Grand Circle Road Trip
Difficulty
Distance
Recom. Days
Trip type
Grand Circle Road Trip
Grand Circle Road Trip
Stop One: Explore the contrasts of Arches National Park
Stop One: Explore the contrasts of Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a landscape of contrasting landforms, colors, and textures that are unlike anything you will have seen before. The park has over 2,000 naturally-formed stone arches (hence the name) but also plays host to hundreds of massive rock fins, soaring pinnacles, and giant balanced rocks.
The park is crisscrossed with numerous walking and hiking trails, all of various grades. For some of the most spectacular views of the area, be sure to get up before sun up and perch yourself among the rocks for a front-row seat to one of the most beautiful sunrises you’ll ever see.
Whether you’re into hiking or just enjoy a spectacular sunset, this red-rock wonderland will be sure to go down as one of the highlights of your road trip around Utah.
Visiting
Arches National Park
1
Recom. Days
370 km
from Salt Lake City
3h35min
drive
Visit
Park Avenue
Free
A short, easy hike that wanders past impressively massive rock formations
The windows and turret arch
Free
See the North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch all in one hike
Double Arch
Free
The tallest arches in the park, this double formation will take your breath away
Delicate Arch
Free
The main attraction of the park, the Delicate Arch isn’t to be missed
Eat at
98 Center Moab
€€
Vietnamese-inspired soups and sandwiches with vegan and gluten-free options available
Moab Kitchen
€€
A vegan food truck that turns out wraps, soups, and other bites
Parking
Devils Garden Parking Lot
€
Park here for the trail to Landscape Arch and beyond. 10 oversized spaces are available
Wolfe Ranch Parking Lot
€
The three-mile roundtrip hike to Delicate Arch starts from this car park. 28 oversized spaces are available
Stay at
Arches National Park
€€
The park itself has camping facilities and does accommodate campervans up to 30 meters in length
Archview RV Resort & Campground
€€
A chic camping area with an old west theme
Seven Mile RV Park
€€
Just five minutes from Arches National Park and flush with amenities
Stop Two: Wonder at the diversity of Canyonlands National Park
Stop Two: Wonder at the diversity of Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is the largest in Utah with a diversity that will stagger your imagination. Made up of different districts, you want to choose which to visit ahead of time as they’re not very accessible once you’re in the park proper.
The easiest district to experience is the Island in the Sky district which is the closest to Moab and offers panoramic views of the park’s spectacular landscape.
Sunrise and sunset are particularly beautiful from the park. Simply perch yourself at one of the many lookouts and let nature put on a show for you. The park also offers multiple hiking trails for those more adventurously minded.
Visiting
Canyonlands National Park
1
Recom. Days
42 km
from Arches National Park
30 min
drive
Visit
Grand View Point
Free
Offering some of the best views in the park, this lookout isn’t to be missed
Mesa Arch
Free
This natural arch gives Arches National Park a run for its money
Green River Overlook
Free
Another excellent viewpoint from which to gaze in awe across the park
Shafer Canyon
Free
Just a short walk into the park, the Shafer Canyon outlook is one of the best in the area
Eat at
Moab Diner
€€
A traditional American diner with a homey feel
Thai Bella Moab
€€
Spicy curries and other Thai favorites are served in a chic atmosphere
Parking
Visitor center
€
Parking is limited at the visitor center
Island in the Sky
€
The most campervan-friendly campground parking in the park itself
Stay at
Canyonlands national park – Island in the Sky
€€
This campground is dry and can accommodate vehicles up to 28 feet in length
Canyonlands national park – Needles
€€
The second campervan campground in the park. This one is also dry and can accommodate vehicles up to 28 feet in length
White Crack Campground
€€
Super close to the park proper, it sports some of the best views of the area
Maze Overlook Campground
€€
A stunning campground just minutes from the Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
It’s difficult to rival Capitol Reef National Park’s sense of expanse. A wonderland of broad, sweeping vistas and seemingly endless landscape, it gives you a real sense of what Earth must have been like before life appeared.
