From breathtaking scenery to pristine nature, Utah is a popular destination for travelers looking for a fun and memorable family vacation. Utah’s national parks offer a great opportunity to connect with nature and escape the stresses of everyday life.
For adrenaline junkies, Utah’s national parks offer the most unforgettable adventures, whether you like challenging hikes or whitewater rafting.
Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Celsius during the park’s peak season. Autumn is the best time to travel as the crowds disperse and the temperature drops.
Here’s a list of the must-see national parks in Utah.
Best National Parks in Utah
Zion National Park
Zion National Park captivates visitors with its towering red-and-white sandstone cliffs, tranquil Virgin River and great hiking trails.according to Lonely Planet’s The Narrows Are Most Fascinating, National Park Guides for California and the American Southwest backcountry route Traverse 26 miles of towering canyons along the North Fork of the Virgin River. Be prepared to get wet as most of the hike is in the river.
If you want a break from hiking, visit the Museum of Human History or enjoy a shady picnic in a cave. The park’s visitor center has all the information you need to plan your visit, including recommended trails and safety tips.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park offers a unique landscape of quirky, bizarre animals and vibrant colors. Located on the eastern edge of a 28-mile plateau, its high altitude sets it apart from other national parks in the South. Utah.
Don’t miss the stunning views from Bryce Point. A walk along the rim of the Bryce Amphitheater offers breathtaking views of a quiet city filled with dense giant hoodoos, which are tall, narrow rock shafts.
Another popular spot is the Natural Bridge, a spectacular bridge of eroded reddish limestone. The scenic drive is 27 miles long and takes about 2 hours. There are many Instagrammable spots along the way. Be sure to wear rubber-soled shoes for the picnic.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park has more than 2,500 natural sandstone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch. It is the place with the highest density of rock arches on Earth. If you want to see all the highlights, take the Arches Scenic Drive. The route is 43 miles long and takes about 2-3 hours hiking without stops.
The window section is best if you are short on time. There are notable structures such as the Landscape Arch and the Double Arch. Other trails include Devil’s Garden Trail, Balanced Rock Trail, Fiery Furnace and Park Avenue. You may even catch a glimpse of the Great Leopard Lizard.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park Utah’s largest national park, it’s a stunning canvas of canyons, rivers and mesas. Divided into 4 districts, it offers a variety of experiences. Visit Island in the Sky for views from this 6,000-foot-tall flat-topped mesa, the furthest in Utah.
Needles is a very different looking area, with orange and white sandstone pinnacles jutting out from the desert floor. The area is less crowded, but still offers great views. At 527 square miles of ancient earth, this national treasure has plenty to see.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park showcases the Waterpocket Fold, a unique 160-mile-long buckle in the earth’s crust. It is known for having a huge dome. Discover the park’s hidden treasures along scenic drives or hike through narrow canyons and orchards. The Capitol Reef Scenic Drive follows Waterpocket Folds and offers narrow views of arches, hoodoos and canyons.
Don’t miss the Fruita Rural Historic District, where the first Mormon settlers arrived in 1880. The National Park Service manages his 2,700 cherry, apricot, peach, pear and apple trees planted by early settlers. Be sure to keep an eye out for the petroglyphs, rock carvings believed to have been made by the Fremont Indians.
grand canyon national park
Although not in Utah, the nearby Grand Canyon National Park is a must on any Utah road trip. Marvel at the majestic nature he is one of the world’s most famous natural wonders.
There is no better way to see the canyon than by hiking from rim to rim. Hike the Grandview Trail, a steep and challenging hike with spectacular canyon views, or the Hermit Trail, a challenging hike of 29 miles over two days.
For a little more adventure, raft down the Colorado River to see its glorious wilderness. One of the best places to stay is the Grand Canyon Lodge, located at 8,000 feet above sea level on the canyon’s rim.
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast and rugged landscape of ancient fossils, picturesque slot canyons and towering cliffs. Escalante Canyon is a must-see with its active waterfalls, arches, narrow canyons and carved slickrock.
The Grand Staircase region is a little out of the way and not often visited, but it’s a stunning place that boasts the largest number of slot canyons in Utah. Don’t forget to explore the Escalante River, hike to the beautiful Lower Calf Creek Falls, and visit the remote site of the monument.
Dinosaur Quasi-National Park
Dinosaur National Monument straddles the Utah-Colorado border and contains many dinosaur fossils and ancient petroglyphs. Visit the Quarry Exhibition Hall to see more than 1,500 of his dinosaur fossils exposed on the cliff face, and touch some of the 150-million-year-old fossils. For your next adventure, take a scenic drive along Harper’s Corner Road for panoramic views of the Yampa and Green rivers.
Natural Bridges National Monument
The Natural Bridges National Monument features three spectacular natural bridges known to be the largest in the world. Hike the circular trail for breathtaking views.
If you’re interested in archaeology, check out the Horse Collar Ruins, a superbly preserved site of the Pueblo’s ancestors. The park is the first International Dark Sky Park certified by the International Dark Sky Association. In some locations, up to 15,000 stars can be seen overnight.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park offers mesmerizing panoramic views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. Marvel at the sheer beauty of the canyon walls and take unforgettable photos.
The park has great campgrounds with spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Hike the Intrepid Trail or mountain bike along exhilarating singletrack trails.
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park takes visitors to an otherworldly landscape filled with bizarre rock formations known as ‘hoodoos’ or ‘goblins’. The soft sandstone has been eroded to form interesting goblin-like shapes. In some areas, the rock formations are densely packed, making them natural playgrounds for young travelers to explore.
Embark on whimsical adventures through maze-like terrain, hike the Entrada Canyon Trail, and stargaze under dark desert skies.
Snow Canyon State Park
Red sandstone cliffs, lava flows and unique geological features can be found at Snow Canyon State Park near St. George. Enjoy 26 miles of hiking trails, technical rock climbing and horseback riding. Hike petrified dunes, explore lava tubes, and enjoy scenic drives through the park.
Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park in the Great Salt Lake is a wildlife lover’s paradise. Witness herds of free-roaming bison, spot pronghorn antelopes and a wide variety of bird species.
The Great Salt Lake has beaches, camping, picnicking and water sports for the adventurous. Hike the park’s trails, go horseback riding, or relax on the sandy beach.
Utah’s national and state parks are full of natural wonders, each offering a unique charm and stunning scenery. From the dramatic cliffs of Zion and the whimsical mayhem of Bryce Canyon, to the iconic arches of Arches National Park and the rugged canyons of Canyonlands, exploring these parks is an adventure not to be missed.
Whether you’re an avid hiker, photography enthusiast, or simply looking for some tranquility in the midst of nature, Utah’s best national parks offer a variety of experiences perfect for family exploration.
Karen Kelly is a gluten-free food blogger and health coach. seasonal appetite. She’s a busy wife and mother of three teenagers and loves making her gluten-free recipes in her home kitchen in her DC suburb of Washington. She has a wealth of resources on how to manage a gluten-free diet.
