Of Utah’s five national parks—often called the Mighty Five—which one is the best? The answer depends on what you value, why you’re visiting, and who you’re with.
I spent five weeks visiting every Utah national park, exploring solo and hiking whenever possible. As someone who loves solitude in nature, my impressions reflect that perspective. If you enjoy hiking and peaceful wilderness, you’ll likely appreciate the same parks I did. If you prefer crowds, scenic drives, or more social experiences, your favorites may differ.
Before we dive in, a quick disclaimer: there is no “worst” park. Each of Utah’s Mighty Five offers something magical and unforgettable.
My Least Favorite Utah National Park
5. Arches National Park
The first time I visited Arches National Park, I was shocked. I joined a massive line of cars at the entrance, only to find the park temporarily closed due to overcrowding—a daily occurrence during peak hours. After circling back in the evening and waiting 20 minutes to enter, I finally got a glimpse of the world-famous arches.
Crowds vs. Solitude
I love hiking for nature and solitude, and Arches can feel the opposite. With 1.5 million visitors annually, it’s crowded, especially near the major formations like Delicate Arch, Double Arch, and the Windows. Parking lots are often full, and trail etiquette can feel nonexistent—imagine a nature park turned into a chaotic “Hunger Games.”
In contrast, Zion National Park, the second most visited park, attracts around 4.9 million visitors. Bryce Canyon National Park draws in about 2.4 million visitors, while Capitol Reef National Park has approximately 1.4 million. Nearby Canyonlands National Park sees significantly fewer visitors, with only about 818,000 each year.
Why You Should Still Visit
Despite the crowds, Arches is breathtaking. With over 2,000 sandstone arches, it has the world’s highest density of arches. You can get up close on short walks from nearby parking areas, but expect to play parking-lot tag. Highlights include:
- Balanced Rock – three school buses stacked precariously on a pedestal
- Delicate Arch – the iconic symbol of Utah
Pro tips:
- Location: 22 miles south of Crescent Junction, UT, off US 191
- Visit early (5 a.m.) or late (after 7 p.m.) to avoid the crowds
- Start with Delicate Arch, the busiest spot
Read the full post about Arches National Park.
If You Visit Arches National Park
If you plan to visit Arches this year or anytime soon, I suggest planning a route. I’d start with Delicate Arch since that will be the busiest. Go very early in the morning – like 5 a.m. – or very late in the evening – after 7 p.m. This way, you’ll avoid the worst of the crowds and enjoy this beautiful place as intended.
Cost: $30 per vehicle, or free with an $85 park pass that gets you into every national park free thereafter.
Arches National Park is usually open year-round, 24 hours a day. Find it north of Moab, Utah. From Interstate 70 (Crescent Junction), drive south on US 191 for 22 miles.
4. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is spectacular, with hoodoos—the park’s signature tall, thin spires of rock—clustered in stunning arrangements. But here’s the catch: it can feel like a music festival without the music. Crowds are high, families everywhere, and it’s hard to find peace in nature.
Hoodoos: Nature’s Sculptures
Bryce has the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world. Their unique formations are mesmerizing, and photography opportunities abound. But the sheer number of visitors can make the experience feel crowded, and you might miss the quiet wonder that makes national parks special.
But, man, it is pretty. And humbling. Maybe that’s all we need to take away from this Utah National Park. They exist against the odds and remind us of the wonders possible in our world. At Bryce National Park, standing next to those hoodoos, you are so small. It reminds you of your size in the universe and what time can do. It will have to be enough.
If You Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Go before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. when the crowds are thinnest. Map out your trails in advance. Combine several small trails into one and the less you have to play parking lot tag.
Cost: $30 per vehicle, or free with an $85 park pass that gets you into every national park free thereafter.
Find Bryce Canyon National Park off Highway 63, Bryce, UT 84764.
3. Canyonlands National Park
I loved this Utah national park right away because it’s less crowded and, dare I say, maybe more beautiful. It may not be on your shortlist, but after visiting for a day, Canyonlands won me over immediately. Unlike Arches and Bryce, it’s less crowded, making it perfect for hikers and lovers of solitude. The park features dramatic desert landscapes, towering mesas, hoodoos, and arches—just less congested than its neighbors.
