An Efficient 7 day Itinerary for UTAH (Salt Lake city to Moab, 4 national Parks )
Utah is among the most diverse national parks of the United States. We still have a lot more places in Utah on our bucket list. The landscape of Utah changes as we move along and includes forest, desert, sand,arches, canyons, hoodoos and many more. We completed 4 national parks within 7 days and we are sharing the same itinerary below.
Before you visit Utah, make sure to buy Annual National Park Permit: Annual permit is valid for 1 year and works for all the national parks of the US.
https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes
Day 1: Bryce Canyon National Park
We started our day early from Salt Lake City. It was about a 4 hour drive to Bryce Canyon. There are plenty of options for gas and dining on the way. As we arrived early at Bryce , we decided to drive along the park.Bryce canyon has the largest number of hoodoos (bright orange and light tan sedimentary rocks).
Bryce Canyon is compact and driving along the park will only take about 2 hours and there are multiple viewpoints to stop by and enjoy the scenery.There are plenty of hiking trails for those who love to hike and multiple viewpoints to enjoy the hoodoos for others. In the late afternoon, we did the famous Navajo trail/Queens garden trail which is highly recommended.
Bryce Canyon
- Navajo loop + Queens garden : 3 mile hike (2 -3 hours) It is the most famous hike and is moderately difficult. It starts at sunset point where parking is available and ends at Sunrise point. It is a down and uphill winding loop and covers famous hoodoos of the park including Thor’s hammer, wall street, queens garden and two bridges. Either Navajo or Queens garden can also be hiked differently.
- Queens garden Trail: It is a 1.8 mile round loop and starts on the sunrise point parking lot.
- Navajo loop Trail: It is 1.3 mile round trip and starts fromm sunset point parking lot
- Sunset to Sunrise Point: It is a 1 mile easy trail with benches in between to rest and enjoy the views of hoodoos.
Thor's hammer
View along Navajo Loop Trail
Viewing the Sunrise: One of the popular things in Bryce is enjoying the views of rays of sun hitting the head of hoodoos. Famous points to see sunrise are Sunrise/Sunset point and Bryce Point. We chose the sunset point. Sunrise or sunset point does not make a difference as they are pretty close. Please make sure to reach early as the parking lot is full by 5:30-6 am.
Even before you enter Zion National Park, make sure you learn if you require or don’t require booking for National Park Shuttle service. It is the only way to travel around zion.Scenic drive is closed for private vehicles.
Visit official site of Zion National Park Shuttle System from here:
https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm
Sunrise from Sunset Point
Day 2: Zion National Park
Driving from Bryce to Zion national park was 1 hour and 23 min. Just prior to entering the east entrance of Zion Mount Carmel tunnel, vehicles parking on the side of the road will be seen. The parking lot itself is small(8-10 cars), so it is ok to park by the side of the road.Here, we can do Canyon Overlook Trail.
Canyon Overlook Trail: It is an easy 1 mile round trip hike. It is an uneven and rocky trail and ends at Pine creek canyon and lower Zion Canyon. We rested under the shadow of rocks and enjoyed the view from here. We rested for the remainder of the afternoon.
View from top of Canyon Overlook Trail
Day 3: Angel’s Landing: Permit Required
It is one of the most Popular Hikes in Zion National Park. The shuttle service starts at 7 am(please check the official website for updated time) but the parking lot is full early by 6 am.So, we reached around 5:30 at the parking lot and took the shuttle at 7 am. It is much easier to start hiking to Zion as early as possible as afternoon sun is discouraging for the hike.
When we hiked Angel’s Landing in 2021, there was no permit/ reservation needed. Currently Zion has issued a lottery system to hike Angel’s Landing and it must be filled 3 months in advance. “Day before” lottery is also available. So, it’s important to visit the official website for updated information.
https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675310
It starts from Grotto TrailHead which is Stop Number 6. It is a 5 miles round trip and will take 3-4 hours. The chain part which is the last part of the hike is 0.5 miles only which starts from Scout Lookout. It is narrow at places and can get crowded where traffic can move only from one side and will take longer time. If you are afraid of heights, reaching up to Scout Lookout is a good option.
View from top of Angel's Landing
Emerald Pool: After resting some time at the Grotto, we took Shuttle to Stop Number 5 (Zion Lodge).We hiked to the lower and middle pool which is a 2 mile round trip. Lower pool is easy and only a 1.2 mile round trip loop.
