4 Days Southern Utah - What's Best?
 

Flying into SLC early Oct with only 4 days open. Driving south, skipping cities. Since it's not possible to see all the parks/monuments in that time, what are the things I just can't miss? We're accustomed to squeezing a lot into little time, with short hikes and lots of driving. Sample itinerary appreciated!

Hi DayLou,

Must you return from SLC? It would be best to fly open jaw. Into SLC and out of Las Vegas or the opposite.

Starting in SLC, hopefully, you will get in by mid-morn (assuming you are coming from the east coast). Drive to Capitol Reef. You will see some beautiful golden aspens on the way!

Stay in Torrey and see what you can of Capitol Reef the next morning.

Drive to Bryce via Hwy 12 in the afternoon.

Stay overnight at Bryce, see Bryce the next day and drive on to Zion.

Spend the next day in Zion.

If you can fly out of Las Vegas, it's a 3 hour drive - max. If you return to SLC it's a 5 hour drive from Zion.

Does this help?

PS - the above will be VERY rushed. It would be better to do just 2 parks and save the other for a trip combined with Moab maybe. If you opt for that plan, just see Bryce and Zion. Save Capitol Reef for another trip to see Moab (Arches and Canyonlands).

Thanks, Dayle. A little more detail. I'm arriving late evening staying in SLC overnight so I can hit the road early AM. Four full days for fun, returning to SLC evening of final day for an early morning flight back east.

That info will probably help you steer me the right direction. Appreciate the advice!

OK, so you will be spending 1/2 your first day driving south to the parks and 1/2 of your last day driving back to SLC.

If your air ticket round trip SLC is already purchased, I would just do Capitol Reef and Bryce.

If you can fly in/out of Las Vegas instead I would do Zion and Bryce.

3 days is barely enough time for 2 parks.

Have fun!

Thanks, Dale! Too much to enjoy, not enough time.

Wait, Wait!

The October part wasn't registering. October is perfect for Zion. So, I would do 2 days Zion, 1 day Bryce.

Save Capitol Reef to combine with Moab another time!