougar, moose, wild turkeys and mountain goats.  The Fish Lake Byway can provide a scenic introduction to the area.

Go to: fs.usda.gov/main/fishlake/home .

43) Escalante Petrified Forest State Park – On Scenic Byway 12. Visitors can camp along the shores of Wide Hallow Reservoir and hike trails leading to prehistoric petrified forests. At nearby Anasazi State Park Museum visitors can tour the site of an Ancestral Puebloan village from AD 1050– 1200.

44) Kodachrome Basin State Park – Scenic Byway 12. Beautiful multi-colored monolithic spires jut up from the valley for great photos. The day park offers hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Visitors should also plan to see nearby Grosvenor Arch, an intricate double arch just 10 miles southeast from the park.

45) Cedar City – I-15.  Visitors can experience the days of the pioneers and iron ore miners at Frontier Homestead State Park Museum featuring historic buildings,wagons and artifacts and interactive exhibits. Nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument features a 2,500-foot deep basin with canyon walls in vivid, multi-colored hues. Cedar City can also serve as the gateway for visits to Zion National Park , Bryce Canyon National Park and Dixie National Forest . Kanarra Falls is a beautiful slot canyon hike with stunning waterfalls. The plays of William Shakespeare and other classics are performed nightly from June through October at the Tony Award® winning Utah Shakespeare Festival at the Beverley Center for the Arts. The Southern Utah Museum of Art displays the work of regional artists and a permanent collection of National Park paintings. Brian Head Resort offers snow-skiing and family-friendly winter fun from November through April and summer mountain biking, hiking and special events on the weekends in the summer.

Go to: VisitCedarCity.com .

46) Cedar Breaks National Monument – Southeast of Cedar City on UT 14. This Monument within Dixie National Forest features multicolored strata plunging 2000-feet into canyon walls and deep basins.

Go to: nps.gov/cebr .

47) Zion National Park – East of I-15 on scenic SR 9 at Springdale. Visitors can hike into seemingly impossible places and heights to see colorful layers of strata that mark the ages. Popular hikes include Angels Landing, The Narrows, Hidden Canyon and Observation Point. Visitors are urged to take extra water and sun protection. Visitors can take the free town shuttle from Springdale to avoid traffic congestion.

Go to: nps.gov/zion/index.htm .

48) Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – On UT 59. Explore red coral sand dunes and scenic red rock country by ATV. Visitors can also rent sand boards and sand sleds to “surf” the dunes. Bolder visitors can take the All-Ways Adventure Rappelling Tours for panoramic views.

• This Is The Place Heritage Park thisistheplace.org
• Sevier County Utah Tourism TrailCountry.com
• Cedar City Brian Head Tourism Bureau VisitCedarCity.com
• Utah Division of Parks and Recreation StateParks.Utah.gov
• Bureau of Land Management – Utah Office BLM.gov/Utah
• National Park Service Oregon National Historic Trail NPS.gov/oreg
• National Park Service Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail NPS.gov/mopi

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This Western Road Trip is All About Landscape and Wildlife

From the deserts of Arizona to the natural arches of Utah and the mountains of Wyoming, this trip offers an up-close view of some of the most stunning landscapes and impressive wildlife in the West.

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Photo By: Rustic White Photography

Arches National Park

Nothing can be more humbling and inspiring than a trip out West. Majestic mountain ranges, diverse landscapes and magnificent natural wonders are seemingly at every turn. So, whether you fly in for a relaxing weekend or set off on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip of adventure, your visit will be unforgettable!

Petrified Forest National Park

While you get your kicks on historic Route 66 be sure to visit the Petrified Forest National Park a few hours from Flagstaff, where you'll discover interesting wildlife, archaeological sites and spectacular backcountry hiking. There's even a B.A.R.K. Ranger program, so your leashed fur buddy can take part in the adventure. FUN FACT: The amazing colors found in petrified wood come from three minerals — pure quartz, manganese oxides and iron oxides. But don't try to take a piece home with you — that's strictly prohibited!

The Painted Desert

Mystifying moab.

Moab, a relatively small town in eastern Utah, neighbors Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park so it's an ideal home base for travelers looking to experience all the area's natural wonders. It's also a hugely popular destination for mountain bikers and off-roading Jeep enthusiasts looking for trails that are as challenging as they are beautiful.

Touted as the world's red-rock wonderland, this park near Moab, Utah, is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches and countless mind-boggling rock formations. The park and its many hiking trails are open year-round, but some trails (when icy) require special gear and are recommended for experienced hikers only.

Natural Steps

Double arch, skyline arch.

