Utah Nat'l Parks How Many Days for Each?
 

We are planning a first-time visit to Utah and some of the National Parks. I am not sure how many days we should plan for each park. Due to mobility issues, almost all of the trip will be done by car.

Our plan is to fly into Salt Lake City and visit Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion. Have I left anything out that is a 'must do'? I would appreciate suggestions on how many full days to spend in each park.

Any other advice on sites or other activity we should include? We are planning to do this in May 2016.

Thanks in advance for suggestions and ideas,

John

I'd skip Canyonlands and be sure to drive through Escalante National Monument between Bryce and Capitol Reef. The rest are all outstanding and need at least one full day each.

Interesting, Canyonlands is one of my favorite NPs. If I weren't doing much hiking while in the Moab area, I'd spend 1 or 2 days in Arches and be sure to see it in the early morning and in the late afternoon. I would spend one day in Canyonlands Island in the sky, stop at all the viewpoints (DH thinks it is more beautiful than Grand Canyon). If you have time, head south to the Needles District of Canyonlands for a look from the bottom of the canyons. Perhaps take one of the half day boat trips on the Colorado or Green River from the Moab area. If you are interested in petroglyphs/pictographs, there are several sites in/near Moab and you can get information/directions on seeing them at the Arches VC.

Also in the Moab area, the drive along the Colorado River on rt. 128 is very pretty and you can look at Fisher Towers from there. Some folks like the views of Canyonlands from Dead Horse State park are also worth a stop, but I love those in the park itself. If you have the time, you could easily spend 3 or 4 days in/near Moab without hiking.

The drive from Moab to Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase Escalante, Bryce and Zion is very beautiful. I would want to stop at some of the state parks along the way, like Edge of Cedars in Blanding (off 191), Goblin Valley (off 24), Anasazi (near Boulder on rt 12). Allow at least one day each for Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion.

Look for lodging in the park for Zion and Bryce and in Moab for Arches and Canyonlands, and in Torrey for Capitol Reef.

Fill your gas tank any time it gets near a half and there is a station. Keep snacks, water, etc. in your car. Be prepared for no cell phone/internet service in many of these areas. It doesn't hurt to have a paper map of the area.

Have a great trip.

If you go to Canyonlands, make it about half a day in the Island in the Sky section.
On the way to Capitol Reef or Escalante, you might want to detour for a couple hours in Goblin Valley State Park.

emalloy gave you great advice and gave you the minimum amount of time to spend at each park. If you have more time then add it to each area because even if you can't hike, you can sit and enjoy the views!

Utahtea

<i> If you have time, head south to the Needles District of Canyonlands for a look from the bottom of the canyons.</i>

The Needles area is on top of the mesa and the edges of the canyon are, in my opinion, less accessible than in the Island-in-the-Sky area for those with mobility issues.

What do you mean when you say almost all of the trip will be done by car? Are you unable to get out and walk around? Limited to very short walks?

The main canyon in Zion requires visitors to ride a park shuttle....would that be doable?

There are some great overlooks in Bryce but you'd need to walk a little bit. Arches has a fair amount to see from the roadside.

What months? Summer, fall, winter or spring. Huge difference in options.

Have you purchased any travel books yet?

Vaga

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, it has made my planning much easier.

Vaga, Thanks, as I said we are traveling in May 2016. Yes I have several travel/guide books.

I am not able to walk distances, but can use the shuttle.


John

May is a great time to visit this area...just avoid the very crowded Memorial Day weekend!!!! Which for 2016 will be between May 27th to May 30th.

Utahtea