A guide to Utah's five National Parks
From $4 showers to free campsites, this is the budget guide you need in order to see some of the most magical national parks in the country.
Total trip time: 10-14 days
Nearest major city to start from: Salt Lake City
Canyonlands National Park is split into two districts - Island in the Sky and the Needles
Both are beautiful, unique, and worth visiting. For the sake of the guide, we will focus on Island in the Sky because it will save us some driving time.
I visited the Needles district on a different trip. It is an extra 2+ hours out of the way, so consider saving that for another adventure.
Arches National Park is still one of my absolute favorite parks that I have visited to. Its beauty is unlike anything else that I have seen. It stands out amongst the other desert parks in the area for its incredible arch rock formations.
It is important to plan ahead because the National Park Service implemented a timed entry for those wanting to visit Arches. You must reserve your day/time to enter the park ahead of time, via recreation.gov.
I would recommend visiting the park during off hours, i.e. really early in the morning or in the evening. The park is best experienced with fewer crowds.
Delicate Arch trail: 3.2 miles (moderate)
While this is THE hike to do in the park, it is often underestimated by visitors. I have seen people in flip flops, jeans, and little preparation. Delicate Arch makes you work to see her, with some nice elevation gain and some rocky climbs.
This hike is popular (especially for sunset), but I went for sunrise and shared a spectacular morning with only a few other visitors.
Devils Garden trail: 7.9 miles (hard)
Popular views along this hike includes: Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and Dark Angel
Can be hiked as a loop, or an out-and-back, depending on how far you want to hike.
Tower Arch Trail: 2.4 miles (moderate)
Down a long gravel road, so take it slow. But this also means less people take the time to go to this arch - I had the trailhead to myself!
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Places to Stay
Willow Springs Designated Camping
This area used to be free dispersed camping, but in 2022 they converted it to a first-come, first-serve designated campsites. Tons of spots and some port-o-potties, but otherwise minimal amenities. Some of the best night skies I have ever seen.
GPS: 38.6968, -109.6981
Campgrounds along Ida Gulch
There are dozens of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) campsites along Ida Gulch, ranging from just outside of town to well past Fisher Towers. They are first-come, first-serve sites and charge a nightly fee ($20/night at time of posting).
If you are visiting during high season, get there early (and if possible, mid-week) to reserve your spot. Many are accessible for RVs and trailers as well.
Hotel Options
Recommend staying in Moab (see below)
Moab
Moab is considered to be one of the best adventure towns in the country. Use this town as a hub for both your trips to Canyonlands and Arches. If you need a break from hiking (or the heat!), pop into Moab for some shopping or a quick bite.
Things to Do
There are so many cute shops and galleries lining the downtown area. I recommend taking an afternoon, finding a shady parking spot, and walking up and down, stopping whenever something catches your eye.
Bowtie and Corona Arch trail: 2.3 miles (moderate)
It is a treat to find an arch (or two!) outside of the park because this guarantees less crowds. We saw a few others along this trail, but ultimately enjoyed some time under the arches by ourselves.
Mill Creek Waterfall Trail: 1.6 miles (easy)
This is a popular swimming hole to beat the heat. Highly recommend if you decide to visit Moab in the summer months.
Located on 40 acres of land, these tents offer spectacular views of Arches National Park, 3 miles away. Select tents offer private private bathrooms. BBQ facilities are offered on-site.
Guests of Under Canvas Moab can chose to stay in a basic tent with a shared bathroom or stay in a luxury tent complete with a shower, sink and lounge area with a sofa bed. The luxury tents include a private patio with deck lounger chairs, ceramic sinks and spa products. All tents come equipped with a lantern, bedding and towels
Guests can hire bicycles to explore desert bike trails in the surrounding area. Free parking is provided to all guests.
With a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel has a fitness center and a 24-hour front desk.
The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries.
Guests at Wingate by Wyndham Moab can enjoy a continental or an American breakfast.
The accommodation offers a hot tub.
Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, the 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel has family rooms.
All rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. At Apache Motel all rooms have bed linen and towels.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast.
Dorm style or private rooms available, as well as cabins/homes for rent.
We did not stay here, but they allowed us to use their showers for $4 (unlimited time!)
HTR Moab provides accommodations with a shared lounge, free private parking and a terrace. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and free shuttle service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Certain rooms at the property include a balcony with a mountain view.
Certain rooms include a kitchen with a fridge, a dishwasher and an oven.
As one of the few free National Parks, Capitol Reef is not to be underestimated. Full of scenic drives, hiking trails, and gorgeous rock formations - my expectations were blown away.
Petroglyph Trail: 0.3 miles (easy)
The Fremont Culture lived in what is now Utah for about one thousand years, from 300-1300 Common Era (CE). Petroglyphs (images carved or pecked into stone) are one of the most visible aspects of their culture that remains. Archeologists named these people the Fremont Culture, for the Fremont River canyon where they were first defined as a distinct culture.
