Van Life: The Ultimate 7 day Road Trip Guide to Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Park.
- Shoshana Weed
- Jan 18
- 19 min read
I recently came back from a camper van trip to Utah with my husband, and to be honest, it was a lot more incredible than I thought it would be! Utah is home to five national parks. Yes, five! Can you believe that? I actually had no idea Utah had five national parks until I started researching more into it. To be honest, Utah was never at the top of my list. Had it not been for some friends of ours who invited us to a concert in Salt Lake City, we probably would not have done this trip any time soon.
It was actually my husband's idea to road trip around Utah, visiting a few of the national parks before meeting up with our friends in Salt Lake. I'm so glad he suggested it because, let me tell you, this is one of my absolute favorite trips I've ever gone on, and that's saying a lot because I've been on some really incredible trips.
Utah is incredibly diverse and this was one of the things I really loved about it! One minute we were driving through canyons and rivers and the next complete desert and something that almost looked straight out of planet Mars. That's Utah for you!
Utah is home to "The Mighty Five" which consist of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands. Zion is known for its sandstone cliffs, wilderness, and narrow slot canyons. Bryce Canyon is famous for its "Hoodoos," which are rock formations that, trust me, are incredible! Arches is known for... you guessed it! It's incredible arch formations. Canyonlands offers natural beauty and its four distinct districts. Capitol Reef is known for its geology, landscape, and history. And with all of these National Parks, there are many hiking opportunities.
So there you have it! A brief introduction to Utah. We decided to combine my love for hiking and road trips with my husband's love for exploring into a 7-day camper van adventure! We rented a camper van in Salt Lake City and visited three of the national parks, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches.
As I mentioned earlier, this was one of my all-time favorite trips. It was literally a dream exploring nature and enjoying breathtaking views, observing wildlife, and sleeping under the stars. That's another amazing aspect of Utah's National Parks. They're renowned for stargazing, and I saw my first ever shooting star on this trip!
Okay let's get in to the Ultimate Road trip Guide to Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park!!
First things first, get yourself an "America the Beautiful pass," which will save you money if you're going to several national parks, and it is good for up to a year. You can purchase this at REI. Just don't make the mistake I did and get two, thinking that it's per person. It's not per person; it is per vehicle. So if you have one vehicle, you will only need ONE pass.
How much time do you need at each park?
While I had originally wanted to go to all 5 of the National Parks, we decided to limit it to three so we could take more time to immerse ourselves in each National Park. You could probably do all 5 in one week, but I wouldn't suggest it because you will be spending a lot of time driving and not as much time exploring. I felt like 7 days for these particular 3 parks was perfect, but there really is so much to see and do in Utah that you could go on a two-week trip and never run out of things to do and see.
Zion National Park: 2 - 4 days
Zion was my absolute favorite park out of the three. While I think all three of them are incredible and each have their own unique personality and shouldn't be missed. There was something very special about Zion for me. In fact from the moment we started driving into Zion National Park I felt an overwhelming sense of relief leave my body. It's a feeling I can't explain but it was truly incredible. I felt a calming presence and a sense of peace deep inside my soul. As crazy as it may sound it was absolutely magical and a feeling I will never forget.
All that being said we spent 2 1/2 days in Zion. Two full days we spent exploring and hiking. Zion is a big park and there are tons of different hiking options as well as stunning views all around and not to mention some pretty great restarutants too. So for us we were there for 2 1/2 days but I think you could easily spend 3-4 full days here to really get comfortable and have ample time to explore.
Bryce Canyon National Park: 1-2 days
Wow, wow, wow! Bryce Canyon was like nothing I had ever seen before! I still can't believe a place like this exists! My eyes were in awe the whole time we were there. My husband said that Bryce Canyon looked like it had once been underwater. All the jagged lines and hoodoos looked almost coral reef-like to us. It is really an incredible place, and I recommend you don't miss it! I think 1-2 full days here is sufficient, depending on what you want to do and see. While Bryce is incredibly spectacular, I did feel that some of the hikes we did were somewhat redundant in views. However, this place is very impressive at sunset and is still one of my all-time favorite sunset views.
Arches National Park: 1 full day
Okay Arches National Park is so unique! Of course it was all about the Arches and it was incredible! So many different unique rock formations and I can't believe there are still so many that are standing. Crazy story! We ended up leaving Moab (where Arches is) right before a flash flood hit causing a rock formation to block the entrace and exit to Arches. So glad we missed that and were able to still see and do everything we wanted.
