Mighty 5® National Parks

The five collective national parks in Southern Utah are referred to as the Mighty 5 and between them, they have some of the most spectacular vistas on the planet. Watching the sunrise over the towering depths of Canyonlands National Park and sunset through a red rock arch in Arches National Park is a photographer’s dream while many a meteor has been spotted among the ancient petroglyphs in the dark skies above Capitol Reef National Park.

You can explore the eerie crimson-coloured rock hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park before discovering the steep walls of the slot canyon trails in Zion National Park.

There is much to explore throughout the parks and a multitude of hiking and biking trails, scenic byways and stargazing spots to be covered while discovering some of the most dramatic scenery anywhere.

Arches & Canyonlands National Parks

Arches National Park is one of America’s finest; red sandstone rocks create an extraordinary landscape of arches, towers, hoodoos and seemingly impossible balanced rock. Spectacular sunsets and sunrises often form the perfect photo backdrop.

Canyonlands National Park, carved by the Colorado river, has 527 square miles of deep canyons, cliffs, pinnacles and spires and one of the most photographed landforms in the western US, Mesa Arch.

Utah Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is an alpine forest with as many red rock hoodoos as trees. Over millions of years, water and wind have carved the distinctive red rock pillars; the Amphitheatre, an incredible hoodoo-filled depression below the Rim Trail hiking path, is a must-see

The hiking in Bryce Canyon is superb, as is the park’s 18-mile scenic drive, Highway 63. If you have limited time available, then do make sure you stop at Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce viewpoints.

 

 

Capitol Reef National Park

One of Utah’s less crowded national parks, the expanse of broad sweeping vistas in Capitol Reef National Park are hard to rival. The park has a seemingly endless landscape, with limitless sky and desert rock; indeed the less-visited Capitol Reef is almost like a lone planet.

In many parks the most beautiful areas can’t be seen from the road; that’s not the case at Capitol Reef. The 8-mile paved Capitol Reef Scenic Drive has breathtaking viewpoints, beyond which are two dirt spur roads, Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge, which enter canyons leading to trailheads.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is a destination like no other. Located in Southwest Utah, the national park is defined by its steep rolling sandstone hills, juxtaposed with the lush forestry of the canyon floor and punctuated by the gentle currents of the Virgin River.

Zion National Park is a hikers paradise with routes that will challenge the most experienced of hikers and routes that will delight the novice out for a gentle stroll. Combine beautiful scenery with world class hiking and you will find a location with something for everyone.

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Well done. you triumphed again. Our trip to Utah went perfectly and we had an extraordinary experience with miles of hiking in amazing scenery. The accommodation was all first class and we especially loved Red Cliffs in Moab. Wonderful resort right on the Colorado. Many thanks.

Mr & Mrs Rutter - Travelled to Utah