Day 4: The Narrows
It starts at the Temple of Sinawava(Stop 9). It first follows a 1 mile paved ,easy walk along the side of the virgin river which leads up to the beginning of Narrows.The water is shallow for most parts except few parts where it can get deep. It is 10 miles in total but spending 4 hours is enough for the narrows. Special trousers and shoes are available for rent in the shops around the visitor centre but we did not rent it. Water is fairly cold and the lower part of the body will be wet. So, wearing comfortable clothes and shoes is highly recommended as we step in small and larger rocks most of the way which can be slippery. Trekking poles help to navigate among the rocks. After walking for 2 hours,we turned back and returned the same way. Returning will be quicker as we walk along the flow of water. Since it was a long day, we rested on the narrow entrance for 2 hours.
The Narrows
Day 5: Arches National Park
We drove up to Arches National Park from Zion which is about 342 miles(5 hours). The landscapes along the way are also beautiful. Once we reached arches, we hiked up to Delicate Arch.The traffic to enter the national park was pretty long.
DELICATE ARCH:
It is one of the most photographed and recognized arches in the national park.The hike is a 3 miles round trip which starts from the parking lot. It’s a steadily uphill hike and the last ¼ of the mile is straight up over the rock and is a big turn before we reach the arch. The sunset is the best time to spend in the arch. We stayed for a few more hours to gaze at the stars. Star gazing is amazing from here and highly recommended. Note that, when returning from the arches, it’s difficult to find the trail as we walk over rock for the last 1/4th part and difficult to trace the way in the dark.
NOTE: From April 1 to October 31, visitors are required to have a timed entry ticket to enter the Arches National park. Please make sure you book your ticket earlier.
https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/timed-entry-pilot.htm
Delicate Arch just after sunset
Day 6: Arches National Park:
North Window: Sunrise is famous from North Window and remains crowded during the sunrise. Just opposite of this is South Window.
Turret Arch: It lies on Window Trail and can be easily walked through.
Sunrise as seen from North Window
Turret Arch
Double Arch Viewpoint: It is the tallest arch is can be viewed from window loop trail. Total of window trail loop is 1 mile.
Balanced Rock: It can be seen from the road and has a parking area by the side of the road from where pictures can be taken.
Double Arch
Balanced Rock
Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch Trail: Easy to moderate trail. Trail up to the sand arch is easy and is only 0.4 mile round trip. We continued from sand dune Arch to the broken arch which is 1.2 miles and can take 40-60 mins.
Double O arch: It is an unusual arch in the form where one arch lies over another. It lies on Devil’s garden trail. Hike from the parking lot to Double O arch is a 4 mile round trip and will take about 2 hours round trip.On the way lies Landscape Arch.
After completing the hike up to double O arch, we drove up to Canyonland National Park the same afternoon which is only 30 miles and takes 30 mins.
Sand Dunes Arch
Broken Arch Trail
Broken Arch
Day 6: Canyonland National Park:
We drove along the park and enjoyed the view from different viewpoints.
- Grand view point: It is a short walk up to the lookout point and is one of the best view points of the park.
- The Needles:As needles was completely opposite, we viewed from a distance and did not drive up to the needles.
- Mesa Arch: It is only 0.5 miles and takes 30 mins hike.
- Green River Overlook: It is a short walk from the parking lot and gives a wide view of the canyon with the green river craving its way to the canyon.
- Dead Horse Point state Park: It is famous for sunset.
Grand View point
Grand View point
Green River Overlook
Mesa Arch
Day 7: Drive back to Salt Lake City
which takes about 4.5 hrs (234 miles ).
In the afternoon, we visited Antelope Island Park in the salt lake city.It is full of Bisons and is beautiful to drive around. We walked up to the salt lake and spent some time over the lake . In the evening,we flew back home.
WHERE TO STAY?
Bryce National Park: Hotel and Lodge options are available in the park.Make sure to book earlier.
Zion National Park: Multiple accommodation options are available inside the park.
MOAB TOWN: It’s a beautiful town itself and is the hub to stay while visiting both Arches and Canyonland National Park .It has plenty of options for dining and accommodation and gear shops. It is a hub for dessert tourists.
Things to know before you travel to Utah.
- Annual Park Pass: It works for every national Park in USA. If you are planning to visit different national parks of Utah, it’s better to take Annual Pass than individual national Park. It costs 80 USD.
- Make sure to check the official website as there are updates on pass and entry requirements.
- Hiking Boot/ Hiking Poles
- Best Time to Visit( April to October)
- Gain in altitude.
- Decide to hike or not to hike.
