Utah's National Parks

Utah is known for a variety of things. It is beautiful – boasting landscapes ranging from deserts to majestic mountains – offering opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing and snow boarding, just to name a few. People come to Utah from around the globe to enjoy its landscape and rich history. Getting back to Utah’s beauty, Utah boasts two of the most memorable National Parks in the country – Bryce and Zion – majestic and protected natural wonders, as well as three others – Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks. Utah also claims the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, since it is most easily accessed through Utah.

If you want to explore some areas that are both historic and stunning, Utah is a wonderland full of amazing places for your journey. Utah's National Parks are a must see!

Bryce Canyon , which became a National Park in 1928, was named after a local rancher, Ebenezer Bryce. Framed by majestic pine trees, the “pink” cliffs of Bryce change hues as the sun changes position in the sky between sunrise and sunset, however, you won’t see these dramatic colors until you journey to the rim. Visitors may take a round trip encompassing thirty seven miles, including Sunrise, Sunset, Rainbow, Yovimpa and Inspiration Points.

Accommodations in the area are plentiful and memorable. In addition to excellent accommodations to fit any vacation plan, there are plenty of activities available, such as mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, off roading and many opportunities for magnificent photographs whether you are a beginner or an expert. There are also various guided tours available.

Zion is Utah’s oldest national park, having been designated in 1919. Zion is known for the grandeur of its towers and monoliths that soar skyward, as well as its magnificent slot canyons including The Narrows. Hiking through The Narrows is truly an awesome experience. The Virgin River has carved its way through the landscape and actually acts as your guide up the trail into the opening of The Narrows and into The Narrows itself. Once you enter The Narrows, you will journey between canyon walls that are hundreds of feet high, and only arm’s length apart in many areas. This is an exciting (and somewhat wet) trip, best taken during warm weather.

Another great hike in Zion is to Angel's Landing . This is a five mile hike; excellent for any individual in average shape, however, the last half mile is quite steep with some very sheer drop offs. Though there are chains and handholds, the last leg of this hike is not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights. However, if you can handle even part of the hike, the rewards will be spectacular.

There are two entrances to Zion. One is about sixty miles south of Cedar City, UT through I-15 to Route 17. The second is the East Entrance, on Utah Route 9, twelve miles east of Mt. Carmel Junction at U.S. Route 89. Hiking, Biking, Off Roading, Horseback Riding and Outdoor Workshops on many subjects pertinent to the area are available.

Capitol Reef is another must-see. The Waterpocket Fold, which is a 100 mile long “wrinkle” in the earth’s crust, called a monocline (a step up in the rock layers), reaches from Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River at Lake Powell. Capitol Reef National Park was established to protect the stunning geological features and the natural and cultural history unique to this area alone.

During the 1920’s Capitol Reef was called Wayne Wonderland and encompassed 378 square miles that boasted colorful canyons, ridges, buttes and monoliths. Mormons moved into the area of the high plateau lands west of Capitol Reef around and after 1872, establishing small farming communities. The area is mostly unchanged today.

The canyons and cliffs of Capitol Reef are characterized by unique shapes carved by erosion. Some of the areas in Capitol Reef have names as unique as the landscape, such as, Capitol Dome, Hickman Ridge, Grand Wash and Cathedral Valley, which is a remote area featuring sandstone monoliths that look like cathedrals. Capitol Reef is ten miles east of the town of Torrey or thirty seven miles west of Hanksville, both off of SR 24. There is a visitor’s center, and the area boasts activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding and off roading.


Canyonlands is stunning and spectacular providing views thousands of feet downward to the Colorado and Green Rivers and upward views to spires and pinnacles of red rock set against the vast sky. No matter where you look, Canyonlands is sure to amaze you. Some areas are only accessible by off road vehicles, but are worth the trip. In the area known as Needles, you will find arches, rock spires, gardens, Native American ruins and pictographs unavailable in other areas. The area called Horseshoe Canyon also houses some of the most unique and significant ancient rock art available.

Canyonlands is usually accessed about thirty five miles northwest of Moab, UT or approximately twenty two miles north of Monticello, which is the easiest entrance to Needles. Off roading, hiking, river rafting and mountain biking are very popular throughout Canyonlands area.



Arches ,another one of Utah’s National Parks, features over 70,000 acres containing over 2,000 natural arches of varying shapes and sizes, most in hues ranging from deep reds and rusts to oranges, salmons and pinks. This is the largest area of natural arches in the world. You can take a forty mile round trip through the park to see the most prominent sights including Balanced Rock, Skyline Arch, Double Arch, Fiery Furnace, Delicate Arch and Devil’s Garden, where camping is available. Fiery Furnace, a labyrinth of sandstone caverns, is open to the public. There are guided tours through Fiery Furnace, as well as the other areas of Arches. Additional activities include hiking, biking, horseback, backpacking, river tours rock/mountain climbing, hot air ballooning and helicopter tours. The entrance to Arches is five miles north of Moab, UT through U.S. 191. When driving through part of the park and stopping at the overlooks, even a short trip to Arches is worth the time. The dramatic natural and geologic wonders seen up close or from further away on the plateau are a stunning sight unseen anywhere else in the world.




The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is relatively close to Zion and Bryce. When you enter the Grand Canyon through the north, you are entering one of the most magnificent areas on earth – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Grand Canyon brings out emotions from fear, to astonishment, to awe. The landscape ranges from rushing rivers, to golden cliffs to the deep purple chasms reaching down to the bottom of the canyon below. As its name denotes, this is some of the grandest geology on earth.

Activities include hiking, biking , rafting and off roading, both guided and non-guided. Lodging is available, and the historic Grand Canyon Lodge is located at the North Rim visitor’s center. One other majestic spot is Toroweap, a remote, back country viewpoint; however there are no services there. To access the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the easiest route is through Kanab in Southern Utah, on Highway 89 to Jacob Lake, AZ to Highway 67, which leads to the park entrance. If you travel to Bryce or Zion, take the time to visit the nearby North Rim of the Grand Canyon for an experience unlike any other. See for yourself why Utah’s National Parks can create memories to last a lifetime.