11 Day Road Trip Itinerary Through Southern Utah
– My guide to all five Utah national parks, Lake Powell, and other must-see sites along the route –
Since moving to Colorado I have made three road trips through Utah and have found it to be one of my favorite destinations for camping and exploring cool and remote destinations. In May of 2020, right after finishing my sophomore year of college, my boyfriend Jack and I set out on a road trip throughout Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. We planned to explore national parks, see Lake Powell, and stop by some other recommended sites along the way. We spent nearly the entire trip camping in free dispersed campsites provided by the Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM), sprinkled in an unexpected hotel stay (more on that later), and a few nights at paid campgrounds. Below I will lay out our itinerary for this trip and give some advice for each destination based on the successes and failures we had along the way.
All national parks, national forests, and recreation areas charge a daily vehicle fee of around $30.00. I recommend purchasing the America The Beautiful National Parks pass for this trip. It costs $80.00 a year and gives you unlimited access to all US national parks, recreation areas, monuments, and forests. They also have pass options for Seniors and other special groups so check and see what the best option for you is. An annual pass is well worth it given the amount of parks and recreation areas you will be visiting during this trip!
Our Itinerary
Day 1- Travel From Boulder, Colorado to Moab, Utah
Day 2- Explore Moab (Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park)
Day 3- Leave Moab for Lake Powell in Arizona
Day 4- Explore Lake Powell and visit Horseshoe Bend
Day 5- Head to Zion National Park
Day 6- Explore Zion – Hike Angel’s Landing
Day 7- Day 2 in Zion – Hike The Narrows or visit Kolob Reservoir
Day 8- Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Stay in Escalante
Day 9- Stay at Calf Creek State Park and Hike to Falls
Day 10- Visit Capitol Reef National Park
Day 11- Pack up and drive home
Day 1 – Boulder (or Denver), CO to Moab, UT
- Drive Time: 6 Hours
- Accommodations: Lone Mesa Campground
- Itinerary:
- Get on the road early so you have time to explore Moab once you arrive.
- Take the 128 Scenic Hwy into Moab from I-70, it has stunning views and weaves through a large canyon right near the river. It’s a great place to stop for a picnic lunch or swim on your way into town.
- Find a campsite.
- Moab is one of the best places I have found for free and dispersed camping. These sites are first come first serve on BLM land. Now, I will warn you that they do not come with any amenities like showers or toilets. If you are willing to rough it a little bit you can find amazing campsites away from busy roads and crowds with amazing vistas and stargazing opportunities. I have linked my favorite Moab camp spot (Lone Mesa Campground) on the interactive route map above.
- Check out downtown Moab.
- If you are exhausted from setting up camp and your long day of driving check out the Moab Food Truck Park in downtown.
- Head in to Canyonlands NP to watch the sunset at the Green River Overlook.
- Get on the road early so you have time to explore Moab once you arrive.
- I recommend downloading the iOverlander app to see all of the camping options around you and read reviews from fellow campers who have been there recently. I use this app every time I am planning on camping in an area to find the best sites near my destination.
Day 2 – Explore Moab
- Itinerary:
- Visit Canyonlands NP in the morning.
- This park is right near the Lone Mesa Campground so it is convenient to get to and has amazing views of the Green River. It has stunning views and is very accessible.
- The Island In The Sky section of the park is the most popular area and is definitely worth a visit.
- Head to Arches NP in the afternoon and hike to Delicate Arch or drive through some of the other beautiful areas of the park.
- Pack a dinner with you or grab something in town on your way into the park and dress for cold temperatures after dark.
- Go to the Windows Section for sunset where there is a large concentration of arches that are easily accessible. Then, if you feel like an adventure, I would drive to Panoramic Point and do some stargazing in the later evening.
- Visit Canyonlands NP in the morning.
Day 3 – Moab, UT to Lake Powell, AZ
- Drive Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Accommodations: Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell
- Itinerary:
- Drive from Moab to Lake Powell, AZ
- Take Highway 163 through Monument Valley for some of the most breathtaking views of your life. It is worth the extra time.
- Page was one of the largest towns we encountered during our trip so if there are any supplies you need to grab for cooking or camping I recommend getting them here.
