oklahoma to utah road trip

ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE

The ultimate utah road trip itinerary.

So you want to take a road trip ? I highly recommend road tripping through Utah’s National Parks! This 9-day  Utah Road Trip Itinerary  included all these places: Albuquerque, Horseshoe Bend, Zion National Park, Scenic Byway 12, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Dixie National Forest, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Monument Valley.

I’ve had lots of people asking our exact itinerary, so I thought I’d share it with you all! Below is the quick overview with links to all related blog posts, then below that is the more detailed itinerary!

Ps – wondering how to prep for a road trip? Check out this post:  How to get your car ready + what to pack with a free customizable checklist !

Ultimate Utah National Park Road Trip Itinerary

This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting onechelofanadventure.com!

Utah Road Trip Overview

Day 1:  Austin, TX > Albuquerque, NM

Hotel: ABQ Casitas Airbnb (unfortunately this listing is no longer available, see equally cute alternatives here )

Day 2:  Albuquerque, NM > Horseshoe Bend, Arizona > Zion National Park, Utah

See More:  Horseshoe Bend

Hotel:  Zion Mountain Ranch

Day 3:  Zion Mountain Ranch + Horseback Trail Ride

See More:  Horseback Canyon Trail Ride

Day 4:  Zion National Park, Utah

See More:  Canyon Overlook Trail

Emerald Pools Trail

See More:  Exploring Zion National Park

Day 5:  The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah

See More:  Hiking The Narrows

Day 6:  Zion National Park, Utah > Scenic Byway 12 > Moab, Utah

See More:  Scenic Byway 12

See More: Sunset in  Arches National Park

Hotel: Expedition Lodge

Day 7:  Full Day 4X4 Off-Road Tour of Canyonlands and Arches National Park

See More:  4X4 Off-Road Tour of Canyonlands and Arches National Park

Day 8:  Moab, UT > Monument Valley, UT > Albuquerque, NM

See More:  Monument Valley, UT

Hotel:  Los Poblanos Historic Inn

Day 9:  Albuquerque, NM > Austin, TX

Day 1: Austin to Albuquerque

We started our trip in Austin and chose to make Albuquerque a halfway point. Honestly, the drive from Austin to Albuquerque and then on to Zion was pretty miserable. There is not much to see in between and most of New Mexico has a speed limit of 65. I don’t think I would do that drive again, next time I would fly into Las Vegas or somewhere closer and then start the road trip. 

We stayed in a super cute Airbnb, but unfortunately, it is no longer available. However, I made a  list of equally-cute Albuquerque Airbnbs  that are worth checking out!

Day 2: Albuquerque to Zion National Park

On day 2, we headed out from Albuquerque towards Zion National Park , an 8-hour drive. We made a detour to check out Horseshoe Bend which was definitely worth it!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chelsea Bancroft | ATX (@onechelofanadventure)

We finally made it to  Zion Mountain Ranch  right before sunset!

Day 3: Zion National Park

We took the day to explore  Zion Mountain Ranch , the awesome hotel we stayed at right outside Zion National Park .

Learn More: Zion Mountain Ranch

That evening, we did a horseback trail ride on the property! It was beautiful and such a cool way to see the canyon! 

Read more about it  here .

Day 4: Zion National Park, Canyon Overlook + Emerald Pools Trail

We woke up bright and early to hike the  Canyon Overlook Trail  — an easy 1-mile roundtrip hike.

Read More:  Hiking Canyon Overlook Trail

After that, we headed to the Zion National Park visitor center to catch the shuttle bus. Fair warning, in the summer, lines for the shuttle bus are insane and we had to wait for nearly an hour. Get there early to avoid the crowds.

To hike the Upper and Lower Emerald Pool trail , get off at the Zion Lodge stop. It was a fairly easy hike, and definitely very beautiful!

That evening, we watched the sunset from Canyon Junction Bridge – I highly recommend it.

We also picked up our rental gear for hiking The Narrows. We rented from  Zion Outfitters  and they let you pick up your gear the night before which is really convenient!

Day 5: Hiking The Narrows, Zion National Park

We woke up bright and early and headed into the park to hike the infamous Narrows! I’ll share a couple of photos, but you should definitely check out my whole post on it: What to Expect When Hiking The Narrows .

Learn More:  What to Expect Hiking The Narrows

Day 6: Zion National Park to Moab, Utah via The Scenic Byway 12

On day 6 we said goodbye to Zion and made our way toward Moab! We took  Scenic Byway 12  passing through Bryce Canyon first. I recommend taking 2 hours or so to explore and drive through Bryce Canyon National Park .

After Bryce, we traveled along the scenic byway, passing through Grand Staircase-Escalante, The Hogback, and Boulder Mountain.

Learn More:  What to Expect Driving Scenic Byway 12 in Utah

One of my favorite parts of this drive was going through Capitol Reef National Park !

Nearly 8 hours later, we finally arrived in Moab! We were lucky to make it in time to see an amazing sunset in  Arches National Park .

Learn More:  21 Gorgeous Photos From Visit Arches National Park

In Moab, we stayed at the Expedition Lodge . It wasn’t my favorite, I felt it was overpriced for what was offered, but from their website, it looks like they have done updates since we stayed. 

Day 7: Full Day 4X4 Off-Road Tour of Canyonlands and Arches National Park

If you only have a limited amount of time to see these two parks, I would suggest  going with a guided tour . Plus, the best parts of the parks require off-roading, and if you don’t  really  know what you’re doing, that won’t end well.  Navtec Expeditions  took us through  Canyonlands National Park  first.

See More:   13 Photos That Prove You Need to Visit Canyonlands

After exploring Canyonlands for a few hours, we headed into Arches National Park  and had lunch before setting off to off-road through the park!

I cannot recommend the tour we did enough, it is the best way to go off-road and see the best sites of both parks! Read more about it here .

After our full-day tour, we grabbed dinner in Moab, and then headed back to Arches National Park for another amazing sunset!

Above photo by Shelly Borga . See more photos in this post . 

Day 8: Moab, UT > Monument Valley, UT > Albuquerque, NM

We woke up bright and early to make the 7.5-hour drive to Albuquerque, with a stop at Monument Valley . It adds an extra hour and a half, but I think it’s worth it!

Plus if you go early, there is less of a crowd and you can get much better photos!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Roger Beasley Imports (@rogerbeasleyimports)

After our pit stop at Monument Valley, we headed to Albuquerque and made it to  Los Poblanos Historic Inn  in the late afternoon. We were given a full tour of the properties and it is just beautiful! This was probably my favorite place that we stayed over the entire trip.

The property has huge lavender fields that are absolutely gorgeous! 

They also have Alpacas and Peacocks that live on the grounds.

Learn More:   Staying at Los Poblanos Historic Inn

Day 9: Albuquerque to Austin, TX

Before heading out, Shelly and I enjoyed  Los Poblanos Inn’s  delicious breakfast and checked out the Farm Shop.

And then we began the longgggg drive back home to Austin — we didn’t end up making it back until almost midnight.

Utah Road Trip Recap

Overall, I absolutely loved this road trip and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to see Utah’s National Parks (which everyone should)! The one thing I did not enjoy and would probably change next time is driving all the way from Austin. There really is NOTHING in between Austin and Arizona. Albuquerque was a good middle point, but I would have rather spent two more days in Utah instead.

Related Posts:

Utah Travel Hashtags and Accounts to Tag on Instagram

Arches National Park: 21 Photos That Will Convince You To Visit

13 Photos That Prove You Need to Visit Canyonlands National Park in Utah

Canyonlands and Arches National Park Off-Road Tour

Driving Scenic Byway 12 in Utah: What to Expect

This is a pretty general overview of our trip, so be sure to check out my other Utah posts for more info on each destination! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or DM me on Instagram and I’d be happy to help!

You Might Also Like:

• Best Road Trip Apps to Download
• How to Get Your Car Ready For a Road Trip + What to Pack
• All Utah posts

Was this post helpful? Share it on Pinterest!

Share this:

15 thoughts on “ the ultimate utah road trip itinerary ”.

• Pingback: Where to Stay in Albuquerque: Los Poblanos Historic Inn – ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE
• Pingback: 21 Photos That Will Convince You To Visit Arches National Park – ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE
• Pingback: Canyonlands and Arches National Park Off-Road 4X4 Full-Day Tour – ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE
• Pingback: Driving Scenic Byway 12 in Utah: What to Expect – ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE
• Pingback: What to Expect When Hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park – ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE
• Pingback: Zion Canyon Horseback Riding at Zion Mountain Ranch – ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE
• Pingback: The Cutest Airbnb in Albuquerque: Casa Ocotillo by ABQ Casitas – ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE
• Pingback: My Travel Photo Gear: Cameras & Accessories | ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE
• Pingback: Canyonlands and Arches National Park Off-Road Tour - MOAB, UTAH
• Pingback: 15 Amazing Photos from Zion National Park - Utah
• Pingback: CHECKLIST: How to Get Your Car Ready For a Road Trip + What to Bring​
• Pingback: Arches National Park: 21 Photos That Will Convince You To Visit
• Pingback: 12 Most Beautiful National Parks in the USA | Best National Parks
• Pingback: Best USA Honeymoon Destinations by Season - USA Honeymoon Ideas
• Pingback: Zion Horseback Riding Near Zion National Park | Canyon Trail Rides

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Discover more from ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• © Roadtrippers
• © Mapbox
• © OpenStreetMap
• Improve this map

The Ultimate Utah Road Trip (National Parks + Itinerary)

Wondering “How do I plan a trip to all 5 Utah national parks?” Ayyy, don’t stress, we have you covered. Our 10 day Utah road trip will take you through some of the best things to see in Utah, along with the Mighty 5 National Parks.

Utah happens to be one of our absolute favorite states in America. Once you explore Utah for yourself, you’ll soon see why. It’s amazing, it’s diverse and it’s full of adventure. Now, let’s get you prepped, you have a Utah road trip to get to!

Don’t forget to check out our road trip essentials packing list !

10-Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Jump Ahead To:

Best Month to Visit Utah

Ok, let’s set the record straight…Utah is amazing all year round. No lie.

• Utah In The Winter: Winter is cold, but it’s perfect for skiing the slopes around Salt Lake City. Another perk is fewer crowds on the hiking trails in the State Parks and National Parks.
• Utah In The Spring: The spring months tend to be the busier months to visit Utah due to milder temps and springtime blooms. Be prepared to deal with large crowds around Spring Break time and Memorial Day weekend.
• Utah In The Summer: Depending on which part of the state you are in, Utah can be hot, hot, hot. The summer is a popular time as school is out so lots of families can be seen exploring the state. However, the sun stays out much longer so you have longer days which is really nice.
• Utah In The Fall: Considered one of the best times to visit Utah, the fall months are great. Changing of the leaves, milder temps but with great weather usually means more crowds.

For us, we visited Utah in late September / early October and it was perfect. Mild to chilly temps, bright sunshine, and nothing was too crowded. If you were to ask us, we say aim to visit Utah during September or October.

Utah Road Trip Map

The Mighty 5 in Utah is something everyone should see in their lifetime. Scattered throughout the state of Utah, the Mighty 5 (sometimes known as the Big 5) refers to the 5 National Parks that are found within the state of Utah. Yes, Utah is so awesome that it’s home to 5 amazing National Parks.

• Arches National Park (Located near Moab, Utah)
• Canyonland National Park (Located near Moab, Utah)
• Capitol Reef National Park (Located near Torrey, Utah)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (Located near Tropic, Utah)
• Zion National Park (Located near Springdale, Utah)

Our Utah road trip will take you on some of the best scenic byways in the country, through some of the best National Parks in America, and give you too many adventures to count.

Getting Around Utah – Rent an RV

One of our favorite ways to a road trip is by RV! It’s your one-stop-shop for everything you need – shelter, food, and clothes. An RV gives you the flexibility to change direction and not have to worry about canceling a hotel reservation and booking a new one. Making it a great “car” to take on your Utah road trip.

It’s a perfect road trip companion and a great vehicle to consider when exploring Utah. From large rigs to camper vans, there is something out there for everyone.

Day 1: Get Yourself To Utah (Salt Lake City or Denver)

To start your Utah road trip, you have to get to the state, right? Two popular jumping-off points to explore Utah tend to be flying into Salt Lake City (airport code: SLC) or Denver, Colorado (airport code: DEN).

Note: While our route takes you from North to South through the state of Utah, you can easily do our route in reverse by flying into Las Vegas and starting South, and working your way North. Totally up to you.

Flying Into Salt Lake City

Once you land in Salt Lake City, plan to pick up your car or RV rental and head south toward Moab, Utah. Moab is located about 3 hours and 40 minutes (234mi / 377km) away from Salt Lake City and where our Utah road trip itinerary begins from.

It’s worth noting that Salt Lake City airport is the closest airport to Moab, Utah.

Flying Into Denver, Colorado

The second closest airport to Moab is Denver International Airport located 5 hours and 30 minutes (355mi / 571km) away. Once at the Denver Airport, plan to pick up your rental car and/or RV rental and head west until you reach Thompson Springs where you’ll take 182 straight-ish into Moab.

Tip: If you don’t feel like driving back to either Denver or Salt Lake City, buy a one-way ticket into either of these airports for your arrival and then a one-way ticket out of Las Vegas for your departure.

Day 2 – 4: Explore Moab, Canyonlands and Arches National Park

Welcome to Moab. Home to two of the Mighty 5 National Parks, a quaint little downtown, and loads of outdoor adventure. Whether you’re looking for a 4×4 off road adventure , white water rafting down the Colorado River or just some epic trails to bike or hike through, Moab is the PERFECT jumping-off point for all of it.

After a day of adventure and outdoor fun, you can mosey through the shops, downtown cafes, and bars. Grab some breakfast and coffee at Jailhouse Cafe or Moab Garage Co ., some lunch or dinner at Moab Food Truck Park or Sunset Grill , and finally a beer at Moab Brewery .

Perfect for a few day’s stay, you’ll find becoming bored in Moab is next to impossible.

Check Out our Perfect 2-3 Day Moab Itinerary here!

Arches National Park

The first National Park on our Utah road trip is located 5 miles from Moab (about a 9-minute drive). It is here where you’ll find the entrance to Arches National Park. Some 2,000 natural stone arches along with endless, towering desert landscapes can be found here.

Check out Arches National Park in One Day to help you make the most of your time!

Costing $15/vehicle to get in, you can easily spend a day driving the 36-mile (round trip) road through Arches National Park, hiking Arches’ most popular trails like “The Devils Garden Loop” and “The Double Arch Trail” or watching the sunset from the Delicate Arch Viewpoint.

However you choose to spend your time, be it a few hours or a full day, Arches National Park will not disappoint.

TIP: If you want a truly unique experience within Arches National Park, consider booking the “ Fiery Furnace ” tour.

Canyonlands National Park

About a 35-minute drive from Moab and Arches, you’ll find the second of Mighty 5 National Parks, Canyonlands National Park. The expanse of this park is something to see. Canyonlands is the largest of the National Parks in Utah offering dramatic, staggering views of canyons below.

The park is divided into four districts:

• The Island in the Sky: The most popular district offering rim views of the expansive canyons below, pull-offs for photo ops, and trailheads. This district is home to the famous “Mesa Arch”.
• The Needles : Home to popular hiking trails (great for overnight backpacking) and desert landscapes with rock spires.
• The Maze : The most remote of the districts requires a several-day commitment and should only be visited and trekked by experienced hikers.
• The Rivers (Colorado and Green) : For those wanting to get down into the canyon, the river’s section is great for kayaking, guided boat tours, etc.

Whichever district you decide to visit the entrance fee for Canyonlands is $30/vehicle.

Dead Horse State Park

Ok, ok, so yes, not a National Park but Dead Horse State Park is spectacular and since you’re in the area, it should not be missed! Dead Horse State Park is about a 15-minute drive from Canyonlands National Park and about a 35-minute drive from Arches National Park.

A popular choice is to spend the majority of the day in Canyonlands and finish your day (a couple of hours) at Dead Horse State Park. Costing $20/vehicle, Dead Horse State Park is located atop a mesa offering incredible vista views of the land and canyons below.

Where To Stay in Moab, Utah

• The Luxury Inclined |  Hoodoo Moab
• The Budget Conscious |  Rustic Inn
• Something in Between | Moab Springs Ranch

For more places to stay in Moab, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 5. Experience Capitol Reef National Park

With Moab in your rearview mirror, your sights should be set on the next National Park, Capitol Reef National Park. Located a little over 2 hours away from Moab, Capitol Reef is the least visited of the 5 National Parks within Utah, but don’t let that statement think this park is worth skipping.

TIP: As you leave Moab, be sure to take Highway 24 to Highway 12 as Utah State Highway 12 is considered one of the most scenic drives in Utah.

