The US state of Utah lies in the western area of the county. It has several tourist attractions which boast thrilling adventures and family-friendly activities.
Located in the west of Utah, the Park City is most popular for snowboarding and skiing. Also, in this area, the Sundance Film Festival is held. Meanwhile, In the capital city of Utah lies the most visited historical and religious site which is the Temple Square of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When it comes to its terrain, Utah has mostly deserted and mountainous. Majority of these areas are designated protected areas. It has eight declared national monuments and seven national forests. But, one of the main highlights of the state of Utah is its Five National Parks.
These National Parks are protected by National Park Services, US Department of Interior in order to preserve its beauty, geological feature, and wildlife. National Monuments are also protected by the same agency with the aim of protecting the site’s historical value. On the other hand, national forests are protected by the Forest Service under the US. Department of Agriculture.
Utah is the third US state with highest in number of designated National Parks, namely, the Arches National Park Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park.
These National Parks sit almost right next to each other. It can be explored through an at least 8-days road trip and itinerary. Overall, these National Parks in Utah feature different interesting rock and sand formation perfect for hiking and picnic. Each National Parks though serves up their own atmosphere, trails, and additional recreational activities.
So, below, you can find the list of the National Parks in Utah. This list is in alphabetical order only. It covers some quick facts about each National Parks, their locations, and some important tips.
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Arches National Park
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The Arches National Park is one of the most Instagrammable national Parks in Utah. From its namesake, it has several arches made of sandstone and sculpted by time and nature.
The Arches National Park is located in the eastern part of Utah, specifically north of Moab and beside the Colorado River on its south-east. Its nearest airports are the Grand Junction Regional Airport which services Denver, Phoenix, Dallas and Salt Lake City; and the Salt Lake City International Airport which caters both domestic and international flights.
This tends to be busiest from March until October which are Spring, Summer, and Fall season. At least 6 months prior to the date of camping, guests must request a reservation. During the non-peak season, which falls from November until February, access to the camping facilities will be first come first serve basis.
Exploring the Arches National Park may take at least (2) hours or to a whole day. It is open for public 24 hours a day. Visitors are always accompanied by rangers. Otherwise, one will need to get a special individual hiking permit.
For inquiries and other assistance, they have the Visitor Center by the entrance and is open from 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM throughout the year except every 25 December. Around the Arches National Park, there are designated drinking water facilities, picnic area, and vault toilet which are all available 24 hours a day.
The camping base of the park is at the Devils Garden which is located in the north area of the park. Additional facilities will be provided which are picnic tables, and grills.
Visitors can tour around the Arches National Park by car. But, it is most memorable if you try hiking in some of its designated trails. Here, hiking trails are generally short and easy. It can be accessed by adult beginners and children, 5 years old and above.
Rock climbing, and such other similar recreational activities, is allowed but under certain regulations in the Arches National Park. Restricted areas for this activities are the Balanced Rock and those arches, named and unnamed, with at least 3 feet opening.
The Delicate Arch is the most recognizable natural arch in the Arches National Park. It is used as a backdrop on the Utah vehicle license plates and on a postage stamp. And, believed to have been featured in Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade. Hence, expect of a huge crowd here. This site is also great for stargazing.
Apart from the Delicate Arch, other named arches and formations are the Double Arch, Window Section, Landscape Arch, Park Avenue Viewpoint and Balanced Rock.
Bryce Canyon National Park
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The Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Southwestern part of Utah. Near the national park are two international airports, namely Mccarran International Airport in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City International Airport, both are four hours away. While one and a half to two and a half away from the national park are regional airports which are St. George Regional Airport and Cedar City Regional Airport.
The Bryce Canyon National Park may only appear like a canyon but is actually not. The Bryce canyon is more of a natural amphitheater due to erosion. The erosion shaped the several hoodoos or towering pillars of rock. These are made of mainly limestone and with a mix of siltstone and mudstone which all contains different mineral deposits. Hence, by sunrise, guests can notice the different shade of the rock formations.
Rain, air, and winter are some of the primary causes of the erosion of the hoodoos in our current time. Inevitably, these process that created and shaped the hoodoos will erase them from the map.
This inevitable may even be cut short by foot traffic near some of the rock formations. Thus, it is important for the visitors to respect and follow the park trail system of the Bryce Canyon National Park.
