Mighty 5 Utah From Salt Lake City

Overview

This trip by season

The same trip. Very different weeks.

• Spring

  March to May

  Mild days, cool mornings

  Comfortable walking weather and the desert in flower. Mornings are chilly at Bryce, and the high country can hold snow into May.

  13 spring departures ›

• Summer

  June to August

  Long days, early starts

  The canyons pass 100°F in July and August, so days start early, the big walks are done by noon, and lunch is long and in the shade.

  13 summer departures ›

• Autumn

  September to November

  Mild days, warm light

  Warm afternoons, cool nights and low light on red rock. Comfortable walking weather from the canyon floors to the rim.

  21 autumn departures ›

• Winter

  December to February

  Snow on red rock

  Bryce and the high plateaus under snow, the canyons calm and clear. Shorter days and cold nights, and a few high roads close for the season.

  17 winter departures ›

Day by day

1. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 1

   Arrive in Salt Lake City & Prepare for the Mighty 5 Adventure

   Welcome to Utah! Your ultimate Mighty 5 national parks adventure kicks off today in Salt Lake City (SLC)., the perfect urban gateway to the desert southwest. Arrive at the state-of-the-art Salt Lake City International Airport at your leisure today and transfer independently to your host hotel.

   This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers before heading to Temple Square for the highlight of the day: the historic Salt Lake Temple Open House.

   Following a massive, multi-year renovation to add seismic reinforcements and update the grounds, this highly anticipated 2027 celebration marks the first public open house since 1893. When the original pioneers completed the temple over a century ago, visitors were allowed to tour it just before its original dedication—and now, history is repeating itself.

   • Public Open House Dates: April 5, 2027 – October 1, 2027
   • Historical Significance: The first time the general public has been allowed inside the Salt Lake Temple in 134 years.

   Alternatively, use this evening to relax at your hotel, unpack, and mentally prepare for the breathtaking scenery and world-class hiking awaiting you on Utah's ultimate Mighty 5 national parks tour.

   OvernightSalt Lake CityMealsCovered: N/A

2. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 2

   Salt Lake City to Canyonlands National Park & Dead Horse Point

   Depart Salt Lake City at 7:00 AM as we journey south into Utah’s legendary red rock country. Our destination today is Canyonlands National Park, a vast wilderness of countless canyons and colossally carved buttes. We begin our exploration in the Island in the Sky district, a sheer-walled mesa that stands over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Here, you will experience an unforgettable hike to Mesa Arch, a world-famous natural stone arch perched precariously on a cliff edge that frames spectacular, sweeping vistas of the canyons below.

   Throughout the day, your expert guide will lead you to the park’s most breathtaking panoramic overlooks. Depending on conditions, your tour may include visits to the mind-boggling geological anomaly of Upheaval Dome, as well as soaring views of the carving powers of the Colorado River and Green River.

   Later, we will stand at the towering Grand View Point and enjoy an exhilarating rimside hike along the island-like mesa, offering an up-close look at the labyrinth of canyons below. We wrap up our park adventure with a stop at Dead Horse Point State Park, featuring one of the most photographed vistas in the world—a dramatic overlook towering 2,000 feet straight above a gooseneck pinch in the Colorado River.

   This evening, we check into our hotel in the world-class adventure hub of Moab, Utah, leaving you with a free evening to wander its vibrant main street, explore local shops, and enjoy dinner on your own.

   • Activity Level: Moderate (Expect multiple short hikes on uneven sandstone, dirt trails, and rock stairs at high elevations).

   OvernightMoab UtahMealsLunch

3. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 3

   Arches National Park Icons, Colorado River Petroglyphs & Group Dinner

   Set your alarm for an early morning departure into Arches National Park, home to the densest concentration of natural sandstone arches on the planet. We beat the crowds and heat by heading straight to the trailhead for a hike to Delicate Arch. Standing 52 feet tall against the backdrop of the La Sal Mountains, seeing this world-famous geological masterpiece up close is a true bucket-list experience.

