Best Utah National Park- Ranking Utah’s Mighty 5

Utah has captured the hearts and minds of hikers, travelers, and artists alike for hundreds of years, and it’s easy to see why. With its unique sandstone arches, deep canyons, and striking orange rock, Utah is what many people think of when they picture the Southwest, and the best place to find this scenery is within its “Mighty 5″ National Parks. In recent years especially, Utah’s National Parks visiting numbers have skyrocketed, and many people want to experience at least one of these parks for themselves. However, this has led many would-be travelers and road trippers to wonder- What is the best Utah National Park?

Of course, there is not a perfect answer for this and everyone will experience the parks a little bit differently. Despite this, below I have at least attempted to answer this question. Below you will find each park given a score broken down between five criteria as well as a 7 day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary, tips for visiting National Parks, some of the best things to do in each park, and top hikes in the areas. Hopefully, this will help you plan out your National Parks road trip a bit easier!

Ranking Utah’s National Parks- The Criteria

I used five criteria to aid me in ranking the Mighty 5 National Parks, and gave each park a score out of 50, with a maximum of 10 points per category. Everyone is looking for something a little different out of their experience, so you may want to weigh some criteria with more importance than others. For example, if hiking is your most anticipated activity, you may look for the park with the best hiking score rather than care about the amenities the park has to offer.

• Hiking– When visiting National Parks, hiking is most people’s number one thing to do. This criterion is considering the quality, variety, and number of hikes in the parks.
• Scenery– Every single one of these parks is beautiful, so this is purely subjective. This is taking into account the uniqueness of the scenery as well as the views themselves.
• Crowds– National Parks can get extremely crowded in peak times. This compares the parks’ crowds relative to their size and how much it takes away from the experience.
• Amenities– This evaluates the amenities and facilities of the park such as buses, restaurants, and shops.
• Ease of Visiting– Utah’s National Parks are fairly isolated and can be hard to explore properly without four-wheel drive. This criterion is evaluating how easy the majority of the park is to explore and get around.

5. Arches National Park

Arches National Park Overview

• Hiking– 6/10
• Scenery– 9/10
• Crowds– 1/10
• Amenities– 4/10
• Ease of Visiting– 5/10

Total- 25/50

Arches, with over 2,000 sandstone arches and stunning desert scenery, may seem like an easy park to put on the top of the list of Utah National Parks. It even contains Delicate Arch– an iconic Utah landmark that decorates their license plates and Welcome signs. However, overcrowding and the difficulty of maneuvering the park knocks it down quite a bit.

Unlike Zion, Arches has no bus system, and the trailheads are miles from one another. This means that you have to drive to each hike and fight or wait for a spot in the limited parking lots. In peak times be prepared to wait in a line for hours to enter the park, and sometimes the park stops allowing new visitors entirely for several hours to control the crowds. This leads to a frustrating experience overall and can detract from your visit to the park.

I really struggled over what hiking score to give Arches. Some of the hikes such as Sand Dune Arch and Double Arch lead to some of the most unique sites I’ve ever seen. However, most of the hikes in the park are relatively easy without much to see other than the arches themselves. These short, easy hikes are great for families, but may not be completely satisfying for experienced hikers.

The Verdict: Arches National Park is a place like no other, and its sandstone arches are a must-see. However the hiking leaves something to be desired, and the crowds can lead to frustration and detract from nature.

Arches is Best For: Families with small children and anyone who feels they must see these arches.

Arches is Worst For: People looking for challenging hikes and solitude in nature.

Best Hikes in Arches National Park

Arches National Parks contains mostly short trails, with a couple of longer trails, the stand out being Devil’s Garden. See below for some of the best trails in Arches:

• Delicate Arch– 3.2 miles, Moderate
• Sand Dune Arch– 0.3 miles, Easy
• Devil’s Garden– 7.9 miles, Difficult
• Windows and Turret Arch Loop– 1.2 miles, Easy
• Double Arch– 0.6 miles, Easy

Where to Stay Near Arches

Camping Near Arches

• Devils Garden Campground– Devils Garden Campground is the only campground in Arches National Park and requires advance reservations from March through October.
• Campgrounds along the Colorado River– There are many campsites along the Colorado River and Route 128. I couldn’t possibly list them all here; searching Moab, on Recreation.gov will bring up lots of campsites that take reservations ahead of time.

