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Utah is home to some of the most beautiful national parks in the country. From Zion to Bryce Canyon and Arches to Canyonlands, there are plenty of amazing parks to explore in this state. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, Utah is the place to be. In this blog post, we will rank the best national parks in Utah and what makes them so special. We’ll also provide tips on how to best enjoy these parks during your visit. This way you know how to prioritize your time in each of the parks and plan your Utah road trip itinerary. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s explore the Mighty 5.

How Many National Parks are in Utah?

There are five national parks in Utah. They are Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park. Collectively, these parks are referred to as the Mighty 5.

Between these five parks, Zion National Park is arguably the most famous national park in Utah. Although this is likely followed closely by Arches National Park.

Considerations for Visiting the National Parks in Utah

As you are planning to visit the best national parks in Utah, there are some things you need to think about before you set out.

How Many Days to are Needed to Visit the Utah National Parks

For a complete visit of the Utah national parks hitting most of the highlights, an ideal trip duration would be 10-14 days. If you are not much of a hiker and plan to be doing most of your viewing from the car and short overlooks, you can get away with a 7 day to visit the Utah national parks.

With less than 7 days, we recommend breaking up your trip and concentrating on 2-3 parks at a time. Keep in mind that the distance between Zion National Park and Canyonlands National Park is around 8 hours so there will be a lot of driving on the trip. However, even with 10-14 days there will be amazing hikes and activities that you will have to skip.

Best Month to Visit Utah National Parks

While most people plan their Utah national parks road trip in the summer, this is the worst time of the year to visit the Utah national parks. The parks are hot and crowded. If it can be avoided, do not plan a summer trip. However, if that is the only time you have available, make the most of it by starting each day early with sunrise hikes, taking breaks in midday to avoid the heat and crowds, and heading back into the park at sunset while everyone else is thinking about dinner. Check out the average temperatures at Zion National Park year round as a starting point for your planning.

The best months to visit Utah national parks is March-April and September-October. These have less crowds and heat than the summer and most of the surrounding amenities are open.

Another great time of year to visit Utah is the winter. This has significantly less crowds, but sometimes unpredictable weather. Additionally, frequently there are less restaurants, ranger stations, and other amenities open at this time of the year. An added bonus of visiting in the winter if you begin or end your trip in Salt Lake City is the opportunity to add in some time on the slopes at one of the amazing Utah ski resorts.

What Else is Needed to Visit the Utah National Parks

If you are planning to visit the Utah national parks, make sure you have an up-to-date national parks pass. This pass provides access to all national parks and usually costs $80 and by visiting just three national parks, this pass will essentially pay for itself and then any national park you visit after this trip will be “free” for the remainder of the 12 months after you purchased the pass.

Be sure to stock your car with the essentials before heading off on your adventure. Road trips can be fun and exciting if you plan ahead and make sure you don’t forget any important items. Consider packing a first aid kit, snacks, water, a map, sunscreen, changes of clothes in case of emergencies, and whatever other things you think you might need for your journey. Check out these tips if you are looking for how to save money on your road trip.

Whenever you visit the national parks in Utah or other places in the outdoors, remember to follow Leave No Trace Principles. These include not carving your name into trees or rocks, picking up your trash and other items you brought into the park, and being a good human.

Best National Parks in Utah Ranked

From here we will review the Utah national parks in alphabetical order and rank them. There will be two different scoring methods – the first is an overall ranking based on unlimited time in the park and the second is ranking the best national parks in Utah if you only have one day to visit each park.

Note: These rankings are obviously subjective but based off of 7 years of living and exploring all over Utah and visiting each national park a minimum of 5 different times before making this blog post. The rankings that I have evolved with more time spent in each park which is why the parks will be ranked based off of those two different methods as you might only be making one trip to Utah so we will capitalize on this.

Arches National Park

Overall Ranking: #4

One Day Ranking: #2

Arches National Park is one of the most popular destinations in Utah, and for good reason. With over 2,000 arches and a variety of landscapes, Arches National Park offers something for everyone. It is also part of the Mighty 5 National Parks in Utah and one of the best national parks in Utah to visit if you are on limited time. Check out this itinerary if you only have one day in Arches National Park.

This park is perfect to visit if you only have one or two days to visit as there are many things to see without having to work very hard to see them. However, after spending a few days in Arches, you might get the feeling that you have seen most of what you need to see which is why it ranks lower on the overall ranking.

Arches is home to the Delicate Arch which is one of the most famous Utah national park landmarks and highlighted on the Utah license plate. Other highlights of the park include the Fiery Furnace, a permitted hike that is more like an adult playground, The Windows area, and Devil’s Garden.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Overall Ranking: #5

One Day Ranking: #3

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the more unique national parks in Utah. The entire canyon is filled with formations called hoodoos that are unlike any other national park in the state. Despite being very close to Zion National Park, this park is much higher in elevation and therefore much colder than Zion National Park. Pack extra layers of clothing to prepare.