The park itself is host to a slew of walking and hiking trails as well as some of the most impressive lookouts in the area. It also holds a number of ancient petroglyphs – engraved etchings into rock walls that date back to 600 - 1300 A.D.
Whether you’re into hiking, taking in a view, or want to delve into the history of the area, Capitol Reef National Park is a great day trip for you and your family.
Visiting
Stop Three: Take a trip back in time in Capitol Reef National Park
2
Recom. Days
270km
from Canyonlands National Park
2h52min
drive
Visit
Highway 24
Free
The main highway that runs through the park, it offers some spectacular views
Panorama Point
Free
This lookout is located just off Highway 24 and offers some of the best views of the area
Sunset Point
Free
A lookout that lives up to its name, you should experience the sunset here
Petroglyphs
Free
Ancient pictures carved into the stone walls of the area
Eat at
The Gifford House Store and Museum
€€
Sells baked goods, coffee and tea, ice cream, and other snacks during the spring and summer seasons
Parking
Visitor center
€
Parking is limited at the visitor center
Pullouts along Highway 24
€
Oversize/campervan parking is available in pullouts along the highway
Stay at
Fruita Campground
€€
This campground is within the park itself and is an oasis in the desert
Group Campsite
€€
Also within the park itself, this campsite is notoriously busy so you should book in advance
Wonderland RV Park
€€
Located just a stone’s throw from the park proper, the Wonderland campervan park is the best in the area
Thousand Lakes RV Park
€€
A homey campervan park with plenty of amenities including a pool
Stop Four: See the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park
Stop Four: See the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a red, orange, and white wonderland that provides spectacular views for park visitors. Smaller than its brother, the nearby Zion National Park, it nevertheless packs a real punch in terms of sights.
The cornerstone of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite the name, is actually not a canyon. Rather, it’s a collection of massive natural amphitheaters along the east of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures named hoodoos. These structures are formed by steam erosion and frost weathering of the lake bed and river sedimentary rocks.
The park is crisscrossed with numerous walking and hiking trails that lead to various lookout points throughout the area.
Visiting
Bryce Canyon National Park
1
Recom. Days
180 km
from Capitol Reef National Park
2h10min
drive
Visit
Inspiration Point
Free
Home to three levels of lookouts, this is a great way to experience the amphitheaters
Rim Trail
Free
One of the best ways to view the area’s hoodoos
Bryce Point
Free
One of the best viewpoints in the park and a great vantage from which to watch the sunrise
Sunset Point
Free
Home to the Silent City – a maze of ancient hoodoos
Eat at
The Lodge
€€
The lodge is open seasonally for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Parking
Additional Parking Lot
€
Located across from the visitor center it’s the easiest way to park
The Lodge
€
The only place to lodge in the park, the Lodge also provides parking
Stay at
North Campground
€€
Located in the park proper, it’s one of the best ways to experience the area
Sunset Campground
€€
The park’s second campsite, it’s a great overnight experience
Bryce Canyon Pines Campground
€€
All the amenities you need with scenic canyon views
Escalante View Ruby's Inn Employee RV Park
€€
Large pull-through sites with all major amenities
Stop Five: Zion National Park – the cream of the crop
Stop Five: Zion National Park – the cream of the crop
Utah’s first national park, Zion National Park is a mecca of hiking, backpacking, camping, climbing, and more. Its highlight is an expansive canyon that averages 2,000 feet deep. Offering hiking opportunities along its floor, you can opt to explore The Narrows or a more challenging area known as The Subway.
Other awesome features of Zion National Park include its natural rock arches. Two of the most impressive are the Kolob and the Crawford, each visible from some of the many hiking trails that cross the area.
If you’re traveling in summer then you’ll be excited to know that swimming is permitted within the park areas of the Virgin River.