   We then continue our exploration deeper into the park’s surreal, wind-carved landscapes. You will marvel at the gravity-defying span of Landscape Arch—one of the longest natural stone arches in the world—before journeying to the spectacular Windows Section. Here, you will stand beneath the massive openings of North Window, South Window, and the breathtaking Double Arch, marveling at the sheer scale of these ancient red rock formations.

   After fueling up with a fresh boxed lunch inside the park, we escape the midday sun with a stunning scenic drive along the Colorado River corridor. Along the way, your guide will point out ancient Native American petroglyphs etched directly into the sheer red rock walls by the region's earliest inhabitants centuries ago.

   In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore the vibrant shops, local cafes, and art galleries of downtown Moab. This evening, rejoin your fellow travelers for a fantastic group dinner at a popular local restaurant to toast to an unforgettable day in the red rocks.

   • Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous (The Delicate Arch hike is 3 miles round-trip with a steady incline on open slickrock; other park walks are light to moderate on sand and rock trails).

   OvernightMoab UtahMealsBreakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner

4. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 4

   Goblin Valley State Park & Capitol Reef National Park Wonders

   Prepare to enter an entirely different world today as we explore the surreal landscape of Goblin Valley State Park. This hidden geological gem is famous for its thousands of mushroom-shaped sandstone formations, locally known as "goblins" or hoodoos. You will have time to wander through this natural maze, marveling at how wind and water have sculpted the soft Entrada sandstone over millions of years.

   Next, our journey takes us into the heart of Capitol Reef National Park, defined by the Waterpocket Fold—a massive, 100-mile wrinkle in the Earth's crust. Here, our adventure can be tailored to your style. We can delve into the sheer, towering walls of Grand Wash or Sulphur Creek Narrows. For those looking for a rewarding hike, we can trek up to Hickman Bridge, a spectacular 133-foot natural sandstone arch offering sweeping alpine-desert vistas.

   We will continue our park exploration by driving deep into Capitol Gorge. Walking along the historic canyon floor, we will view ancient petroglyphs, pioneer register inscriptions carved into the stone, and hike up to the fascinating Tanks—deep, water-carved pockets in the sandstone that store precious desert water.

   This evening, check into your accommodations in the peaceful gateway town of Torrey, Utah, where you are free to relax and enjoy the serene, star-filled desert skies on your own.

   • Activity Level: Moderate (Walking and hiking on uneven rocky surfaces, dirt trails, and sandy canyon washes at elevations around 5,500 to 7,000 feet).

   OvernightTorrey UtahMealsLunch

5. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 5

   Highway 12 Scenic Byway, Grand Staircase-Escalante & Bryce Canyon Stargazing

   Begin your morning exploring more of Capitol Reef's hidden corners alongside your expert guide before we set out on one of the most breathtaking drives in the world: Scenic Byway Highway 12. As we traverse this legendary route, we will cross the rugged Canyons of Escalante within the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, stopping to absorb the soaring vistas, deep drop-offs, and carved slickrock gorges along the way.

   Our introduction to Bryce Canyon National Park begins at Mossy Cave, a unique canyon-side trail that follows a rushing perennial stream to a mossy grotto and a hidden desert waterfall. After this refreshing walk, we head up to the main amphitheater where you will have the unforgettable opportunity to meander along the Rim of Bryce Canyon. Gaze out over a dizzying maze of thousands of crimson-colored hoodoos, spires, and natural fins glowing in the afternoon light.

   The adventure doesn't end when the sun goes down. This evening, you have the premier option to experience the area's legendary dark skies. On our exclusive Bryce Canyon Stargazing Tour, expert astronomy guides will lead you through the mysteries of the night sky, using high-powered telescopes to reveal brilliant star clusters, distant galaxies, and the glowing band of the Milky Way in near-total solitude.

   • Activity Level: Light to Moderate (Short walks along the canyon rim and a gentle 0.8-mile trail to Mossy Cave; dress warmly for evening stargazing at high altitude).