Per the NPS website, 'The Fremont Culture petroglyphs along Utah State Route 24 are accessible by two wooden boardwalks...
The shorter boardwalk provides views of large, anthropomorphic (human-like) petroglyphs, as well as bighorn sheep petroglyphs, and other animals and geometric designs. The longer boardwalk parallels the cliffs, and the petroglyphs along it are closer to the viewer, but harder to see because of a patina that has developed over them.'
The small shop is located in the farmhouse and it is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during high season.
The shop is full of cute gift items, many of which were made by local artisans. You'll find aprons, candles, hand-crafted rolling pins, and most importantly, THE PIES. Apparently, these pies sell out daily, so get there early if you want to snag one.
The Scenic Drive is a 7.9 mile (12.7 km) paved road, that takes about an hour and half roundtrip to do.
There are two dirt spur roads, Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge, which enter canyons and lead to trailheads.
Although the "Virtual Tour" is free (found on the NPS website), there is a $20.00 (honor's system) entrance fee when you drive the Scenic Drive.
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Places to Stay
Campground
There are several dispersed campground options outside the west entrance of the park, which will set up perfectly on your way to Bryce.
Cooks Mesa Trailhead: 38.326, -111.364
Overlook Trailhead: 38.2983, -111.3878
Both of these sites have wide open spots, few fire pits, and occasional port-o-potties. While you won't have it all to yourself, you will have plenty of space to spread out and a gorgeous night sky.
Cougar Ridge is offering accommodations in Torrey. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel has a garden and a shared lounge. Free private parking is available and the hotel also has bike rental for guests who want to explore the surrounding area.
All rooms is equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a coffee machine, a shower, free toiletries and a closet. The rooms come with a private bathroom with a hairdryer, while selected rooms also feature a kitchenette with a dishwasher. The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and bathrobes.
The daily breakfast offers continental, American or vegetarian options.
Cougar Ridge offers a hot tub. You can play pool at the accommodation, and the area is popular for cycling.
Skyview Hotel has accommodations in Torrey. With a garden, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel has a terrace and a hot tub.
At the hotel, rooms are equipped with a desk. Each room has an electric tea pot, while certain rooms are equipped with a patio and others also feature mountain views. At Skyview Hotel rooms contain bed linen and towels.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast.
Located on the edge of Capitol Reef National Park, this hotel offers open views of towering red mountains and cliffs. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
Free coffee is provided at The Noor Hotel.
Featuring an indoor swimming pool, Days Inn by Wyndham Capitol Reef hotel is 5 minutes’ drive to Boulder Mountain Scenic Highway and 4 miles to Capitol Reef National Park. A free grab and go breakfast is offered.
Offering free Wi-Fi, every room includes cable TV, free toiletries and an private bathroom at Days Inn by Wyndham Capitol Reef. Tea and coffee-making facilities are also provided.
After a day of activity, guests can enjoy a hot tub at Days Inn by Wyndham Capitol Reef. A business center is also provided.
Bryce Canyon is what National Park dreams are made of. Every view is breathtaking and it will nourish your adventurous soul.
Keep in mind, Bryce Canyon is at much higher elevation than our previous Utah parks, so pack your layers!
Mossy Cave Turret Arch and Little Windows Trail: 0.9 miles (easy)
This trail is outside the main entrance of the park, so it is usually less busy.
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Consider taking the Park Shuttle around Bryce Canyon. The shuttle is free with your park entry and it stops at every major trailhead. This helps limit car traffic in the park and eliminates the stress of finding trailhead parking.
The scenic drive coasts along the main park road for eighteen miles and ends at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points.
The Ampitheater is at mile marker 3, then the remaining fifteen miles host nice scenic overlooks that display a the beauty of Bryce Canyon.
The park's elevation increases the further south you travel along the scenic drive. While the Visitor Center sits at 7,894 ft, Rainbow and Yovimpa Points exceed 9,000 ft. This change in elevation results in exceptionally long views with unique rock features.
I have noted just a few of the scenic overlooks and stops along the drive. I recommend packing a picnic and taking your time as you cost up through the park.
The NPS website claims that "all who look out from this point are bound to be inspired, considering the intricacies of the hoodoos and their formation."
I must agree.
Bryce Point is famous for its extraordinary sunrises, where you can watch the tops of hoodoos become fiery red and orange as the first rays of the rising sun hit it.
Old Bryce Town is located across the street from the Best Western Ruby's Inn. Wander through the many shops decorated in the style of an old west town street.
