Disappointment does not exist in Utah’s national parks. No group will find a lack of sights to see, trails to hike, dark skies to enjoy, or scenic routes to drive.
“Mother Nature played favorites in Utah,” says Anna Loughridge, public relations manager of the Utah Office of Tourism. “Go with a guide. In Utah, if you can dream it, you can find a guide for it. There are guides for whitewater rafting, climbing and canyoneering, horseback riding, off-road tours, zip lining, hot air ballooning, mountain biking, skiing, mule rides, and more. Many of them offer part-day or full-day excursions, and you can find one for every season—all great for groups!”
Utah boasts five national parks, the third-most of any state. To those in the know, they’re called the “Mighty Five.” Here are a few of the reasons why they’ve earned that robust nickname.
Sitting on 73,234 acres just outside of Moab is one of the most beautiful and majestic places on earth: Arches National Park. Designed by erosion, the national park is an endless array of rolling sandstone hoodoos, towers, fins, balanced rocks, and more than 2,000 cataloged arches of all shapes and sizes—“the largest proliferation of arches in the world,” according to Visit Utah. Some must-sees include Delicate Arch, Balancing Rock, and Devil’s Garden, which has one of the world’s most sought-after campsites.
A fiery and beautiful contrast of orange and green, and a perfect icing of white in winter, Bryce Canyon National Park is a difficult site to look away from. The plateau has been carved into red rock pillars, or hoodoos, and natural amphitheaters, containing a unique alpine forest. Highlights in the park’s region include Kodachrome Basin and Escalante Petrified Forest state parks, and Grand Staircase Escalante.
Credit: Jay Dash Photography
The vast Canyonlands National Park boasts 527 square miles of land carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. The park has almost every kind of natural beauty Utah has to offer. With endless camping options, the largest national park in Utah is home to the famous White Rim Trail and is just outside of Moab and next door to Arches National Park.
For an escape from the crowds that still offers awe-inspiring sights, Capitol Reef National Park is an expanse of desert rock, blue sky, and rolling vistas. Take time to explore this park in a slower setting as your group discovers ancient petroglyphs, enjoys breathtaking stargazing, canyoneers in world famous slot canyons, and hikes in the Cathedral Valley District.
Zion National Park is home to the famous Angels Landing and a red-rock canyon that plunges 1,000 feet deep. The iconic winding Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is surrounded by sheer sites, and the park offers a large variety of hikes. Lodging outside of Zion is possible in the three surrounding desert cities of St. George, Cedar City, and Springdale. Lodging in the park is also plentiful and includes unique campgrounds nestled under the certified dark skies.
While the Mighty Five have an overwhelming number of iconic sights and activities to offer, don’t skip out on some surrounding attractions. Just outside of Arches and Canyonlands is the desert city of Moab, with a lively and historic downtown. Brian Head sits just outside of Bryce, offering wonderful experiences in any season, and Bears Ears National Monument is a neighbor of Canyonlands.
“Each national park anchors a travel region that beckons travelers to immerse themselves in not only the iconic national park but also the state parks, national monuments, and small towns that weave texture into Southern Utah,” says Loughridge. “Explore our resources to learn how you can maximize your experience while minimizing your impact on delicate landscapes.”
By Maya MacKinnon
Main Image: Delicate Arch, Arches National Park; Credit: Visit Utah
