About this Tour
This small-group tour is perfect for visitors who would like to experience Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Grand Staircase-Escalante without the stress of planning. Relax in Utah’s hot springs partway through the trip, and let us handle the hotel accommodations, transport, and tour guides while you enjoy the beauty of the national parks.
Operating Season: Year-round
Small-Group Tour, Guaranteed to Depart
This small-group tour is guaranteed to operate once 4 guests are confirmed, with a maximum of 8 travelers per departure. That means no last-minute cancellations due to low enrollment, smoother planning, and a premium small-group travel experience.
Have specific travel needs? Contact us, and our team will make it simple. We offer flexible arrangements tailored to your preferred dates, group size, and travel style.
About The Mighty 5
Utah’s Mighty 5 includes five spectacular national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. Together they showcase towering red rock cliffs, delicate arches, colorful hoodoos, and vast desert canyons, creating some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the American Southwest.
Moments from this Tour
What’s Included
- Private Transportation (Pick-Up to Drop-Off SLC Airport)
- Snacks and Bottled Water
- All National and State Park Entrance Fees
- 3 Breakfasts and 3 Nights of Hotel Accommodations
- All Activities Included on Itinerary
What’s Excluded
- Expenses from Activities and Meals not denoted in the Itinerary
- Tour Guide Gratuities (recommended 10%)
- Trip and Cancellation Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Flight Tickets
Itinerary
Day 1: USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum – Dead Horse Point State Park – Canyonlands National Park – Moab
Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum
After we pick you up from Salt Lake City International Airport, we will start the tour at the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum. Here, you can discover what life was like when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth. View real dinosaur bones, full-body dinosaur mounts, and even some items from the Fremont people and mammal skeletons from the Ice Age.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Located only a few miles from Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park offers a unique view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below. While driving around, your tour guide will tell you the unusual story of how this park got its name.
Canyonlands National Park
This national park is made of three main districts: The Maze, The Needles, and Island in the Sky. For this tour, we will be exploring the Island in the Sky district, known for its stargazing sites and overlooks. Island in the Sky allows you to overlook places in the valley, such as the Colorado River, from atop high canyons.
Moab
Here sits the town between two national parks, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. With many attractions in the area, you will be able to walk downtown to check out shops and restaurants before going to your hotel to prepare for the next day.
Accommodations: Hotel in or near Moab
Meals: N/A
Day 2: Arches National Park – Potash Road – Adventure in Moab
Arches National Park
We will start the morning going to Arches National Park, widely known for having over 2,000 natural stone arches. Check out Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Double Arch, and many more. This is a national park you sure won’t want to miss!
Potash Road
After visiting Arches, we’ll head to Potash Road. Located right outside of Moab, this road winds along the Colorado River with water on one side, and a huge rock cliff on the other. Along this road, your tour guide will show you ancient petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks, as well as additional arches that can be accessed by foot.
Moab
After returning to Moab from your visit to Arches National Park, you’ll have some free time to enjoy the area on your own (please note: these activities are not included in the tour price). Moab offers plenty of exciting options, such as river rafting, speed boating, or even taking a scenic helicopter ride. If you prefer something more relaxed, you can explore the town, go for a hike, or just enjoy the local atmosphere.
Accommodations: Hotel in Moab
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Goblin Valley State Park – Capitol Reef National Park – Highway 12 – Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Goblin Valley State Park
The “goblins” in Goblin Valley get their name from the thousands of unique hoodoos, or columns of weathered stone, that dot its surface. In this State Park, there are no official paths, allowing you to walk up close to the hoodoos and take pictures. If time permits, your tour guide will take you on a hike to Goblins Lair, an incredibly tall cave.
Capitol Reef National Park
This national park is known for its white domes and its Waterpocket Fold, a large geologic fold of stone that runs for almost 100 miles. The fold is also known as a “wrinkle on the Earth,” which is basically what it is. It formed when tectonic forces buckled the rock layers and pushed up the surface. This area is also popular for its Fremont influence, as pictographs and artifacts are commonly found here. We will also explore the remnants of Fruita and if we are lucky, may even be able to taste some fruit from the orchards.
Highway 12 Scenic Byway
Route 12 is known as one of the most scenic roads in the US. This 124-mile highway cuts through steep sandstone canyons and narrow winding roads, offering incredible views that are a must see amongst visitors. In addition, multiple national and state parks dot this road, including Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
The 1.88 million acres of land that make up Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are considered some of the most remote in the US. Although we won’t be stopping, you’ll be able to appreciate the vastness and beauty of this region.
Accommodations: Hotel near Grand Staircase
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Bryce Canyon National Park – Horseshoe Bend – Kanab
Bryce Canyon National Park
From its beautiful pink and white cliffs to its thousands of hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park is sure to leave a powerful impression on you. This park features many incredible, easily accessible viewpoints that offer excellent photo opportunities. For the more adventurous, your tour guide will take you down into the canyon along the Navajo Loop/Queen’s Garden Trail, passing through breathtaking rock formations that took thousands of years to shape.
Horseshoe Bend
Experience one of the Southwest’s most iconic natural wonders. A short, scenic walk (approximately 1.5 miles round-trip) leads you to the stunning overlook of Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River makes a dramatic 270-degree curve through the vibrant red sandstone cliffs. From the edge of the overlook, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and capture unforgettable photos of this geological marvel, especially striking at sunrise or sunset. Your guide will share insights into the area’s geology, history, and cultural significance, making this stop both visually spectacular and enriching. Accessibility Note: The trail is not fully wheelchair accessible, but those with limited mobility may still be able to enjoy parts of the path with assistance. Visitors are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear, bring water, and prepare for sun exposure.
Kanab
After that, we’ll head to Kanab. Due to its spectacular red sandstone cliffs and unique plants, Kanab has been used as the set of many famous Hollywood shows and movies, including the Lone Ranger, Planet of the Apes, and Arabian Nights. While in Kanab, you will see the alluring Coral Pink Sand Dunes and the impressive Moqui Sand Caves.
Accommodations: Hotel in Kanab
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Zion National Park – Salt Lake City/Las Vegas
Zion National Park
Zion National Park offers gorgeous wind-sculpted canyons and hikes along incredible trails. This park has something for everyone: for those who would rather stay in the car, you will love the intricate patterns found on Checkerboard Mesa. For amateur hikers, you’ll enjoy the stunning views from the Canyon Overlook Trail and the Riverside Walk.
Salt Lake City
If you choose to depart from Salt Lake City, your tour guide will drop you off either at the airport or a hotel of your choosing. Settled in 1847 by a group of pioneering Mormons, Salt Lake City has blossomed into the vibrant capital of Utah and gateway to the west. If time permits, your tour guide will take you to see the twin hearts of this city: Temple Square and the Capitol Building.
Las Vegas
We will drop you off at the airport or hotel of your choosing.
Accommodations: N/A
Meals: Breakfast