Enjoy hand-dipped ice cream and fresh-baked goods available at many of the shops. Then check out the Canyon Rock Shop, which specializes in museum-quality petrified wood, local Utah rocks, and fossils.
Personally, I thought this town was such an odd juxtaposition from the natural beauty of Bryce Canyon... but I guess, just suspend your disbelief and enjoy a tourist trap every once in a while.
Budget campground minutes from the park entrance, which included showers and access to the pool/hot tub.
We stayed here mainly for the shower... but great proximity to the park. We met some great people, who shared their firewood because we were not prepared for how cold it got at night!
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Dave's Hollow
Just outside of Bryce Canyon, this is a free dispersed camping area. It is also a popular ATV/UTV route, so the roads are rutted. I would recommend cars with 4WD/AWD, especially if there has been any rain. However, I have seen bigger rigs make it, but go based on your comfort level. There are several nice spots in the area, but you may be subject to UTV noise, depending on the time of year.
Located 13 miles from Sunrise Point in Tropic, Happy Trails West Inn has accommodations with air conditioning and free Wifi.
The bed and breakfast provides guests with a patio, mountain views, a seating area, satellite flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchenette with a fridge and a minibar, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and a hair dryer.
Happy Trails West Inn has an outdoor fireplace.
Featuring a patio with mountain views, this apartment is located in Tropic. Free WiFi access is available. Dixie National Forest is 20 minutes’ drive from the apartment.
A private entrance, a TV and a full kitchen are offered at Bryce Vistas. An private bathroom is also included.
Bryce Vistas provides free parking. Activities in the surrounding area include hiking.
Bryce Canyon National Park is 15 minutes’ drive from the apartment. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is 6.5 mi from Bryce Vistas.
Located 1 mi from Bryce Canyon National Park, this Utah hotel offers convenient amenities and comfortable accommodations just minutes from Scenic Byway 12 and the Escalante national Monument.
Each room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a TV. Certain units have a seating area to relax in after a busy day. You will find a coffee machine in the room. Every room is equipped with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. Superior rooms feature a spa bath or a hot tub.
Featuring a seasonal outdoor pool and a hot tub, this motel is a 5-minute drive from Bryce Canyon National Park. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant.
Each air-conditioned room features a cable TV, coffee-making facilities and a private bathroom at Bryce Canyon Pines. Select rooms include a fireplace and a kitchen with a dining area.
Guests can enjoy homemade American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily at Bryce Canyon Pines. A 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities are available. Free parking is provided.
Zion was the 4th most visited national park in 2022, with 4.69 million visitors over the year - and for good reason.
Zion is in a league of its own in terms of its scenic viewpoints, hiking challenges, and natural wonder. It does take a bit of planning, but it is well worth the effort.
Angels Landing Trail: 4.3 miles (hard)
This hike requires a permit and for good reason. When I hiked Angels Landing, there was no permit system in place and the number of people on the trail was a bit dangerous.
While this is the hike everyone talks about, that does not mean everyone should do this hike. It is difficult and it is scary. Know yourself and your limits before attempting. You will be scrambling along a ridgeline with huge drop-offs staring up at you, and only a chain link to hold you. That being said, if reading that gets you excited, go for it. The views are unmatched.
The Narrows Trail: as long as you want to go...
You can see The Narrows by walking along the paved, wheelchair accessible Riverside Walk from the Temple of Sinawava (one mile).
To continue, you will head into the Virgin River, which can involve wading upstream for just a few minutes or it can be an all-day hike.
Be prepared depending on the time of year. When we hiked (September), the water was usually mid-calf, but occasionally up to mid-thigh. The water temperature was mild, so we did not have any special gear - but this can change greatly depending on when you go.
Emerald Pools Trail: 3.0 miles (moderate)
There is a paved trail to the lower pool, then a rocky trail to the upper pool at the base of a cliff. The upper pool is a great hangout spot to relax after a couple great hikes.
Grotto trail: 1.2 miles (easy)
This walk connects two shuttle stops, so if you haven't walked enough yet, you can skip the shuttle and meander down the paved path.
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During the shuttle season (generally March to November), visitors cannot drive personal vehicles on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. It is an incredibly easy way to get around the park without the hassle of finding parking.
Springdale has a little bit everything you would expect from a national park town, including art galleries, rock shops, outdoor outfitters, and small eateries. When you are done hiking, take an afternoon to walk around and buy a few souvenirs from friends back home. Nothing says national park junkie like an "I didn't die on Angels Landing" t-shirt.
Great spot if you forgot anything for your adventures, but more importantly, they have showers!
When we went in 2021, it was $4 for a five-minute shower.
Grafton Ghost Town is a 20-minute drive from Springdale, and it’s one of the most famous ghost towns of the American Southwest. The town was established in 1859 and was abandoned in 1944.