Hotels Near Arches

• Red Cliffs Lodge– This lodge is a beautiful, luxury stay along the Colorado River
• Sunflower Hill Inn– Sunflower Hill Inn is a cute Bed and Breakfast type hotel located inside Moab

Things to do Near Arches

• Drive along the Colorado River– Utah State Route 128 goes along the Colorado River, starting near the entrance to Arches National Park. This 45-mile road is also known as the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway. Drive part or all of this scenic drive and take in the red cliff walls and scenic desert views.
• Rafting– If you have had enough driving on your road trip, you can also experience the Colorado River by rafting down it! Moab Adventure Center has several trips from multiple days to half-day adventures. Red River Adventures also offers several rafting options.
• Corona Arch– Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail is a moderate, 2.4-mile hike near Moab. This is slightly less crowded than some of the other arches within the National Park. Enjoy this arch at sunset for an especially beautiful view.

4. Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park Overview

• Hiking– 6/10
• Scenery– 6/10
• Crowds– 8.5/10
• Amenities– 4/10
• Ease of Visiting– 4/10

Total: 28.5/50

Capitol Reef is Utah’s least visited National Park, but you should think twice before skipping it. While it may not be the best National Park, it is the most relaxing experience I had in Utah. The remoteness and lack of crowds, make Capitol Reef a park to add to your trip.

The main drawback to Capitol Reef is that much of the scenery is not overly unique compared to some of the other National Parks. In many ways, it reminded me of a slightly less interesting Zion. In addition, while Capitol Reef does have a few good hiking trails and a scenic drive accessible for most cars, a lot of this park requires a 4 wheel drive vehicle to access, including two of its most popular natural landmarks- The Temple of the Sun and The Temple of the Moon.

However, what you can access in Capitol Reef with an average car is fantastic. In particular, the historic orchards in Capitol Reef make it worth the visit alone. Check out Fruita, an abandoned town inside the park, that still has a working orchard. Picking some fruit and eating a pie from the Gifford House, is a truly unique experience that you can only have in Capitol Reef National Park.

The Verdict: Capitol Reef is the least visited Utah National Park, which makes it the best to experience solitude and off-roading. However, it may be worth considering skipping if you have a limited amount of time.

Capitol Reef is Best For: People who are looking for solitude and have 4WD access.

Capitol Reef is Worst For: Someone who has a limited amount of time, as the scenery in the other parks is more unique.

Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park

Below are some of the best hikes in Capitol Reef! This park has a variety of hiking trails, including some to arches that rival Arches National Park itself.

• Cassidy Arch Trail– 3.1 miles, Moderate
• Hickman Bridge Trail– 1.7 miles, Moderate
• Chimney Rock Loop– 3.3 miles, Moderate
• Goosenecks and Sunset Point– 2.5 miles, Easy
• Panorama Point– 0.3 miles, Easy

Where to Stay Near Capitol Reef

Camping Near Capitol Reef

• Fruita Campground– Fruita is the only developed campground in Capitol Reef. It requires reservations from March through October but is open year-round.
• Singletree Campground– Located in Fishlake National Forest, 16 miles from Capitol Reef, Singletree is one of the campgrounds nearby if you cannot get a spot inside the park.

Hotels Near Capitol Reef

• Cowboy Homestead– If you are looking for a getaway, check out these cozy cabins only 10 minutes from Capitol Reef.
• Red Sands Hotel & Spa– Red Sands is a great place if you are looking for a little more luxury in your vacation, with a pool and hot tub.

