The Perfect One Week in Utah Road Trip Itinerary (7 Day Guide)
Last Updated on 23rd January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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Planning a Utah road trip itinerary? We have the perfect week long guide for you. Utah is an incredible place to visit for people who love the outdoors.
No matter what time of year, there’s plenty of fun to be had in this state. And with 5 national parks (called the Mighty 5), you really can’t go wrong here. These national parks include Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.
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Introducing Utah
Hitting all the highlights in Utah can be tricky with only 7 days, but you can definitely make it work. This 7-day Utah itinerary will give you a taste of each national park, and when you decide to come back, you’ll know which places you want to linger in.
Having lived most of my life in Utah, I’m ashamed to say I haven’t done a road trip like this, but this is what I would do if I were going to (and now I have an excuse to test it).
What is Utah known for?
Utah’s breathtaking natural landscapes, including five national parks – Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands – are a major draw for tourists who come to hike, camp, and explore the rugged terrain.
The state is also famous for its winter sports, with world-renowned ski resorts such as Park City and Deer Valley that attract skiing enthusiasts from around the globe.
Utah boasts numerous cultural attractions as well, such as the Sundance Film Festival, Utah Symphony Orchestra, and Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Additionally, the state is known for its close association with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Salt Lake City serving as its headquarters. Utah’s unique geography also provides a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities, including river rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing, making it an ideal destination for adventure seekers.
When to Visit Utah
Like I said, there’s no wrong time to visit Utah. However, this trip would be best suited for April-October since there’s going to be a fair amount of driving, and you probably don’t want to deal with driving in the cold, snow, and ice.
Fall is my favorite time of year in Utah (and in general), so I’d recommend going in October. You’ll be able to see the fall colors and the national parks will be less crowded than they are during the summer.
Note: Most if not all of these places are prone to flash floods, so check the weather and updates from the national parks regularly.
How to Get There
You’ve got a couple of options flying into the area, and it kind of depends on where you want to start and where you want to finish.
You can fly in through Salt Lake City International Airport, which is just under 4 hours driving to the next destination, Moab.
With this option, you can either book a roundtrip flight and drive back from Zion National Park when you’re done (about 4.5 hours), or you can head to Las Vegas (about 2.5 hours).
The trip can also be done in reverse, starting in Vegas and finishing in SLC. Or you can book a roundtrip flight from Vegas and drive back from Moab or Salt Lake City (both drives are 6-6.5 hours).
For the purpose of this itinerary, we’re going to start in SLC and finish in Vegas, which has the least amount of driving time, but you can adapt it however you want.
Is one week enough time in Utah?
Yes, 7 days should be sufficient time to get an overview of the state and see a number of the different aspects which make it so unique; including several National Parks and a few settlements. If you have longer time to spare, then you can set aside 10-14 days to delve deeper into hidden gems and off the beaten tourist track locations.
Where to Stay in Utah
You’ll be venturing all around the state, which means you’ll need different accommodations every night.
While you’re in Salt Lake City or Las Vegas, there are tons of hotels and Airbnbs to choose from. I was raised to always stay in Marriotts. You can find them pretty much anywhere, and they’ll always be decent quality.
In downtown Salt Lake, either the City Creek or the City Center ones are good options that will put you in the middle of the city. For something a little cheaper, there is a Fairfield Inn or a Residence Inn, both about 15 minutes outside of downtown.
While you’re driving through the state, you might consider camping in or near the national parks, or you could rent an RV to make your stay a little easier. All the national parks have hotels, inns, and lodges nearby, so there are plenty of options.
How to Get Around
You’ll definitely need a car for this trip. If you’re flying in, you’ll need to rent one (check rental prices here) or, as mentioned, you can rent an RV which can double as your transportation and your accommodation.
Any car should do, you won’t need one for off-roading (though if you want to there are plenty of places in the areas you’re visiting to do that if you so wish to). For more information, be sure to check out our top road trip tips. And for more inspiration, check out this guide to the best road trips in the USA.
Suggested itinerary for a 7 days in Utah road trip
Day 1 – Salt Lake City
Start your trip in the state capital, Salt Lake City. This city surrounded by mountains has a rich history, but if that’s not your cup of tea, there are also plenty of hiking and outdoor opportunities nearby.
While you’re here you can explore the city, visiting places like Temple Square, the heart of the city and the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Utah State Capitol, a gorgeous building with beautiful grounds and architecture. You can also go to the Hogle Zoo or the Natural History Museum of Utah.
