Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks compared: Which ones should you visit?

Utah’s red rock country is one of the most beautiful parts of America, and nowhere is that beauty more pronounced than in the state’s 5 national parks.

While they share a region, the so-called “Mighty 5” national parks of Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Bryce Canyon each offer unique landscapes and experiences. That’s why many visitors see all 5 parks on one trip.

But if you’re looking for a shorter getaway, or not sure where to start, we look at what each park does best so you can pick the best fit for the kind of trip you want.

Another unique hike is the Narrows, a winding slot canyon featuring walls up to a thousand feet high. Much of this hike takes place in the Virgin River, which reaches from wall to wall in some places. Waterproof hiking gear, especially shoes, are essential, and hikers should heed any warnings about potential flash flooding.

Keep in mind: Because Zion Canyon is so well-loved, it’s closed to private auto traffic from March through November. Visitors must take a shuttle around the canyon after parking at the entrance (which fills up quickly in the morning) or in the nearby town of Springdale. Trails can be crowded during the busiest months from May through July.

It can also get very hot in summer: The average high temperature in July and August is 100 degrees. While this isn’t unusual for Utah (Arches and Canyonlands see similar temperatures), you won’t have your own vehicle in the park, and not all of Zion’s shuttles have air conditioning. 

There’s myriad other rock forms, too, from the gravity-defying Balanced Rock to the hoodoos known as the Three Gossips. The most distinctive experience is likely the Fiery Furnace. As the name suggests, hiking this labyrinth of rocks isn’t for the faint of heart—since it’s easy to get lost, visitors must either join a ranger-guided tour or get a permit ahead of time to hike on their own. But for those willing and able to do some scrambling and climbing, no other hike immerses you so thoroughly in the red rocks.

Keep in mind: If you’re not looking to hike or have mobility issues, bear in mind that some of Arches’ most iconic sights can’t be seen from the road, including Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch. Some trails are accessible while others are not; the National Park Service describes each trail’s accessibility on its website.

Like Zion, Arches typically gets very hot in summer, with 100-degree days common in July and August. Unlike Zion, you can drive your own vehicle into and around Arches. From April to October, though, if you want to enter the park during the peak time of 7 a.m.-4 p.m., you’ll need a timed reservation through Recreation.gov.

If you find yourself without a reservation and having to wait, nearby Canyonlands National Park doesn’t need reservations and is a great place to visit in the meantime.

Island in the Sky is no slouch in the arch department, either: Most visitors’ first stop is Mesa Arch, which combines a rock arch and an incredible view at the end of a short hike. The rock window frames the distant La Sal Mountains, and early-bird hikers can catch the world-famous view of sunrise illuminating its underside.

Keep in mind: The entrance to Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky District is about a 40-minute, 32-mile one-way drive from Moab, so back-and-forth driving can take significant time. The park’s other 2 districts, the Needles and the Maze, have fewer amenities and can’t be reached directly from Island in the Sky, instead requiring hours-long detours. The vast majority of trips stick to Island in the Sky.

While Island in the Sky has plenty of hiking trails, many are either brief hikes to vista points or strenuous trails that descend more than 1,000 feet to the canyons. Most of the main attractions are only connected by road, and parking can be a headache as some of the trailhead parking lots are small and fill up quickly when the park is busy. 

Another unique experience? Go fruit-picking in the park’s historic orchards. They date to the 1880s when Fruita was founded as a Latter-Day Saints farming community, and the Park Service still tends to the historic trees today. Visitors can pick apples, peaches, plums, cherries, and more when they’re ripe, typically from late June to mid-October.

Keep in mind: Capitol Reef’s main Fruita District has fewer easy and moderate hiking trails than the other parks; the Park Service rates 8 of its 15 trails as “strenuous.” The Scenic Drive is paved, but a few sights and trailheads require driving on unpaved spur roads.

All roads in the park’s Waterpocket District and Cathedral Valley District are unpaved. The Park Service says “most passenger cars, pickups, and vans” can navigate the Waterpocket District, but recommends high-clearance vehicles for the Cathedral Valley District. Roads in both areas can become unpassable in wet weather. 

Bryce Canyon is the highest of the Mighty 5, with elevations averaging about 8,000 feet, or about 5,000 feet higher than the bottom of Zion Canyon. That keeps the park cooler than the others in summer—July is the hottest month with an average high temperature of just 80 degrees.

Keep in mind: Bryce Canyon is both Utah’s smallest national park and the second-most visited. Visitors should consider riding the optional shuttle into the park to avoid parking headaches during the busy season. Stay at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn or Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand in Bryce Canyon City for added convenience—the shuttle route has a stop at both.

The air is about 25% thinner at Bryce Canyon than at sea level. Hikers will find themselves breathing harder and drinking more water, and they should be alert for symptoms of altitude sickness, especially if they have health conditions.  

While all 5 national parks can experience disruption from winter weather, Bryce Canyon’s elevation makes it particularly susceptible to accumulated snow and ice. Temperatures can fall below freezing at night as late as May. If you plan to visit between October and May, bring the proper equipment and be prepared for interruptions.