This particular trail is short and suitable for all skill levels — especially the kiddos. Located near the Devil's Garden Campsite and Thompson, Utah, the half-mile path features lots of wildflowers and birds.

Historic Wolfe Ranch

Grand teton national park.

The magnificent Grand Teton mountain range in Wyoming is part of the larger Rocky Mountain system and spans 40 miles across. To fully experience the range and a variety of outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, camping and hiking, visit Grand Teton National Park during the summer months.

Experience the Seasons

Whether you’re heading out West in the warmer "green" season or the cooler "white" season, Wyoming landscapes are fantastic. In February you'll likely find pristine snow covering the ground, as pictured here near Jackson.

Turpin Meadow Ranch

Whether you stop in for a meal, special event or full-on vacation, the Turpin Meadow Ranch Resort is a hotspot for nature enthusiasts year-round. Located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, its luxurious cabins and chalets accommodate guests in high style. There are plenty of fun outdoor activities here, as well. In summer (green season) guests can fly fish, ride horses, bike and hike the nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. In winter (white season) guests enjoy Nordic skiing, snowmobiling and plenty of fireside relaxation. This sunrise view of the nearby mountain range is truly breathtaking.

The Scenic Route

Driving into Grand Teton National Park is a spectacle, especially during the "white" season. If you plan on visiting during the winter months, be sure to research road closures and outfit your vehicle with the appropriate gear for driving in icy conditions. You can always rent a snow-ready four-wheel drive vehicle upon arrival.

Guided and DIY Tours

In Jackson Hole, you'll discover a variety of ways to see the sights and extraordinary wildlife, depending on the season. Book a guided tour by snowmobile, van or boat. There are several self-guided tour options available, as well. This group enjoyed the flexibility and comfort of a rented van outfitted with roof hatches.

Home on the Range

The majestic American buffalo (a.k.a. American bison) is the state mammal of Wyoming. This massive creature is deeply woven into American history with millions once roaming North America (European settlers hunted it to near extinction). The American bison was also an integral part of Native American culture-providing many tribes with food, shelter and clothing. However, visitors should be wary of these beautiful animals — buffalo they can be dangerous and have been known to run as fast as 40 miles per hour.

Follow the Herd

Finding sanctuary, out with the old.

Elk is part of the deer family of animals, so they're deciduous — meaning they grow and lose their antlers each year. They shed their beautiful antlers in late winter or early spring.

Extremely Busy Beavers

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Western Wyoming Road Trip – Awesome Fossils, Cowboys and Epic Scenery

By: Author Rob Taylor

Posted on Published: July 10, 2023  - Last updated: September 18, 2023

Every state has several different road trip options you could plan for. The western Wyoming road trip is great to do with kids and shows a very diverse side of the state. Whether you are interested in science or indigenous history or cowboy history, you’ll find it all on our Western Wyoming road trip itinerary.

So many people, myself included, plan trips to Wyoming with the sole purpose of going to Yellowstone National Park or the Grand Tetons. We were invited to have our own Western Wyoming road trip that wasn’t focused on the famous national parks and had an amazing time. It was wonderful to get to show the kids a different version of a place we have been to so many times.

Take a look at our road trip plan and please let us know if you have any questions. Feel free to leave a comment or send us a note if you need any help. Planning or want to make your own suggestions to add on to our Western Wyoming road trip plan.

Why Choose Western Wyoming for a Road Trip?

The thing that makes Western Wyoming such an interesting place to do a road trip is that the science and history of the area appeal to nearly any type of traveler. If you’re big into dinosaurs and fossils, you’ve got all kinds of dig sites and protected areas to explore. If geology is your thing then you will have incredible mountains and hot springs. 

Something we were excited for is to learn more about the indigenous nations of the west, as Wyoming is the ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Lakota (our family), Blackfeet and more. With the Buffalo Bill Cody and cowboy part of Wyoming history, this road trip gives a well rounded approach to learning about the past. And at the end of the day, this journey is just beautiful and fun.

Our LGBTQ Family Impression of Western Wyoming

I know this might not be interesting or apply to everyone planning this sort of trip, but I think it’s important to share how our two-dad family experienced Western Wyoming. A state that is known for being very conservative and very firearm-forward, and NOT known for being liberal and progressive, Wyoming surprised us. Yes, the conservative markers of loud patriotism and public prayer were very present, but also we came across MANY LGBTQ welcoming places, with Pride flags and stickers, and genuine joy to see our family.

