What are the big 5 in Moab Utah?

Utah's Mighty 5 is a collection of five national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. When is the best time to visit Utah's Mighty 5? The spring and fall months are the best times to visit.



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We recommend at least 2 full days/ 3 nights for the Moab area. One day for Arches National Park and half a day to a day for Canyonlands National Park, plus the Dead Horse Point State Park. In addition, you can also take a short rafting tour, as we did. 3 days/4 nights would make your visit more relaxing.

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Shoulder Season: February and November February (for springtime adventures) and November (for autumn fun) can be the best time to visit Moab and the national parks.

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If you're looking for challenging hikes through narrow canyons and along steep cliffs, Zion may be the better choice. If you're more interested in exploring unique rock formations and stunning arches, Arches may be the better choice.

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Throughout this itinerary, I'll provide suggestions on must-do activities if you are short on time.
  • Day 1: Drive to Zion National Park.
  • Day 2: Zion National Park.
  • Day 3: Zion & Drive to Bryce Canyon.
  • Day 4: Bryce Canyon & Drive to Capitol Reef.
  • Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park.
  • Day 6: Drive to Arches National Park.


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Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are approximately 80 miles apart and one can be reached from the other in under 2 hours by car, about 1 hour and 40 minutes without traffic. The fastest route between the two parks starts on Route 12, takes you south on Interstate 89 and then west on Route 9.

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Zion National Park is arguably the most famous park in Utah. It is home to an expansive canyon and offers endless opportunities for fun and adventure. It is also a hub for canyoneering, a sport that involves descending slender canyons. After all, the canyon averages 20,000 feet deep.

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National Park of American Samoa: The least-visited US national park in 2022 saw just 1,887 visits. Most visitors will need a passport to travel to American Samoa. 2. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska: This vast park contains no roads or trails.

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Best Time of Year to Visit Zion and Bryce Canyon From April to October, the weather is warm, perfect for hiking. But crowds flock to these parks in the summer. To avoid crowds, it's best to visit in either spring or fall. The best months in Zion and Bryce Canyon are April, May, September, and October.

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The Southern Utah national park's beauty lent itself to making the park the second most popular park in the country, with over 5 million visitors per year. According to Travel Lens, Zion easily beat out other Utah national parks, though that is not to say Utah's parks should be slept on.

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Bryce and Arches are both stunning. But Arches offer more variety. You can see a good portion of Bryce just from overlooks. And while the view of the hoodoos is otherworldly, if you're not a huge hoodoo fan, the view can start to grow monotonous.

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Zion National Park. Distance From Moab: Five hours (314 miles) via I-70 W & US-89 S. Zion National Park is a stunning park that covers an area of over 229,000 acres and is known for its towering cliffs, narrow canyons, and diverse landscapes.

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Moab is known for its rust-red stone arches and spires. The drive to Moab in southern Utah has no shortage of dramatic scenery.

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Delicate Arch Trail If you are visiting Moab, you should definitely visit Arches National Park. And when you do, this short and moderately challenging route is a must do hike. Delicate Arch is the largest freestanding arch in Arches National Park and is stunning at sunrise and sunset.

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