national park trip
I have dreamed for many years about exploring National Parks in Utah and Arizona. In October 2024, my dream came true!
I took 6 months to thoughtfully plan a trip for my husband Chris and myself. During the 9 days of travel, I posted daily stories at the end of the day with everything we saw. I was flooded with requests from friends and followers for our itinerary. So here it is! Enjoy!
Day 1:
Fly into Salt Lake City
We stayed at the airport because we landed after 11pm
Day 2: Canyonlands National Park
Wake up in SLC and drive to Canyonland – 3.5 hr drive, arrive 1pm.
No fee or reservations needed, pack lunch. Purchase America the Beautiful pass at National Park Service.
Scenic drive along island in the sky road.
Island in the Sky District – Mesa Arch (.5 mi hike); Grand Viewpoint (2 mi hike)
Upheaval dome trail (1.2)
Green river overlook
Druid Arch – Needles (4.1 mi hike) – we didn’t have time
Hike Dead Horse Point State Park – sunset
Shafer canyon trail overlook – sunset
Stay – Moab under canvas (3pm check in – 10 am check out) https://www.undercanvas.com/camps/moab/
Food – We had dinner at 98 center which had amazing food and Pho!
Day 3: Arches National Park
Morning hike at Poison Spider Trail – Petroglyphs and Dinosaur tracks!
Lunch at Moab Food truck park
Book an Arches entry ticket for 1pm
Park Ave
La Sal Overlook
Balance Rock
Delicate arch hike
Fiery furnace
Sand dune arch
Food – Pick up food at market to grill for dinner back at Under Canvas. Moonflower coop in town has yummy sides and we got salmon filets at the larger market. Buy a Styrofoam cooler for the car!
Stay - Moab under canvas. Go to Stargazing event in the evening.
Day 4: Moab to Capitol Reef National Park
Mill Creek Trail hike to waterfall
Lunch at food truck park in Moab – smoothie bowl, omelets
Visit Moab Mural
Drive Scenic route 128 along the Colorado River 1 hr. – gorgeous views
Continue to drive to Capitol Reef – 2 hrs.
America the Beautiful pass works for entrance.
Hike Hickman bridge (2 mi)
Stop at Panorama over look
Drive to hotel (15 min) and enjoy the hot tub.
Dinner @ Rim Rock restaurant
Food options – Capitol burger, Rim Rock, Hunt & Gather, Chak Balam Mexican, Pioneer kitchen.
Stay – Capital Reef Resort, Torrey https://capitolreefresort.com
Pioneer kitchen, pool, hot tub, views of red rocks, balcony
Day 5: Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon (2 hr drive)
Spend morning at Capitol Reef.
Scenic drive – highway 24 thru the park
Walk in Grand Wash to Cassidy Arch Hike
Stop to see Petroglyphs
Pie Gifford only food option in the park
Hike Gooseneck + Sunset point
Drive to Torrey for lunch – The Chuckwagon Deli and market for sandwiches
Drive Rt 12 to Bryce – crazy gorgeous scenic drive over mountains and thru Dixie National Forest
Check into Clear Sky Resort (4pm)
Dinner at Sky Nova Café Bar & Grill
Stay – Clear Sky Resort https://brycecanyon.clearskyresorts.com
Sky Nova Café Bar & Grill features a stunning 28-foot floor-to-ceiling wall of panoramic glass that overlooks the spectacular scenery at the resort. Yoga, live music, smores, movies.
Day 6: Bryce to Zion (2.5 hrs)
Wake up at clear sky resort – gorgeous sun rise!
Drive to Bryce Canyon. Park at Sunset point lot
Walk north on Rim Trail to Sunrise point
Hike Queens Garden Trail, Navajo Loop trail, Wall Street trail
Drive to Inspiration point and Bryce Point lookouts
Pack snacks
Drive to Zion. Stop at Sevier Coffee Co for lunch on the way – delicious sandwiches! Open 9-2 https://www.seviercoffee.com
The drive from Bryce to Zion will take you thru the east entrance of the park so be prepared for a longer switch back road thru the park. Drive thru historic tunnel.
If there is time hike the Canyon Overlook trail (.5 mi) before the tunnel.
America the Beautiful pass works for entrance.
Stay: Wildflower – https://zionwildflower.com
Pool, hot tub, these desert tents have private parking, private bathrooms and wooden decks to enjoy the scenic desert scape and world-famous views.
Food - After check in go to pick up food and drinks at Sol Food market in Springdale – great for to go items like mixed salads, sandwiches, fruit, snacks, beer. Other food options: Café Rio tex mex, Oscars cafe.
Day 7: Zion to Grand Canyon
Coffee at Wildflower – in room coffee maker or cappuccino maker in the lobby. Or stop for coffee and snacks at Feellove coffee.
Drive to Zion (30 min). Leave by 9:30 am. Park at Visitor center #1 and take shuttle to last stop #6
From stop #6- hike Kayanta trail to Lower Emerald pools (moderate) hike
Hike Middle Emerald pools – thru waterfall and Sands Bench trail back to shuttle stop #4 to head back to visitor center
Hike Watchman trail – 3 miles, leaves from visitor center – pretty steep, great view at the top
Lunch at the car – packed lunch from Sol Foods
Drive to Grand Canyon (4.5 Hrs.) – beautiful but long drive
Stay – History Inn Cabin https://www.innhistory.com
Refrigerator, microwave, electric frying pan, toaster, Keurig coffee maker, and kitchen utensils. Essentials, shampoo, conditions, shower gel, hair dryer, and towels. Paid laundry services are available in the lounge.
Dinner – prepared foods from Sol Foods
Day 8: Grand Canyon (50 min drive)
America the Beautiful pass works for entrance.
Drive 50 min to entrance – park at visitor center
Walk to Mather point for your first view! South rim lookout
Take shuttle to hike South Kaibab trail to Ooh Aah Point
Walk the Rim Trail back to visitor center to get on the blue shuttle
Jump on red shuttle out to lookouts
Enjoy packed lunch @ the Abyss – picnic
Walk Rim Trail – start at Abyss then Mohave point – 3 miles
Hopi Point for sunset
Dinner – stop at Safeway and pick up salads and prepared food to enjoy back at cozy cabin.
Stay – History Inn Cabin https://www.innhistory.com
Day 9: Grand Canyon to Sedona (1 hour drive)
Great time to do some laundry before leaving the Inn! Very nice facility – free detergent and fabric softeners.
Check out at 10am and drive to Sedona
Drive straight to see the Chapel of Holy Cross
Lunch at Wildflower Café in town – delicious!
Hike Devils Bridge – use ATV road to main trail this will save time and keep it 4 mi roundtrip.
Stay – The Element Westin Sedona
Book a king suite with kitchenette, couch, separate bedroom – very nice! Full breakfast included, pool, jacuzzi
Dinner at Pisa Lisa – walk next door – amazing flatbread pizza and healthy salads.
Day 10: Sedona (optional day of R&R)
Recovery day: Village Yoga. Massage
Enjoy full breakfast at the Elemend
Smoothie from Sedona Juice (next door)
Hike Bell Rock Vortex
Enjoy the Jacuzzi
Dinner - Butterfly Burger next door
Stay - The Element Westin Sedona. King suite.
Day 11: Phoenix to fly home
2 hour drive to the airport
Return rental car and fly home!
I hope if you go, that you enjoy everything as much as we did!
Hugs,
Whitney