Any season is a great time to visit Utah in travel trailers, motorhomes, and other types of RVs. The state’s desert climate makes it easy to visit year-round, with low humidity and different seasonal temperatures. In the winter, many RVers visit the state for skiing, and its national parks are a great sight any time of the year. With several well-maintained interstates, state roads, and scenic drives, it’s a perfect state to see from your RV. Check out our Utah road trip planning tips below to help plan your adventure!
Things to See in Utah
National parks are the most popular destinations for a Utah road trip, with many clustered close together for easy route planning. In addition, there are destinations for skiing, cultural destinations such as museums, and big cities with plenty of charm. The state’s most famous sights are the national parks in the southern portion of the state, but there are also plenty of things to see beyond this region. Whether you’re in search of natural sights, weird roadside attractions or historical destinations, Utah is the place to be.
Your Utah road trip should include some of its national parks, but there’s also so much more to the state! Consider visiting some additional must-see stops on your Utah road trip:
- Bonneville Salt Flats
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Utah Olympic Park
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument
- Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
- Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument
- Crystal Hot Springs
These Utah road trip destinations are perfect for visitors of all ages and are easy to access with your motorhome, fifth wheel, or Class C toy hauler. Some are perfect educational stops, such as Newspaper Rock which features one of the largest collections of petroglyphs. Other spots, such as the Bonneville Salt Flats, are the perfect photo-op! These are great destinations to see on your Utah road trip, along with the state’s most famous national parks, often known as The Mighty 5.
Driving to the Utah Mighty 5
The most popular road trip stops in the state are all part of The Utah Mighty 5. The Utah Mighty 5 refers to the state’s national parks located in the southern portion of Utah. Also known as The Big 5, the grouping includes the following national parks:
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Arches National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
To see The Big 5 in Utah, it’s recommended to start at the bottom or top, either beginning with Arches National Park or Zion National Park. From there, the other three parks are ideal to visit as you complete this road trip. The complete drive from Zion National Park to Arches National Park with stops at the other Mighty 5 between takes around 7 hours, though the exact time may be a little slower by RV. Many adventurers choose to visit The Utah Mighty 5 over the course of 3-6 days, depending on how much time they’d like to spend at each national park.
Many of the national parks in The Big 5 are a multi-day adventure within themselves, with RV parking and boondocking opportunities.
Things to do on Your Utah National Parks Road Trip
While on your Utah road trip through some of the state’s most popular national parks, there’s plenty to see and do! Whether you’re interested in hikes, ATVing, bird watching, or stargazing, there are many things to do and see.
Things to do at Zion National Park
Zion is one of Utah’s most popular national parks, offering things to do for every adventurer. The park is great for hiking, bird watching, bicycling, climbing, stargazing, and wading through the iconic gorge known as The Narrows. Some activities require permits, and others may be subject to flash floods during certain times of the year, so it’s recommended to check with park officials before visiting.
Things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is incredible for a stargazing campout, with dark skies perfect for viewing the stars at night. During the daytime, Bryce Canyon offers hiking trails for all skill levels along with guided horseback tours. Its natural landscape is especially awe-inspiring for visitors.
Things to do at Arches National Park
Arches National Park has more than just the park’s namesake feature. There are tons of things to do in this park on your Utah road trip, including driving through the park’s paved roads to trailheads of its most popular sights. There are also opportunities for biking, backpacking, canyoneering, hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. As with some other Utah national parks, certain activities require a permit, so check with the park before visiting.
Things to do at Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is an RVers perfect destination, with RV-centric campgrounds and plenty of things to do. The park has several areas for RV camping, including a 71-site campground with RV dump stations and potable water filling stations. For activities, the park offers hiking, road tours, horseback riding, rock climbing, bouldering, orchards, and even pet-friendly hikes. Review the park’s permit requirements for activities such as rock climbing.
Things to do at Canyonlands National Park
Known for its incredible mesas, canyons, and dramatic natural sights, Canyonlands National Park has no shortage of things to do. Sightseeing is easy by car, along with hikes for seeing many of the park’s most famous formations, including Island in the Sky. There are hiking trails, climbing areas, backpacking, horseback riding, and even boating areas.
How Many Days do I Need to Visit Utah?
With so many things to see, you may be wondering how much time you should spend on your Utah road trip. The answer depends on how long you’d like to spend at each destination, how long you’d like to drive each day, and how much time you want to give yourself for other destinations. Generally, people spend one to two weeks visiting Utah. They divide that time between The Mighty 5, additional monuments, and cultural destinations in the state’s largest population areas.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Utah?
When you’re RVing in Utah, there’s no need to worry about the best times to visit in terms of flights or hotels. Still, you’ll want to consider the best time of year to visit in terms of the activities you’d like to enjoy. If you’re looking for world-class skiing, the winter months are perfect! But, if you’re interested in hiking national parks, you will want to aim for visiting Utah between May and November.
If you’re planning on visiting specific areas of a national park, such as The Narrows in Zion, check with the park’s rangers to ensure you’re visiting during a time when flash floods are not as common. For example, the monsoon season for Zion National Park generally lasts from July-September, so visitors should be aware of the weather and any flash flood warnings.
As with any adventure, a successful Utah road trip starts with planning and preparation. There is plenty of fun to be had on your Utah RV vacation! Before you hit the road, visit your local Lazydays RV mechanic to ensure your rig is road-ready.