Things to do Near Capitol Reef

• Horseback Riding– Experience the West as the cowboys did with a horseback ride! Wilderness Ridge Adventures offers 1 and 2-hour trail rides near Capitol Reef.
• Goblin Valley State Park- One hour outside of Capitol Reef is Goblin Valley State Park. This is one of Utah’s best state parks and has a variety of hiking and canyoneering options in the valley and canyons of the park.
• Cathedral Valley Loop– Cathedral Valley is in the Northern portion of Capitol Reef. This is a 57.6-mile loop on a rough road that requires high clearance and 4WD is recommended. This is where you will find the iconic Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon rock formations.

3. Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park Overview

• Hiking– 8/10
• Scenery– 8/10
• Crowds– 5/10
• Amenities– 4/10
• Ease of Visiting– 5/10

Total- 30/50

Canyonlands is the other National Park in Moab only 30 minutes from Arches National Park. Canyonlands and Arches are often compared. However, despite its proximity, the scenery is completely different than Arches. Expansive canyon views stretch for miles with interesting rock formations jutting up from the ground. These unique views, variety of hiking trails, and moderate crowd sizes place Canyonlands in the middle of the best Utah National Parks’ Ranking.

Canyonlands is a large park, but most people only visit the Island in the Sky portion. This district consists of a large plateau at an elevation of 6000 feet. There are several short and long hikes here with viewpoints of the canyons. For more experienced hikers, there are also backpacking trails in the Maze and Needles Districts of the Canyonlands.

While busy, Canyonlands experiences fewer visitors than many of Utah’s other parks, experiencing only a little over half the crowds of its neighbor Arches. However, the park can still be busy during peak times with waits to enter, but overall allows more opportunities for solitude.

The Verdict: Canyonlands is less visited but just as stunning as Arches National Park in Moab. The views can rival that of the Grand Canyon and should be a must-visit on any Utah Road Trip.

Canyonlands is Best For: Anyone looking for stunning views and interesting hikes, or backpackers seeking solitude.

Canyonlands is Worst For: Families with small kids, many hikes have large dropoffs with no railings.

Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands has a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult hikes, with most of the more difficult ones found in remote areas of the park. Island in the Sky has some of the best easy hikes in Canyonlands.

• Mesa Arch– 0.7 miles, Easy
• White Rim Overlook Trail– 1.8 miles, Easy
• Grand View Point Trail– 1.8 miles, Easy
• Gooseberry Trail– 4.2 miles, Easy
• Chelser Park Loop Trail– 10.4 miles, Moderate

Where to Stay Near Canyonlands

Camping Near Canyonlands

• Willow Flat– Willow Flat Campground is the only campground within the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands. It contains 12 first-come, first-served campsites that are open year-round. It is located next to the Green River Overlook, making it an amazing spot to watch the sun rise and set.
• Kayenta Campground & Wingate Campground– These campgrounds are both in the neighboring Dead Horse Point State Park, and are open from mid-February to December, and do allow for advance reservations.

Hotels Near Canyonlands

• Castle Valley Inn– This is a Bed and Breakfast close to Moab with a hot tub, perfect for a getaway!
• Canvas Tent Glamping– Ok it’s not technically a hotel, but if you want to experience a true luxury glamping trip, stay in a fully decked out canvas tent! Some of these tents even have private bathrooms. These sites are only 22 minutes from Canyonlands, and 15 minutes from Moab.

Things to do Near Canyonlands

• Dead Horse Point State Park– For similar but less crowded views than Canyonlands drive only 16 minutes to Dead Horse Point State Park. This park also rests on a plateau above the deep canyons. Hike all or part of the 5.0 mile Dead Horse Rim Loop for some outstanding views. There is a $10 fee to enter the park, that the National Parks Pass does not cover, but it is well worth the cost.
• Off-Roading Tour– There is so much great off-roading in Utah and the Southwest it would seem a shame not to experience it. Highpoint Hummer and Moab Tour Company are just two of the many companies in Moab that offer rentals and guided tours on 4WD vehicles.
• Mountain Biking– If two-wheel vehicles are more your speed, then instead go for a mountain bike ride on one of the many biking trails in Moab. Moab has everything from easy to extremely challenging mountain bike trails for whatever your skill level.

