In the heat of July, we went on a Utah road trip vacation. We mixed in overnight camping, backpacking and hotels. We rented a car, and explored the wild west!

• It is a lot of driving, but incredibly scenic. With this schedule, we saw all of the MIGHTY FIVE on our Utah road trip itinerary!
• Using my itinerary will save you HOURS of planning! No need to research your own route
• All you have to do? Just alter this base itinerary. This also includes a visit to the Grand Canyon!
• This is a two week Utah road trip itinerary, but can easily be changed to less.

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Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you!). 

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A map of our trip (flying into Phoenix, out of Salt Lake City)

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Day 1: PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Fly into Phoenix: Dinner at Four Peaks Brewery–

Drive 3.5 hours to town of Tusayan (Gateway to Grand Canyon National Park).

⇒ Save money, rent your car through Rentalcars.com

Lodging/Overnight: Grand Hotel Tusayan

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Day 2:  GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

5 minute drive from Tusayan to entrance of Grand Canyon National Park

Hike “Bright Angel” trail halfway down, then hike back up.

• Be sure to go early, it is VERY hot.
• Be on the lookout for rattlesnakes!

Hike the West Rim Trail and see Maricopa Point

Lodging/Overnight: Grand Hotel Tusayan

 

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Day 3: GRAND CANYON  ⇒ ZION NATIONAL PARK

Stop at many of the scenic overlooks near the park

Drive 5 hours to town of Springdale, Utah:  Swim in hotel pool, explore town

Lodging/Overnight: La Quinta Inn: Springdale

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Day 4: ZION NATIONAL PARK

Go in to town, get rental items for hiking the watery trail of “The Narrows”

Drive 5 minutes to entrance of Zion National Park (see my post on nearby Kanab, Utah!)

Begin to hike “The Narrows”- a famous and stunning hike through a slot canyon

• The trail is, of course, very slippery. Wear sturdy walking sandals, and bring a hiking stick for balance too.

Lodging/Overnight: Public Campsite: The Watchman Campground

 

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Day 5: ZION NATIONAL PARK

Bright and early, hike the strenuous but beautiful ANGEL’S LANDING trail (5 miles).

• It is steep, and narrow- some parts have a chain railing

• Start early, bring lots of water, and don’t go if you’re scared of heights

• You now need to enter a lottery to be able to enjoy this hike!

My Mom and I took the convenient shuttle to sites around the park, including:

• The Watchman Trail

• Zion Visitor Centre

• Court of the Patriarchs

Next, we took a scenic drive to stop at various overlooks. We climbed the abstract rock formations, including Checkerboard Mesa. We also saw several bighorn sheep!

Lodging/Overnight: Public Campsite: The Watchman Campground

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Day 6: ZION ⇒ PANGUITCH, UTAH

Pack up campsite. Stop at several scenic overlooks and short trails on the drive out.

Drive 2.5 hours to town of Panguitch, Utah.

Head to visitor center at Bryce Canyon, register for backcountry camp permit

• Drive to nearby overlooks. Do some hiking to see Hoodoo Rock Formations

Lodging/Overnight: Marianna Inn

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Day 7: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Explore the “old western” vibe of main street in small town Panguitch

Head to Bryce Canyon National Park, 30 minute drive away

Backpack the “Under the Rim” trail towards Iron Springs Campsite: (4 miles: mostly downhill)

• This was an overnight backpacking trail for camping in the woods.

• Be wary of bears! Be sure to get a permit for back-country camping

Lodging/Overnight: Iron Springs Campsite

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Day 8: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Hike 4 miles uphill to get back to our car from Iron Springs (fun!)

Stop at various overlooks of the hoodoos, including Sunset Point

Lodging/Overnight: Campsite at the Park: North Camp

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Day 9: BRYCE CANYON ⇒ CAPITOL REEF

Hike “Queens Garden” Trail: The Navajo Loop

• Hike among the stunning rock formations for 3 miles round-trip

Drive 2 hours to Torrey, Utah: Home of Capitol Reef National Park

Explore town, drive around the park (and watch out for flash floods!)

Lodging/Overnight: Rim Rock Inn

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Day 10: CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK: TORREY, UTAH

Hike the “Grand Wash” trail

Dinner at Red Cliff Restaurant in town of Torrey. Dessert at shake joint, Slackers.

Lodging/Overnight: Rim Rock Inn

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Day 11: CAPITOL REEF ⇒ MOAB, UTAH

Hike the “Sulphur Creek” trail  (5.5 mile, 1 way hike)

• The hike has several deep water areas, which we weren’t expecting. It also has a few steep waterfall drops, with no other way down than to jump them.

Visit the Gifford Homestead

• Eat pie at the historic cabin, and see lots of deer and turkey near the barn!

Scenic Drive around the Park:

• See the Cathedral Valley rock formations

• Visit the Fremont Petroglyphs, carved by the natives in 600 AD

Drive 3 hours to the town of Moab, Utah

Lodging/Overnight: VRBO House Rental: Rim Village Condo

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Day 12: ARCHES NATIONAL PARK: MOAB, UTAH

Drive 10 minutes from Moab to the entry of Arches National Park

Hike several small trails and see landmarks including:

• Park Avenue Trail

• Landscape Arch

• Balanced Rock Trail

• Windows Rock

Late evening hike uphill to see Delicate Arch at sunset (3 mile trail going up 480 feet)

• Hiking back down in the dark is a bit scary, so bring a flashlight!

Have dinner in town at the Moab Brewery

Lodging/Overnight: VRBO House Rental: Rim Village Condo

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Day 13: ARCHES ⇒ CANYONLANDS, UTAH

Stop at the Canyon Voyages Office Moab to rent kayaks for the day

Kayak down the Colorado River (13 miles)

• We experienced some whitewater, but nothing major, and no crowds at all

Drive 35 minutes to the entrance of Canyonlands National Park

• Do the Crater View Trail to Upheaval Dome

• Hike the Mesa Arch Loop Trail

• Green River Overlook at Sunset

We wish we would have camped in Canyonlands, it is incredibly scenic!

Lodging/Overnight: VRBO House Rental: Rim Village Condo

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Day 14: MOAB, UTAH ⇒ SALT LAKE CITY

Explore and shop the hip town of Moab

Drive 4 hours to Salt Lake City, Utah.

• Walk area around the Mormon Temple and gardens

Fly home out of Salt Lake Airport – Hope you enjoy my Utah road trip itinerary!

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More Helpful Links:

♥ Get some travel insurance! I never travel abroad without it now!

♥ Book your hotel in Utah

♥ Shop my favorite travel essentials

♥ Find a fun local Utah tour or activity to book 

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