There are so many different arches to see, along with other really neat rock formations in the park too. We didn't get to see all of the arches, but I felt like we really did get to explore and see a lot of the park. We started our adventure early and ended up hiking the Double O Arch trail, and got to see several arch formations along the way, and the views were stellar! OMG!
This is one of the smaller parks, so I feel like you don't need a ton of time here. If you have 1-2 full days, that is a sufficient amount of time in my opinion. If you're able to hike at sunset, I've heard it's pretty incredible, although we didn't do that this time. We spent the next morning mountain biking at Dead Horse State Park, which was so much fun! Even for beginners like myself, I really enjoyed it, and it left me wanting to get even better at mountain biking!
When is the best time of year to visit Utah's national parks?
The best time of year to visit really depends on what you want to do and see. Utah is hot in the summer and crowds at the parks can be the worst in summer time as that is peak season.
During summer, temperatures can rise into the 100s. July and August are the warmest months, but in higher elevations like Bryce Canyon, it can be slightly cooler. Flash floods are common in certain areas of Utah, typically occurring during the monsoon season from mid-July to September.
Spring and fall (March-May and September-November) offer mild weather, making them ideal for hiking and exploring.
Winter lasts from December through February, with varying snowfall depending on the location and freezing temperatures.
We traveled at the end of June and found the weather manageable, not "too hot" for us. Temperatures were mostly in the 90s, and we even experienced some rain in Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Moab was the hottest location we visited. Utah has dry heat, which is different from humid heat, so it didn't feel as hot as it might in more humid areas. Personally, we enjoy hot and sunny weather, so it was pretty good for us! The only drawback was that our camper van lacked air conditioning, making it challenging to sleep at night due to the heat. Something to consider when you are deciding when to go and what kind of vehicle to rent.
Where to stay at Zion, Bryce & Arches National Park
Okay, let me start by saying that if you want to stay in the national parks, which, let's be real, makes it a lot easier to explore, especially if you are short on time, then you have to book your campsite EARLY! Yes, you must book 6 months in advance if you want to stay in the national parks. And it is not an easy process. You have to be online at a specific time, depending on your location, and fight for a spot. All of these spots fill up early, and it's a race to get your spot—I'm talking within seconds. I recommend hitting the refresh button a few times. That's what worked for me. Somehow, each time I ended up getting the last remaining spot!
If you choose to visit in winter, not their peak season, then some campgrounds are first come, first serve. Sunset Campground in Bryce Canyon does not require 6-month advance reservations and is closed in the winter but can be reserved up to two weeks in advance in peak season.
I highly recommend researching the campgrounds in each park and getting an idea of where you want to be so that when it's time to book your spot you know exactly which ones you are hoping for. It will make the process much smoother.
Campgrounds at Zion, Bryce and Arches
Zion National Park
Watchman Campground - Located near the park entrance, offers stunning views and amenities such as restrooms and showers.
South Campground - Close to the Virgin River, offers a more rustic experience with basic facilities (closed temporarily for rehabilitation work).
Temple of Sinawava - A scenic area for day-use, with no official campground but options for backcountry camping.
Bryce Canyon National Park
North Campground - Offers sites in a wooded area with easy access to trails and amenities.
Sunset Campground - Located near the park's visitor center, provides stunning sunset views and is open seasonally.
Backcountry Camping - Available with a permit, offering a more secluded experience in the park's wilderness.
Arches National Park
Devils Garden Campground - The only campground in the park, features stunning views and access to hiking trails.
Backcountry Camping - Permits required, allows for a more remote experience in the vast desert landscape.
The Best Hikes
The national parks you’ll visit not only feature incredible campgrounds, but they also boast some of the best hikes in the country. Don’t miss these iconic trails:
Zion National Park
Angels Landing: A thrilling 5.0-mile hike that is not for the faint-hearted. This trail provides stunning views at the summit. Be sure to secure a permit, as this popular hike requires one.
The Narrows: A unique hike alongside the Virgin River, it’s best experienced in late summer. You'll be surrounded by towering canyon walls, creating a surreal atmosphere.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Queen's Garden/Navajo Loop: This moderately challenging 3.0-mile loop takes hikers down into the canyon among the spectacular hoodoos. Morning light enhances the breathtaking scenery.