   OvernightBryce Canyon City UtahMealsBreakfast, Lunch

6. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 6

   Bryce Canyon Sunrise, Scenic Highways & Zion National Park Exploration

   Rise early this morning to witness a true Southwest spectacle: the sun rising over the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. Watch from a premium viewpoint as the first morning light strikes the tips of the crimson hoodoos, setting the entire canyon ablaze in brilliant shades of gold and orange. After enjoying the morning glow, we will explore a few more iconic overlooks along the rim. For the heartier adventurers in the group, your guide will lead you on an exhilarating trek below the canyon rim, walking down switchbacks to stand directly alongside these towering, ancient stone spires.

   Next, we say goodbye to Bryce and embark on a stunningly scenic drive to Zion National Park. Our route follows Highway 89 and the historic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, winding past towering red-rock monoliths, petrified sand dunes, and yawning slot canyons.

   Before descending into the main valley, we will lace up our boots for a hike along the Canyon Overlook Trail on the east side. This rewarding trail takes us across slickrock and over custom boardwalks to a breathtaking, bird's-eye view looking straight down into the massive, 2,000-foot-deep Zion Canyon. We will finish our incredible day exploring the lush floor of Zion's main canyon, standing in awe beneath legendary sheer rock faces like the Court of the Patriarchs and the Great White Throne.

   • Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous (The Canyon Overlook trail has some steep drops and uneven steps; hiking below the rim at Bryce involves a steep climb back up to the canyon rim at an elevation of 8,000 feet).

   OvernightSpringdale UtahMealsBreakfast, Lunch

7. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 7

   Zion National Park Adventures & Return to Salt Lake City

   Your final day in the red rocks offers the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure experience inside the breathtaking towering walls of Zion National Park. Spend your morning tackling one of the park’s world-renowned signature trails. For those seeking a thrilling challenge, you can ascend the steep switchbacks of Walter's Wiggles up to Scout Lookout for dizzying, panoramic viewpoints looking straight down into the main canyon.

   If you prefer a lush desert oasis, traverse the scenic Emerald Pools Loop to discover a trio of tiered pools fed by weeping stone walls and cascading waterfalls. Alternatively, you can head into the deep canyon throat to wade into The Narrows of the Virgin River, hiking directly in the riverbed beneath sheer, thousand-foot-tall canyon walls that block out the sun.

   After an unforgettable morning in the main canyon, we begin our return journey north. Along the way, we will make a spectacular short stop at the lesser-known, pristine Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park. Here, you will gaze upon towering finger canyons of bright crimson Navajo sandstone thrusting thousands of feet into the sky.

   We will continue our drive north along the Interstate 15 corridor, arriving back at the host hotel or airport in Salt Lake City between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, concluding your premier Utah Mighty 5 national parks vacation.

   • Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous (Depending entirely on your choice of trail; walking in the river at The Narrows requires immense balance, while Scout Lookout demands steep, uphill cardio endurance).

   OvernightSalt Lake City UtahMealsBreakfast, Lunch

8. 

   

   

   

   

   

   Day 8

   Fond Farewells & Departures from Salt Lake City

   Savor your final morning in Utah as your spectacular Mighty 5 national parks tour draws to a close. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and take some time to pack your bags and process your incredible desert southwest memories.

   Standard hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM today. For your convenience, you may transfer independently to the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) at any time during the day to catch your return flight home.

   • Activity Level: Light / Departure Day

   MealsNone (Breakfast available independently at the hotel or airport)

Day Tours From Salt Lake City

Tour details

Gallery

More from Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park

Departures

Pricing

SWAT Trip Protection Plan

The SWAT Trip Protection Plan (TPP) gives you the freedom to cancel your tour for any reason up to the day before departure and receive a full refund of your SWAT-collected tour payments. It’s a simple, transparent cancellation waiver designed to provide flexibility for our guests and clarity in our booking process.

Read the full Trip Protection terms — eligibility, how to buy, cancelling, rescheduling and refund timing.