Costing $15/vehicle for the park entrance fee, Capitol Reef has some amazing hikes like Hickman Natural Bridge or the Cassidy Arch. If you’re short on time or just feel like taking in the sights, we suggest driving the paved Capitol Reef Scenic Drive that winds through some of the best areas of the National Park.

If you’re looking for something more adventurous, canyoneering in Capitol Reef’s slot canyons should be added to your list. However you choose to spend your time, the sights and landscape of Capitol Reef are well worth the visit.

TIP: On your way to Capitol Reef National Park, you’ll pass by Goblin State Park. It’s definitely worth stopping to check out if you have the time. A few hours will give you a taste of what Goblin State Park has to offer.

Where To Stay Near Capitol Reef

• The Luxury Inclined |  Courage Ridge Lodge
• The Budget Conscious |  Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel
• Something in Between | Capitol Reef Resort

For more places to stay near Capitol Reef, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 6: Adventure Through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument 

From Capitol Reef, continue on Highway 12 (the scenic byway) for about 1.5 hours, until you reach the town of Escalante. If you find yourself hungry along the way, we highly suggest stopping at  Hell’s Backbone Grill .

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is nearly one million acres of public land that offers endless beauty and loads of outdoor adventures. Whether you’re exploring the Petrified Forest State Park, exploring the Peekaboo, Spooky, and Zebra slot canyons, or hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls and Devil’s Garden, your day will be well spent.

After a day of exploring, plan to grab a bite to eat at Esca-latte Restaurant , Nemo’s Drive Thru or Circle D Eatery . Oh, and if you need a coffee pick-me-up, make a pitstop at Kiva

Where To Stay in Escalante

• The Luxury Inclined |  Escalante Yurts
• The Budget Conscious |  Prospector Inn
• Something in Between | The Inn of Escalante

For more places to stay in Escalante, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 7: Explore The Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon

Your next stop is the magnificent Bryce Canyon, located about an hour east of Escalante. Known for its vast views and spire-shaped rock formations called hoodoos, Bryce Canyon is truly something to behold.

Costing $35/vehicle to enter the park, that entrance fee is well worth it once you set your sights on the views that await you. Plan to hike the Queens Garden/Navajo Trail Loop to see the hoodoos up close. Then, head up to the canyon rim and walk to a few outstanding viewpoints such as Sunrise Point, Inspiration Point, and Sunset Point.

You can also drive the 18-mile scenic drive that will allow you to get out at the numerous viewpoints that surround the rim of Bryce Canyon. If you love stars, plan to stay after sunset as Bryce is a certified Dark Sky Park, making it perfect for star gazing.

Check out our one day in Bryce Canyon Itinerary here!

Really and truly, it’s impossible to not become smitten with Bryce Canyon. It’s a true gem.

Where To Stay Near Bryce Canyon

• The Luxury Inclined |  Bryce Country Cabins
• The Budget Conscious |  Red Ledges Inn
• Something in Between | Happy Trails BnB

For more places to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 8 – 9: Stand in Awe at Zion National Park

From Bryce Canyon, you’ll head 1.5 hours southeast to what some consider to be the “mecca” of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks, Zion National Park.

Steep red cliff canyon with a flowing cool river and vivid green foliage that lays atop rugged rocks and dirt all set the stage for the awe-filled scenery that makes up the landscape that is Zion National Park. Costing $35/vehicle to enter the park, Zion is one of the most visited parks in the United States. Once you arrive, you’ll soon see why.

The signature sites of Zion National Park are without a doubt Angels Landing and The Narrows. However, some other popular hiking outings to add to your “to-do list” are Observation Point Trail, Watchman Trail, and Overlook Trail.

If you’d like to take a break from hiking drive the scenic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway or hit the cliff side for some canyoneering and rock climbing fun.

After a day of amazing views and fresh air, head out into Springdale (the town that butts up to the entrance of Zion National Park) for some much-needed food.

Bit & Spur , Kings Landing Bistro and Oscars Cafe are great options for dinner and drinks. For breakfast, stop at Cafe Soleil or Deep Creek Coffee Company .

Where To Stay Near Zion

• The Luxury Inclined |  Cable Mountain Lodge
• The Budget Conscious |  Zion Park Motel
• Something in Between | Best Western Plus

For more places to stay near Zion National Park, you can check out the latest places and prices here .

Day 10: Your Utah Road Trip Comes To An End

A sad day. Your Utah road trip has come to an end. As you leave Zion National Park, the closest airport to Zion National Park is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada – about 2 hours and 45 minutes (172mi / 275 kms) away.

If you have a flight to catch out of the airport you came into (Salt Lake City or Denver), you have a little bit (or should we say a lotta bit) of a drive. From Zion National Park, Salt Lake City is a 4-hour and 20-minute drive (312mi / 502km). Whereas Denver is about 10 hours (628mi / 1010km) away.

If you’re wanting to keep exploring the beautiful southwest of the United States, consider extending your stay to explore some nearby places and National Parks.

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Antelope Canyon
• Monument Valley
• Havasu Falls Hike
• Taos, New Mexico
• Great Sand Dunes National Park

Tips for Visiting Utah National Parks

• National Parks Pass : A great idea if you plan on visiting multiple National Parks throughout the year.
• Get To The Parks Early : Some of the most beautiful and quiet times at any National Park is sunrise. Plus, starting to hike before the heat of the day is always a good idea.
• Pack Your Lunch : Make your lunch and bring it with you. By not having to leave the park to find a place to eat, you get to spend more time in the park. Oh, and pack snacks in your daypack too!
• Come Prepared : If you’re going during the spring and fall months, pack accordingly. The weather can change so make sure you have a jacket . Oh, and protect that skin of yours by applying sunscreen .
• Bring a Reusable Water Bottle: It’s important to stay hydrated and not use single-use plastic water bottles. Another great option is to have a camelbak .

Camping In Utah & Its National Parks

Utah is home to some amazing campsites. You can find campsites scattered about outside and inside the National Parks. For any campsites located within the National Parks, where you are able to, reservations are highly recommended.

If the campsites are first come, first serve, we highly suggest getting to the campground as early as possible to secure a spot.

Be sure to check out our camping tips and essential gear list !

• Arches National Park Camping: Devils Garden Campground
• Canyonlands Camping: Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground, The Needles Campground
• Capital Reef Camping: Fruita Campground, Cathedral Valley Campground, Cedar Mesa Campground
• Bryce Canyon Camping : North Campground, Sunset Campground
• Zion National Park Camping: South Campground, Watchman Campground

For campsites located outside and near Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks, some require a reservation whereas others are first come first serve. We recommend the ap p Dyrt to help you pinpoint campgrounds in the area that you can call home for the night.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?!

One Day In Bryce Canyon National Park

One Day in Arches National Park

The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip

Two Week Arizona Road Trip

Road Trip Essentials

Tips & Essential Gear for Camping

PIN IT FOR LATER!

For more travel tips, guides and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke around our site, follow us on Instagram  @wanderingstus ,  Pinterest  and on  Facebook . Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. We’re happy to answer. Or, just leave us a positive note!

Happy Travels,

– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stüs)

We're Lauren & Jesse, the creators behind Wandering Stus! We've been traveling for decades, exploring and experiencing the very best this world has to offer. Whether we're roadtripping the U.S. in our camper, hiking through National Parks, or jet-setting to different countries around the globe, we write detailed travel guides to help you plan one amazing (and unforgettable) adventure!

Questions?! Let us know. Leave us a comment! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

10 Best Utah Road Trips: Unique Itineraries + Maps

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: July 16, 2020

Utah has many unique road trip options, including national parks, state parks and off-road adventures. Spectacular landscapes, bucket list hikes and beautiful photo spots make Utah one of the very best road trip destinations in the world.

In this guide, we’re going to show you 10 original and personally tested Utah road trips based entirely on our own experiences.

Our Utah Road Trip Experience

Why trust us with helping you to plan your Utah road trip?

Because we’ve explored far and wide throughout two separate Utah road trips, first in the fall of 2019 and again in the winter of 2021. We love the region and consider southern Utah to have some of the best road trips in the US .

During both our extended visits to Utah, we’ve hiked the iconic trails, explored the major parks and photographed the unmissable sunrise and sunset spots. Every Utah road trip itinerary in this guide is created from first hand knowledge . Read more about us .

With so many amazing US road trips available for your next adventure, why would you choose to road trip through Utah ?

Here’s what makes Utah such a popular place to visit:

• Five remarkable national parks
• Countless other special natural landscapes
• Year round accessibility
• Several of the best hikes in the US are in Utah
• Diverse and adventurous attractions
• Excellent weather for most of the year
• Easy logistics with Las Vegas and Salt Lake City airports

Other popular road trip routes in the US have the ocean, big cities, rainforests or rugged mountains. Utah offers dramatic canyons , extraordinary sandstone formations and bucket list hikes .

Choosing Where To Visit

Utah is home to a diverse range of topography including canyons, sand dunes, mountains and salt flats. The Mighty 5 national parks are the most heavily visited places in Utah, but there are so many other fun and underrated places to see.

So where should you visit on your Utah road trip?

Well, the answer depends on factors like your travel style, how much time you have and how many times you have visited Utah in the past.

• Are you a hiker? You should prioritize hikes in Zion National Park above all else.
• Are you a photographer? You should prioritize Arches, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon.
• First time in Utah or short on time? You should start with Zion and Bryce Canyon.
• Already seen the national parks? You should head to the adventure town of Kanab.

We think Utah is a state you can return to time and time again because there’s just so much to do. Even after 2 extensive trips to Utah, our bucket list is still only half full!

Further Reading: The 20 best places to visit in Utah

About Our Itineraries

Next, we’re going to show you our 10 favorite Utah road trip routes. You’ll find route statistics , a description and a map for each itinerary.

You can click into the interactive maps associated with each itinerary listed below. Simply touch or click the map to activate, then you can move around or zoom in and out.

We’ve tried to be as inclusive as possible in order to accommodate every traveler who wants to see the very best of Utah. Please feel free to leave us a comment at the end of the guide if we haven’t quite covered exactly what you are looking for.

Let’s get into the first itinerary!

1. Utah Mighty 5 National Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 389 miles
• Time : 7 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-8 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef , Canyonlands, Arches

The Mighty 5 national parks road trip is the ultimate Utah experience . This famous route consists of many of the best US national parks with stops at Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands.

After driving the Mighty 5 we can confidently say that it’s the all-in-one scenic Utah ticket featuring the best hikes, photo spots and landmarks. If you’ve never been to Utah and you want to see all the major highlights , this is the road trip for you.

Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Map

The Mighty 5 is most commonly driven as an out-and-back loop route from Las Vegas (here are the best things to do in Las Vegas ). Use the map above to see how the route begins in Zion, moves to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef before stopping near Moab for both Arches and Canyonlands.

Returning to Las Vegas from Moab, you have several amazing options for places to stop including Monument Valley, Page AZ, Grand Canyon North Rim and the adventure attractions around Kanab.

Road Trip Tip : Drive UT-12 from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. The route through Escalante is slightly longer but it’s incredibly scenic and shouldn’t be missed.

2. Utah State Parks Road Trip

• Distance : 476 miles
• Time : 9 hours 40 minutes
• Days : 3-5 days
• Attractions : Gunlock, Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, Coral Pink Sand Dunes , Kodachrome Basin, Escalante Petrified Forest, Goblin Valley, Dead Horse Point

We’ve created this original Utah road trip itinerary for return visitors to Utah or those who prefer to avoid heavy crowds . It follows the same route as the Mighty 5 but only stops at state parks and avoids national parks altogether.

We think Utah is overflowing with incredible state parks that are completely overshadowed by the national parks. There’s so much more to see, hike and photograph in Utah outside of the national parks. And the best part is that they’re always quiet .

Utah State Parks Road Trip Map

Our Utah state parks road trip is best driven in a loop from Las Vegas . Similarly to the Mighty 5 route, you can easily throw in plenty of extras stops along the way, which could even include one or two national parks if you don’t want to miss out.

Road Trip Tip : If state parks are your thing, do not miss the amazing Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada either on the way in or out of Utah from Las Vegas, which we have included in the route map above.

3. Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip

• Distance : 86 miles
• Time : 1 hour 55 minutes
• Days : 2-4 days
• Attractions : Zion, Bryce Canyon

Zion to Bryce Canyon is our top Utah road trips pick for visitors with just 2 or 3 days available. It’s a hugely popular and well established route which works perfectly with the nearby Las Vegas airport as a transport hub.

Both Zion and Bryce Canyon are amazing places, but they’re surprisingly different considering how close they are to one another. We love both parks and think this double header offers the perfect balance between ticking off some of the best Utah hikes and photo spots in a short trip.

Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Map

The Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip route is easy to plan . You simply fly into Las Vegas, drive to Zion, then drive to Bryce Canyon and eventually return to Las Vegas the same way. Here are 5 very different ways you can spend one day in Zion National Park .

Road Trip Tip : Serious hikers should spend more time in Zion, whereas photographers and sightseers should spend more time in Bryce Canyon.

4. Arches And Canyonlands Road Trip

• Distance : 78 miles
• Time : 2 hours 5 minutes
• Days : 1-2 days
• Attractions : Canyonlands, Arches

Arches and Canyonlands is one of the best bang for your buck road trips in Utah. We loved the photo spots in these two parks and can’t wait to go back for more landscape shoots. It’s possible to see the highlights of both parks in one day by starting in Canyonlands and ending in Arches.

However, 2 full days would allow you to relax and visit more natural attractions by spending a day in each park. You can tick off the best hikes in Arches and end with sunset from Delicate Arch on the first day, before spending the next day in Canyonlands which begins with an incredible sunrise at Mesa Arch .

Arches To Canyonlands Road Trip Map

Many visitors to Moab only have time to do Arches and Canyonlands in one day . Our route map above shows you exactly how to see both parks in a day from sunrise to sunset .

With more time you can do one day in each of Arches and Canyonlands. Start the second day in Canyonlands Island in the Sky district before visiting the further away districts called The Needles, The Maze and The Rivers.

Road Trip Tip : Start with Mesa Arch at sunrise and end with Delicate Arch at sunset for one of the most amazing days in Utah.

5. Kanab HQ Road Trip

• Distance : 320 miles
• Time : 6 hours 55 minutes
• Days : 3-4 days
• Attractions : Belly of the Dragon , Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Buckskin Gulch, The Wave, Toadstool Hoodoos , Grand Canyon North Rim

Our Kanab headquarters road trip is unique because you will use one tiny town as a base and the driving aspect is essentially fanning out in all directions around Kanab to visit attractions. Don’t be put off by what sounds like a boring road trip, trust us, it really isn’t!

We spent a few days ticking off hikes , landscapes , caves and sand dunes around Kanab during our second road trip through Utah and we were blown away by the area so much that we included it in our list of the 50 best US vacation spots .

Kanab is one of the most underrated places we’ve visited in America. Not only are there countless awesome things to do in Kanab , but the town also has affordable hotels, excellent restaurants and a chilled vibe.

Kanab HQ Road Trip Map

The route map above shows driving routes from Kanab to each of the most prominent attractions and hikes nearby. Visiting Grand Canyon North Rim is totally optional but it does make for a fantastic experience.

By using Kanab as a base, you can see the likes of Coral Pink Sand Dunes , Belly of the Dragon , Toadstool Hoodoos , Buckskin Gulch and The Wave . It’s also close to slot canyons and a bunch of fun adventure tours going out into the harder to reach areas of Utah like Peek-a-boo canyon.

Road Trip Tip : For the ultimate Kanab experience you should apply for the online lottery to win a permit for The Wave .

6. Kanab To Moab Road Trip

• Distance : 423 miles
• Time : 8 hours 45 minutes
• Days : 4-6 days
• Attractions : Kanab, The Wave or Grand Canyon North Rim, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands

Moving into custom Utah road trips territory , we think our Kanab to Moab road trip itinerary could be among the very best in this list . It’s perfect if you want to get off the beaten path and do something a bit different.

You’ll start with the best of Kanab , which could include hiking The Wave if you win a permit, before moving to Page AZ for Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon ( book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance). Next is Monument Valley and eventually you reach Moab for Arches and Canyonlands.

Kanab To Moab Road Trip Map

This route can be driven from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City or Denver with plenty of stops available on the back end after leaving Moab. It works perfectly for anyone who plans to spend time in Colorado either before or after Utah. Remember, Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t too far from Moab.

Do you want to visit Grand Canyon South Rim during your Utah road trip? You could leave Kanab and arrive into Page, then drive down to South Rim before re-joining the itinerary to Moab.

Road Trip Tip : You can see most of Monument Valley without actually going into the paid area.

