Red Rocks Road Trip: See All of Utah’s National Parks in a Week
Despite their proximity to one another, rugged terrain and lack of roads mean visiting all of Utah’s national parks requires a lot of driving. Get in a road-trip frame of mind, cue up some playlists and podcasts, and enjoy the open road with this itinerary that explores Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches National Parks.
Day 1
From Bryce Canyon National Park, drive 42 miles (68 km) east on Highway 12 through the town of Escalante to the dramatic Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail. Cool your toes in the pool under the falls, then continue east to Boulder, where you’ll spend the night at the Boulder Mountain Lodge; make reservations for dinner at the popular Hell’s Backbone Grill when you book your room.
Day 2
Explore more of the Escalante River canyons. Backtrack along Highway 12 about 23 miles (37 km) toward the town of Escalante and turn onto Hole-in-the-Rock Road to traipse around Devils Garden. You can also visit the slot canyons of Dry Fork of Coyote Gulch, 26 bumpy dirt-road miles (42 km) south of Highway 12. Return to Boulder for the night.
Day 3
In the morning, visit Anasazi State Park Museum to see a reconstructed Ancestral Puebloan village and learn more about the Indigenous people of the area. Then head out from Boulder on Burr Trail Road to take the long (90 mi/144 km) yet scenic route to Capitol Reef. There are numerous trailheads, spur roads, and slot canyons to explore along the way. This route consists of most of what’s known as the Loop the Fold scenic drive, though it won’t be a loop since you’re going from point A (Boulder) to point B (Capitol Reef). Burr Trail leads up and over the Waterpocket Fold, a massive geologic wrinkle in the earth. After 36 miles (58 km), turn right onto Notom-Bullfrog Road, which you’ll take for another 33 miles (53 km) to Highway 24. Turn left and stop at the Fremont petroglyphs just off the road. Then drive into Torrey for dinner and lodging.
Day 4
Head into Capitol Reef National Park early and stop at the visitor center before embarking on the park’s scenic drive. Take it to Grand Wash to access the trail to Cassidy Arch, a challenging hike to a spectacular arch where Butch Cassidy is said to have once hidden. Continue on the scenic drive to Capitol Gorge, where the paved road turns into a 4WD dirt route through steep canyon walls. Park at the road’s end, and wander up the gorge, stopping to see petroglyphs on the left side of the canyon. On your way back up the scenic drive, stop in historic Fruita to pick fruit at the orchards or enjoy a treat from the Gifford Homestead. Then return to Torrey for dinner.
Day 5
Get an early start if you want to explore the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Head to BLM Newspaper Rock Historical Monument, one of the most captivating and accessible petroglyph sites in Utah. From Newspaper Rock, continue west on Highway 211 to the Needles District for a good short hike along the Cave Spring Trail. Unless you’re camping in Canyonlands, head back to U.S. 191 and go north 40 miles (64 km) to spend the night in Moab.
Day 6
Moab is just a few miles south of Arches National Park. If you want to visit all the sites along the park road as well as hike to the iconic Delicate Arch, you’ll need a full day in the park. You can also tour the highlights of Arches in half a day if you stick to short hikes to viewpoints, then spend the other half of the day on a hike or petroglyph expedition in the Moab area.
Day 7
Spend your last day exploring Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky District, taking in the astonishing vista points (particularly Green River Overlook and Shafer Canyon Overlook). If you do one hike here, Mesa Arch or Upheaval Dome are both short treks that deliver unique views. In the evening, enjoy the restaurants and brewpubs of Moab.
Spark your sense of wonder and immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscape of Utah’s five national parks.
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