Something else that we noticed, because unless you’re a family like ours you might not even think about it, which is why I call this out, is that we were only asked if our dining should be two checks once. This might not seem like a big thing, but you can tell how people feel about you and the internalized judgements about the LGBTQ community by whether or not they are comfortable assuming that two obviously married men with their kids belong on one check or not. Sure, some people might “not want to assume” but that goes back then to there being a phobia in some form. In Wyoming we didn’t face this most places, which is always nice to experience.

Overall, with many trips to Wyoming over the years, we’ve found the people to be kind and not make a big deal about our family, which is why we keep going back!

Getting to Western Wyoming

When you’re planning your road trip, the first thing you need to decide on is where you want to start. Having done lots of travel in Wyoming we’ve entered the state via Utah , Idaho and Montana . Each entrance gives you a different view with such different features and points of interest. 

For this Western Wyoming road trip plan, entering from Utah allows you to start in fossil country and end in Yellowstone . You can easily fly into Salt Lake City (SLC) from nearly anywhere in the USA, making it the easiest beginning point. This also makes it easy to pair with a Utah National Parks road trip .

For the reverse itinerary, fly into Bozeman (BZN) or Billings (BIL) and start your trip in Yellowstone National Park. The Beartooth Highway from Billings is so beautiful and brings you into Wyoming with some of the most epic views you can imagine.

There is one other route you might want to consider, which is ideal if you’re also doing Badlands National Park, Devil’s Tower National Monument or Custer State Park, and that’s coming to Western Wyoming via the Nez Perce Highway. From Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area you’ll wind through hills and canyons, falling in love with the views the whole way there.

When to do a Wyoming Road Trip

Considering that Wyoming is pretty high in elevation and gets a significant amount of snow, late spring to early October are for sure the best times for a Western WY road trip. June is the prettiest, for sure, as Wyoming has some of the most gorgeous spreads of wildflowers and they seem to peak in June. The benefit of visiting in September/October is that you get the tail end of summer weather and the start of really brisk days, as well as far fewer visitors wherever you go. The downside is that there are lots of businesses that start to close for the season, so you might miss out on some activities.

Summer is awesome. It can be hot, but then there are amazing thunderstorms too. Wyoming is such a wonderful mixed bag!

How Much Time is Needed for a WY Road Trip?

Oooh, when people ask about roast trips and how much time they need, the answer can vary greatly. Use our road trip planner to determine how much time you should take, but I’m my eyes, 8 days is ideal for this Western Wyoming road trip plan. You can easily add onto it or take away to make it fit your time off, but 8 days or more gives you plenty of time to enjoy Wyoming to the fullest.

Western Wyoming Road Trip Itinerary

It’s time to see what fun we have in store! Remember that you can do this Western Wyoming road trip plan in reverse too. The possibilities are endless and if you need suggestions for what to add beyond what we’ve noted, just ask. Road trip planning is quite literally my favorite pastime.

Day 1: Fossils and More in Kemmerer, Wyoming

We’ve been to so many amazing fossil places, full of paleontology and geologic history. The fossil lake basin in southwestern Wyoming is so much cooler than we expected. With small towns, fossil quarries and beautiful hikes, this will start your Western Wyoming road trip with a bang.

We stayed at the Best Western Plus Fossil Country Inn and Suites am and it was perfect for us. Good location, very well maintained, we earned rewards points for our stay… all things we love!

Visit a Fossil Quarry to Find Your Own

The American Fossil Quarry was our first stop in Wyoming’s fossil country. We didn’t know what to expect and we’re just hopeful to find something. Wow! Because of the geologic history of the area being a large lake basin, prehistoric fish, reptiles and plants can be found at the quarry with little to no effort. After just a short time, we had more fossils than we could’ve dreamed. And they weren’t lame, difficult to make out fossils, but very well preserved skeletons, beautifully aged over millions of years.

How it works is you pay for access to the quarry, then they provide you the tools for chiseling away the rocks. A few taps later and you’ll no doubt uncover something amazing! There are really knowledgeable staff all around to help you hone your fossil finding skills, to identify species, and help you cut the limestone into the right size pieces to transport home. Hands down, one is the coolest souvenirs we’ve ever gotten.

2 Hour Dig – 4 Hour Dig – Private Dig

Explore Fossil Butte National Monument

We will always make time for National Park Service sites, whether it’s for hiking at Mount Rainier NP or visiting our neighborhood fortress at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument . Fossil Butte National Monument is going to be one of your favorite stops on this Western Wyoming road trip. If you’re into science or not, it’s a great place to visit.

The first stop at Fossil Butte NM is the visitor center. This is much more than a visitor center, but a great place to learn about extinct species, the geology of the area, and to see an absolute ton of really amazing fossils. They’ve got some great videos too, which makes the learning element easier.