The buildings were restored in 1997, so the buildings are well-preserved for an abandoned town.
Note: the last two miles to Grafton are along an unpaved road
Beautiful campsite with great amenities. Sites are close together and we just happened to have some neighbors with a very ... eclectic taste in music.
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Kolob BLM Campground
There are several "reported" dispersed campsites outside Springdale, but this is still National Park land and it is not legal to camp there. Do not attempt, unless you want "the knock" and a hefty fine. If you want free, dispersed camping, look near Virgin off Kolob Terrace Rd.
Featuring an on-site buffalo preserve, a restaurant and a greenhouse, this historical ranch is located on a secluded mountain meadow. Zion National Park is 5 minutes’ drive from the ranch.
Offering western décor, all rooms also include a seating area with a fireplace, a TV with a DVD player and an private bathroom equipped with a hairdryer at Zion Mountain Ranch Zion National Park. A microwave, a small refrigerator and coffee-making facilities are available.
Cordwood Restaurant serves organic cuisine daily. Guests can enjoy horse riding and hiking trails at Zion National Park Zion Mountain Ranch. Free parking is provided.
Featuring a seasonal outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, each room at this hotel in Springdale, Utah offers with views of the Zion Mountains from a private balcony. The entrance to Zion National Park is 5 minutes’ drive away.
Each room provides free Wi-Fi, a satellite TV, a seating area and an private bathroom at Bumbleberry Inn. A microwave and refrigerator are also provided.
2 Cranes Inn - Zion is an inn set in Rockville. Offering barbecue facilities, the property is located within 4.7 mi of South Gate of Zion National Park. Free WiFi and a shared kitchen are provided.
2 Cranes Inn - Zion features certain units that feature mountain views, and rooms come with a private bathroom. The units at the accommodations are fitted with a seating area.
2 Cranes Inn - Zion offers a sun terrace. A selection of activities are offered in the area, such as skiing and cycling.
Featuring a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, Zion Park Motel is set in Springdale, 1.1 mi from Zion National Park and is 300 feet from the free shuttle to Zion National Park.
Guestrooms provide a flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. A private bathroom and air conditioning are also provided.
The motel offers a sun terrace. Guests at Zion Park Motel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Springdale, like cycling and hiking.
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Holiday Inn Express Springdale - Zion Natl Park Area, an IHG Hotel
Located 1.6 mi from Zion National Park amid the red rock cliffs, this Springdale hotel offers free WiFi and rooms that feature a refrigerator and a work desk.
A cable TV with premium film channels is included in each regionally styled room at Holiday Inn Express Zion National Park. Tea and coffee-making facilities and a microwave are also included.
Guests can swim in the seasonal outdoor pool or relax in the hot tub or on the sun terrace. Laundry facilities are also available along with a mini-market.
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An Anecdote
Mady and Emily are my travel buddies.
We met doing work trade on a farm in Hawaii, and we have been each other's trip schemers ever since. While our adventures are never truly last-minute, the decision-making process is usually pretty quick.
"Hey do you want to backpack Europe?"
"Yep."
And then the crazy part? It actually happens.
Such was the Utah Road-Trip Plan of 2021. The idea was pitched, flights were bought, and a few months later, the Xterra was packed, and we were on the road.
This was my first time in Utah and one of the first times I really saw an expansive mountain range. I remember being in awe as soon as we started our drive out of Salt Lake City. Mady turned to me and said, "We haven't even seen anything yet!" but I couldn't stop staring out the passenger window.
Every moment on this trip felt fueled by adventure (clearly, as evidenced by my epic nap below). A constant high of looking forward to the next thing, while truly appreciating the view we had in that moment. This was the trip that made me fall in the love with living on the road. It was about six months after this trip that I quit my job, packed everything into my SUV, and said hello to a new way of life.
Find more of my adventures on Instagram @ani.theadventurer
Welcome to my (and hopefully our) adventures! I have lived all over the United States, and I have a passion for the outdoors and budget-travel. My style of travel is easy-going, yet filled with adventure and excitement. I focus on connecting with people and community, as well as immersing myself in the outdoors as much as possible. Finding a balance between these two have led to some amazing memories, and I cannot wait to share them with you.
Most recently, I lived in my car for over seven months, while I visited every National Park in the lower 48. I hiked, camped, met amazing people, and hiked some more. I got to experience the parks like a local, because I had no timetable, no flights to catch, no rental car to return, etc. Some parks I stayed only for a few hours, and others for over a week. I chatted with park rangers, stayed with people that lived nearby, and camped with others at some amazing campsites. The travel guides I share give you an "insider" look at the national park, with tips for the best hikes, tricks for finding campsites (but I always include hotel options too), as well as information about the various aspects of the parks. I hope that you will use these guides as tools to fuel your next national park adventure!