Visiting
Zion National Park
2
Recom. Days
116 km
from Bryce Canyon National Park
1h18min
drive
Visit
Weeping Rock
Free
This dripping stone overhang offers stunning views of the hanging gardens
Riverside Walk
Free
A 2.2-mile round-trip path that winds along the Virgin River
Lower Emerald Pools
Free
Featuring a weeping wall and pools at the base
Canyoneering and rock climbing
Free
The park’s unique landscape makes it ideal for canyoneering and rock climbing
Eat at
Zion Canyon Brew Pub
€€
Quality pub food just a short walk from the visitor center
Switchback Grille Steakhouse
€€
The most upscale restaurant in the area
Thai Sapa
€€
The best Thai restaurant in the Springdale area
Parking
Throughout the park
€
The park has a number of parking stalls throughout the area
Town of Springdale
€
You can park in the nearby town and catch a shuttle into the park proper
Stay at
South Campground
€€
Informal campervan park and campground with water access, shower, and laundry
Lava Point Campground
€€
A primitive campground with pit toilets and striking views
Watchman Campground
€€
Plenty of RV parks and toilets on site
Zion Canyon Campground and RV resort
€€
Family-run campervan resort with all the amenities you need
Stop Six: Cut loose at Lake Powell
Stop Six: Cut loose at Lake Powell
Lake Powell is an artificial reservoir on the Colorado River. A major vacation spot, it’s visited by around two million people each year.
Lake Powell starts in northern Arizona and extends up into southern Utah. At 186 miles long, this man-made wonder covers an immense amount of territory across the American West. Home to 96 major canyons, some of which are 15 to 20 miles in length, this reservoir is on the map as a national recreation destination.
With almost 2,000 miles of shoreline, warm water, endless sunshine, and some of the most awesome scenery in the west, Lake Powell is the ultimate outdoor playground. Whether you’re into boating, water skiing, rock climbing, or simply taking in the sights, there’s something for everyone at this national recreation area.
Visiting
Lake Powell
1
Recom. Days
165 km
from Zion National Park
1h44min
drive
Visit
Kayak the lake
Free
Take in the lake at a slower pace by hiring a kayak
Take a boat tour
Free
For those who prefer to sit back and enjoy the sights
Antelope Canyon
Free
One of the most visited and photographed slot canyons in America
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Free
The tallest natural bridge in North America
Eat at
Rainbow Room
€€
Stunning views and spectacular food
Driftwood Lounge
€€
Just a hop from the Lake Powell Resort, this restaurant comes highly rated.
BirdHouse
€€
Home of the best chicken roll in the area
Parking
Bullfrog Marina
€
Can get busy during the high season so get in early for a spot
Antelope Point Marina & RV Park
€
A great place to explore the area with rentals available
Stay at
Wahweap RV & Campground
€€
Sturdy campervan park with showers and laundry facilities
Bullfrog Basin Campground
€€
Campervan park with all the amenities you need for a short stay
Stanton Creek Campground
€€
Primitive camping with some of the best views of the area
Page Lake Powell Campground
€€
Stunning views and all the amenities you might need
Stop Seven: Explore the backcountry in the Valley of the Gods
Stop Seven: Explore the backcountry in the Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods is a picturesque backcountry area with similar scenery to that of nearby Monument Valley. It offers isolated buttes, massive pinnacles, and wide-open landscapes that seem to go on forever.
While you need a permit to hike the Monument Valley backcountry, the Valley of the Gods offers similar scenery without tribal restrictions. The area is open for hiking, backpacking, and camping.
The Valley of the Gods has no designated campgrounds or trails, just seemingly endless backcountry for you to explore at your leisure.
Visiting
Valley of the Gods
1
Recom. Days
255 km
from Lake Powell
2h57min
drive
Visit
Seven Sailors Butte
Free
One of the first formations you’ll come across and also one of the most impressive
Castle Butte
Free
Resembling its namesake, this formation is something to behold
Battleship Rock
Free
With an outline similar to that of a battleship, this rock formation is well-named
Eat at
ㅤ
The Valley of the Gods is a vast stretch of very little. If you’re wanting to chow down while on your trip you’re better off packing your own meals.
Parking
ㅤ
Free
Valley of the Gods really is the wild west when it comes to parking. Simply find a spot off the road and park up.
Stay at
Valley of the gods - Where to stay
There are no designated campgrounds within the valley proper, however, the whole area is open to campervan camping provided you don’t mind roughing it
688 km
from Valley of the Gods
7h
drive