The next activity is to do the scenic drive through Fossil Butte National Monument. Yes, you do a lot of driving on a Western Wyoming road trip, but this short trek through the park is really beautiful and puts everything you saw in the visitor center into perspective. Watch for living wildlife along the way and take in the views. It’s similar to the Painted Hills of Oregon in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument .

If you have time and weather permits, do the hike to the cabin and the old fossil quarry. This 2.5 mile loop isn’t too difficult, is full of wildflowers and historic markers, and it’s great exercise. The hike also brings you to some views and unique sights, so if you’re able don’t skip it!

Enjoy the Vintage Town of Kemmerer 

Kemmerer is an interesting town for a few reasons, but what makes it a uniquely vintage stop is the old downtown area. It’s not an “old town” like you’d think, but is just a snapshot of Western Wyoming from the early 1900s. You’ve got cool old storefronts, lots of fossil shops, a town square and… wait for it… the original JCPenney store . They call it the mother store, and while a lot of retail shopping around the country has gone the way of online, the mother JCPenny is still there.

This might not seem exciting, but it’s truly nostalgic. If you’re just outside, you can see the context of the original JC Penny and how its spot as a primary mercantile in Western Wyoming was so important. If you don’t go in but do check it out, you’ll see the original JCP wrought iron vent grates and even hear the sound of vintage transactions playing in the distance. Pretty neat.

Day 2-3: Lander, Wyoming for Nature and History

We were so surprised as we rolled into Lander on our Western Wyoming road trip. This town is a mix of both Western history and modern restoration. What I mean by that is that here in Lander you’ll find interesting historic sites and lots to learn about, but then you’ve also got trendy local restaurants and bakeries, art spots, murals, restored historic buildings… It’s pretty cool and is a great base for a few days.

You can read about our really unique, fun stay at the Mill House below!

Sinks Canyon State Park for Hiking

We’ve seen lots of geologic wonders in our travels, and some are easily explained by science and others baffling. Sinks Canyon State Park in Lander is a must-stop on a Western Wyoming road trip. The sinks are a phenomena where the Popo Agie River flows both above and below ground, like through sink pipes, and when the water from below shows back up, it’s taken 90 minutes longer to travel underground than the surface water. They don’t know where it goes, but it’s just a cool mystery.

In Sinks Canyon State Park you’ll find some beautiful sights, including the canyon itself, which is impressive. The Rise of the Sinks is a cool stop, as that’s where the underground river resurfaces and it’s actually a calm pond where the rainbow trout conregate and are easily visible from above.

The best hike here in Sinks Canyon State Park is the trail to Popo Agie Falls . It’s three miles round trip and not too difficult. The view at the end is remarkable. Popo Agie Falls is very unique, canscading across several outcroppings and churning hard into the canyon. It’s absolutely worth the hike!

Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Powwow

I know this is a very specific even that needs to align with timing, but if you’re able to be in the Lander area in June, hopefully you’ll be able to observe or participate in the Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Powwow . This gathering is big celebration of the Shoshone Nation and includes competition for fancy dance, friendly dances and processionals.

The Shoshone Nation invites other American Indian communities to participate, and people come from all around. I’ve been to many powwows, including in our old hometown of Suquamish WA, and the Eastern Shoshone Indian Days has been one of my favorites. Everyone was welcome, and if you don’t understand what’s happening there are lots of people willing to share their knowledge. It’s amazing!

Tip: if you haven’t been to a powwow before and are worried about participating appropriately, it’s very easy to visit and be a respectful observer. The MC is great at explaining the competetitions and sharing stories of who is in the cetral arena. Follow the examples of those around you regarding removing hats and when to cheer. It’s fun and is a wonderful way to support the local indigenous community.

Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary

It might sound a little strange to visil a wild horse sanctuary, because then they aren’t wild, but let me explain. Ove the centuries, the horse population of Wyoming and the Great Plains has grown and fluctuates based on winters and horse health. Wildlife management sometimes has to relocate some of the wild horse population of Western Wyoming, and the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary hosts populations as they need to be redistributed.

If you want to just stop in, there is a small visitor center where you can learn about wild horse history in Wyoming as well as what the Sanctuary does to help the relocated horses. You can also do a tour of the propery on an off-road cart (like a Polaris) to see the wild horses up close and hear all about them in detail. For those into photography, this is an amazing opportunity to see mustangs of every color and pattern up close.