Peek-a-boo Loop: A more strenuous 5.5-mile hike that immerses you in the diverse geology of Bryce, with close-up views of the park’s unique formations.
Arches National Park
Delicate Arch: This 3.0-mile round-trip hike leads to the most iconic arch in the park. Witnessing the arch at sunset is a must-see experience.
Devils Garden Trail: A scenic hike with varying lengths (from 7.2 to 10.1 miles). Depending on your route, you can admire several stunning arch formations along the way.
7-day itinerary for a road trip through Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Parks
Okay now that we have all the logistics down let's dig into this epic 7 day road trip in a camper van. Below is the route you will take starting in Salt Lake City.
Option 1: Salt Lake City - Zion - Bryce Canyon - Arches - Salt Lake City
**The is the route we did and the one this itinerary is based on.
Option 2: Las Vegas-Zion - Bryce Canyon- Arches- Las Vegas
Option 3: Las Vegas - Zion - Bryce Canyon - Arches - Salt Lake City
**The fastest route
Okay let's dig into the ultimate 7 day road trip itinerary!
Zion National Park: 4 days
Day 1: Arrive in Salt lake City and drive 4 hrs to Zion National Park
Today is day 1! The start of an incredibly jam-packed, fun road trip adventure begins. There are two options to begin your journey. We landed in Salt Lake City and chose to drive to Zion from there due to our rental van logistics. However, you could start in Las Vegas, and the drive time would be cut in half (2 hrs vs 4 hrs). Just know that if you're renting a camper van, it can be difficult to find one-way rentals.
Arrive in Salt Lake City and ride share to pick up your camper van rental. Stock up on groceries before heading to Zion, as groceries will be cheaper here compared to Zion. Drive 4 hrs to Zion National Park, where you will be camping. Stop at the Visitor Center for all updated trail information. If you have some time, spend it exploring the campground and familiarizing yourself with where everything is. There are two campgrounds in Zion, and it is big, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself a bit, especially to find out where the bus leaves from, as this will be your main transportation at camp. Also, spot "Zion Outfitters," which is right before the entrance to the park and is where you can shower and rent gear for the iconic "Narrows Trail".
Once you've familiarized yourself with camp, it's time for a sunset hike. I recommend hiking to Canyon overlook or Canyon bridge for epic sunset views.
Now it's time to eat! There are lots of restaurants right outside the park and within walking distance. I recommend having dinner at "The Spotted Dog Cafe." The food here is outstanding, and they make a really great cocktail too. Or you could make your own food at camp in true camping style.
Day 2: Wake up bright and early for some fun hiking adventures
Okay today is day 2 and it's time to really explore! Just a heads up that summer is the busiest time at the park so be aware of that when you are hoping to catch the shuttle bus to your hike. Depending on where you are camping in Zion you can also walk to certain trail heads. I recommend starting every day EARLY especially if you're are here in summer like we were. We got started a bit later than we had hoped because we woke up and made breakfast and coffee at camp and because of that we waited in line for half an hour to catch the shuttle.
Start your day hiking the iconic "Angels Landing Trail". You will need a permit for this hike and will need to secure it 3 months before you are planning to hike or you can try to secure it the day before you want to hike. Note that it can be very difficult to get a permit for this hike so you are more likely to be able to hike it if you request a few days and are not coming at the busiest time of the year. If you are unable to get a permit for Angels Landing then hike Observation point instead. This is what we did as we did not get a permit after applying. I was bummed but that just means I'll have to come back again.
Observation point is a truly stunning hike and in fact you end up higher up than you would at Angels landing with what some would call an even more incredible view! The view was just phenomanal. There used to be a a much harder route to get to Observation point but due to a landslide it is now inaccessible. Instead you will take a shorter route starting on the east mesa trail. The only setback is that you can't take the shuttle here and will have to drive. However; the drive is stunning and in fact you will be driving the Zion-Mt Caramel highway which is absolutely breathtaking and I could drive this every day and not get tired of it! In fact, look out for bighorn sheep as we saw some on the side of the road as we were driving.
The East Mesa trail to Observation point is a 7 mile RT hike. It is reletively easy as there isn't a lot of uphill. For the first part of the trail you are walking through a ponderosa forest until you walk out of the trees and really start to see some incredible views. It takes about 2-3 hrs to complete. This hike is well worth it and I highly recommend it. In fact I would love to do it again!