Driving Into Canyonlands
A scenic 30-mile side road leads into the park, with open desert at first, then spectacular landscapes of mesas and canyons. Mesa Arch is a highlight, with minimal crowds, perfect for photography and quiet reflection.
I liked the solitude of nature. Hiking and listening to the sounds of the animals and the wind. Because Canyonlands National Park is less crowded, you can enjoy the park rather than battle the crowds. It has arches and hoodoos, just like those other parks.
Canyonlands is known for its dramatic desert landscape carved by the Colorado River. The rock mesas are so giant and towering they appear like elephants. Canyon rock mountains line either side of the road. It’s like driving in the middle of the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Not that you could do that, which makes this park even better. I made frequent stops at the pull-outs to take in the view of the massive red and orange mesas.
The Needles section here is similar to the hoodoos, just in a smaller concentration. Nearly the entire park at Bryce is hoodoos, but here it’s just one section.
If You Visit Canyonlands
Go before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. when the crowds are thinnest. Bring twice as much water as you think you’ll need. Ensure you have a full tank of gas – there’s nowhere in the park to get any in the park.
Entry fee: The cost is $30 per vehicle. A National Park pass is $80 for a year and gets you in free after that.
Canyonlands National Park is usually open year-round, 24 hours a day. Find it off UT 313, about 22 miles southwest of US 191 near Moab, UT 84532.
2. Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park surprised me—it’s under the radar and I wasn’t going to visit it at all. I’d never heard of it before I came to Utah. Yet, it’s one of the most diverse parks in Utah. With canyons, cliffs, domes, arches, hoodoos, and historic orchards, it has it all.
What Makes Capitol Reef Special
- Waterpocket Fold: A 60-mile-long warp in the Earth’s crust
- Historic Fruita orchards: Pick fresh fruit and enjoy homemade pies
- Hiking & History: Trails range from short, scenic walks to challenging hikes
This park is peaceful, historically rich, and perfect for those who enjoy solitude and exploration.
The thing I loved most about this place was the crowds. There aren’t any. My other reason is history. Oh, and the pie. Who am I kidding? It’s because of the pie.
Capital Reef National Park doesn’t have one special feature like arches, hoodoos, or monuments. It’s so geologically diverse that it has them all. But, it’s also historically fascinating, and some of that history is alive.
The park has all the best features like canyons, cliffs, hoodoos, domes, petroglyphs, and arches. Other national parks typically have only one or two of these features.
Fun Fact: The park’s name “Capitol” is from the white sandstone domes that look like capitol buildings. “Reef” because it forms a 60-mile-long rock barrier.
Capitol Reef is a Park in Two Sections
The park is divided into two sections: one requires a pass and the rest you can drive right through. The section you can go through for free has designated hikes and maintained trails.
The actual park has a 10-mile scenic drive, and you must pay to enter or have a parking pass. Because this park gets so little traffic, it’s still managed on the trust system. When I went, there wasn’t anybody staffing the entrance.
You’ll “enter” the park long before you actually enter it along Utah Highway 24. There are miles and miles of highway along the fold. You’ll see marked turnouts and trailheads as you get within a few miles.
Historic Orchards and Pie in Capitol Reef
Upon entering the scenic drive, you’ll be in the “Fruita” section. On the right, you’ll see cherry, apricot, peach, and apple orchards. These historic orchards can be found throughout the park. I love that they just call it “fruita.” Keep it simple.
The grove is hundreds of years old and was started by Mormon settlers in the 1800s. Read the signage to learn it’s excellent history.
In recent years the park has repopulated the orchards, and now they grow a ton of different kinds of fruit. If you arrive when the fruit is ripe, you can even pick your own for a fee. And the best part? They make and sell pies!
The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Capitol Reef Park Districts
Because of the many different geologic aspects of Capitol Reef, there are a lot of options you can choose from. Hiking, canyoneering, rock climbing, backpacking, camping and bicycling are some of the activities you can do in the park.
This Utah national park is big and has many different sections to showcase its various aspects. There are the Cathedral Valley, Waterpocket District, Burro, Cottonwood and Sheets Gulch, and the Sulphur Creek area.