Unique Stay in Lander WY: the Mill House

While it may not be a thing to do for everything on their Western Wyoming road trip, if you’re able to book it, the Mill House in Lander, WY is a great home base for exploring the area. Located just off the river on Main Street, the Mill House is actually the first industrial building in Wyoming to have electricity. Ultimately, this building was responsibly for the rest of the town getting electricity and being the first fully wired town in Wyoming.

The accommodations themselves are spacious and beautiful . A combination of industrial chic and western culture, this was a wonderful place for our family for three days. Decorated with western paintings, wildlife taxidermy and lots of different areas to hang out in, it’s kind of a dream Wyoming stay!

Day 4: Hot Springs and Dinosaurs

Thermopolis, Wyoming is a cute town with a wide variety of cool things to do. And while it might seem like a town to breeze through on your Western Wyoming road trip, it’s worth its own day so you can fully appreciate the health benefits of the town. 

Top Pick: Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel that is IN the State Park. It’s in a great location, has a wonderful pool space and is walking distance to the hot springs.

Hot Springs State Park

This is where you start and end your time in Thermopolis. Beginning early in the morning, visit the public bath house of Hot Springs State Park to take a dip in the indoor and outdoor mineral hot springs. These very well maintained pools are free to the public and you can visit all through the day. They limit your time to 20 minutes of soaking every two hours, but this means you can visit and relax, then go do things, come back for another soak, leave again for lunch and sightseeing, and visit again…

There is a lot more to Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming than just the soaking pools. Being along the same fault as Yellowstone and the hot spring areas of southwest Montana , Thermopolis actually has quite a few terraces and springs at the state park. You can do the boardwalk trail from the bath house or drive up to the main spring and walk around. There’s a fair amount to see.

Don’t miss the bison pastures. Hot Springs State Park has its own healthy herd of American Bison. They get to roam the range above the hot springs and honestly, they have one of the prettiest views in Wyoming. DO NOT APPROACH the bison, as they are wild and unpredictable, but enjoy seeing them from your vehicle or the Spirit Trail that winds through the state park.

Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Dino Dig

For all of the times we’ve been through fossil country or visited places like Utah and Montana that are known for the high volume of dinosaur remains, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center was the first time we’ve been able to visit an active dig site. Dinosaur Ridge outside of Denver, CO has a stale dig you can visit and some other cool fossils, but not an active site that they’re still uncovering. The journey to the dinosaur dig site is really cool and visiting the allosaurus feeding ground is a fascinating lesson in paleontology.

The museum at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center is also worth spending time going through. Both real and replica dinosaur and pterasaur fossils make the collection and displays really unique. T-Rex, Supersaurus, archeopteryx and more make it an awesome dino-scavenger hunt for kids (and adults).

Rafting the Wind River Area

The Wind River Canyon is so beautiful and very unique for this part of Wyoming. With Class II – IV rapids (sometimes Vs) there are a few options for getting on the river, but our top pick is to go with Wind River Canyon Rafting . They’re a 100% Indian Owned business and going out with them is a great way to support the local economy. They’re based in Thermopolis, so if you’re staying here on your Western Wyoming road trip, this is a great morning or afternoon activity during your stay.

Boysen State Park for Kayaking

Between Lander and Thermopolis you’ll spend a good portion of the Western Wyoming road trip driving through Boysen State Park . At the south it seems like just a large lake surrounded by a plain, but as you head northeast the landscape changes and there are opportunities for some unique Wyoming kayaking . Put in at Brannon boat ramp (near the campground) to paddle through some narrow bays and between the rocks. 

If you want to paddle on the west side of the reservoir, head to the Cottonwood Creek boat ramp or the Trout Bay campground. And if you need a kayak rental , they’re available!

Day 5-6: Western fun in Cody WY

I think Cody, Wyoming is one of the coolest western towns. It’s full of activities of every sort, and whether you’re feeling adventurous or just want to chill and stroll, this is a great place to spend two or three days. Cody is the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park, so keeping that in mind, visiting Cody’s museums and seeing how nature and the Old West intersect here, you’ll have a wonderful visit.

We recommend two solid days in the Cody area so that you can get the full experience, but if you’re short on time and exploring Yellowstone National Park is a bigger priority for you, cut a day from Cody to create the perfect Wyoming road trip itinerary for your family.

We enjoyed a family cabin at the Bill Cody Guest Ranch between Cody and Yellowstone National Park. So quiet and beautiful!

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

It’s always an internal struggle for me when I’m planning an itinerary to decide between time outdoors and museum visits. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is HUGE and actually has five museums in one. When you get your admission tickets they are actually good for two days because there is so much to see.