7. Utah Hiking Road Trip

• Distance : 932 miles
• Time : 18 hours 20 minutes
• Days : 6-10 days
• Attractions : Fire Wave, The Subway , Angels Landing , The Narrows , Queen’s Garden , Hickman Bridge, Mesa Arch, Devil’s Garden, Delicate Arch, Buckskin Gulch , The Wave

We’ve created this custom road trip through Utah specifically for hikers and we think it’s pretty awesome! Utah’s unique landscapes are a paradise for hikers but the iconic trails are time consuming, so this is the longest itinerary in our list.

The route effectively follows the Mighty 5 path but it only consists of the best hikes . There are no photography stops, sunrises, sunsets or stops at other attractions. It’s a case of getting your permits in advance , driving from hike to hike and enjoying the trails.

Utah Hiking Road Trip Map

The map for our hikers Utah road trip route is created as though you have acquired permits for every necessary trail. Adapt the route if you are unable to obtain any permit, otherwise sit back and soak up what is going to be an incredible hiking trip !

Are you considering the Grand Canyon? Here’s our popular guide on the best hikes in Grand Canyon South Rim .

Road Trip Tip : In Utah you need permits to hike The Subway, Angels Landing, Buckskin Gulch and The Wave.

8. Utah Photography Road Trip

• Distance : 1,019 miles
• Time : 20 hours 15 minutes
• Attractions : Fire Wave , Zion Canyon Overlook , Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon Amphitheater , Fruita Barn, Mesa Arch , Delicate Arch , Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend , Grand Canyon

Our next custom Utah road trip itinerary is designed for photographers . Utah is not just for hikers, it’s also a prime location for landscape photography. Some of our favorite photo spots are in Utah. Think Mesa Arch, Delicate Arch and the Bryce Canyon amphitheater and you’ll get the idea!

The major issue with a photography itinerary is that you often need to be out for sunrise or sunset , so we’ve crafted this Utah road trip mainly around the most prominent locations at the best times of day. It’s a longer itinerary to accommodate for being in the right place at the right time .

Utah Photography Road Trip Map

Our photography route is one of our favorite Utah road trips because it leads to nothing but stunning landscapes . Use our itinerary as a starting point but be sure to include any other photo spots you know along the way (there are so many more!)

Follow the map above to see how you can drive around southern Utah and place yourself at the best photo spots every day . There are several ways you could plan this trip based on how much time you have and how important each stop is to you.

Road Trip Tip : The more time you allow for this road trip, the more sunrises and sunsets you can include. Dawn and dusk really are the most amazing times of day in Utah.

9. 4×4 Adventure Utah Road Trip

• Distance : 745 miles
• Time : 17 hours 30 minutes
• Attractions : Sand Mountain, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Red Canyon Slot, Willis Creek Slot, Kodachrome Basin, Zebra Slot, Natural Bridges, Valley of the Gods, White Pocket

Our custom 4×4 Utah road trip would be an entirely different experience to the typical routes. You can either hire a Jeep and drive yourself or take tours into the scorched wilderness. This adventure filled itinerary leads into countless slot canyons, washes and totally off the beaten path spots.

A lot of this itinerary is based around Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument but you could also include Glen Canyon National Recreation Area . These are the places nobody else goes in Utah so you really get that lost world feel.

Utah 4×4 Road Trip Map

The map above shows a basic 4×4 off-road adventure itinerary that we would follow if we were to take on this awesome road trip through Utah. Adapt, remove and include as you see fit based on any other spots you have pegged to visit.

This is the only itinerary in this list that deserves a cautionary warning up front . It’s vital that you are experienced with these types of terrains and situations, as well as being proficient in vehicle fixes and knowing what to do in emergency situations.

Road Trip Tip : With more time you can take your Jeep way off the beaten path. Study the roads in Grand Staircase Escalante in particular to plan the perfect off-road adventure.

10. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip

• Distance : 832 miles
• Time : 16 hours 10 minutes
• Days : 7-10 days
• Attractions : SLC, Bonneville Salt Flats, Antelope Island, Park City, Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, Bear Lake, Jackson, Grand Teton National Park , Yellowstone National Park

Our last Utah road trip is an extension of our extremely popular 7 days Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary . You can create a fantastic 10 day itinerary with Yellowstone and Grand Teton simply by including 3 days ticking off the top attractions around Salt Lake City.

Uinta Wasatch Cache is home to some seriously amazing hikes, Bonneville Salt Flats and Antelope Island are perfect for photographers, Park City is a famous skiing destination and downtown SLC is lovely to walk around.

SLC To Yellowstone Route Map

The map above shows an extended version of our classic 7 day SLC to Yellowstone road trip route with several spur trips near Salt Lake City creating a 10 day itinerary.

After leaving the Salt Lake City area, the route continues through Jackson to Grand Teton and Yellowstone before ending in Gardiner, MT. You can either fly home from Bozeman or return to SLC airport.

Road Trip Tip : Allow at least one full day in Grand Teton and two full days in Yellowstone at a minimum. In an ideal world you will have six full days to see both parks. Here’s our 4 days Yellowstone itinerary .

Planning Tools

So you know the routes and you’re excited to get started with planning. But what about logistics and the important things you need to know?

Here are the tools we use and the key information you should be aware of:

When searching for flights to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, we recommend checking prices on both Skyscanner and Google Flights as the two best flight search engines.

Tips to save on flights to Las Vegas or SLC:

• Shop around and compare prices on several days of the week
• Use incognito or private browser and clear your cache
• Use several devices such as your laptop and smartphone
• Read our guide on how to book cheap flights

You should have no issues booking accommodation for any of the Utah road trips covered in this guide with the exception of Zion National Park hotels during the peak season.

We always use and recommend using Booking.com to book hotels in the US. You might want to compare prices with Hotels.com to see if you can find a better deal.

Tips for booking hotels:

• Book your hotels in advance
• Sign up for a free membership account with Booking or Expedia
• Arrive at Zion during the week to avoid expensive weekend prices
• Read our popular guide on how to book cheap hotels

Resource : Our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere can help you find the best hotels in Las Vegas, Moab, Kanab, Page, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Grand Canyon South Rim.

3. Hire Car

If you’re not driving your own car to Utah, you’ll need to hire a car when you land at Salt Lake City or Las Vegas airport.

Our top recommendation is to find prices with Rental Cars and compare costs against Discover Cars . Input Salt Lake City airport or Las Vegas airport and your travel dates to see your options.

They’re our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point.

Tips for hiring a car:

• Book in advance for a better selection of cars
• Small cars are better for parking in tight spots at the national parks
• You’ll need a 4WD high clearance vehicle to go off road in Utah

4. National Parks

It’s important to stay up to date with live conditions such as roads, weather, hiking trails and lodging when you visit any of the national parks in Utah.

One of the unsung positives to visiting Utah is that natural disasters, wildfires, flooding and other problematic conditions are rare. Just look at Yellowstone and Yosemite in 2022 and 2023.

With that said, we still recommend keeping on top of the following current status reports:

• Arches – Live conditions
• Bryce Canyon – Live conditions
• Canyonlands – Live conditions
• Capitol Reef – Live conditions
• Zion – Live conditions

What To Pack For Utah Road Trips

Packing for a road trip in Utah will depend on what you plan to do and what time of year you decide to visit.

Our two trips to Utah have been in the months of October and December. Both times we packed for cold mornings and cold evenings but warmer days, especially when hiking.

If you plan your Utah road trip for summer you can expect hot days so your packing list will look very different. Take plenty of shorts, t-shirts and socks in case you need to wear more than one per day.

Are you planning to visit the Mighty 5? The number one thing you should buy and pack is an America the Beautiful Pass to save money on national park entry costs.

Here is a basic road trip packing list to get you started:

• America the Beautiful Pass – REI
• Car emergency kit – First Secure
• In case of snow – Snow Brush
• Hiking shoes – Men | Women
• Day hiking backpack – Best day bags
• Down Jacket – Men | Women

Further Reading: The essential road trip packing list

Where To Stay On Your Utah Road Trip

Let’s take a summarized look at the top rated hotels in the most popular Utah road trip destinations to help get you organized. Don’t forget you can click the links below to read complete hotel guides on our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere .

Each hotel listed below is a hotel we have either stayed at or would stay at because they have excellent ratings.

Springdale (Zion)

• Cable Mountain Lodge
• Red Rock Inn
• Watchman Villas

Further Reading: The best hotels in Springdale UT

Bryce Canyon City and Tropic (Bryce Canyon)

• Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
• Bryce Canyon Log Cabins
• Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn Bryce Canyon

Further Reading: Where to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park

Torrey (Capitol Reef)

• Capitol Reef Resort
• Broken Spur Inn
• Red Sands Hotel

Further Reading: Best places to stay near Capitol Reef National Park

Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)

• Aarchway Inn Moab Utah
• My Place Hotel Moab Utah
• Hoodoo Moab Utah

Further Reading: Where to stay in Moab Utah

• La Quinta Kanab Utah
• Kanab Suites In Kanab Utah
• Canyons Boutique Hotel Kanab Utah

Further Reading: Best places to stay in Kanab UT

Camping Special

Are you planning to camp during your Utah road trip?

We’ve teamed up with The Dyrt to offer our readers an exclusive no strings attached 30 day free trial with The Dyrt PRO .

This is our favorite camping app because it helps you find the best campgrounds along your specific driving route with benefits including no booking fees and free camping spots.

You can also use a fantastic new feature called Dyrt Alerts to receive notifications when sold out campgrounds have cancellations so you can snag near-impossible spots.

In Conclusion

Utah is home to some of the most scenic and exciting road trip routes in the US. Unique rock formations, dramatic canyons and adventurous hiking trails make Utah the perfect road trip destination for hikers, photographers and lovers of nature. It’s great for solo travelers, couples, groups and families alike.

After exploring most of the US, we can confidently say that Utah is one of our favorite states to visit. Hiking and landscape photography are our two favorite things to do when we travel, and Utah has both in abundance!

More Road Trips

• Las Vegas to Death Valley day trip
• Kancamagus Highway fall road trip
• Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip
• New England fall road trip
• San Francisco to San Diego road trip
• Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip
• South Dakota road trip
• Best road trips in the USA
• Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip

Want more Utah content?  Head over to our Utah Travel Guides to explore the Mighty Five national parks and beyond.

We hope this Utah road trips guide helps with planning your visit to the Beehive State!

Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the routes in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

Enjoy This Utah Road Trips Guide? Pin It For Your Visit!

Note : This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

13 thoughts on “10 Best Utah Road Trips: Unique Itineraries + Maps”

Dear Mark and Kristen, my boyfriend and I are thinking of having a 3-week vacation (we are coming all the way from Europe so less doesn’t really make sense for us) doing the classic national parks road trip in Utah and Arizona at the end of May. We are planning 2 days in each park (1 in Capitol Reef), and around 4 days in Kanab and Page each, trying to see and do as much as possible as most likely we will never come back to that part of the world again. We love hiking and active holidays, but we are not extreme hikers and we are not going to do the most challenging (even if they are the most famous) trails such as Angels Landing, the Narrows, or the Wave. I extensively used your website picking out the best trails and things to do and trying to estimate how much time is needed for each 🙂 The rough plan is this:

Day 1 – travel from Europe, arrive in Las Vegas the evening Day 2 – Valley of Fire, evening drive to Springdale Day 3 – Zion main canyon (Emerald pools & Kayenta trails, Watchman trail, Riverside walk, Zion Canyon overlook) Day 4 – Zion Colob canyons, evening drive to Kanab Day 5-7 – Kanab guided day tours to 1) Grand Canyon North Rim Toroweap Viewpoint, 2) White Pocket, 3) Peekaboo Slot Canyon, The White Wave, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, 4) Grand Staircase Escalante Day 8 – Kanab guided day tour (see above), evening drive to Bryce Canyon city Day 9 – Bryce canyon (Scenic drive viewpoints, Fairyland loop trail, Queen’s garden & Navajo loop trails) Day 10 – Bryce canyon (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Torrey Day 11 – Capitol reef, afternoon/evening drive to Moab Day 12-14 – Arches (Delicate Arch trail, Devil’s garden trail, Balanced Rock, Park Avenue trails, The Windows trail & Double arch) and Canyonlands (Island in the sky, Mesa Arch, Grand View point, Green river overlook, Needles/Chesler Park loop trail) Day 15 – Arches/Canyonlands (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Mexican hat/Monument valley Day 16 – Monument and Mystery valley full day Navajo guided tour OR Monument valley half-day guided tour and Natural Bridges national monument, evening drive to Page Day 17-19 – Page (Upper & Lower Antelope canyons guided tours, Secret Antelope Canyon guided tour & Horseshoe bend outlook, Antelope Canyon X guided tour, Navajo canyon boat tour, Horseshoe bend rafting tour, Paria Rimrocks Toadstool Hoodoos) Day 20 – Page (see above), afternoon/evening drive to Grand Canyon village Day 21-22 – Grand Canyon South Rim (all viewpoints, beginning of Bright Angel trail, South Rim trail, Shoshone point trail) Day 23 – morning drive to Las Vegas Day 24 – Las Vegas Day 25 – morning travel back to Europe

As you can see, the ideal plan is a bit longer than 3 weeks and we will have only 22 days (including traveling to/from Europe, which uses up 2 whole days). So we will have to cut 3 days our of our plan, and we are not sure what to sacrifice. I’m thinking the following: – 1 day in Valley of Fire → instead combine as day trip from Las Vegas on day 24 – 1 day in Kanab → which of the 4 tours do you think is the least interesting? – 1 day in Page → scrap Navajo canyon boat tour and Horseshoe bend rafting tour? Is there anything else you would suggest?

In addition, I wanted to ask if it’s worth visiting Natural Bridges national monument compared to all the other sites, and if a full day Navajo guided tour of Monument and Mystery valleys is worth it?

We will appreciate any advice that you can give us!

Hi Petia, thanks for getting in touch and we are more than happy to help. This sounds like an amazing travel plan but let’s trim it a bit so you can make it work.

To answer you final questions first:

1. Valley of Fire – If you don’t mind losing that last day in Vegas, then you can definitely do Valley of Fire as a day trip on your last day. But if you want the day in Vegas, you should still include Valley of Fire early in your itinerary because it is unique. We recommend trying to arrive at Fire Wave Trail as early as possible because sunrise here is the park’s top highlight. 2. Kanab – They all sound great, but we would skip Grand Staircase because the others have the best balance. Kanab is a nice little town. 3. Page – It sounds like you are more interested in the canyons, so yes skip the rafting and boat tour. It doesn’t take long to see Horseshoe Bend from the overlook. You will end up with a lot of spare time in Page because the canyon tours don’t take long. Maybe look around Lake Powell or hike a portion of Buckskin Gulch. 4. We haven’t been to Natural Bridges yet. It looks great but you can get a similar theme at all the national parks in Utah, so we would skip it. We have been to Monument Valley and we drove the self guided tour, which was cool but again we would skip this if we were doing your trip. You can see Monument Valley from the main road you will drive anyway. Tip – Monument Valley is best seen early in the day if driving from Moab to Page which you are.

That is 3 full days saved already (or 4 if you decide to combine VoF into your last day in Vegas). Here are our other tips:

1. By skipping the 4th tour in Kanab, you can travel to Bryce Canyon on the morning of Day 8, spend the day hiking and driving the scenic roads, watch sunset, stay over and then watch sunrise in the morning. There’s not much else to do and Bryce is small so you can leave early on Day 9, spend 6-8 hours in Capitol Reef and drive to Moab. It would be a long day but it would also save another full day on your itinerary. 2. You have loads of time for Arches and Canyonlands. If you wanted to, you could probably save a day at Arches by doing Devils Garden Trail, Windows, Park Avenue and Delicate Arch in one day. That’s Arches done. Canyonlands isn’t as easy because it is split into regions but unless you plan to go hiking long distances, you won’t need much time there either, you can do Mesa Arch, Green River and Grand View in a few hours. So overall for Moab you could save a day. Probably skip Dead Horse State Park because it is another $20 and is similar to Canyonlands. 3. Two days is more than enough time for Grand Canyon South Rim if you don’t intend on hiking down into the canyon. You can see the viewpoints on both Desert View Drive as you enter Grand Canyon and Hermit Road in one day. So again, you could save time here if necessary.

If you haven’t already got one, definitely buy an America the Beautiful Pass for $80 which will get you into all National Parks on your trip.

There are plenty of places you can cut or save, but it will depend on exactly what you both want to do. You will also need some downtime because this is a full on adventure! The driving and hiking gets tiring after a few weeks, so you might end up needing a half day to relax and take it easy.

Hope this helps but if you have any more questions send us an email which you can find on our Contact Page. Have a great trip!