This park is filled with many overlooks and is incredibly accessible as you can navigate the rim fairly easily on the Rim Trail. in addition to hiking you can also do horseback riding which is a unique way to experience the park.

Bryce Canyon National Park feels very small compared to the other parks which is why it is one of the best national parks in Utah if you have limited time but it is lower on the list when you have more time available. However, being ranked last on the overall list of national parks in Utah doesn’t mean it isn’t worth visiting. On the contrary, it is still an amazing place.

When you do visit, be sure to check out the Mossy Cave Trail, Queen’s Garden Loop, Navajo Trail, Fairyland Loop Trail.

Canyonlands National Park

Overall Ranking: #3

One Day Ranking: #4

Canyonlands might seem like one giant hole if you just have the day to visit. However, it is comprised of multiple areas that have entrances very far apart from each other. Most visitors spend their time in the Island in the Sky District as this is the closest to Moab and to Arches National Park. However, the sheer size of this park makes it one of the best national parks in Utah if you have more time to explore.

With limited time, definitely check out Shafer Canyon Overlook, Mesa Arch, Grand Viewpoint, and Green River Overlook. If you have more time to explore and a capable vehicle, consider obtaining a permit to drive in the backcountry on the White Rim Road in Canyonlands. And if you want to check out another district, hike the Chesler Park Loop with the Druid Arch extension.

Capitol Reef National Park

Overall Ranking: #2

One Day Ranking: #5

If you have a lot of time, Capitol Reef National Park is one of the top national parks in Utah. However, if you are on limited time, you may even consider skipping Capitol Reef altogether. This is because the views from the road and overlooks are not nearly as impressive as the other national parks in Utah. If you do decide to visit on limited time, consider doing the scenic drive, hiking to Hickman Bridge, and doing the Grand Wash Trail.

However, with more time, this park easily makes its way closer to one of the best national parks in Utah. Amazing hikes such as Sulphur Creek, Muley Canyon, and The Cathedrals await you. Additionally, there are some incredible overlanding routes that weave in and out of the park itself. Check out this post for driving the Cathedral Valley Loop near Capitol Reef.

Zion National Park

Overall Ranking: #1

One Day Ranking: #1

Whether you have one day or unlimited time, Zion National Park is the best national park in Utah. While it is certainly not a hidden gem, the jutting monoliths and gorgeous red walls will certainly make up for the crowds that you encounter.

When planning your Utah national parks trip, be sure to allocate as much time to visiting Zion National Park as possible. If you are a hiker, both Angels Landing and The Narrows are bucket list-worthy hikes that should not be missed. Angels Landing now requires a permit, so be sure to plan ahead.

Other hikes for your list include Many Pools, The Subway, Canyon Overlook, West Rim Trail, Kayenta Trail, and the Pa’rus Trail.

Even if you are not a hiker, the scenic drive from the Springdale entrance to the East Entrance is beautiful and the free shuttle will take you into the main Zion Canyon. Other Zion National Park entrances worthy of exploring by car include Kolob Terrace Rd and the Kolob Canyon entrance.

Best National Parks in Utah FAQ

Which is the Most Beautiful Park in Utah?

The most beautiful park in Utah is Arches, closely followed by Zion. After all, both parks feature stunning natural scenery that is unlike anything else you’ll see in the United States.

What are the Top 5 National Parks in Utah?

The top five national parks in Utah are:

• Bryce Canyon National Park.
• Zion National Park.
• Arches National Park.
• Canyonlands National Park.
• Capitol Reef National Park.

Is Bryce or Zion Better?

Honestly, whether Bryce or Zion is better really depends on what activities you enjoy while in the great outdoors.

Therefore, if you prefer rappelling and canyoneering then Zion is better. However, if you’re a fan of hiking then you’ll love trekking through streams and climbing along sandstone ledges at Angels Landing. !

What is the Most Colorful National Park in Utah?

The most colorful national park in Utah is Bryce Canyon since this place is known for its incredible, vibrant, orange-hued, hoodoo formations.

Visiting the Best National Parks in Utah

Utah is known for its many beautiful national parks. From Zion to Bryce Canyon, Arches to Canyonlands, there are plenty of parks to choose from. Hopefully you now know the best national parks in Utah rankings and what makes them so special. Which national park in Utah are you headed to first? Let me know in the comments.

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• Fun Things to do near Zion National Park
• 21 Places to Visit in Utah that aren’t National Parks
• Epic Things to do in Utah
• 11 Things to do in Kanab
• Visiting the Utah Mighty 5 National Parks
• Best Scenic Drives in Utah
• Top Southwestern Utah Historical Sites

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