Utah Mighty 5 National Parks Self-Guided Driving Tour

Tour Details

Type
Driving
Duration
8 - 10 Hours
Audio Stories
185
Deep Dives
87

Welcome to Utah’s Mighty 5 Tour

Get ready for the trip of a lifetime in Utah’s famous Mighty Five national parks! This bundle of self-guided tours includes everything you need for the best Utah experience. Witness gravity-defying bridges at Arches, strange and alien stone pillars in Bryce Canyon, dramatic fissures in the earth at Canyonlands, petroglyphs and pioneer settlements at Capitol Reef, and the sheer majesty of Mother Nature at Zion. Experience the must-see attractions of this great state and learn about their history along the way! We also have a Utah Bundle with two extra tours – Monument Valley & Grand Staircase for just $3 more!

About the Tour

This bundle includes self-guided tours of Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. These stunning parks, conveniently lined up in a row in southern Utah, make for the perfect road trip. Wherever you choose to start, you’re bound to end your journey with a new appreciation for the natural beauty of the American West.

Arches National Park

At Arches, you’ll begin your journey with excellent views of the towering Three Penguins, Three Gossips, and Courthouse Towers. These immense rock formations welcome visitors to the one-of-a-kind scenery they can expect to find in this park. As you continue across the scorched landscape, you’ll hear about the Ute and Paiute tribes who called this place home. After seeing the impossibly-suspended Balanced Rock, you’ll get your first glimpse at the formations for which the park is named. First up: Windows Arches and Double Arch (featured in Indiana Jones!), followed by the much-photographed Delicate Arch, which stands proudly without any form of support.

Bryce Canyon National Park

In Bryce Canyon, you’ll have ample opportunities to see the hoodoos for which this park is famous. These strange, looming pillars lend the whole landscape an otherworldly appearance. As you visit a series of stunning overlooks, including the gorgeous Sunrise Point and Inspiration Point, you’ll hear about the tribes who once lived here, as well as other historical tidbits like Butch Cassidy’s relation to the area! Later, you’ll have the opportunity to hike into the canyon itself for some of the most incredible natural scenery anywhere.

Canyonlands National Park

Continuing to Canyonlands, you’ll find some of the most striking, classically Western landscapes you’ve ever seen. As you drive through shocking shades of red rock and attention-grabbing mesas, you’ll learn all about how erosion sculpted these wonders. Don’t forget your camera when you reach Plateau Viewpoint! Here you’ll find some of the best views in the whole park. On your way to the next big attraction, Dead Horse Point State Park (and no, that’s not a typo!), you’ll uncover this park’s secret, radioactive history! Of course, with so many hiking trails and overlooks, you might have trouble focusing on the past when the present is so compelling!

Capitol Reef National Park

Then there’s Capitol Reef, home to remnants of one of America’s oldest and most remote pioneer towns. Nestled within the red rocks and deceptively complex walls displaying hundreds of millions of years of geologic history, you’ll find Fruita. Several buildings give visitors a sense of what life was like in this isolated little community, and you can even visit a functioning orchard while there!

Zion National Park

Last but certainly not least is Zion. You’ve probably already heard of this park, and for a good reason. Zion features enormous rocky fortresses, lush river valleys, death-defying hikes along windswept cliffs, and much, much more. Whether you’re looking for a desert oasis, some surprising history, or just some unforgettable views, Zion has you covered.

2022 Updates (Arches)

A new ticketed entry system has been implemented in Arches from 3 April to 3 October. Each private vehicle entering the park will need a Timed Entry Ticket for each day the vehicle will be in the park between 6 am and 5 pm.

The Timed Entry Ticket includes a $2.00 non-refundable reservation fee which is separate from the park entrance fee.

We recommended reserving your tickets well in advance at recreation.gov.

Please note the following:

Entry tickets to Arches are valid for 1 day for entry
Entry is possible only during the reserved period of one hour, on the day of entry.
Post park entry within the one hour window, you are allowed to exist and re-enter anytime during the rest of the day
A limited number of entry tickets are available and bookable three months in advance.

Park timings

April – September: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
October – early November: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
November: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
December – February: 9:00am – 4:00 p.m.

Zion

As of April 1st, 2022, all hikers heading to Angels Landing will need a permit. This permit can either be seasonal or through the day-before lottery system which can be applied on recreation.gov. It costs $6 to apply for a permit. The fee covers an application for up to 6 people.