After you hike Observation Point, I recommend having some snacks at the trailhead and driving back towards another rewarding hike. Along your way there are several scenic sights to stop at including checkerboard Mesa as shown below.
Next up is the Canyon Overlook Trail, which is a short but adventurous 1-mile hike. It is located on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. It is a relatively easy 1-mile hike. You will be hiking up a canyon, and the views are incredible! It was a really fun hike and I've heard it's extra special at sunrise or sunset.
And that concludes day 2 as you will likely be tired and ready for a shower and dinner at this point. Once again you could walk into Springdale for dinner or make dinner at camp. Time to rest up for day 3.
Day 3: The Narrows and Emerald Pools Trail
Once again start your day bright and early and start with the iconic "Narrows" hike which is actually wading through the Virgin River. It is 16 miles long although most people choose not to go all the way. You can hike into it as long as you like and can then turn around at any point. While we didn't end up doing this hike I would like to go back again and do it.
After that, grab some lunch and then hike Emerald Pools Trail. It is a 3-mile loop trail and will take about an hour and a half to complete. This is a very popular trail. I really enjoyed it as it was a lot of uphill with some spectacular views.
After that grab dinner in Springdale or at your camp and see sunset at Canyon Junction.
Day 4: Drive 1 1/2 hours to Bryce Canyon, hike Peek a Boo Loop trail & Mossy Cave trail. Sunset at Inspiration point.
Sadly, on day 4, it's time to say goodbye to Zion National Park, but it's okay because the adventure continues! It's time to drive the 1 1/2 hours to Bryce Canyon National Park, where you'll ooh and awe over the incredible hoodoos! This place was like a dream! I still can't believe it's real!
If you're staying in the park like we were, it's time to check into the visitor center and check trail conditions, etc. Next, head to camp and get set up and then get ready for your first hike.
We're starting off with hiking the Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail! This trail descends 670 feet and takes you through the hoodoos and up to Bryce Point. It is a very unique trail. Note that if you are hiking it in the summer, like we were, you will encounter mules and horses on this trail as well. It is recommended to hike it in a clockwise direction. The trail is 5.5 miles and will take approximately 3-4 hours. It is rated as a strenuous hike due to its rapid elevation gain and longer duration.
Next, get in your transportation and head to one of my FAVORITE hikes, which is actually a short drive outside the park. We're heading to Mossy Cave Trail, which is a very short but sweet trail. The trail is 0.9 miles long. You can hike up to the cave, which honestly was not that impressive, but the best part is the waterfall! It was pretty cool to see such a flowing waterfall here, and actually, we had no idea there would be one here. I recommend getting in the water and cooling off. It was just what we needed!
After that it's time to head back to camp. There aren't as many restaurats to choose from here as there are in Zion but there are still quite a few; however they are all mostly within driving distance. But that was just fine by us as we enjoyed cooking dinner at camp.
After dinner it is time for sunset at inspiration point. There were some dark clouds in the sky from where it was raining which was actually pretty cool to see but I assume it didn't make sunset as magical as it could've been. However; I found the unique purple color that filled the sky to be pretty spectacular! There was even a rainbow off in the distance! I highly recommend sunset at Bryce Canyon!
Day 5: Sunrise at Sunset point and Fairyland Loop trail
Okay today is day 5 and it's a full hiking day so get up bright and early to see sunrise at Sunset point (ironic). Arrive 10-15 minutes before the sun comes up and can be at the rim trail or overlook trail for sunrise.
Then you'll want to fuel up with a hearty breakfast for you next adventure. After coffee and breakfast it's time to hike the Fairy land loop trail. This trail is rated as strenuous and is an 8 mile hike that combines hiking along the plateau rim near Boat Mesa with a hike in the canyon with long views of the Bryce Amphitheater and unique hoodoo formations along the way. I recommend starting this hike counter clockwise.
I really enjoyed this hike. It was a very quiet hike as we only saw a few people hiking this trail. We got caught in a thunderstorm which was pretty crazy as we started the hike in the sun and were so hot and then about halfway into the trail we started to hear thunder and lightning and there was no going back as we were already half way in. We ended up taking cover under one of the very few trees we happened to stumble upon.
It was so crazy because there is a "creek" that runs through this trail but without any rain it is completely dry. Within about a half an hour that "creek" was rushing and we had to puddle jump across it a few times. This was an adventure I'll never forget for sure!