- Now in full transparency, this day did not go as planned for us. We had plans to stay at a beautiful dispersed campsite that we found online on the shores of Lake Powell. We quickly found out that that wasn’t going to be possible because the shoreline was no longer where it used to be. Our campsite that was supposed to be on the shore was now 1/4 mile from the water. In our pursuit to find another campsite closer to the water we ended up stuck in sand and had to be towed out by some nice guys in lifted Jeep Wranglers. So my main advice is to check on the most current status of anywhere you are looking to go off-road and make sure that your car is up for the challenge and you have the proper safety equipment and tools in case you get stuck. My Jeep Cherokee clearly was not prepared for this.
- We ended up staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Page which was a nice and affordable option. It was great to get in a shower and good night’s sleep before going back to BLM camping for the next section of our trip.
- Drive from Moab to Lake Powell, AZ
Day 4 – Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell
- Accommodations: Hotel in Page or BLM campsite
- Drive Time: 30 minutes- 1 hour to all destinations
- Itinerary:
- Head to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook in the morning to avoid the heat and some of the crowds.
- The walk to the monument takes about 30 minutes (1.5 miles one way) and has shaded spots to stop for a break if needed. Wear comfortable and durable shoes especially if you plan on exploring the ledges surrounding the canyon.
- There is a small parking fee at Horseshoe Bend that is not included with any annual pass or day pass. Be prepared to pay this once you arrive.
- Go to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area for lunch and a swim in Lake Powell.
- This spot has lots of beach access and opportunities to cool off during a hot summer day. We brought our own blankets and chairs and spent the day enjoying the water.
- The entrance fee to Glen Canyon is $30.00 per vehicle or included in an annual National Parks Pass.
- Head to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook in the morning to avoid the heat and some of the crowds.
Day 5 – Lake Powell, AZ to Zion NP, UT
- Drive Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (account for more time with traffic at the park entrance)
- Accommodations: BLM campsite near Kolob Terrace Ranch
- Itinerary:
- Drive from Lake Powell to Zion National Park.
- Kanab is a nice town in between to stop for some ice cream or lunch on your way to Zion.
- We took Highway 9 which directs you straight through the park. This can sometimes be a longer route with traffic but it is definitely worth it. It takes you past some of the most breathtaking views of Zion on your way through to town and your accommodations. Stop for some photos or a short hike if you’d like!
- Use iOverlander to find a BLM campsite. There are many options on North Kolob Terrace Rd. Just be sure that you are respecting private land surrounding these areas and are following any fire ordinances and local regulations.
- Drive from Lake Powell to Zion National Park.
Day 6 – Explore Zion
- Accommodations: BLM campsite
- Itinerary:
- Hike to Angel’s Landing
- Angel’s Landing is one of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park and also one of the most dangerous. It is important to go prepared with sturdy hiking shoes, proper sun protection, and plenty of food and water.
- The hike is 5.4 miles round-trip with 1,488 feet of elevation gain. It is not the easiest or most accessible hike in the park, but one worth doing if you are able! I would go early to beat the heat and capture magnificent views of the valley.
- Angel’s Landing is now under a permit program. You must have a permit to do this hike. This rule was implemented in order to protect the landscape and help with overcrowding and unsafe situations near the top. Please visit recreation.gov to learn more about the details of the permit system and how to reserve your spot.
- Hike to Angel’s Landing
Day 7 – Second Day in Zion
- Accommodation: BLM campsite
- Itinerary:
- Hike the Narrows
- The Narrows is an amazing hike through a slot canyon that will take you into the heart of Zion.
- The most popular Narrows hike is a 9.8 mile out and back starting at Temple of Sinawava. This section does not need reservations but special water shoes and gear is recommended and can be rented from a multitude of outfitters in Springdale.
- Unfortunately we were unable to hike the Narrows when we were in Zion since it was spring and the water was too high. The best time to do this hike is in summer or fall.
- Check out this page created by Zion NP about the Narrows to learn more.
- Alternative: If the Narrows is not for you or you are not visiting at the right time of year I recommend going to Kolob Reservoir/the Kolob side of Zion.
- This reservoir is a bit out of town near Virgin, UT and offers a completely different view of Zion. The drive to it is breathtaking and there are many spots to stop for a hike or picnic on your way.
