The Parks
The Southwest's "Grand Circle" contains the densest cluster of world-class national parks on earth: Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, plus Yellowstone and Grand Teton to the north. A 10-14 day loop hits most of them.
Quick Route
Classic 14-day loop starting and ending in Las Vegas:
- Day 1: Arrive Las Vegas, pick up rental car
- Day 2: Drive to Zion NP (2h45)
- Day 3: Zion — Angels Landing or The Narrows
- Day 4: Drive to Bryce Canyon (1h30)
- Day 5: Bryce — Sunrise Point, Navajo Loop
- Day 6: Drive to Capitol Reef (2h30)
- Day 7: Drive to Arches (3h) — sunset at Delicate Arch
- Day 8: Arches / Canyonlands day
- Day 9: Drive to Monument Valley (2h)
- Day 10: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (3h)
- Day 11: Grand Canyon rim hike, Desert View Drive
- Day 12: Drive back to Las Vegas (4h30)
- Day 13: Las Vegas buffer day
- Day 14: Fly home
Grand Canyon
The most famous. South Rim is open year-round, 4-5 million visitors/year. Don't just look — hike into the canyon to feel it. Even 1 mile down Bright Angel Trail changes everything. Rim-to-rim hikers take 2-3 days.
Zion
The hiking park. Angels Landing (book permit lottery) and The Narrows (wading up a slot canyon) are the iconic hikes. Shuttle system runs the main canyon — no cars allowed.
Bryce Canyon
Hoodoos — red rock spires — fill an amphitheater you hike down into. Much less crowded than Zion. Sunrise Point is the must-see.
Capitol Reef
The least visited of the Mighty 5 Utah parks. Red cliffs, slot canyons, old Mormon fruit orchards you can pick from in season.
Arches
2,000+ natural stone arches. Delicate Arch (on the Utah license plate) is the most famous — 3-mile round-trip hike. Best at sunset.
Canyonlands
Right next to Arches but feels totally different. Island in the Sky district is the accessible part. Mesa Arch at sunrise is the classic photo.
Yellowstone (Add-on)
America's first national park (1872). Old Faithful geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, herds of bison. 2-3 days minimum. Add to the end of the loop or do separately.
Grand Teton (Add-on)
South of Yellowstone. More dramatic mountains than Yellowstone. Jenny Lake, String Lake, Moose Junction. Often combined with Yellowstone.
Tips
- $80 America the Beautiful pass covers entry to all parks
- Book lodging 6+ months ahead (Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon especially)
- Carry 3+ liters of water per person in summer
- Start hikes at sunrise in hot months
- Download offline maps (no signal in most parks)
- Wildlife stay-back rules: 25 yards from bison/elk, 100 yards from bears
- Bear spray recommended in Yellowstone and Grand Teton