Starting Point: Arches National Park Visitor Center, Arches Entrance Rd, Moab, UT 84532

What You'll See

Arches Visitor Center
Our adventure into the astounding Arches begins just before the park's entrance and visitor center. We're about to see stunning natural monuments, unlikely rock formations, and alien, ancient landscapes.
Three Penguins
As soon as we begin our scenic drive through Arches, we'll see our first formation: the Three Penguins. The ancient Ute and Paiute peoples who once called these lands home didn't see penguins though- they saw ancient spirits watching over the land. As we drive, we leave about the formations and their significance to the tribes.
Moab Fault
Moab’s Fault is a six million-year-old crack in the earth’s crust. As we continue driving, we'll see this fault and learn about the geologic pressures that have formed the landscape of Arches.
Spanish, Mormons, and Park Avenue
Our drive through Arches brings us to the Park Avenue formation - a towering vista of rock carved by the slow erosion of wind and water. Here we'll examine the Four Formations that make up the crust of this landscape and better understand the vast forces at play.
La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
The La Sal Mountains are the second-highest mountain range in Utah. Their highest peak, which you can see toward the center of the range, is almost 13,000 feet tall. We'll pause our drive through Arches to admire the mountains and learn about the Spanish settlers who pushed out the Ute and Paiute tribes.
Three Gossips
As we continue driving through Arches, we'll pass the iconic Three Gossips formation.
Courthouse Viewpoint
This brings us to another vista point, where we'll see the Organ, Courthouse, Sheep Rock, and more.
Petrified Dunes
We'll also pass the Petrified Dunes and Great Wall. As we drive, we'll learn more about the Ute and Paiute mythologies of this harsh and alien landscape.
Balanced Rock
Balance Rock is one of the park’s most iconic attractions, and for good reason. It looks like a huge boulder balanced precariously on a thin spindle.... and held together by concrete? Nope - it's all natural, and it's all one single rock.
Garden of Eden
The "garden" is the expanse of small rocky structures visible to one side as we continue our drive. The tiny arches that dot the landscape almost look like they’re growing!
The Windows
This brings us to another popular Arches spot: the Windows! These striking examples of erosion are a must-see while in Arches.
Double Arch and the Cove of Caves
You've probably already seen Double Arch - from Indiana Jones! Explore this unusual formation as you relive some iconic movie moments.
National Park Status & Panorama Point
Look down the trail and you’ll see one of the park’s most striking sights. That collection of arches and almost-arches is the Cove of Caves.
Cache Valley & Flash Floods
We'll pass Panorama Point — keep this in mind if you plan to return at dark for stargazing. Since there’s very little light pollution obscuring the night sky here, you’ll see an astonishing number of stars once the sun sets. Depending on the time of year, you may even get to see the entire Milky Way! As we continue our drive, we'll learn about how to stargaze like the Paiute.
Salt Valley
This is one of the park’s quieter attractions. Like Cache Valley, Salt Valley was formed by the collapse of many sandstone domes. The broken pieces of rock littering the ground are leftovers from that collapse.
Conclusion
Our drive through Arches ends at the Devil's Garden, where a final hiking trail leads to Landscape Arch and beyond. Our tour through the mythology and geology of this epic land is now over.
Merrimac and Monitor
Look to the right. All you can see at the moment are tall rock walls. That’s because we’re near the floor of Sevenmile Canyon. As we continue to drive, we’ll emerge from the canyon and be able to see two very distinct features in the distance to the right -- the Merrimac and the Monitor.
Big Mesa Viewpoint
Coming up on your right is Big Mesa Viewpoint. Pause for a quick look at some stunning scenery. The enormous mesa looks like it was plonked down here by accident, and then forgotten.
Plateau Viewpoint
Coming up on your left is a turn out for Plateau Viewpoint. Pullover if you want photos of some spectacular views! There’s also a handicap accessible toilet and an information panel on anthropological work in the area.
White Rim
In such a beautiful landscape, you can’t escape the lure of exploring off the beaten path. But watch out! If you do go off the path, you might be trampling on soil that’s alive. You might think I’m joking, but throughout Canyonlands, Arches, and Moab is something called a biological soil crust.
Basin Overlook Parking
Despite being relatively small, there’s a lot to do here. First, what might catch your eye is the overlook itself, which has a view of the Colorado River. There’s also a cafe to reenergize.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point — it’s a creepy name, isn’t it? According to local legend, wild mustangs used to be corralled here to be broken in the early 1800s. Once all the desirable horses had been broken and claimed by the cowboys, the undesirables were left to go free.
Island in the Sky Visitor Center
Stop by the Visitor Center coming up ahead. It’s a great place to grab supplies, use the bathroom, and fill up your water bottles. As you’ve already seen, this park doesn’t have much infrastructure, and being dehydrated out here is no joke.
Shafer Canyon Overlook & The Neck
This overlook offers views from three sides. It may be a bit daunting if you're afraid of heights since there’s nothing between you and the Canyon. However, the incredible view is worth it.
The Neck
The area we’re traveling over is known as the Neck. Why? Well, remember that this Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands is a huge mesa surrounded by lowlands. Well, there’s a strip of land that connects this mesa to other mesas — just like a natural bridge!
Lathrop Trailhead
A lot of natural landmarks and trails in Canyonlands are named by or after cowboys and ranchers. In fact, Ned Chaffin’s father and one of his brothers had a spring named after them.
