A 7-day Utah road trip through the Mighty Five national parks is one of the great American travel experiences. The journey takes you through five of the most spectacular national parks in the country — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches — through a landscape of extraordinary variety and beauty.

This itinerary starts and ends in Las Vegas (the most convenient gateway), covers approximately 800 miles, and includes the best hiking, scenic drives, and experiences in each park.

Drive: 160 miles, 2.5 hours via I-15 North and UT-9

Leave Las Vegas by 7:00am to arrive at Zion before the crowds. The drive on I-15 north through the Virgin River Gorge is beautiful — a preview of the red rock scenery to come.

Arrive at Zion by 9:30am. Start with the Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile round trip, easy-moderate) — a short hike with excellent views of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and the canyon.

If you have an Angels Landing permit: Hike Angels Landing (5.4 miles round trip, strenuous) in the afternoon. The afternoon light on the canyon walls is extraordinary.

If you don't have a permit: Hike the first mile of The Narrows (bottom-up route) from the Temple of Sinawava. Even a short walk into the slot canyon is extraordinary.

Check into your hotel in Springdale and have dinner at Oscar's Café or the Spotted Dog Café.

Start early (7:00am) for a full day in The Narrows. Rent waterproof boots and a walking stick from one of the outfitters in Springdale and hike as far into the canyon as time and energy allow.

After The Narrows, hike the Emerald Pools Trail (3 miles round trip) and the Riverside Walk (2 miles round trip) for a different perspective on the canyon.

Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway to the east entrance of the park for sunset views of the slickrock plateau.

Drive: 85 miles, 1.5 hours via UT-9 and US-89

Leave Zion by 8:00am and drive to Bryce Canyon via the beautiful UT-12 corridor.

Arrive at Bryce Canyon by 10:00am. Start with the Rim Trail for an overview of the amphitheater and the hoodoos.

Hike the Navajo Loop / Queen's Garden combination trail (2.9 miles, moderate) — the best introduction to Bryce Canyon's hoodoo landscape.

Drive to Bryce Point for sunset — the most dramatic viewpoint in the park, with extraordinary views of the amphitheater in the golden evening light.

Where to Stay: The Lodge at Bryce Canyon (inside the park) or one of the hotels in Bryce Canyon City.

Drive: 120 miles, 2 hours via UT-12 (Highway 12 National Scenic Byway)

Start early with the Fairyland Loop (8 miles, strenuous) — the most dramatic hike in Bryce Canyon, through the park's most spectacular hoodoo formations.

Drive Highway 12 — one of the most scenic roads in America — from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. Stop at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument overlooks and the Anasazi State Park Museum in Boulder.

Arrive at Capitol Reef in the late afternoon. Drive the Scenic Drive through the Waterpocket Fold for an overview of the park.

Where to Stay: The Lodge at Capitol Reef or one of the hotels in Torrey.

Drive: 120 miles, 2 hours via UT-24 and US-191

Hike the Hickman Bridge Trail (1.8 miles round trip, moderate) — a beautiful trail to a natural bridge with excellent views of the surrounding landscape.

The Orchards: If visiting during harvest season (August–October), pick fruit from the historic Fruita orchards.

Drive to Moab via UT-24 and US-191, passing through the beautiful canyon country of southeastern Utah.

Check into your hotel and have dinner at the Desert Bistro or Moab Brewery.

Arrive at Arches by 7:00am (timed entry permits required — book at recreation.gov). Hike to Delicate Arch (3 miles round trip, moderate) in the morning light.

Timed Entry: Arches requires timed entry permits during peak season. Book well in advance.

Drive to Canyonlands' Island in the Sky district (30 miles from Moab). Hike the Mesa Arch Trail (0.5 miles, easy) and the Grand View Point Trail (2 miles round trip, easy) for panoramic views of the canyon system.

Return to Moab for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Drive: 430 miles, 6 hours via US-191 and I-15

Spend the morning on a final activity — a morning bike ride on the Slickrock Trail, a flatwater float on the Colorado River, or a final hike in Arches.

Depart Moab by noon for the drive back to Las Vegas. The drive passes through beautiful canyon country and the Virgin River Gorge.

Arrive in Las Vegas by 6:00–7:00pm.

Permits: Book Angels Landing and Arches timed entry permits at recreation.gov as early as possible — they sell out quickly for summer weekends.

Gas: Gas stations are sparse in rural Utah. Fill up whenever you have the opportunity.

Water: Carry at least 2 liters of water per person for every hike. Dehydration is the most common cause of emergency rescues in Utah's parks.

Reservations: Book hotels in Springdale, Bryce Canyon City, Torrey, and Moab well in advance for summer visits.

For more Utah adventures, see our Utah National Parks Guide, Zion National Park Guide, Utah Hiking Guide, Utah Scenic Drives Guide, and Best Time to Visit Utah. This route also features in our Best Summer Road Trips in the USA.