Into Buffalo Bill and western history? Spend a few hours in the Buffalo Bill Museum. Want to see the most amazing and beautiful collection of Western Art and painting of Yellowstone? Get lost in the Whitney Museum of Western Art. Traveling with kids that want to do wildlife stuff? The Draper Natural History Museum is all about animals and the ecosystem of Wyoming. They also do outdoor raptor shows to teach about local birds of prey.

My favorite part of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is the Plains Indian Museum . Here you’ll find countless exhibits about the Shoshone, Lakota (that’s us!), Blackfeet Nation and more. The Plains Indian Museum is a collection of photographs, first hand accounts, regalia, everyday items and all sorts of presentations for the purpose of educating visitors about the original inhabitants of Wyoming and the Great Plains. I loved it.

Old Time Western Photos at Way Back When in Cody

Our family does an old time photo every year, whether we’re here in Wyoming where history happens, or in Leavenworth, WA where it’s just a fun activity and not a part of the town’s history, we love doing it. Way Back When Photography in downtown Cody is a great place to do an old west photo shoot.

Check out our article all about old west photoshoots !

We like to mix it up and sometimes be cowboys or sherrifs, or every now and then get really fancy. The studio has a wide range of costume pieces for all ages and sizes. You get to dress up and then try different backdrops and props to come up with the perfect western photos. This is always our favorite souvenir when we’re doing a western road trip.

Old Trail Town – the Original Cody

Cody, Wyoming really is a must when you’re doing a Western Wyoming road trip. It’s the quintessential western town and it’s full of history. Old Trail Town is where you can really walk through the history, and it’s fun with kids. While it’s not all original buildings from when Buffalo Bill Cody laid out his town plan, the buildings and cabins of Old Trail Town are all authentic and from around the area.

Most of the buildings are set up to show their original function, whether that be a saloon or the actual cabin of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (complete with bullet holes). There are museum buildings as well with arrowheads, taxidermy and old carriages. It’s a fascinating place to explore, especially with kids.

Dinner Show at Cody Cattle Company

If you know me in real life, you know that I don’t like live music and the kids struggle with it too, but we had the best time at the Cody Cattle Company dinner show. Truly a western experience, it’s a great addition to a Wyoming road trip. Dinner is served up buffet style with western favorites (brisket, chicken, corn bread…) and then the performers do their thing.

The show is a fun combo of tributes to country western musicians and then modern rock and grunge TURNED country. Not too loud, not too wild, totally clean and great for families or anyone else. We would be happy to do this show again!

Cody Nite Rodeo

Another awesome experience, the Cody Nite Rodeo really was fun for everyone. We do a lot of farm visits and horse activities, but not many horsemanship sports. The Nite Rodeo was both fun and a learning experience. I think it really does capture a part of the culture of Wyoming that you might not easily find anywhere else. Even though the highlight for our family was watching our oldest participate in the rodeo calf chase (trying to be the first one to pull the ribbon off a running cow’s tail), the other events were cool to watch.

I don’t know a ton about the different events, whether it’s the calf roping or the bronco bucking, but it was interesting to observe from the stands.

Our rodeo experience: The Cody Night Rodeo was the only experience during our Western Wyoming road trip that we did feel uncomfortable for a bit. Rodeo culture is very “God and Country” forward in many aspects, including group prayer, prayers by the MC, propaganda messaging about standing for the flag vs protesting and free speech, and gun sponsors and toting. We stayed in our lane and didn’t interact with anyone around us because it was so in-your-face and we were NOT there to get into any of the topics with others. This is just something to be aware of, as it’s a very different cultural experience than you may have ever had.

Horseback Riding in Cody

We’ve been so fortunate to get to do a lot of horse activities with our kids over the years. This has led them to grow into confident horsemen and opened up frontiers and adventures for us. Horseback riding in Cody is a great item to put on your itinerary, and if you have lots of experience and want to be on horseback as much as possible, Cody is a beautiful place to really expanding your riding.

We went out from the Bill Cody Ranch, just west of the town of Cody, and did an intermediate ride up into the mountain canyons of the Shoshone National Forest. The views were pretty epic, with craigs and cliffs, lots of streams to cross and vistas across the Shoshone River Canyon.

Tip: when you’re booking horseback riding in Cody or anywhere else, be sure that you’re both confirming the skill level of the ride AND the number of riders per horseman. You don’t want to accidently be on a ride that’s too far above your skill level or with a ranch that has too many people on a ride. Both of these things can create an unsafe horseback riding experience that can ruin your trip really quickly. Also, in Wyoming kids 14 and under must wear a helmet when riding a horse.

Visit the Buffalo Bill Dam and Visitor Center (National Park stamp!)