Mesa Arch Trailhead
"Ahead, pull over for Mesa Arch. This is a must-do at Canyonlands. Once you’ve parked, walk along the short trail to the arch. As you walk, notice the juniper and pinyon trees around you. These are popular in Canyonlands so keep an eye out for them elsewhere too."
Green River Overlook
The Green River Overlook offers some of the most unique views of Canyonland’s Island in the Sky District. You’re able to see the Green River continuing its work on the canyon walls. The river is the largest stream in Utah at 730 miles. The name probably comes from the green soapstone that can be found along its banks.
Orange Cliffs Overlook
We’re now at the end of the Canyonlands National Park tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey! If you enjoyed the tour, check out our other tours of nearby Arches, Bryce, Zion, and more!
Grand View Point
We’re now at the end of the Canyonlands National Park tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey! If you enjoyed the tour, check out our other tours of nearby Arches, Bryce, Zion, and more!
Welcome to Capitol Reef
Get ready to explore one of Utah's hidden gems: Capitol Reef National Park. This fabulously colorful, awe-inspiring landscape is packed full of perfect photo ops and fascinating history, and you driving tour will introduce you to all of it!
Twin Rocks
The first major landmark you'll encounter are the Twin Rocks, a funky rock formation that people swear looks exactly like a pair of human molars. Take a look and decide for yourself!
Chimney Rock
Next comes Chimney Rock, a bright red pillar of rock that looks like a chimney. Here, you'll also find a great, 3-mile hiking trail to start your trip.
Goosenecks Overlook
If Panorama Point left you wanting more, you'll find it up next at Goosenecks Overlook.
The Fluted Wall
You'll arrive next at the Fluted Wall, a cool cliff face which actually offers a look back in time... up to 240 million years!
The Castle
As you drive, you'll also notice The Castle looming over you. This imposing rocky fortress is sure to inspire awe in any traveler!
Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center
The visitor center is up next, a great place to stop if you need snacks, a restroom, or just a quick break to get your bearings.
Historic District
Next, you'll arrive in the Fruita Historic District, a window back into the pioneer past.
The Mail Tree
The first stop in the district is the Mail Tree, which is exactly what it sounds like. Back in the day, this tree served as the post office for the town!
Danish Hill
Continuing on, you'll reach the top of Danish Hill, which boasts some of the best views of the entire park.
Behunin Cabin
If you thought Fruita was remote, you're in for a surprise at the next stop: Behunin Cabin. This was once the home of a family who thought even the tiny town of Fruita had too many people for them!
Welcome to Bryce Canyon
Embark on this epic adventure through Bryce Canyon National Park just before the Visitor Center. As we begin the drive, we'll learn about how the canyon got its namesake and about the original Paitue people who called this land home.
Fairyland Point
Our first detour is at the breathtaking Fairyland Point. This overlook offers a great sneak peek at everything Bryce Canyon contains: sweeping vistas, sheer cliffs, and, of course, the world-famous hoodoos!
Sunrise Point
Our next stop is one of the most famous in the entire park: Sunrise Point. From this vantage point, we'll see unique, picturesque rock formations spread out in front of us and a plethora of natural trails leading into the vast, alient landscape.
Sunset Point
Our drive brings us to another striking vista point overlooking the Bryce Amphitheatre: Sunset Point. Here, as we gaze out over the implausible shapes below us, we'll learn about the science behind their formations and understand what, exactly, makes a hoodoo. We'll explore the impact of geology and erosion over a monumental time scale, hoping to understand how such a incredible landscape came into existence.
Inspiration Point
We continue our self-guided tour deeper into Bryce Canyon, towards Inspiration Point. As we drive, we learn about the Paiute people and their mythologies. They had their own explanation for the uniqueness of this landscape and the origins of Bryce's famous hoodoos.
Bryce Point
This brings us to Bryce Point, which offers one of the most scenic vistas of the full amphitheater. Bryce Point is also famous for its extraordinary sunrises. From here you can watch the tops of hoodoos set alight as if by fire from the first rays of the rising sun. Like fire, the orange light quickly spreads driving shadows from all but the deepest recesses of the amphitheater. As we drive here, we'll learn about the Mormon settlers who followed the Paitue and tried to eke out a living in this unforgiving climate.
Paria View
Our self-guided tour continues to Paria View, where we see the effects of a centuries-old glacier. As the earth warmed about 12,000 years ago, the last ice age came to an end. As the enormous glaciers which covered the American continent melted, all that new water had to go somewhere. Answer: down the canyon!
Swamp Canyon Overlook
Now our drive takes us into the lesser-trafficked part of the park. As we drive to Swamp Canyon Overlook, we'll learn about a famous local: Butch Cassidy! We'll learn all about Butch, Sundance, and the difference between fact and fiction as we continue the self-guided tour.
Farview Point
Our next stop is at Farview Point. It’s not just the elevation that allows for such incredible views here -- the land here also offers something becoming increasingly rare in today’s world. Can you guess what it is? Clean air! That's helped along by the abundance of bristlecone pines here, which are the Earth's oldest trees.
Natural Bridge
The self-guided tour passes by Natural Bridge next, which features unusual arches and formations -- in case we weren't already amazed by the hoodoos of the amphitheatre!
Ponderosa Canyon
This brings us to Ponderosa Point, from which you can see the park’s iconic junipers sprawling out into the distance. We're now driving into the deepest recesses of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Black Birch Canyon
