5 Utah National Parks in 5 Days
OVERVIEW
The Mighty Five is fast becoming one of our most popular tours. Five of the countries most beautiful national parks all located in a small geographical area. And yet each one is so different from it’s neighbors. Born of the Colorado plateau uplift these parks offer some of the most unique landscape and rock formations you will find anywhere in the world. In addition to the National parks we also visit two of our states most beautiful and unusual parks.
The Mighty Five is fast becoming one of our most popular tours. Five of the countries most beautiful national parks all located in a small geographical area. And yet each one is so different from it’s neighbors. Born of the Colorado plateau uplift these parks offer some of the most unique landscape and rock formations you will find anywhere in the world. In addition to the National parks we also visit two of our states most beautiful and unusual parks.
Areas Visited:
Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Capitol Reef NP, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument, Goblin Valley State Park, Deadhorse Point State Park, and Salt Lake Cities Mormon Temple Square (Temple Square has more visitors every year than most of the national parks in Utah, combined).
Inclusions
4 nights lodging
2 dinners
4 breakfasts
Museum Fees
Park Entry Fees
Lodging is in 3 star hotels wherever possible.
Generally, our groups are small with eight to ten passengers. When there are more than 10, we will take a second guide and vehicle. We use a comfortable modified van for larger groups and a suburban for groups of 4 or less.
We begin the tour in Las Vegas and end in Salt Lake City. Our guides are the best in the area. They usually are natives of Southern Utah and have a lifetime of stories and insights to draw upon. There is no substitute for experience. They provide a comprehensive overview of the history, geology, plant life, and culture of the West.
We look forward to touring with you,
The SUST staff, experienced tour specialists
Day One: Las Vegas and Zion National Park
We begin our Mighty 5 tour with an 8:00 AM departure from Las Vegas’s Tuscany Suites. Our immediate destination is Zion National Park, a short, three hour drive through the Mojave Desert into Utah.
Zion National Park is one of nature’s greatest wonders. Gigantic red and white rock monoliths tower around you like a skyscraper city of stone, concealing pockets of abundant flora and fauna. See the Great White Throne, Angel’s Landing, the Court of the Patriarchs, and the Narrows where the Virgin River has carved out a narrow canyon with 2,000-foot cliffs on each side.
There are some great trails to walk, from moderate to difficult as we explore some of the key sites in Utah’s most visited national park.
Later that evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner and lodging in nearby Springdale, Utah. (Dinner)
Day Two: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is a short, two-hour drive away. There is no other place on earth like Bryce Canyon. Made famous for its pink and white uniquely shaped hoodoos, Bryce Canyon is a great place to experience. There are a couple of hiking/walking options to enjoy as well as fantastic viewpoints to discover.
Later that afternoon, we drive over famous Highway 12, truly one of America’s most scenic highways, and into parts of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. No other place in the lower 48 is as remote and undiscovered as in this part of Utah. See why “Car and Driver” magazine and others have called Highway 12 one of America’s most beautiful drives.
Lodging and dinner will be in Torrey, Utah. (Breakfast)
Day Three: Capitol Reef National Park
Capital Reef is Utah’s least visited national park so don’t expect large crowds of people. We have a morning scenic drive in Capital Reef’s Water Pocket fold. We visit an ancient Petroglyph panel. Seasonal fruit can be picked in the old pioneer orchards and small pies and ice cream are available in the nearby Gifford House Museum.
In the afternoon, we head for Utah’s most unusual State Park, Goblin Valley. The rock formations here are very unique and do have an unearthly and strange look about them. Then, we drive to the John Wesley Powell History Museum in Green River, Utah. John W. Powell had a major influence on this part of Utah. He and his group were the first to successfully float down the Green and then the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1869. A number of the rivers and mountain ranges found in the area, were named by Powell.
Lodging will be in Moab, Utah, that evening. (Breakfast)
Day 4: Arches and Canyonland National Parks
We go directly into nearby Arches National Park for a walk up to famous Landscape Arch. Additional sites visited include the Windows, Balanced Rock, Park Avenue and the Delicate Arch viewpoint
That afternoon, we take in Utah’s most beautiful State park, Dead Horse Point. Here, a fantastic view of the canyons of the Colorado River is offered from a towering mesa, hundreds of feet above the canyon. We end the day in the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park including a walk to Mesa Arch and spend some time at the Grand Viewpoint. Lodging and dinner will again be in Moab. (Breakfast)
Day 5: Prehistoric Museum and historic Mormon Temple Square
On the last day, we journey to Price, Utah’s, USU Eastern prehistoric Museum, for a look at some excellent dinosaur and Fremont Indian exhibits. From there, we go directly to Salt Lake City for a tour of Utah’s most visited tourist site, historic Mormon Temple Square. A dinner at Brigham Young’s Lion House will end the evening and the tour. (Breakfast & Dinner)