Hit the Road: Salt Lake City to Moab

The Ultimate Utah National Parks Road Trip

With stops at each of Utah’s Mighty Five, a visit to Bears Ears National Monument, and endless opportunities for adventure, this Utah national parks road trip from Salt Lake City to Moab is a definite bucket list experience. You could do the drive in a week, but with all that red rock country has to offer, including whitewater rafting near Moab, it’s worth treating yourself to some extra time.

Explore the Route

• Leg 1: Salt Lake City to Zion National Park
• Leg 2: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef National Park
• Leg 3: Capitol Reef to Bears Ears National Monument
• Leg 4: Bears Ears to Moab + Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
• Leg 5: Moab Whitewater Rafting + return to Salt Lake City

Leg 1: Salt Lake City to Zion National Park

Total Distance: ~310 miles
Estimated Drive Time: ~4.5 to 5 hours (without major stops)

Get an early start from Salt Lake City to make the most of your day at Zion National Park. Head south on I-15 for about 280 miles—it’s a direct and easy drive through Utah’s scenic landscapes. Take Exit 27 toward Toquerville, then follow UT-17 south for six miles until it meets UT-9. From there, head east on UT-9, which will take you through charming towns and stunning red rock scenery before arriving at the Springdale entrance of Zion.

There are three campgrounds in Zion, two of which (South and Watchman) can be reserved in advance. Both offer killer views of the towering rock formations. Drop off your camping gear, then head into the park to hike to the Emerald Pools or, if you’ve left most of the day, the classic (and seriously exposed) Angels Landing, which is not for the faint of heart. For most of the year, between March through November, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive where many of the most popular trailheads are located, is open to shuttle buses only. You’ll need to use the park shuttle system to travel within this area of the park.

If you can, plan a layover day here and snag a permit to do a top-down hike of Zion’s Narrows. This quintessential slot canyon hike is one of the park’s most iconic. It tends to be crowded on the weekend, so stick to weekdays and grab the earliest possible shuttle slot.

Leg 2: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef National Park

Total Distance: ~200 miles
Estimated Drive Time: ~4 hours (plus time at the parks)

This leg is a two-for-one national park special, and while the parks are relatively close together, you’ll want to be up with the sun to pack in as much exploring as possible if you plan to do both in the same day. Today’s drive is broken up into two shorter stretches—it’s just under two hours from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park. From Zion, head back to UT-9 to US-89. Follow US-89 north for about 43 miles, then head east onto UT-12 for 13 miles before taking US-63 south, which brings you into the park.

Bryce Canyon’s otherworldly hoodoos are truly unlike anything else on the planet. Pick up a map at the entrance station, then head to Sunrise Mesa for views of the Boat Mesa and Sinking Ship formations. Stretch your legs on the Queen’s Garden Trail, a 1.8-mile trip to Queen Victoria Hoodoo and back. Before you leave, swing by Bryce Point for some of the park’s best-loved vistas.

From Bryce Canyon, it’s about two hours to Capitol Reef National Park, the site of a geologic “wrinkle” in the earth’s crust. To get there, take US-63 north onto Johns Valley Road for 34 miles. Hang a left onto UT-22 (seven miles), then take a right onto UT-62 east (26 miles). Then it’s right on Browns Lane (2.7 miles) and, finally, a right on UT-24 east for a little over 17 miles into Capitol Reef. The Fruita Campground is the only developed campground in the park, and you can make reservations for most sites year-round. The park also has two primitive campgrounds, which are free. Take in the sunset over Waterpocket Fold Cliffs on the 3.6-mile Chimney Rock Loop trail, before turning in for the night.

Leg 3: Capitol Reef to Bears Ears National Monument

Total Distance: ~135 miles
Estimated Drive Time: ~3 hours

Today’s drive through Utah’s high desert is around two hours and 45 minutes. From Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef, take UT-24 east, then continue straight on UT-95 south. Finally, take UT-261 south and keep an eye out for the Kane Gulch Ranger Station, where you’ll start your journey.

Bears Ears National Monument has become a rallying cry in the fight for public lands, and though it’s gained plenty of press, this stretch of your Utah national park road trip is almost certain to be the quietest on your journey. Archaeologists estimate that the Bears Ears area contains more than 100,000 Indigenous cultural sites, and the concentration of human history here is truly awe-inspiring. The short hike to House on Fire from Mule Canyon is well worth the effort, and if you have more time, a longer hike in Road Canyon passes numerous archaeological sites. Established campgrounds and pre-established campsites are free throughout the area.

Leg 4: Bears Ears to Moab + Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Total Distance: ~110 miles
Estimated Drive Time: ~2 hours

It’s a little less than two hours of easy driving from Kane Gulch Ranger Station to Moab. Follow UT-61 north back to UT-95, where you’ll take a right and drive for 28 miles to US-191. Follow 191 for just over 80 miles into Moab.

Stretch your legs after the drive and take a hike on the Devils Garden Trail in Arches National Park for a high concentration of arches. Keep in mind, a reservation is required during peak season from April 1 to July 6 and August 28 to October 31 if you are entering the park between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Alternatively, drive out to Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district and hike out to Murphy Point for a breathtaking view.

It’s impossible to squeeze a trip to Moab into a single day—you could easily spend a week in this adventure hub—but whatever you do, don’t miss a malt at Milt’s Stop & Eat.

Camping in Arches and Canyonlands can be competitive, but there are plenty of campgrounds along the Colorado River on UT-128, as well as along Kane Creek Road.

Leg 5: Moab Whitewater Rafting + Return to Salt Lake City

Total Distance: ~230 miles (from Moab to Salt Lake City)
Estimated Drive Time: ~3.5 hours

With the Colorado and Green Rivers flowing nearby, there’s no better place on the planet to start a river trip than Moab. If you have the time, a 4- or 6-day Cataract Canyon rafting trip will give you the ultimate taste of red rock country. Its towering cliffs, hidden side canyons and real-deal rapids are the stuff of river-rat legends. Plus, this river trip gives you a backstage pass to Canyonlands National Park. Or opt for a rowdy 2- or 3-day Westwater Canyon rafting trip, just upstream from Moab. Westwater’s splashy Class III-IV whitewater and the chance to hike to cool sites like one of outlaw Butch Cassidy’s legendary hideouts will have you planning your next river trip before you even reach the takeout.

From Moab, it’s a little less than four hours back to Salt Lake City—that is, if you can pry yourself away.

For more road trip inspiration, check out our library of itineraries from some of the West’s biggest travel hubs.

*An earlier version of this Utah national parks road trip post first appeared on the blog in 2013 and has since been updated.