Thank you so much for the feedback, we will definitely consider your advice! I find it very difficult to estimate how much time is needed for each park, probably they could be done in shorter time as you said, but we also need downtime between intense days as you said 🙂

Hello. If you had to choose between taking a Utah road trip in the spring months of April or May vs the end of October, which would you choose? We would like to see Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and go on into Arizona for the Grand Canyon. Thanks for your help!

Hi Jane, both Spring and Fall are the best times to visit the Utah/Arizona parks so either time will be great. We personally prefer traveling the US southwest in Autumn, through September and October. However, if you are only able to do the very end of October, you may run a risk of temperatures cooling significantly in the morning and at night as you approach November (sunrise / sunset photography, long day hikes). If you are able to go in April or early – mid May, you are more likely to see more comfortable conditions for hiking (late May onward can be challenging for hiking with heat). Late October would also mean you may just about miss Utah’s considerable fall colors. With that said, hotels in Springdale, Moab and Grand Canyon will likely be more affordable in late Oct than in May. Finally, it’s impossible to avoid crowds in these parks, but late October will likely be slightly less busy than April / May. The balance between crowds, cost and weather is similar at either time. If you can make it slightly earlier in Oct, we’d say go for that, otherwise the beginning of May. April can have extreme weather in the US Southwest, which is something else to consider. Have a fantastic time whichever season you choose!

We’re planning a trip round trip Vegas through southwest Utah national parks to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We’ve got two weeks. How would you split the time and what are the best roads to take. We’d like to see Bryce, Hoseshoe Bend, Arches, Canyonlands, up through Salt Lake City to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. We don’t hike as we’re seniors but love photography. Any assistance would be appreciated. It’s feels so overwhelming! Btw….your website is fabulous!

Hi Marie – sounds like a fantastic trip and we know how overwhelming it can be with so many amazing places to see in just two weeks. You’re right to avoid Zion, it is a wonderful place but is more of an adventure hiking park. When visiting Horseshoe Bend in Page, you might want to try nearby Antelope Canyon if you can book a slot for a photography tour. If you’re planning sunrise photography – Bryce Canyon amphitheater, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and Mormon Row / Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton are our top 3 recommendations for your trip. Grand Teton is extremely photogenic and we’re sure your cameras will get a serious workout here! You’ll have an action packed driving itinerary here but this is roughly how we would do it:

D1 – Bryce, D2 – Bryce sunrise, drive to Page and HS Bend, D3 – Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and arrive in Moab, D4 – Arches, D5 – Canyonlands, D6 – Drive to Salt Lake City, D7 – Morning in SLC and Drive to Jackson, D8 and D9 – Grand Teton, D10, 11, 12 – Yellowstone, D13 and D14 – Long drive back to Vegas, maybe break it up in SLC.

Roads – 89, 163 Monument Valley, 191, 6, 89 through Afton, 191 again through Yellowstone, then 20 and I-15 back to Vegas.

Hope this helps but let us know if you need any more info and have the best trip!

Hi! Could you please share your itinirerary from google maps? It isn’t loading anymore! Thanks!

Hi Agnes, thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear you can’t load the map. Just checked and I can load all maps on both mobile and desktop on my end. I’ll shoot you an email to see if we can get the map working for you!

Thank you so much! It works for me now. We are planning to do the mighty 5 and do a big counter clockwise loop, and was wondering what you think the best order/road is. We are planning to start from the Grand Canyon and to finish with Zion and drive back to LA from there.

Perfect, glad it’s working. Sure, from Grand Canyon, drive to Page, AZ and do Horseshoe Bend / Antelope Canyon, then onto Monument Valley. Head up to Moab for Arches and Canyonlands, from Moab take UT-24 down into Capitol Reef, then drive the stunning UT-12 through Escalante to Bryce Canyon (don’t miss this one). Down US-89 to Zion / Springdale and maybe end with a night in Vegas?!! Have a great trip!

Omg Utah is now definatley on my bucket list to visit now.

That’s what we like to hear! Utah is an awesome US road trip destination Graham!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest in travel straight to your inbox

Click here to subscribe

The 8 best road trips in Utah

Jun 23, 2022 • 6 min read

With roads that encircle mountains and navigate red-rock canyons, Utah is a driver's dream © DanielGonzalezPhoto / Shutterstock

Utah is world famous for its red-rock arches and deep canyons – and as with many things in life, the journey across the Beehive State adds up to much more than any singular landmark.

Since you’ll be driving through one of America's most beautiful states, you can expect jaw-dropping views. Thankfully, many of these vistas can be accessed through paved highways, scenic drives and roadside viewpoints. While most of Utah’s best road trips are easily accessible by car, some require at least all-wheel-drive crossovers or high-clearance 4x4 vehicles.

To really get to know this state, fuel up, roll down the windows and hit the road. Here are the best road trips in Utah.

The essential Utah road trip is Scenic Byway 12

Panguitch to Torrey; 122 miles; half a day

If you take only one road trip in Utah, make it this one. Along this route, you can experience much of what the state is famous for in a single afternoon.

Highlights include two red-rock tunnels, Dixie National Forest and its nearly two million acres of pinyon pine and desert landscapes, a summit overlook from 9000ft, and nearby access to four of Utah’s greatest natural treasures: Zion , Bryce , Grand Staircase  and Capitol Reef National Parks.

With plenty of shops and stops along the way, you can easily make a day of it – or even a couple weeks of if you stop off to thoroughly explore the parks.

Get Jurassic on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy

Starting and ending in Vernal; 512 miles; 1–3 days

Millions of years ago, Utah was part of a coastal floodplain that was rich in flora and fauna. Evidence of those animals comes in the form of footprints and fossils buried in the state’s desert cliffs and rocky outcroppings, traces visitors can seek out today.

To see it all, there’s no better route than the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy . Starting and ending in the beautiful town of Vernal, this epic route travels in a diamond shape through Utah and a little of Colorado along I-70, US 6, US 40, and US 191, among others.

Highlights include the fossil quarry at Dinosaur National Monument , Flaming Gorge, Jones Hole, Fantasy Canyon, and Canyonlands and Arches National Parks in Moab.

You’ll have a Hollywood backdrop along Monument Valley Hwy 163

Mexican Hat to Monument Valley; 45 miles; half a day

Dozens of big movies, including one Academy Award winner, have been shot in Monument Valley . Arguably the greatest backdrop in cinematic history, this road trip will leave you feeling like a character in Stagecoach .

For the most impressive views, travel south from Mexican Hat, take pictures of the sombrero-shaped rock and “Forrest Gump Point” then drop into Monument Valley for even more surreal photography.

While you can easily complete the route in under two hours, you’ll want to plan extra time for side trips and connecting byways such as Hwy 276.

Head over the mountains on the Mirror Lake Scenic Hwy

Kamas to the border of Wyoming; 42 miles; half a day

Less than two hours from Salt Lake City , Mirror Lake Hwy is one of the most popular mountain driving routes in the state. Heading east from Kamas, the paved drive takes you through the High Uinta Wilderness, one of the state’s best-kept secrets .

Highlights include Upper Provo Falls, the photogenic Mirror Lake, Bald Mountain Pass, Christmas Meadows trailhead, as well as numerous overlooks, picnic areas and campsites along the way. It’s also the ideal place to experience fall foliage.

Hit the road to hit all of Utah’s “Mighty 5”

Arches National Park to Zion National Park; 1040 miles; 10 days

Nowhere else in the country – if not the world – will you find a higher concentration of national parks than in Southern Utah. And this ultimate route will get you to them all – and then some.

Starting in Moab at Arches National Park, the route works its way east through Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion. Since there’s no direct way to do all this, however, it makes more sense to stop at other parks along the way, including Monument Valley, Goblin Valley and Kodachrome Basin . Whatever way you make the trip, you can look forward to the full scope of Utah’s natural wonders.

Introducing Utah’s national parks

Expect stunning views – and white-knuckle curves – along Moki Dugway

Mexican Hat to Natural Bridges National Monument; 34 miles; half a day

This might be one of the most white-knuckle car rides in America. With hairpin turns and an elevation gain of over 1000ft, this graded dirt road is best driven north toward  Natural Bridges National Monument .

You can look forward to truly exceptional vistas . While at the top, take a detour west to see stunning Muley Point, which overlooks the deep canyons of the San Juan River. Other highlights include an overlook of Valley of the Gods and its stunning buttes and stone pinnacles. If not traveling to Natural Bridges, this is also a wonderful out and back drive by car.

Follow the switchbacks from Potash to White Rim Rd

Moab to Island in the Sky Visitor’s Center; 32 miles; half a day

If you thought Moki Dugway was treacherous, wait till you drive this one. To save the best for last, drive north from Moab on Hwy 191, then turn south on Hwy 279 to snake around the Colorado River, Corona Arch and nearby rock-climbing cliffs and petroglyphs.

From there, turn west onto Potash Rd to make your way through Dead Horse Point and into Canyonlands National Park before finally ascending the towering Shafer Trail switchbacks to the Island in the Sky Visitor’s Center.

Although some cars are capable of this dirt drive, you’ll want at least an all-wheel-drive vehicle with higher-than-normal clearance. If in doubt about your vehicle’s capability, you can always go back the way you came.

Hop in a 4x4 to take the Cathedral Valley Scenic Backway

Cathedral Road to Hartnet Road; 72 miles (with detours); half a day

To see the half of Capitol Reef National Park that few people ever visit (and it’s the better half), you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance. The reward is significant: castle-like sandstone formations, panoramic desert views and (usually) not another person in sight.

The region’s unique features were formed over millions of years of erosion, leaving behind sculpted monoliths striated with the layers of time. For the full experience, get a permit and camp out under the starry skies. Full route details can be found here .

This article was first published June 2021 and updated June 2022

Explore related stories

Sustainable Travel

Apr 29, 2024 • 11 min read

Step away from the gas pump and strap on your seat belt: these are the best US road trips for electric vehicles.

Apr 23, 2024 • 9 min read

Apr 22, 2024 • 13 min read

Apr 18, 2024 • 7 min read

Apr 15, 2024 • 10 min read

Apr 14, 2024 • 8 min read

Apr 10, 2024 • 6 min read

Mar 29, 2024 • 6 min read

Mar 15, 2024 • 10 min read

Mar 11, 2024 • 8 min read

15 Places You Must Visit on a Utah Road Trip

I still can’t believe all of this is in one state! Utah was one of my favorite trips of the year . This state is incredible and completely blew me away. A Utah road trip is the best way to see all the state has to offer, especially for anyone who loves the outdoors.

Here are the 15 best things to do in Utah on a road trip including a map to make it easier to plan your trip. This list includes national parks, Instagrammable places, hot springs, and more, so get ready for a Utah road trip adventure!

Table of Contents

Map for an Epic Utah Road Trip

Utah is an amazing state with so many options to see that you could easily spend weeks exploring. Use this map to plan out your road trip in Utah and to figure out the best order for your trip.

The Ultimate Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Below you can find the best stops for a Utah road trip, but if you are looking for a full Utah road trip itinerary, I wanted to show you how we managed to fit so much into a 7 day Utah road trip. More information on each of our stops is below in my top 15 list.

Day 1: Salt Lake City

On the first day, we flew into Salt Lake City late and stayed in the Grand America Hotel . We enjoyed dinner at Zest Kitchen and Bar and met the group including the team from Instasize .

Day 2: Bonneville Salt Flats and Park City

Day 2 started early with sunrise at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Then we headed to Park City and checked into Stein Erikson Lodge where we had lunch at the Glitretind Restaurant. We spent the afternoon exploring Park City and the ski areas and then met up again for dinner at Fletcher’s .

Day 3: Little Sahara, Mystic Hot Springs, Pando Aspens

Day 3 was filled with photo ops at some of the most Instagrammable places in Utah. We started the morning at Little Sahara taking pictures on some epic sand dunes. Then we enjoyed the late afternoon sun soaking in the Mystic Hot Springs.

We ended the evening among the aspens in Pando where we also started the next morning with an early photo shoot. Our hotel for the night was the nearby Fish Lake Lodge.

Day 4: Moab & Arches National Park

On day 4 we headed to Moab where we had lots of adventures. We stayed at Sorrel River Ranch for our time in Moab and enjoyed lunch there our first day. That afternoon we hiked to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park and drove through the park to enjoy the views. After our hike, we deserved our carb heavy dinner at Pasta Jay’s .

The hotel is a little more on the expensive side but from the food to the property views, it was so worth it!

Day 5: Hot Air Balloon Ride, ATV Tour, Dead Horse Point

We started day 5 with an incredible hot air balloon ride over Moab and the surrounding areas. After our ride, we stopped for brunch before our next adventure.

That afternoon we took off on ATVs to explore Hell’s Revenge . We returned just in time to clean up and head to Dead Horse Point for sunset. Dinner that night was at Miguel’s Baja Grill .

Day 6: Arches National Park & Horseback Riding

Day 6 started with a little bit of down time to recover from our adventures. We stayed around Sorrel River Ranch, exploring the property for the morning.

Later in the day we headed back to Arches National Park to drive through the park and stop at Balanced Rock and Park Ave. Trail. Then it was back to Sorrel River Ranch for a sunset horseback ride.

Day 7: Back to Salt Lake City

On our final day, we headed back to Salt Lake City where I spent some time with friends before flying home. It was a busy week, but such an amazing trip. It definitely makes me want to go back and see more of Utah in the future!

If you’re not into booking an expensive hotel room, I also love booking my stays through Airbnb ! Since I love to cook, I prefer having a kitchen so be able to come back to. There’s is no better feeling than unwinding in with your coziest sweats, netflix and a home-cooked meal!

Best Stops for a Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Now that you have the itinerary, it’s time to get into the details of our one week Utah road trip. With so much to see in Utah and everything so spread out, the best way to see the state is on a road trip.

If you plan to do a road trip through Utah, you can use a 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive vehicle. A 4-wheel drive gives you more options to explore if you want to go off road. Some areas and roads are marked 4-wheel drive only. In the national parks especially, there are 4-wheel drive only roads you can explore. If you plan to rent a car, pick a 4-wheel drive to keep all the options open.

Now to plan your road trip through Utah. Here are the top 15 places to see in Utah that you won’t want to miss!

The Mighty 5 Utah National Parks

No trip to Utah is complete without visiting the Mighty 5 National Parks in Utah. These parks are beautiful and diverse, making them the perfect road trip stops.

As a bonus, they are laid out in a way that makes it easy to drive between them. Most of the parks can be explored in a day if needed, but you may want to spend more time in them if possible.

The national parks are open 24 hours a day, but fees are charged from close to sunrise to close to sunset. If you enter the park before sunrise but leave before sunset, they charge you the fee when you exit the park.

If you plan to visit multiple parks in a year, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass for $80. This pass is valid for more than 2000 parks across the country. The year starts the day you purchase the pass, so purchase it the first time you have to pay an entry fee.

There is also a Southeast Utah Park Pass good for Arches, Canyonlands, and the National Bridges National Monuments for one month for $55. Depending on your itinerary, this may be a good option for you.

#2: Zion National Park

Hours: Open 24 hours a day but fees are charged from around sunrise to sunset Cost: 7 day pass is $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per individual Location: Zion National Park

We missed going to Zion National Park on this trip, but it is on my bucket list for next time I go to Utah. It has a totally different landscape than Arches National Park and a crazy hike called Angel’s Landing.

Angel’s Landing is one of the top things to do in Zion National Park, but the hike is a scary one if you have a fear of heights. The trail is 5.4 miles or 8.7 km, but the last part of it is along a steep and narrow ridge. The view at the end is supposed to be worth it if you can get through the hike.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by RENEE HAHNEL✨ Nature + Travel (@reneeroaming) on May 3, 2017 at 9:05pm PDT

Another popular hike at Zion National Park is The Narrows. The Narrows is visible all year from the Riverside Walk which is a paved and accessible trail. If you want a closer look, you can hike up the Virgin River.

If you plan to hike up the river itself, make sure to take appropriate clothing and shoes for the hike. Make sure to also check the current conditions before starting the hike.

If the river is too high such as when the snow melts in spring or if there is a flash flood warning, The Narrows is closed for safety. Check the current conditions for hikes in Zion including The Narrows here .

The views from the roads through the park look amazing. I definitely need to get back to Utah and check out Zion National Park!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by RENEE HAHNEL✨ Nature + Travel (@reneeroaming) on Mar 27, 2018 at 12:00pm PDT

#4 Capitol Reef National Park

Hours: Open 24 hours a day but fees are charged from around sunrise to sunset Cost: 7 day pass is $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per individual Location: Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is another national park in Utah perfect for a quick stop and good views driving through. If you want to try a moderate hike, check out Cohab Canyon for some hidden canyon views.

