How many days do you need for Utah's Mighty Five?

Minimum 7–8 days to see all five parks with brief visits. 10–14 days is ideal to properly explore each park, do the best hikes, and enjoy the drives between them. Allow 2 days each for Zion and Arches/Canyonlands, and 1–2 days each for Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef.

Can you take an RV to all five Utah national parks?

Yes, but with caveats. Zion's Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles (shuttle bus only, April–October) — park your RV at Watchman Campground and ride the shuttle. Arches can get congested in summer. Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon are the most RV-friendly. Keep your rig under 25ft for the most flexibility.

What is the best order to visit Utah's Mighty Five?

From Salt Lake City: Arches → Canyonlands → Capitol Reef → Bryce Canyon → Zion → return to SLC (or drop off in Las Vegas). This route flows naturally south-to-west and saves the most spectacular park (Zion) for last.

How much does an RV campsite cost in Utah's national parks?

National park campgrounds in Utah cost $20–$35/night (no hookups). BLM (Bureau of Land Management) dispersed camping near Moab is free and very popular. Private RV parks with hookups near each park run $40–$70/night.

Utah Mighty Five RV Road Trip 2026

Utah's Mighty Five: The Ultimate RV Itinerary

Utah's "Mighty Five" national parks — Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion — are concentrated in the southern half of the state, making them perfect for a single RV road trip loop.

The landscapes here are unlike anywhere else in the world: crimson arches, endless canyon mazes, pastel-striped hoodoos, and slot canyons carved by ancient rivers. And with RV-friendly campgrounds in or near every park, you'll wake up inside the scenery.

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The Route: Salt Lake City → Moab → Bryce → Zion

Days 1–3: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks (Moab)

From Salt Lake City, drive 4 hours south to Moab — the adventure capital of Utah and base for two national parks.

Arches National Park:

Over 2,000 natural stone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch (the 3-mile round-trip sunset hike is non-negotiable).
Devils Garden Campground ($25/night, book 6 months ahead on recreation.gov). 50 sites, no hookups but a stunning setting among red-rock fins.
Also walk: Landscape Arch, Double Arch, Park Avenue, and the Windows Section.

Canyonlands National Park:

Canyonlands is enormous — focus on the Island in the Sky district (30 min from Moab). Drive to Grand View Point for a canyon panorama that rivals the Grand Canyon.
Hike Mesa Arch at sunrise (easy 0.5 miles) — one of the most photographed spots in Utah.
Free BLM camping: Moab has excellent free dispersed camping on BLM land along Highway 128 and Highway 313. Arrive early to grab a spot.

Days 4–5: Capitol Reef National Park

The least-visited of the Mighty Five — and many people's favourite. Capitol Reef sits in the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile wrinkle in the Earth's crust.

Fruita Campground ($25/night) — Shaded sites beside the Fremont River in a historic orchard. Pick free fruit in season (cherries, peaches, apples).
Scenic Drive: The 8-mile paved scenic drive through Capitol Gorge is spectacular (and RV-friendly).
Hikes: Cassidy Arch (3.4 miles), Hickman Bridge (1.8 miles), and the Grand Wash slot canyon.

Days 6–7: Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon isn't technically a canyon — it's a natural amphitheatre filled with thousands of red, orange and white hoodoos (tall, thin rock spires). It looks like another planet.

North Campground ($20/night) and Sunset Campground ($20/night) are inside the park. North has some RV sites with easier access.
Must-do: Hike the Navajo Loop + Queen's Garden Trail combination (3 miles, moderate) — it takes you down into the hoodoo forest. Go at sunrise or sunset for magical light.
Scenic Drive: The 18-mile drive to Rainbow Point hits 13 viewpoints. Arrive before 9am in summer to avoid traffic.

Days 8–10: Zion National Park

Save the best for last. Zion is Utah's most visited national park — soaring red cliffs, the emerald Virgin River, and hikes that will blow your mind.

Watchman Campground ($20–$30/night, reserve 6 months ahead). Located at the park entrance, right on the shuttle line. Electric hookups available on some sites.
The Narrows: Wade up the Virgin River through a slot canyon with 1,000ft walls — one of the world's great hikes (8–10 miles out and back). Rent waterproof gear in Springdale.
Angels Landing: The famous chain-assisted ridge hike with 1,500ft drop-offs on both sides. Requires a permit (lottery system via recreation.gov). Not for anyone afraid of heights.
Shuttle system: Private vehicles (including RVs) are not allowed on Zion's scenic drive April–October. Park at Watchman and ride the free shuttle.

RV Tips for Utah's National Parks

Size matters: Keep your RV under 25ft for maximum flexibility. Some campgrounds and roads have length restrictions.
Pick-up cities: Salt Lake City for a loop trip, or do a one-way from SLC to Las Vegas (ending at Zion, which is 2.5 hours from Vegas).
Book early: National park campgrounds sell out 6 months ahead for spring and fall. BLM free camping is first-come, first-served.
Water: Utah is a desert — fill your RV's freshwater tank at every opportunity. Carry extra drinking water for hikes.

Utah Mighty Five RV Trip Costs

A 10-day Utah RV trip for two costs approximately US$3,500–$5,500. National park entry is $35 per vehicle per park, or $80 for an annual "America the Beautiful" pass (covers all five parks). Campground costs are low compared to coastal states.

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