2. Zion National Park

Zion National Park Overview

• Hiking– 9/10
• Scenery– 10/10
• Crowds– 1/10
• Amenities– 9/10
• Ease of Visiting– 8/10

Total- 37/50

Zion was the park I had the hardest time ranking. It was the 3rd most visited US National Park in 2020, with 3.6 million visitors, over a million more visitors than Bryce National Park, the 2nd most popular Utah park. This leads to long wait times, full parking, and crowded trails, but it is easy to see why it is so popular.

Zion Canyon, formed by the Virgin River, has some of the best hikes in the United States, including the famous Angel’s Landing Trail, which contains an incredibly steep section with chains and steep drop off on either side. The Narrows is another popular Zion hike, which is less of a trail and more of a walk through the river itself, accessible when the water level is low. A bus shuttle system winds down the canyon taking you to these and many other amazing hikes.

It’s due to these hikes and views that Zion ranks number two on this list, despite its crazy crowds. Each person will have to decide for themselves whether the park is worth the hype, but this unique place should be somewhere everyone sees at least once.

The Verdict: Zion is crowded, but lives up to its reputation, and has amazing views that will impress everyone.

Zion is Best For: Everyone who is able to visit!

Zion is Worst For: People with no patience for crowds.

Best Hikes in Zion National Park

Zion is well known for being a top hiking destination. Below is just some of the amazing trails this park has to offer.

• Angels Landing Trail– 4.4 miles, Difficult
• Canyon Overlook Trail– 1.0 mile, Moderate
• The Narrows Riverside Walk– 1.9 miles, Easy
• Watchman Trail– 3.1 miles, Moderate
• Observation Point– 7.0 miles, Moderate

Where to Stay Near Zion

Camping Near Zion

• Watchman Campground– Watchman Campground is right inside the park and within walking distance of the shuttle stop, several outdoor stores, and a brewery! Watchman is open and reservable all year round to tents and RVs.
• Zion also has two seasonal campgrounds– Lava Point Campground and South Campground. Lava Point Campground has six primitive sites and is located over an hour from Zion’s South entrance. South Campground is near the South entrance and has several sites for reservation 2 weeks in advance.

Hotels Near Zion

• Zion Lodge– If you don’t want to camp, but still want to stay in the park, Zion Lodge is the way to go! This is the only lodging inside of the park. You will have easy access to several trails as well as dining right in the lodge.
• There are also plenty of hotels in Springdale. Two highly rated ones are SpringHill Suites by Marriott and Flanigin’s Inn.

Things to do Near Zion

• Snow Canyon State Park- The beauty of Utah is not just limited to its National Parks. Utah’s state parks are a sight to see as well and Snow Canyon is one of the best. Snow Canyon is only an hour from Zion, making it a great day trip from the National Park. Admire the steep canyon walls and hike, climb, or ride on the many trails and slot canyons in the park.
• Kolob Canyon– While technically still part of Zion National Park, the Kolob Canyons are a much less visited portion of the park. It is a 43-mile drive to get to this portion of the park from the main entrance, but well worth your time. The hikes here and nearby offer some amazing canyon views.
• Coral Pink Sank Dunes– Another great day trip from Zion is the Coral Pink Sand Dunes only 34-miles from the East entrance to Zion. The pink color of these dunes makes them a unique place to visit. You can explore the dunes by hiking, renting an ATV, or riding a sandboard down the dunes!

1. Bryce National Park

Bryce National Park Overview

• Hiking– 10/10
• Scenery– 9.5/10
• Crowds– 3/10
• Amenities– 9/10
• Ease of Visiting– 8/10

Total- 39.5/50

This leaves Bryce Canyon National Park as the best Utah National Park! While it may not have as much variety in views as Zion, it does have some of the most unique geographies in the US, possibly the world. The characteristic hoodoos of Bryce stick up out of the canyon walls and are beautiful to see any time of year. While Bryce is also a very popular park, avoid the crowds by visiting in Winter and Spring. You will still have plenty to see and hike!

