The 3rd largest of Utah’s National Parks, Zion is located just adjacent to the quaint town of Springdale.
Two of the most popular highlights are the Narrows and Angel’s Landing hikes, both of which can be accomplished within a two-day visit to the Park.
Family-friendly Bryce Canyon National Park is the smallest of the 5 parks, so it is easy to visit in one day. It also has the most surreal landscape, an interesting combination of red rock desert – filled with the largest collection of hoodoos on earth – and lofty evergreen forests.
Although the 2nd largest of the 5 National Parks, Capitol Reef receives fewer visitors than Bryce or Zion and has a very different landscape – vast, seemingly infinite, and reminiscent of another planet.
On arrival at Arches, you will see exactly where it got its name. It is home to more than 2000 natural arches, along with huge mesas, balanced rocks, and hoodoos. The Park has one main road which passes many of its main attractions and viewpoints, making it perfect for families.
On your final day, drive 45-minutes south from Moab to Canyonlands, the biggest park of the five. It is divided into four districts but as you will only be spending a day here, focus on the more easily accessible Island in the Sky.