Southern Utah’s Best Sites – A Virtual Utah Road Trip

The ultimate Utah road trip itinerary to visit the best sites in Southern Utah including the top National Parks. The amazing canyons and sandstone rock formations create a unique setting, the photoworthy landscapes which are famous across the world.

Southern Utah boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States. Hoodoos, arches, ancient volcanoes, slot canyons, majestic sandstone cliffs, stunning views over deeply carved canyon walls… Southern Utah offers a long menu of natural wonders.

How about we take a virtual road trip through Southern Utah’s best sites? Our Utah Road Trip will start in this beautiful state’s southwest corner, will travel 380 miles across Utah’s southern half, and finish in the famed southeast Utah town of Moab. Along the way, we will visit Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks, 4 State Parks, one of Hollywood’s favorite views, and throw in some other unique Utah attractions along the way.

So let’s get going!

Utah Road Trip – Southern Utah’s Best Sites

Original photographs and text by local author Steven Jepson.

St George

We’ll start our virtual Utah road trip near the city of St George. Located just 1.5 hours from Las Vegas, St George is one of Utah’s most rapidly growing cities due to its attractive mild winter climate.

Southern Utah Road Trip Map

1. Snow Canyon State Park

On the outskirts of St George, sits Snow Canyon State Park. This beautiful Park is absolutely loaded with geologic wonder. Here, a central valley is surrounded by tall walls of eroded red and white Navajo sandstone.

Within the valley, you can hike over mounds of petrified sand dunes and explore lava tubes left behind by ancient volcanic eruptions. Plus, at the north entrance to the canyon, you can actually hike to the top of an extinct cinder cone volcano.

There are 63 National Parks across the United States (an incredible 423 sites when including national seashores and monuments, etc. Check out some of our favourites in these beautiful parts of the country and add them to your bucket list of places to visit:
* San Francisco Bay Area
* New Jersey
* St. Mary’s County

2. Zion National Park

Next up our southern Utah road trip, we’ll travel 40 miles east from St George to Zion National Park. Zion is Utah’s most popular National Park, the 3rd most visited National Park in the United States, and according to the popular hiking website AllTrails.com – the best National Park in the country.

Zion is known for its long main canyon surrounded by majestic sandstone peaks, 4 different scenic drives, and several famous hikes. These include The Narrows – a hike through a shallow river surrounded by steep canyon walls, and Angels Landing – an extremely popular but dangerous hike along a narrow 1500 foot high sandstone precipice.

Be aware though, Zion National Park is the number one tourist attraction in Utah. Due to its popularity, the main canyon in Zion can be very very crowded. And during most of the year, a shuttle system is used to transport visitors to some of the main canyon’s most popular sites.

But, Zion National Park is actually made up of three different sections in total, and two of these – Kolob Canyons and Kolob Terrace are much less crowded, much easier to visit, and no less beautiful. So, of course, we’ll also virtually drive through those two sections while we are visiting Zion.

3. Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon (Kanab)

After leaving Zion National Park, our southern Utah road trip takes us 30 miles southeast to the small town of Kanab Utah, located just north of the Arizona border. Southern Utah has the highest concentration of slot canyons in the world – estimated at around 1000. Kanab is a great base for exploring several of the area’s most popular slot canyons.

Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon, 8 miles north of Kanab, is one of the easiest of the area’s slot canyons to access. But, unless you have a 4×4 vehicle, you’ll want to visit this slot canyon as part of a tour. The access road is unpaved and challenging. Many local companies offer UTV-guided tours and will take you directly to the mouth of Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon.

Once there, it’s an easy hike through the narrow sandstone chasm. Walking through a slot canyon, turning each tight corner to discover a new amazing view, while staring up at the narrow ribbon of blue sky…truly awe-inspiring!

4. Red Canyon

Now our Utah road trip takes us north for 65 miles to Red Canyon. Red Canyon is part of the Dixie National Forest and is our first introduction to the area’s limestone hoodoos. These hoodoos are tall irregular columns of limestone shaped over the millennia by erosive forces.

In Red Canyon the hoodoos are almost uniformly red or dark orange, interspersed by the area’s green ponderosa pines. Beautiful!!

The trails in Red Canyon are mostly empty compared to a nearby and very popular National Park (see below), so it’s a great place to enjoy southern Utah hoodoos in relative solitude.

5. Bryce Canyon National Park

Just 18 miles east of Red Canyon, our Utah road trip quickly takes us into Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is Utah’s second most visited National Park, and I personally consider its Amphitheater to be Utah’s most spectacular site.

In Red Canyon, we had our first taste of Utah’s hoodoo geology, but as we pass into Bryce Canyon we find an explosion of hoodoos.

The main road inside Bryce Canyon National Park sits on top of a high plateau. All along the entire east side of this plateau, time and nature have eroded the limestone edge, leaving behind a wonderland of pink/orange/white cliffs and hoodoos.

On the northern edge of the Park sits the spectacular Bryce Canyon Amphitheater. This wide circular Amphitheater features the Park’s highest concentration of hoodoos. A trail follows the edge of the Amphitheater all the way around – offering one spectacular view after another. Plus several trails will take you down into the Amphitheater, allowing you to walk directly through the Park’s otherworldly landscape.