Our self-guided drive continues towards Black Birch Canyon Overlook. As we drive, we'll learn all about the night sky and opportunities for amateaur astronomy while you're here. The stargazing at Bryce is unparalleled.
Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point
Finally, we reach the farthest overlooks inside Bryce Canyon: Rainbow and Yovimpa. From here, you can see nearly everything in Bryce Canyon -- the quintessential hoodoos, the verdant basin, the sheer cliffs. You can even see that you're on the top step of the incredibly massive "Grand Staircase" -- a geologic structure "stepping down" all the way to the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Welcome: Springdale Visitor Center
Welcome to Zion National Park! This raw landscape has it all: staggering mountain peaks, stunning natural pools, and gorgeous vistas. We’ll explore it all today.
Shuttle Stop 1: Zion Visitor Center
Continue straight. Just before the bridge, you’ll see a path on the left. That’s the start of the Pa’rus Trail. And just after the bridge is another path -- the Watchman Trail. Both are popular hikes with great views at the end.
Shuttle Stop 2: Zion Human History Museum
While we don’t know too much about those Ice Age hunters, newer residents left their stories behind. Around 300 BCE, people started settling down here and farming. They grew squash and corn, and gradually learned how to better cultivate the land and survive the unforgiving climate. One group, the Fremont, cultivated a drought- and cold-resistant species of corn which could thrive even at high altitudes.
Shuttle Stop 3: Canyon Junction & the Watchman
"We’re almost at Canyon Junction Bridge. There’s a lot going on there: First, it’s a great sunset spot. Be sure to come back here later. Second, there are great views of the Watchman and other mountains. If you find parking, take it and listen to the Learn More stories about the peaks. Third, this is where the road splits: Turn left if you want to drive along the Scenic Road and visit the Narrows, Angel’s Landing, or the Emerald Pools."
Shuttle Stop 4: Court of the Patriarchs Vista Point
"Whew, what a view! Those three mountains are the iconic Court of the Patriarchs. And who are these patriarchs? Well, a local Christian minister named them after three figures from the Bible: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from left to right. "
Shuttle Stop 5: Zion National Park Lodge
The park service works hard to keep this place as natural and untouched as possible… while simultaneously handling over 4 million visitors each year. But that wasn’t the case in the early 1900s. No one knew about this place and that meant no revenue... and that meant… development.
Emerald Pools Trailhead Ahead
"First, bring lots of water! You may think you’ve got enough… but you probably don’t. This might seem obvious, but Utah’s heat is unforgiving, and heat-stroke or sun-stroke can easily ruin a fun vacation. Second, make sure you don’t overtax yourself! Hiking around here is going to be more difficult than you might be used to, thanks to the elevation. Be sure you don’t embark on journeys you’re not certain you’ll be able to finish."
Angel's Landing
This park has a ton of great trails, but Angel’s Landing stands in a league of its own. Those who complete the hike describe it as a breathtaking experience like no other, offering impossible views and a major adrenaline rush.
Shuttle Stop 6: The Grotto Picnic Area
This spot offers picnic tables, restrooms, and fire grates. But the surrounding trails are the main attraction!
Shuttle Stop 7: Weeping Rock
A continuous stream of water trickles down its face from a stream far above
Shuttle Stop 8: Big Bend
As we round the Big Bend of the Virgin River, we’ll approach the last viewpoint on this drive. Stop there for magnificent views of the Great White Throne and the towering peak of Angel’s Landing.
Shuttle Stop 9: Temple of Sinawava
To see the Narrows, you’ll want to follow the paved Riverwalk all the way to the end. It’s a flat, easy walk, full of beautiful greenery and towering natural skyscrapers. But before you set off, let’s talk about the Temple of Sinawava.
East Temple
That towering summit ahead is the East Temple, standing at 1,700 feet. Notice how the cliff isn’t all one color? You’ve probably seen this on the other rock faces as well. That’s because these cliffs are actually made of rock from a bunch of different eras in the earth’s history.
Zion Scenic Viewpoint 2
At the next hairpin turn, you’ll see a pull off. If there’s room, stop there for some incredible views. While stopped, click on Learn More to hear why the Mormons called this place Zion.
The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel
Make sure to turn on those headlights -- because the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is just ahead! Once inside, you might be tempted to stop and take photos, but you’ll have to resist the urge: stopping is strictly prohibited.
Canyon Overlook Trail
The Canyon Overlook Trail is one of East Zion’s finest -- even though it’s short and easy. Why? Simple -- the spectacular views from the top.
Bringing a Forest Down to Zion
If you look closely at the Altar of Sacrifice, you’ll notice that it’s got streaks of rusty red running down the sides. Early Mormon pioneers saw this and thought it looked like blood spilling from a sacrificial altar. Of course, there’s a much less gruesome explanation.
Checkerboard Mesa
Look at that mesa rising into the sky. Notice anything peculiar? As you get closer, you should be able to make out a strange grid of criss-crossed lines all over it. It looks a bit like a checkerboard, which is how it gets the name Checkerboard Mesa!
Conclusion: East Entrance Ranger Station
We’re at the East Ranger Station, which means we’ve reached the end of our tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the formation of this majestic place and all the people who’ve lived here over the millennia. If you’re planning to visit other parks in the southwest, such as Bryce, Arches, or Monument Valley, be sure to check out my other tours.

