Exploring Utah’s “Mighty 5” National Parks

By Allison Fitts & Lillian Robinson

The United States is full of beautiful, awe-inspiring national parks that many campervan renters center their trips around. If you are looking to visit some of the most iconic ones or get the most bang for your buck, then look no further than Utah with its Mighty 5 National Parks.

Known fondly as “The Mighty 5,” Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion are not to be missed. They can easily be visited in one fell swoop from Escape’s Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Denver, and Phoenix depots (round trip and one-way!). Read all of our tips for each park below and tell us you aren’t hyped to head out west!

Take a deeper dive with these related posts:

• Guest Blog: The Ultimate Southwest Road Trip
• Four Days of Bliss in Southwest Colorado
• American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary
• 8 Must-do Hikes in Moab, Utah

Arches National Park

• Feeder Town: Moab, UT
• Known for: Over 2,000 natural sandstone arches
• Our Favorite Hike: Delicate Arch
• Best Campground: Devils Garden
• Minimum Time to Allow in the Park: An afternoon

Closest Escape Camper Vans Depot: Salt Lake City, UT (3.5 hours to the north)

Bryce Canyon National Park

• Feeder Town: Bryce, UT
• Known for: Towering hoodoos and bright orange and red rock
• Our Favorite Hike: Queens Garden
• Best Campground: North Campground
• Minimum Time to Allow in the Park: An afternoon

Closest Escape Camper Vans Depots: Salt Lake City, UT (4 hours to the north) or Las Vegas, NV (4 hours to the southwest)

Canyonlands National Park

• Feeder Town: Moab, UT
• Known for: Beautiful vistas seen from the rim of the canyon
• Our Favorite Hike: Mesa Arch
• Best Campground: Willow Flat – Island in the Sky
• Minimum Time to Allow in the Park: 1 day

Closest Escape Camper Vans Depot: Salt Lake City, UT (4 hours to the northwest)

Capitol Reef National Park

• Feeder Town: Torrey, UT
• Known for: Otherworldly landscapes and massive monoliths
• Our Favorite Hike: Cathedral Valley
• Best Campground: Fruita Campground
• Minimum Time to Allow in the Park: An afternoon

Closest Escape Camper Vans Depot: Salt Lake City, UT (3.5 hours to the north)

Zion National Park

• Feeder Town: Springdale, UT
• Known for: Majestic canyon walls and the gorgeous Virgin River
• Our Favorite Hike: The Narrows
• Best Campground: Watchman
• Minimum Time to Allow in the Park: 2 days

Closest Escape Camper Vans Depot: Las Vegas, NV (2.5 hours to the southwest)

Start Planning Your Road Trip to See Utah’s Mighty 5

If you’re as excited to see the Mighty 5 as we were, start thinking about what your trip might look like. What hikes will you go on? How much time do you have for your trip? By planning in advance, you’ll be ready for your next adventure. Book a camper van rental in Salt Lake City with Escape Camper Vans, and start your Utah adventure today.