6. Kodachrome Basin State Park

The next stop on our southern Utah road trip is only 20 miles east of Bryce Canyon. Welcome to Kodachrome Basin State Park!

This small state park was named Kodachrome by the National Geographic Society – after receiving permission from the Kodak Film Corp – due to the vibrant colors of its rock walls during the golden hours before sunset.

However, the unusual monolithic spires are the Kodachrome Basin’s biggest attraction. Some 70 sedimentary pipe rock formations are scattered across the landscape of this unique State Park.

7. Lunch Break in Torrey Utah

We are now halfway through our southern Utah road trip, and I’m famished.

We’ve just driven about 100 miles northeast of Kodachrome Basin and find ourselves in the small town of Torrey Utah – the gateway town to Capitol Reef National Park.

But first, we are going to stop at Capitol Burger – a food truck parked next to a local mini mart – and home to the best burger that the author has ever eaten…The Capitol Burger Mushroom Burger.

Juicy, fresh-ground local beef, topped with garlic cremini mushrooms, caramelized onions, blue cheese dressing, and garlic aioli, all sitting between a lightly grilled brioche bun. Burger perfection!

8. Capitol Reef National Park

With bellies virtually full, let’s head into Capitol Reef National Park. Capitol Reef is my personal favorite of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. This is partly because it’s the least crowded of the five, but also because of the amazing variety of its features – arches, narrow sandstone gorges, stunning overlooks, scenic drives, and other amazing geology – all based around Utah’s Waterpocket Fold.

The Waterpocket Fold is long stretch of the earth’s surface that wrinkled up when certain tectonic plates collided in this part of Utah millions of years ago. One side raised higher than the other. Over time water eroded the earth’s surface revealing and reshaping the Wrinkle. The Park is named for large white sandstone domes along the Waterpocket Fold that resemble the dome of the U.S. Capitol Building.

9. The Bentonite Hills

On the eastern edge of Capitol Reef National Park, our virtual Utah road trip is now going to take us off-road to see a couple more spectacular Southern Utah sites.

The Cathedral Valley Loop Road is a 58 mile dirt road track that weaves in and out of Capitol Reef’s official boundaries. Because a high clearance 4×4 is necessary for this journey, most Park visitors never see this part of Utah. Great news though – we have a virtual 4×4!

One of the amazing sites along the Cathedral Valley Loop Road is the Bentonite Hills. These hills are formed from multi-colored volcanic bentonite clay. Virtually driving through these mounds of purple, blue, orange, red, gray, and white, is virtually surreal.

10. Cathedral Valley

The ultimate destination along this Loop is Cathedral Valley. This is the most remote section of Capitol Reef National Park. The valley itself is encircled with tall red corrugated cliffs that are thought by some to resemble the walls of a cathedral. In the center of the valley are several tall sandstone monoliths and sandstone fines (thin free-standing walls) of various sizes. Because this area is so remote, even non-virtual road trippers usually have all this majestic beauty to themselves.

11. Moab

Awestruck after the quiet beauty of Cathedral Valley, we travel east again, towards both Utah’s most iconic site and Hollywood’s favorite Utah viewpoint.

After 150 miles, we find ourselves in Moab Utah. Moab is the largest town in southeast Utah. It’s world-famous for its mountain biking and off-roading terrain, and it’s a beloved camping area for Utahns and tourists alike.

Plus, some of Utah’s greatest sites can be found in the Trifecta of Parks nearby – Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park.

11. Arches National Park

This is certainly the State of Utah’s most iconic site…Delicate Arch.

Delicate Arch can be found within Arches National Park, along with over 2000 other sandstone arches. In fact, Arches National Park has the densest collection of natural arches in the world. Not all of these are easily accessible, but many of the largest are.

As you’ll see, Arches National Park is full of amazing natural sandstone formations. Some of the most famous sites to photograph are:

• Delicate Arch
• Double Arch
• Balanced Rock
• Turret Arch
• The Organ

Arches National Park is Utah’s 3rd most visited National Park and is relatively small, with only one entry point. Consequently, like Zion National Park, Arches can be very very crowded. In the recent past, it’s not been unusual for visitors to be turned away at the gate. This year, the Park has instituted an online reservation system to help manage the crowds.

Good thing I had a virtual reservation for us!

12. Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point State Park sits high on a mesa about 30 miles from Moab. From its southern edge, 2000 feet above the canyon floor, we take in one of Utah’s most spectacular views. Stand on the edge and look out across the horseshoe bend in the Colorado River, surrounded by the red canyons of Canyonlands National Park in the distance.

The views from Dead Horse Point have long been a favorite of Hollywood. This is where Thelma & Louise drove off the edge to their ultimate fate, where Tom Cruise free solo climbs at the beginning of Mission Impossible 2, and where many of Westworld’s grand vistas where shot.

Before we get back in our virtual car, let’s hike the 1 mile Rim trail along the edge of the Point, and take in one great view after another.

13. Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is Utah’s largest National Park. It has three different sections and two different visitor’s centers. But its most-visited section, called The Island in the Sky, is just a few miles from Dead Horse Point. And this is where our virtual Utah Road Trip will come to an end.

Like Dead Horse Point, Island in the Sky sits on top of a high mesa, 2000 feet above the canyon floor and the two rivers that carved this landscape over the millennia. The Green River runs along the western edge, and the Colorado River along the eastern edge, before they join together at the mesa’s southern tip. From here, the Colorado continues south into Arizona to carve the Grand Canyon

As we drive along the mesa-top road, we can stop and take short hikes to see more of Utah’s spectacular views.

One of those famous views is through Mesa Arch – a small arch that sits on the eastern edge of the ‘island’ and offers a peek-a-boo view of the canyons below. Early risers line up to take a popular sunrise shot through the Arch. Our road trip itinerary didn’t get us there earlier enough for that unfortunately.

Another spectacular view is at the southern edge of the Island – from the Grand View Point Lookout. Utah’s legendary White Rim Trail – a popular biking and 4×4 route – is easily appreciated below.

Planning a Southern Utah Road Trip

So with these spectacular views from Canyonlands, we end our virtual Utah Road Trip. So much geologic wonder in this part of the United States. You should definitely put it on your list for an actual road trip some day, and come witness these great Utah sites in person.

And, if you do then here are a few travel tips for planning a Utah road trip:

The Grand Canyon – Keep in mind that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is only a 1.5 hour drive south from Kanab. You may not want to miss that.

Nearest Airports

For a Utah road trip from Las Vegas fly into Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) which is located 2 hours from St George by car. Alternatively, start off your road trip in Utah at Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is about 4 hours away from both St George and Moab in different directions.

St George does have a small regional airport (SGU). You can fly there directly from Salt Lake, Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas.

Where to Stay on a Road Trip in Utah

Lodging and Dining – The various cities and towns featured along this Utah road trip – St George, Kanab, Torrey, and Moab – all offer various hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, and grocery stores. Other small Utah towns like Springdale, Orderville, Tropic, Escalante, and Green River offer similar services along the route too.

Camping – If you prefer camping, then consider renting an RV for your southern Utah road trip. Campsites can be found at all the State and National Parks featured in this post (reservations necessary and usually well in advance), or near the various featured towns.

Best Time of Year for a Utah Road Trip

Anytime between May and October would be a great time to take this Utah road trip. Elevation and temperatures vary all along this route – from 2700 feet above sea level in St George to 8500 feet at Bryce Canyon. These months give the best chance for reasonable weather all along the way.

How Many Days For A Utah Road Trip

While the author has always visited these locations as part of separate short trips from Salt Lake City, you would want to plan a minimum of 10 days to complete this Utah road trip from start to finish.

10-Day Utah Itinerary

• Days 1-3 Snow Canyon, Zion, and Kanab
• Days 4-5 Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Kodachrome Basin
• Days 6-7 Capitol Reef Area
• Days 8-10 Moab Area

10 days is a minimum though, and doesn’t include travel time back and forth from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. Extra time can be added anywhere along the route for deeper exploration of southern Utah’s unique beauty.

14-Day Utah Itinerary

Two weeks is ideal for a Utah itinerary. This gives time to complete the ‘grand circle’ road trip, visiting the Grand Canyon as well as the ‘Mighty 5’ National Parks – Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands – and must-see landmarks of Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon, the Hoodoos or Dead Horse Point, among other top scenic sites. Alternatively start your 14 day Utah road trip in Salt Lake City and finish in Las Vegas in the neighboring state of Nevada.

• Day 1
  Salt Lake City
• Days 2, 3, 4
  Moab – Arches National Park – Dead Horse Point State Park – Canyonlands NP
• Days 5 and 6
  Capitol Reef National Park – Bentonite Hills – Cathedral Valley
• Days 7 and 8
  Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin, Red Canyon
• Days 9 and 10
  Kanab and The Grand Canyon
• Days 11, 12, 13
  Zion and Snow Canyon
• Day 14
  Las Vegas

3-Day Utah Itineraries

These 3-day itineraries are useful if you’re in Utah for a less than a week (or live nearby in a neighboring state).

1. Salt Lake City, Zion, and Snow Canyon
2. Kanab, Zion, and Grand Canyon
3. Red Canyon – Bryce Canyon – Kodachrome Basin
4. Capitol Reef National Park – Bentonite Hills – Cathedral Valley
5. Moab – Arches National Park – Dead Horse Point State Park – Canyonlands National Park

Finally, if you’re in Utah for a week: spend 1 day exploring Salt Lake City, 4 days on a road trip, followed by 2 days in Las Vegas to end the itinerary. Or combine the suggestions above to create a personalized 7 day route to see the sites of Southern Utah.

About the Author

Steven Jepson is a retired physician who writes about his travels at The Thorough Tripper. You can visit his blog to read more about each location outlined in this post.

While he calls Salt Lake City Utah his home, he’s happiest while on the road, especially anywhere in Europe. Follow his latest adventures on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

* All photographs in this article have been taken by Steven Jepson on recent trips from his home in Salt Lake City.

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