Cassidy Arch and Hickman Bridge are two other popular hikes that are not rated as easy. If you are looking for an easier hike, try the Grand Wash trail.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by RENEE HAHNEL✨ Nature + Travel (@reneeroaming) on Apr 15, 2018 at 8:42pm PDT

#5 Canyonlands National Park

Hours: Open 24 hours a day but fees are charged from around sunrise to sunset Cost: 7 day pass is $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per individual Location: Canyonlands National Park

We missed out on Canyonlands, but the photos of the park look amazing! Make sure to stop and see Mesa Arch as it is one of the most famous photo spots in the park. It is in the Islands in the Sky District, and there are plenty of amazing views to enjoy in that area of the park too. Check out Grand View Point, Green River Overlook, Shafer Canyon Overlook, and Buck Canyon Overlook while you are there.

Then head over to the Needles District to see a different side of the park. Check out Elephant Hill and the trails nearby as well as Wooden Shoe Arch Overlook.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by RENEE HAHNEL✨ Nature + Travel (@reneeroaming) on Jan 12, 2019 at 9:51am PST

Best Day Trips from Salt Lake City

If you plan to make Salt Lake City the base for your trip, there is plenty to see and do nearby. Take some day trips out and explore more than just the city to see the diversity in landscapes Utah offers.

# 6 Bonneville Salt Flats

Hours: Open 24 hours a day Cost: FREE! Location: Bonneville Salt Flats

From burning orange rocks in the national parks to salt flats stretching over 30,000 acres, Utah offers so many different views. Bonneville Salt Flats is located just off Exit 4 on Interstate 80 in Utah, just before reaching the Nevada state line. It’s approximately a 1.5 hour drive west of  Salt Lake City . 

It was an early wake-up call to get there in time for sunrise, but oh man was it ever worth it. We had the place completely to ourselves!

If you’re planning on going for sunrise, dress warm. Before the sun comes up over the mountains the temperature is freezing! We packed a mini picnic of blankets, pastries and hot cocoa – a perfect way to keep cozy!

Fun Fact: The formation of the Salt Flats began at the end of the last Ice Age, when the waters of ancient Lake Bonneville began to recede.

Visiting is free and you can drive right onto the Salt Flats itself (do not drive on the salt flats when they are wet or flooded from precipitation though).

# 7 Little Sahara

Hours: Open 24 hours a day Cost: $18 per vehicle good for one night of camping and expiring at dusk on the second day Location: Little Sahara Recreational Area

From one landscape to another, Little Sahara made me feel like I was back in Namibia! Little Sahara sits 115 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, less than a two-hour drive.

Once again, we arrived and had the entire dunes to ourselves! We arrived mid-day and spend a few hours shooting and running down the dunes.

If you enjoy camping, there are a few campgrounds, and your pass includes one night of camping in the park. Lots of people bring their ATVs and spend time camping and riding the dunes in the park.

#8 Park City

Location: Park City, Utah

Park City, Utah, is just a 40 minute drive from Salt Lake City. While it makes for an easy day trip from Salt Lake City, Park City is worth a few nights if you have the time.

In the winter, Park City is a popular ski destination. For a couple of weeks each winter, the city also becomes a popular spot for celebrities as new movies premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

Whether you visit in the summer or winter, check out the Olympic Legacy Park. Here you can zip line down a mountain or take a ride on a bobsled or skeleton. Athletes train here even in the summer, so chances are you can watch some practice.

If you visit in the winter, hit the slopes at the many ski resorts nearby. Some of the best slopes are at Deer Valley, Snowbird, and Alta.

Best Things to do in Moab, Utah

Moab has to be one of my favorite places in Utah. It left me completely speechless, and when you see my list of things to do in Moab, you will know why. Take your sense of adventure with you because Moab is made for outdoor adventures from hot air balloons to off-roading in a Jeep or ATV.

Make plenty of room in your schedule to spend time in Moab. With Arches National Park nearby, Moab deserves a few days of your time. We stayed at Sorrel River Ranch, and I’m so glad we had a few days to see the area.

#9: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride over Moab

One of our mornings in Moab, we woke up early for a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. We went with Sorrel River Ranch , and it was so worth the early wake up. It always is!

The views from above the arches and formations surrounding Moab make for amazing views. It felt like we stepped back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth! Definitely a highlight of my time in Utah!

#10: ATV Adventure in Hell’s Revenge

Moab is known to adventure seekers as having some of the best off roading, and Hell’s Revenge is one of the most popular trails. We hopped on ATVs and took off on an adventure I won’t forget.

The area is popular with Jeep Wranglers, but you can also rent other ATVs to use on the trails. We spent a few hours out there, and I loved it!

#11: Dead Horse Point

Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $20 per vehicle, $10 for motorcycles, $4 per person on foot or on bicycle Location: Dead Horse Point

Dead Horse Point is one of Utah’s most spectacular state parks with views that go one for miles. The viewpoint features a dramatic overlook of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park.

Sunset was the perfect time to visit, it is so pretty with the sunlight fading and painting the canyon in color. I love how you can see the layers of colors through the canyon.

Jake Nackos , who is an insanely talented photography we worked with on this trip, captured some amazing photos from Dead Horse Point. It was way too hard for me to narrow down the ones he shared with me, so here they are. Make sure to go show him some love on his Instagram here .

#12: Horseback Riding in Moab

Book a sunset horseback ride with Sorrel River Ranch. If you go to Moab, it is the perfect place to stay and has so many options for Moab experiences. The area we rode was beautiful, and the golden lighting made it even more perfect.

If you’re a Westworld fan, we actually rode right around the rock. It’s insane and was definitely one of the highlights of my trip!

Best Places to Go in Southern Utah

Utah has so much to explore, and the southern part of the state is where you can find plenty of outdoor activities. From hot springs to aspen forests to national parks, Utah’s southern half is made for adventure!

#13: Mystic Hot Springs

Hours: Open 24 hours a day Cost: $15 for 6 hours (overnight accommodations available) Location: Mystic Hot Springs

This was one of my favorite places in Utah perfect for photos and a few minutes of relaxing on your Utah road trip. Mystic Hot Springs has two concrete pools and six vintage cast iron bathtubs to soak in when you visit.

Mystic Hot Springs is located just south of the center of Utah and not far from Capitol Reef National Park. It is about two and half hours south of Salt Lake City.

Spend a few hours relaxing in the tubs and soaking in the mineral waters. Sunset is the perfect time to visit, but stay and watch the stars come out too if you have time. They even have concerts here sometimes! Book your passes in advance here .

FYI some of the tops are REALLY HOT! I’m talking like 104 F hot! Clearly I was not warned (see below!) hahah

If you’re going for photos there try to be discrete. We were a group of 10 people and 4 cameras, which was a bit overwhelming for the owners to understand it was just for Instagram and not a commercial shoot.

I always recommend speaking to the owners first to ask if it would be okay. Show them your account and explain that you’re a tourist taking photos. I’ve never had anyone say no as it’s free promotion for them, but they will really appreciate being asked.

#14: Pando Aspen Grove

Hours: Open 24 hours a day Cost: $15 for 6 hours (overnight accommodations available) Location: Pando Aspen Grove

Located between Capitol Reef National Park and Mystic Hot Springs, the Pando Apsen Grove is a beautiful area and another perfect photo spot. The grove is in Fishlake National Forest , one mile southwest of Fish Lake.

Pandos are also known as the trembling giant. Pando is an enormous grove of quaking aspens that take the “forest as a single organism” metaphor literally. These beautiful trees make for a perfect backdrop for photos and a beautiful drive.

Why Everyone Needs to Take a Utah Road Trip

Utah is amazing. As far as road trips in the US go, this is one of the best states to explore. If you love the outdoors, there are adventures everywhere. If you love great backdrops for your Instagram feed, it has that too.

Have you ever taken a road trip through Utah? Anything else I missed and need to add to my list? If not, where were some of your favorite road trips? I’m always looking for more places to add to my list!

If you’re looking for something a little more unique for your stays I love booking through Airbnb . Especially when road tripping you can even find place to go glamping or an RV park.

(Just past the pins I’ve added more of the photos I loved from Utah, so make sure to check them out!)

Like this post? Pin it for later and share it with others!

More Photo Inspiration from Jake Nackos from Our Utah Road Trip!

Check out Jake on Instagram more more photo inspiration!

Sharing is caring!

You may also enjoy:

My 2018 goals, best cafes in bali: a complete food …, travel photography gear – what’s in my …, 13 epic places for your road trip bucket ….

Thanks for this great article!!! Utah is one of my favorite state to visit and I haven’t been to some of the places you listed!! I live in Las Vegas so it’s the perfect day trip destination ✌🏻

Definitely the coolest state I’ve visited by far! You’re so lucky you’re so close by

Incredibly helpful tips – can’t wait for the Canadian borders to open up so I can take a trip here. Thank you for taking time to share 🙂 Can I ask what camera/lens you shot with for all of these photos?

Yesss honestly this was supposed to be the year of roadtrips. I wish we were able to travel within Canada and the US more easily by land. I brought 2 lenses with me 24-70mm f/2.8 and my 70-200mm f/2.8

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from lisa homsy.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Utah National Park Road Trips With Scenic Stops

• There are plenty of scenic Utah national park road trip routes, especially since the state offers unique national parks with dramatic formations like arches, bridges, and canyons.
• Invest in an America the Beautiful Parks pass for $80 to save on entry fees at multiple park sites.
• Explore themed national park road trip itineraries in Utah, with routes featuring multiple park stops all in one trip.

Utah is one of the top destinations in the US for outdoor adventurers, home to many of America's bucket list hiking trails . With five national parks and 11 other national park sites (including national monuments, recreation areas, and conservation areas), it's no surprise some of the most bucket-list-worthy national park road trips take place in Utah.

Utah's national park sites protect some of the most unusual formations in the world. Hoodoos, natural bridges, mineral caves, and sheer canyon walls are just some of the dramatic structures road trippers can expect to find on a trip around Utah. From weekend loops to treks across the state, these Utah national park road trip routes are excellent ways to explore the national park sites in the Beehive State.

For those worried about the price tag of a national park road trip, consider investing in an America the Beautiful Parks pass , one of the best ways to visit national parks for cheap all year long. At $80, the pass grants free entry for the pass holder and their passengers to all NPS, BLM, and USDA Forest Service sites for one year, which can save a lot for those who visit parks often.

10 Dog-Friendly State Parks In Utah

Arches & bridges of utah, national park sites visited: 4.

Arches National Park may host the highest concentration of natural arches and bridges in the world, but there are actually three national park sites in Utah dedicated to these natural formations. Both Natural Bridges National Monument and Rainbow Bridge National Monument also protect one-of-a-kind arch formations, and they combine nicely with Arches National Park for a themed Utah national park road trip itinerary.

Starting in Moab with Arches National Park, Utah road trippers move south towards Natural Bridges National Monument. This is where the road trip takes a bit of a turn. Rainbow Bridge National Monument is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, meaning that guests can enjoy two national park sites at once.

However, while this may be a road trip, getting to the Rainbow Arch itself won't be that easy. The only way to see one Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the world's largest natural bridges , is to catch a boat ride from Lake Powell or take the multi-day 14-mile (each way) hike through the Navajo Nation . As the last stop of this national park road trip route in Utah, these exhausting excursions may be the perfect escape from the car for a grand road trip finale.

• Road Trip Route: Moab → Arches National Park → Natural Bridges National Monument → Glen Canyon National Recreation Area/Rainbow Bridge National Monument
• Recommended Time: 3–4 days

Arches National Park is one of several US national parks that require reservations in 2024 . Be sure to visit the National Park Service website to get a timed entry reservation made ahead of time.

The Alpine Loop

National park sites visited: 2.

The Alpine Loop is a favorite for local Utahns looking for an afternoon drive, but with the right stops, this drive can easily become an exceptional national park road trip in Utah.

The entirety of the Alpine Loop is, in fact, in Uinta National Forest. Camping opportunities along the Loop, which stretches from American Fork Canyon to Provo Canyon, are plentiful, as are scenic hiking trails through the Aspen trees. The steep canyon walls also lend themselves to dramatic waterfalls, like the scenic Stewart Falls Trail .

As a Utah national park road trip, however, there is one more can't-miss stop on this weekend getaway. Timpanogos Caves National Monument in American Fork Canyon is one of Utah's most unique national park sites, requiring a moderate hike up switchbacks before reaching the caves themselves. Timpanogos Cave can only be explored as part of a tour, but the stalactites and stalagmites in the damp mountain caves are well worth the effort.

• Road Trip Route: Alpine Loop Byway (American Fork Canyon to Provo Canyon)
• Recommended Time: 1–2 days

10 Affordable Small Towns To Retire In Utah

Southeastern utah road trip, national park sites visited: 3.

There are countless scenic Utah road trips , ranging from just a few miles to all-day drives across the state. If even exploring half of the state isn't quite possible, one of the shorter Utah national park road trip itineraries through a small region may be the perfect solution. The Southeastern portion of Utah is rich in national and state park sites, ideal for a smaller-scale road trip.

Moab makes an excellent home base for this road trip, sitting just outside Arches National Park and just an hour from Goblin Valley State Park, one of the many Utah state park alternatives to Zion National Park and the perfect substitute for making the drive to the other side of the state.

At just 370 miles to drive, this loop is far more manageable for those looking for a long weekend-length road trip through Utah's national parks.

• Road Trip Route: Moab → Arches National Park → Canyonlands National Park → Goblin Valley State Park → Natural Bridges National Monument → Moab

Utah National Monuments Road Trip

National park sites visited: 8.

Utah has eight dedicated national monuments, in addition to the famous national parks. Seven of these national monuments work nicely to create one of the most unique and varied national park road trips in Utah from Salt Lake City. Following I-15 from Salt Lake to American Fork, road trippers will first detour to the Alpine loop to explore Timpanogos Cave National Monument in Uinta National Forest. A challenging hike to a mountain cave, Timpanogos Cave is the perfect first stop before heading to the rocky terrain of the rest of the trip.

The other four national monuments are in the southern portion of the state. From the ancient structures of Hovenweep National Monument to the red rocks of Cedar Breaks National Monument, this expansive road trip is a chance to explore the hidden gems of Utah, with fewer crowds but plenty of scenic national park views.

• Road Trip Route: Salt Lake City → Timpanogos Cave National Monument → Bears Ears National Monument → Hovenweep National Monument → Natural Bridges National Monument → Rainbow Bridge National Monument/Glen Canyon National Recreation Area → Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument → Cedar Breaks National Monument → Cedar City
• Recommended Time: 7–10 days

Zion National Park & Dixie National Forest Road Trip

Zion National Park is the most-visited national park in Utah and was one of the most visited national parks in the US in 2023 . Many travelers recommend spending two or even three days exploring this spectacular park, including taking several scenic drives (or hopping on the eco-friendly shuttle) through the park.

Given the time spent in Zion National Park itself, limiting additional road trip stops might be necessary. By starting in Saint George in southwestern Utah, adventurers on a Utah national park road trip itinerary with scenic stops can stop in Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and Snow Canyon State Park on their way to Zion. After spending the desired time in Zion, and potentially even taking on one of America's most dangerous hikes (Angel's Landing), the road heads north to Dixie National Forest.

One of the numerous hidden gem destinations in Utah, Dixie National Forest is full of unique attractions of its own, including an arch that travelers can drive through and Red Canyon, one of the most underrated and worthwhile places to visit in Southern Utah.

• Road Trip Route: Saint George → Snow Canyon State Park → Red Cliffs National Conservation Area → Zion National Park → Dixie National Forest
• Recommended Time: 4–6 days

Got more time? By ending in Dixie National Forest, Utah national park road trip travelers are well-positioned to add Capitol Reef and even Canyonlands National Park to the road trip itinerary.

10 Hiking Capitals Of America

Route 89 road trip: the utah stretch.

Route 89 is often considered America's most scenic road trip , and for good reason. In its entirety, Route 89 visits seven national parks and 14 national park sites between Montana and Arizona. The Utah stretch of this picturesque drive takes travelers from Kanab in Southern Utah all the way to Bear Lake on the Utah-Idaho border.

The main national parks along this road are Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, both of which have their own scenic drives and hiking trails. For those interested in going further north, views of national forests as well as opportunities to detour to major cities like Provo and Salt Lake City help balance the attractions along this one-of-a-kind Utah national park road trip route.

• Road Trip Route: Kanab → Zion National Park → Bryce Canyon National Park → Provo → Salt Lake City → Logan → Garden City/Bear Lake

Mighty 5 Utah Road Trip

National park sites visited: 5.

The five national parks in Utah are perfectly spaced for one of the best national park road trips in the US with scenic stops , and it is arguably the most popular road trip route in Utah.

Starting in Salt Lake City, travelers can point their loop toward either Zion National Park or Arches National Park. For those starting in Zion National Park, road trippers will slowly move east across Southern Utah before moving north, ending at Arches National Park and returning to Salt Lake City.