These sections feature river hikes, three slot canyons, monoliths, climbing areas and more. There are 15-day hiking trails along Highway 24 and Scenic Drive. I did a few short ones, and they had excellent historical aspects and great beauty.
If You Visit Capitol Reef National Park
This is a park you could easily spend a couple of days exploring. If you want to camp, this is one I’d put at the top of the list. There is much more to do and see, like the Cassidy Arch, petroglyphs and so much more. This park is a true gem.
Cost: The entry fee is $30 per vehicle. A National Park pass is $80 for a year and gets you in free after that.
Find Capitol Reef National Park, at HC 70, Box 15 Torrey, UT 84775.
1 Zion National Park
Despite the crowds, Zion is my favorite of the Utah national parks. Why? Because it’s all about hiking, not consuming. The best views require your own two feet, and the park rewards effort with stunning red-orange cliffs and iconic trails.
Hiking in Zion
- Popular trails: Narrows, Angel’s Landing, Emerald Pools, Overlook Trail
- Shuttle system: Mandatory in the busiest areas, keeping some congestion at bay
Hidden Gem: Kolob Canyon
Just northwest of Zion, Kolob Canyon is almost empty yet just as spectacular. Long hikes, dramatic cliffs, and quiet trails make it perfect for those seeking the Zion experience without the crowds. is Zion, a true “hikers’” park. The best views are found by using your own two feet. You must get out on a trail to see the best of the park.In Zion, the rock is such a bright red-orange that it glows when the sun hits it. This view makes it so famous and causes people from around the world.
If you’re not down for hiking, there’s not much for you to do here. Because of the shuttle system, you can’t even drive into the most popular spots in the park.
It’s still pretty to drive through the Zion Scenic Drive. The road traverses a series of switchbacks on Route 9 and the famous Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Still, there aren’t any big pullouts, so there’s little congestion.
I liked Zion so much I wrote individual posts about the different hikes I did, including:
- Narrows
- The Watchman
- Angel’s Landing
- Overlook Trail
- Emerald Pools
Visit Zion’s Sister park, Kolob Canyon
Plus, Zion has a sister – the Kolob Canyon – right around the corner.
And you know the best part? While Zion is packed with thousands of people each day, the Kolob Canyon is almost empty. Dare I say, just as beautiful. Plus, it offers the hiking you dream of, long walks amid rare and exquisite scenery.
OK, maybe it’s not so secret. The park does mention on the visitor’s map. But hardly anybody goes there.
The sister canyon is tucked away in the northwest corner of Zion. You can’t get to it from the Zion; you must take a long way around. The park is a narrow box canyon cut into the western edge of the Colorado Plateau. It forms the classic Zion majestic peaks and features 2,000-foot cliff walls.
Of all the Utah national parks the one-two punch of Zion and Kolob is a hiking national park lover’s dream.
If You Visit Zion National Park and Kolob Canyon
To access the popular trails, you’ll have to arrive by 5 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. to catch the mandatory shuttle. The shuttle starts at 6 a.m., but the line will already be hundreds of people long by then. The last shuttle to the trails ends at 5 p.m. By then, the park is reaching normal occupancy levels.
Cost: The entry fee for this Utah national park is $30 per vehicle, good for a week. A National Park pass is $80 a year and gets you in free after that.
Find it at 1 Zion Park Blvd., State Route 9, Springdale, UT 84767.
Read more detailed posts about each Utah national park here.
Anonymous
September 9, 2025Thank you for your input. Great information. My wife and I are like you, we prefer solitude when hiking. We are going to use your experiences when deciding where to go.
Rene Cizio
September 9, 2025Glad you found it helpful!
Rene Cizio
June 11, 2025Yes, I visited all of these parks in the summer months. Though, becuase of the heat in Utah, spring and fall are usually most popular times to visit. Winter would probably be the least busy time.
Anonymous
June 10, 2025When did you visit these 5 parks? Your post is July 24, so I’m wondering if your 5 weeks were all in the summer. It that’s true, wouldn’t the crowds be less in the spring or fall?