Utah has 5 national parks, making it USA’s 3rd state with the highest number of national parks. They are also popularly known as Utah’s Mighty 5 or the Majestic 5. Despite being within the same state, they all consist of unique landscapes, making every single one of them a must-visit when you plan a trip to Utah with kids.
The state also draws some of the largest traffic to national parks in the country because of its uniqueness, scenic drives, and hike-worthy trails. Some even require special permits to complete the hike. Utah’s 5 national parks are all majestic in nature. No matter how short you are on time, every national park deserves at least a full day to visit and explore. This comprehensive guide covers to Utah’s Big 5 national parks, a broad road trip itinerary to cover them all, and family-friendly hikes at each park.
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Why Utah’s 5 National Parks?
The 5 parks are spread across Utah across hundreds of miles. And yet, the Mighty 5 in Utah can be surprisingly rewarding for families traveling with kids. Many viewpoints are easy to access, the scenery changes dramatically from park to park, and the open space invites kids to explore nature in ways that feel very different from everyday life. The Big 5 national parks at Utah make for an excellent spring break destination in the US.
For families, this changes the entire dynamic. There’s less pressure to “complete” something. Less frustration if kids get tired. Less negotiating to keep going just to reach the final viewpoint. If your kids are past the baby and toddler phase, check out the Junior Ranger program. It’s a fun program that encourages kids to explore the park while learning about it.
Utah’s 5 National Parks Map
Planning a Utah’s Mighty 5 Itinerary with kids
The biggest mistake most families make on this trip is trying to do too much in too little time. A rushed national park visit with tired, overstimulated kids rarely ends well for anyone.
The Mighty 5 sounds like a checklist, but it really shouldn’t be treated like one.
A realistic, enjoyable pace for an Utah National Parks Itinerary looks like this:
- Spend 2 nights in Moab to cover Arches and Canyonlands,
- 1 night near Capitol Reef,
- and 2 nights split between Bryce and Zion.
That puts you at roughly 5 to 7 days for the full loop — which sounds like a lot, but moves faster than you expect once you factor in driving, meals, and the inevitable slow mornings with kids. If you have fewer days, prioritize Zion and Arches, as those 2 tend to be the most rewarding for families with younger children. Planning a Utah trip with kids requires you to decide entry routes, passes, reservations, timing, and the practical details to make the trip smoother.
When traveling with young kids, there are certain places not worth stopping at. Either because young kids are not allowed or because it’s simply not safe for them. For instance, Angels Landing in Zion National Park or the Delicate Arch Trail in Arches National Park.
Big 5 National Parks in Utah
This post will guide you on which trails to take and which to avoid when planning Utah’s Mighty 5 — whether you’re driving up from California or heading south from Wyoming.
Arches National Park
Arches is the most visited National Park in Utah with the highest red rock stone formations, some resulting in different arch forms. Many visitors from Colorado, visit Moab over the long weekend, only to visit the Arches National Park.
All viewpoints accessible by car are safe enough to explore with kids. You can drive right up to many of the major viewpoints in Arches and see them directly from your vehicle. This is especially helpful during afternoon drives or when kids fall asleep. You can still take in the stunning rock formations from the comfort of your car.
Arches is the only park among the 5 parks that requires timed entry during certain seasons. Travelers coming from far distances have often faced disappointment when the park reaches capacity and entry is no longer allowed. Planning ahead helps avoid this, as a timed entry reservation guarantees access within your selected time window.
Family-friendly trails at Arches
For a trail with little ones, check out the Double Arch Trail. It’s stroller-friendly for most of the path and is a short loop of approximately 0.6 miles. Balanced Rock is another great option at approximately 0.3 miles round trip.
Skip the Delicate Arch Trail if your kids are very little and have high-energy, as the walkway up does not have any guardrails.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands consists of canyons formed from the curved Colorado River. The Canyonlands are divided into 4 distinct districts – Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers. Canyonlands offers sweeping views of vast canyons, similar to the Grand Canyon’s scale.
All stops and viewpoints can be considered kid-friendly. Do skip the 100-mile road trail until the kids are old enough to ride an ATV to explore it. It also takes 3–4 days to complete, as you can’t access the entire route by vehicle and must explore parts of it on foot or by bike. These deep canyon and winding river trails require both physical and mental preparedness.
Canyonlands is one of the parks whose scenery has inspired the creation of the Community Artists in the Parks program. Whether you and your kids are into art or not, this program draws creative inspiration straight from wild nature.
Stargazing at Canyonlands — What to Expect with Kids
Canyonlands is well known for stargazing because of its remote location. If you plan to take the kids out for a stargazing session, a little preparation goes a long way. The best experience happens on or near a new moon, when there is the least amount of light interference. Some more tips to make the stargazing experience a hit:
- Dress the kids in layers. Temperatures at night drop fast in the desert, even in summer.
- Bring a red-light flashlight instead of a white one, as red light preserves your night vision while still helping you navigate safely.