I love when we get surprise National Park Passport stamps . On the drive from Cody, WY to Yellowstone National Park you’ll be driving through the Shoshone River Canyon, and here is where you’ll find the Buffalo Bill Dam . Creating the Buffalo Bill Reservoir, the dam is really tall and fun to check out with kids. In the visitor center you’ll find historic displays, a cool view over the spillway and the National Park Passport stamp station.

Be sure to walk out across the dam. Depeding on the time of day, you’ll see rainbows in the canyon below and see some amazing rocks. This is also a good bathroom break if you’ve been driving for a while.

Days 6-8: Yellowstone National Park 

I don’t think Yellowstone National Park needs an introduction. I would say that most people doing a road trip through Wyoming are probably heading to Yellowstone, but as we’ve learned, it can be either its own trip or can be the icing on the cake of a Wyoming adventure . You’ve got lots of ways to approach this part of the journey, and if you are only able to do one day because of your timing, that’s okay, you’ll still love it.

Each of the day plans below are great to do on their own or as a combined multi-day Yellowstone National Park itinerary. Pick and choose what works for you considering where you’re staying each night and how much driving you want to do each day. This is an incredible way to finish off a Western Wyoming road trip!

If you want to stay inside the National Park boundaries, you have to plan that pretty far in advance and be ready to pay a pretty penny. The hotels/lodges are very pricey but are kind of epic considering the locations. Old Faithful Inn – Old Faithful Snow Lodge – Yellowstone Lake Hotel – Canyon Lodge

Other accommodations inside Yellowstone National Park besides camping include the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins and the Cabins at Mammoth . Grant Village near the West Thumb Geyser Basin is also a less expensive option, and if you actually can find dates when it’s available, the Old Faithful Lodge and Cabins are rustic but delightful.

Yellowstone Lake Area – Bridge Bay, West Thumb and Wildlife

The entrance into Yellowstone National Park from Cody, WY is not as busy as the Gardiner or West Yellowstone entrances from the Big Sky, Montana area. This part of the park offers a very different view into Yellowstone’s geology and wildlife, starting by climbing through the canyons up to the humongous Lake Yellowstone. Watch for wildlife as you go, as moose and bear are frequently seen in the area between the park boundary and the lake.

Staying in the Lake Village or Bridge Bay area makes it easy to explore this part of the park. From here, you can either head north through the Hayden Valley and Mud Volcanoes, or you can head south past Fishing Bridge to the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Spend a day doing the stretch from West Thumb up to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You’ll have lots of easy (and difficult) hikes you can do, you can enjoy the geysers and thermal pools of West Thumb, see exploding mud at the Mud Volcano area, and watch enormous herds of bison roaming the Hayden Valley and crossing the Yellowstone River. You can enjoy a whole day in this part of the park and end with a nice dinner at the Lake Hotel.

Old Faithful and Norris Geyser Basins

For day two, or if this is why you wanted to visit Yellowstone National Park in the first place, head over to Old Faithful (Upper) Geyser Basin. Get here early for extra steam in the air and to beat the crowds. There’s an easy, albeit long, loop to explore the whole Old Faithful Geyser Basin, and then grab lunch at the Lodge or Snow Lodge.

Your next stop is the Biscuit Basin , which is small but beautiful. The Sapphire Pool and Mustard Spring are the gems of this stop, so do the easy loop and watch for wildlife off the trail. On the way from here to Norris Geyser Basin, do the Fairy Falls Hike to the overlook of the Grand Prismatic Spring. Stop at Artist Paint Pots and see the sights along Firehole Lake Drive.

End your day of geysers at the Norris Geyser Basin. There are some cool geysers and hot springs here, but the really cool part of the basin is the walk through the Porcelain Basin. This area is fll of colorful pools, thermophile mats and a desolate landscape all around. It’s amazing and one of my favorite places in Yellowstone National Park.

Hiking and Sights from Canyon to Mammoth

The Western Wyoming road trip has brought you to lots of epic sights and unique spots, but this part of your time exploring Yellowstone has, I think two of the most remarkable views in the park: the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Calcite Springs. When you’re at the canyon, you can either do hikes along the north and south rim (we prefer the South Rim Trail) or just drive to the many viewpoints along the way. Canyon Village also has one of the best visitor centers in Yellowstone National Park, as well as quite a few dining options, a store and fun gift shops.

Continue north towards Mammoth for wildlife viewins as you go. Mount Washburn is a great spot to look for grizzley bears, Tower Falls is a short hike to a unique waterfall view (and ice cream in the gift shop), and Roosevelt is where you can do some of the most beautiful horseback riding in the national park. Just after Tower Falls, there’s a pullout for a place called Calcite Springs. We always stop here as it’s got a totally different view of the YELLOWstone part of the park, including steaming springs along the river below you. Gorgeous!

