This Utah national parks road trip is built for American travellers who want a realistic, well-paced plan: what to see each day, where to sleep, how long the drives take and what to book in advance. Zion is a canyon of soaring sandstone walls in southern Utah, famous for Angels Landing, The Narrows and its shuttle-only scenic drive.
Use it as a framework rather than a rulebook. Swap days around for weather, slow down where you fall in love with a place, and keep at least one flexible half-day for the unexpected.
Itinerary overview
- Length: 7 days
- Main stops: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)
- Best season: March to May and September to November
- Getting there: fly into Las Vegas (LAS), about 2.5 hours; St. George (SGU), 1 hour
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Las Vegas to Zion
Drive 2.5 hours to Springdale; hike the Watchman or Pa’rus Trail. Read our Zion National Park travel guide.
- Stay: Springdale (walk to the park entrance).
- Don’t miss: Angels Landing, The Narrows and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Day 2: Zion
Angels Landing (permit) or The Narrows, then Emerald Pools.
Day 3: Bryce Canyon
Drive 1.5 hours to Bryce; hike Navajo Loop and Queens Garden and stay for the stars. Read our Bryce Canyon National Park travel guide.
- Stay: Bryce Canyon City (right outside the park).
- Don’t miss: Sunrise and Sunset Points, Navajo Loop and Queens Garden and Inspiration Point.
Day 4: Scenic Byway 12 to Capitol Reef
One of America’s most beautiful roads, with orchards at Capitol Reef.
Road trip essentials
- Best dash cams for road trips VerdictFox
Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - 12V car fridges for road trips VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
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Day 5: Arches
Timed entry permitting, hike to Delicate Arch at sunset. Read our Moab (Arches and Canyonlands) travel guide.
- Stay: Downtown Moab (walkable).
- Don’t miss: Delicate Arch, Arches timed entry and Mesa Arch.
Day 6: Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point
Mesa Arch sunrise, Island in the Sky overlooks and Dead Horse Point.
Day 7: Return
Drive to Salt Lake City (about 4 hours) or back to Las Vegas (about 7 hours).
Where to stay along the way
- Zion National Park: Springdale (walk to the park entrance); Inside the park (Zion Lodge); Hurricane and St. George (better value)
- Bryce Canyon National Park: Bryce Canyon City (right outside the park); The Lodge at Bryce Canyon (inside the park); Tropic (small town nearby)
- Moab (Arches and Canyonlands): Downtown Moab (walkable); Along the river (resorts); Campgrounds (BLM sites)
What to pack for Zion National Park
- Layers: a base layer, fleece and waterproof shell
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- A daypack with water and snacks
- Sun protection (UV is stronger at altitude)
- A warm hat for cool evenings
- Bear spray in bear country (buy locally)
For a complete checklist, see our road trip packing list.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Arriving at popular trailheads after 9 a.m., when parking is full.
- Underestimating distances: driving between highlights often takes hours.
- Ignoring reservation or permit requirements, which change from year to year.
- Carrying too little water or warm clothing.
- Getting too close to wildlife for photos.
Accessibility and family travel
Many parks have paved viewpoints, accessible visitor centres and shuttle buses with lifts, and some offer accessible trails and campsites. Families should pick short, rewarding walks and join ranger programmes, which are free and designed for children.
Best time for this trip
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Ideal: warm days, cool nights, wildflowers. |
| Summer | June–August | Very hot, often above 100°F at low elevations; hike only at dawn. |
| Fall | September–November | Excellent hiking weather and clear skies. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild days and cold nights; snow possible at higher elevations. |
Book the most popular experiences (timed entries, tours and shows) as soon as your dates are fixed.
Getting around
A rental car gives you the most freedom on this route; pick it up at Las Vegas (LAS), about 2.5 hours; St. George (SGU), 1 hour and keep an eye on one-way drop-off fees. Gas prices vary widely by state; California and Hawaii are usually the most expensive.
Sample 3-day budget for two
| Item | Mid-range estimate |
|---|---|
| Hotel (3 nights) | $540–$900 |
| Food and drink | $540–$864 |
| Activities and entry fees | $140–$280 |
| Local transport or car | $180–$270 |
| Total | $1,400–$2,314 |
Estimates exclude flights and assume a mid-range hotel; travelling in shoulder season can cut accommodation costs by a third or more.
Budget
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $120–$180 | motel or hostel, casual meals, self-drive or transit |
| Mid-range | $250–$400 | good hotel, sit-down meals, some tours |
| Luxury | $600–$1,200 | resort or boutique hotel, fine dining, private tours |
For 7 days, a mid-range traveller should budget roughly $1,750–$2,800 per person, excluding flights.
Tips for this itinerary
- Entry is $35 per vehicle; non-US residents pay an extra $100 per person from 2026.
- Check Narrows flow and flash-flood forecasts.
- Summer heat is dangerous on exposed trails.
- Keep the first evening light if you are arriving after a long flight or drive.
- Download offline maps for areas with patchy coverage.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require a REAL ID-compliant licence or another accepted ID such as a passport. See our guide to REAL ID and TSA rules.
- Money: Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city; tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
- Insurance: Your health plan may have limited out-of-network cover in another state, and trip-cancellation cover is worth having for expensive bookings, especially in hurricane season.
- Driving: Most visitors drive; rental cars are widely available, and a US licence is all you need. Gas prices vary widely by state; California and Hawaii are usually the most expensive.
- Saving money: our budget vacation and cheapest places to travel guides have dozens of practical ideas.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Our travel gear picks
- Travel backpacks for weekend trips BuyrSkip
A 30–40 litre backpack handles a long weekend and fits under most airline seats. - Airline-safe power banks BuyrSkip
Navigation, photos and cold weather drain phones fast; a 20,000 mAh bank keeps you going. - Travel gear picks BuyrSkip
Packing cubes, neck pillows and organisers that make travel days easier.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough?
Yes, for the highlights. With extra days, slow down at your favourite stop rather than adding more places.
Do I need a car?
Yes, for road trips and park-based plans. For city itineraries, transit and walking are easier.
What should I book ahead?
Hotels, timed-entry permits or reservations, popular tours and shows.
What is the best time to do this trip?
March to May and September to November.
How much does it cost?
Roughly $250–$400 per person per day for mid-range travel, plus transport to the start.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Zion National Park Travel Guide: Angels Landing, The Narrows and Tips
- Bryce Canyon Travel Guide: Hoodoos, Hikes and Stargazing
- Moab Travel Guide: Arches, Canyonlands and Adventures