One of the great advantages of the Mighty Five road trip is the ability to add plenty of additional stops, including Snow Canyon State Park near Zion and Goblin Valley State Park near Moab and Arches.

• Road Trip Route: Salt Lake City → Zion National Park → Bryce Canyon National Park → Capitol Reef National Park → Canyonlands National Park → Arches National Park → Salt Lake City
• Recommended Time: 5–8 days

There are a variety of ways to enjoy the Mighty 5 Utah road trip. For a more linear route, travelers can start in Salt Lake and go towards Arches National Park, moving westward and ending in Zion National Park. This opens the possibility of heading to Las Vegas, Nevada instead of simply returning to Salt Lake at the end of the trip.

Please register or login to enable Dark Mode.

• Manage Preferences

Forgot your Password?

•   CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
• C7 Corvette, 2014 - 2019
• C7 General Discussion

Road trip-Oklahoma to Utah

Get notified of new replies

To Road trip-Oklahoma to Utah

I agree to receive emails from the site. I can unsubscribe anytime to withdraw my consent. Read our Privacy Policy for more info.

• ERay or Z06? 3.3k 102
• C8 Defective during Corvette Museum Delivery @ the NCM Bash 1.6k 40
• What did you do to your C7 today? 1.3M 12.2k
• Flying Roof..??? How? Electronics needed? 803 34
• Newest Last generation Vette for me. 5.1k 155

The driving distance from Utah (UT) to Oklahoma (OK) is:

1,186 miles / 1 909 km, map of driving directions from utah to oklahoma.

View a map with driving directions using your preferred map provider: Google Maps , Bing Maps , or MapQuest .

More trip calculations

• Driving Time
• Cost Of Driving
• Reverse Drive Distance
• Stopping Points
• Flight Time
• Airports in Oklahoma
• airlines flying to Oklahoma
• Nonstop Flights
• Time Difference

Driving distance from Utah to Oklahoma

The total driving distance from Utah to Oklahoma is 1,186 miles or 1 909 kilometers .

Your trip begins in the state of Utah. It ends in the state of Oklahoma.

If you are planning a road trip, you might also want to calculate the total driving time from Utah to Oklahoma so you can see when you'll arrive at your destination.

You can also calculate the cost of driving from Utah to Oklahoma based on current local fuel prices and an estimate of your car's best gas mileage.

Since this is a long drive, you might want to stop halfway and stay overnight in a hotel. You can find the city that is halfway between Utah and Oklahoma .

Planning to fly a plane instead? You might be more interested in calculating the straight line distance to fly from Utah to Oklahoma .

related links

• airports in Utah
• cities in Utah

Oklahoma (OK)

• airports in Oklahoma
• cities in Oklahoma

Driving distance calculator

Travelmath helps you find driving distances based on actual directions for your road trip. You can get the distance between cities, airports, states, countries, or zip codes to figure out the best route to travel to your destination. Combine this information with the fuel cost tool to find out how much it will cost you to drive the distance, or compare the results to the straight line distance to determine whether it's better to drive or fly. You can print out pages with a travel map.

Home  ·  About  ·  Terms  ·  Privacy

32 Best Stops Between Kanab and Moab

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

How long is the drive from Kanab to Moab?

The direct drive from Kanab to Moab is 319 mi (513 km) , and should have a drive time of 5 hrs 27 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Kanab to Moab, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park , as well as top places to visit like Pa'rus Trail Zion National Park and Zion Canyon Scenic Dr, or the ever-popular Zion Shuttle Stop 7 : Driftwood.

Top cities between Kanab and Moab

Zion national park.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Best stops along kanab to moab drive, zion shuttle stop 7 : driftwood.

Pa'rus Trail Zion National Park

Zion Canyon Scenic Dr

Angels landing.

The Narrows

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Parowan gap petroglyphs, little hollywood land: museum, trading post & chuckwagon cookout, best friends animal sanctuary, dixie national forest, the creamery, lower inspiration point.

Don’t forget to pack anything

Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

Wall Street

Bryce point, eagle point resort, mystic hot springs, goosenecks overlook trl.

• Canyonlands National Park

Colorado River & Trail Expeditions

John wesley powell river history museum, island in the sky visitor center, dead horse point state park.

All travel reservations in 1 place

Never dig through your emails again — access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place.

Corona Arch

• Arches National Park

Golf Course Rock Art Site

Landscape arch, devil's garden trailhead, top searches in moab, other popular road trips from kanab, explore nearby places.

• Green River
• Grand Junction
• Pleasant View
• Mesa (Mesa County)

All related maps of Moab

• Map of Moab
• Map of Arches National Park
• Map of La Sal
• Map of Canyonlands National Park
• Map of Thompson
• Map of Cisco
• Map of Gateway
• Map of Bedrock
• Map of Green River
• Map of Uravan
• Map of Monticello
• Map of Egnar
• Map of Mack
• Map of Nucla
• Map of Naturita
• Map of Loma
• Map of Fruita
• Map of Grand Junction
• Map of Hanksville
• Map of Blanding
• Map of Whitewater
• Map of Clifton
• Map of Hite
• Map of Palisade
• Map of Norwood
• Map of Pleasant View
• Map of Delta
• Map of Caineville
• Map of Olathe
• Map of Mesa (Mesa County)
• Map of Austin

Moab throughout the year

• Moab in January
• Moab in February
• Moab in March
• Moab in April
• Moab in May
• Moab in June
• Moab in July
• Moab in August
• Moab in September
• Moab in October
• Moab in November
• Moab in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Moab?

Get inspired for your trip to Moab with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Moab Itinerary
• 2-Day Moab Itinerary
• 3-Day Moab Itinerary
• 4-Day Moab Itinerary
• 5-Day Moab Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i drive from kanab to moab.

Yes! You can drive from Kanab to Moab.

How far is Moab from Kanab by car?

The drive from Kanab to Moab is 319 miles (513 km).

How long does it take to drive from Kanab to Moab?

Driving from Kanab to Moab should take you 5 hrs 27 mins in normal traffic.

How much would gas cost from Kanab to Moab?

Gas from Kanab to Moab would cost around $28 to $65 , depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Where should I stop on the way from Kanab to Moab?

You could check out Pa'rus Trail Zion National Park and Zion Canyon Scenic Dr, or the always popular Zion Shuttle Stop 7 : Driftwood!

What are the best cities to visit between Kanab and Moab?

People love visiting Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, among others.

What's the weather like in Kanab?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Kanab in January
• Weather in Kanab in February
• Weather in Kanab in March
• Weather in Kanab in April
• Weather in Kanab in May
• Weather in Kanab in June
• Weather in Kanab in July
• Weather in Kanab in August
• Weather in Kanab in September
• Weather in Kanab in October
• Weather in Kanab in November
• Weather in Kanab in December

What are some other road trips from Kanab?

There are plenty! Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Kanab.

• Kanab to Las Vegas drive
• Kanab to Los Angeles drive
• Kanab to San Francisco drive
• Kanab to San Diego drive
• Kanab to Page drive
• Kanab to Sedona drive
• Kanab to Grand Canyon National Park drive
• Kanab to Bryce Canyon National Park drive
• Kanab to Phoenix drive
• Kanab to Tucson drive
• Kanab to Denver drive
• Kanab to Moab drive
• Kanab to Salt Lake City drive
• Kanab to Greater Palm Springs drive
• Kanab to Santa Fe drive
• Kanab to Colorado Springs drive
• Kanab to Yosemite National Park drive
• Kanab to Albuquerque drive
• Kanab to Williams drive
• Kanab to Yellowstone National Park drive
• Kanab to the Death Valley National Park drive
• Kanab to Monterey drive
• Kanab to the Monument Valley drive
• Kanab to Santa Barbara drive
• Kanab to St. George drive
• Kanab to Durango drive
• Kanab to Anaheim drive
• Kanab to Overton drive
• Kanab to Carlsbad drive
• Kanab to Taos drive

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

DESTINATIONS

Influencer Tips

United States

national parks

Perfect Arizona Utah Road Trip – Bucket List Southwest Itinerary

Nov 1, 2023

Your Influencer Coach & Fellow Content Creator

I'm a travel creator and influencer coach based out of Arizona. This blog is where I share the best itineraries for US & beyond, 63 US National Parks , and influencer tips . Read More About Me ⟶

Popular Posts

How Much to Charge for a Sponsored Instagram Post

How the Instagram Algorithm Works in 2024

Utah National Parks Ranked Best to Worst

Amazing Things To Do in Scottsdale, AZ

Free Class: How to Get Paid as a Travel Influencer

Imagine a world with endless sunrises and sunsets that are so beautiful they leave you feeling enchanted and unworthy of their presence all at the same time (kidding). The only world capable of this magical kind of spell is the USA Southwest. And if you’ve never been to this part of the States before, there’s no better introduction to some Southwest magic than a proper Arizona Utah road trip. 

As an Arizona resident, I’ve done a Phoenix to Utah road trip or two or ten, and I am so excited to present you with the ultimate AZ, UT itinerary!

Who knows, maybe you’ll love it so much that you’ll find yourself moving here ;). 

This trip is special because it it comprised of a Utah National Parks road trip and a Phoenix to Sedona to Grand Canyon National Park trip—both of which I have blogs on!

Let’s not waste any more time! Before getting into the Utah Arizona road trip itinerary, I want to take a minute to discuss a few planning “must-knows.”

📌 Save this to Pinterest!

Disclaimer: Hey explorer! This post contains affiliate links which means I earn a small percentage of each purchase made through my links. I only ever recommend products I believe in and appreciate your support if you decide to use my links—thank you!

FREE CLASS: Get PAID to Travel!

Sign up for my free class and learn how I land paid brand deals that pay me to travel as a content creator and influencer!

Planning Your Road Trip Itinerary

When planning, you’ll want to keep the below details in mind.

• 🌵 When to Go:  Winter to early summer is a great time to road trip Utah and Arizona. Winter may require some extra prep, but it’s a gorgeous time to visit!
• ⏰ Trip Length:  10 days
• ✈️ Fly:  For the best tickets, check  KAYAK . Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (a popular choice).
• 🚗 Rental Car:   KAYAK  can also help you find cheap rental cars! You will not need a 4×4 for this trip.
• 🚐 Rental Campervan: Want a campervan instead? You can rent one using Outdoorsy .
• 🏨 Stay:  We’ll cover where to stay too.
• 🎟 Park Fees:  You will be visiting national parks on this trip. The standard entrance fee is about $35 per park. To save, snag the  America The Beautiful Pass  ($79.99).

It’s worth noting that while you might be able to do this trip in less than 10 days, you’ll end up rushing through it!

A 10 day itinerary will give you enough time to actually enjoy all the attractions we discuss.

Utah Arizona Road Trip Itinerary at a Glance + Map

• Day 1 – Sedona
• Day 2 – Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods
• Day 3 – Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park
• Day 4 – Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park
• Day 5 – Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
• Day 6 – Zion National Park and Page, AZ
• Day 7 – Grand Canyon National Park
• Day 8 – Flagstaff and Phoenix, AZ
• Day 9 – Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ
• Day 10 – Depart

Here’s what your route will look like!

Click here to view a live version of the map!

You will be hitting the best National Parks in Utah and Arizona, so no need to fret about that!

Below, each day is split into morning, afternoon, and evening itineraries, complete with specifics on places to see. 

Day 1 — Phoenix to Sedona, AZ

• Total Drive Time: 2 Hours
• Time Exploring: 1 Day
• Stay: Courtyard Marriott, Sedona , Baby Quail Inn
• Eat: Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen Sedona , Whole Foods, Casa Sedona , Elote Cafe
• Fees: Red Rock Pass ($5) or America The Beautiful Pass

Morning & Afternoon

Once you’ve landed in Phoenix and picked up your rental car , start making your 2 hour drive up to Sedona.

This is where you will spend the night and your first day in AZ before continuing up your road trip from Arizona to Utah!

When you get there, you can head off on a Sedona hike. There are some fantastic trails in Sedona.

Below is a quick list of my favorites:

• Birthing Cave – One of the best caves in Sedona and relatively easy to get to. The hike is 1.5 miles round trip. 
• Sugarloaf Summit – 1.6 mile round trip hike to the top of a beautiful mountain that’s perfect for sunrise!

If you want to do something a bit different, you can book a tour!

Below are some popular choices for your day in Sedona:

• Pink Jeep Tour – Go off-roading in Sedona in, you guessed it, a pink jeep!
• Hot Air Balloon Ride – Book a sunrise hot air balloon ride to see Sedona in all its golden light glory!
• Sedona Helicopter Tour – Perfect for adventure lovers and thrill-seekers who want to see Sedona from a different perspective. 

You’d Like: Red Rock Pass vs America the Beautiful

You can certainly end your day with a Sedona sunset hike , but I say opt to watch the sunset at Airport Mesa vortex for ease.

This beautiful 360 vortex is extremely easy to get to. 

You’ll park in the designated lot and take a .1 mile (if that) path to a plateau where you’ll be greeted with a 360 view of Sedona. Pick a spot to watch the sunset and enjoy! 

Wanderer Tip: Alternatively, you can check out Cathedral Rock Vortex .

Day 2 — Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, Moab, UT

• Total Drive Time: 6 Hours
• Stay: Under Canvas Moab
• Eat: Moab Diner , Quesadilla Mobilla , Desert Bistro
• Fees: Monument Valley entry ($20)

From Sedona, make the 3 and a half-hour drive to Monument Valley. If you’re feeling super adventurous, you can get here for sunrise, which is one of the prettiest times to be there!

Monument Valley is where you can see the famous “Forrest Gump Road.”

You can also see the large mitten-like formations towering over the Arizona Utah border.

Because Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park, you must comply with park rules and regulations. 

Wanderer Tip: I recommend visiting  NavajoNationParks.org  to read into the hours and the current vehicle restrictions for the famous 17-mile loop road through the Valley!

Next up is Valley of the Gods !

Valley of the Gods is a scenic sandstone formation area located in Mexican Hat, Utah.

The drive here from Monument Valley is about an hour. 

You’ll enter a dirt road that takes you through the Valley when you arrive.

It’s a gorgeous place to explore and admire Utah’s famous views!

You’d Like: How to Become an Adventure Photographer

The drive to Moab, Utah will be about 3 hours.

Moab is home to some Utah National Parks like Arches and Canyonlands.

Once you arrive here, you’ll stay in Moab for 2 days before setting off again!

Wanderer Tip: Spend your first evening getting something to eat and settling in.

Days 3 & 4 — Moab, Arches, Canyonlands

• Total Drive Time: You’ll be getting a break from driving!
• Time Exploring: 2 Days
• Fees: National Park entry ($35 each) or America The Beautiful Pass

Morning to Evening (Arches National Park)

A visit to Arches will be a great intro to all the UT Park goodness to come.

Here are some things to do in the park:

• Hike to Delicate Arch
• Visit the Windows Section
• Get a permit for Fiery Furnace
• Visit Sand Dune Arch

You can spend an entire day exploring these attractions and the surrounding Moab area.

Wanderer Tip: To help with your trip planning, I recommend reading my one day in Arches guide.

Morning to Evening (Canyonlands National Park)

Here are some things to do in Canyonlands:

• Visit Mesa Arch
• Catch sunset at Grand View Point Overlook
• Admire Green River Overlook

To see the “best” of the park, you really only need a day in Canyonlands .

If you want to take things a step further, you can always plan for a more “unique” adventure like a packrafting trip .

You’d Like: Canyonlands versus Grand Canyon

Morning to Evening (Optional Moab Adventures)

Moab is an adventure hub full of things to do.

Aside from the parks, I recommend checking out Dead Horse Point State Park for an epic sunset or sunrise!

But here are some great tours and excursions you can embark on, too:

• Packrafting and Canyoneering
• Horseback riding
• Mountain Biking
• Rock Climbing
• Off-roading

Wanderer Tip: You might find my complete Moab Utah travel guide helpful for this portion of your trip!

Day 5 — Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon

• Total Drive Time: 4 Hours 40 Minutes
• Stay: Under Canvas Bryce Canyon , Bryce Valley Lodging
• Eat: Try to do a grocery run near Moab because there are not many food options near Bryce Canyon!

At around the 2 hours and 30-minute mark is when you’ll get to Capitol Reef National Park!

When you arrive, I recommend stopping at the Gifford House and getting a fresh-baked item.

They have bread, pies, jellies—it’s pretty amazing. 

Wanderer Tip: Then if you’re up for it, you can drive the park’s Scenic Byway and take in some of the surrounding views. 

The drive to Bryce is about 2 hours from Capitol Reef National Park.

Once you arrive in the Bryce Canyon National Park area, you’ll see towering orange hoodoo formations that let you know you’re in the right place! 