The Bryce Canyon National Park has 8 hiking trails. An easy to moderate hiking trail in Bryce Canyon is the Queens Garden. It may take one to two hours to finish. Here, visitors can see the arches, and hoodoo that appears like Queen Victoria. Also easy to moderate hike trails are Bristle Loop, Rim Trail, and Mossy Cave.
The Navajo Loop is a moderate hiking trail. Here, visitors can find the Thor’s Hammer, Two Bridges, and Wall Street Canyon. It will take one to two hours to hike. Another moderate hiking trail is the Tower Bridge.
For a strenuous hike, visitors can try the Peekaboo Loop where the Walls of Window can be seen. It will take 3 to 4 hours to hike. Only a few hikes try this trail. In addition to the list of strenuous hike in Bryce Canyon National Park is the Fairyland Loop.
In the Bryce Canyon National Park, they have designated ranger station, restrooms, drinking water, telephone, picnic area, amphitheater, campground and shuttle service stop.
It is possible to take a tour from Monument Valley to Bryce Canyon. There are several tour companies that offer guided tours, ranging from day trips to multi-day tours, that will take you from Monument Valley to Bryce Canyon and other nearby attractions. Taking a tour can be a great way to see these amazing destinations without the hassle of driving and navigating on your own. The tour guides can also provide valuable insights into the history, culture, and natural features of the area.
Best time to visit this is during summer. Compared to the other national parks, hiking in Bryce National Park is better weather since it is on higher terrain which measures at least 8000 feet high. It can also be nice to visit the park on winter season or when blankets of white snow cover the hoodoos.
Canyonlands National Park
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The Canyonlands National Park boasts series of canyons which are divided by two rivers. The confluence of the Colorado River and Green River makes up one of the four districts of the Canyonlands. The other three distinct districts in the park are the Maze, the Needles, and the Island in the Sky.
The Island in the Sky is located in the east of the Canyonlands, near the Moab. It is the most visited district since it is the most accessible. Here, there are Visitors Center, designated ranger station, picnic area, drinking water facilities, toilet and Willow Flat campground.
At the Willow Flat campground, guests can already get an overlooking view of the Green River.
Near the Willow Flat is the Aztec Butte. It is an easy to moderate hike. Its slope is not too steep. On a lower elevation, next to the small butte, are two Pueblo granaries which are guest can get up close to.
Other highlights of the Island in the Sky are the Mesa Arch which is only more or less 30-minute hike. And, the Grand Viewpoint which is overlooking the Maze and the Needles.
The Needles is the second most visited in the Island in the Sky. This one has its visitor center, ranger stations, picnic area, drinking water facility, and campsite. The name of the campsite is the Squaw Flat.
Short hiking trails in the Needles include Roadside Ruin which is an easy trail to ancestral Puebloan Granary and Cave Spring which features 45-minute hike, two ladders, ancient pictographs and old cowboy campsite. Pothole Point and Slickrock trail are also short hike trail in the Needles but through uneven surfaces.
Other hike trails may take up at least 3 to 7 hours. To skip the long hikes, guests opt to ride vehicles like four-wheeler vehicles and mountain bikes. For mountain biking, the Elephant Hill and Colorado Overlook are ideal sites. The two trails plus the trails Lavender Canyon, and Horse Canyon and Peekaboo are designated four-wheel -drive roads.
The four-wheel driving roads in the district of the Maze of the Canyonlands National Park is definitely not for beginners. In this park, there are no visitors center, designated picnic area, and drinking water facilities. But only a ranger station.
When it comes to its trails, it is not easily accessible. Most of the trails are unpaved and unmarked that anyone can get lost easily.
Meanwhile, in the calm waters of the Green River and Colorado river, guests can try canoeing, kayaking, and shallow water rafting. The confluence of these two rivers then flows down the Cataract Canyon. With its strong water current, the Cataract Canyon is one of the popular sites for whitewater rafting.
Each district is about one hour away from each other. And, offers different activities. So, guests often focus on one district at a time.
The Canyonlands National Park is located in the southeast of Utah, specifically west of the town of Moab. Nearby airports are Grand Junction Regional Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport.
Capitol Reef National Park
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The Capitol Reef National Park is the least popular park on our list. But, it is just as interesting as the other parks.
The Capitol Reef National Park is located in a bit south but Central of Utah. This is secluded area and far from the major town proper. The nearest town is Torrey. It is only a small town but provides several lodgings and restaurants.
What sets the Capitol Reef National Park apart from other parks is that it features several dome-shaped rock formations. Their dome shape is similar to typical capitol buildings. Hence, they came up with the name of the park.