The hiking is really where Bryce shines. Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail and Peekaboo Loop Trail are two of the best trails in Utah. These and several other hikes take you down the canyon and into the hoodoos. Hike around and above them and take in the orange rocky canyon walls.

If hiking is not your thing, Bryce is also a great park for a scenic drive! A nearly 21-mile road winds through Bryce with many amazing viewpoints on the way, such as the Lower, Mid, and Upper Inspiration Points and Sunrise and Sunset Points. Bryce also offers a shuttle from April to October to its more popular stops.

The views, hikes, and fewer crowds than Zion, puts Bryce as the number one, best Utah National Park. Obviously, this list is mostly subjective and everyone’s experiences will vary, but no one who visits Bryce will walk away disappointed!

The Verdict: Bryce is the best National Park within Utah, with amazing canyon views but fewer visitors than its neighbor Zion.

Bryce is Best For: Everyone, but hikers and photographers especially will appreciate this park.

Bryce is Worst For: People looking for warmth, as it is the coldest of the Utah National Parks.

Best Hikes in Bryce National Park

The many hikes down and through the hoodoos are what really sets Bryce apart as one of the best National Parks in the United States.

• Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail– 2.9 miles, Moderate
• Peekaboo Loop Trail– 5.2 miles, Moderate
• Sunset to Sunrise Point– 1.1 miles, Easy
• Fairyland Loop– 7.8 miles, Moderate
• Lower, Mid, & Upper Inspiration Points– 0.6 miles, Easy

Where to Stay Near Bryce

Camping Near Bryce

• North Campground– North Campground is the only year-round campground in Bryce. It has reservations in the summer and is first-come, first-served the rest of the year.
• Sunset Campground– Sunset Campground is the other campground in Bryce. It is open first-come, first-served in the summer and has tent and RV sites.

Hotels Near Bryce

• Stone Canyon Inn– This cute inn in Tropic, Utah has private cabins with hot tubs and overlooks Bryce Canyon.
• Under Canvas Bryce Canyon– Experience glamping in a canvas tent complete with a private bathroom, less than 6 miles from Bryce National Park.

Things to do Near Bryce

• Bike Rentals– Experience Bryce in a different way and rent an electric bike to take on the bike trail from Bryce to Red Canyon, or just ride to some of the scenic overlooks in the park. Bryce Canyon EZ Riders and Outta Here eBikes are two rental places close to Bryce with rentals in a variety of time options.
• Stargazing– This feels almost like cheating to mention because every Utah National Park is a great place for stargazing. In fact, all five Utah National Parks are also International Dark Sky Parks, meaning they have some of the best stargazing in the world, with very few nearby light sources to compete with the millions of stars in the sky.
• Red Canyon– Similar in the scenery, but smaller in size, Red Canyon is located just 15 minutes West of Bryce on Highway 12’s Scenic Byway. This is a great spot for hiking and biking with similar views, but smaller crowds than Bryce National Park.

The Verdict- What is the Best Utah National Park?

Comparing and ranking these National Parks is not an easy task. Each Utah National Park is unique in its own way, otherwise, it wouldn’t be a National Park. That being said, when it comes down to it, Zion and Bryce are the two most visited for a good reason, and they have some of the best scenery in the entire United States. Which park between these two you’ll prefer will mostly come down to a matter of preference in scenery and how well you are able to handle crowds.

That being said, each park is well worth visiting in their own rights and a road trip through Southern Utah is really the best way to see them all! Arches is a great park for families with kids, and to see the thousands of arches found only there. Canyonlands has magnificent viewpoints, and Capitol Reef is a great place to find some solitude and off-roading.

7 Day Itinerary for Visiting Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks

A Utah National Parks road trip should be on anyone’s travel list. It may seem intimidating to plan but is completely doable, especially if you are road tripping on a budget.