Time to head back to camp and rest up for a long drive tomorrow.
Day 6: Drive 4 hrs to Arches National Park. Sand Dune Arch, Windows trail, Double "O" Arch trail.
Today we are leaving Bryce Canyon behind and making the drive to Arches National Park, which is a 10-minute drive from Moab, Utah. I recommend leaving early since you'll have a long drive today. Make sure you fuel up with coffee because, if I'm being honest, this drive was not that impressive. It was a lot of the same landscapes, and I think because of that, it felt much longer than a 4-hour drive. But as you start getting closer to Moab, the views get more interesting.
Once you get to Moab it's time to grab some lunch at one of the many restaurants. They have lots of restaurants to choose from. We grabbed lunch at Moab Garage Co and it did not disappoint.
After lunch, it's time to stretch your legs and head to Arches National Park. This place is mind-blowing! I could not believe all of the incredible formations and how so many of them are still standing! Wow.
The drive through Arches National Park is 36 miles round trip. There are lots of places to stop and park and take in the scenery. We stopped at several places along the drive, including balanced rock, the windows trail, and one of my favorites was Sand Dune Arch. It's an easy 0.3 miles out and back. Don't miss this one.
Continue on your journey, making several stops along the way, and then it's time to hike into the park. It's time to hike the Double "O" Arch Trail. This trail takes you past several arches, including Landscape Arch. This is one of my absolute favorite hikes that we did on this entire trip, although to be honest, it's really hard to choose a favorite hike!
This is a 4.2 mile round trip hike and is rated as strenuous. After you pass Landscape Arch the trail signs are few and far between so note that it can be easy to get lost so make sure you remember which way you came.
It's about 1.8 miles to Landscape Arch, and then you'll have the option to continue on to Double "O" Arch Trail. This part of the trail is so surreal and almost feels like you're on another planet. I loved it.
The trail branches off at several points for short trails to other arches such as Navajo Arch and Partition Arch. I recommend doing them all like we did. It won't take up much time, and you'll get to see a lot of different arch formations. One thing that really surprised me about Arches National Park is all of the sand everywhere.
Once you make it back to your transportation it's time for dinner at camp or at one of the many restaurants in Moab. And then make sure you look outside because the stars we saw here were INCREDIBLE! We saw so many stars at night and I saw my first ever shooting star! It was a really special moment for us.
Day 7: Mountain Biking at Dead horse State Park & Driving back to Salt Lake City.
Today concludes the final road trip day before heading back to Salt Lake City. It's time to change it up and do some mountain biking. Moab is known for lots of mountain biking opportunities. We decided to try out mountain biking at Dead Horse State Park, which has incredible views of the Colorado River and La Sal mountain range.
Get started early, around 9 a.m., for this adventure, especially if you are here in the summer, to avoid the heat! There are lots of trails at Dead Horse State Park, ranging from beginner to advanced. This was my first-ever mountain biking experience, so, as you can guess, we did the beginner trails. There are several places where you can rent mountain bikes and gear in Moab. We chose to rent from Bighorn Mountain Biking since they have a location right at the trailhead. This made it a very seamless process for us. I highly recommend them.
Note that Canyonlands National Park is only about 15 minutes from Dead Horse Sate Park so if you have the time I recommend adding it on after your moutain biking adventure. Then it's time for lunch in Moab. We had lunch at Bonjour bakery and cafe, a small family owned cafe, and it did not disappoint!
From here, you could spend more time in Arches National Park, checking out more arch formations, or you can do what we did and head back towards Salt Lake City. We chose to go halfway between Moab and SLC so that we only had to drive two hours. We found a really great camp spot called Castle Gate RV Park in Helper and settled there for the night. It was perfect because they had really nice showers and on-site laundry, which we definitely needed.
Helper is really cute tiny old town and we had dinner at the brewery there called Helper Beer and it was delicious. It was one of my favorite places we had dinner at on this trip. We had left Moab where it was storming and spotted a rainbow on our way back to camp, and we spent the evening watching lightning light up the sky in all directions all night. It was the perfect way to end our trip!
Day 8: Final day. Drive back to SLC
Today is the final day of your epic 7 day road trip adventure! It's time to head back to SLC and return the camper van. You can do what we did and spend a few days in SLC. We met up with some friends and went to a concert together. Or you can head back home.
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