You’ll most likely arrive in Bryce National Park during the late afternoon or just in time for sunset.

If so, head to Sunset Point before going to sleep!

If you have time, you can also hike the Navajo Loop! It’s a 3-mile trail that brings you into Bryce Canyon NP to get up close and personal with some of it’s famous rock formations.

Expect it to take about 2 hours to complete.

Wanderer Tip: If you don’t have time, you can save this trail for the morning or hike part of it!

Day 6 — Zion National Park to Page, Arizona

• Total Drive Time: 2 Hours and 30 Minutes OR 4 Hours (with Zion)
• Stay: Best Western in Page
• Eat: BirdHouse, Big John’s Texas BBQ, El Tapatio, Fiesta Mexicana
• Fees: National Park entry ($35) or America The Beautiful Pass

Morning (Optional)

Along your route to Page, AZ, you’ll pass Zion National Park. You can certainly stop here, but note that doing so will make your drive to Page 4 hours. 

You may want to extend your trip a day.

In that case, you’ll want to read my 2 day Zion National Park itinerary blog. 

Wanderer Tip:  On your way down from Bryce, you can stop in Kanab, UT, and try to get permits to explore The Wave. 

Afternoon & Evening

Page is full of texture and wide-open landscapes that you can’t miss!

Some of the best activities in Page, AZ can be accessed by booking a tour .

So here are some tours in Page, AZ that are worth your time! 

• Book a Lower Antelope Canyon Tour — Explore the rainbow-colored canyon walls of Lower Antelope Canyon or Upper Antelope Canyon. 
• Horseshoe Bend Overlook — Best at sunrise or sunset. Entry is $10. You can also book a helicopter flight over Horseshoe Bend for a different perspective!
• Jeep Tour — Explore more canyons and hidden gems in Page with a Jeep tour.
• Lake Powell — While you’re up this way, you can explore the Lake Powell surrounding area or Rainbow Bridge National Monument. 

Wanderer Tip: If you only have time for one thing, my suggestion would be to check Antelope Canyon off your list!

Day 7 — Grand Canyon National Park

• Total Drive Time: 2 Hours and 30 Minutes
• Stay: Under Canvas Grand Canyon
• Eat: In the park!

Morning to Evening

The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will be worth the stop.

The drive from Page is about 2 hours and 30 minutes. This will be your last major stop before heading back down to Phoenix. 

Once you arrive at the Grand Canyon National Park, surely you’ll want to explore a bit!

Here are some things to do when you get there:

• Hike Bright Angel Trail
• Hike over to Ooh Aah Point
• Book a helicopter tour over the Canyon
• Watch sunrise at Hopi Point
• Book a hiking tour

Wanderer Tip: If you want more details on how to best plan your day in the Grand Canyon, I suggest reading my Phoenix to Sedona to Grand Canyon trip blog!

Day 8 — Flagstaff, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

• Total Drive Time: 4 Hours
• Stay: Royal Palms Resort and Spa ,  The Scott Resort & Spa
• Eat: Canal Club, Diego Pops

You’ll have about a 4 hour drive to PHX from the Grand Canyon, BUT as with all of the other long drive days, you’ll break it up!

At about the halfway point in your drive, you’ll reach Flagstaff .

Stop here for a coffee at Macy’s European Cafe! 

Wanderer Tip: If you’re up for a bit of detour, you can drive up the Snowbowl area to get a nice view of Flagstaff’s tallest mountain, Humphreys Peak, and the San Francisco Peaks!

Once you arrive back in the Phoenix area, you’ll probably be tired from all of your driving and might want to crash in your hotel.

BUT, if you’re up for exploring a bit more, stay in the Scottsdale area and explore some of the local outdoor spaces, hotels, and restaurants!

Scottsdale is about 15 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, so staying here then flying out the next day won’t be a difficult journey!

Make sure you hit up the best Old Town Scottsdale happy hours when you arrive in the city!

You’d Like: How to Spend 36 Hours in Scottsdale

Day 9 — Phoenix & Scottsdale

• Total Drive Time: 30 to 40 Minutes

This is an optional day, but you can explore a bit before leaving while you’re back in the Phoenix area!

If you stay in here, there are some great day trips from Scottsdale that may be worth your time, like visiting Lake Pleasant, Superstition Mountains , Downtown Phoenix , and more!

These are all a 30 to 40 minute drive from the city.

Read Next: The Most Instagrammable Places in Phoenix

Day 10 — Wrapping Up Your Utah Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Should you choose to spend a relaxing last day in Phoenix, you would then depart on day 10, concluding your Arizona Utah itinerary!

And that’s all folks! While you might not have gotten to see EVERYTHING in these Southwest states, hopefully this itinerary was enough to give you a little intro into all the amazingness just waiting for you in the desert!

If you enjoyed this blog, you’ll probably want to check out my other Southwest guides like my Phoenix Sedona Grand Canyon itinerary .

And with that, happy exploring :)!

+ show Comments

- Hide Comments

add a comment

Planning my first trip to Utah and Arizona in April. I am from Georgia. Thanks for the great tips.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of new posts by email.

save your seat!

© Dani Rodriguez LLC 2024. All rights reserved. | Legal

I'm a burrito loving explorer who got fired from corporate America and turned that into my dream career as a photographer and blogger. Now I'm here to help you explore life's magic. Thanks for stopping by!

All your favorite teams and sources in one place

Your Teams. All Sources.

© 2024 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC.

Home town road trips ✈️ | UTAH JAZZ #AllAccess Presented by Delta

Rewind to the road trip to Atlanta, Orlando and Miami where John Collins made his return to where he launched his career and the rookies got to visit their families. Visit Utah Jazz online: https://www.nba.com/jazz Follow Utah Jazz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utahjazz/ Follow Utah Jazz on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utahjazz Follow Utah Jazz on Twitter: https://twitter.com/utahjazz Find Utah Jazz on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utahjazz/

Read more at www.youtube.com

www.youtube.com • Utah Jazz

Think your team or athlete is better? Show us, submit your story, photo or video

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.

OK Privacy policy

• Men's Basketball
• Women's Basketball
• Other Sooners
• FanNation FanNation FanNation
• SI.COM SI.COM SI.COM
• SI Swimsuit SI Swimsuit SI Swimsuit
• SI Sportsbook SI Sportsbook SI Sportsbook
• SI Tickets SI Tickets SI Tickets
• SI Showcase SI Showcase SI Showcase
• SI Resorts SI Resorts SI Resorts

© SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY

OU Softball: Patty Gasso Needs Oklahoma to be 'All in' During Final Road Trip at UCF

The no. 2-ranked Sooners won't have to leave the state the rest of the year after taking on Big 12 newcomer UCF in Orlando this weekend.

• Author: Ryan Chapman

In this story:

Just two regular season series remain in Oklahoma’s Big 12 stay, and Patty Gasso’s No. 2-ranked Sooners are still working to fine tune the offense before postseason gets underway. 

OU rolled Houston last weekend, but stranded double-digit baserunners again, something Gasso is keen to correct. 

But the pitching and defense has held steady, as Oklahoma is looking to take its play up another level to play its best softball in the postseason. 

Traveling to Orlando to take on UCF represents the Sooners’ last trip outside of Oklahoma for the year. 

OU hosts Bedlam next weekend, and then will play the rest of its games at the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City or Love’s Field to start the NCAA Tournament. After that lies the WCWS in OKC.

How to Watch Oklahoma vs. UCF

Game 1: Friday, 5 p.m. CT, ESPN+ Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m. CT, ESPN+ Game 3: Sunday, 10 a.m. CT, ESPN+

Peaking in May and June is the ultimate goal, something Gasso’s teams have grown accustomed to.

Entering the weekend 42-4 overall and 18-3 in conference play, the Sooners have all the talent necessary, they just need to continue to do the things off the field required to play at the highest level. 

“I think a lot of it is energy, like what’s your body feeling like,” Gasso said Tuesday. “Connection as a team, what that looks like. Are you really interested in what everyone else is doing? Are you all in? Are you a franchise guy or a team guy or woman. Those are things that we’re looking for.”

The Knights (28-18, 10-11) will force OU to prove it can keep its energy levels high throughout the weekend, especially to generate consistent offense. 

UCF’s pitching staff ranks fourth in the Big 12 with a 2.73 team ERA, and its 18 home runs allowed ranks second behind Texas, meaning Oklahoma will have to string at-bats together instead of only relying on the long ball. 

Kelly Maxwell , Nicole May and Kierston Deal will have to limit issuing free passes in the circle as well, as the Knights are aggressive with runners on. 

“They’ve got power and speed, few slappers,” Gasso said of the Knights’ offense. “They can put up big numbers. Our pitching staff is going to have to be really good. Going to have to keep their playmakers off the basepaths. They’re going to bow up.”

UCF bats .313 as a team, which is fifth in the Big 12. 

The trip won’t just serve as an opportunity for OU to hang onto its one-game lead atop the conference. 

The Sooners will honor their seniors throughout the weekend off the field, something Gasso said generally relieves the pressure as the season winds to a close. 

“On road trips we get to spend some time together,” Gasso said. “And when you’re away from softball, then it seems like they have a little more fun. This is gonna be a celebration of our seniors, and we have a lot of them. So we’re gonna do some things on the road that I think they’re gonna enjoy and maybe lighten up the stress factor.”

Oklahoma and UCF will open this weekend’s series on Friday at 5 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

Latest Sooners News

OU Recruiting: Oklahoma TE Target Da'Saahn Brame is Getting Close to a Commitment

SEC Releases Oklahoma's 2025 Football Schedule

Report: Oklahoma RB Coach DeMarco Murray Receives New Contract to Stay in Norman

Newcomer Profile: Why DB Transfer Dez Malone Loves 'Everything' about Oklahoma

OU Recruiting: 2025 TE Chase Loftin Reveals What He Likes About Oklahoma

• Plan a Road Trip
• Plan a Flight
• Find an Airport
• Where to Stay
• All Questions

Oklahoma City to Moab Utah drive

Oklahoma city to moab utah road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Oklahoma City to Moab Utah. If you're planning a road trip to Moab Utah, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start in Oklahoma City drive for about 2 hours

11:45 am   Elk City stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:45 pm drive for about 2 hours

2:52 pm   Route 66 stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:52 pm drive for about 3 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 7 hours find more stops

8:00 am  leave from Tucumcari drive for about 2.5 hours

10:33 am   Albuquerque stay for about 2.5 hours and leave at 1:03 pm drive for about 2 hours

3:08 pm   Chaco Canyon stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:08 pm drive for about 2 hours

6:09 pm   Cortez stay for about 1 hour and leave at 7:09 pm drive for about 2 hours

9:14 pm  arrive at Moab Utah

day 2 driving ≈ 8.5 hours

Where should I stop along the way?

Elk City   (2 answers) Route 66   (2 mentions) Tucumcari   (6 answers)     questions about Tucumcari:         What are the must see/must stay/ must eat places in Tucumcari? Albuquerque   (117 answers)     Old Town Albuquerque   (3 mentions)     New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science   (2 mentions)     Explora!   (2 mentions)     Nob Hill   (2 mentions)     Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta   (2 mentions)     restaurants around Albuquerque:         Frontier Restaurant         Standard Diner         Frontier Restaurant     questions about Albuquerque:         What is your favorite restaurant in Albuquerque?         Affordable hotel in Albuquerque for the International Balloon Fiesta?         Temporary home!         Where to stay Chaco Canyon   (3 mentions) Cortez   (10 answers)

What are some things to do in Moab Utah?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Moab Utah.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Moab Utah to Oklahoma City drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Oklahoma City to Moab Utah . Or get a full Oklahoma City to Moab Utah flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know Oklahoma City well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Oklahoma City!

More info on this route:

road conditions from Oklahoma City to Moab Utah

places to eat

flattest route

alternate routes

Google driving directions

Travel | A road trip to Oklahoma, the path of totality,…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

• Food and Drink
• TV & Streaming
• Family Friendly

Things To Do

Travel | a road trip to oklahoma, the path of totality, and making family memories.

We had expected that seeing a total solar eclipse in the path of totality would be the highlight of our trip. In hindsight, it was also the perfect excuse to be together, three generations on a simple road trip through five states.

On April 6, three of us set out from Lakewood — me, my 23-year-old son Ryan and 85-year-old mother, Mary — toward Oklahoma, near the Texas and Arkansas borders. We hoped to be in the path of totality, but were fully aware that the weather could thwart our goal. We were willing to risk it. We had other reasons for the trip.

Mom grew up in Healdton, Okla., a small town just west of the path that, incidentally, is the birthplace of the late “Golden Girls” TV star Rue McClanahan (who, also incidentally, lost a baby beauty contest to my Aunt Susie in the 1930s). Mom hadn’t been to this part of her home state in 60 years or so and has fond memories of Girl Scout camp near the Red River as a young tomboy nicknamed Missy.

Who knew if we’d ever have this chance again?

En route to the eclipse, we were chasing nostalgia, looking to experience Oklahoma through mom’s eyes, prompting her to reminisce, and determined to have our fill of Arbuckle Mountain’s Original Fried Pies. (They can now be found in Arkansas, Kansas and Texas as well, but we were aiming for the flagship shop in Davis, Okla.)

We were keeping the itinerary “loose,” travel-speak for “we didn’t plan the specifics of our trip well enough in advance.” The only hotel room we had booked was 96 miles west of our eclipse-watching destination of Idabel, Okla. We couldn’t find anything closer, but didn’t much care.

After all, committing to a five-day, 1,900-mile round-trip through Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico for a four-minute experience that won’t happen again within the United States for another 20 years is an act of optimism, and perhaps faith. Especially if the clouds refused to cooperate on April 8.

Let the adventure begin.

High hopes from the get-go

My car — a bright yellow Kia with license plates that by chance begin with the letters ECLP — was stocked with snacks (including four flavors of Moon Pies), our eclipse-viewing sunglasses, and a pack of toilet paper. (I had seen all the doomsday predictions about limited port-o-potties and local restaurants and gas stations running out as the roving millions invaded the path of totality like so many locusts.)

We weren’t even out of Colorado before we stopped, finding a charming coffee shop in Ordway, The Sand Cherry, along Main Street. I went a little tourist crazy, buying pastries, coffee, locally made jars of jam and homemade salsa, and some earrings.

It was starting to feel like a vacation.

Not long after, billboards began to sprout up along US 50 in Kansas: large, hand-written messages with “Jesus” and “God Is Real” on them. Here, the eclipse felt more like a wink from the Creator than an event scientifically studied and brought live to a television audience by NASA cameras and commentators.

Traveling Gen Z-style

Eschewing the finicky Google maps, Ryan brought an oversized Rand McNally road atlas to chart our journey and find routes other than the interstates we feared would be packed with eclipse-chasers and semi-trucks. This throwback approach rewarded us with well-paved but sparsely populated country roads from town to town showcasing gorgeous agricultural vistas and flocks of starlings moving in murmuration.

He also provided the soundtrack of eclectic music from the 1940s to the 1980s, contemporary alt, and upbeat Mexican pop music. Mom and I approved.

The occasional remains of an armadillo or raccoon that failed to make it across the road alive made us sad but also reassured us that those wild creatures are still out there. Ryan longed to see a pronghorn and I hoped to spot a fox or two.

When we reached Dodge City, Kan., we decided to stay at the Best Western North Edge Inn, where metal palm trees adorned a small swimming pool out front. We were delighted to discover the real trees surrounding the parking lot were a bird haven. Ryan’s Merlin Bird ID app recorded the chorus singing outside our room and came up with a list of nine: American goldfinch, blue jay, Eurasian collared-dove, European starling, great-tailed grackle, house finch, Mississippi kite, mourning dove and Western meadowlark.

We later spotted bright red cardinals whistling their distinctive calls, circling vultures, and white cattle-egrets living the dream near a fetching pond in a wildflower-speckled meadow that was spotted with cows.

The next morning, we headed for Oklahoma City and arrived just in time for burgers, beers and big screens streaming the NCAA Women’s College Basketball Finals. Watching Caitlin Clark’s dream of leading Iowa to a win over undefeated South Carolina slip away somehow seemed a bad omen for our hopes of a win over April showers. So irrational.

Nearly there

We arrived in Choctaw Nation on the eve of the eclipse just after sunset, content from a stop for a dozen fried pies with sweet fillings like cherry and pumpkin. A casino lit our way to a rather dismal hotel in Durant, but we toughed it out. We planned to check out early anyway, fearing a traffic jam of eclipse watchers would prevent us from reaching our goal.

The increase in humidity was noticeable the next morning as we rolled onto US-70 East. The slowdown we expected never developed, and we were treated to a lovely sunrise. Ninety minutes later, we found ourselves in Idabel, ahead of schedule and with six hours to kill before the eclipse. Clouds were building; we were willing them to take their time.