- This adventure was a nice break from the crowds and the heat during our trip. We sat by the water and enjoyed the views for an afternoon. There is also an outfitter that offers kayaks and other water craft if you are interested in having a relaxing day on the water. It was a bit too cold for this in May when we visited but would be perfect in the middle of the summer.
- Hike the Narrows
Day 8- Head from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park
- Drive Time (Zion to Bryce): 2 hour 40 minutes
Drive Time (Bryce to Escalante): 1 hr 10 minutes - Accommodations: Escalante Outfitters
- Itinerary:
- Explore Bryce Canyon NP
- Bryce Canyon is home to some of the most unique landscapes I have ever seen. I recommend choosing a hike that brings you among the hoodoos. Here is a link to some the National Park Service recommends.
- If your legs need a rest day, as ours did, I recommend driving the length of the main road through the park. This passes by many amazing views and has many spots to pull off and walk out to see the hoodoos and other famous vistas.
- Head to Escalante Utah for the night
- Escalante is a cute little town in between Bryce and Capitol Reef. We stayed at the Escalante Outfitters which has both tent sites and cabins to rent. It was a great option for us and provided us a nice shower and access to laundry.
- Escalante Outfitters is worth a stop no matter if you are staying there or not. They have the most amazing wood-fired pizzas and desserts. Everyone seemed to be stopped there on their way through town and I can see why.
- Explore Bryce Canyon NP
Day 9 – Calf Creek Campground and Falls
- Drive Time (From Escalante): 30 minutes
- Accommodations: Calf Creek Campground and Falls
- Itinerary:
- Get up early and head to Calf Creek Campground to reserve a site.
- This campground is first-come first-serve with 13 sites so it’s important to get here at the right time. We found that check-out was around 10 AM so we got there a bit before that and waited for someone to leave. All of the sites were taken within a few hours of that so it was important to be there on time. Double-check the checkout times and strategize to get a spot!
- We had the most beautiful site right on the creek that had lots of privacy. You have to pay in cash for this site (around $15-20 a night I believe) and there are no attendants so make sure you bring exact change.
- There is also no cell service in the canyon so be prepared to be without service for the day.
- Set up camp and then hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls. This is a 6-mile out-and-back hike with views of the surrounding canyon, petroglyphs, and of course, the falls at the end. We loved this hike and spent time reading and fishing at the falls before heading back to our campsite.
- Get up early and head to Calf Creek Campground to reserve a site.
Day 10- Explore Capitol Reef NP
- Drive Time (From Calf Creek): 1 hr 15 minutes
- Accommodations: Calf Creek Campground
- Itinerary:
- Drive to Capitol Reef National Park
- Be sure to stop by Magnolia’s Street Food in Boulder, UT for amazing breakfast burritos on your way.
- We loved seeing the petroglyphs in Capitol Reef and learning more about the history of the area at the Fruita District Visitor’s center.
- The Capitol Gorge Scenic Drive and Fruita District are some of the most popular areas of the park and are close to great hikes and views.
- Much of the park also borders Highway 24 Scenic Drive which is a great drive with many landmarks to check out.
- Capitol Reef does not have any food services to be sure to pack a lunch or plan to head back to town for some food.
- We loved Slackers in Torrey, Utah. They serve burgers and milkshakes that are to die for and have a great outdoor seating area.
- Stay awake to stargaze.
- Jack loves astrophotography and woke up in the middle of the night to take photos of the Milky Way. I have never seen so many stars in my entire life as I did on this trip. Calf Creek and Arches have the best stargazing views because they are so remote and away from intense light pollution.
- Drive to Capitol Reef National Park
Day 11- Drive Home Calf Creek, UT to Boulder (or Denver), CO
- Drive Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Itinerary:
- Drive home
- This drive weaves back through Scenic Highway 24 and offers more beautiful views of the region before you hit the main highways back to the border.
- There are also many state parks along this drive that would be great to stop and explore to break up the drive if you wanted!
- Drive home
I hope this itinerary makes planning your trip to Utah a bit easier or that it inspires you to go on the adventure you’ve been dreaming of. As always, remember to Leave No Trace when dispersed camping and spending time in recreation areas. Be good stewards of the land and leave it better than you found it. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to leave a comment below!
Enjoy your adventure!
– Kieran
Great information for anyone who wants an awesome Utah adventure!
This article resonated with me on a emotional level, appreciate it.