Preview the Tour

Stop 1 : Welcome

Shuttle Stop 3: Canyon Junction & the Watchman

Stop 3 : Fairyland Point

Stop 22: Night Skies

Stop 6 : Chimney Rock

How It Works

Additional Information

What do we do?

Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!

Lifetime Validity

Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.

No Network Needed

The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.

Not an Entry Ticket

This is not an entry ticket.

Utah Mighty 5 National Parks Self-Guided Driving Tour Bundle

Tour Details

Welcome to Utah’s Mighty 5 Tour

About the Tour

Arches National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Zion National Park

2022 Updates (Arches)

Zion

What You'll See

Arches Visitor Center

Three Penguins

Moab Fault

Spanish, Mormons, and Park Avenue

La Sal Mountains Viewpoint

Three Gossips

Courthouse Viewpoint

Petrified Dunes

Balanced Rock

Garden of Eden

The Windows

Double Arch and the Cove of Caves

National Park Status & Panorama Point

Cache Valley & Flash Floods

Salt Valley

Conclusion

Merrimac and Monitor

Big Mesa Viewpoint

Plateau Viewpoint

White Rim

Basin Overlook Parking

Dead Horse Point State Park

Island in the Sky Visitor Center

Shafer Canyon Overlook & The Neck

The Neck

Lathrop Trailhead

Mesa Arch Trailhead

Green River Overlook

Orange Cliffs Overlook

Grand View Point

Welcome to Capitol Reef

Twin Rocks

Chimney Rock

Goosenecks Overlook

The Fluted Wall

The Castle

Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center

Historic District

The Mail Tree

Danish Hill

Behunin Cabin

Welcome to Bryce Canyon

Fairyland Point

Sunrise Point

Sunset Point

Inspiration Point

Bryce Point

Paria View

Swamp Canyon Overlook

Farview Point

Natural Bridge

Ponderosa Canyon

Black Birch Canyon

Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point

Welcome: Springdale Visitor Center

Shuttle Stop 1: Zion Visitor Center

Shuttle Stop 2: Zion Human History Museum

Shuttle Stop 3: Canyon Junction & the Watchman

Shuttle Stop 4: Court of the Patriarchs Vista Point

Shuttle Stop 5: Zion National Park Lodge

Emerald Pools Trailhead Ahead

Angel's Landing

Shuttle Stop 6: The Grotto Picnic Area

Shuttle Stop 7: Weeping Rock

Shuttle Stop 8: Big Bend

Shuttle Stop 9: Temple of Sinawava

East Temple

Zion Scenic Viewpoint 2