National Park visits are exceedingly popular in 2021 as travelers seek the natural social distancing that the great outdoors offers. Want to get the most bang for your buck on your next national park adventure? Consider the Mighty Five in southern Utah – five national parks all within striking distance of one another.
ZION NATIONAL PARK
With over four million visitors annually, Zion National Park has established a seasonal shuttle system to transport visitors along the popular Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The shuttle stops at popular spots, including the trailheads for two of the park’s signature hikes, Angel’s Landing and the Narrows.
PRO TIP: Shuttle tickets are released monthly and go quickly. Visit the park’s website well in advance of travel to avoid disappointment.
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
An alpine forest sitting above 8,000 feet in elevation with the largest concentration of hoodoos on earth. Visitors can take a stroll along the rim, or if you’re up for it, hike the incredible Fairyland Loop Trail, which takes you into the canyon through Mars-like scenery with up close and personal views of the hoodoo rock formations.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Another top-rated park, Arches, contains the highest proliferation of – you guessed it – arches in the world. Over two thousand have been cataloged to date. Visitors can view many of the arches from roadside viewpoints or with a short walk, but I highly recommend the moderate hike to Delicate Arch if you visit. We made the 3-mile round trip trek to catch the sunset – sunrise would be equally spectacular. NOTE: You will be hiking over uneven terrain with a few exposed cliffs. If you have a fear of heights, this may not be the best choice.
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Canyonlands National Park is enormous. 527 square miles, to be exact – travelers could easily spend an entire week in this park alone. Divided into districts, most people spend their time at Island in the Sky as we did. This park blew my mind with its endless deep canyons, stunning pinnacles, cliffs, and spires alongside towering mesas. Don’t miss a walk along the rim on the Grand View Point Trail for stunning views that go on forever.
PRO TIP: If you visit Island in the Sky District, stop by the Dead Horse Point State Park on the way out for a great view of the Colorado River. Very similar to the iconic Horseshoe Bend without the crowds.
CAPITOL REEF
To fully experience all that the other parks on the list have to offer, you’d have to do some trekking or have a high clearance vehicle, but much of Capitol Reef can be seen from park-goers cars. That’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of excellent hiking opportunities because there are. There’s also the Fruita Historic District, essentially the heart of the park with a fascinating history. Don’t miss a stop at the Gifford Homestead, which features a museum, gift shop, and the most incredible homemade fruit pies – they are divine. Picnic tables located out front offer a peaceful spot to relish your pie while gazing at the historic orchards planted in the late 1800s.
Visiting the Mighty Five only scratches the surface of the magnificent scenery and charming towns that you’ll experience. From mild to wild, you won’t be disappointed with a Southern Utah adventure.
As always, thanks for reading! XOXO
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