You could easily spend anywhere from a week to a month traveling Southern Utah. Below is an intense 7-day road trip to see the best of each National Park.

• Day 1- Arrive in Moab, Visit Canyonlands
• Day 2- Visit Arches
• Day 3- Drive from Arches to Capitol Reef, Visit Capitol Reef
• Day 4- Drive from Capitol Reef to Bryce, Visit Bryce
• Day 5- Visit Bryce
• Day 6- Drive from Bryce to Zion, Visit Zion
• Day 7- Visit Zion

Day 1- Moab & Canyonlands

Arrive in Moab. Moab has a small airport, but most people come from Salt Lake City, a 240 mile, 4-hour drive, or Grand Junction, a 1-hour 44-minute drive. After arriving, head for Canyonlands. Spend one amazing day in Canyonlands. Hike some of the best, easy hikes in the park, including Mesa Arch and Grand View Point Trail.

Day 2- One Day in Arches

Start your day in Arches early with a sunrise hike to Delicate Arch to beat the crowds. Next hit Sand Dune Arch and Devil’s Garden, featuring some of the best arches including Landscape and Double O Arch. End your day at Double Arch and Windows Arches for sunset to watch the red rock glow.

Day 3- Moab to Capitol Reef

On Day 3, grab breakfast in Moab and road trip down to Capitol Reef, a little over a 2-hour drive. Drive through the canyon walls straight to the Gifford House for some delicious, homemade pie! Afterward, pick whatever fruit is in season in the Fruita Orchards. Enjoy your fruit on Capitol Reef’s Scenic Drive, and if you still have energy, hit one of Capitol Reef’s trails. Cassidy Arch is a great one if you aren’t tired of Utah’s famous arches yet!

Day 4- Capitol Reef to Bryce

After your day in Capitol Reef, drive over to Bryce. Grab some lunch on the way, and spend your afternoon on a hike through the canyon. Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail is the perfect 3-mile hike to introduce you to the park. Afterward, watch the sunset at Sunset Point where the trail ends.

Day 5- Spend the Day in Bryce

If you haven’t had enough hiking yet, start your day hiking the Peekaboo Loop Trail. This is similar to Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail, but a little more difficult and longer. Afterward take the scenic drive down Bryce, stopping at the best viewpoints. Lower, Mid, and Upper Inspiration Points are a short walk from the parking lot and a great start to your drive. Some more points not to miss include Swamp Canyon Overlook, Natural Bridge, and Rainbow Point.

Day 6- Bryce to Zion

On Day 6, drive from Bryce to Zion, a quick 1-hour 20-minute trip, to spend 2 days in Zion National Park. Since you will be coming in from the East, you will drive right through the famous Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and scenic highway. Spend your day hiking some of the fantastic trails in the park, such as The Watchman Trail, Canyon Overlook, and Lower Emerald Pools.

Day 7- A Day in Zion & Head Home

If you were lucky enough to get a permit for Angel’s Landing, head to the trailhead first thing in the morning. If you did not get a permit, you can still hike to Scout’s Landing, which is before the chains section, or head to Observation Point for a longer hike with equally great views. End your Utah National Parks Road Trip with a cool-down hike on the easy, paved Riverside Walk to see the Virgin River up close and have the canyon close around you.