- Give the kids 5 to 10 minutes to let their eyes fully adjust before pointing anything out. Once they spot the Milky Way on their own, the reactions are completely worth the effort.
- Carry a picnic mat or even an extra hotel bed sheet to lie on while gazing at the sky.
Family-friendly trails at Canyonlands
The Storehouse Trail is a quick, easy 20-minute trail at approximately 0.3 miles. Another fun trail to explore is the Mesa Arch Trail.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem and often the least visited of Utah’s five national parks. Its landscape of cliffs, canyons, and domes makes it another uniquely beautiful stop among the Mighty 5 of Utah.
All viewpoints are great to explore, though the trails often involve uneven terrain that can be a little too strenuous for little ones. Do try the pie at Gifford Homestead. It is worth the stop, made from produce grown on their local farm.
Family-friendly trails at Capitol Reef
Go for the Gooseneck Trail at approximately 0.2 miles, or Sunset Point at approximately 0.8 miles. True to its name, it’s a wonderful trail for catching the sunset.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bordering the Grand Staircase Escalante, Bryce Canyon National Park consists of dense hoodoos formation from millions of years of rock deposits and erosion.
This is the best park for kids in strollers, as all viewpoints are wheelchair and stroller accessible. This gives everyone the opportunity to take their loved ones to experience the majestic views of the mushroom-shaped hoodoos.
One thing that surprises most parents at Bryce is how engaged the kids get just from the viewpoints. The hoodoos look completely different depending on the time of day. Morning light gives them a warm orange glow, while midday brings out sharper shadows and deeper colors.
If you have older kids, make a game out of spotting shapes in the formations. Some look like faces, animals, or towers. It keeps them moving from viewpoint to viewpoint without any coaxing, and the changing angles make each stop feel fresh rather than repetitive. This is one national park where you don’t need to do any trails and still get the very best of it.
Family-friendly trails at Bryce
The Rim Trail along the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater is the easiest walk in the park. You can start at Sunrise Point and walk to Sunset Point.
The Navajo Loop Trail is the most popular trail in Bryce Canyon and is a must-do with slightly older kids. Due to weather conditions and mudslides, authorities have closed the Navajo Loop Trail until further notice. That doesn’t mean skip Bryce, or that you are going to miss out a lot. It just means you get to spend more time at the many other viewpoints the park has to offer.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park comprises of 3 eco systems — the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin and the Mojave Dessert. You see a lot of greenery in Zion compared to the other national parks in Utah. Zion is also most similar to Sedona due to its dramatic, towering red rock cliffs and vibrant colours. Plus it is the closest amongst Utah’s national parks to Antelope Canyon, if you want to take a detour to view this canyon in Arizona near the Utah border.
Zion offers both one of the most kid-friendly trails and one of the most dangerous trails any national park has to offer. Another great thing about Zion is its shuttle system. No need to stress about finding a parking spot at every stop — just hop on, hop off at each point along the canyon, and let the park come to you.
Family-friendly trails at Zion
The Riverside Walk is a wonderful trail where you walk alongside the creek. You have the option to go a few miles and turn back without ever stepping into the water. But if you want to wade in, proper gear is available for rental, including dry suits and water boots. So you can explore the knee-deep waters. Fun for most ages. You may even spot a deer along the way!
Definitely skip Angels Landing with kids. It has no proper guardrails, is very strenuous, and considered a dangerous hike. Also the final section requires a separate permit. Children under a certain age are not allowed beyond a specific point.
Final Thoughts: Utah’s Mighty 5
Just planning around the Mighty 5 of Utah alone makes for an incredible road trip. A genuine nature experience for the whole family, no matter the ages of your kids. Utah is one destination where all five national parks are within a drivable distance of each other, keeping travel time between parks manageable without long hauls.
And if time permits, it is also possible to combine Utah’s national parks with a road trip to the Grand Canyon South Rim in Arizona. Another popular route is to combine Las Vegas with a road trip to Utah’s national parks.
If you are planning a trip to the US west coast, you may find these other blogs useful –
Itinerary: A Fabulous 2-week USA West Coast Itinerary for family vacation
Cities: 4 days in San Francisco, Los Angeles with kids and Activities in Vegas for families
National Parks: Yosemite National Park with kids, Grand Canyon with kids
Disneyland: Disneyland Hacks and Disneyland California Itinerary
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This is a guest post by Rama Tirumala. Rama is the founder of Crazy Cubs Lazy Mom, where real-life parenting chaos meets practical travels. She is experienced in both travel technology and hands-on family travel with 2 boys across the U.S and beyond.
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Utah clearly has a lot of National Parks. This is a great guide with plenty of options to suit all ages and a wonderful way to experience such incredible landscapes together with children.
There’s no place quite like the National Parks of Utah. Some of my favorite trips!
All these parks look so wild, I’m hoping to visit them soon.
Great tips! I would love to visit these national parks in Utah, so I’ll save this post for later.