If you want to get outside, head to Big Cottonwood Canyon (just 20 minutes outside the city) where you’ll find plenty of hiking. Or you can go to Park City, a good tourist stop in the mountains that always has tons of events and activities going on (40 minutes away).
You may also want to stop by a grocery store and pick up snacks and food, as there are limited options in some of the parks you’ll be visiting. If you’ve got an extra day to spend here, check out our 2-day Salt Lake City itinerary.
Day 2 – Canyonlands
Drive south to Moab, a small town known for its proximity to two of Utah’s most famous national parks, Arches and Canyonlands, and one of Utah’s state parks, Dead Horse Point. It’ll take you just under 4 hours, so get an early start, but also enjoy the scenic drive.
You can either spend the rest of the day exploring Canyonlands or Arches National Park. Choose whichever one you don’t mind spending less time in since you won’t have to drive as much on day 3.
Canyonlands National Park covers over 337,000 acres of rugged terrain. There are three main areas in the park: Island in the Sky, the Maze, and the Needles. Island in the Sky is closest to Moab and one of the park’s most popular areas. If you have more time in Moab, check out our suggested Moab itinerary.
Be sure to visit Grand View Point, one of the coolest viewpoints in the park. Take a hike to Mesa Arch, perhaps the park’s most famous landmark. If you’ve got time head to Green River Overlook or Shafer Canyon Overlook and enjoy the incredible views of the canyons and rock formations as the sun sets.
Day 3 – Arches
Spend the next day exploring Arches National Park. Hike to Delicate Arch, one of the park’s most famous landmarks, and watch the sunrise over the park’s stunning red rock formations. The hike takes two to three hours, depending on your pace.
After, you can hike the Devils Garden, a 7-mile trail which can be shortened and you’ll still see some cool sights, including huge boulders, tunnels, and arches. If this seems too long, then don’t worry as you can alternatively hike just the landscape arch, which is a 1.9 mi/3.1 km roundtrip portion of the Devils Garden.
On your way out of the park, there are some great landmarks along the road where you can stop and take pictures. These include Balanced Rock, the Windows, Double Arch, and the Petrified Dunes Lookout.
You can make the 2-hour drive to Capitol Reef during the evening to save you some time on day 4.
Day 4 – Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef National Park is often overlooked among Utah’s parks, but it has some incredible sights, and it’s a bit of a hidden gem in Utah’s national park system.
Start with a hike to the Hickman Bridge Arch, which spans 133 feet. The 1.8-mile trail will give you stunning views of this park.
Take a hike along the Capitol Gorge Trail or the Chimney Rock Trail and explore the park’s historic orchards and pioneer-era buildings. There are lots of viewpoints along Highway 24, including Panorama and Sunset Viewpoints, and you can also see some petroglyphs.
When you’re done here, make the 2.5-hour drive to Bryce Canyon
Day 5 – Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique geological formations called hoodoos, and it’s one of my favorite parks.
You can take a hike along the park’s rim, giving you different perspectives on the hoodoos, or descend into the canyon and explore the trails that wind through the formations.
One great hike is the Navajo Loop, which allows you to hike down into the hoodoos and see them from an entirely different perspective. At the start of this trail, you’ll be able to see the famous hoodoo Thor’s Hammer — which as far as I know no one has been able to lift— and along the way you’ll see things like huge trees growing in between the rock formations and towering hoodoos.
Watch the sunset over the park’s stunning landscapes and enjoy the incredible views. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our suggested one day in Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary.
Day 6 – Zion
Head to Zion National Park, one of Utah’s most popular and beloved parks (1.5 hours from Bryce). Take a scenic drive through the park’s stunning landscapes, including towering rock formations, deep canyons, and rushing rivers.
If you’re a serious hiker, you might consider a hike to the top of Angels Landing, one of the park’s most famous and most challenging trails, which you’ll need a permit to hike.
If you’re not up for that, explore the Narrows, a stunning canyon with towering walls and a winding river. There’s a one-mile paved section, but if you want to go further in, you’ll have to hike through the river.
Day 7 – Back to SLC or on to Las Vegas
On your last day, either head back north to Salt Lake or head down to Las Vegas, where you can explore the city or simply board your flight back home. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our suggested itinerary for Las Vegas.
We hope you enjoy your time in Utah visiting these gorgeous national parks!
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About the author: Lexi Cooper is a freelance editor and writer. Her parents taught her a love for traveling, seeing new sights, and learning about the world. Along with her passion for travel, she loves stories and dreams of spending her days reading and writing books and wandering the globe.
