Planning The Perfect Utah Road Trip
After my third international trip of 2020 was cancelled (thanks COVID) I booked myself a last minute domestic adventure to Utah. And I’m so thankful that I did!
I planned an action-packed, adventure-filled itinerary with visits to Arches, Canyonlands & Zion National Parks. Trip highlights included hiking the Zion Narrows and canyoneering, I even checked Glamping off my bucket list.
This trip was exactly what my soul needed after months of social isolation and living the Groundhog Day life. I had deeply missed the connection that only comes from travel. The growth that can be found by exploring new places & experiencing new things.
If you’re craving adventure or curious about planning a trip to Utah’s national parks, keep reading!
Five National Parks means 5 times more to see.
In 7 days we traveled over 800 miles visiting 4 cities & 3 national parks. That’s A LOT to cover in a week especially considering we spent almost an entire day driving.
Our itinerary was fast paced and only allowed enough time to hit the highlights, and essentially no downtime. Most of our days began by 7:30am at the latest!
If you prefer a more relaxed itinerary extend your travel timeframe or choose only 1-2 parks to visit. Arches and Canyonlands are only 30 minutes apart and easy to fit into a week itinerary together.
Activities that satisfy thrill-seekers to sightseers.
Southern Utah is perfect for families, romantic getaways, or even girls/guys trips that are seeking adventure (both thrilling & soft) and beautiful desert landscapes.
This is an adventure seekers paradise with all of the hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, climbing, canyoneering, and more!
And if soft adventure is more your style, there are fun off-road jeep tours, horseback riding and other sightseeing adventures throughout the area!
Accommodations to suit everyone.
The accommodations closest to Utah’s national parks vary mostly from value to moderate hotels, little to no luxury. Zion National Park is the only Utah national park with a lodge but the others do offer camping (both tent & rv). There are also several large campgrounds with campsites & cabins providing amenities like pools, activities, and more. You can even find unique accommodations such as covered wagons and canvas-style luxury Glamping tents near Moab & Springdale.
For our itinerary we chose hotels in close proximity to park entrances that offered a complimentary daily breakfast and nice pools to escape the mid-day summer heat. We even checked off a bucket list experience, glamping.
For our last 2 nights we stayed at Under Canvas Zion. Our safari-inspired canvas tent was the ideal balance of luxury and comfort. The epic scenery and unplugged setting here provided the perfect ending to our fast-paced trip allowing us to relax and re-charge before returning home. Our mornings were spent watching the sunrise directly from bed. Evenings were perfect for sipping champagne and stargazing. Sadly, the winds were too high for campfires during our stay but the s’mores here are complimentary!
Each season offers different experiences.
Summer in the desert is hot. Be prepared to pack lots of sunscreen & for the crowds, this is the busiest time of the year for Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks.
Winter in the desert is cold. This is off-season here so many trails and activities will be closed but crowds and rates are lowest during this time.
Fall and spring both offer lower crowds and reasonable weather. Spring brings the blooming wildflowers and watch for the crowded Moab Jeep Week in April. Fall begins the rainy season so watch for more erratic weather.
Escape to the desert to find your own adventure.
Our national parks are incredible places that protect the greatest natural landscapes and sights within our borders. They truly are our national treasures!
The landscape of the Western United States is such a stark contrast from my home on the East Coast. The desert, red rocks, cliffs and canyons are so different than the rolling hills and lush foliage that I see on a daily basis. And visiting small towns like Moab and Springdale, where there are no major chain stores, so the focus is 100% on the natural beauty surrounding them. It’s an indescribable vibe that you just have to take in!
A Utah National Parks itinerary is ideal for anyone seeking adventure, an escape to take in unique landscapes, or just a national parks enthusiast! And a package can be easily customized to fit your specific interests, timeframe, budget and activity levels.
Contact us to plan your Utah National Parks adventure and we’ll help you make the most of your vacation experience!!
