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 its neighbors. Born of the Colorado plateau uplift these parks offer some of the 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).
Generally, our groups are small with eight to ten passengers. We use a comfortable modified van for larger groups and a suburban or similar 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
Arrival Day: Las Vegas, and St George. (The day before your tour begins)
After you arrive in Las Vegas and collect your luggage you will connect with a shuttle which will then transport you to St George, UT for your overnight stay. Get settled in, enjoy the beauty of the city of St George. We will be getting started first thing in the morning. There will be two shuttle departures times, one at 12 pm PST and the second at 5:00 pm PM PST
Day One: Zion National Park
Zion – Virgin River
We begin our Mighty 5 tour with an 8:00 AM departure from your hotel in St George UT. Our immediate destination is Zion National Park, a short, 50 min drive away.
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 easy to moderate 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.
(Breakfast and Dinner Included)
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.
Bryce Canyon Ampitheater
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 Included)
Day Three: Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef – Barn
Capitol Reef is Utah’s least-visited national park so don’t expect large crowds of people. We have a morning scenic drive in Capitol Reef’s Water Pocket fold. We visit an ancient Petroglyph panel. In the fall, seasonal fruit can be picked in the old pioneer orchards, and small pies and ice cream are available in the nearby Gifford House Museum year-round.
In the afternoon, we head for Utah’s most unusual State Park, Goblin Valley. The rock formations here are 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 significant 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. Powell named a number of the rivers and mountain ranges found in the area.
Lodging will be in Moab, Utah, that evening.
(Breakfast Included)
Day 4: Arches and Canyonland National Parks
We travel to nearby Arches National Park. Here your guide will help you to explore some of the most amazing sites in the world.
Turret Arch Through An Arch
The arches of the park are true wonders beyond comparison and will leave you awed and amazed that these stone structures are still standing. We will take a walk up to the famous Landscape Arch, one of the longest spans of any arch in the world. Additional sites visited include the Windows Section where more than 9 arches are laid out for your view, Balanced Rock, Park Avenue, and the Delicate Arch viewpoint.
After we have finished in Arches we will give you some time to see Moab UT or if the group chooses to see some more of the local sites.
That evening we will have our farewell dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Lodging will again be in Moab, UT.
(Breakfast, Dinner Included)
Day 5: Deadhorse Point, Canyonlands National Park, Prehistoric Museum, and Salt Lake City
Deadhorse Point
After breakfast, we travel to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park and visit a few of the key sites including a walk to Mesa Arch and a stop at Grand Viewpoint. We also visit one of Utah’s most beautiful State Parks, 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 begin our journey to Salt lake city making a stop in Green River for lunch, followed by a stop in Price Utah at USU’s Eastern Prehistoric Museum, where we will visit some informative dinosaur and Fremont Indian exhibits. From there, we go directly to Salt Lake City where we will take you to the Salt Lake City hotel of your choice or arrange for transportation to the airport for a late flight out (please book 9 PM or later).
(Breakfast Included)