What to Know Before Visiting Utah’s National Parks

• There is no service for much of the roads between (and in) the parks. It is always a good idea to download your maps ahead of time, and have a hard copy on hand. Also, be sure to download your music and podcasts for your road trip!
• Make your reservations early! National Parks, especially ones in the West, are extremely popular tourist destinations and campsites can fill months in advance. Most campsites inside the National Parks are available for registration 6 months in advance, so plan early and check when sites open for your dates.
• Stay up to date on closings and conditions in the park. Each National Park has a website where they will post any trail or road closings. Landslides and weather events can change these conditions in an instant, so make sure to check your desired routes and trails are open.
• Leave No Trace! This applies to any hiking or camping in the outdoors, but review the leave no trace principles to protect these wild and natural places! Wandering off-trail can harm delicate desert landscapes that can take many years to grow back. Carving or vandalizing rock is becoming increasingly common, and should not be done under any circumstance. Behavior like this leads to increasing restrictions of national land and damages the landscape in ways that cannot be undone, destroying centuries-old formations.
• Bring lots of water! In normal conditions for moderate hiking one recommendation is to drink half a liter of water for every hour of hiking, and even more in harsher conditions. Many of these parks do not have a lot of facilities, so do not count on getting water once to the park! Always keep some extra water in the car.
• Hike early! I always try to arrive at all National Parks early to avoid crowds, and while this is also good advice for the Utah National Parks, it is even more important to hike early to avoid the midday sun. Hot sun, dry weather, and exposed hiking are not a good combination so make sure to wear appropriate clothing and wear a hat or head protection.

Best Time to Visit Utah’s National Parks

Spring and Fall in Utah

Spring and Fall are undoubtedly the best times to visit Utah and its many National Parks if you are purely looking for the best weather. During March to May and September to November, the temperatures average from the upper 50s to 80s. The graph above is only for Moab where Canyonlands and Arches reside. However, this can be used as a pretty good estimate for the majority of Southern Utah. Capitol Reef and Zion have a similar climate to Moab, and only Bryce will differ significantly. Being at a higher elevation, you can expect Bryce to consistently have temperatures at least 10 to 20 degrees lower than the other Utah National Parks.

Winter and Summer in Utah

Visiting in Spring and Fall means you have great weather but also more crowds than other times of the year. Visit the Mighty 5 parks on a winter road trip to have the most solitude, if you can weather the cold desert nights and blustering winds. If you do, you will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful desert views in the snow.

The only time I would not recommend visiting Southern Utah is in the summer. School is out so the parks will be crowded and also hot, with temperatures exceeding well over 100 degrees in the hottest part of the day. If you do visit in summer, be prepared with cover from the sun and lots of water!

Packing List for Utah’s National Parks

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

• Water- Water is your best friend in the desert! Make sure to bring enough and then some for your group.
• Snacks– If you will be hiking all day and burning a lot of calories, make sure to bring some protein-packed snacks and lunch as well.
• Sunscreen– Even if you are visiting in the winter, it is a good idea to use sunscreen to block the harsh sun!
• Sun Shielding Hat– My hat is my favorite hiking gear. A wide-brimmed hat will help keep the sun off you.
• Winter Hat- Morning can be cold in the desert at any time of year. A knit hat is great to have in your bag for early mornings or windy days.
• Moisture-Wicking Shirts– Any shirt will do, but the best hiking shirts are made of natural or synthetic moisture-wicking material that is breathable and dries quickly.
• Athletic Shorts/Pants– I personally tend to wear hiking leggings more than shorts. If you are hiking in the winter, Carhartt makes great thick women’s leggings.
• Lighter Jacket or Wind Jacket– Layering is always a good idea when hiking, and I put a spare windbreaker or light jacket in my backpack in case the wind picks up.
• Winter Coat– This may depend on the time of day you go, but I was glad to have my puffy coat when waiting for sunrise, even in late March.
• Hiking Boots or Trail Runner– Most of the trails are relatively easy without a lot of elevation gain, but I would still recommend hiking boots to keep your help keep your footing on the rock and reduce the impact on your feet.
• Hiking Socks– If you do wear boots, make sure to bring good socks to reduce the risk of blisters!
• Backpack– A good daypack can make your hike so much more enjoyable. Properly distributing weight and can ease your trip and allow you to bring all the essentials above!
• Headlamp– If you are going to be hiking for sunrise, be sure to bring a headlamp and batteries.

You May Also Be Interested In:

• Canyonlands vs Arches: One Day in Canyonlands or Arches National Park
• Best Canyonlands Hikes with Great Views
• 2 Days in Zion National Park
• National Parks Road Trip Budget (Under $2000)
• Planning the Ultimate National Parks Road Trip

SAVE IT FOR LATER