Utah is home to five stunning national parks—often called “The Mighty 5”. Covering more than 7.9 million acres of land across much of the southern portion of the state, each park offers its own geological features, recreational opportunities, and cultural significance. Boasting some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth which draw adventurers, nature lovers, and photographers from around the globe, the natural wonders and breathtaking landscapes attract millions of visitors each year. Let’s get to know Utah’s Mighty 5: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Parks.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is Utah’s most-visited park with more than 5 million visitors per year. Known for its towering sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons, the park is home to over 1,000 plant species, including the iconic Zion ponderosa pine. Established in 1919, it is the oldest national park in Utah. Park visitors flock to the famous Zion Canyon, carved by the Virgin River over millions of years leaving 2,000-foot canyon walls. Hiking the Narrows and Angels Landing affords thrilling adventures over a narrow ridge with sheer drop-offs and through slot canyons with the reward of breathtaking views. Due to its popularity, a mandatory shuttle system is in operation during peak travel seasons.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Despite its name, Bryce Canyon is not a canyon but a series of enormous natural amphitheaters, notably Bryce Amphitheater, carved into the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The park is home to the oldest and largest stand of ponderosa pine trees in the world, some aged at over 700 years. Although Native American tribes, such as the Paiute, lived in the region for thousands of years prior, it is named after Ebenezer Bryce. It was designated a national park in 1928. Bryce is most famous for its hoodoos—tall, thin spires of rock formed by erosion over millions of years that now protrude from the bottom of Bryce’s arid basins. Additionally, Bryce Canyon National Park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park, making it an excellent spot for stargazing for the more than 2 million visitors each year.
Arches National Park
Utah’s red-rock wonder contains over 2,000 natural stone arches, the highest concentration of arches anywhere in the world, alongside hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins, and giant balanced rocks. The Devil’s Garden Trail, one of the park’s most renowned hikes, offers access to several of the Arches’ largest and most inspiring arches, including Landscape Arch, one of the world’s longest natural arches. The idea of protecting these otherworldly rock formations was first proposed by Alexander Ringhoffer, a local rancher who saw the value in preserving the area’s unique geology. This led to the designation of Arches National Monument in 1929 by President Herbert Hoover, yet it wasn’t until 1971 that the monument achieved full national park status.
Canyonlands National Park
Designated a national park in 1964, Canyonlands covers over 337,000 acres, making it the largest national park in the state of Utah, yet the least visited. Canyonlands has served as a filming location for “Thelma & Louise” and “Mission: Impossible 2”, and for other movies and TV shows thanks to its dramatic landscapes. Located in southeastern Utah and carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries, the park’s vast and rugged landscape is divided into four distinct districts that each feature unique geological features characterized by its deep canyons, towering mesas, and stunning vistas found at Island in the Sky, Needles District, and The Maze. Canyonlands National Park is rich with ancient Puebloan archaeological sites including dwellings, granaries, and rock art panels and is also designated as an International Dark Sky Park where visitors can enjoy unparalleled views of the night sky.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef’s Waterpocket Fold is the park’s most prominent geological feature—a nearly 100-mile-long warp in the Earth’s crust exposing layers of sandstone, shale, limestone, and sedimentary rock. Ancient petroglyphs and pictographs can be found throughout the park alongside a stunning landscape of cliffs, canyons, and domes. The rugged Cathedral Valley features stunning monoliths, towering spires, and iconic rock formations like Temple of the Moon. Drive along Utah State Route 24 for scenic views and the opportunity for visitors to pick apples, peaches, and pears during the harvest season from historic fruit orchards planted by the pioneers.