To my disappointment, the Museum of the Red River was closed. (I had hoped to see the Acrocanthosaurus exhibit and learn about Oklahoma’s state dinosaur.) We stopped at Accent Coffee Company, where baristas said they had served visitors from as far away as Hawaii in recent days. At a nearby T-shirt stand selling eclipse-themed merchandise, the excited proprietors mentioned meeting a guy from Germany who was a global eclipse chaser.

We looked up at the gray skies and hoped the German knew something we didn’t.

A nature hike seemed a good way to pass the time so off we went to Beavers Bend, a state park that skirts the shores of nearby Broken Bow Lake. I saw my first loblolly pine with its shingled bark; Ryan spotted a dead crayfish in a clear brook, which caused him to slip on a mossy rock into the water; and Mom took a minor tumble on the trail but luckily got back up unscathed.

By 11:30, about an hour before the eclipse would begin, we were feeling antsy so headed back toward Idabel and stopped for a quick lunch at The Oaks Steakhouse in Broken Bow. Several tables were filled with uniformed state police and local sheriffs’ officers. They were in good humor but wearing bulletproof jackets and checking their watches.

With the celestial event near, we decided the field behind the restaurant seemed an ideal place for viewing. As the minutes passed, the clouds thinned and thickened, teasing us with momentary glimpses of blue sky.

Family members in Colorado and Washington state began texting updates from their televised views starting in Mexico and moving up through Texas. We were about three minutes behind Dallas by this measure and the few clusters of people who had also parked and pulled out picnic blankets and unfolded camping chairs nearby began to settle down, don protective glasses and look up.

The big event

I fidgeted with my iPhone and attempted to use a device made to simultaneously look through one lens and take photos and videos through another side-by-side. I couldn’t get it to work and soon abandoned the clumsy thing.

Mercifully, the clouds continued to blow by. Car traffic stopped, a few airplanes buzzed overhead, and all birds but one obnoxious blue jay stopped singing. The temperature dropped and the sunlight dimmed, street lights came on, and we oohed and aahed and felt fortunate and amazed and suddenly so clearly aware of sitting atop the crust of a spinning planet with an orbiting moon that miraculously appears to be the same size as the much larger star beaming at us from 93 million miles away.

Unlike partial solar eclipses where the moon scoops a semicircle out of the sun’s shape like two flat plates, it became visible as a dark, three-dimensional sphere. As it traveled right to left, we marveled at the “diamond ring effect” before the last piece of sunlight beamed outward, and then — BLINK! — a solitary speck of bright light burning at the bottom, possibly a solar flare, was visible. The rest was the sun’s radiant corona framing the dark moon.

Spontaneous applause and shouts went up around us, with one woman repeating “Oh my God!” over and over. We removed our glasses (it was now safe to do so) and observed two tiny red lights race past, one after the other: satellites in Earth’s orbit. We could see Jupiter and Venus glowing in the middle of the afternoon. It was astonishing how dark it became in the moon’s shadow.

We stared at that moon until the diamond ring reappeared, and rather than replacing our glasses and watching the rest of the eclipse, strangely felt that that was enough. We noted the return of the sun’s heat and saw the dimness lift, the street lights blink off, the birds start up again. Car engines signaled our collective pause had passed.

We three looked at each other with mutual awe and happiness and agreed the effect had been better than expected. That full solar eclipse, despite all the anticipation and explanation, was a sight that will live on in our memories.

It also left us with gratitude for each other, and the willingness we each had to give in to the adventure of it all.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.

• Report an Error
• Submit a News Tip

More in Travel

Outdoors | Pikes Peak is getting “trashed” by overuse and blatant disregard for the environment

Travel | Eight Colorado hotels get new Michelin Keys

Restaurants, Food and Drink | Will DIA’s on-site brewery ever make beer again? The answer is up in the air.

Outdoors | Try these hiker-only Colorado trails to avoid mountain bikers

These 6 Road Trips In Oklahoma Will Lead You To Places You'll Never Forget

Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 30 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't writing about Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beach and exploring new areas.

More by this Author

Oklahoma, mile for mile, offers the country’s most interesting and diverse terrain. With so much to see, we found six great places you can visit in various places around the state. From Red Carpet Country in the northwest to Choctaw Country in the southeast, you can take a simple road trip and enjoy the beautiful scenery found in the Sooner State. These are six of the best road trips in Oklahoma you can take:

Related Stories

This Haunted Road Trip Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In Oklahoma

This Epic Road Trip Leads To 7 Iconic Landmarks In Oklahoma

This Family Friendly Road Trip Through Oklahoma Leads To Whimsical Attractions, Themed Restaurants, And More

So, what do you think? Oklahoma is a wonderful place, and we’re sure you’ll have no shortage of great things to do no matter what part of the state you’re in. Let us know about your personal favorites in the comments!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Oklahoma in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Oklahoma!

Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!

An error occured.

More to Explore

Best road trips in oklahoma.

What are some fun things to do in Oklahoma?   

Sometimes it seems like Oklahoma gets a lot of undeserved flak. Folks who have never been here like to claim that it’s “boring”, but honestly, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Oklahoma is full of interesting places and things to check out, and you’ll find all kinds of fun things to do if you know where to look. For those who prefer to stay within the big city, there’s always the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, in Oklahoma City, where you’ll learn all about Oklahoma’s history from Native Americans to cowboys and everything in between. While in OKC, you should also visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens, which are intensely beautiful and lovingly cared for. For nature lovers, visits to the numerous state parks in Oklahoma are certainly in order. You can also find caves, waterfalls, and stunning prairies throughout the state to explore.   

What are some important places to visit in Oklahoma?   

For those who are interested in Oklahoma City history, a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is very important. Nature lovers will appreciate a visit to some of the state’s most beautiful places, like the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, and the beautiful Broken Bow Lake. Understanding Oklahoma’s geography and history is very important, and luckily, there is plenty to do around here that reflects that. You should also add a visit to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, as well as the world-famous Tulsa Zoo. Experience the best of the Sooner State!   

What can I do for day trips in Oklahoma?  

In a word: plenty! Find a more complete list here, but for those in a hurry, our favorite must-do day trips in the Sooner State include visits to the classic Riversport Adventure Park as well as the Leonardo Children’s Museum. The Great Salt Plains State Park is a very unique and interesting place to spend a day at – and so are our other 31 state parks! Oklahoma is a wonderful place to get in touch with nature, and a lovely waterfall day trip might be just the thing your spirit needs. Essentially, if you can dream it up, you can probably find it in beautiful Oklahoma.  

Related Articles

• The Ultimate Oklahoma Hidden Gem Road Trip Will Take You To 6 Incredible Little-Known Spots In The State
• Take This Road Trip To The Most Charming Route 66 Towns In Oklahoma
• The Christmas Lights Road Trip Through Oklahoma That Will Take You To 6 Magical Displays
• Take This Hidden Gems Road Trip When You Want To See Some Little-Known Places In Oklahoma
• The Small Town Petting Zoo In Oklahoma That's Worthy Of A Road Trip
• This Dreamy Train-Themed Trip Through Oklahoma Will Take You On The Journey Of A Lifetime
• Take This Road Trip Through Oklahoma's Most Picturesque Small Towns For A Charming Experience
• This Haunting Road Trip Through Oklahoma Ghost Towns Is One You Won’t Forget

University of Oklahoma Athletics

• MEN'S TEAMS
• Baseball Schedule Roster
• Basketball Schedule Roster
• Cross Country Schedule Roster
• Football Schedule Roster
• Golf Schedule Roster
• Gymnastics Schedule Roster
• Tennis Schedule Roster
• Track and Field Schedule Roster
• Wrestling Schedule Roster
• WOMEN'S TEAMS
• Rowing Schedule Roster
• Soccer Schedule Roster
• Softball Schedule Roster
• Volleyball Schedule Roster
• QUICK LINKS
• Ticket Home
• Buy Tickets
• Group Tickets
• Premium Seating
• MORE INFORMATION
• Digital Ticketing
• Seat Share Program
• Seats for Service Members
• Reserved Tailgating
• Student Tickets
• Faculty & Staff
• Interest Form
• THERE'S ONLY ONE
• Headington Hall
• Name, Image & Likeness
• Sooner Olympians
• Sooner Tradition
• STUDENT LIFE
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Psychological Resources
• Sports Medicine
• Strength & Conditioning
• Student-Athlete Handbook
• Unofficial Visit Form
• Fly Your Flag
• Partner with Champions
• Other Venues
• Accessibility
• Clear Bag Policy
• Directions & Parking
• SooneRVillage
• Visitor's Guide
• Fan Code of Conduct
• Autographs & Appearances
• Eat. Play. Stay.
• Party at the Palace
• Sooner Jr. Kids Club
• STAY CONNECTED
• Email Newsletter Sign-Up
• All-Sport Schedule
• Booster Clubs
• Community Relations
• Los Sooners
• Sooner Club
• Oklahoma Watch Page
• SoonerVision on ESPN+
• Radio Affiliates
• Varsity Network
• In the Booth
• Sooner Sports Podcast
• Digital Gameday Programs
• Mobile Apps
• Camps + Clinics
• Communications
• Documents + Reports
• Gameday Staff
• Job Opportunities
• OU Spirit Squad Program
• Sooner Sports Properties

University of Oklahoma

Softball Visits UCF For Final Road Series

April 25, 2024 | Softball

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS

Last time out, gasso nears another milestone, big 12 standings, she's dealing, leaderboards.

• Herald Editorials
• Local Guest Opinions
• High School Sports
• National Sports
• Local Business
• Sunday Drive
• Home And Garden
• Sanpete County
• Today’s Paper
• Manage Your Subscription
• Submit News
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service
• Statement of Values
• Browse Notices
• Place Notice

BYU Basketball update: Cougars bring two players back, take road trip to Phoenix

By darnell dickson - | apr 26, 2024.

Nothing brings a bunch of college students together better than a road trip.

New BYU coach Kevin Young flew his Cougar players to Phoenix on Friday for an NBA playoff game between the Suns (the team Young is still an assistant coach with) and Minnesota.

In his introductory news conference, Young said he wanted his players to watch film on what the Suns are currently running to get an idea of what they might see in practice.

They’re getting a closeup view in Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs.

Young also said retaining the current talent on the team was his No. 1 priority and the 2024-25 roster grew by two over the past 36 hours with recommitments from sophomore guards Dallin Hall and Richie Saunders.

Hall was getting looks from some pretty serious basketball programs (Duke, Creighton, Virginia, Clemson, among others) after entering the transfer portal a couple of weeks ago before ultimately deciding to return to Provo.

Hall’s social media post said, “Run It Back,” which is what the kids say when they are opting to stay with their original school.

Hall has started 51 games over the past two seasons. In BYU’s first year in the Big 12, Hall averaged 9.0 points and 5.1 assists per game at the point guard spot. Those numbers and his experience brought a lot of attention his way in the transfer portal, but he was convinced by Young to come back.

Saunders entered the portal after Mark Pope left to take the Kentucky job and made a trip to Lexington to check out opportunities with his former coach. Saunders let Cougar Nation know he was returning with a social media post that read simply, “I’m in.”

Saunders has played in 68 games, 65 of them off the bench, in two seasons. He averaged 9.6 points per game in 2023-24 and shot 36% from the 3-point line, but his real value is his energy and intensity on both ends of the court.

Both players were rated 4-star transfers by 24/7 Sports.

The BYU roster for next season is expected to include seven returning scholarship players (Hall, Saunders, Trey Stewart, Dawson Baker, Trevin Knell, Noah Waterman and Fousseyni Traore) along with incoming freshmen Isaac Davis and Brody Kozlowski.

Kozlowski was officially announced as a signee on Friday.

“We are thrilled to add Brody to our program,” Young said. “He is a high character and high achieving student-athlete on and off the court, evidenced by winning back-to-back Player of the Year honors in the state of Utah. He will bring size, versatility, shooting and toughness to our program. It’s a great time for BYU basketball and we are excited Brody and his family are joining with us.”

Young and his coaching staff are making contacts in the transfer portal, including guards Pop Isaacs (Texas Tech), Mike Sharavjamts (San Francisco) and Jalen Blackmon (Stetson) and forward TJ Power (Duke). Young also recently offered four-star guard JJ Mandiquit (Class of 2025).

Hudgins signs with BYU women’s hoops

Cougar coach Amber Whiting announced on Friday the addition of Marya Hudgins to the 2024-25 roster.

Hudgins comes to BYU after playing the first two years of her collegiate career at Santa Clara where she appeared in 63 games, starting 13 during her freshman and sophomore seasons.

“Marya [Hudgins] is a two-way, competitive player who wants to win,” said Whiting “She is a scoring threat on offense and a menace on the defensive end. Her length and athleticism will help us on the perimeter. She is a great perimeter shooter but can also take defenders off the bounce and has an incredibly high ceiling. She and I connected instantly and she will be a great fit for the team and culture we are building at BYU.”

The incoming junior scored 7.6 points per game on 39 percent shooting from the field and a 33.3 percent clip from three over two seasons with the Broncos. Hudgins also pulled down 5.1 rebounds, dished 0.9 assists and recorded nearly a steal per game.

Whiting’s roster for 2024-25 is coming together with seven returning players: Her daughter, sophomore Amari, along with seniors Emma Calvert, Heather Hamson, Kylie Krebs and Lauren Davenport, redshirt junior Arielle Mackey-Williams (who missed last season due to injury) and sophomore Marina Mata.

Incoming freshmen include Canadian star Delaney Gibb, Lone Peak’s Sarah Bartholomew and Idaho standouts Brinley Cannon and Kambree Barber.

In addition to Hudgins, the Cougars have also obtained a commitment from 6-foot-3 Buffalo transfer Hattie Ogden.

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News
• Deals, Offers & Events

BYU roundup: Cougar sprinter Jaslyn Gardner breaks two more school records

Five more former BYU football players sign as undrafted free agents

Former BYU OL star Kingsley Suamataia selected by Kansas City in NFL draft second round

OU softball sweeps UCF as Sooners blast five HRs in final Big 12 road game

The final Big 12 road trip for OU softball ended in familiar fashion — with the Sooners celebrating a sweep.

The second-ranked Sooners hit five home runs Sunday in an 11-7 win against UCF for a three-game sweep in Orlando, Fla.

OU (45-4, 21-3 Big 12) wrap up regular-season play next weekend with Bedlam in Norman.

Ella Parker hit two home runs for OU, while Tiare Jennings, Kasidi Pickering and Kinzie Hansen each had one homer.

More: OU softball edges UCF as Sooners coach Patty Gasso earns her 1,500 NCAA win

OU softball live score updates vs. UCF 

More: Meet OU baseball's 'Zen master': How transfer Michael Snyder's leadership lifted Sooners

OU softball highlights vs. UCF 

More: OU softball rolls past UCF in series opener as Kinzie Hansen, Kelly Maxwell lead the way

Top 5: OU 11, UCF 5 | Sooners blast three HRs to break game open

Ella Parker and Tiare Jennings each hit a solo homer, and Kinzie Hansen capped the scoring with a two-run blast to make it 11-5.

Bottom 4: OU 7, UCF 5

Jasmine Williams doubles home Sierra Humphreys to get the run back from the top of the fourth.

Top 4: OU 7, UCF 4 | Kasidi Pickering homers to add to lead

Kasidi Pickering hits a solo homer to right, adding to her great freshman campaign.

Top 3: OU 6, UCF 4 | Jayda Coleman's RBI squeeze sets tone for Sooners' rally

Jayda Coleman's RBI squeeze play started a four-run rally for OU in the third inning. Alyssa Brito added a two-run single and Rylie Boone had an RBI single to make it 6-4 OU.

Bottom 2: UCF 4, OU 2 | Sooners fall behind again

For the second straight inning, the Knights have hit a two-run homer off Nicole May. This time it was Sona Halajian.

Top 2: OU 2, UCF 2 | Ella Parker ties it up with a two-run homer

Welp. It didn't take long for the Sooners to wipe out a 2-0 deficit.

Ella Parker answered with a two-out, two-run homer of her own to put OU on the board.

Bottom 1: UCF 2, OU 0 | Knights homer off Nicole May to take early lead

Chloe Evans' two-out, two-run home run off OU pitcher Nicole May gives UCF an early 2-0 lead.

What time does OU softball vs. UCF start?

• Date:  Sunday, April 28
• Time:  10 a.m. CT
• Where:  Orlando, Fla.

More: Big 12 softball power rankings: Did OU do enough to pass Texas for top spot?

What channel is OU softball vs. UCF on today?

• Streaming:  ESPN+
• How to watch online:  Watch ESPN ( here's how to stream it live )

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.