Mammoth Hot Springs is your last stop before leaving the park. There are walking trails, hiking trails, or a portion of the area you can drive through. With lots of geologic moment over the years, the hot springs don’t flow like they once did, but the Canary Spring on the south side never disappoints, so be sure to check it out.

Tip: if you’re at Mammoth Hot Springs during or just after the rain, that is when they are at their prettiest. The pools fill up and flow like they use to, and while it doesn’t last forever, this is the best time to see the splendor of Mammoth Hot Springs.

Wrapping up a Western Wyoming Road Trip

Wow! We’ve covered so much ground on thes Western Wyoming road trip! No matter how many times we visit, we always have new experiences and find places to come back to on our next trip. At the beginning we talked about how you can start this road trip from a variety of places. If you’re planning an epic journey that keeps going, here are the destinations we typically add to this (or similar) trips we’ve done:

• Eastern Wyoming along the Chief Joseph Highway to Bighorn Canyon and Devil’s Tower National Monument, continuing up to Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota
• The Beartooth Highway and Central Montana, visiting Red Lodge, Billings, Choteau and more. This is the cowboy side of Montana, so you’ll see how different it is up in MT versus what you’ve experienced in Wyoming.
• Big Sky and Yellowstone Country , which takes you through ghost towns, luxury mountain resorts and ultimately to Bozeman and Butte . Montana mining country is another side of western culture to learn about, and it’s very different from what you saw in fossil country. You can also grow this leg of your trip into a road trip to Glacier National Park .
• Utah road trip to five more National Parks and red rock country. If you’ve done this Western Wyoming road trip as a loop, continue onto Utah for flying out of SLC or do the loop down through Dinosaur National Monument, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Bryce Canyon and Zion NPS , and finish with Capitol Reef National Park before flying out of Salt Lake City.

The possibilities are endless and each is so unique. If you need any help or feedback on a road trip plan anywhere in the West, always feel free to ask us. Leave a comment or send us a note . We’re happy to help other plan amazing adventures, through Western Wyoming and beyond!

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“Slow down and smell the flowers. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Whichever cliché resonates, they often hold true — it can be tough not rushing from point A to point B. There are a lot of incredible places to discover. To make the most of your time traveling through Utah, follow these tips:

• Experience the Dark Skies  - Utah is home to the highest concentration of International  Dark Sky Parks and Communities  anywhere in the world. It pays to get up early and watch a sunrise, especially over a red rock horizon in Southern Utah. Once you reach your next stop, stay up late and spend some time gazing into the star-filled skies.
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Help: St George (Snow Canyon) or Goblin Valley/LWH Canyon? - Utah Forum

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Hello helpful folks!

1. St George area/Snow Canyon

2. Goblin Valley/LWH slot canyon

Just me and my daughter - we're planning to do some dispersed camping on BLM land throughout this trip, and are avid hikers. It looks to me like BLM camping might be harder to come by around St George (and Snow Canyon is all booked up). A motel is always an option if that part of the state is far and away the better option though. If you've been to both, which do you think is more worth the time of an overnight or two to explore it?

Coming from the Pacific Northwest, we're always blown away by the desert and canyon landscapes in this part of the world, so I'm guessing both will be awesome - but looking for any opinions to help me plan this last part of our route! Thanks for any thoughts. :)

11 replies to this topic

Agree. Snow canyon is nice, but if I had to pick one and you can hike then little Wildhorse is a unique canyon. And goblin Valley is also unique.

That would be my choice. Tons of dispersed camping there too.

Watch the weather carefully. LWH is prone to flash flooding, so not good to go in if any chance of rain. Greater chance in the afternoon than in the morning. If in doubt, ask the rangers at Goblin Valley. The weather may help you with your final decision.

Thanks for flash flood warning - I'm very aware, and have seen some scary photos of what happens in LWH during a rainstorm. When people come to BC, we have to spend time educating about the very real danger of avalanches and winter hiking, so I appreciate the warning for a hiker from away.

I'm thinking Navajo Knobs is the hike for us and maybe Cassidy Arch, time and legs permitting. If you have any other favourites in Capitol Reef, feel free to pass them along. :) Thanks again!

...maybe not Cassidy Arch, as I see the trailhead is less accessible with the scenic road being closed this spring/summer.

We loved grand wash in capitol reef. Also Huckman bridge. You can access both without the scenic road.

Typo. Hickman bridge.

You can also access Cohab Canton from highway 24 and do it as an out and back.

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