The Capitol Reef National Park has designated four-wheel drive roads that are mostly unpaved and may require clearances. For a smooth road trip, the national park has paved roads that can be explored for one and a half hours.
The Fruita Area of the Capitol Reef National Park is the most of the facilities are located. Facilities include a campground, picnic area, toilet and the visitor center. The visitor center is where rangers are at. Also, in Visitors Center, there are available short video presentation, exhibits, and other information materials.
Other features in Fruita area are the Ripple Rock Nature Center, the Fruita Schoolhouse is a historical site that used to be a school. The Gifford House Store and Museum is another landmark that showcases what a traditional farmhouse in Utah look like in about hundred years ago. It also serves up some baked delights too.
The Ripple Rock Nature Center is the activity center for kids. Here, they hold some programs that allow the kids to learn and play especially every summer.
The Fruita Campground has picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, water drinking facility and RV dump station. This campground is busiest and gets fully booked every spring and fall.
Alternative campgrounds are in the Cathedral Valley in the north and in the Cedar Mesa in the south area. These are more primitive since its available facilities are limited to pit style toilet, picnic tables, and fire rings.
The trail to the Capitol Gorge which features the petroglyph is an easy and short hike. Other easy hike trails are Goosenecks, sunset point, and Grand Wash. Easy to moderate hiking trails are Cohab Canyon, Fremont River, and Hickman Bridge. For strenuous hiking trails, the Capitol Reef National Park has at least eight. These may require a 3-day hike.
Another special activity in the Capitol Reef National Park is fruit picking at the Orchards which has at least about 3,000 trees. The fruits can be eaten inside the Orchards for free. For takeout, that’s when they’ll require a payment.
Zion National Park
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The Zion National Park is located in Southwestern part of Utah, two and a half hours away from Las Vegas. The Zion National Park features deep canyons composed of red sandstone.
The Zion National Park is a divided into two hiking regions. The first region is Kolob Canyon. It is located in the northern tip of the park, specifically along the Interstate 15, Utah. Its entrance is at the Exit 40, south of Cedar City, Utah.
The Kolob Canyon of the Zion National Park is a bit secluded region. But, it has its own visitor center, ranger station and designated picnic area, campground, and restrooms.
Its main hiking trail is the La Verkin Creek Trail which leads to the popular landmark of the par, Kolob Arch. This is a moderate to strenuous hike.
Other trails of the Kolob Canyon include, among others, the Beartrap Canyon Loop, the North Fork and South Fork of Taylor Creek, Timber Creek Overlook Trail, and Taylor Creek Trail.
The Taylor Creek Trail leads to the Double Arch Alcove. This is an easy day hike, can be taken by children. Other easy hike but not ideal for those with children is Timber Creek Overlook Trail.
Moderate Hiking trails at Kolob Canyon are the North Fork and South Fork of Taylor Creek. Meanwhile, Beartrap Canyon Loop is a strenuous trail and ideal for professional hikers.
The two regions, Kolob Canyon and the Zion main Canyon, have no connecting roads. So, they have different entrance. The entrance of the Zion Canyon is located in the south part of the national park, specifically along the State Route 9, Springdale.
Springdale is a one-lane town which houses grocery stores, restaurants, and alternative lodgings for visitors of the Zion National Park. No wonder a bigger influx of visitors goes in the Zion main Canyon than in the secluded area in the Kolob Canyon area.
Another thing about the Zion Main Canyon is that it has developed campgrounds. Its campgrounds generally feature picnic tables, fire pit, drinking water facilities, restrooms, trash cans and some electrical outlet.
The campground with an electrical outlet is at Zion Watchman Campground. During peak season, at least 6-month reservation is required.
Also, during peak season, no private vehicle is allowed within the canyon. There will be shuttle services that drop by the main hiking trail. Making it convenient for the visitors.
One of the main highlights of the Zion main canyon is the Angels Landing. Its starting point is at the Grotto. This also leads to West Rim Trail and the Kayenta Trail. And, has designated drinking water facility and bathroom. This is the 6th stop of the Zion shuttle service.
There are 8 more shuttle service stops. Most popular stops include the Temple Sinawava which is the final stop and starting point of Riverside walk and Zion Narrows Day Hike. Another popular stop is the Weeping Rock which leads to some of the most intriguing sites like the actual Weeping Rock and Hidden Canyon.
